Beneficient Announces Agreement to Settle GWG Litigation
Rhea-AI Summary
Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) has reached a binding agreement to settle all claims in the GWG Holdings litigation cases in federal courts. The settlement, which remains subject to court approval, will be funded entirely through insurance policy limits and resolves all claims against Beneficient, its subsidiaries, and their current and former directors and officers, including CEO Brad Heppner.
The company maintains its position of contesting all allegations, denying any wrongdoing, fault, or liability. The decision to settle was strategically made to eliminate ongoing costs, distractions, and litigation risks. While this settlement resolves claims against Beneficient parties, other GWG-related claims against non-Beneficient parties remain outstanding, including claims against entities related to the founder and CEO, to whom Beneficient has indemnification obligations.
Positive
- Settlement funded entirely through insurance policies, protecting company cash
- Elimination of major litigation risk and associated legal costs
- No admission of wrongdoing in settlement terms
Negative
- Ongoing indemnification obligations for claims against founder-related entities
- Settlement subject to court approval and other conditions
- Continued existence of other GWG-related claims against non-Beneficient parties
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, BENF declined 0.96%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
DALLAS, March 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Beneficient,” “Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled platform providing exit opportunities and primary capital solutions and related trust and custody services to holders of alternative assets through its proprietary online platform, AltAccess, today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to settle all claims in the previously disclosed lawsuits relating to GWG Holdings, Inc. (“GWG”) in federal court in the Northern District of Texas and the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (“GWG Litigation”) against the Company, its subsidiaries, and each of their current and former directors and officers, including its founder and CEO, Brad Heppner (collectively, the “Beneficient Parties”), for a sum within applicable insurance policy limits.
The Company and its directors and officers have vigorously contested and continue to contest the allegations in the GWG Litigation, fundamentally challenging the underlying factual assertions and maintaining substantive and well-founded defenses. The Company’s decision to enter into this settlement agreement was based on eliminating ongoing costs, distractions, and other risks inherent in litigation.
The proposed settlement, which is subject to court approval and other conditions, would resolve all claims asserted against the Beneficient Parties without any admission, concession or finding of any fault, liability or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, the plaintiffs will receive an agreed upon amount of cash that will be paid entirely from funds available under applicable insurance policies.
“While the Company thoroughly disputes the allegations in the GWG Litigation, we are pleased to have reached this agreement. Today’s announcement is a major step toward allowing us to move past this matter so we can continue focusing on executing on our business plan and enhancing shareholder value,” said a Company spokesperson.
Following the settlement of the GWG Litigation, other GWG-related claims against parties other than the Company, its subsidiaries, and each of their current and former directors and officers, including its founder and CEO, remain outstanding, including certain claims against entities related to Beneficient’s founder and CEO to whom Beneficient owes certain indemnification obligations. The Company intends to support a vigorous defense against such claims.
About Beneficent
Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds− with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.
Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Matt Kreps 214-597-8200 mkreps@darrowir.com
Michael Wetherington 214-284-1199 mwetherington@darrowir.com
investors@beneficient.com
Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding approval of the proposed settlement and outstanding GWG-related claims against entities related to the Company’s founder and CEO to whom the Company owes certain indemnification obligations. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others: the timing and the final outcome of the GWG Litigation; entry of a final judgment by the court in the GWG Litigation and the risks, uncertainties, and factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events, or circumstances or other changes affecting such statements except to the extent required by applicable law.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
FAQ
What is the financial impact of BENF's GWG litigation settlement on shareholders?
Does BENF's settlement agreement admit any wrongdoing in the GWG litigation?
What remaining legal risks does BENF face after the GWG litigation settlement?
Why did BENF decide to settle the GWG litigation in March 2025?
