To prevent a catastrophic deflation as speculators turned in their pesos, Cavallo arranged for stopgap loans from the IMF (Argentina was tossed into a temporary recession because the IMF demanded major tax boosts as a condition for the bridge-loan financing).

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Two other companies that were on month-to-month bridge financing were traded down 30%-50% during the closing process.

FORBES: Tough Truth About Defensive Exits

In any case, sell-offs will not happen quickly enough to bridge the financing gap in 2012.

ECONOMIST: Greece has no good options left

Most heart-arresting are bridge loans, which carry a company to an imminent financing eventa venture round, an initial public offering or an acquisition.

FORBES: Going Into Hock