Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is a specialty finance company that primarily originates and invests in commercial real estate loans and related investments. The company focuses on directly originating debt and preferred equity investments for commercial properties across the United States. It was incorporated as a Maryland corporation and completed its initial public offering in May 2012. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation has elected to be taxed as a real…
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation is a specialty finance company that primarily originates and invests in commercial real estate loans and related investments. The company focuses on directly originating debt and preferred equity investments for commercial properties across the United States. It was incorporated as a Maryland corporation and completed its initial public offering in May 2012. Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code. The company is externally managed by Ares Commercial Real Estate Management LLC which is a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation. This external management arrangement provides the company with access to the manager's national direct origination platform and investment expertise.
The company generates revenue mainly from interest income earned on its held for investment loan portfolio. Its loan portfolio includes senior mortgage loans subordinated debt mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments. Interest income is derived from the contractual interest rates on these loans and from any related fees such as origination or amendment fees. In addition to interest income the company may receive fee income from loan structuring syndication and advisory services. The company also invests in other commercial real estate opportunities such as commercial mortgage backed securities and loans to real estate or hospitality companies. Income from these investments is recognized as interest or dividend income depending on the instrument. The company may also retain subordinate securities from securitizations of its senior loans which can generate additional interest revenue.
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation competes in a market that includes public and private REITs specialty finance companies banks mortgage bankers insurance companies mutual funds institutional investors investment banking firms and other financial entities. Many of these competitors are larger and have greater financial technical marketing and other resources than the company. Despite this the company believes it has a competitive advantage through its manager's direct origination platform which consists of four offices across the United States. The manager's underwriting standards emphasize creditworthiness of borrowers strength of sponsors and the underlying collateral value. Access to Ares Management's broader platform provides additional industry expertise and relationships that help the company assess risk and price loans effectively. The company's strategy of holding loans for investment rather than trading them allows it to earn steady interest income over the life of the assets. Its status as a REIT and its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 also differentiate it from many competitors that are subject to different regulatory regimes.
The company serves borrowers and sponsors who are seeking financing for commercial real estate projects that are not fully met by traditional bank or capital market sources. These borrowers typically pursue value adding business plans on properties such as office, multifamily, self storage, retail, hotel, healthcare, student housing, industrial, mixed use, and residential. The sponsors often have experience in developing, operating, or repositioning the underlying assets and require flexible loan structures to support their projects. The company acts as a one stop source of financing providing customized solutions that may include senior loans, subordinated notes, mezzanine financing, or preferred equity. By focusing on this niche the company aims to build relationships with repeat borrowers and to generate a diversified portfolio of CRE debt related investments.
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Sector: Real Estate Industry: REIT - Mortgage CIK: 0001529377