In this period of shock ratings downgrades, weaker company balance sheets, increasing discrimination among credit investors and caution from lending banks, corporates are facing a liquidity crunch. One minute, banks are handing out revolving credit facilities without batting an eyelid and money-market investors are habitually turning over commercial paper, the next, relationship banks aren't quite so friendly any more. So what do corporates do when they are shoved out of selected CP markets and left scraping around to find short-term cash?
December 01, 2001