UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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): September 24, 2013

APOLLO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 515-3200

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):

On September 24, 2013, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that the Company, together with other investors, including affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC, issued a press release announcing that they have reached an agreement to make an investment in an entity that has agreed to acquire a minority participation in KBC Bank Deutschland AG (“KBCD”), the German subsidiary of Belgian KBC Group NV (the “KBCD Transaction”). The Company committed to invest up to approximately $50 million (€38 million), representing approximately 21% of the ownership. The acquisition is subject to antitrust and regulatory approval, which is expected to take approximately nine months, although there are no assurances that the KBCD Transaction will close.

As of December 31, 2012, KBCD had total assets of €2,607 million. KBCD specializes in corporate banking and financial services for medium-sized German companies. KBCD also is active in real estate financing, acquisition finance, institutional asset management and private wealth management for German high net worth individuals. KBCD’s existing real estate loan portfolio is focused on development and investment financing, primarily in Germany, across a number of property sectors.

Certain statements contained in this current report constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When used in this current report, the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements, and other risks, uncertainties and factors are based on the Company’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

(d) Exhibits.

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SIGNATURE

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.

September 26, 2013

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