Bankruptcy

1549 Words4 Pages

FIN 525 – Spring 2014

Formal corporate bankruptcy proceedings generally take on two distinct forms: Chapter 7 (liquidation) and Chapter 11 (reorganization). Under Chapter 7 liquidation, the firm is shut down by a court-appointed trustee, and the firm’s assets are liquidated and the proceeds distributed in accordance with the absolute priority rule. Chapter 7 is also referred to as a “cash auction” procedure. In Chapter 11, an organization remains in control of its business operations (known as a ‘going-concern’), but is subject to the oversight of the bankruptcy courts.
Corporate bankruptcy is an important issue for investors, debt holders, and managers. The implications of bankruptcy proceedings can have a tremendous impact on economic outcomes; thus, it is vital for all parties to be versed in the framework and procedure of a bankruptcy. This study will attempt to address several issues, such as the costs of bankruptcy between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11, the risks undertaken in proceedings (looking primarily at APR violations), and conflicts of interest amongst the aforementioned agents of a bankruptcy proceeding. Initially, a historical summary of U.S. bankruptcy laws will be undertaken, as bankruptcy code has been reformed quite frequently.
Corporate bankruptcy is an important issue for investors, debt holders, and managers. The implications of bankruptcy proceedings can have a tremendous impact on economic outcomes; thus, it is vital for all parties to be versed in the framework and procedure of a bankruptcy. This study will attempt to address several issues, such as the costs of bankruptcy between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11, the risks undertaken in proceedings (looking primarily at APR violations), and conflicts of i...

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...s of bankruptcy are lower. Furthermore, they found that APR violations tended to increase interest rates and make credit rationing more likely to occur, thereby limiting the firm’s capital ventures.
Conclusion
Empirical research suggests that the bankruptcy procedure in itself dramatically favors equity holders over creditors, particularly during a reorganization process. Additional legislation may be needed to ensure both fairness and economically efficient outcomes. Much of this is also due to disparate incentives, both natural and those inherent in bankruptcy process itself, among relevant parties along the APR scale. The costs of Chapter 11 versus Chapter 7 have been historically been mixed, although there is robust empirical evidence showing that, when self-selection is accounted for, Chapter 11 firms are less costly and more adept at retaining firm value.

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