Commercial mortgage originations hit another record last year. Activity was again dominated by loans for office properties.
During 2007, U.S. commercial production was $507.7 billion, according the 2007 Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance: Annual Origination Volume Summation announced today by the Mortgage Bankers Association. The level of activity was an all-time record.
Volume rose from $406.1 billion reported by MBA in 2006 — which was also a record.
“Increases were seen across most property types and most investor groups, and were led by increases in loans for office buildings and loans intended for commercial mortgage-backed security, collateralized-debt obligations and other asset-backed security conduits,” the statement said. “Intermediated loan volume grew 15 percent between 2006 and 2007.”
Commercial mortgages originated for conduits last year were $225.2 billion, rising from $185.6 billion the in 2006, the data indicated. Conduits were the largest single investor group.
Freddie Mac reportedly saw the greatest percentage increase in volume between 2006 and 2007, followed by Fannie Mae.
Production of loans secured by office buildings was $140.7 billion, climbing from $104.0 billion reported in 2006, MBA reported. Office buildings were the dominant property type during both years.
MBA said lending for multifamily, health care and hotel/motel saw increases, while retail and industrial loan originations fell slightly.
