> How has your investment philosophy changed given the recent market dislocation?

GE Capital Real Estate has always underwritten conservatively. With the market reaching exceptional levels between 2005 and 2007, it got harder for rational players to compete. More recently, purely opportunistic players began to disappear while committed real estate companies, such as GE Capital Real Estate, remain. Pricing will adjust, providing future opportunities to invest. People who know what they are doing, including our partners, borrowers etc., will, in time, thrive. But there’s no doubt that the current set of economic facts require significant patience from everybody.

> With both the real estate and financial markets in turmoil, will GE Capital Real Estate continue funding transactions?

We are committed to real estate, and have a significant portfolio of direct property investments and real estate debt. We expect to face a more rational set of competitors in the foreseeable future. We’ll certainly continue to be a big debt financing business, but sized for more modest growth. Tough realities face us all: good deals with strong returns will get done, marginal deals won’t.

> How will GE Capital Real Estate operate going forward?

There are a number of forces at work that will allow us to shrink the balance sheet, and continue to invest selectively. In the normal course of business, loans are paid off creating balance sheet capacity, and we intend to put our capital to work. Additionally, as our Global Investment Management business gains traction, when the time is right we’ll put our investing clients’ capital to work as well.

> GE Capital Real Estate's new ad stresses its commitment to real estate in all market cycles. What does that mean?

GE Capital Real Estate is committed long term to the commercial real estate business. We’re going to be a participant through all cycles. It doesn’t mean we’re going to be active every day. But we do participate on the lending side and on the investing side, so through our multiple go-to-market strategies, we tend to be active.

> What does your ad mean when it says “GE Capital Real Estate is strong and playing through?”

GE Capital Real Estate has offices in 30+ countries, and is committed to the commercial real estate business. In 2008, we invested $20B. Much of that is in debt, because that is where the returns are today. Granted there is uncertainty about what exactly the real estate market will look like at the other end, but we will be a leading, albeit smaller, player.

> Do you offer any type of residential loans & can I get a home mortgage from you?

GE Capital Real Estate is only involved in the commercial real estate sector of the mortgage market and we do not – and have not – offered residential mortgages.

> I have a commercial property I would like to sell. How do I list my property with you?

What’s listed for sale on our website is a selection of properties we’re selling from our portfolios. We are not a real estate brokerage firm and do not take outside listings.

> Your “Online Tools” section has been removed. How can I access my account?

All of our online applications are located within the Account Access area of our “For Our Customers” section. You may also access them here.

> Where can I learn more about how GE Capital Real Estate serves the commercial real estate industry?

Please feel free to contact us via the "contact us" link at the top of the page.

> How can I get in touch with a GE Capital Real Estate representative for more information?

Please feel free to contact us via the "contact us" link at the top of the page.

updated March 24, 2009