Second Circuit Rules Hedge Fund VCG Is Not Entitled to Arbitration in CDS Litigation Because It Was Not a Customer of Wachovia Bank

On October 28, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled the investment banking unit of Wachovia NA (Wachovia), Wachovia Capital Markets LLC (WCM), did not have to submit to binding arbitration with VCG Special Opportunities Master Fund Ltd. (VCG).  It reasoned that VCG, the hedge fund suing Wachovia over a $9 million credit default swap (CDS), did not constitute a “customer” of the unit.  For additional background, see “S.D.N.Y. Dismisses Jersey Hedge Fund VCG’s Claim against Wachovia Alleging Improper Demands for Collateral under a Credit Default Swap and Orders VCG to Pay Wachovia Balance of Demanded Collateral and Attorney’s Fees,” Hedge Fund Law Report, Vol. 3, No. 34 (Aug. 27, 2010), “Hedge Fund VCG Special Opportunities Fund Loses CDS Dispute with Citigroup Unit,” Hedge Fund Law Report, Vol. 3, No. 12 (Mar. 25, 2010); “Growing Wave of Credit Default Swap Litigation: Judge Rules Citigroup Did Not Cheat VCG Hedge Fund on Swap and Trims Claims in VCG/Wachovia Litigation,” Hedge Fund Law Report, Vol. 2, No. 31 (Aug. 5, 2009).

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