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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of report&nbsp;(Date of earliest event reported) <b>April&nbsp;25, 2013</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Maryland</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">001-35517</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">45-3148087</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other Jurisdiction <br>   of Incorporation)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer<br>   Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Two North LaSalle Street, Suite&nbsp;925,   Chicago,&nbsp;IL</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">60602</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code <b>(312) 324-5900</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">N/A</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<i>see</i> General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5.02&nbsp; Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></u></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;25, 2013, Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), increased the size of its board of directors from eight to nine members and Brett White was appointed as an independent Class&nbsp;III director to fill the vacancy created by such increase. In addition, Mr.&nbsp;White joined&#160; the Audit Committee of the board of directors.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The initial term of Mr.&nbsp;White, a Class&nbsp;III director, began when he joined the board of directors on April&nbsp;25, 2013 and will expire at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. The board of directors determined that Mr.&nbsp;White is independent within the meaning of the independence standards of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) and the rules&nbsp;of the New York Stock Exchange. As an independent director, Mr.&nbsp;White will receive the same compensation as that provided to the Company&#146;s other independent directors, as described in detail in the Company&#146;s other filings with the SEC.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;White was the chief executive officer of CBRE Group,&nbsp;Inc., the world&#146;s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, based on 2012 revenue, from June&nbsp;2005 until his retirement on November&nbsp;30, 2012, after which time he joined Blum Capital Partners, L.P., as a Managing Partner.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;White also served as CBRE&#146;s president from September&nbsp;2001 to March&nbsp;2010. CBRE Group is a Fortune 500 and S&amp;P 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;White served as a member of the board of directors of CBRE Group and its predecessor company from 1998 until his appointment to the Company&#146;s board of directors. Prior to becoming CBRE&#146;s president, Mr.&nbsp;White was chairman of the Americas of CB Richard Ellis Services,&nbsp;Inc. from 1999 to 2001 and was its president of brokerage services from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that, Mr.&nbsp;White held various sales and management positions beginning in 1984. Mr.&nbsp;White serves as a member of the board of directors of Realogy Holdings,&nbsp;Corp., Edison International and its wholly owned subsidiary, California Edison Company, a California public utility company. Mr.&nbsp;White is a trustee of the University of San Francisco, and he has been involved in a number of civic and charitable organizations, including the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and Junior Achievement.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 7.01&#160; Regulation FD Disclosure.</font></u></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;26, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the increase in the size of its board of directors, Mr.&nbsp;White&#146;s appointment to its board of directors, and Mr.&nbsp;White&#146;s appointment to the Audit Committee.&#160; The text of the press release is included as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 to this Form&nbsp;8-K.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01&#160; Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></u></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibits:</font></p>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated April&nbsp;26, 2013.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_114033_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;26, 2013</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ARES   COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
<td width="45%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:45.84%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/   John B. Bartling, Jr.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John   B. Bartling,&nbsp;Jr.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief   Executive Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_114042_5335"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;Index</font></u></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit<br>   Number</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release, dated April&nbsp;26, 2013.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_114048_5796"></a></font></p>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp", "cik": "0001529377", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "453148087", "state-of-incorporation": "MD"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-35517", "film-number": "13784793"}, "business-address": {"street1": "TWO NORTH LASALLE STREET, STE 925", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60602", "phone": "312.324.5900"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "TWO NORTH LASALLE STREET, STE 925", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60602"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
April 25, 2013
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
001-35517
45-3148087
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
Two North LaSalle Street, Suite 925,   Chicago, IL
60602
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(312) 324-5900
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On April 25, 2013, Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), increased the size of its board of directors from eight to nine members and Brett White was appointed as an independent Class III director to fill the vacancy created by such increase. In addition, Mr. White joined  the Audit Committee of the board of directors.
The initial term of Mr. White, a Class III director, began when he joined the board of directors on April 25, 2013 and will expire at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. The board of directors determined that Mr. White is independent within the meaning of the independence standards of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. As an independent director, Mr. White will receive the same compensation as that provided to the Company's other independent directors, as described in detail in the Company's other filings with the SEC.
Mr. White was the chief executive officer of CBRE Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, based on 2012 revenue, from June 2005 until his retirement on November 30, 2012, after which time he joined Blum Capital Partners, L.P., as a Managing Partner.  Mr. White also served as CBRE's president from September 2001 to March 2010. CBRE Group is a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  Mr. White served as a member of the board of directors of CBRE Group and its predecessor company from 1998 until his appointment to the Company's board of directors. Prior to becoming CBRE's president, Mr. White was chairman of the Americas of CB Richard Ellis Services, Inc. from 1999 to 2001 and was its president of brokerage services from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that, Mr. White held various sales and management positions beginning in 1984. Mr. White serves as a member of the board of directors of Realogy Holdings, Corp., Edison International and its wholly owned subsidiary, California Edison Company, a California public utility company. Mr. White is a trustee of the University of San Francisco, and he has been involved in a number of civic and charitable organizations, including the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and Junior Achievement.
Item 7.01  Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 26, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the increase in the size of its board of directors, Mr. White's appointment to its board of directors, and Mr. White's appointment to the Audit Committee.  The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.
The information disclosed under this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press Release, dated April 26, 2013.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date:
April 26, 2013
ARES   COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
By:
/s/   John B. Bartling, Jr.
John   B. Bartling, Jr.
Chief   Executive Officer
3
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press Release, dated April 26, 2013.
4