Old world distressed debt has become a significant opportunity for investment in the UK and Europe in 2012. Shearman’s Solomon Noh reports

For the past few years a group – composed primarily of US-based hedge funds – has focused with keen interest on potential distressed investment opportunities arising out of the UK and Europe. A number of key players within that group have dedicated an increasing amount of their resources to the UK/European strategy, such as by increasing or reallocating staff. Some have even gone so far as to open offices in London recently in preparation for what many expect will be a flood of distressed bank loans coming to market.