Citigroup, Revlon lenders say three lenders able to settle, with finish in sight By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The emblem of Citi financial institution is pictured at an exhibition corridor in Bangkok, Thailand, Could 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photograph

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Citigroup Inc (NYSE:) is near getting again about $500 million it by chance paid to 10 Revlon Inc lenders, with three on the verge of returning their payouts and others making “substantial progress” towards a decision, a courtroom submitting exhibits.

Citigroup, as Revlon’s mortgage agent, had by chance used its personal cash in August 2020 to prematurely repay a $894 million mortgage owed by billionaire Ronald Perelman’s now-bankrupt cosmetics firm.

Some recipients returned their payouts after realizing the error, which Citigroup blamed on human error, however the 10 lenders had refused, saying the financial institution paid what they have been owed.

The potential settlement was mentioned in a joint letter by attorneys for Citigroup and the lenders, which embody hedge funds and funding funds, filed late Monday evening in Manhattan federal courtroom.

A decision would finish greater than two years of litigation by Citigroup towards Brigade Capital Administration, HPS Funding Companions, Symphony Asset Administration and the opposite lenders, over a blunder that the financial institution’s Chief Govt Jane Fraser known as a “large unforced error.”

In accordance with the letter, three lenders have “indicated they’re able to signal an settlement” to finish the litigation, whereas the others are nonetheless working with different events earlier than committing to a date for returning their funds.

“The events have a mutual curiosity in resolving the time frames to allow decision,” the letter stated. Either side proposed to replace the standing of talks quickly.

In September, a U.S. appeals courtroom in Manhattan stated the lenders didn’t deserve a “big windfall,” and overturned a February 2021 ruling by a federal district choose who stated the lenders might preserve their payouts.

Following the sooner ruling, Citigroup had lowered beforehand reported revenue to replicate $390 million of extra authorized bills.

Final week, the attorneys stated “materials phrases” of a possible settlement known as for Citigroup to recoup its cash and switch some curiosity and amortization funds.

Revlon filed for Chapter 11 chapter safety on June 15.

The case is In re Citibank August 11, 2020 Wire Transfers, U.S. District Court docket, Southern District of New York, No. 20-06539.