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.
On July 2nd, the Sixth Circuit affirmed a bankruptcy court's finding that, under Kentucky law, a bank did not perfect its security interest in an auto loan until that security interest was noted on the title. Because perfection did not occur within 20 days after the debtor received possession of the auto, Section 547(c)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code did not protect the bank's loan from avoidance as a preferential transfer. Branch Banking and Trust Co. v. Brock.
On Friday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed Home National Bank, headquartered in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and the FDIC was appointed receiver.
On Friday, the New York State Banking Department closed USA Bank, headquartered in Port Chester, New York, and the FDIC was appointed receiver.
The Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Sixth Circuit has issued an opinion protecting and preserving a bank’s security interest in funds in the debtor’s bank account notwithstanding the fact that the bank released those funds to the trustee. In re Cumberland Molded Products, LLC, No. 09-8049 (6th Cir. B.A.P. June 23, 2010).
Now that the American Land Title Association ("ALTA") has withdrawn the ALTA Form 21-06 Creditor's Rights Endorsement, what steps can a lender take to protect itself?
To recap, the Creditors' Rights Endorsement provided protection against loss or damage sustained by the lender in the event that the lender's mortgage was set aside due to a fraudulent conveyance or preference under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, state insolvency statutes or other creditor's rights laws.
On Friday, the Office of Thrift Supervision closed Mainstreet Savings Bank, FSB, headquartered in Hastings Michigan, and appointed the FDIC [http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/mainstsvgs.html] as receiver for the bank.
On Friday, the Florida Office of Financial regulation closed Metro Bank of Dade County, headquartered in Miami, Florida, and Turnberry Bank, headquartered in Aventura, Florida, and the OCC closed
In a significant development for financial institution directors and officers, the Federal Deposition Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has filed the first lawsuit in the current financial crisis against former officers of a closed financial institution arising from alleged loan losses to the bank. On July 2, 2010, the FDIC filed a complaint in federal court in California against former officers of the homebuilding division of IndyMac Bank for civil money damages. FDIC v. Van Dellen, Case No. 2:10-cv-04915-DSF-SH (C.D. Cal.) (July 2, 2010).
Bankruptcy-related developments during the first half of this year have sent shock waves
through the secured lending, derivative, and distressed debt trading communities. Several
notable decisions may significantly affect the way these entities operate and calculate risk,
and result in changes to standard documentation. Until recently, a proposed overhaul of
Bankruptcy Rule 2019 threatened to discourage distressed debt investors, including hedge
funds, from participating in bankruptcy proceedings as part of an ad hoc committee or group.