Second-Largest Mall Owner To Default on Loans Friday, December 12th

In a sign of the times, the second-largest mall owner in America - General Growth Properties - will probably file for bankruptcy on Friday, December 12th. Here"s a timeline:

• November 12: General Growth plunges on viability concerns

• November 20: General Growth takes on bankruptcy counsel

• December 1: General Growth gets loan extension, avoids bankruptcy. The extension was apparently a two-week extension on $900 million in debt, from November 28th to tomorrow, December 12th.

• December 9: Fitch Cuts General Growth Ratings, saying a "default of some kind appears imminent."
  

Fitch"s believes that General Growth will probably negotiate a deal with its creditors and restructure the debt. However, Fitch"s would consider that an event of default, even if General Growth avoids bankruptcy tomorrow.

Update: General Growth"s creditors refinanced the $900 million. However, General Growth still has major problems.