CHICAGO, April 29, 2005 - GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services has provided a $150 million, five-year term loan to Fortress Investment Group, a New York based investment company. Fortress used the financing to acquire nine continuing care retirement communities ("CCRCs") from the National Benevolent Association.

The deal marks a growing interest in the senior housing market for CCRCs, which recently beat out skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers for median occupancy rates according to a recent report published by the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industries. The properties acquired by Fortress will be operated by Brookdale Senior Living, a Chicago-based senior housing operator founded in 1988 that currently serves over 11,800 residents in 62 properties across 27 states.

"Our strong experience and knowledge of the senior housing market enables GE to create financing solutions that customers cannot find elsewhere," said Tim Sanders, senior vice-president of long-term care for GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services. "We are dedicated to collaborating with owners and operators -- like Fortress and Brookdale - and helping them achieve their strategic objectives."

GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services is a provider of capital, financial solutions, and related services for the global healthcare market. With over $13 billion of capital committed to the healthcare industry, GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services offers a full range of capabilities from equipment financing and real estate financing to working capital lending, vendor programs, and practice acquisition financing. With its knowledge of all aspects of healthcare from hospitals and long-term care facilities to physicians' practices and life sciences, GE Commercial Finance Healthcare Financial Services works with customers to create tailored financial solutions that help them improve their productivity and profitability. For more information, visit .

Media Contacts

Deia Campanelli
GE Healthcare Financial Services
312-441-6169