Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs

6. Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs

The following is a summary of the activity in the reserves for expected costs of liquidation for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Three months ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs			Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs			Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs			Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation
Balance, June 30, 2020	$	16,244		$	4,934		$	83		$	21,261
Less reductions in reserves		(2,054	)		(1,662	)		—			(3,716	)
Less liquidation costs incurred (net of reversals):
Trust professionals		68			(544	)		—			(476	)
Trust governance		(555	)		(450	)		(1	)		(1,006	)
Other administrative expenses		(9,391	)		(22	)		—			(9,413	)

Balance, September 30, 2020	$	4,312		$	2,256		$	82		$	6,650


	Six months ended September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs			Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs			Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs		Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation
Balance, March 31, 2020	$	22,530		$	6,100		$	82	$	28,712
Less reductions in reserves		(4,666	)		(1,669	)		—		(6,335	)
Less liquidation costs incurred:
Trust professionals		(976	)		(1,189	)		—		(2,165	)
Trust governance		(1,158	)		(900	)		—		(2,058	)
Other administrative expenses		(11,418	)		(86	)		—		(11,504	)

Balance, September 30, 2020	$	4,312		$	2,256		$	82	$	6,650


	Three months ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)	Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs			Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs			Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs			Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation
Balance, June 30, 2019	$	19,221		$	11,714		$	102		$	31,037
Plus additions to reserves		23,578			7,939			—			31,517
Less liquidation costs incurred:
Trust professionals		(1,092	)		(594	)		—			(1,686	)
Trust governance		(616	)		(450	)		(4	)		(1,070	)
Other administrative expenses		(26	)		(13	)		—			(39	)

Balance, September 30, 2019	$	41,065		$	18,596		$	98		$	59,759


	Six months ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)	Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs			Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs			Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs			Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation
Balance, March 31, 2019	$	23,379		$	13,996		$	110		$	37,485
Plus net additions to reserves		20,723			6,781			—			27,504
Less liquidation costs incurred:
Trust professionals		(1,742	)		(1,206	)		—			(2,948	)
Trust governance		(1,237	)		(900	)		(12	)		(2,149	)
Other administrative expenses		(58	)		(75	)		—			(133	)

Balance, September 30, 2019	$	41,065		$	18,596		$	98		$	59,759

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) decreased by $2.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively. During the six months ended September 30, 2020, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) decreased by $4.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) increased by $23.6 million and $7.9 million, respectively. During the six months ended September 30, 2019, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) increased (net of reductions in the three months ended June 30, 2019) by $20.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively. Included in estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs for the three and six months ended September 30, 2019 are $10.0 million in expected reimbursements to certain holders of a majority of GUC Trust Units for legal fees in connection with monitoring the actions of the GUC Trust and participating in litigation related to the General Motors vehicle recalls. Such revisions in the estimates were recorded as reductions in (additions to) the reserves for expected costs of liquidation in such periods. The GUC Trust has recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation that represent amounts expected to be incurred over the estimated remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust for which there was a reasonable basis for estimation as of September 30, 2020.

The amount of liquidation costs that will ultimately be incurred depends both on the time period and on the extent of activities required for the GUC Trust to complete its functions and responsibilities under the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. Significant uncertainty remains both as to that time period and as to the extent of those activities. As of September 30, 2020, the recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation reflect estimated costs for a remaining liquidation period estimated to extend through

March 2021

, which was reduced by four months from the

prior

quarter ended June 30, 2020. The remaining liquidation period has been estimated predominately on a modified probability-weighted basis as permitted under U.S. GAAP and which the GUC Trust believes is the most appropriate measurement basis under the circumstances. Where an outcome is estimated to be likely, the likely outcome has been used as the best estimate and no weight has been given to the unlikely outcome. In addition, consistent with the liquidation basis of accounting, no consideration has been given to potential outcomes to the extent there does not exist a reasonable basis for estimation. The remaining liquidation period is dependent predominantly on the estimate of the remaining period of time for resolution of litigation involving certain General Motors vehicle recalls described in Part II, Item 1 (“Legal Proceedings”), as well as the period of time to wind down the GUC Trust following resolution of the litigation, which period of time is also included in the estimated liquidation period. Certain liquidation costs that are expected to be prepaid by the GUC Trust upon its dissolution have also been estimated and accrued. Future developments in the General Motors vehicle recall litigation could extend the current estimate of such remaining period of time for resolution and, therefore, extend the estimated remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust beyond March 2021. Changes in estimates regarding the period of time to wind down the GUC Trust could also extend the estimated remaining liquidation period beyond March 2021. The GUC Trust’s estimates regarding the costs and remaining liquidation period may change in the near term, and such change may be material.

The following is a summary of the activity in the reserve for Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.


	Three months ended September 30,				Six months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Balance, beginning of period	$	178	$	169	$	177	$	169
Plus addition to reserve		—		—		1		—

Balance, end of period	$	178	$	169	$	178	$	169