– Real estate assets increased to EUR 47 billion in 2021
– Acquisition and sales volume was EUR 4.4 billion in 2021
– Open-ended real estate funds coped well with the effects of the coronavirus crisis
– Sustainability: All five retail funds have been classified as Article 8 Funds
– EUR 2.9 billion in real estate lending arranged
Deka Immobilien real estate assets under management rose by EUR 4.5 billion to EUR 47 billion at the end of 2021. Deka also recorded a continuing high level of demand for its real estate funds for institutional and retail investors. This trend is set to continue in 2022, with net retail sales exceeding around EUR 600 million in the first four weeks of the year. EUR 290 million of this was due to the reinvestment of distributions. “Investors continued to invest in our real estate funds in the second year of the coronavirus pandemic and we were able to generate the promised returns”, stated Dr Matthias Danne, Deka Board of Management member responsible for Asset Management.
Transaction volume totalled EUR 4.4 billion
Acquisition and sales volume continued at a high level of EUR 4.4 billion in 2021. By adjusting its acquisition processes to make greater use of local appraisers, Deka was also able to make investments in countries subject to strict lockdowns. The retail property acquired in Osaka, Japan, in the spring of 2021 is one example of this. The total volume of EUR 4.4 billion included EUR 3.7 billion in acquisitions and EUR 700 million in sales. The retail funds acquired 20 properties for EUR 2.7 billion and sold 9 properties for EUR 500 million. Institutional funds acquired 19 properties for EUR 1 billion and sold seven properties for a total of EUR 200 million.
Retail funds record stable performance
Deka’s open-ended real estate funds for retail investors continued to cope well with the effects of the coronavirus crisis. Performance was between 1.5 and 2.5% in 2021, which was the same level as in the previous year. Deka expects similar returns in 2022.
Total customer assets increase to EUR 50.2 billion
Total customer assets rose EUR 4.5 billion to EUR 50.2 billion at the end of 2021. EUR 35.5 billion of this was in the retail sector and EUR 14.8 billion in the institutional sector. Net sales were EUR 3.7 billion in 2021, including EUR 1.2 billion in the area of institutional investors.
Certification rate rises to around 74%
The certification of fund properties plays a key role in Deka Immobilien’s commitment to sustainability. The certification rate was around 74% at the end of 2021, based on Deka Immobilien’s total real estate assets. All five Deka Immobilien retail funds now systematically observe ESG criteria and have been classified as Article 8 funds under the Disclosure Regulation.
Occupancy rate of 95.4%
Leasing performance was at a high level in 2021 due to the conclusion of lease agreements with a net annual rental volume of EUR 360 million. Leases with an additional volume of EUR 153 million were concluded as a result of renegotiations due to the coronavirus crisis. The portfolio as a whole had an occupancy rate of 95.4% at the end of 2021.
EUR 2.9 billion in new real estate lending
EUR 2.9 billion in new real estate financing was recorded in 2021 (including EUR 300 million from renewals). EUR 400 million in placements were made. Around EUR 300 million of this amount was for placements with companies in the German Savings Bank Finance Group (Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe).
