In a recent opinion – In re Heritage Home Group LLC, et al., Case No. 18-11736 (KG), 2018 WL 4684802 (Bankr. D. Del. Sept. 27, 2018) – the Delaware Bankruptcy Court addressed the longstanding issue of which professional persons must be retained under section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
A fundamental tenet of chapter 11 bankruptcies is the absolute priority rule. Initially a judge-created doctrine, the absolute priority rule was partially codified in section 1129(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Bankruptcy Code. Under section 1129, plans must be “fair and equitable” in order to be confirmed.
Background: Professionals’ Fees in Chapter 11 cases
On Friday, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation closed First Bank of Jacksonville, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed The First National Bank of Barnesville, headquartered in Barnesville, Georgia, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation closed Progress Bank of Florida, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance closed The Gordon Bank, headquartered in Gordon, Georgia, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed First Suburban National Bank, headquartered in Maywood, Illinois, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Office of Thrift Supervision closed First Arizona Savings, A FSB, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.
On Friday, the Florida Division of Financial Institutions closed Peninsula Bank, headquartered in Englewood, Florida, and appointed the FDIC as receiver for the bank. As receiver, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Premier American Bank, headquartered in Miami, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Peninsula Bank.