Thames River property manager anticipates raft of Reit launches

Thames River expects a raft of real estate investment trusts to float this year as Europe's banks look to establish listed vehicles or dispose of properties to Reit managers.

James Wilkinson, co-manager of Thames River’s new Real Estate Securities fund, says European banks currently have about £300bn of commercial property on their balance sheets – having sold off £5bn already. “Most of the companies in the listed property world in the UK and Europe are currently talking to banks,” Wilkinson says. Thames River launched its fund last week, with over 80% exposure to European Reits. While Wilkinson had feared bank disposals of commercial real estate could flood the market, he now feels these exposures are being handled well. “Lloyds Banking Group and Roya...