Biz Brief: Lehman Brothers' European Creditors May Get Paid in 2011

Lehman Brothers, whose 2008 death signaled the gravity of the financial crisis, remains very much alive to those of its creditors still awaiting payment. Now, it looks like some businesses in Europe could get speedier payments than they would have gotten otherwise.

According to the Associated Press, PricewaterhouseCoopers, which administers Lehman Brothers' business in Europe, says it could begin paying about $10.8 billion in claims from the failed company early next year if creditors reach an agreement on a plan. That represents about half of the estimated $18 billion to $22 billion in unsecured claims.

Lehman's U.S. bankruptcy case is a separate matter.