Friday, August 08, 2008
JPMorgan plans $1 bln Asia property spree
JPMorgan plans to invest more than $1 billion in Asian real estate over the next three years, hoping to fill a gap as Indian and Chinese developers crave funds and lenders and rival investors recoil from property markets.The investment bank, which has fared better than some Wall Street rivals because of smaller exposure to subprime mortgage investments, is using its global special opportunities group to finance Asian property firms and their projects.Many Chinese and Indian developers are struggling to complete ambitious projects because local banks have clamped down on lending to the construction industry and a stock market slump has closed off equity raising through initial public offerings.Foreign investors are also shying away from markets where risks, as well as returns, are traditionally high. But because of a shortage of funds, developers are starting to offer plum deals.
JPMorgan is to set up its new European headquarters at London's Canary Wharf financial hub after scrapping plans to take space in the City of London, Britain's historic financial heartland.