Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. announced the closing of a $1.05 billion commercial real estate mortgage loan securitization (the “Securitization”). An aggregate of approximately $873 million of investment grade-rated notes were issued (the “Notes”) and Arbor retained subordinate interests in the issuing vehicle of approximately $177 million. The $1.05 billion of collateral includes approximately $73 million of capacity to acquire additional loans for a period of up to 180 days from the closing date of the Securitization.

The Notes have an initial weighted average spread of 2.36% over Term SOFR, excluding fees and transaction costs. The facility has an approximate two year replenishment period that allows the principal proceeds from repayments of the portfolio assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement assets, subject to certain conditions. The offering of the investment grade-rated Notes was made pursuant to a private placement.

The investment grade-rated Notes were issued under an indenture and secured initially by a portfolio of real estate related assets and cash with a face value of $1.05 billion, with such real estate related assets consisting primarily of first mortgage bridge loans. Arbor intends to own the portfolio of real estate related assets through the vehicle until its maturity and expects to account for the Securitization on its balance sheet as a financing. Arbor will use the proceeds of this Securitization to repay borrowings under its current credit facilities, pay transaction expenses and fund future loans and investments.

Certain of the Notes were rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and all of the Notes were rated by DBRS, Inc.