Principal Real Estate Investors Announces New Regional Sales Managers for Principal Commercial Mortgage Edge(SM) Program

Principal Real Estate Investors, the fourth largest manager of real estate assets in the U.S. based on tax-exempt assets under management1, is pleased to announce the addition of five new regional sales managers to Principal Commercial Mortgage EdgeSM, a new small balance loan program that originates, services and securitizes small balance commercial real estate loans on a national basis. Each sales manager will be responsible for the origination of small balance commercial and multi-family loans from banks, thrifts and other non-bank lenders throughout his specific region of the United States. Kent DeHart has joined the company as Southwest regional sales manager. DeHart will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. "Kent is a seasoned veteran in the finance industry and has proven over his career that he can generate loan opportunities and manage sales professionals exceptionally,” said Jim Going, managing director of Principal Commercial Mortgage EdgeSM. "He will play a key role in the success of this program.” DeHart brings more than 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry. In his most recent position, he served as director of originations for Hometown Commercial Capital. Prior to that, he worked as vice president and national sales manager for Bank of the West’s Secondary Market Program. DeHart started his career at Mellon Bank, N.A., where he worked for eight years in roles ranging from portfolio management, lending and acquisitions, ultimately becoming vice president of the corporate banking department. Allen Enochson will serve as Northeast regional sales manager and will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. "Allen’s prior experience at a large national commercial bank makes for a very nice fit within our program,” said Jim Going. Enochson spent four years with Zions Bank, where he served in a variety of financial roles including regional analyst and loan officer, ultimately becoming senior loan officer in 2005. Most recently, he served as an originator at Hometown Commercial Capital. Enochson received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University. Jared Livingston has joined the company as Southeast regional sales manager. Livingston will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. "Jared has proven himself in the commercial real estate lending market time and time again,” said Jim Going. "We are excited to have him on our sales team.” Livingston began his career with Morgan Stanley as a trader and licensed investment representative in 2001. He also served as assistant vice president for Zions Bank National Real Estate Group for three years until 2006, when he joined Hometown Commercial Capital as director of originations for the southeast region. Jared Walk has joined the company as regional sales manager, concentrating on Texas and the mountain states. Walk will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. "Jared has incredible analytical skills that will compliment his ability to source our small balance loans,” said Jim Going. Walk began his career at RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc., as an investment advisor and financial consultant in 2000. He has also served in financial roles with Cogent Capital, Inc., and Zions Bank. Most recently, he was an originator with Hometown Commercial Capital. Tom Owens has joined the company as a Midwest regional sales manager. Owens will be based in Columbus, Ohio. "Tom has been a commercial lender his entire professional career. He brings a high level of experience and maturity to our lending platform,” said Jim Going. Owens brings more than ten years of wholesale and retail commercial real estate lending experience to the program. In his most recent position, Owens served as a regional director of originations for Hometown Commercial Capital. Prior to that, he worked as vice president and regional director for Zions National Real Estate Group. Owens received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio University. About Principal Commercial Mortgage EdgeSM The Principal Commercial Mortgage EdgeSM program is a national loan program that focuses on lending opportunities ranging in size from $250,000 to $5,000,000. The loans are full recourse in nature and secured by multi-family and commercial income producing properties. Loans are sourced from brokers, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, thrifts and other non-bank lenders. About Principal Real Estate Investors: Principal Real Estate Investors is the fourth largest institutional real estate manager in the United States based on tax-exempt assets under management and manages or subadvises $40.4 billion in commercial real estate assets.2 The firm’s real estate capabilities include both public and private equity and debt investment alternatives. Principal Real Estate Investors is the dedicated real estate group of Principal Global Investors, a diversified asset management organization and a member of the Principal Financial Group®. About the Principal Financial Group The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal ®)3 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $282.1 billion in assets under management4 and serves some 18.1 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com. 1 Ranked by U.S. institutional tax-exempt assets, out of 50 managers profiled, as of June 30, 2006. "Real Estate Managers,” PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS, Oct. 16, 2006. 2 As of June 30, 2007. 3 "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group. 4 As of June 30, 2007.