Acquisition

5 Aug 2009 07:00

Development Securities announces acquisition of property backed senior loan for approximately £10.0 million

Development Securities, in conjunction with Ellandi LLP ("Ellandi"), announces the acquisition of a senior loan secured on a neighbourhood shopping centre in South West England. The loan was acquired at a significant discount from a leading UK high street banking group. Development Securities have invested approximately £10.0 million in the transaction and own 100% of the loan at closing. The loan is currently performing and interest payments are being met by the borrower in full. The Company will initially receive a yield in excess of 10% per annum in relation to the investment.

Notwithstanding its performance, the loan is presently subject to a loan to value covenant breach which has precipitated the decision for the UK banking group to dispose of the loan. The acquisition was financed out of the proceeds of the Company's recent equity fund raising, completed in July 2009.

Development Securities consider the loan to be well secured and given the discounted purchase price, offers numerous potential management options. Due to confidentiality constraints, the Company is not able to provide further information at this stage but hope to make further announcements in due course.

Ellandi is a specialist investment manager focused on UK commercial property. Ellandi specialises in acquiring property related debt, recapitalising distressed property situations and investing in direct real estate. Subject to the future performance of the investment, Ellandi may receive a carried interest as part of the management arrangements.

For further enquiries, please contact: Michael Marx Development Securities PLC 020 7828 4777 Richard Evans The Communication Group 020 7630 1411