Magic circle trio win BBVA sale and leaseback work

The deal saw Spain’s ­second-largest bank BBVA become a long-term tenant on 948 of its own branches. The bank was advised by Clifford Chance real estate investment partner Carlos Portocarrero de la Heras in Madrid.

The assets were purchased by special investment vehicle Tree Inversiones Inmobiliarias, comprised of Deutsche Bank’s RREEF Alternative Investments, Area Property Partners and Europa ­Capital.

The deal is understood to include provisions that allow the bank to sublet properties and vacate some others, allowing it to close branches if necessary.

One source close to the deal commented: “In the current market conditions and with real estate the way it is, it’s an amazing deal. It’s going to give a lot of cash to BBVA to help its balance sheet.”

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Madrid-based finance partner Inaki Gabilondo led a team ­advising the purchaser.

Linklaters banking partner Pedro Rojas and associate Jorge Alegre advised lead managers Deutsche Bank and Caixa, which were part of a syndicate of 14 financial institutions.

Uría Menéndez London-based corporate and banking partner Juan Carlos Machuca also had a role advising the lenders.