Chicago Business Corus Bankshares Inc. on cusp of crisis

FDIC may seize 'critically undercapitalized' Chicago-based lender
By Becky Yerak | Tribune reporter
August 2, 2009

"Everybody's waiting to see what the new rules are," said Kanas, who heads the 86-branch BankUnited and is a partner in the bank's investor group that also includes Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group and Centerbridge Partners. If the FDIC sticks with the 15 percent rule and other requirements, then "private equity will probably just take a pass, and that would be terrible because the banking industry needs fresh capital," Chicago business attorney said.

About half a dozen private-equity and real estate firms have been mentioned as possible bidders for Corus assets. Among them are Related Group and Lubert Adler, which last year announced a $1 billion investment vehicle to buy mortgages and property from other developers, lenders and property owners. The two companies either didn't return calls or declined to comment.