MBA: Pandemic to cause pullback in commercial/multifamily lending in 2020

Commercial and multifamily mortgage bankers in the U.S. are expected to close $248 billion of loans backed by income-producing properties in 2020, a 59% decline from 2019’s record volume of $601 billion, according to a new forecast released Thursday (July 16) by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Total multifamily lending alone, which includes some loans made by small and midsize banks not captured in the overall total, is forecast to fall 42% to $213 billion in 2020 from last year’s record total of $364 billion.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt commercial and multifamily real estate markets. Forecasting amidst the social and economic responses to the virus is difficult, but we do expect originations to drop significantly this year before making a sharp, partial rebound in 2021,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s vice president for commercial real estate research. “Net operating incomes, property values and cap rates across the different property types are expected to experience varying levels of stress in the months ahead, with hotel and retail properties already being the hardest hit.”

MBA anticipates a partial rebound in lending volumes in 2021, with activity rising to $390 billion in commercial/multifamily mortgage bankers originations and $308 billion in total multifamily lending.

“The multifamily sector has held up quite well so far, with federal government stimulus efforts for the unemployed helping renters make their rent payments,” Woodwell said. “Should such support continue as the economy rebounds, the apartment market will likely remain relatively balanced.”