*GE Commercial Finance will lead a new loan for Sotheby's Holdings that could be up to $200 million. GE has agreed to lend $100 million and will seek to syndicate the rest, according to a Sotheby's statement.
*Hans Scholz, formerly a senior v.p. in acquisition finance with Abbey National Treasury Services, has become principal of Bennington Real Estate Capital, a New York-based real estate firm.
*ABN Amro has integrated its global loan syndication platform appointing Edward Brown to the newly expanded position of global head of loan markets distribution. ABN cites increasing international investor involvement in the European loan market as the reason behind this move. Kevin Tham was also promoted to head of loan distribution and syndicate for Asia, another newly created role.
*Morgan Stanley has reportedly hired Oliver Duff away from Goldman Sachs to head up the firm's European loan team in an effort to expand its presence in the loan syndication arena. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs spokeswomen did not immediately return calls seeking comment.