Banks line up schemes to lure NRIs into real estate (The Times of India)
MUMBAI: The booming real estate market in the country has prompted industry players to introduce a slew of innovative products to people willing to pay. From real estate developers to real estate fund managers, from banks to housing finance companies, it’s a party time for all.

Banks line up schemes to lure NRIs into real estate (The Times of India)
The booming real estate market in the country has prompted industry players to introduce a slew of innovative products to people willing to pay.

GE's Balance-Sheet Loan Saves Transaction when Original Lender Cancelled Commitment (Multi-Housing News)
Vacaville, Calif.—Portfolio lenders are coming to the rescue in a time when some lenders are backing out of deals. GE Real Estate recently made a $15.1 million loan shortly after another lender withdrew from the transaction.

3 from Marlboro face racketeering charges in real estate scam (Asbury Park Press)
State law enforcement officials have arrested three people from Marlboro on racketeering charges in a scheme that appears to involve real estate transactions during the past four years.

Real estate magnate Sam Zell wastes no time making big changes at Tribune (The Monterey County Herald)
CHICAGO — Real estate magnate Sam Zell took control of newly private Tribune Co. on Thursday and began shaking up the newspaper and TV company the moment the $8.2 billion buyout he led closed, reshuffling the board, naming two top executives and promising more action ahead.

Qatar's Barwa signs $700m Islamic loan (Khaleej Times)
LONDON — Qatar's Barwa Real Estate Co has signed a $700 million, one-year revolving Islamic loan, which was reduced from $800 million after the deal was undersubscribed in syndication, banking sources said.

(AFX UK Focus) 2007-12-21 14:04 GMT: First Horizon raises 4Q loan loss reserves, to reduce real estate exposure (Interactive Investor)
BOSTON (Thomson Financial) - First Horizon National Corp. Friday said it has revised its outlook for fourth quarter 2007, reflecting "increasing softness and volatility" in residential construction lending and mortgage banking.

Fitch Affirms Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2006-1 (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
NEW YORK----Fitch affirms all classes of Resource Real Estate Funding CDO 2006-1 notes as follows:

Qatar’s Barwa signs $700m Islamic loan (The Peninsula)
London • Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Co has signed a $700m, one-year revolving Islamic loan, which was reduced from $800m after the deal was undersubscribed in syndication, banking sources said.

Fitch Affirms JP Morgan Chase's Construction Loan Servicer Rating (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
CHICAGO----Fitch Ratings has affirmed JP Morgan Chase Commercial Real Estate Loan Administration's rating of 'Acceptable' as a construction loan servicer for commercial real estate loans.