June 26 (Reuters) - Alternative asset manager Blackstone

has bought commercial real estate loans worth nearly $2

billion from Atlantic Union Bankshares ( AUB ), the companies

said on Thursday.

The loans were part of Sandy Spring Bank, which Atlantic

Union bought in a $1.6 billion deal in April.

Proceeds from the loan sale will enable Atlantic Union to

pay down costly deposits and expand its portfolio of securities

investments, the company said.