Meaning
Legal hierarchy determining the order of payment during an exit or liquidation. Creditor priority dictates which parties receive funds first when a company’s assets are distributed. This ranking usually places secured lenders at the top and common shareholders at the bottom.
It governs the financial outcome for a founder who holds both debt and equity in the firm.
Liquidation Order
Sequence of repayment. The liquidation order of the term establishes the queue for receiving cash from a sale. Senior lenders always stand at the front of this line.
This protects the interests of banks over owners.
Subordination Level
Specific rank of a financial claim relative to other obligations. The subordination level of the term dictates the risk profile for an investor or founder who provides bridge loans to the company. Lower ranks carry higher risks because those holders only receive payment if all senior debts are satisfied.
This structure often forces a founder to wait until the very end of an exit to see any return on their initial investment. It determines wealth.
Recovery Ratio
Final payment amount. The recovery ratio of the term calculates the percentage of the original investment returned to a creditor. In a distressed sale, this figure often drops below fifty percent for junior claimants.
It reflects the total value available.