The charge-off rate on commercial mortgages held by banks and thrifts was 1.36 percent in 2010—the lowest figure for any category. The figure, however, was above the level for 2009 (1.31 percent) and more than five times the 2007 level (0.23...

Blackstone Group’s agreement to acquire Centro Properties Group’s U.S. shopping center portfolio for $9.4 billion is being hailed as a sign that the retail real estate market has officially turned a corner. The deal means that two Blackstone ac...