2008 Commercial/Multifamily Originations Down 65 Percent to $181B

WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2009) - The commercial/multifamily mortgage origination volumes decreased 65 percent in 2008, with mortgage bankers closing $181.4 billion in commercial and multifamily loans; according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's 2008 Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance: Annual Origination Volume Summation.

Decreases were seen across all property types and most investor groups, and were led by decreases in loans intended for commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS), collateralized debt obligations (CDO) and other asset-backed security (ABS) conduits. Intermediated loan volume decreased 68 percent between 2007 and 2008.

"After seeing considerable growth in 2006 and 2007, commercial mortgage originations fell dramatically in 2008," said Jamie Woodwell, MBA's Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research.

"The continuing credit crunch, a relatively low volume of commercial mortgages maturing in the coming years and little incentive for property owners to sell their properties all continue to put downward pressure on origination volumes."

Originations were dominated by multifamily loans - representing $64.6 billion, or 36 percent of the lending total. Among major investor groups, CMBS, CDO and other ABS conduits saw the greatest percentage decrease in volume between 2007 and 2008, followed by real estate investment trusts (REITs); special finance companies; and life insurance companies.

Lending for hotel/motel properties had the largest decrease in originations by property type, followed closely by office properties.

CONTACT: Carolyn Kemp, (202) 557-2727, ckemp@mortgagebankers.org