SAN FRANCISCO — Gantry has expanded its Southern California presence by merging the operations of Westcap Corp. into its platform. The merger boosts Gantry’s correspondent-driven loan production, adding more than 250 existing loans with $3.2 million in servicing responsibilities. With this consolidation, Gantry’s servicing portfolio reaches more than $23 billion. Westcap’s CRE loan producers, Managing Director Steve Beck, Executive Vice President Steve Bridges and Director Topher Van Mourick, will continue their roles. Since 1981, Westcap has been a mortgage banking presence in Southern California serving clients throughout the Western states from offices in Irvine, Calif., and Los Angeles. Moving forward, Westcap’s producers will operate under the Gantry name. The acquisition of Westcap marks a key milestone for Gantry, which has been expanding its reach in commercial mortgage banking. The Gantry acquisition team was led by Michael Heagerty, George Mitsanas, Robert Slatt, Jeff Wilcox and Andy Bratt. Gantry’s other recent growth initiatives include the acquisition of Q10|Triad Capital Advisors in October 2024, Norris, Beggs & Simpson’s mortgage banking arm in 2020 and The Rose Hill Group in 2019.
MORRISTOWN, N.J. AND NEW YORK CITY — Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ: VLY), the holding company for Valley National Bank, has sold $925 million worth of commercial real estate mortgage loans to Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM). Of the $925 million loan pool, $823 million had been previously identified and transferred to held for sale as of Sept. 30, 2024, as the firm sought to reduce its exposure to the commercial real estate sector. The loans were sold at a discount of 1 percent to value, which the bank expects will result in an immaterial net loss during the fourth quarter. Valley will retain customer-facing servicing responsibilities for the financings following the transaction. “The sale of this performing commercial real estate loan pool has helped to accelerate progress toward our strategic balance sheet goals,” says Ira Robbins, chairman and CEO of Valley. Valley is a regional bank with over $62 billion in assets under management. The company operates retail branch locations and commercial banking offices across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California and Illinois. The Morristown, N.J.-based bank’s stock price closed on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at $10.48 per share, up slightly from $9.29 a year ago. Morgan Stanley & Co. …
ALLENTOWN, PA. — Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) has signed a nonbinding preliminary memorandum of terms to receive up to $93 million in funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, proceeds of which would be used to expand the California-based semiconductor manufacturer’s Lehigh Valley facility. Funding would also be allocated toward the expansion and modernization of the company’s Silicon Valley facility, and the projects could support the creation of as many as 1,700 manufacturing and construction jobs.
DALLAS — TGI Fridays Inc., which owns and operates 39 U.S. restaurants, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Northern District of Texas. The Dallas-based operator cited long-running declines in sales dating back to the pandemic as the main impetus behind the filing. All independently owned and operated franchise locations, both foreign and domestic, are not impacted by the filing. An entity doing business as TGI Fridays Franchisor LLC, which owns the TGI Fridays brand and other intellectual property, was also unaffected. TGI Fridays Inc. has secured a commitment for debtor-in-possession financing from its lenders to support operations at its 39 restaurants while proceeding through the Chapter 11 process. Globally, the chain’s footprint spans 461 locations across 41 countries.
CHICAGO — Hardware retailer True Value Co. LLC has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Chicago-based retailer has also entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its business operations to Do it Best Corp., another entity within the home improvement retail sector and former rival. According to Reuters, Do it Best will serve as the stalking horse bidder for True Value with an acquisition price set at $153 million in cash and the assumption of $45 million in contracts and other obligations. “After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we determined that the sale of our business was the path forward to maximize value and best serve our retail partners and other stakeholders into the future,” said Chris Kempa, CEO of True Value. “We believe that entering the process with an agreed offer from Do it Best, who has a similar decades-long history in the home improvement space and also operates with a focus on supporting members and helping them grow, is the most beneficial next step.” True Value stores — of which there are roughly 4,500 — are independently owned, aside from one company-owned store in Palantine, Ill. …
IRVING, TEXAS — Global convenience store operator 7-Eleven will close more than 400 of its North American retail outlets, according to reports from multiple publications, including NPR and CBS News. Both news outlets noted that the announcement to shutter some 440 stores throughout the United States and Canada was delivered on Thursday, Oct. 10, during a conference call held by Seven & I Holdings, which is 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company. The company’s U.S. operations are headquartered in Irving, Texas. The report from CBS states that the shuttered locations represent about 3 percent of 7-Eleven’s total North American store count, while NPR’s report cites “inflation pressures, slowed traffic, a decline in cigarette sales and a shift in consumer appetites” as the key drivers behind the decision. Regarding consumer appetites, 7-Eleven also said that it is focused on expanding its specialty food-and-beverage offerings throughout its remaining stores.
NEW YORK CITY — Global investment group CDPQ and Nuveen Green Capital, a provider of sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions, have launched a $600 million integrated financing program. The fund combines Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing and senior bridge and construction financing solutions for properties in various U.S. markets. The program will feature bridge and construction debt and will support cost-effective energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy and resiliency improvements tied to new or existing commercial assets. Nuveen will act as the primary sourcing agent for the integrated financing program.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — American Campus Communities (ACC) has delivered new student housing projects totaling $855 million this year. Together, the six communities — which include Meadows Apartments at Princeton University, Casa del Valle at Arizona State University, The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing at Emory University, xučyun ruwway Graduate Student Apartments at University of California Berkeley, East Campus Graduate Apartments at The University of Texas at Austin and Graduate Junction at MIT — feature 3,867 beds. Austin, Texas-based ACC is the third-party developer and manager for Graduate Junction (676 beds), East Campus Graduate Apartments (784 beds), The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing (535 beds) and Meadows Apartments (604 beds). Amenities at Meadows Apartments at Princeton University include a communal kitchen, children’s playroom and a market and café. In addition to a communal kitchen, The Ridge Graduate & Professional Housing at Emory University features a fitness center, study areas and a parking garage. At Graduate Junction at MIT, amenities include study areas, a recreation center and gym and indoor bike storage. ACC is the owner, developer and manager of Casa del Valle at Arizona State University, which offers 507 suite-style beds with social lounges, Zen areas and landscaped outdoor amenities. ACC …
DENVER — Lee & Associates Denver is celebrating 10 years of success, excellence, innovation and client satisfaction. Since its inception in 2014, the company has closed more than 1,000 commercial real estate transactions producing $1 billion in transaction volume. “We are incredibly grateful to our loyal clients, dedicated employees and supportive principals who have been integral to our success throughout this remarkable journey,” says JR Bitzer, managing principal. “This anniversary signifies not only our years of hard work and determination, but also the immense potential that lies ahead as we continue to expand in Colorado.” Lee & Associates Denver is committed to consistently growing, meeting challenges and elevating its standards. Looking ahead, the company aims to enhance its offerings, explore new market opportunities and continue to deliver exceptional value to its clients.
DENVER — Chicago-based Banner Real Estate Group has launched Banner Industrial Properties, a new platform dedicated to industrial real estate investments. The platform will initially focus on value-add properties in key logistics markets throughout the Western United States. Based in Denver, Banner Industrial Properties is led by Mark Bowen as president, Dan Morrison as chief financial officer and Scott Blanding as chief operating officer. With more than 30 years of experience, Bowen’s role will encompass executive leadership, investment sourcing, operations and overall strategy. Bowen most recently served as chief investment officer at Dalfen Industrial. As chief financial officer, Morrison will oversee fundraising and capital markets activities. Previously, he helped launch three U.S.-focused, value-add funds with TradeLane Properties. Blanding will manage asset management, leasing and operations as chief operating officer at Banner Industrial Properties. Previously, he had stints with Viking Partners and DCT Industrial Trust.
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