The triggering of Article 50 passed with little reaction from the real estate finance industry, but it brings into sharp focus the political and economic challenges facing the UK and Europe.

Great Portland Estates has turned to the US private placement market to raise £175 million of fresh capital.

Starwood Capital’s listed property debt fund, Starwood European Real Estate Finance Limited (SEREFL), originated £175.9 million of debt during 2016, against a backdrop of “greater than usual” loan repayments.

M&G Investments has provided a £70 million (€81 million) whole loan to private property advisory and investment management company Rocket Investments, secured by a London hotel.

Lloyds has refinanced £61 million of debt secured by a portfolio of UK business centres through its Green Lending Initiative.

Attempts to clamp down on multinationals avoiding taxes have inadvertently embroiled the world of real estate lending.

Real estate developer and investor Thor Equities has hired Fess Wofse as its new chief financial officer, based in its New York headquarters.

TH Real Estate has sourced £210 million of debt from Royal Bank of Scotland and BNP Paribas to finance its UK retail fund, Real Estate Capital has learned.

The private owner of the 5 Churchill Place office building in London’s Canary Wharf has agreed a refinancing of the property with Citi and Bank of Ireland.

The second real estate debt fund raised by AEW Europe and the asset management arm of French bank Natixis has provided a €35 million participation a French portfolio financing.