Innovative real estate financing in Germany – a financial desert?

Abstract

Innovative financing instruments are well‐known in Anglo‐American real estate finance markets. This study is the first to analyse the use and structure of the innovative financing instruments in Germany. Based on a survey addressed to German banks offering real estate financing, instrument‐ and bank‐type specific patterns and reimbursement schemes are examined. While the research shows that innovative instruments are not yet widely used in Germany, banks possess experience in mezzanine capital, project and joint venture financing and are optimistic regarding the future development of demand for these instruments.