Excel Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EXL), a retail focused real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today the tax treatment of its 2011 dividend distributions. The company's total dividend distributions per share of common stock (CUSIP #30068C109) are to be classified for income tax purposes as follows:

Security Description       Record Date       Payable Date       Total Distribution Per Share       2011 Taxable Ordinary Dividend       2011 Total Capital Gain Distribution      

2011 Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain

      2011 Return of Capital
                                                         
Common Stock       12/31/2010       1/17/2011       0.12       0.047801       -       -       0.021577
Common Stock       3/31/2011       4/15/2011       0.14       0.09646       -       -       0.04354
Common Stock       6/30/2011       7/15/2011       0.15       0.10335       -       -       0.04665
Common Stock       9/30/2011       10/17/2011       0.155       0.106795       -       -       0.048205
Common Stock       12/31/2011       1/16/2012       0.16       0       -       -       0

A portion of the common stock dividend distribution made to holders of record as of December 31, 2010 and paid on January 17, 2011, in the amount of $0.050622, was considered a 2010 dividend distribution for federal income tax purposes.

Distributions per share of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (CUSIP#30068C208) are to be classified for income tax purposes as follows:

Security Description       Record Date       Payable Date       Total Distribution Per Share       2011 Taxable Ordinary Dividend       2011 Total Capital Gain Distribution       2011 Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain       2011 Return of Capital
                                                         
Series A Preferred       3/31/2011       4/15/2011       0.3743       0.3743       -       -       0
Series A Preferred       6/30/2011       7/15/2011       0.4375       0.4375       -       -       0
Series A Preferred       9/30/2011       10/17/2011       0.4375       0.4375       -       -       0
Series A Preferred       12/31/2011       1/16/2012       0.4375       0       -       -       0

The common and preferred dividend distributions made to holders of record as of December 31, 2011, which were paid in 2012, are considered 2012 dividend distributions for federal income tax purposes. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of Excel Trust's distributions.

About Excel Trust

Excel Trust, Inc. is a retail focused REIT that targets community and power centers, grocery anchored neighborhood centers and freestanding retail properties. The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Excel Trust trades publicly on the NYSE under the symbol "EXL". For more information on Excel Trust, Inc., please visit www.exceltrust.com.

Excel Trust, Inc.
Matt Romney, SVP, Capital Markets
858-613-1800
info@exceltrust.com
www.exceltrust.com