‘Wall of Maturities’ a test for US retailers

Of the oncoming $300bn wave of vintage 10-year loans expected to mature between 2005 through 2007, nearly one-third of the balance will come from loans backed by retail properties, according to Trepp. While this will lead to increased originations, more than $20bn of the $90bn or so in retail loans could run into trouble refinancing, particularly those involving decades-old regional malls anchored by big box tenants like JC Penney, Sears or Best Buy, the data and research firm noted in a new report.