MBA Reports 2012, Forecasts 2013 Multifamily Lending Figures

At this week’s CREF conference in San Diego, Calif., the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) gave a glimpse into how multifamily lending fared to close out 2012, and a forecast for the year ahead.

Multifamily mortgage originations during the traditionally busy fourth quarter of 2012 were up 48 percent over the third quarter. Even more notable, though, was the 49 percent increase in originations year-over-year. The biggest increase was in the CMBS space, which saw a 228 percent rise in commercial mortgage deals over last year’s fourth quarter. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac combined also saw a 51 percent year-over-year increase, pointing to an incredibly liquid market.

All told, multifamily loan originations were 36 percent higher in 2012 compared to 2013. Forecast for multifamily originations in 2013 land around the $100 billion mark.

“Our forecast anticipates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA, as well as life insurance companies, will all continue to have strong appetites for making loans,” said Jamie Woodwell, the Washington, D.C.-based MBA’s Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research. “And coupled with growth in originations for CMBS, the total market will continue to expand.”

The MBA also released its annual servicing rankings, and the top multifamily/commercial mortgage servicers of 2012 include: