GLENDALE, AZ (November 20, 2025) |
AVANA CUSO, a credit union service organization specializing in commercial real estate lending, will host the fourth session of its five-part webinar series on special asset management, titled “Legal Strategy and Action Plans.”
This session comes at a time when the commercial real estate market faces unprecedented stress with $957 billion in loans maturing in 2025, nearly triple the 20-year average of $350 billion, according to The Kaplan Group. This debt maturity wall is driving a surge in commercial foreclosures and bankruptcies, underscoring the need for credit unions to strengthen their legal preparedness, risk mitigation, and recovery strategies.
The webinar, scheduled on December 4 at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET, will guide credit union professionals through developing and executing legal strategies that protect their institutions, minimize losses, and maximize recovery. Attendees will learn how to evaluate collateral and borrower strength, collaborate effectively with legal counsel, manage legal costs, and determine when to pursue foreclosure, bankruptcy, or note sale options.
Sundip Patel, CEO and Co-founder of AVANA Companies, and Steven Ellsworth, Senior Vice President of Portfolio Management at AVANA Companies, lead the series with over 50 years of commercial lending and specialized asset management expertise.
"As the debt maturity wall creates challenges for borrowers trying to refinance at higher rates, credit unions must be proactive in developing legal strategies and partnerships that protect their portfolios," said Patel. "Having these strategies in place can provide valuable support when navigating complex foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings."
This fourth installment builds on previous sessions covering loan documentation, delinquency management, and borrower communication strategies. The final session in this series will address collateral valuation techniques and advanced recovery strategies.
"Legal expertise becomes vital when troubled assets require professional intervention, but choosing the wrong strategy or attorney can cost credit unions significantly more than legal fees," said Ellsworth. "Credit unions that develop proactive legal action plans can minimize losses and protect member interests more effectively."
All webinars in this series are free and open to all credit unions, reflecting AVANA CUSO’s commitment to supporting and empowering our credit union partners. By sharing practical strategies and expert insights, AVANA aims to help credit unions strengthen their capabilities - so they, in turn, can better serve their members and communities.
To register for the fourth webinar, visit: