Funding options for building societies have broadened with superannuation fund AustralianSuper’s entry into commercial property lending, according to The Australian Financial Review.

AustralianSuper – the country’s largest superannuation fund, with $32 billion under management – has agreed to lend $200 million to a property debt portfolio controlled by Challenger Financial Services Group, and is seeking to increase its property lending portfolio, the paper reports.

“This is the first step we’ve taken to what we think could be a new asset class for superannuation investors,” AustralianSuper chief investment officer Mark Delaney told the AFR.

Mr Delaney said the fund is optimistic on the outlook for the country’s property sector.

“We quite like property because in the current environment because property prices have come down,” he told the paper.

“Cap rates are up substantially. The Australian market is recovering slowly.”

“It’s a good time to invest in property so we’re not worried about property values.”