SINGAPORE: CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) has announced the first closing of CREDO I China – the Group’s first discretionary real estate debt fund. The fund, with a target capital raise of $750 million, will invest in offshore US dollar-denominated subordinated instruments for real estate in China’s first- and second tier cities.

It will focus on loans and securities of high-quality real estate covering commercial, retail, residential, logistics and industrial properties. CapitaLand has raised over 70 percent of the capital or $556 million for CREDO I China’s first closing, with subsequent commitments from major institutional investors expected later this year.

CapitaLand will hold a 10 percent stake in the fund. It is set to be one of China’s largest real estate debt funds.

Lee Chee Koon, CapitaLand’s President & Group CEO, said: “We are delighted with the strong investor participation in CREDO I China. Fund management business is an integral part of CapitaLand’s strategy. CREDO I China will broaden CapitaLand’s fund offerings to real estate debts, going beyond our existing 15 private equity funds, which focus primarily on direct investment in property projects.”

Lucas Loh, CapitaLand’s President (China & Investment Management), said: “CREDO I China comes at an opportune time as a significant volume of China’s commercial real estate loans are due for refinancing within the next few years; while bank regulatory changes and deleveraging measures have tightened the amount of credit available to borrowers, prompting them to turn to non-bank lenders. We will tap on CapitaLand’s operating capabilities and network in China to source for investment in quality property debt instruments for this debt fund. The fund will also augment CapitaLand’s business in China through investment in real estate debts.”

James Lim, CEO, CapitaLand Investment Management, said: “We are grateful for the strong support and commitment from our investors. This fundraise demonstrates the growth in demand for real estate finance fund targeting mezzanine debt and other subordinated instruments through the origination of financing for high-quality properties in major markets across China. We are excited about the breadth of opportunities we are seeing for making attractive, risk-adjusted investments on behalf of our investors.”

CapitaLand is the largest real estate manager in Asia Pacific and ranked 13th globally based on total real estate assets under management, according to the 2018 Fund Manager Survey jointly conducted by the Asian Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles Limited, European Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles and National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries in the United States.

CapitaLand has consistently topped the ranking in Asia Pacific every year since the survey was launched in 2015. CapitaLand’s recent proposed acquisition of Ascendas-Singbridge will enlarge its fund management platform and propel the enlarged Group to become one of the top 10 largest real estate investment managers globally.

CapitaLand Limited has announced the establishment of CREDO I SLP GP LTD, a wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated in the Cayman Islands as part of its ongoing business development.