Standard Bank’s exceptional performance in financing, client engagement, and innovative solutions across the continent’s real estate sector earns it the award for Africa’s best bank for real estate. The bank also showcased strong growth in new facilities and in refinances which enables them to maintain the market leader role in the region.

Bank of America (BofA) continues to be a key player in North America’s commercial real estate (CRE) landscape, closing out 2023 with $86.57 billion in CRE loans, a notable 11.4% year-over-year increase. Representing 8.2% of its total loan portfolio, these loans support a variety of real estate ventures that foster urban development, economic growth and housing accessibility.

BTG Pactual Asset Management produced a strong set of results over the review period to show its leadership in the Latin American real estate financial industry, demonstrating strength across a wide range of services and products. As one of the largest investment banks in the region, BTG Pactual offers comprehensive market solutions, including market making, brokerage, derivatives trading, insurance and reinsurance services.

Broll Property Group’s award as Africa’s best real estate agency reflects its strong performance across multiple sectors and its commitment to sustainability and innovation in an evolving market.

BTG Pactual achieved strong financial performance in the latest fiscal year, with total revenues reaching R$6.0 billion, reflecting a robust 10% year-on-year growth. Adjusted net income rose to R$2.9 billion, a 15% increase year-on-year, underscoring BTG's continued financial health and growth trajectory. This success highlights BTG Pactual’s position as a leading bank in Latin America’s high-growth real estate sector.

During the review period, Blackstone concentrated its North American real estate strategy on high-demand asset classes, with a particular emphasis on multi-family residential rentals, industrial properties, and data centres. Through its Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT), Blackstone’s portfolio has grown significantly and has maintained a high occupancy rate, at approximately 94%, and steady returns, underlining its successful strategy of focusing on stabilized, income-generating assets.

With strong strategic initiatives and remarkable deals, the real estate income of DBS has been growing despite market challenges.

Prologis has developed new logistics spaces across North America, enhancing supply chain efficiency and supporting the burgeoning e-commerce landscape.

With €111 billion in real estate assets under management across Europe, AXA IM Alts ranks as the largest property investment manager in Europe.

A leading developer of grade A industrial and logistics real estate, IndoSpace, backed by Everstone Group, has a 52% market share in India’s top eight markets and is still expanding in this fastest-growing large economy.

Blackstone’s outstanding achievements in portfolio management, strategic acquisitions, and commitment to sustainability across the region over the review period made it the strongest real estate investment manager in the region.

BNP Paribas showcased meaningful growth in real estate, especially in its CEE operations.

JLL's advisory services in North America saw major achievements across 2023 and 2024, solidifying its reputation for market leadership. The firm supported strategic commercial real estate transitions, notably through data centre investments addressing heightened demand from AI and cloud sectors amid power and space shortages. In addition, JLL's valuation advisory expanded in healthcare and other specialized sectors, helping clients navigate complex market landscapes with data-driven insights.

Fabrix is as a vertically integrated real estate investment platform. It focuses on breathing new life into overlooked urban spaces by employing innovation in finance, tech and architecture. Perhaps most importantly, the company’s projects serve as a blueprint for sustainable development.

Grit Real Estate Income Group is a pan-African real-estate company with a portfolio of assets across the region.

Headquartered in Kuwait, United Real Estate Company operates through a number of operating subsidiaries and investment arms across the Middle East and North Africa region.

Nordea Bank posted a larger than expected increase operating profit in the second quarter of 2023, to €1.72 billion, an increase of 26% year on year. Net interest income grew by 40% to €1.83 billion.

With its pan-European team of 45 people in seven countries in continental Europe, including Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and the UK, BNP Paribas combines regional coverage with local expertise.

In 2022, BBVA partnered with US venture capital firm Fifth Wall to invest in technologies that address climate change in the real estate and construction industries, which together make up about 40% of global carbon emissions.

Skanska focuses on the office, residential and hotels sector in the Nordic region. Key tenants in its developments include Telia, Sweco, Scandic Hotel and Borealis Group.

With a presence in 19 markets globally, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India and the US as well as Europe, DBS delivered a record total income of S$16.5 billion ($12 billion) in 2022, a 20% increase in net profits to S$8.19 billion, return on equity of 15% and S$20.5 billion in sustainable financing loans.

Emirates NBD is one of the leading financial services brands in the United Arab Emirates.

Real-estate firm Hines celebrates 25 years in Brazil this year by adding to its already diverse portfolio focused on for-rent residential. A combination of high property prices in São Paulo and a younger generation with different priorities drove the decision to focus on this new business line.

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) has been in Hong Kong since the 1980s. As one of the largest listed developers in the territory, its portfolio encompasses residential, office, retail and industrial spaces. Developments include iconic landmarks such as New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan Plaza in Tsuen Wan and New Century Plaza in Mong Kok.

With offices in Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, Skanska has a strong footprint in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

Standard Bank Group (SBG), Africa’s largest bank, completed real estate transactions in many countries during the review period. It extended 20 new facilities totalling $249.05 million to both existing and new clients, and 13 refinancings totalling $408.8 million to existing clients.