Trading counterparties and clients of Lehman Brothers were treading a delicate line Wednesday, voicing support in the Wall Street investment bank, while also quietly looking to reduce some exposure to the firm in order to protect assets.

Across Wall Street, the consensus was that Lehman didn't have the sudden confidence problems that had overwhelmed Bear Stearns and pushed it into a fire sale in March. For many Lehman counterparties, however, there was an acknowledgement that they had to guard themselves as the firm's share price continues to fall, even as they wished to support Lehman and its employees.