Starwood Property Trust

Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that focuses primarily on originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt investments, alongside selected property equity and infrastructure lending. It was launched in 2009 by Barry Sternlicht's Starwood Capital Group and is externally managed by an affiliate of that private investment firm, which gives the trust access to Starwood Capital's origination, underwriting and asset management platform. The company is one of the largest commercial mortgage REITs listed in the United States. Its portfolio spans senior and mezzanine commercial mortgage loans, CMBS and other real estate securities, owned and net-leased properties, and — through its infrastructure segment — loans and investments in energy and infrastructure assets. Starwood Property Trust has expanded beyond the United States into European and Australian commercial real estate debt markets, positioning itself as a global diversified real estate finance platform rather than a purely domestic balance-sheet lender. As a mortgage REIT, the trust earns income from interest on its loan book, fees and property operations, and it is structured to distribute most of its taxable income to shareholders. Its brand identity is closely tied to the Starwood name and to the credibility of Starwood Capital Group, one of the world's larger private real estate investment managers. The company is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, and its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker STWD.

Starwood Property Trust was formed in 2009, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, as a vehicle to acquire and originate commercial real estate debt at a time when traditional lenders had retreated. It was sponsored by Starwood Capital Group, the private real estate investment firm founded by Barry Sternlicht, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker STWD. The trust raised capital in the public equity markets and used it to build a portfolio of commercial mortgage loans and real estate securities. Over the following decade the company broadened from a U.S.-focused loan book into a diversified real estate finance platform. It added mezzanine and subordinate lending, acquired and managed net-leased properties, and built out a real estate securities portfolio. It also expanded internationally, establishing lending activity in Europe and Australia, which allowed it to deploy capital in markets where Starwood Capital already had investment experience. A further step in diversification came with the creation of an infrastructure lending segment, extending the trust's credit expertise into energy and infrastructure assets. Throughout its history the company has been externally managed by an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, a structure that ties the REIT's brand and operations to the sponsor's origination and asset management capabilities. Starwood Property Trust has consistently ranked among the largest listed commercial mortgage REITs in the United States, and its shares remain listed on the NYSE under STWD.

• 2009

  Starwood Property Trust is formed and listed on the NYSE under ticker STWD, sponsored by Starwood Capital Group.

• The company expands its lending activity into European and Australian commercial real estate debt markets.

• An infrastructure lending segment is added, extending the platform into energy and infrastructure credit.

A large, externally managed commercial mortgage REIT offering diversified real estate credit exposure backed by the Starwood Capital platform.

• Senior commercial mortgage loans

• Mezzanine and subordinate loans

• CMBS and real estate securities

• Net-leased properties

• Infrastructure loans

1. 1Starwood Property Trust official websitestarwoodpropertytrust.com
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