In August 2021, Raízen S.A. (one of the largest integrated energy companies in Brazil) merged with Biosev S.A. and Biosev Bioenergia S.A (sugar, ethanol and biomass producing businesses previously owned by the Louis Dreyfus group). Shortly prior to the completion of that merger, the agreement for which was signed in February 2021, Raízen completed one of the biggest initial public offerings in Brazil ever.

The Colombian airline Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia S.A. – Avianca (“Avianca”) has made a habit of accessing the structured credit markets by monetizing its expected stream of credit card receivables, filing for U.S. Chapter 11 protection when in distress, and then challenging the structured credit agreements to which it had committed. Recently, Avianca reached a settlement with the lenders to its existing future flow receivables transaction, entered into in December 2017, which will result in a restructured loan facility.

In a pair of private exchange offers consummated in May 2020, airport operating companies owned by Corporacin Amrica Airports S.A. (NYSE: CAAP) in Argentina and Uruguay were able to restructure their existing debt securities in order to withstand the substantial revenue declines associated with the drop-off in air travel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19").

Yesterday, the United Kingdom’s Commercial Secretary to the Treasury launched a consultation on a new special-resolution regime, Special administration regime for investment firms, to strengthen the government’s ability to handle future insolvencies of failing investment banks to minimize cost and disruption of the overall national financial system.

Yesterday, Delaware Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath granted a request by Washington Mutual (WaMu) shareholders to appoint an independent examiner, to be chosen by the U.S. trustee, to review assets and claims in the company’s bankruptcy case related primarily to the 2008 seizure and sale of WaMu by the FDIC to JPMorgan Chase for $1.9 million.

Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced the closing of its previously announced sale of $233 million of notes backed by performing and non-performing commercial real estate (CRE) loans from 22 different financial institutions f

Friday, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation closed The Bank of Bonifay, headquartered in Bonifay, Florida, and the FDIC was appointed receiver. As receiver, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Federal Bank, headquartered in Lake City, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of The Bank of Bonifay.

Friday, the California Department of Financial Institutions closed 1st Pacific Bank of California, headquartered in San Diego, California, and the FDIC was appointed receiver.

Friday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce closed Access Bank, headquartered in Champlin, Minnesota, and the FDIC was appointed receiver. As receiver, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Prinsbank, headquartered in Prinsburg, Minnesota, to assume all of the deposits of Access Bank.

Friday, the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions closed Towne Bank of Arizona, headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, and the FDIC was appointed receiver.