EB-5 Defaults: Unique Challenges to Consider as EB-5 Loans Go Bad

For the past decade, real estate developers have increasingly used EB-5 loans to finance their projects. These investments are defaulting at a high rate, a trend that may increase if the luxury residential and hotel markets continue to soften.

EB-5 defaults give rise to a unique set of issues, which complicate the restructuring process. This practice note briefly describes the EB-5 program, outlines some of those unique issues, and provides some tips for insolvency professionals new to this type of restructuring.