Insurance giant MetLife enters Irish market with €131m loan

New York-based global insurance giant MetLife has made its first foray into the Irish market, providing €131m in loans to property investment firm Kennedy Wilson to finance four residential assets in the greater Dublin area.

It is the first time the Manhattan firm, which ranks as the largest life assurer in North America, has lent in Ireland, but it has plans for more activity here.

“We are very pleased to be able to enter a new market with a strong, experienced international player like Kennedy Wilson,” said Paul Wilson, head of MetLife Real Estate Investors’ office in London. “These loans are the first for us in Ireland and we look forward to growing our portfolio in that market.”