Centuria Capital Group has increased its interest in a real estate debt company Centuria Bass Credit from 50% to 80% for more than A$57m (€34.7m).

The incremental stake purchase was funded with A$28.5m of cash and A$28.5m in Centuria Capital’s scrip, issued at A$1.775 per security.

John McBain, Centuria Capital Group joint CEO, said the transaction followed an ongoing review of opportunities to β€œmeaningfully scale Centuria’s platform”. Centuria manages 18 property and agricultural funds, valued at A$21bn.

McBain said: β€œExpanding our stake in Centuria Bass Credit increases alignment and earnings-share to a market leading real estate finance business, capable of generating healthy profit accretion for Centuria’s future earnings profile.

β€œWe retain high conviction over this asset class and are focused on broadening the range of real estate debt offerings to our investor network. Centuria’s investor network have developed a rapidly increasing appetite for the relatively competitive returns and short duration these funds exhibit.”

When Centuria Bass was acquired three years ago, its assets under management was A$300m, which has grown to A$1.7bn. Centuria Bass generated an interim operating profit of A $7.2m for Centuria Capital as at 31 December 2023, based on the 50% interest held at that time.

McBain said Centuria Bass was positioned to increase its non-bank lending market share with new real estate finance investment products that complemented Centuria’s distribution network.

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