A majority of companies in Asia, Europe and the United States are paying higher prices for bank credit lines and long-term debt issues and are being forced to accept
tighter terms and covenant restrictions on loans as a result of the still unfolding crisis in global credit markets, according to a new study by Greenwich Associates. In
addition, a number of major firms have taken substantial hits to their reputations, but some banks less impacted by credit concerns see opportunity.

Since the outbreak of the credit crisis in August 2007, one of the most pressing questions facing the world economy has been whether the staggering losses experienced by global banks would eventually begin to affect the amount
of capital available to the companies that drive economic growth. To assess the current impact of the crisis on companies’ ability to access credit, Greenwich Associates in February surveyed nearly 300 large companies in Asia,Europe and the United States. Companies were asked about their views on the overall direction of the economy and how the credit crisis has affected their funding needs,
pricing and availability.

As Greenwich Associates consultant John Colon observes: “Our research suggests that companies around the world are adjusting strategies in response to the credit crunch
and preparing for a likely economic downturn, but they are certainly not panicked. Rather, they seem to be taking a series of necessary and logical steps towards preserving access to the capital they need to run their businesses.”

Telephone Conference Presentation
On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 At 2:30 Eastern/11:30 Pacific

Presentation by
Chris McDonnell
Vice President
Greenwich Associates   



 cmcdonnell@greenwich.com

About Christopher B. McDonnell:

Chris McDonnell is Vice President of consults with banking clients in the United States. Chris joined the firm in 1997 as a Research Associate responsible for assisting in the collection and analyses of the research used by the firm's corporate banking clients. Prior to re-joining the firm in 2005, Chris was a founding member of a Manhattan-based digital communications company, Eureka Networks. He graduated from Notre Dame with a BA degree in English and History and received his MBA from Kellogg.

About Greenwich Associates:

Greenwich Associates' principal business objective is to provide decision-makers in financial services with expert advice for their most critical strategic issues based upon a unique combination of comprehensive market research and in-depth analysis.

Charley Ellis founded Greenwich Associates in 1972 with the vision of a superior professional firm in institutional financial services, servicing the needs of senior financial professionals with timely, unbiased, actionable management information.

The service concept - custom consulting based on high quality proprietary research with ongoing relationships at a senior level developed by experienced experts - proved a sustainable business model.

The firm's initial offering in personal trust services, large corporate pensions, and large corporate banking in the United States expanded to encompass the spectrum of institutional financial services - including stockbrokerage, fixed income, foreign exchange, derivatives, and investment banking - in all of the major global financial centers. The firm now interviews senior corporate and institutional executives in more than 70 countries around the globe to gather the pertinent market research.

In response to the changing market environment, the range of our products and services has widened to include global programs, custom research, online tools and services, as well as specialized analytical services.

What began as a single office in Greenwich, Connecticut for 10 employees, now comprises over 170 professionals in four locations on three continents. Our client-base has expanded from 28 North American-based clients in our first year of business to over 250 global relationships today.

In 2000, Woody Canaday succeeded Charley Ellis as the Senior Managing Director, marking a new tenure of leadership for the firm in the twenty-first century.