NEWS HEADLINES

Column Capital Discusses LIHTC Activity

By Donna Kimura

Oct. 15 —Column Capital, a Credit Suisse Co. expects to close between $400 million and $500 million in LIHTC transactions in 2007, its first full year in the market.

The firm is planning to close about $100 million of that total between October and the end of the year, according to Paul Weissman, senior vice president.

Column has been activel nationally, acquiring both 9 percent and 4 percent tax credit transactions. One area of focus is mid-size deals, those with between $5 million and $15 in tax credit equity, in both first- and second-tier markets.

Firm leaders said they will be active in the LIHTC market in 2008 and expect to do about the same volume of business as this year. Credit Suisse continues to be dedicated to the progam, said Pete Davis, president of Column Capital and managing director of Column Credit Suisse, responding to rumors that the company is exiting the market.

They company is also a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Federal Housing Administration lender. This year and next year, the firm will continue to bridge the affordable debt and equity lines of business for developers, according to Davis.

GE Makes Latest Investment

GE Real Estate announced that it has partnered with Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Inc., on Raymond James Housing Opportunities Fund 5, LLC, a new LIHTC fund.

GE Real Estate said it made an initial investment of $10.2 million for three properties, which are in Georgia, Arkansas, and Virginia, and will invest up to $50 million as more assets become available.