In a release, Frank Liantonio, C&W's EVP for global capital markets, says the challenges stemming from the credit crisis and slowdown in the economy "have increased demand among our clients for a comprehensive approach to problem resolution from the capital markets and real estate perspective." Liantonio tells GlobeSt.com, "We've taken a core group of people, both geographically and service-line wise, to address these questions." The team includes specialists in asset management, financial analysis, valuation, leasing, property management, project management, investment sales, loan sales, debt and equity finance and litigation support.

Liantonio tells GlobeSt.com the challenges faced by clients "may be asset-specific or may concern an entire portfolio." Members of the resolution group will work with the clients to develop an asset strategy, which may include a short-term repositioning, a longer-term hold or immediate financial resolution, such as the sale of loans, the sale of assets or loan restructuring, according to a release.

Going forward into 2009, Liantonio expects the group will become busy. "There haven't been many defaults as yet, but we anticipate that they will rise over the next few quarters," he says. Although he notes that some economists have predicted a gradual improvement in the economy in the second half of '09, thus shortening the duration of the downturn, Liantonio expects the resolution group will be operating for the next two to three years.