Newswise — Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2011) –The European debt crisis just claimed Italy as the latest victim following Greece. Portugal, Ireland, and Spain pose additional exposure for banks. Unlike Greece, Italy’s economy has been called “too big to fail” and as the EU’s third largest economy has the potential to have a much greater impact on both the EU’s and U.S.’s economies through whatever deal is ultimately worked out to restructure Italy’s debt. American University experts from the Kogod School of Business are available to discuss impacts for EU and U.S. financial markets.

Ghiyath Nakshbendi, executive in residence in international business, possesses extensive international business experience. Nakshbendi has 25 years of experience in developmental financing, sovereign wealth funds, and commercial real estate. Nakshbendi has worked in business in 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the U.K, France and Switzerland.

Nakshbendi believes all sectors of the U.S. economy will be impacted as a result of the European debt crisis.He is able to provide analysis from the point of view of American multinational firms with investment in the Euro zone as well as those multinationals with projects/investment in Italy, Greece, and Spain.

Jennifer Oetzel, associate professor in international business, focuses on how businesses can address the political and economic challenges they face in their foreign and domestic operations.

Oetzel can discuss how businesses can address the political and economic challenges they face in their foreign and domestic operations in Europe and the U.S.

Robert Sicina, executive in residence in international business, possesses over 30 years of multinational banking experience. Sicina served as CFO of Citibank's entire International Consumer Group and Citibank's U.S. credit card business and moved on to serve as president of American Express Bank Ltd.

Sicina can discuss the European debt crisis in Greece, Italy, and the EU as a whole. He can also analyze the health of the banking systems in Europe and U.S., the impact on the U.S. economy and opportunities present for "cash rich countries" particularly China.

Mark Waldman, executive in residence in finance and real estate, has taught personal finance for more than 20 years and has his PhD in economics. For the last 25 years, he has been an investment adviser and Certified Financial Planner. He runs Waldman Financial Advisers LLC.

Waldman can discuss debt and personal finance related topics arising from the EU debt crisis. For example, how Americans should prepare if they have exposure to the European markets through bonds, stocks, or mutual funds and whether gold and silver are good investments for people trying to save and hedge against inflation.