FORM 4
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.         
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
                                                                                  
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Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
                      

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *

Donohoe Bryan Patrick
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp [ ACRE ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)

_____ Director                    _____ 10% Owner
__X__ Officer (give title below)    _____ Other (specify below)
Chief Executive Officer
(Last)          (First)          (Middle)

C/O ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORP., 245 PARK AVENUE, 42ND FLOOR
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YYYY)

12/13/2023
(Street)

NEW YORK, NY 10167
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YYYY)

 
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

_X _ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
(City)        (State)        (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Trans. Date 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any 3. Trans. Code
(Instr. 8)
4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4)
6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 12/13/2023  A  59,000 (1)A$0 216,282 (2)D  

Table II - Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivate Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security3. Trans. Date3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any4. Trans. Code
(Instr. 8)
5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security
(Instr. 3 and 4)
8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5)
9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:
(1) Granted under the Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan"). Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock upon vesting. The restricted stock units vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 1, 2025, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service to the Issuer through the applicable vesting date.
(2) Reported amount includes 168,666 restricted stock units granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock upon vesting. The restricted stock units vest in installments in accordance with the applicable restricted stock unit award agreement.

Reporting Owners
Reporting Owner Name / Address
Relationships
Director10% OwnerOfficerOther
Donohoe Bryan Patrick
C/O ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORP.
245 PARK AVENUE, 42ND FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10167


Chief Executive Officer

Signatures
/s/ Anton Feingold, by power of attorney12/14/2023
**Signature of Reporting PersonDate


Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
*If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
**Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note:File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
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