News

Montréal, January 16, 2009 - Otéra Capital, the new commercial real estate financing subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is proud to introduce its management team and outline the products that will position Otéra Capital as a key player in the real estate financing market. With its head office in Montreal, Otéra Capital was created early in 2008 to consolidate the Caisse's commercial real estate financing portfolio, to maintain its prominent position in the Canadian real estate debt market and to provide a platform to expand lending activities internationally.

A client-focused company with a diversified range of products and services
Otéra Capital's team of specialists offers a broad range of real estate financing services to a commercial clientele. To better manage its expanding operations, the Company has created two divisions - Canadian and International - to oversee its underwriting, credit and asset management operations. With a strategy that focuses on local expertise, active asset management, quick execution and yields, Otéra Capital is well positioned to grow its lending activities worldwide and to attract equity partners with similar investing goals. 

Seasoned experts on the Executive Committee   
Otéra Capital is led by Jean Lamothe, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lamothe has more than 20 years of experience, including almost 15 years with the Caisse in real estate and private equity. Since 2003, he has overseen the team representing the Real Estate Group in Europe, from the Paris and Frankfurt offices. 

Ross Brennan, Executive Vice-President, Canada, oversees the team that originates, manages and administers Otéra Capital's investments. Mr. Brennan has more than 30 years of commercial real estate financing experience acquired at several large financial institutions in Canada.

Michel Deslauriers, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for the Finance and Information Technology departments. In addition to having held various positions at KPMG and ABB, Mr. Deslauriers has excellent knowledge of the Caisse Real Estate Group, having served as Vice-President, Finance, at Ivanhoe Cambridge since 2001.

Guy Charette, Vice-President, Portfolio Management, is responsible for activities designed to optimize returns and risk management. A financing specialist with extensive experience, Mr. Charette had been responsible for the Caisse's real estate debt portfolio since 2004. 

Marie Giguère has joined the team as Vice-President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary. She was a partner at Fasken Martineau for several years and also worked for the Montréal Exchange and Molson before becoming a consultant to the Caisse's Private Equity group. 

Lastly, Élise Saint-Aubin has been appointed Vice-President, Human Resources and Organizational Development. She has extensive experience in various aspects of human resources - labour law, change management, coaching, organizational development and communications - and in various sectors of activity, including health care, telecommunications, multimedia and aerospace. She is involved in the management of Otéra Capital's administrative functions. 

About Otéra Capital
Otéra Capital is the subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec that handles all of the institution's real estate financing operations, offering underwriting, servicing, active management, syndication and securitization, with various products that include conventional mortgages and structured products. The Montréal-based Company is active in Canada, the United States and Europe. Otéra Capital is one of Canada's five main commercial mortgage lenders and is present on the U.S. market through CW Capital.  

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Source and information

Marie Giguère
Vice-President, Legal Affairs, and Corporate Secretary  
Otéra Capital
(514) 847-2898
mgiguere@oteracapital.com