FIR: Fund grows through major acquisition
Fonds Immobilier Romand can significantly expand its portfolio in the 2024/25 financial year thanks to a major deal and is planning further expansion with a capital increase.
The Fonds Immobilier Romand (FIR) recorded an increase in assets of CHF 13.3 % to CHF 1.9 billion and an increase in rental income of CHF 5.4 % to CHF 84.7 million in the past 2024/25 financial year. This growth was primarily due to the acquisition of ten properties from the SICAV BCF, a fund set up by Fribourg Cantonal Bank and currently in liquidation. The distribution increased from CHF 4.50 to CHF 4.80.
The integration of BCF's properties was completed in June. The properties are located in the canton of Fribourg, are reportedly mostly new or recently built and connected to decarbonized heating sources. The fund states the volume of the transaction at CHF 169 million.
Further expansion planned
FIR is planning further acquisitions in French-speaking Switzerland and aims to reach a volume of CHF 2 billion quickly. In this context, the fund has announced the issue of new shares worth CHF 150 million. This is intended to finance further expansion and lead to a reduction in the debt ratio from 21.3 % to around 15 %.
Purchases
With the exception of the property in Estavayer, all acquisitions were made by the SICAV BCF.
- Avenches, Route de Villars-le-Grand 2-4 (7.649 m)
- Belfaux, Route de Lossy 9, Chemin du Stand 4 (5.835 m)
- Bulle, Chemin de Champ-Francey 2-4-6-8 (36.602 m)
- Bulle, Rue de Gruyères 33, Rue Victor-Tissot 8+14 (31.472 m)
- Châtel-Saint-Denis, Route de Vevey 105 (6.842 m)
- Chevilly, Rue de Favilly 9-11 (7.0 m)
- Cousset, Route des Arbognes 19 (3.633 m)
- Fribourg, Rue de Lausanne 81 (6,076)
- Marly, Route de l'Ancienne Papeterie 2-4, Allée Louis-Daguerre 2-4, Rue des Frères-Lumières 1 (49.523 m)
- Val-de-Charmey, Route du Centre 7-9A-9B-9C (6.414 m)
- Estavayer-le-Lac, Champ de Lune 5-7 (9.954 m) (aw)
