Day Two - September 10th - ET
Open to bankers and special assets professionals only, this interactive, dynamic discussion will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the distressed banking environment today. Participants will share insights into their current banking climate and lessons learned, while exploring defensive and distressed strategies in uncertain times. Attendees will reflect on what keeps them up at night, the evolving role of AI in the banking industry, and the practical realities of enforcing guarantees in today’s market. This is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, challenges, and forward-looking strategies in a candid, peer-driven setting.
Chicago’s office real estate market is in a period of pronounced distress, marked by record‑high vacancies approaching 30%, steep valuation declines, and a surge in distressed sales as lenders increasingly accept losses on outdated or under‑leased buildings. Remote‑work‑driven downsizing continues to push negative absorption, while investment activity remains muted except for opportunistic buyers targeting deeply discounted assets. Even prominent towers have required loan extensions, underscoring the depth of financial strain
- Tracking changes in litigation volume, where distress is surfacing, and what types of deals are still closing in today’s market
- Understanding the financial and time commitments of litigation, how to prepare, and lessons learned from past cases
- How legal teams and Special Assets departments align on selecting and managing external counsel
- What to do when collection efforts evolve into broader disputes, counterclaims, or liability risks
- Legal thresholds, strategic risks, and debtor tactics that can complicate or derail filings
- Keys to success in receiverships, questions to ask your receiver, and legal nuances that can impact outcomes
- Analyzing current shifts in SBA loan demand and origination patterns
- Regional & Sector Insights: Identifying geographic and industry-specific lending dynamics
- The impacts on small businesses from merchant cash advance lending
- What are some creative restructuring tactics that are being tailored to today’s market?
- Leveraging technology to streamline lending and gain a competitive edge
- How are you implementing proactive strategies to stay ahead of economic shifts?