Features

What Can We Tell About the Trump Administration's Focus on Compliance?
There are a few early signs that the Trump administration will continue to hold companies to the “way of compliance.” But after the first five months of his presidency, there are still questions about where enforcement is heading in specific compliance areas.
Features

Third Circuit Sides With Creditors in EFIH Make-Whole Dispute
At the end of last year, the Third Circuit added to several recent decisions addressing whether a creditor was entitled to payment of a "make- whole" premium in connection with a Chapter 11 case. The court's opinion is the most creditor-friendly decision issued to date on this topic.
Features

Equipment Lessors and Bankruptcy
Much has been written about the risk that a transaction denominated and documented as an equipment "lease" may be recharacterized a security interest. Equipment lessors seem to understand. Interestingly, equipment lessors commonly seem to not understand all of the rights and remedies they have in the absence of recharacterization. So, what's a true equipment lessor to do in the face of the Chapter 11 of its lessee?
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Using a True Lease or a TRAC Lease
<b><I>Potential Complications in Bankruptcy</I></b><p>An equipment financing company will often decide whether it wants a transaction to be a true lease or a TRAC lease as opposed to a retail sale. A good reason to be able to make the distinction is to determine what might be the best structure for an equipment financier. This article explores the differences.
Features

Stick to the 'Plain Meaning'
<b><I>Interpreting Lease Contract Terms</I></b><p>The complications that can and do arise in the field of commercial leasing come in all shapes and sizes, and not all can be anticipated. However, with careful planning, and if the stars align, lease terms sometimes cover even an abnormal future event, preserving the agreement that the parties undoubtedly contemplated at signing
Features

Railcar Leasing on the Rise
According to a recent analyst report from global market research company, Technavio, the railcar leasing market in North America, is predicted to grow steadily at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of above 9% by 2021. The report, titled Railcar Leasing Market In North America 2017-2021, finds that one of the primary drivers for this market is the rise in the demand for tank cars due to growing crude oil production.
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Beware: Inspecting Goods May Waive Implied Warranty Protections
When purchasing goods though an invoice, contract or otherwise, it is important to understand that a mere inspection of goods prior to purchase could waive implied warranty protections. A seller may effectively modify, or entirely exclude, implied warranties under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) by requiring a buyer to inspect, test or examine goods prior to purchase.
Features

When Actions Speak Louder Than Words
<b><I>Written Agreements Are Not the Final Word</I></b><p>Recently, an Ohio appellate court held that the parties' actual conduct — and not the express written provisions in their lease to the contrary — controlled in interpreting the intentions of the parties in contracting. This case serves as a good reminder for legal practitioners that our written agreements are often not the final word.
Features

Industry Growth Forecast for 2017
<b><I>Slight Downgrade</I></b>The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released its Q2 update to the 2017 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook, which lowered slightly its yearly equipment and software investment forecast to 2.8%, down from 3% growth forecast in its 2017 Annual Outlook released in December 2016.
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