A company drying to dig out of Chapter 11 might not seem like a good bet for lenders, especially in this tight credit market. But as the number of companies in Chapter 11 bankruptcy spikes, their prospects for digging out often depend on having access to operating cash. That's where debtor-in-possession financing comes in. Such loans to struggling companies in Chapter 11 provide struggling businesses with a chance to get back in the black rather than liquidating. "Debtor-In-Possession' financing is fairly common, and a good number of Chapter 11 cases would probably be impossible without access to capital through this framework," says Robert Paddock of Houston's Thompson & Knight. "A debtor company may have cash flow, but that revenue stream may be pledged to other secured creditors. Structured correctly, DIP or post-petition financing can be an attractive means for both a debtor and lender to fund the business through the bankruptcy proceeding." Such financing is harder to find in the existing tight credit market but it is still available, particularly for large-scale debtors willing to pay premium interest rates. To speak with Mr. Paddock about DIP financing, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.