The U.S. Supreme Court offered some good news to secured lenders last week, tempered with words of caution. In Chicago v. Fulton, the Court held that a secured creditor does not violate Section 362(a)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code by merely continuing to hold property of its debtor after that debtor files a bankruptcy petition.
Business and Corporate
New Changes to Louisiana’s Corporate Laws Give Increased Flexibility to Business Corporations
On October 16, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law Senate Bill 33 amending the Louisiana Business Corporation Act (LBCA) in several areas.
Remote Shareholder Meetings (La. R.S. 12:1-709)
The new law, which became Act No. 3 of the 2020 Second Extraordinary Session, allows for meetings of shareholders to be held solely by means…
Additional Guidance Impacting PPP Loan Forgiveness
On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act which provided additional funding. On June 5, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020…
SBA Updates its FAQ Regarding Good Faith Certification
The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued an update to its “Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers for the Paycheck Protection Program,” adding question #46 and the response, which is recited below. For PPP loans of less than $2 million, the borrower will be “deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of…
Eligible Self-Employed Individuals under the CARES Act
In addition to certain entities, independent contractors, sole proprietors and “eligible self-employed individuals” may be eligible to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under the CARES Act.
What is an eligible self-employed individual? It is important to note that the statute did not refer to “self-employed individuals” which would have been very easy for…
April 7, 2020 Update to CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program
- Calendar Year 2019 Payroll as Basis for Loan Amount (General Rule). If the borrower was in business for all of 2019, it may use the payroll costs for calendar year 2019 or the last 12 months prior to application (e.g., 4/1/19 – 3/31/20). April 6 guidance issued by the SBA provided:
In general, borrowers…
April 6, 2020 Update to CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program
- Calendar Year 2019 Payroll as Basis for Loan Amount (General Rule). If the borrower was in business for all of 2019, the PPP loan application form suggests that the borrower must use the payroll costs for calendar year 2019 (even though this appears to conflict with the language in the CARES Act, which provided
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Louisiana Economic Development Repurposes Funds to Back Louisiana Loan Program for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Governor Edwards announced the availability of a new state-led loan program to provide loans to Louisiana small businesses in response to COVID-19. The Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guaranty Program (“LPGP”) is a partnership of the Louisiana Economic Development (“LED”), the Louisiana Bankers Association (“LBA”) and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (“LPFA”).…
Governor Edwards Issues Proclamation Addressing Shareholder Meetings During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
On March 26, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards issued Emergency Proclamation 37 JBE 2020 (the “Proclamation”) providing certain measures intended to aid Louisiana businesses in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, including a temporary suspension of the statutory requirement that Louisiana corporations notice and hold annual and special shareholder meetings at a physical location.
Generally,…
CARES Act Offers Much Needed Hope to Small Businesses
Keenly aware of the enormous impact COVID-19 is having on small businesses throughout the country, in response, the Congress approved and on March 27, 2020, the President signed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is intended, in part, to provide small businesses some much needed…