Aspen Capital Explained

Aspen Capital is a merchant bank in Portland, Oregon, USA. The private merchant bank specializes in loan acquisitions, real estate financing and investment, distressed securities and hospitality.^[1] Originally known as Aspen Capital Partners,^[2] the bank was once strictly focused on commercial real estate, but entered the residential property market in 2004 by offering loans to homeowners who were nearing foreclosure.^[3]

Financial crisis

The bank received a large amount of publicity when housing prices dropped in 2007 and about 45 percent of its loans fell into foreclosure. Although the company had little say in the housing market at that time, it is now recognized again as primarily a commercial real estate investor. The state of Oregon started an investigation of the lender in 2010 over allegations of violation of consumer protection laws.^[4]

See also

• List of companies based in Oregon

Notes and References

1. News: Meyers . Sean . As traditional lending slows, mezzanine debt gains favor . . February 24, 2008.
   - News: Earnshaw . Aliza . Downturn's upside . American City Business Journals . November 16, 2008.
2. News: Meisner . Jeff . Portland investors help fund OneEighty Networks . American City Business Journals . March 12, 2004.
3. News: Frank . Ryan . Foreclosure rescues by Aspen Capital affiliate -- a lender of last resort -- failed nearly half the time . . February 27, 2010.
4. News: Frank . Ryan . State regulators open civil investigation into Aspen Capital's mortgage affiliate . . April 12, 2010.
   - Margaret . Van Vliet . Cory Streisinger . Consumer fraud and Aspen Capital . March 8, 2010 . http://www.portlandonline.com/phb/index.cfm?a=291370&c=30142 . Portland Housing Bureau, City of Portland . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111108021746/http://www.portlandonline.com/phb/index.cfm?a=291370&c=30142 . November 8, 2011.