Alternative lenders

BlackRock has held a first close on its UK Strategic Alternative Income Fund, which will invest in real estate debt among other asset classes.

Colony NorthStar has collected a total of $1.3 billion for its fourth real estate debt fund, Colony Distressed Credit & Special Situations Fund IV, Real Estate Capital's sister title PERE has learned.

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.

AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets has raised €1.4 billion of capital for its latest debt fund, CRE Senior X, in just over six months, Real Estate Capital has learned.

UK marketplace lender LendInvest has reduced its minimum loan size for commercial and residential property bridging loans as it attempts to roll out its real estate lending business across the UK regions.

Asia-based alternative investment firm Pacific Alliance Group (PAG) has partnered with South Korean brokerage company Meritz Securities to launch a 200 billion won (€163 million; $180 million) private debt fund to provide senior loans backed by properties in South Korea.

Fundraising by closed-ended real estate-focused debt funds had reached more than $23.2 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2016, according to data from PDI Research & Analytics.

ACOFI, the Paris-headquartered fund manager, has secured approximately €420 million in commitments for PREDIREC Immo IV, its fourth CRE debt fund.

IDFC Alternatives, an Indian alternative investment manager, is approaching the second and final close of its IDFC Score Fund within two months, according to a senior executive from the firm.

Maverick Real Estate Partners has announced the private equity manager is raising money for its fourth debt fund, Real Estate Capital has learned. The fund is seeking opportunistic returns on distressed debt.