The increase in bankruptcy filings that restructuring professionals have been expecting is now arriving. With rising inflation, increased interest rates, tightening credit markets, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, we are starting to see a dramatic increase in filings. Last week the American Bankruptcy Institute noted that commercial Chapter 11 filings increased 105% in May 2023 as compared to May 2022 and across the board filings are on the rise as well.

Thomas Walper is a renowned name in the market for his wide-ranging expertise on bankruptcies, with recent work including the chapter 11 cases of Toys “R” Us and iHeartMedia.

Questions & Answers

On April 23, 2024, the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Subchapter V Task Force issued its Final Report.

This article is the first in a series that summarizes and condenses the Task Force’s Final Report into “a nutshell.” This article:

• provides background information and data on Subchapter V.[Fn. 1]

Overall

In 2019, Congress enacted the Small Business Reorganization Act, which created subchapter V within chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Congress’ intent was to create a more cost-efficient and streamlined restructuring process for small businesses by modifying certain provisions of chapter 11 for debtors with claims below a specific debt cap. In particular, because creditors typically have smaller claims against these small businesses, the new subchapter takes into account the likelihood that there will be no or minimal meaningful creditor participation.

The American Bankruptcy Institute’s Subchapter V Task Force has issued its “Preliminary Report” on “Maintaining the $7,500,000 Debt Cap for Subchapter V Eligibility.” This article quotes from and summarizes the Report.

Recommendation

The Task Force recommends making permanent the $7,500,000 debt cap for Subchapter V eligibility, which is set to expire and revert to $3,024,725 on June 21, 2024.

Supporting Factors