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The article discusses the rise of "finfluencers," or amateur financial advisers on social media, and the potential dangers they pose to consumers. While some finfluencers provide helpful financial tips, many lack the necessary qualifications and can give misleading or harmful advice. Australia stands out as an outlier in regulating finfluencers, requiring them to be covered by an Australian financial services license (AFSL). However, the problem persists globally, as social media platforms are largely unregulated and allow access to finfluencers from other countries. It is important for consumers to verify the legitimacy of finfluencers by checking their licensing status, sponsored posts, and real identities. [Extracted from the article]

SGS, the shopping center group, has completed a £445m refinancing deal with Lloyds Bank for four major UK shopping and leisure destinations previously owned by intu. The deal includes a £395m senior-term loan and a £50m capital expenditure facility, which has been used to repay £444m to creditors. As part of the deal, a new SGS board will be appointed, and the company has received support from 100% of creditors. Home REIT continues to sell assets and pay down debt while facing an investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company sold 65 homes for £15.9m and repaid £3.9m of debt, reducing its total borrowings. Shareholders of UK Commercial Property REIT and Tritax Big Box REIT have approved a £1bn all-share merger between the firms, creating the UK's fourth-largest REIT with a £4bn market cap and a £6.3bn portfolio focused on UK logistics assets. [Extracted from the article]

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently closed a consultation on tackling greenwashing in sustainable investment products. The Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) supports the FCA's proposed regulations, which aim to improve transparency by requiring any reference to a property's sustainability characteristics to be "fair, clear, and not misleading." Greenwashing is less of a problem in real estate due to the ease of monitoring carbon emissions, waste production, and energy and water consumption. The FCA has introduced voluntary labels, such as "Sustainability Focus" and "Sustainability Improvers," to encourage transition activities and upgrades to existing assets. These labels can be used for products marketed to both institutional and retail investors. The FCA's deadline for issuing guidance is May 31, and they have been responsive to industry feedback. [Extracted from the article]

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK has published Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) to drive transparency and accountability in the real estate industry. The SDR includes an anti-greenwashing rule, which requires all FCA-authorized firms to ensure that sustainability-related claims are fair, clear, and not misleading. This new era of accountability aims to substantiate sustainability claims and encourage real estate organizations to integrate sustainability into their business strategies and decision-making processes. The FCA's approach to sustainability has sparked debate about whether the bar has been set too high or not high enough. [Extracted from the article]

Alternative lenders are stepping in to fill the gap left by banks in the UK property market, offering developers a wider range of debt products. While banks' SME lending is still falling, developers are seeking short-term and long-term finance options to capitalize on opportunities in the market. Alternative lenders, private credit, and peer-to-peer lending are becoming popular choices for developers, with interest rates ranging from 6% to 15%. Additionally, the recovery of the UK corporate bond market is making it easier for developers to secure long-term financing or refinance projects nearing completion. [Extracted from the article]