LOS ANGELES and TOKYO—The agreement will mark the Japanese conglomerate's entry into US real estate asset management, although it has been active as an investor and developer here.

NEW YORK CITY—Bearing the American Finance Trust name, the merged entity is a retail-focused REIT with an enterprise value of approximately $3.9 billion.<br>

BOISE, ID—The new hire brings more than 35 years' experience in commercial real estate finance to the middle-market loan provider.

DENVER—In the data center space, it's a case of the largest markets continuing to see the fastest growth, says CBRE.

NEW YORK CITY—"The US economy may need somewhat less monetary policy accommodation," leading to a faster pace on increases in the federal funds rate this year, Boston Fed president Eric Rosengren said Wednesday.

PORTSMOUTH, NH—Lodging Econometrics expects the moderate up-trend in hotel construction pipeline growth to continue for at least the next two years.

CHICAGO—The Federal Reserve's plans now assume even more prominence with the expectation of multiple interest rate increases this year, according to Seyfarth Shaw's industry survey.

WASHINGTON, DC—"Regulatory burdens remain a major challenge to our industry," says Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.