Quiksilver Said to Seek Financing in Bankruptcy Exit Preparation

HUNTINGTON BEACH, United States — Quiksilver Inc., the bankrupt surfwear retailer, is in talks with banks for a loan that would help finance its business after it exits bankruptcy, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Bank of America Corp. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are among lenders discussing an asset-backed credit line for the company, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions aren't public. The revolving loan may be $125 million to $150 million, and the company may seek a term loan as well, the people said.

Quiksilver, rooted in the seaside cultures of Australia and Southern California, filed for bankruptcy protection in September after years of struggling to compete against fast-fashion retailers like Hennes & Mauritz AB. At the time of the filing, it had about $826 million in total debt, which will be cut to less than $300 million under a restructuring plan that will hand control of the company to Oaktree Capital Management LP.

Obtaining the loan is crucial to ensuring that Huntington Beach, California-based Quiksilver gets final court approval for its growth plan after it emerges from bankruptcy. A hearing is scheduled for the end of January, and the company expects to exit court protection shortly after Judge Brendan Shannon signs off on the proposal.

John Christiansen, a spokesman for Oaktree at Sard Verbinnen & Co., and Tasha Pelio, a spokeswoman at JPMorgan, declined to comment. Julia Young, a spokeswoman for Quiksilver at ICR Inc., and John Yiannacopoulos, a spokesman at Bank of America, didn’t immediately respond to e-mails and phone calls seeking comment.

The case is In re Quiksilver Inc., 15-11880, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).

By Jodi Xu Klein, with assistance from Lindsey Rupp; editors: Nabila Ahmed, Eric J. Weiner, Kenneth Pringle.