Fleet National Bank v. Gray ( 2004 )

375 F.3d 51

In re BANKVEST CAPITAL CORP., Debtor.
Fleet National Bank, Appellee,
v.
Stephen C. Gray, as Liquidating Supervisor for Bankvest Capital Corp.; The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors for Bankvest Capital Corp., a/k/a Post Effective Date Committee, Appellants.

No. 03-1613.

United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit.

Heard October 8, 2003.

Decided July 12, 2004.

COPYRIGHT MATERIAL OMITTED Charles R. Bennett, Jr. with whom Kathleen E. Cross, David C. Kravitz and Hanify & King, P.C. were on brief for appellants.

Sabin Willett with whom Julie Frost-Davies, Rheba Rutkowski and Bingham McCutchen LLP were on brief for appellee.

Before LIPEZ, Circuit Judge, CAMPBELL, Senior Circuit Judge, and HOWARD, Circuit Judge.

LEVIN H. CAMPBELL, Senior Circuit Judge.

1

This appeal from diverging decisions of the bankruptcy and district courts involves a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring the "automatic stay" that takes effect upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition. All would have been routine had Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") declined to avail itself of certain postpetition payments tendered to it by its bankrupt borrower Bankvest Capital Corp. ("Bankvest"). But having accepted those payments, Fleet, pursued by its adversaries, found itself in something of a legal labyrinth. While we have yet to receive the guidance of Ariadne's golden thread, we seek in the following to chart a reasonable path.

I. Background

2

We base the following on undisputed facts as set forth in the opinions of the bankruptcy and district courts and in the record.

3

Debtor, Bankvest, was a lessor of commercial equipment and a buyer and seller of portfolios of leases. Bankvest financed its operations, in part, by borrowing from appellee, Fleet. An involuntary Chapter 11 petition was filed against Bankvest on December 17, 1999. On that date, Bankvest had three principal credit arrangements with Fleet, consisting of a warehouse line dated August 21, 1998 ("FBNA Warehouse Obligation"), a warehouse line by Fleet's predecessor in interest, BankBoston, N.A., dated June 3, 1999 ("BB Warehouse Obligation"), and a conduit facility dated September 30, 1998. These credit arrangements were secured by substantially all of Bankvest's assets. Fleet's secured interest was perfected.

4

During the "gap period" between the filing of the involuntary petition and the entry of the bankruptcy court's order for relief on January 25, 2000, Fleet, aware of the bankruptcy filing and in apparent violation of the automatic stay, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a),1 accepted the sum of $2,155,427 from assets or property of Bankvest's estate and applied these "gap payments" against the BB Warehouse Obligation. On February 23, 2000, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors ("the Committee") was formed. Following discovery of the payments made to Fleet after the filing of the bankruptcy petition, the Committee moved, inter alia, for sanctions against Fleet for "violations of the automatic stay and discovery obligations" pursuant to sections 105(a) and 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. On January 30, 2001, Fleet filed an opposition to the sanctions motion.2

5

In December of 2000, Fleet sold a $1.4 billion portfolio of loans to ARK CLO 2000-1, LIMITED ("ARK"). The parties agree that this portfolio included at least the then-existing balances of the loans between Bankvest and Fleet. The Purchase and Sale Agreement ("ARK Contract") purported to transfer to ARK, inter alia, all of Fleet's claims and rights, including bankruptcy claims "whether known or unknown," against Bankvest or any entity "arising under or in connection with the related Loan Documents," as well as all property received by Fleet under these loan documents after October 9, 2000.3

6

On May 31, 2001, the bankruptcy court confirmed a joint liquidating plan of reorganization ("Plan") for Bankvest. Neither Fleet nor ARK — which, as Fleet's successor, was negotiating the Plan with Bankvest — objected to the Plan.

7

Both the Committee and Fleet sought summary judgment on the Emergency Motion for Sanctions, but the bankruptcy court denied both motions. An evidentiary hearing was scheduled, but shortly before the hearing, on November 12, 2001, the Committee's Liquidating Supervisor, Stephen Gray, filed a complaint pursuant to section 549 of the Bankruptcy Code requesting that the gap payments made to Fleet be avoided. Fleet moved to dismiss the avoidance proceeding and for judgment on the pleadings under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) and (c), asserting that Gray's avoidance claim was not preserved under the confirmed plan, was barred by laches, and was of no benefit to the estate. The Liquidating Supervisor and the Committee, following oral argument, also sought judgment on the pleadings. The bankruptcy court denied the motions and consolidated the avoidance claim with the Committee's emergency motion for sanctions. All matters were tried together with the consent of the parties in February of 2002.

8

During the trial, Fleet moved for judgment as a matter of law, arguing that avoidance would be for naught. Fleet based the latter point on its contention that if the court avoided the gap payment transaction — requiring Fleet to turn over to the estate the gap payments it had received — Fleet would simultaneously acquire by virtue of section 502(h) of the Bankruptcy Code a valid claim against the estate to recover those very same payments, as Fleet's claims against the bankrupt had been fully secured prior to the filing of the involuntary petition. The motion was denied.

9

On April 18, 2002, the bankruptcy court issued an opinion finding for Gray against Fleet in the avoidance proceeding and granting the Committee's Emergency Motion for Sanctions. Bankvest Capital Corp. v. Fleet Boston (In re Bankvest Capital Corp.), 276 B.R. 12, 32 (Bankr.D.Mass. 2002). The bankruptcy court ordered Fleet to pay over to the Liquidating Supervisor the amount of the gap payments, $2,155,427, plus interest, for a total of $2,445,924.65. In re Bankvest, 276 B.R. at 29-31. The court further ordered the Liquidating Supervisor to hold this judgment in escrow pending a determination of whether ARK had a claim to any part of the monies from Fleet. Id. The court ruled that Fleet's transaction with ARK "divested [Fleet] of any claim upon return of the Post-Petition [gap] Payments," and, therefore, found no "need to conduct any further proceedings to determine whether Fleet's behavior warrants subordination pursuant to section 501(c) [sic]." Id. The court found this remedy, which caused Fleet to lose the full amount of the gap payments, "harsh enough that it may defer similar future behavior," so it did not rule on the contempt contentions. Id. at 31.

10

Fleet appealed to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The district court vacated the portion of the bankruptcy court's judgment pertaining to the avoidance claim. Contrary to the bankruptcy court, the district court determined that Fleet had never sold to ARK its own claim to the gap payments and was thus not divested of that claim. The district court went on to rule that, because the postpetition payments transferred to Fleet by Bankvest had been secured, Fleet, as a secured creditor, could now recover them under its so-called 502(h) claim4, to which it had become entitled following avoidance, thus rendering futile Gray's right to avoidance. The district court remanded the matter to the bankruptcy court to determine what sanction, if any, should be imposed upon Fleet to punish its conduct in connection with its acceptance of the gap payments. Fleet Nat'l Bank v. Gray (In re Bankvest Capital Corp.), Nos. 02-40100-DPW and 02-40101-DPW, 2003 WL 1700978, at *8 (D.Mass.2003).

11

From the district court's judgment, Gray, as Liquidating Supervisor for Bankvest, and the Committee (collectively, "appellant"), now appeal.

II. Discussion

A. Jurisdiction

12

While not earlier raised by either party, we have asked for briefing of this court's appellate jurisdiction, noting that the district court's appealed order might lack finality as required by 28 U.S.C. § 158(d) and thus be non-appealable, given the remand of the open sanctions issue to the bankruptcy court. See In re Spillane, 884 F.2d 642, 644 (1st Cir.1989); In re Recticel Foam Corp., 859 F.2d 1000, 1002 (1st Cir.1988) (stating, "a court has an obligation to inquire sua sponte into its subject matter jurisdiction"). The parties have responded, and, even more to the point, they have notified us that they have settled the sole issue left open upon remand, to wit, what sanction would be appropriate against Fleet for its conduct in connection with its receipt and retention of the gap payments in violation of the automatic stay. The parties' settlement has since been approved by the bankruptcy judge.5

13

Other than the issues determined by the district court and presented on this appeal, there are now no issues remaining open in the case; we accordingly see no finality problem with the appealed order. See, e.g. Estancias La Ponderosa Dev. Corp. v. Harrington (In re Harrington), 992 F.2d 3, 5 (1st Cir.1993). Even if the open sanctions issue caused the order to lack finality when first appealed, a matter we do not decide, the sanctions issue has been finally resolved and is now moot, leaving no possibility that, if we decide the appeal, more will be left to determine. Since the fact of finality is clear enough now, and the parties are desirous that the case be resolved, we see no impediment to the exercise of our appellate jurisdiction.

14

B. Whether the Receiver Has The Right To Bring The Avoidance Action

15

Reiterating its argument before the bankruptcy and district courts, Fleet contends that the liquidating plan ("Plan") did not preserve the right of Gray to bring this avoidance action. We, like the bankruptcy and district courts, find this argument lacking in merit.

16

Review is de novo. Brandt v. Repco Printers and Lithographics, Inc. (In re Healthco Int'l, Inc.), 132 F.3d 104, 107 (1st Cir.1997) (stating, "[w]hether such an appeal comes to us by way of the district court or the [Bankruptcy Appellate Panel], our regimen is the same: we focus on the bankruptcy court's decision, scrutinize that court's findings of fact for clear error, and afford de novo review to its conclusions of law."). Pursuant to section 1141 of the Bankruptcy Code, the confirmation of a plan of reorganization binds the debtor and any entity issuing securities or acquiring property under the plan to the provisions of the plan and, except as otherwise provided in the plan, precludes parties from raising claims or issues that could have or should have been raised before confirmation but were not. See 11 U.S.C. §§ 1141(a) and (b); 8 Lawrence P. King et al., Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 1141.02 (15th rev. ed.2003). Moreover, section 1123(b)(3)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code states that a plan may provide for "the retention and enforcement by the debtor, by the trustee, or by a representative of the estate appointed for such purpose of any claim or interest."6 Several circuits have concluded that, pursuant to sections 1123 and 1141, confirmation of a plan is given res judicata effect, which bars a debtor or trustee from bringing avoidance actions not expressly reserved in the plan. See, e.g., P.A. Bergner & Co. v. Bank One, Milwaukee, N.A. (In re P.A. Bergner & Co.), 140 F.3d 1111, 1117-18 (7th Cir.1998); McFarland v. Leyh (In re Texas Gen. Petroleum Corp.), 52 F.3d 1330, 1335 n. 4 (5th Cir.1995); Harstad v. First American Bank (In re Harstad), 39 F.3d 898, 903 (8th Cir.1994); In re Mako, 985 F.2d 1052, 1056 (10th Cir.1993). "The requirement that retention of the avoidance powers be clear serves to protect the unsecured creditors and to ensure that post-confirmation avoidance proceedings are for their benefit." In re Mako, 985 F.2d at 1056 (10th Cir.1993).

17

Assuming, without deciding, that we follow the reasoning of these decisions, Fleet's argument fails because the Plan expressly provides that Gray has the right to pursue avoidance actions:

18

The Liquidating Supervisor, under the supervision of the Post-Effective Date Committee ... is authorized to investigate, prosecute and, if necessary, litigate, any Cause of Action [the definition of which expressly includes avoidance actions] ... on behalf of the Debtor and shall have standing as an Estate representative to pursue any Causes of Action and Claim objections, whether initially filed by the Debtor or the Liquidating Supervisor....

19

Fleet contends that this language does not preserve the right to pursue claims as it fails specifically to mention the claim against Fleet. Compare D & K Props. Crystal Lake v. Mut. Life Ins. Co. of N.Y., 112 F.3d 257, 260-61 (7th Cir.1997) (stating, "[a] blanket reservation that seeks to reserve all causes of action reserves nothing."). We disagree. See Bergner, 140 F.3d at 1117 (stating, "[t]he courts that have spoken of the need for `specific' and `unequivocal' language have focused on the requirement that plans unequivocally retain claims of a given type, not on any rule that individual claims must be listed specifically.") (citations omitted); Harstad, 39 F.3d at 903 (ruling that debtors "should have specifically reserved the right to pursue claims of this sort postconfirmation."); Cohen v. TIC Fin. Sys. (In re Ampace Corp.), 279 B.R. 145, 160 (Bankr.D.Del. 2002) (stating, "the Bankruptcy Code contemplates that debtors may seek confirmation of their plans prior to litigating all avoidance actions ... [t]herefore, in my opinion, a general reservation in a plan of reorganization indicating the type or category of claims to be preserved should be sufficiently specific to provide creditors with notice that their claims may be challenged post-confirmation.") (citations omitted). The cases upon which Fleet primarily relies involve provisions of a far more general nature. See D & K Properties Crystal Lake, 112 F.3d at 259 (plan purported to reserve "all causes of action existing in favor of the Debtor."); Harstad, 39 F.3d at 902 (plan purported to reserve "any right of Debtors to recover assets pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code."). The Plan, we believe, adequately preserves Gray's right to bring avoidance actions.

C. Judicial Estoppel and Laches

20

Fleet argues that the doctrine of judicial estoppel bars appellant from arguing that Fleet is divested of its claim to the avoided gap payments.7 Fleet argues that appellant has taken a position here that contradicts its position in a prior adversary proceeding against ARK, in which Gray argued that ARK did not have an interest in the avoided gap payments. Fleet contends that appellant now takes the position that Fleet is divested of its claim to these proceeds because it transferred the claim to ARK. Even assuming that appellant's current position contradicts its position in the ARK adversary proceeding, Fleet's argument fails.8

21

The doctrine of judicial estoppel takes effect when the proponent has shown that the party to be estopped "succeeded previously with a position directly inconsistent with the one [it] currently espouses." Lydon v. Boston Sand & Gravel Co., 175 F.3d 6, 13 (1st Cir.1999); see also New Hampshire v. Maine, 532 U.S. 742, 749, 121 S.Ct. 1808, 149 L.Ed.2d 968 (2001) (stating, "[t]his rule, known as judicial estoppel, `generally prevents a party from prevailing in one phase of a case on an argument and then relying on a contradictory argument to prevail in another phase.'") (quoting Pegram v. Herdrich, 530 U.S. 211, 227 n. 8, 120 S.Ct. 2143, 147 L.Ed.2d 164 (2000)). In determining whether the party "succeeded" in a prior proceeding, we look to whether the prior forum "accepted the legal or factual assertion alleged to be at odds with the position advanced in the current forum...." Gens v. Resolution Trust Corp. (In re Gens), 112 F.3d 569, 572-73 (1st Cir.1997).

22

Gray and the Committee did not succeed in the adversary proceeding against ARK. On June 3, 2002, Gray filed a complaint containing the factual allegations that Fleet believes contradict appellant's position here. On July 3, 2002, ARK answered, denying those allegations. On October 10, 2002, before any substantive proceedings were scheduled to begin, the action was settled. On November 13, 2002, the bankruptcy court approved the settlement. At no time did the bankruptcy court accept the legal or factual assertions of the complaint. See also Bates v. Long Island R.R. Co., 997 F.2d 1028, 1038 (2d Cir.1993) (stating, "`settlement neither requires nor implies any judicial endorsement of either party's claims or theories, and thus a settlement does not provide the prior success necessary for judicial estoppel.'") (quotations omitted); Water Technologies Corp. v. Calco Ltd., 850 F.2d 660, 665-66 (Fed.Cir.1988); Edwards v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 690 F.2d 595, 599 (6th Cir.1982) (stating, "[i]f the initial proceeding results in settlement, the position cannot be viewed as having been successfully asserted.") (citations omitted). Accordingly, the doctrine of judicial estoppel does not bar appellant from arguing that Fleet is divested of its claim to the gap payments.

23

Further, Fleet argues that because Bankvest did not seek avoidance of the gap period payments before Fleet's sale to ARK, the avoidance action came too late. This laches-type argument fails. Rejecting a similar contention below, the bankruptcy court said, "Fleet's argument that it was lulled into believing that no adversary proceeding would be commenced and therefore it was somehow duped into withdrawing its objection to confirmation is simply wrong." The court did not abuse its discretion. See Ansin v. River Oaks Furniture, Inc., 105 F.3d 745, 757 (1st Cir. 1997) (stating, "[w]e review the district court's determination as to laches for abuse of discretion.").

24

In determining whether laches applies, we ask whether the plaintiff's delay in bringing suit was unreasonable and whether the defendant was prejudiced by the delay. Puerto Rican-American Ins. Co. v. Benjamin Shipping Co., Ltd., 829 F.2d 281, 283 (1st Cir.1987). The analogous statute of limitations determines where the burden of proof falls; if a plaintiff files a complaint within the analogous statutory period, the burden of proving unreasonable delay and prejudice falls on the defendant. Id. Here, Gray brought the avoidance action well within the two-year statute of limitations. 11 U.S.C. § 549(d) (stating, "[a]n action or proceeding under this section may not be commenced after the earlier of — (1) two years after the date of the transfer sought to be avoided; or (2) the time the case is closed or dismissed."). Accordingly, the burden is on Fleet to prove unreasonable delay and prejudice. Puerto Rican-American Ins. Co., 829 F.2d at 283. It has not met this burden.

25

Gray was not appointed until months after the sale to ARK. Thereafter, Gray brought this action only ten months after Fleet's disclosure of the gap payments and little more than five months after he was appointed. Any delay was not unreasonable.

26

Lastly, Fleet argues that the Committee's silence in the face of its "consensual offer to reverse the transaction" bars the avoidance action. Fleet relies, however, entirely on cases that are distinguishable and largely immaterial here. See Patriot Cinemas, Inc. v. General Cinema Corp., 834 F.2d 208, 212 (1st Cir.1987) (party represented that it would not pursue an antitrust count and subsequently repudiated this intention); Lydon, 175 F.3d at 13 (defendant argued to First Circuit that federal law was plaintiff's exclusive remedy where, at underlying arbitration proceeding, defendant had succeeded with precisely the opposite argument); Hurd v. DiMento & Sullivan, 440 F.2d 1322, 1323 (1st Cir.1971) (plaintiff who wrote to district court in a motion for continuance that defendant was unable to represent plaintiff was estopped from claiming in front of First Circuit that defendant had agreed to represent her). We therefore reject this argument.

D. The Avoidance Action

27

1. Whether Fleet Divested Itself of the 502(h) Claim

28

We next consider whether Fleet would have a valid 502(h)claim upon avoidance of the gap payments.9 See footnote 4, supra. Gray brought this avoidance action pursuant to section 549 of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a trustee may avoid certain post-petition transfers of property. 11 U.S.C. § 549. "Except as otherwise provided in this section, to the extent that a transfer is avoided under section ... 549 ... the trustee may recover, for the benefit of the estate, the property transferred ... from — (1) the initial transferee of such transfer or the entity for whose benefit such transfer was made; or (2) any immediate or mediate transferee of such initial transferee." 11 U.S.C. § 550(a).

29

Here, the transaction at issue is Bankvest's postpetition transfer of $2,155,427 in assets or property to Fleet and Fleet's application of this sum to Bankvest's BB Warehouse Obligation. If avoidance were in order, Gray would ordinarily be entitled to recover the $2,155,427 from Fleet and to return it to Bankvest's estate. Id. See also, Max Sugarman Funeral Home, Inc. v. A.D.B. Investors, 926 F.2d 1248, 1253-58 (1st Cir.1991).

30

When grounds for avoidance are found, however, a creditor in Fleet's shoes becomes entitled to pursue whatever claim it may have had in the avoided sum against the debtor, here Bankvest, unless, of course, (as the bankruptcy court, in fact, found in Fleet's case) the creditor has somehow relinquished its claim to the avoided interest. 11 U.S.C. § 502(h) (stating, that the claim that arises from "the recovery of property under section ... 550 ... shall be determined, and shall be allowed ... the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition."); Ralar Distribs., Inc. v. Rubbermaid, Inc. (In re Ralar Distribs., Inc.), 4 F.3d 62, 66 n. 2 (1st Cir.1993) (stating, "[f]inally, arguably no `unjust' enrichment would result were [transferor-debtor] to recover from [transferee]. If [transferee] were required to disgorge, it could file a proof of claim for the amount of the avoided transfer ... which would be entitled to a pro rata distribution from the [transferor-debtor] estate."); Verco Indus. v. Spartan Plastics (In re Verco Indus.), 704 F.2d 1134, 1138 (9th Cir.1983) (stating, "[a]lthough we acknowledge that [transferor-debtor] has a valid claim for the unpaid amount of the note from Spartan, we also believe that [transferee] would have a claim against [transferor-debtor] for the loss it suffered when the transfer was set aside. [We have] stated that even where the transferee is responsible for the transfer being invalidated as fraudulent, that factor does not prevent the transferee from asserting a claim against the transferor ... [a]ccordingly, [transferee] has a claim against the estate which may be set-off against [transferor-debtor's] recovery on the note .... [transferee] concedes that [transferor-debtor] is entitled to invalidate the transfer and retain the property for the benefit of its creditors.") (citations omitted); Cohen v. Eiler (In re Cohen), 305 B.R. 886, 898 (9th Cir. BAP 2004) (stating, "[n]or does recovery from a transferee under avoiding powers unfairly deprive the transferee of rights against the estate. Upon recovery, the transferee has a claim that is treated as a prepetition claim. 11 U.S.C. § 502(h). It is timely to file such a proof of claim within 30 days after the judgment becomes final.... The debt will not be discharged unless it is `provided for by the plan.'") (quoting 11 U.S.C. § 1328(a)) (citations omitted); In re Dunes Hotel Associates, No. C/A 94-75715, 1997 WL 33344253, at *12-*13 (Bankr.D.S.C. Sept.26, 1997) (stating, "the Bankruptcy Code and Rules set out a specific procedure for the filing and allowance of a claim by the transferee of an avoided transfer ... Congress intended that such creditors should have a claim against the estate by reason of the avoidance. See 4 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 502.LH[10] at 502-113-15 (1997) (discussing expansion by Congress of the reach of Section 502(h) bringing it more in line with prior law); ... [i]t is clear to the Court that even upon avoidance, an event which has not yet occurred and which in fact is contrary to the present law of the case, [the creditor from whom the avoidance would recover property] would have a claim which would provide it standing to seek dismissal of the case.") (citations omitted); In re Toronto, 165 B.R. 746, 753 (Bankr.D. Conn. 1994).

31

In the instant case, the bankruptcy court held that Fleet, by reason of its transaction with ARK, had divested itself of its 502(h) claim to the avoided sums. In the court's view, that claim, although contingent at the time of the sale, was included within the assets Fleet sold to ARK along with its loan portfolio. Under this analysis, Fleet was left without any 502(h) claim to invoke after avoidance. It was thus bereft of any avenue of relief as a creditor of Bankvest. As ARK appears to have released all of its own claims against Bankvest and its representatives, the bankruptcy court's decision resulted in the gap sums becoming property of the estate.

32

The district court disagreed with the bankruptcy court's analysis. Instead, it read the ARK Contract as not having resulted in the sale to ARK of Fleet's then inchoate 502(h) claim. That claim, the court held, now entitles Fleet — as an original secured creditor of Bankvest — to prevail over Gray's avoidable right. Appellant asks us to endorse the bankruptcy court's result and to reject that of the district court.

33

To resolve the question of whether in the ARK transaction Fleet divested itself of its 502(h) claim, we must interpret Fleet's contract with ARK. In so doing, we apply New York law, following a stipulation written into the ARK Contract providing that the law of the state of New York governs its interpretation. See McCarthy v. Azure, 22 F.3d 351, 356 n. 5 (1st Cir. 1994) (concluding court should generally honor reasonable choice-of-law provision in a contract); Matter of Stoecker, 5 F.3d 1022, 1028 (7th Cir.1993) (stating, "[c]ontractual stipulations concerning choice of law ordinarily are honored....").

34

According to New York law, construction of an agreement presents a question of law. Non-Linear Trading Co., Inc. v. Braddis Assocs., Inc., 243 A.D.2d 107, 675 N.Y.S.2d 5, 10 (N.Y.App.Div. 1998). Accordingly, we review the issue of contract interpretation de novo. See Sormani v. Orange County Comm. College, 240 A.D.2d 724, 659 N.Y.S.2d 507, 507 (N.Y.App.Div.1997).

35

We do so notwithstanding Fleet's contention that these proceedings are not the appropriate place to consider the meaning of a contract between ARK and Fleet, ARK not being a party, no extrinsic evidence concerning the contract having been presented, and appellant being a stranger to the contract. We reject Fleet's contention. The terms of the ARK Contract — a sophisticated, detailed legal document drawn up to guide a business transaction — seem to us sufficiently unambiguous to allow interpretation without extrinsic evidence and in ARK's absence. See Bethlehem Steel Co. v. Turner Constr. Co., 2 N.Y.2d 456, 161 N.Y.S.2d 90, 141 N.E.2d 590, 593 (1957); see also, Ronnen v. Ajax Elec. Corp., 88 N.Y.2d 582, 648 N.Y.S.2d 422, 671 N.E.2d 534, 536-37 (1996); Lui v. Park Ridge at Terryville Ass'n, Inc., 196 A.D.2d 579, 601 N.Y.S.2d 496, 498 (N.Y.App.Div.1993) (stating, "[i]t is settled that the responsibility to interpret a contract falls upon the court, `which must ascertain the intention of the parties from the language which they have employed.' The `interpretation of an unambiguous contract provision is a function for the court, and matters extrinsic to the agreement may not be considered when the intent of the parties can be gleaned from the face of the instrument.'") (citations omitted).

36

The ARK Contract governed Fleet's sale to ARK of a $1.4 billion portfolio of loans, including the loans to Bankvest. It is, in effect, two contracts in one. First, it is an agreement between Fleet and JJDD LLC, an intermediary, through which Fleet sold to JJDD LLC a "100% undivided participation interest in the Participated Loans10 ... and the Transferred Rights related thereto and ... the Nonparticipated Transferred Rights." Second, it is an agreement between JJDD LLC and ARK, through which JJDD LLC sold to ARK — in exchange for the purchase price and assumption of the "Assumed Obligations" — the 100% undivided participation interest in the Participated Loans, the Nonparticipated Transferred Rights11, and all of JJDD LLC's "rights remedies, interests, powers and privileges" under its agreement with Fleet. Since JJDD transferred to ARK everything transferred to it from Fleet, the contract, for present purposes, operates essentially as an agreement between Fleet and ARK.

37

The ARK Contract defines "Transferred Rights" as, inter alia, any and all of Fleet's and JJDD LLC's right, title and interest in the "related Loans and Commitments," but excluding the "Retained Interest, if any related thereto." The definition of "Transferred Rights" further includes, inter alia, "to the extent related" to the aforementioned right, title and interests, the following:

38

all claims (including `claims' as defined in Bankruptcy Code § 101(5)), suits, causes of action, and any other right of [Fleet] ... whether known or unknown, against the related [borrower under each loan transferred], the related [entity other than the borrower and lender that is obligated under each loan transferred], if any, or any of their respective Affiliates, agents, representatives, contractors, advisors, or any other Entity that in any way is based upon, arises out of or is related to any of the foregoing....

39

The bankruptcy court concluded that Fleet's then unknown and inchoate 502(h) claim fell within the broad definition of "Transferred Rights," but the district court disagreed, being of the opinion that the 502(h) claim fit within the definition of "Retained Interest."12 Fleet Nat'l Bank, 2003 WL 1700978 at *7-*8. As discussed below, we think the bankruptcy court erred in determining that Fleet's 502(h) claim fell within the "Transferred Rights" definition. We also question the district court's view that the 502(h) claim fell expressly within the "Retained Interest" clause.13 But since Fleet, in any event, neither sold to ARK the gap payments themselves, nor, as discussed below, its 502(h) claim relating to them, we conclude that it never divested itself of the latter. That being so, Fleet is entitled, as the district court ruled, to retain and pursue its 502(h) remedy now.

40

In support of its contention that the 502(h) claim fit within the "Transferred Rights" definition, appellant argues that the 502(h) claim is a claim of right of Fleet, either known or unknown at the time of the agreement, against a borrower, Bankvest, of a loan transferred in the ARK Contract and, therefore, fell squarely within the definition of "Transferred Rights."

41

The clause defining "Transferred Rights", however, must be read in light of the ARK Contract's definitions of other terms contained within or related to that clause. Thus, while it may well be that claims "known or unknown" encompass future-arising claims such as a subsequent 502(h) claim, the loans transferred under the ARK Contract, as defined, did not include the portions thereof that were not outstanding under Schedule 1, nor did they include claims unrelated to Schedule 1 loans. Neither the gap payments nor claims relating to them formed part of the scheduled loans.

42

Under the ARK Contract, ARK received Fleet's "right, title, and interest in, to and under the related Loans and Commitments, if any, and to the extent related thereto ... all claims (including `claims as defined in Bankruptcy Code § 101(5)), suits, causes of action, and any other right ... whether known or unknown ...." (emphasis added). "Loans" are defined as, "with respect to each Loan Agreement, the loan(s) outstanding under such Loan Agreement in the amount(s) specified in Schedule 1, and includes the note(s) (if any) evidencing such loan(s) issued under such Loan Agreement ....'" (emphasis added). "Loan Agreement" is defined as any document identified as such on Annex A of the contract. The Bankvest loans are listed as loan agreements on Annex A. Schedule 1 incorporates the amounts of the loans as listed in Annex B.

43

Thus, in selling to ARK "the related Loans and Commitments," Fleet sold only the "loan(s) outstanding under such Loan Agreement in the amount(s) specified in Schedule 1," and in selling "claims" it did so only to the extent related thereto (i.e. related to the outstanding loans specified in Schedule 1).

44

Under this same provision in Schedule 1 is provided a definition of "Commitments." Similar to "Loans", "Commitments" are, with respect to each Loan Agreement that provides for a commitment by Fleet to make a Loan or Loans, "the principal balance of the commitments ... set forth ... on Annex B."14 (emphasis added).

45

It is undisputed that Fleet sold to ARK the amount outstanding on the BB Warehouse Obligation after deduction of the gap payments from that amount. The amount listed in Annex B as outstanding on the BB Warehouse Obligation reflects the deduction of $2,155,427 caused by the application of the gap payments. From the definition of "Transferred Rights" together with the definitions of "Loans" and "Commitments", it is apparent that "Transferred Rights" includes only those claims and rights under the Bankvest loan relating to the aforementioned outstanding amount, which does not include the gap payments. A fortiori, any intangible rights, like Fleet's later-established 502(h) claim relating to the gap payments, were not transferred to ARK by the "Transferred Rights" provision. We interpret the ARK Contract, therefore, as not resulting in a transfer by Fleet to ARK of Fleet's later-arising 502(h) claim relative to the gap payments. We conclude, therefore, that Fleet has not divested itself of the 502(h) claim. We reach the same result on this point as the district court, albeit by a slightly different path.

2. Whether Fleet's 502(h) Claim Is Secured

46

We next ask whether Fleet's 502(h) claim is secured or unsecured. The district court concluded that, by operation of section 502(h), Fleet would receive a secured claim upon avoidance — the same secured status that it had prior to the date the petition was filed here. The district court stated, "[s]ection 502(h) in turn provides that a claim arising from the recovery of property under such circumstances is to be addressed `the same as if such claims had arisen before the date of filing,' i.e., prior to October 9, 2002." In re Bankvest Capital Corp., 2003 WL 1700978 at *7.

47

Appellant argues that section 502(h) merely provides that a claim thereunder shall be allowed as if it had arisen prepetition and does not relate to whether the claim is secured or unsecured.

Section 502(h) provides as follows:

48

A claim arising from the recovery of property under section 522, 550, or 553 of this title shall be determined, and shall be allowed under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, or disallowed under subsection (d) or (e) of this section, the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition.

49

Contrary to appellant, we believe the natural import of this language — especially the words, "shall be determined, and shall be allowed ... the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition" — is that the 502(h) claim takes on the characteristics of the original claim, including, in this case, its secured status. While "allowed" would seem to refer mainly to claimant's right to participate in any dividend from the bankruptcy estate, "determine" is used variously in the Bankruptcy Code, with one usage being the "determination" of secured status. 11 U.S.C. § 506. We think the statute can be fairly read to imply that the secured or unsecured nature of the claim will be determined "the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition." Certainly, we can see no reason, nor any indication of legislative intent in § 502(h), to strip a secured creditor of its secured claim in these circumstances. Indeed, to do so would seem manifestly unfair. Infra.

50

Such case law as there is provides general support to our interpretation. In In re Verco, the Ninth Circuit stated, "502(h) serves to reinstate existing claims where property is recovered by the trustee," thereby suggesting that the 502(h) claim would have the same secured status as the transferee's prepetition claim. 704 F.2d at 1139 (9th Cir.1983). The Verco court went on to say "`the modern view is that a transferee guilty of fraudulent behavior may nevertheless prove a claim against a bankrupt estate ... [a] rule to the contrary would allow the estate to recover the voidable conveyance and to retain whatever consideration it had paid therefor. Such a result would clearly be inequitable.'" Id. at 1138 (quoting Misty Management Corp. v. Lockwood, 539 F.2d 1205, 1214 (9th Cir.1976)). A similarly inequitable result would occur here if Fleet's prepetition secured claim became an unsecured 502(h) claim after avoidance; for the gap payments would then presumably be distributed among other creditors, thus providing a windfall to the estate and depriving Fleet of the amount to which it was entitled. Fleet, it is true, acted improperly, but that impropriety can be remedied, and under the recent settlement will be remedied, by an appropriate sanction. See footnote 5, supra.

51

In County of Sacremento v. Hackney (In re Hackney), the bankruptcy court, applying section 502(h) to a prepetition nondishargeable claim, expressed the opinion that the language of section 502(h) was less than clear on whether the claim given a transferee was the same claim as existed earlier. 93 B.R. 213, 216 (Bankr.N.D.Cal. 1988). Nonetheless, the court concluded that the policies of bankruptcy "are best satisfied if a nondischargeable claim is reinstated under 11 U.S.C. § 502(h)." Id. at 218. The court noted that, "[w]hile it is difficult to anticipate what policy arguments might be made in connection with other types of transfers and claims, the court can see no obvious injustice that would result from such a rule in other contexts." Id. at 219; see also, In re Moody, 131 F. 525, 530 (N.D.Iowa 1904) (stating that the trustee is not entitled to avoid transfer while retaining the consideration received).

52

Scholars likewise appear to support this interpretation.15 See Rafael I. Pardo, On Proof of Preferential Effect, 55 Ala. L.Rev. 281, 281 (2004) ("[P]referred creditor is granted the same legal rights it had before the transfer...."); David Gray Carlson, Security Interests in the Crucible of Voidable Preference Law, 1995 U. Ill. L.Rev. 211, 356 (1995) ("Payments received by a secured party are analytically different. Prior to bankruptcy, the `payment' extinguished the antecedent debt. Once the payment is returned, it ought to be the case that the old debt, once dead, is now revived. This is universally assumed to be true, and § 502(h) more or less supports this conclusion...."); Harry M. Flechtner, Preferences, Post-petition Transfers, and Transactions Involving a Debtor's Downstream Affiliate, 5 Bankr.Dev. J. 1, 20 (1987) ("To the extent a transfer satisfied a claim against the debtor, recovery of the transfer as a preference or voidable post-petition transfer restores the claim."); Michael F. Jones, Structuring the Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Transaction, 19 Real Prop. Prob. & Tr. J. 58, 64-65 (1984) ("Should the deed-in-lieu transaction ultimately be avoided under sections 544, 547 or 548, then the [lender] will be returned substantially to the status quo ante with its status being that of a holder of a prepetition claim existing at the time of the filing of the debtor's petition.").

53

The foregoing seems to us sensible. We hold that upon avoidance of the gap payments, Fleet would become entitled to a secured claim to the gap payments pursuant to section 502(h).

54

Appellant argues, however, that this is no ordinary section 502(h) case since Fleet, postpetition, sold to ARK "any and all of ... [its] right, title, and interest in" the Bankvest loans and "all Lender Collateral and security of any kind in respect" of those loans. Fleet, appellants insists, relinquished the very same property that had made it a secured creditor. Appellant notes that to be a secured creditor Fleet must be the owner of a "lien," which is defined in the Code as a "charge against or interest in property to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation." 11 U.S.C. §§ 101(37) & 101(51).

55

We see little merit to this contention. As already noted, Fleet's entitlement to be treated as a secured creditor relative to its 502(h) claim rests on section 502(h)'s proviso that its claim shall be determined and allowed "the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition." At such time, Fleet's claim to what were to become the gap payments was fully secured. It is Fleet's status as a secured creditor at that time, not later, that determines the nature of its present 502(h) claim. As the case law and commentators cited above indicate, the trustee's recovery of the transfer restores the original claim, with the transferee's status becoming that of the holder of a prepetition claim existing at the time of the filing of the debtor's petition. At that time, Fleet's interest in the Bankvest loans was fully secured. What happened to Fleet's security after it received the gap payments is essentially irrelevant.

56

By the time the ARK Contract was consummated, Fleet was in possession of the gap payments themselves which, under its loan arrangements with Bankvest, had, of course, been owed to it by Bankvest and, but for the bankruptcy, were properly received by it in extinction of Bankvest's debt. Fleet, having ostensibly been paid off as to the gap indebtedness by the debtor, had no further interest in the security relative to those payments. Indeed, Fleet did not purport to transfer any security relating to the gap payments themselves to ARK. As discussed earlier, the gap payments and claims pertaining thereto were not included in the transferred assets.

57

In any event, what is crucial under section 502(h) is Fleet's undoubted status as a fully secured creditor relative to the gap payments as of the time of the filing of the petition. It is this which validates Fleet's current claim. The present issue is not a claim against security existing at the time of avoidance but a claim as to the gap payments themselves. See Adams v. Hartconn Assocs., Inc. (In re Adams), 212 B.R. 703, 713-14 (Bankr.D.Mass.1997) (Secured creditor received postpetition rent payments. Subsequently, property was sold in foreclosure sale presumably extinguishing creditor's secured interest. In action to avoid those transfers, the court concluded, despite possible intervening loss of security interest, that because the transferee would simply receive the payments back upon disbursement "nothing would be achieved by recovering payment to a secured creditor who in any event is entitled to the payment ahead of other creditors." The court did not discuss whether creditor had security interest at time of avoidance, thereby supporting the notion that such an inquiry is not germane.).

58

Lastly, appellant argues that even if Fleet would otherwise receive a secured claim, it is barred from litigating this issue because the confirmed Plan rendered Bankvest's assets free and clear of liens and the confirmation of a plan of reorganization is given res judicata effect. The Plan provides that, upon confirmation, all of Bankvest's assets (including causes of action and "proceeds and recoveries on Causes of Action"), "wherever situated," vest in the debtor free and clear of all liens, claims, and encumbrances, other than those specifically reserved in the Plan. Fleet did not object to the Plan. Appellant argues that since the term "proceeds and recoveries" clearly encompasses the amounts received under the avoidance action, these amounts return to the estate free and clear of all liens save those specified in the plan. Accordingly, it argues, Fleet's failure to preserve the possibility of asserting a security interest after being forced to return the gap payments bars it from asserting that interest here. The district court did not address this argument, but even if it had, our review would be de novo. Jamo v. Katahdin Fed. Credit Union (In re Jamo), 283 F.3d 392, 399 (1st Cir.2002). Even assuming that appellant's construction of the Plan is correct, its argument fails.

59

The term "res judicata" is frequently used to refer to either claim preclusion or issue preclusion, but appellant does not specify the theory upon which it relies. It does, however, rely solely on a case in which we applied the issue preclusion standard — namely, Monarch Life Ins. Co. v. Ropes & Gray, 65 F.3d 973, 978 (1st Cir.1995). Accordingly, we analyze this issue under the issue preclusion standard. In order to invoke issue preclusion, appellant "must demonstrate that: (1) both the [current proceedings] and the confirmation proceedings involved the same issue of law or fact; (2) the parties actually litigated the issue in the confirmation proceedings; (3) the bankruptcy court actually resolved the issue in a final and binding judgment (viz., its confirmation order); and (4) its resolution of that issue of law or fact was essential to its judgment (i.e., necessary to its holding)." Id. (citing Grella v. Salem Five Cent Sav. Bank, 42 F.3d 26, 30 (1st Cir.1994); Piccicuto v. Dwyer, 39 F.3d 37, 40 (1st Cir.1994); Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 27 (1982)).

60

Here, the parties did not actually litigate the issue of whether the gap payments should be avoided during confirmation, let alone whether the 502(h) claim was secured or unsecured, so issue preclusion does not apply. At the time of confirmation, Fleet had already sold the balance of its outstanding Bankvest loans to ARK and was therefore not a creditor. Accordingly, ARK — rather than Fleet — participated in the negotiation of the Plan. Moreover, at that time, it was unclear that an avoidance action would be filed against Fleet; only a motion for sanctions had been filed. Indeed, at no time prior to the confirmation of the Plan did Bankvest or appellant advise Fleet that they would pursue this avoidance action. Nor could the issue of avoidance have been litigated at the confirmation proceeding. The confirmation process constitutes a contested matter under the Bankruptcy Rules; whereas an avoidance action such as this one must be commenced as a separate adversary proceeding under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy 7001. See Peltz v. World-Net, Corp. (In re USN Communications, Inc.), 280 B.R. 573, 587 (Bankr.D.Del.2002) (discussing same with preference action); Sunrise Energy Co. v. Maxus Gas Mktg. (In re Sunpacific Energy Mgmt., Inc.), 216 B.R. 776, 779 (Bankr.N.D.Tex.1997); see also Grella v. Five Cent Sav. Bank, 42 F.3d 26, 33 (1st Cir.1994). Accordingly, Fleet did not have a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue of whether the 502(h) claim was secured or unsecured until, at the earliest, appellant successfully avoided the gap payments in an adversary proceeding. See Blonder-Tongue Lab. v. Univ. of Illinois Found., 402 U.S. 313, 328, 91 S.Ct. 1434, 28 L.Ed.2d 788 (1971) (in order to further interests of finality and judicial economy, issue preclusion doctrine requires that litigant be afforded "one full and fair opportunity for judicial resolution" of issue). Clearly, then, Fleet and appellant did not actually litigate this issue at confirmation.

61

Furthermore, appellant's argument is flawed at a more fundamental level. As mentioned, the trustee successfully reserved the right to bring avoidance actions in the Plan. "Res judicata does not apply where a claim is expressly reserved by the litigant in the earlier bankruptcy proceeding." Browning v. Levy, 283 F.3d 761, 774 (6th Cir.2002) (citing D & K Props. Crystal Lake, 112 F.3d at 260). As res judicata does not apply to appellant's ability to bring this avoidance action, it likewise does not apply to claims that might arise from this avoidance action.

62

Accordingly, we, like the district court, conclude that Fleet's 502(h) claim would have the status of a prepetition secured claim, entitling it to full recovery of the gap proceeds were we to undertake the exercise of avoiding the gap payments. Fleet Nat'l Bank, 2003 WL 1700978 at *7-*8 (stating, "[c]onsequently, returning any payment to BankVest would be futile because Fleet would be returned to its status as a secured creditor, the status it was in when the gap period payments were made ... [i]f, as I hold, Fleet is not divested of the claim, avoidance under § 549 does not appear to change Fleet's priority. Its claim was merely reduced by the debtor's gap period payments, something that would have happened in any event.") (citing In re Adams, 212 B.R. at 714 ("Nothing would be achieved by recovering payment to a secured creditor who in any event is entitled to the payment ahead of other creditors.")). The fact that Fleet would be entitled to receive exactly what it would be forced to return through avoidance renders avoidance pointless.

63

Affirmed.

Notes:

1

Section 362(a) states:

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a petition filed under section 301, 302, or 303 of this title, or an application filed under section 5(a)(3) of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 [15 USCS § 78eee(a)(3)], operates as a stay, applicable to all entities, of —

(1) the commencement or continuation, including the issuance or employment of process, of a judicial, administrative, or other action or proceeding against the debtor that was or could have been commenced before the commencement of the case under this title, or to recover a claim against the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case under this title;

(2) the enforcement, against the debtor or against property of the estate, of a judgment obtained before the commencement of the case under this title;

(3) any act to obtain possession of property of the estate or of property from the estate or to exercise control over property of the estate;

(4) any act to create, perfect, or enforce any lien against property of the estate;

(5) any act to create, perfect, or enforce against property of the debtor any lien to the extent that such lien secures a claim that arose before the commencement of the case under this title;

(6) any act to collect, assess, or recover a claim against the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case under this title;

(7) the setoff of any debt owing to the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case under this title against any claim against the debtor; and

(8) the commencement or continuation of a proceeding before the United States Tax Court concerning the debtor.

While in its appellate brief Fleet denies without elucidation that its acceptance of the gap payments violated the automatic stay, we can find no meaningful argument to that effect. We proceed in this opinion on the assumption, also held by the bankruptcy and district courts, that a violation occurred and that the Liquidating Supervisor's subsequent avoidance of Fleet's receipt of those payments was in order except for reasons otherwise discussed herein.

2

Fleet filed this motion jointly with ARK. Thereafter, Bankvest, the Committee, and ARK reached an agreement regarding the treatment of ARK's claims, and ARK was dismissed as a party

3

Fleet did not transfer, however, its "Retained Interest," which included all interest payable under the related loan documents in respect of any loans that were "Current Loans" that accrued on or prior to the close of business on October 9, 2000, together with other property paid or delivered in connection with the related loan documents on or prior to the close of business on October 9, 2000

4

The Bankruptcy Code grants in a transferee who has returned property pursuant to an avoidance action a claim in the property transferred. Section 502(d) states, "the court shall disallow any claim of any entity from which property is recoverable under section ... 550 ... or that is a transferee of a transfer avoidable under section ... 549 ... unless such entity or transferee has paid the amount, or turned over any such property, for which such entity or transferee is liable under section ... 550 ...." It is implicit in this section that a transferee of an avoidable transfer has an allowable claim once it turns over such property for which it is liableSee also Petitioning Creditors of Melon Produce, Inc. v. Braunstein, 112 F.3d 1232, 1237 (1st Cir. 1997) (interpreting section 502(d) and stating, "[o]nce the preference recipient complies with the payment or turnover order of the bankruptcy court, it may file a proof of claim."). Here, the appellant has brought this avoidance action pursuant to section 549. Thus, if the avoidance action were successful, Fleet would be required to return the gap payments pursuant to section 550 and having done so, would have, pursuant to section 502(d), a claim to those payments. Id. Moreover, section 502(h) provides that Fleet's claim would "be determined, and ... allowed under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, or disallowed under subsection (d) or (e) of this section, the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition." Accordingly, claims of this nature are often referred to as "502(h) claims." See, e.g., Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors of Toy King Distribs., Inc. v. Liberty Savings Bank, FSB (In re Toy King Distribs., Inc.), 256 B.R. 1, 199 (Bankr.M.D. Fla. 2000).

5

The parties inform us that on February 19, 2004, the bankruptcy court entered an order approving their settlement of the sanctions issue. The approved settlement requires that Fleet pay to the Liquidating Supervisor a settlement payment of $250,000, reserves the Liquidating Supervisor's right to pursue the present appeal, and requires, in the event that the Liquidating Supervisor prevails in this appeal, that the settlement payment shall be credited against any net obligation of Fleet

6

The bankruptcy court treated Gray as a trustee, stating, "[s]ection 549 permits a trustee to avoid postpetition payments in all but the most narrow of circumstances. The trustee, in this case the Liquidating Supervisor, ...."In re Bankvest, 276 B.R. at 30. Fleet has raised no issue as to Gray's capacity.

7

As the Committee's success on appeal is contingent upon proving that Fleet is divested of a claim to the amounts returned upon avoidance of the gap payments, Fleet's judicial estoppel argument is potentially dispositive. While the fact that Fleet prevails in this appeal on a different ground might relieve us from consideration of that defense, its character as a preliminary and potentially complete bar to appellant's case makes it advisable that we address it

8

As we find that the doctrine of judicial estoppel does not apply here, we need not address whether Fleet waived the judicial estoppel argument

9

As we have noted in footnote 1,supra, Fleet suggests, without elucidation, that the two lower courts may both have erred in determining that Fleet violated the automatic stay. Were Fleet to establish that its retention of the gap payments was authorized by the Bankruptcy Code, an avoidance action pursuant to section 549 of the Bankruptcy Code might indeed be unavailing. 11 U.S.C. §§ 549(a)(2)(A)-(B) (trustee may avoid postpetition transfer of property that is not authorized under this title or by the court or is authorized only under section 202(f) or 542(c) of this title except as provided by subsections (b) and (c)). But as said, Fleet has provided no coherent grounds for us to conclude that its retention of the gap payments was permissible and therefore that avoidance would be improper. Accordingly, we shall assume that the decisions below were correct insofar as they found that the avoidance would otherwise be in order, leaving open only issues pertaining to whether under section 502(h) of the Bankruptcy Code, Fleet having been a secured creditor, has now a right to retain the avoided sums rather than a duty to return them permanently to Gray, the Liquidating Supervisor.

10

"Participated Loans" are any loans listed in the contract other than the "Nonparticipated Loan Agreements" listed in Annex D of the contract. The Bankvest Loans are "Participated Loans."

11

Gray does not contend that the 502(h) claim was included in the "Nonparticipated Transferred Rights", so we need only address the participation interest and, in particular, the "Transferred Rights" related thereto

12

The ARK Contract defines "Retained Interest" as follows: `Retained Interest' means, with respect to each Loan Agreement, (i) all interest and commitment, facility, letter of credit and other similar ordinary course fees ... payable under the related Loan Documents in respect of any Loan or Loans that are Current Loans and the Commitments related thereto, if any, that accrue during the period on or prior to the close of business on [October 9, 2000], together with any other property paid or delivered in connection with the related Loan Documents ... prior to the close of business on [October 9, 2000]; provided, however, that unless such payment by the applicable Borrower is made (A) within 30 days of the due date thereof ... and (B) before a failure by the applicable Borrower to pay any other amount under the Loan Documents within 30 days of the due date thereof after ... and any other accrued amounts due thereafter shall be part of the Transferred Rights, and Seller shall not be entitled to any part thereof

13

The definition of "Retained Interest" may be divided into two essential parts — namely, "ordinary course fees ... payable under the related Loan Documents in respect of any Loan or Loans that are Current Loans and the Commitments related thereto" and "any other property paid or delivered in connection with the related Loan Documents on or prior to the close of business on [October 9, 2000]." The 502(h) claim does not seem specifically to fall within either section

The former is unequivocally limited to loans that are "Current Loans and the Commitments related thereto." The ARK Contract defines "Current Loans" as "the Loans set forth on Annex B." While that definition, alone, would indicate that all of the loans on Annex B are Current Loans, Annex B contains language which further limits Current Loans to those listed as "CURR." In particular, Annex B contains a spreadsheet with five columns, one of which is entitled, "Current Loans ("CURR")." Under that column, the Bankvest loans are listed as "NON-CURR." Accordingly, they do not appear to fall within the definition of "Current Loans" and, therefore, do not appear to be covered by this section of the "Retained Interest" definition.

As to the latter, the result is the same. To be sure, Fleet received the gap payments prior to January 25, 2000, so the gap payments themselves certainly constitute property paid or delivered prior to October 9, 2000. The problem is that Fleet's 502(h) claim does not appear to have arisen prior to October 9, 2000. Fleet, itself, does not dispute that the 502(h) claim arose after October 9, 2000. In its brief, it stated, "Fleet believes a 502(h) Claim, which `aris[es] from the recovery of property under Section ... 550,' has not arisen and will not arise until the Debtor actually recovers the avoided transfer." Accordingly, while Fleet's current 502(h) claim relates to the pre-October 9th payments that were not sold to ARK, the claim itself does not appear to be property paid or delivered prior to that date.

Thus, any conclusion that the 502(h) claim falls within the definition of "Retained Interest" would seem doubtful.

14

As they refer to the same amounts, there is no reason to believe that there is a meaningful distinction between the "Loans" and "Commitments" in this case

15

While some of these articles discuss preferences (which are governed by section 547) rather than postpetition payments such as those at issue here (which are governed by section 549), both preferences and postpetition payments are avoidable under section 550 and are, therefore, governed by section 502(h)Adams v. Hartconn Assocs., Inc. (In re Adams), 212 B.R. 703, 713-14 (Bankr. D.Mass.1997) ("A similar flaw [to the Debtor's reliance on § 547] is present in the Debtor's reliance on 11 U.S.C. § 549.... But, as with § 547, nothing would be achieved by recovering payment to a secured creditor who in any event is entitled to the payment ahead of other creditors.").