Court filing
Interim order — adequate assurance for utility providers — In re KServicing (Bankr. D. Del., 2022-10-06, 3)
Filed October 6, 2022 in Kservicing Bankruptcy; one of 140 filings from this case.
Record facts
| Court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware |
|---|---|
| Filed | 2022-10-06 |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware · No. 22-10951 · Doc. 74 · 2022-10-06 · Docket on CourtListener
Full text
RLF1 28023479v.1
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
------------------------------------------------------------ x
In re
:
Chapter 11
:
KABBAGE, INC. d/b/a KSERVICING, et al., :
Case No. 22-10951 (CTG)
:
:
Debtors.1
:
:
:
(Jointly Administered)
Ref. Docket No. 8
------------------------------------------------------------ x
INTERIM ORDER (I) APPROVING DEBTORS’ PROPOSED FORM OF ADEQUATE
ASSURANCE OF PAYMENT TO UTILITY PROVIDERS, (II) ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING OBJECTIONS BY UTILITY PROVIDERS,
(III) PROHIBITING UTILITY PROVIDERS FROM ALTERING, REFUSING,
OR DISCONTINUING SERVICE, AND (IV) GRANTING RELATED RELIEF
Upon the motion (the “Motion”)2 of Kabbage, Inc. d/b/a KServicing and its debtor
affiliates, as debtors and debtors in possession in the Chapter 11 Cases (collectively,
the “Debtors”), for entry of orders (i) approving the Debtors’ proposed form of adequate assurance
of payment to the Utility Providers, (ii) establishing procedures for resolving objections by the
Utility Providers relating to the adequacy of the Adequate Assurance Deposit, (iii) prohibiting the
Utility Providers from altering, refusing, or discontinuing service to, or discriminating against, the
Debtors on account of the commencement of these Chapter 11 Cases or outstanding prepetition
invoices, and (iv) granting related relief, all as more fully set forth in the Motion; and this Court
having jurisdiction to consider the Motion and the relief requested therein pursuant to
1 The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases, along with the last four digits of each Debtor’s federal tax identification
number, as applicable are: Kabbage, Inc. d/b/a KServicing (3937); Kabbage Canada Holdings, LLC (N/A); Kabbage
Asset Securitization LLC (N/A); Kabbage Asset Funding 2017-A LLC (4803); Kabbage Asset Funding 2019-A
LLC (8973); and Kabbage Diameter, LLC (N/A). Kabbage is a trademark of American Express used under license;
Kabbage, Inc. d/b/a KServicing is not affiliated with American Express. The Debtors’ mailing and service address
is 925B Peachtree Street NE, Suite 383, Atlanta, GA 30309.
2 Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms
in the Motion.
Case 22-10951-CTG Doc 74 Filed 10/06/22 Page 1 of 6
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28 U.S.C. §§ 157(a)–(b) and 1334(b), and the Amended Standing Order of Reference entered by
the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, dated February 29, 2012; and
consideration of the Motion and the requested relief being a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 157(b); and venue being proper before this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409; and
due and proper notice of the Motion having been provided; and such notice having been adequate
and appropriate under the circumstances; and it appearing that no other or further notice need be
provided; and this Court having held a hearing to consider the interim relief requested in the
Motion (the “Hearing”); and upon the First Day Declaration and the record of the Hearing; and
this Court having determined that the legal and factual bases set forth in the Motion establish just
cause for the relief granted herein; and it appearing that the relief requested in the Motion is
necessary to avoid immediate and irreparable harm to the Debtors and their estates as contemplated
by Rule 6003 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and after due deliberation and
sufficient cause appearing therefor,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT
1.
The Motion is granted on an interim basis to the extent set forth herein.
2.
The Adequate Assurance Deposit shall constitute adequate assurance of
future payment as required by section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code.
3.
Each of the Banks at which the Debtors maintain their accounts relating to
the payment of the Utility Services are authorized to (a) receive, process, honor, and pay all checks
presented for payment and to honor all fund transfer requests made by the Debtors thereto, to the
extent that sufficient funds are on deposit in those accounts and (b) accept and rely on all
representations made by the Debtors with respect to which checks, drafts, wires, or automated
clearing house transfers should be honored or dishonored in accordance with this or any other
Case 22-10951-CTG Doc 74 Filed 10/06/22 Page 2 of 6
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RLF1 28023479v.1
order of this Court, whether such checks, drafts, wires, or transfers are dated before, on, or after
the Petition Date, without any duty to inquire otherwise.
4.
The Debtors shall deposit the Adequate Assurance Deposit in the amount
of $12,300 in a segregated account for the benefit of the Utility Providers within 20 days after the
Petition Date.
5.
Subject to the Adequate Assurance Procedures, all Utility Providers are
prohibited from altering, refusing, or discontinuing Utility Services, or otherwise discriminating
against the Debtors, on account of any unpaid prepetition charges or any perceived inadequacy of
the Debtors’ Adequate Assurance Deposit.
6.
The following Adequate Assurance Procedures are hereby approved:
a.
The Debtors shall serve a copy of this Motion and this Interim Order
on the Utility Providers on the Utility Services List within two
business days after entry of this Interim Order.
b.
The portion of the Adequate Assurance Deposit attributable to each
Utility Provider shall be returned to the Debtors on the earlier of
(i) reconciliation and payment by Debtors of the Utility Provider’s
final invoice in accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law
following the Debtors’ termination of Utility Services from such
Utility Provider and (ii) the effective date of any chapter 11 plan
confirmed in these Chapter 11 Cases.
c.
Any Utility Provider desiring additional assurances of payment in
the form of deposits, prepayments, or otherwise must serve a request
for additional assurance (an “Additional Assurance Request”) on
the following parties: (i) proposed counsel to the Debtors, (a) Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153
(Attn: Elizabeth Ruocco, Esq. (elizabeth.rucco@weil.com) and
Chase
A.
Bentley,
Esq.
(chase.bentley@weil.com))
and
(b) Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., One Rodney Square, 920 N.
King Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801 (Attn: Daniel J. DeFranceschi
Esq. (defranceschi@rlf.com) and Zachary I. Shapiro, Esq.
(shapiro@rlf.com)), (ii) the Office of the United States Trustee, 844
King Street, Suite 2207, Wilmington, DE 19801 (Attn: Richard
Schepacarter (richard.schepacarter@usdoj.gov)), and (iii) counsel
for any official committee of unsecured creditors appointed in these
Chapter 11 Cases (collectively, the “Utility Notice Parties”) .
Case 22-10951-CTG Doc 74 Filed 10/06/22 Page 3 of 6
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RLF1 28023479v.1
d.
The Additional Assurance Request must (i) be made in writing,
(ii) set forth the location(s) for which Utility Services are provided,
the account number(s) for such location(s), and the outstanding
balance for each such account, (iii) explain why the Utility Provider
believes the Adequate Assurance Deposit is not adequate assurance
of payment, (iv) certify the amount that is equal to two weeks of the
Utility Services provided by the Utility Provider to the Debtors,
calculated as a historical average over the six (6) month period
preceding the Petition Date, and (v) certify that the Utility Provider
does not already hold a deposit equal to or greater than two weeks
of Utility Services provided by such Utility Provider.
e.
Upon the Debtors’ receipt of an Additional Assurance Request, the
Debtors shall negotiate in good faith with such Utility Provider to
try to resolve such Utility Provider’s Additional Assurance Request.
f.
The Debtors may, without further order from this Court, resolve an
Additional Assurance Request by mutual agreement with a Utility
Provider, and the Debtors may, in connection with any such
agreement, provide a Utility Provider with additional adequate
assurance of payment, including cash deposits, prepayments, or
other forms of security if the Debtors believe that such adequate
assurance is reasonable.
g.
If the Debtors and the Utility Provider are not able to reach an
alternative resolution within 20 days of receipt of the Additional
Assurance Request, the Debtors shall request a hearing before this
Court at the next regularly scheduled omnibus hearing to determine
the adequacy of assurances of payment with respect to a particular
Utility Provider (the “Determination Hearing”) pursuant to
section 366(c)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code.
h.
Pending resolution of Additional Assurance Requests or the
Determination Hearing, the Utility Provider filing such Additional
Assurance Request shall be prohibited from altering, refusing, or
discontinuing Utility Services to the Debtors on account of unpaid
charges for prepetition services or on account of any objections to
the Adequate Assurance Deposit.
7.
The Utility Providers are prohibited from requiring additional adequate
assurance of payment other than pursuant to the Adequate Assurance Procedures.
8.
The inclusion of any entity in, as well as any omission of any entity from,
the Utility Services List shall not be deemed an admission by the Debtors that such entity is, or is
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RLF1 28023479v.1
not, a utility within the meaning of section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code, and the Debtors reserve
all rights and defenses with respect thereto.
9.
The Debtors are authorized to amend the Utility Services List to remove
Utility Providers, including to the extent the Debtors terminate the services of any Utility Provider,
provided that the Debtors give at least three (3) business days' notice to the affected Utility
Provider. The Debtors are also authorized to amend the Utility Services List to add Utility
Providers to the extent the Debtors identify additional Utility Providers. This Interim Order shall
apply to any such Utility Provider that is added to the Utility Services List and that receives service
of this Interim Order. The Debtors shall serve a copy of this Interim Order upon any Utility
Provider added to the Utility Services List.
10.
The Debtors shall increase the amount of the Adequate Assurance Deposit
if an additional Utility Provider is added to the Utility Services List by an amount equal to two
weeks of Utility Services provided by such additional Utility Provider, calculated using the
historical average for such payments during the six (6) months prior to the Petition Date. The
Debtors may terminate the services of any Utility Provider and are immediately authorized to
reduce the Adequate Assurance Deposit by the amount held on account of such terminated Utility
Provider provided that the Debtors remove such Utility Provider from the Utility Services List in
accordance with paragraph 9 of this Interim Order and there are no outstanding disputes related to
post-petition payments due.
11.
The relief granted herein is for all Utility Providers providing Utility
Services to the Debtors and that receive service of this Interim Order and is not limited to those
parties or entities listed on the Utility Services List. Any additional Utility Provider added to the
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RLF1 28023479v.1
Utility Services List is not subject to the terms of this Interim Order until the Adequate Assurance
Deposit is increased as set forth herein on account of such additional Utility Provider.
12.
Notwithstanding entry of this Interim Order, nothing herein shall create, nor
is intended to create, any rights in favor of or enhance the status of any claim held by any party.
13.
The requirements of Bankruptcy Rule 6003(b) have been satisfied.
14.
Under the circumstances of these Chapter 11 Cases, notice of the Motion is
adequate under Bankruptcy Rule 6004(a).
15.
Notwithstanding Bankruptcy Rule 6004(h), this Interim Order shall be
immediately effective and enforceable upon its entry.
16.
The Debtors are authorized to take all action necessary to effectuate the
relief granted in this Interim Order.
17.
This Court shall retain jurisdiction to hear and determine all matters arising
from or related to the implementation, interpretation, or enforcement of this Interim Order.
18.
The final hearing to consider the relief requested in the Motion shall be held
on October 26, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. (Prevailing Eastern Time), and any objections or responses to
the Motion shall be in writing, filed with the Court, and served on or prior to October 19, 2022 at
4:00 p.m. (Prevailing Eastern Time).
Dated: October 6th, 2022
Wilmington, Delaware
CRAIG T. GOLDBLATT
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE
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