Archive for April 20th, 2009

Fed May Create Special Facility for CRE

Via the Wall Street Journal:

The latest big threat to economic recovery in the U.S., the commercial property market, could be the next target of an expanded special lending program from the central bank, Dennis Lockhart, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, said Saturday.

“On our watch list this year as a risk to the [economic] outlook is continuing worsening in the commercial real estate sector,” Mr. Lockhart said.

The central banker was speaking at a conference on financial policy hosted by Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management to honor former Fed Governor Dewey Daane.

Fed policymakers are still considering whether to include sponsorship for commercial property loans under its Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, or TALF, Mr. Lockhart said, adding that there’s been no official decision.

“The details haven’t been fully worked out,” he said.

J.Crew at the Beach

J.Crew is testing a new concept in Malibu.

Taking a cue from its coastal environs, J.Crew-at-the-Beach features a beachy color scheme, salt-air weathered brass fixtures and sun-bleached floors made from reclaimed oak. The store also carries limited-edition surfboards and has customized offerings such as the Malibu houseguest survival kit — a monogrammed tote with flip-flops and swimwear. (On opening day Tuesday, it will be giving out neon Capri flip-flops as a gift with purchase.)

J.Crew also has plans to continue to grow its Madewell chain.

Bloomberg Looks at Commercial Real Estate

(Spotted at Deal Junkie)