CRAM-UP

Situation in which junior classes of creditors impose a cram-down on senior classes of creditors in the event of bankruptcy or reorganization. A firm facing bankruptcy cannot force creditors to take compromises to their claims beyond the courtroom, but the creditors may agree to the terms. If there are sufficient number of junior class creditors that agree on the set terms by the firm seeking refinancing, they can force holdouts that are bounded to the agreement. Senior classes of creditors will be forced to accept the terms even though it is not better than the initial deal.