Foundation Call Examines Post-Attack Challenges.

• Position: FEI Research Foundation held a conference call Oct. 1 to discuss the challenges facing financial executives in the new environment following the terrorist attack - Brief Article

The FEI Research Foundation held a conference call Oct. 1 to discuss the challenges facing financial executives in the new environment following the terrorist attacks. More than 150 FEI members participated in "Open Discussion: Challenges & Issues in Today's Environment of Global & Economic Uncertainty."

The Research Foundation sponsored the call to provide financial executives with a forum to discuss what has changed in their businesses since Sept. 11, and what issues need the most attention. The call covered a host of issues, including liquidity (or lack thereof), skyrocketing insurance premiums, travel policies and employee productivity and morale.

The first item brought up was how firms are managing travel policies. The responses generally ran toward a consensus that companies have restricted non-essential travel and have allowed employee willingness to be a factor in travel decisions. Several participants said they were extending the travel moratorium at least 30 days, and would revisit the issue at that point.

Insurance coverage proved a major discussion issue. Company executives said they are...