Banks are likely to pursue more bulk sales this year and the next to rid their books of nonperforming real estate assets, which could attract investors looking for better yield, according to Fitch Investors Service. Successful bulk sales will allow more banks to concentrate on their core banking services, while reducing their costs of holding nonperforming real estate loans on their balance sheets, said Fitch analysts. Sales at banks with high volumes of nonperforming commercial-related loans also are expected to pick up over the next 12 to 18 months, particularly as many commercial real estate (CRE) loans originated before the financial crisis near maturity, they added. Investors such as hedge funds, high-yield asset managers and other lightly regulated entities seeking higher returns in a low interest-rate environment have caused...