Frederick P. Corbit Bankruptcy Judge

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW REGARDING CRAM-DOWN INTEREST RATE

THIS MATTER came before the court on the Confirmation Hearing which took place on January 16, 2020 (ECF No. 564). The court reviewed the files and records herein including pleadings filed in connection with the supplemental telephonic hearing held on February 4, 2020, heard argument of counsel and testimony from Kevin Gilbert and Lucas Kartic, is fully advised in the premises, and enters the following findings of fact and conclusions of law.

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The Debtors and Bank of the West (the "Bank") disagree on the appropriate cram-down interest rate that should be used in the Debtor's proposed plan of reorganization.

2. The Debtors, the Bank, and the Court agree that the "Prime Plus" method described by the United States Supreme Court in Till v. SCS Credit Corp., 541 U.S. 465, 479-80 (2004) is appropriate for determining the cram-down interest rate.

3. The Debtors and the Bank agree that the prime rate is presently 4.75%. Moreover, they assert that the only remaining determination regarding the appropriate interest rate to be used in the Debtors' proposed plan of reorganization is what adjustment must be made to the prime rate in order to account for risk associated with the case and the loan.

4. Debtors argue that the appropriate cram-down interest rate is 6%. Debtors argue that a 1.25% increase to the prime rate is appropriate for the risk in this case, based on their use of conservative financial projections over the duration of the plan and the likelihood of stable or increased profits over the 10-year period, which each decrease the risk associated with the loan. Debtors primarily rely on In re Bellows, 554 B.R. 219, 227 (Bankr. D. Alaska 2016), In re Tapang, 540 B.R. 701, 702 (Bankr. N.D. Cal. 2015), and testimony from Lucas Kartic in support of their argument.

5. The Bank argues that the appropriate cram-down interest rate should be set at 7.75%. This interest rate includes the highest risk factor available under the Till analysis. The Bank cites the length of the plan, the volatility of the dairy market, the Debtors' capital structure, and conflicting projections from Neal Gluckman (ECF No. 550) when determining the appropriate risk factor to apply.

6. Based on the record, testimony, applicable caselaw, and risk factors including potential fluctuation in milk prices, the 10-year duration of the plan, and the Debtors' history of problems with management, the Court finds that the appropriate cram-down interest rate for use in the Debtors' proposed plan of reorganization is 7% per annum.

7. Setting the cram-down interest rate at 7% will have the effect of raising the interest rate on some of the Debtors' loans while also lowering the interest rate on others. For example, the contract interest rate on an equipment loan with a balance of approximately $5,996.00 is currently 3.9% per annum, while the interest rate on a credit card loan with a balance of approximately $39,004.83 is currently in excess of 7% per annum.

So Ordered. Dated: February 4th, 2020

/s/ _________

Frederick P. Corbit

Bankruptcy Judge