The division is looking to purchase the properties andultimately lease them back to the sellers. This allows thecorporations to maintain control over the property's use,operations and maintenance, while benefiting from the addedliquidity on their balance sheets.

In addition, Levitt Realty & Finance will facilitateshort-term loans nationally to non-affiliated entities secured bysingle-tenant commercial real estate leased long-term toinvestment-grade public companies. Additionally, the financedivision will facilitate credit facilities to fundcorporate-sponsored real estate loans. Under this program,corporate sponsors receive funding for the value of underlying realestate, for their nationwide franchisees and subsidiaries, and fortheir product and service providers. The division will alsofacilitate loans to assist in 1031 exchange transactions.

Thomas Dujanovic, who has more than 25 years of experience incommercial real estate, has been appointed president of LevittRealty & Finance. Levitt Cos. is a wholly owned subsidiary ofBankAtlantic Bancorp Inc.