Many smaller highly leveraged companies face an uncertain future as well.

And they still own a highly leveraged company with talk of an initial offering this year.

Even if it is no longer considered as a highly leveraged company.

Banks say the default rate on loans to highly leveraged companies has been low.

The biggest risk I've taken is making acquisitions that have heavily leveraged the company.

But the fact a highly leveraged company can borrow more does not prove it is a good idea to do so.

This will protect even highly leveraged companies from the effect of rising rates in the next few months.

"Inasmuch as we are a leveraged company, we've got other things to do first," he said.

Q. What makes you more financially secure than other leveraged companies?

First Chicago also has a $3.6 billion portfolio of loans to highly leveraged companies.