KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Announces Closing of $1.3 Billion CLO

Rhea-AI Summary

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (KREF) has closed a $1.3 billion Commercial Real Estate Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO), named KREF 2021-FL2, on August 16, 2021. This transaction allows KREF to refinance its previous $1.0 billion CLO and enhances its non-mark-to-market, non-recourse financing capabilities. The FL2 CLO finances one mortgage loan and 19 participation interests in KREF's portfolio, featuring a weighted average cost of capital of L+1.30%. The company's strong brand and management track record facilitated this attractive financing opportunity.

Positive

• Successfully closed a $1.3 billion CLO, improving financial flexibility.
• Refinanced prior $1.0 billion CLO, enhancing capital structure.
• Achieved a competitive cost of capital at L+1.30%, strengthening funding efficiency.

Negative

• None.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (the “Company” or “KREF”) (NYSE: KREF) today announced the closing of KREF 2021-FL2, a $1.3 billion managed Commercial Real Estate Collateralized Loan Obligation (“FL2 CRE CLO”) on August 16, 2021. In conjunction with this transaction, the Company called KREF 2018-FL1. The FL2 CRE CLO finances one mortgage loan and 19 pari passu participation interests in KREF’s loan portfolio, and provides KREF with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. The FL2 CRE CLO features a two-year reinvestment period with an 84% advance rate at a weighted average running cost of capital of L+1.30% (before amortized costs).

Matt Salem, Chief Executive Officer of KREF stated: “The closing of our $1.3 billion CLO allowed us to refinance our 2018 $1.0 billion CLO and increases the Company’s match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis.”

Patrick Mattson, President and Chief Operating Officer of KREF, added: “The combination of our brand, track record as a manager and quality of our loan portfolio positioned us to achieve attractive financing with a market-leading cost of capital.”

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and MUFG Securities Americas Inc. served as co-lead managers and joint bookrunners.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. is a real estate finance company that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring senior loans secured by commercial real estate properties. KREF is externally managed and advised by an affiliate of KKR & Co. Inc. For additional information about KREF, please visit its website at www.kkrreit.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to it. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to the Company or are within its control. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Information about factors affecting the Company and the forward-looking statements is available in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov.

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FAQ

What is KREF's recent CLO transaction?

KREF closed a $1.3 billion CLO named KREF 2021-FL2 on August 16, 2021.

How does the KREF 2021-FL2 CLO impact financing?

The CLO refinances the previous $1.0 billion CLO and enhances non-mark-to-market financing.

What are the terms of the KREF 2021-FL2 CLO?

It features a two-year reinvestment period and a weighted average cost of capital of L+1.30%.

Who were the managers for the KREF CLO transaction?

Wells Fargo Securities, KKR Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and MUFG Securities served as co-lead managers.