From Deal Watch Blog

TitleMax, one of the largest title-lending companies in the U.S. and a frequent advertiser on Atlanta television stations, filed for bankruptcy in Savannah on Monday...The bankruptcy filing was triggered by the maturity of a $165 million loan from Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital Inc. and Fortress Investment Group LLC.

Savannah-based TitleMax reported $100 million of debts and $100 million of assets. Several affiliated companies filed for Chapter 11 simultaneous with TitleMax, including CheckMax of Tennessee and TitleMax Funding. Fentress filed a motion for the court to jointly administer the cases…