LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Israel-based fintech Vesttoo is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court which will enable it to pursue legal action against those responsible for a fake collateral scandal, it said in a statement on Monday.
Vesttoo - partly backed by Banco Santander's (SAN.MC) fintech venture capital arm Mouro Capital - has laid off staff, closed offices and appointed an interim chief executive following the discovery of fraudulent letters of credit used on its platform.
Vesttoo provides insurers with access to so-called insurance-linked securities - an alternative form of reinsurance.
Led by Mouro, Vesttoo last raised $80 million at a $1 billion valuation last October.
In its bankruptcy filing, Vesttoo said it had appointed law firm DLA Piper and financial adviser Kroll to represent the firm.
Persons:
Vesttoo, Ami Barlev, Mouro, DLA Piper, Kroll, Carolyn Cohn, Sonali Paul
Organizations:
Banco Santander's, Thomson
Locations:
Israel, U.S