Late last year, government responses to the subprime mortgage crisis proliferated but most attention focused on those measures that could be, and in some cases were, rapidly implemented — measures like the Treasury Department’s urging holders of certain subprime adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) to freeze interest rates temporarily or the Federal Reserve’s proposed tightening of lending requirements.
On September 7, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, and announced (i) Treasury’s entry into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with each Government Sponsored Entity (GSE), (ii) the creation of a Government Sponsored Entity Credit Facility (GSECF), and (iii) the adoption of a GSE Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) Purchase Program.
Over the past two weeks, the federal government has relied on nearly every legal authority available to address the unfolding crisis in financial institutions with large mortgage-related holdings — direct and indirect financial assistance, government takeovers and even a decision to let the bankruptcy process run its course have all come into play. Today, several new actions have been announced, together with proposals that would require Congressional action.
On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Lehman Holdings") filed for Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 08-13555). None of Lehman Holdings’ U.S. subsidiaries have filed for bankruptcy at this point. In addition, while Lehman Holdings has certain subsidiaries that are regulated entities (e.g., banks, insurance companies, etc.), none of those entities has yet been placed into any kind of insolvency proceeding by the applicable regulators.
The Treasury Department announced that it will purchase $40 billion in senior preferred stock from the American International Group (AIG) as part of a comprehensive plan to restructure federal assistance to the systemically important company. Together with steps taken by the Federal Reserve, this restructuring will improve the ability of the firm to execute its asset disposition plan in an orderly manner. AIG will use the equity to pay down $40 billion of the Federal Reserve's secured lending facility.
While some states have mandated delays to the foreclosure process, curbing the number of foreclosure filings in recent months, many report that such legislation is only a temporary cure. Foreclosure filings include default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions. According to James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, October marked the 34th consecutive month where U.S. foreclosure activity increased compared to the prior year. RealtyTrac U.S.
Reports on the White House administration and members of Congress have suggested that the Treasury Department is nearing a decision to provide assistance to at least two of the Big Three U.S. automakers.
This morning, March 2, 2009, American International Group, Inc. ("AIG") announced a loss of $61.7 billion for the fourth quarter of 2008, a total net loss for 2008 of $99.29 billion, and a major restructuring of its operations, including a new federal infusion of $30 billion, forgiveness of certain debts, and relaxation of prior bailout terms. For comparison purposes, all insured losses for all insurance companies (not just AIG) relating to Hurricane Katrina are estimated at slightly more than $40 billion.
As has been reported and rumored for many weeks, the bankruptcy filing for either GM or Chrysler, or both companies, is clearly one of the potential destinations on the road ahead. For certain parts suppliers who can take advantage of guarantees under the Auto Supplier Support Program recently announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, the news of a bankruptcy filing may feel somewhat less dire, except with respect to the likely disruption and fall off of future business.