Credit markets centre stage IBA Conference

October 16, 2008 4:35 AM

With further repercussions of the sub-prime market unfolding daily and the effects of government rescue plans as yet unclear, lawyers analysed the collapse of the world's credit markets this morning in Buenos Aires.

Chair Judith Elkin of US firm Haynes & Boone LLP highlighted the rapid developments in the financial markets when she pointed out the New York stock exchange experienced its biggest ever drop on Friday, followed by its greatest ever hike on Monday.

James Sprayregen of Goldman Sachs began the session with a rundown of the state of US credit markets after seven strong years. He examined the effects of past financial troubles in an attempt to predict the recovery time that awaits the world today. The real economy may have held up comparatively well so far, but previous experiences show a lag in default rates of around two years.

Baker Mckenzie's Carmen Lonstein ran through the opportunities for distressed assets thanks to a weaker economy, discounted prices, the weaker dollar and favourable markets. She also turned to past recessions, showing us coming back from the 1991 recession after two to three years.

Other panel members went on to consider markets elsewhere in the world. Speakers recognised that even with governments and central banks across the world uniting in their rescue packages, what will happen at any stage in the future is far from clear.

(Source: LatinLawyer)

14 October, 2008