October 11, 2010 –- The University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce will hold its 2010 Fall Forum on Oct. 15, in Old Cabell Hall, on "Distressed Debt Investing in Today's Corporate and Real Estate Markets." The event is free and open to the public.

Running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the forum will feature two panel discussions – one on corporate investing and one on real estate investing – and a keynote address by Bruce Richards, chief executive officer of Marathon Asset Management.
 
Though often characterized as "vulture investors" or "bottom feeders," distressed debt investors specialize in fixing broken companies and turning around underperforming assets. Opportunities for distressed debt investing have mushroomed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

Richards and 10 other veteran distressed debt investors (including eight McIntire School graduates) will emphasize the qualities required for successful distressed debt investing, discuss the opportunities and pitfalls created by the current turmoil in the economy, and debate the outlook for distressed assets.

The forum is presented by the McIntire Center for Financial Innovation.

A detailed schedule, participant biographies and more information are available at the Fall Forum website.