Natixis Collaborates with Ivanhoé Cambridge and Callahan Capital Properties to Issue First “Green Bond” CMBS with a Rake Tranche Backed by 85 Broad Street in Downtown Manhattan, New York
Demonstrating its commitment to “Green financing," Natixis, in collaboration with Ivanhoé Cambridge and Callahan Capital Properties, announced today that it has issued the first ever “green” commercial mortgage-backed securitization (CMBS).
As part of the CSAIL 2017-C8 CMBS Securitization, a $72 million green-specific tranche (the 85 Broad Street Loan-Specific Certificates) was issued to refinance part of a $358,600,000 fixed-rate, first mortgage loan provided by Natixis to Ivanhoé Cambridge for the acquisition of 85 Broad Street in New York.
Natixis commissioned oekom research, one of the world’s leading rating agencies in the field of sustainable investment, for a Second Party Opinion on this green tranche. oekom research AG analyzed the 85 Broad Street Loan-Specific Certificates against the Green Bond Principles (ICMA*) and its own green bond analysis framework as adapted to green buildings. The specialized agency confirmed the alignment of the 85 Broad Street Loan-Specific Certificates with the Green Bond Principles' Green Use of Proceeds Securitized Bond’s formal concept and provided a positive opinion in terms of the sustainability quality (benefits and risks avoidance) of the property and overall sustainability quality of the original lender.
In January 2017, the property obtained a “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum Certificate for Existing Buildings: Operation & Maintenance.” LEED® Platinum is the highest rating level obtainable under the LEED® rating system. Originally constructed in 1983, 85 Broad Street is a 1.1-million-square-foot office tower situated on the full block of Broad Street between South William and Pearl Streets.
The green tranche received very strong interest from the major green investors both in the US and overseas and was oversubscribed.
With this transaction, Natixis extends its strategy in Green financing to the US commercial real estate securitization market. The $72 million tranche is a first step in the CMBS market which will contribute to diversify the green investment opportunities for investors, while maintaining the high green and transparency standards that Green Bond Principles are trying to safeguard. Furthermore, Natixis is convinced of the growing role securitization formats will take in Green financing.
Benjamin Sirgue, Managing Director, Head of Natixis Global Finance Americas, said, “With nearly $20 billion of loans securitized since 1999, Natixis is a proven leader in the CMBS market. Natixis endeavors to bring real assets to investors and is pleased to bring to the CMBS market the opportunity to invest in recognized sustainable investments.”
Nathalie Palladitcheff, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Ivanhoé Cambridge said, “This financing is a great example of how like-minded global players are able to work together to bring new green initiatives to the market, which is right in line with Ivanhoé Cambridge’s commitment towards sustainability.”
“In addition to its attractive valuation, as the first CMBS security with both a second party opinion and a dedicated impact report, we are better positioned to assess and communicate to our own investors the environmental benefits of investing in 85 Broad Street, a Platinum LEED® certified office building,” said Stephen M. Liberatore, CFA, Managing Director/Lead Portfolio Manager – Responsible Investment Fixed Income, TIAA Investments, an affiliate of Nuveen Investments.
*International Capital Market Association
Ivanhoé Cambridge, a global real estate industry leader, invests in high-quality properties and real estate companies in select cities around the world. It does so prudently, with a long-term view to generate optimal, risk-adjusted returns. Founded in Quebec in 1953, Ivanhoé Cambridge has built a vertically integrated business across Canada. Internationally, Ivanhoé Cambridge invests alongside key partners and major real estate funds that are leaders in their respective markets. Through subsidiaries and partnerships, Ivanhoé Cambridge holds interests in nearly 800 buildings, primarily in the residential, office, retail and logistics real estate sectors. Ivanhoé Cambridge held approximately C$56 billion in assets as at December 31, 2016. Ivanhoé Cambridge is a real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (cdpq.com), one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers. For more information: www.ivanhoecambridge.com
Callahan Capital Properties (CCP) is a real estate private equity firm focused exclusively on the acquisition and management of high‐quality office properties in the central business districts of major U.S. gateway cities. Together with its strategic partner, Ivanhoé Cambridge, CCP’s office platform currently totals almost 17 million square feet, with properties located in New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Denver and Los Angeles. For more information: www.callahancp.com
oekom research AG is one of the world’s leading rating agencies in the field of sustainable investment. The agency analyses companies and countries with regard to their environmental and social performance. oekom research has extensive experience as a partner to institutional investors and financial service providers, identifying issuers of securities and bonds which are distinguished by their responsible management of social and environmental issues. More than 160 asset managers and asset owners routinely draw on the rating agency’s research in their investment decision-making. oekom research’s analyses therefore currently influence the management of assets valued at over 1.5 trillion euros. oekom research was distinguished as the “most impressive Second Opinion Provider” (SPO) at 2016 SRI / Green Bond Awards. The competition initiated by international trade magazine GlobalCapital recognises those market players – from green bond issuers and investors to book runners and second opinion providers – who further the market and set its standards through excellent and innovative projects, high quality and professional expertise. For more information: www.oekom-research.com
The U.S Green Building Council’s LEED ® green building system is the preeminent program for the design, construction maintenance and operations of high-performance green buildings. For more information: usgbc.org/LEED
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About Groupe BPCE
Groupe BPCE is the second-largest banking group in France. Through its 100,000 staff, the group serves 35 million customers – individuals, professionals, companies, investors and local government bodies – around the world. It operates in the retail banking and insurance fields in France via its two major networks, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, along with Banque Palatine and Oney. It also pursues its activities worldwide with the asset & wealth management services provided by Natixis Investment Managers and the wholesale banking expertise of Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking. The Group's financial strength is recognized by four credit rating agencies with the following senior preferred LT ratings: Moody's (A1, stable outlook), Standard & Poor's (A, stable outlook), Fitch (AA-, negative outlook) and R&I (A+, stable outlook).
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