CEFC China Energy has been hit by legal action from a creditor, even as the cash-strained conglomerate’s biggest financial backer, China Development Bank (CDB), is attempting to dissuade lenders from taking action, sources said. State-backed China Everbright Bank Co has filed multiple lawsuits against CEFC (Shanghai) International Group Co, a CEFC subsidiary, in a Shanghai court as it seeks to limit its exposure to the troubled group, said a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Privately owned CEFC has come under financial pressure since it was revealed that Chairman Ye Jianming had been investigated for suspected economic crimes earlier this year, according to Reuters.

Everbright Bank’s action steps up scrutiny and pressure on CEFC and comes at a time when Chinese authorities are intensifying a crackdown on some high-profile privately owned dealmaking conglomerates out of concerns of political and financial security.

CDB, CEFC’s largest lender, held a creditors’ meeting on Monday where it advised attendees to hold off filing any lawsuit and also asked them not to recall loans to CEFC to help it maintain normal operations, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The first group of cases by Everbright Bank, involving 80 million yuan ($12.73 million), was originally scheduled to be reviewed by the court in late March, but was postponed due to objections raised by CEFC, a source said.

A search on the website of Shanghai’s High Court shows court hearings on another two cases are scheduled on May 9. The cause of the cases are contract disputes over financial borrowing, according to the website.

CDB and Everbright Bank declined to comment on the creditors’ meeting, while CEFC did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The sources could not be named as the discussions were confidential.

When contacted by Reuters, Everbright Bank confirmed it is seeking legal redress, but declined to provide any details.