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Subjective Intent Does Not Save $1.5B Secured Claim Against GM

By Mark A. Salzberg

The legal principles governing corporate finance often are complex. Sometimes, however, the simplest of errors can be the most costly. Such was the case with a large syndicated secured loan made to General Motors Co. Due to a simple filing error, what the lender and borrower had always intended to be a secured loan will now be treated as a general unsecured claim.

The facts of this matter are relatively straightforward. A major bank served as the agent (the bank) on two distinct credit facilities involving GM. The first was a $300 million synthetic lease entered into in 2001, which was secured by real estate. The second was a $1.5 billion syndicated term loan entered into five years later, which was secured by other GM assets.

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