Since 2015, we here at Crunched Credit have tracked, followed and discussed the developments (or lack thereof) concerning the Immigration Investor Program, more commonly known as the “EB-5 Visa Program.” Throughout the past year, we’ve witnessed the approval of several extensions of the EB-5 Visa Program and in each instance, no substantive changes were included—these extensions were solely put in place in order to prevent the expiration of one of the most successful investment programs.
Continue Reading New Year! New Administration! Same EB-5 Dilemma!
The Marketplace Lending Industry Sneezes and Securitization Catches a Cold – Bad Law in the Madden Decision
For the past year or so, Dechert has been keeping a close eye on the marketplace lending industry and the tension between innovation, which portends the development of an entirely new non-banking financial space, and the instinctual reaction of the regulatory state to resist and restrict innovation. Earlier this summer, we published an OnPoint providing a comprehensive review of recent hurdles and developments affecting the marketplace lending industry, including the potentially far-reaching Madden v. Midland Funding case from the Second Circuit. The Supreme Court has now denied cert in the case and so the Second Circuit’s decision will stand.
Continue Reading The Marketplace Lending Industry Sneezes and Securitization Catches a Cold – Bad Law in the Madden Decision
Cuba and the Booming Commercial Real Estate Industry to Come
On March 20, 2016, President Obama became the first United States president in almost 90 years to visit the island of Cuba, located a mere 90 miles from the coast of Florida—signaling not only a renewed diplomatic relationship between the United States and the communist country, but also, the dawning of a new commercial age which will undoubtedly transform Cuba and its real estate industry.
Continue Reading Cuba and the Booming Commercial Real Estate Industry to Come
With Its End in Sight, EB-5 Survives!
In an uninteresting turn of events last week, Congress has passed the Omnibus Bill, which contained a provision extending the EB-5 program until September 30, 2016, with no other changes to the program. As previously discussed, the last couple of months have been filled with substantial discussions and the introduction of potential legislation aimed at reforming the program, but at the end of the day, Congress has decided to “kick the can down the road” for another couple of months.
Continue Reading With Its End in Sight, EB-5 Survives!
The Death of EB-5 Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
Earlier this year we discussed the uncertain future of the EB-5 Visa Program, one of the most successful inbound investment programs of recent years, as evidenced by the $5.2 billion dollars the program has generated in the past ten years alone. Although the EB-5 Visa Program was set to expire on September 30, 2015, Congress approved a temporary extension that allowed the program to continue through December 11, 2015. But notwithstanding the growing popularity and success of the program and the enthusiasm about it from US domestic developers and property owners, it has always engendered some concerns and criticism. And so, here in early December, its future hangs in the balance. Supporters say the program should be renewed because it generates employment opportunities and funds domestic businesses that rely on these types of investments, but critics claim the program is poorly regulated and tainted by fraud and a certain odor of unseemliness. With the potential expiration of the program set to occur later this week, it is uncertain whether the program will lapse, become permanent, be temporarily extended “as is”, or extended with significant reformations.
Continue Reading The Death of EB-5 Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
The EB-5 Visa Program: the Rebirth of the Immigration Investor Program
This is a good news story for once. But, of course, since the father of this soupcon of good news is our government, it’s almost unintended.
From the ashes of the economic recession of 2008 came the rebirth of the Immigration Investor Program, more commonly known as “EB-5 Visa Program.” This bit of social engineering has been around since the program was first introduced back in 1990 but got a second wind when everything else went to Hell. The purpose behind the program was to benefit the United States economy by attracting investments from qualified foreign nationals.
Continue Reading The EB-5 Visa Program: the Rebirth of the Immigration Investor Program