In Re Bennett Funding Group, Inc.

203 B.R. 30, 32 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 331, 1996 Bankr. LEXIS 1503, 1996 WL 688236
United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. New York·Decided October 22, 1996·No. 15-10800·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

MEMORANDUM-DECISION, FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER

STEPHEN D. GERLING, Chief Judge.

Presently before this Court are approximately 95 motions filed on behalf of various banks (“Banks”) seeking either relief from the automatic stay pursuant to § 362(d) of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1380) (“Code”), or in the alternative, adequate protection of their interest in certain leases and the income streams derived therefrom pursuant to Code § 368(e). On August 15, 1996, after hearing numerous oral arguments on the motions, the Court held a status conference to address various factual and legal matters common to most, if not all, of the Banks’ motions. At the status conference the attorneys representing the Banks were directed to submit memoranda of law addressing the limited legal issue of what proof is necessary to establish the validity and perfection of their alleged security interest in the leases and the income stream generated therefrom. The issue was submitted for decision by the Court on September 9,1996. 1

JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT

The Court has core jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of these contested matters pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334(b), 157(a), (b)(1) and (b)(2)(A), (G), (M) and (0).

FACTS

' Voluntary petitions were filed under Chapter 11 of the Code by four related corporate entities, namely The Bennett Funding Group, Inc. (“BFG”), Bennett Receivables Corporation, Bennett Receivables Corporation II, and Bennett Management and Development Corporation (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Initial Debtors”), on March 29, 1996. 2 On April 18, 1996, Richard C. Breeden was appointed trustee (“Trustee”) by the U.S. Trustee pursuant to Code § 1104 in the cases of the Initial Debtors, and said appointment was approved by this Court the same day.

Prior to filing, BFG was in the business of originating, purchasing and selling commercial leases of copy machines and other office equipment. For purposes of obtaining loans to finance its operations, various leases in which BFG was a lessor were compiled into portfolios designed to provide for the payment of loan principal and interest to the Banks according to an amortization schedule. BFG in most cases collected the lease payments from the individual lessees and remitted the monies to the Banks on a monthly basis pursuant to the terms of a Servicing Agreement (See, e.g. Exhibit “F” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Estabrook). 3 In addition to the Servicing Agreement, the Banks allege actual possession of the following documents:

1. Bill of Sale by BFG which purports to convey all of its right, title and interest in the leases, as well as the equipment sub *33 ject to the leases (see e.g. Exhibit “A” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Es-tabrook);

2. Assignment of Contracts from BFG of all of its interest in the equipment leases (see, e.g. Exhibit “B” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Estabrook);

3. Guarantee from BFG securing repayment of the obligations due under the equipment leases (see, e.g. Exhibit “C” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Es-tabrook);

4. Promissory Note from BFG securing repayment of the obligations to the Bank, to which is attached an amortization schedule of monthly payments with respect to the leases (see, e.g. Exhibit “D” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Estabrook);

5. Original leases, including a description of the leased equipment, as well as the identification of the lessee and a schedule of payments to be made by the lessee (see, e.g. Exhibit “G” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Estabrook).

In addition, the Banks allege that upon obtaining possession of the originals of the leases, financing statements were executed by BFG and filed with the New York Secretary of State and the Onondaga County Clerk’s office (see, e.g. Exhibit “H” of Memorandum of Law of Hancock & Estabrook). Allegedly attached to each financing statement was a “Schedule A” which identified each, of the leases in the particular portfolio, including information regarding the lease number, lessee, original term, remaining term, monthly payment, and principal amount.

ARGUMENTS

The Banks take the position that they hold a perfected security interest in both the leases and the income streams derived therefrom by virtue of their having filed proper financing statements, as well as being in possession of the original leases. The Trustee contends, however, that in some instances the security interests of the Banks may not have been properly perfected and that as a hypothetical lien creditor pursuant to Code § 544(a) he is entitled to avoid the security interests. For instance, the Trustee has alleged that in certain cases the financing statement does not properly identify BFG as the debtor. 4 The Trustee also contends that in some instances more than one entity may hold the “original” lease. The Trustee makes the argument that if there have been substitutions of leased equipment, the Banks in those instances do not hold “chattel paper” as to specific goods and, instead, more appropriately should be construed as asserting a security interest in “general intangibles” for which mere possession of the leases is not sufficient to perfect their interests.

DISCUSSION

Applicable Law

Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) 5 “sets out a comprehensive scheme for the regulation of security interests in personal property and fixtures. * * * The aim of this Article is to provide a simple and unified structure within which the immense variety of present day secured financing transactions can go forward with less cost and with greater certainty.” Official Comment to New York UCC § 9-101 (McKinney 1990 & Supp.1996).

NYUCC § 9-105(l)(b) defines “chattel paper” as

*34 a writing or writings which evidence both a monetary obligation and a security interest in 6 or a lease of specific goods.... When a transaction is evidenced both by such a security agreement or a lease and by an instrument or series of instruments, the group of writings taken togéther constitutes chattel paper.

Pursuant to NYUCC § 9-102, Article 9 applies inter alia to any transaction which is intended to create a security interest in chattel paper. NYUCC § 9-102(1)(a). It also applies to any sale of chattel paper. 7 NYUCC § 9-102(1)(b).

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In Re Bennett Funding Group, Inc., 203 B.R. 30, 32 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 331, 1996 Bankr. LEXIS 1503, 1996 WL 688236 (N.Y. 1996).

203 B.R. 30 (In Re Bennett Funding Group, Inc.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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