SVB Financial Group filed a voluntary petition for a court-supervised reorganization under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to preserve value. SVB Securities and SVB Capital’s funds and general partner entities are not included in the Chapter 11 filing and continue to operate in the ordinary course as SVB Financial Group proceeds with its previously announced exploration of strategic alternatives for these businesses.
SVB Financial Group is no longer affiliated with Silicon Valley Bank or the bank’s private banking and wealth management business, SVB Private. The bank’s successor, Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, is operating under the jurisdiction of the FDIC and is not included in the Chapter 11 filing.
SVB Financial Group has approximately $2.2 billion of liquidity. In addition to cash and its interests in SVB Capital and SVB Securities, SVB Financial Group has other valuable investment securities accounts and other assets for which it is also exploring strategic alternatives. SVB Financial Group’s funded debt is approximately $3.3 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, which are only recourse to SVB Financial Group and have no claim against SVB Capital or SVB Securities. SVB Financial Group also has $3.7 billion of preferred equity outstanding.
SVB Financial Group intends to use the court-supervised process to evaluate strategic alternatives for SVB Capital, SVB Securities and the company’s other assets and investments.
As previously announced, this process is being led by a five-member restructuring committee appointed by the SVB Financial Group board of directors. Centerview Partners is assisting the restructuring committee with the strategic alternatives process, which is already underway and has attracted significant interest. Any sale process will be conducted through the Chapter 11 proceeding and be subject to court approval.
“The Chapter 11 process will allow SVB Financial Group to preserve value as it evaluates strategic alternatives for its prized businesses and assets, especially SVB Capital and SVB Securities,” William Kosturos, chief restructuring officer for SVB Financial Group, said. “SVB Capital and SVB Securities continue to operate and serve clients, led by their longstanding and independent leadership teams.
“SVB Financial Group will continue to work cooperatively with Silicon Valley Bridge Bank. We are committed to finding practical solutions to maximize the recoverable value for stakeholders of both entities.”
SVB Financial Group plans to file customary first day motions with the Bankruptcy Court that, among other things, seek authorization to continue the operations of SVB Financial Group in the ordinary course of business as soon as a hearing can be scheduled. Additional documents relating to the Bankruptcy Court proceeding will be filed in the coming days.
Centerview Partners is proposed financial advisor, Sullivan & Cromwell is proposed legal counsel and Alvarez & Marsal is proposed restructuring advisor to SVB Financial Group as debtor-in-possession.
