Skip to main content

Q1 Commercial/Multifamily Borrowing Declines Two Percent

May 07, 2020
Photo credit: Getty Images/YiuCheung

Commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations decreased 2.0% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations. In line with seasonality trends, originations the first three months of the year were 40 percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2019.
 
“Commercial real estate finance markets were active during the first quarter – the start of what was expected to be another strong year of borrowing and lending,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s vice president of commercial real estate research. “That strong start has been derailed by the coronavirus and our individual and collective responses to it. Early indications are that low interest rates continue to attract some property refinancing, but that overall transaction activity has fallen given the economic uncertainty stemming from the virus. Property investors and lenders have now turned more of their attention to their existing portfolios instead of new business opportunities.”
 
Compared to the first quarter of 2019, a fall in originations for hotel, industrial and retail properties led this year’s overall first quarter decrease in commercial/multifamily lending volumes. By property type, hotels decreased by 42%, industrial decreased by 39%, and retail decreased by 37%. Office properties increased by 8.0%, multifamily increased by 15%, and healthcare properties increased 16% year-over-year.
 
Among investor types, the dollar volume of loans originated for life insurance companies decreased by 18% year-over-year. Commercial bank portfolios decreased 1.0%, while Government Sponsored Enterprises increased 6.0%; and loans originated for Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) increased 14%.
 
As is typical in the first quarter, originations decreased in comparison to last year’s fourth quarter, with total activity falling 40%. Among property types, declines were seen in retail (62%), industrial (57%), hotel (57%), healthcare (55%), office space (42%), and multifamily properties (29%).
 
Among investor types, the dollar volume of loans for CMBS decreased 51%, originations for life insurance companies decreased 45%, loans for commercial banks decreased by 42%, and loans for GSEs decreased 14%.

 
About the author
Published
May 07, 2020
Co-Founder Mat Grella Terminated From NEXA

NEXA CEO Kortas states negotiations regarding the buyout will continue.

Mar 27, 2024
Comings And Goings At AmeriHome

Chief Operating Officer John Hedlund announced his retirement on Thursday in a LinkedIn post.

Mar 22, 2024
Rocket's Tim Birkmeier To Retire

Birkmeier is bidding farewell after a 28-year career at Rocket Companies.

Mar 21, 2024
How NAR’s Settlement Impacts Homebuying

While the settlement's silver lining is that homes are expected to become more affordable, many uncertainties loom over the housing market.

Mar 19, 2024
NAR Reaches $418 Million Settlement

The association agreed to give home sellers the option of compensating agents.

Mar 15, 2024
U.S. Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders Surge Amid Industry Consolidation, Fitch Ratings Reports

As smaller players exit the market, scaled originators like UWM and PennyMac Financial dominate, but challenges persist with low origination volume and pressured margins amidst rising interest rates.

Mar 14, 2024