Natixis Asset Management and AEW Europe have launched the Senior European Loan Fund, the first subfund of a closed-end seven-year fund structure investing in senior real estate loans. The fund has completed a first close with €240 million in equity and is targeting a total investment capacity of €500 million.

“The real estate financing market is experiencing a structural change with a marked decrease in funding capacity of the banking system, creating an opportunity for the emergence of new participants in real estate debt,” comments Christian Delaire, CEO of AEW Europe. “The creation of this fund aims to offer our clients access to this new market opportunity.”