In a comprehensive report issued last week, the American Bankruptcy Institute Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy proposed recommendations that would allow student loans to be easier to discharge in bankruptcy, citing the staggering $1.5 trillion in student loan debt held in the United States and the current difficulties with discharging this type of debt in bankruptcy.

On Friday, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation closed Horizon Bank, headquartered in Bradenton, Florida, and appointed the FDIC as receiver for the bank. As receiver, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Bank of the Ozarks, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, to assume all of the deposits of Horizon Bank.

On Friday, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance closed Satilla Community Bank, headquartered in St. Marys, Georgia, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.

On Friday, the Michigan Department of Financial and Insurance Services closed the Bank of Ann Arbor, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and appointed the FDIC as receiver. As receiver, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Bank of Ann Arbor, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to assume all of the deposits of New Liberty Bank.

On Friday, the Missouri Division of Finance closed Southwest Community Bank, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri .

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation - Division of Banking closed Midwest Bank and Trust Company, headquartered in Elmwood Park, Illinois, and appointed the FDIC as receiver.

Today, the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law held a hearing entitled “Ramifications of Auto Industry Bankruptcies; Part II.” Testifying before the committee was Ron Bloom, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Treasury.