Wall Street Journal

The Journal reported that the deal would extend the due dates on the mortgages by four-and-a-half to five years in return for GGP providing significant concessions, including additional amortization payments, more reserves for the loans and additional bankruptcy protections for the lenders. GGP's attorneys didn't specify how much the settlement will cost the company.

The outline of the plan presented before US Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper didn't go into detail on the total amount of debt covered by the deal. GGP will use the pact as a template for negotiating deals with its other creditors, including the holders of about $6.5 billion in unsecured debt, according to the Journal.

GlobeSt.com reported yesterday that Simon Properties is considering making a bid for some or all of GGP. The GGP rival has hired investment adviser Lazard Ltd. and law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to assist with the potential bid. However, as GlobeSt.com reported, GGP is looking to make a speedy exit from bankruptcy protection.