U.S commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations increased by 24 percent year-over-year in the third quarter, and up 9 percent from second quarter, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations.

A rise in originations for health care, industrial, office and multifamily properties led the overall third quarter increase in commercial/multifamily lending volumes when compared to the third quarter of 2018. The third quarter saw a 239 percent year-over-year increase in the dollar volume of loans for health care properties, a 42 percent increase for industrial properties, a 36 percent increase for office properties, and a 16 percent increase for multifamily properties. Retail property loan originations fell two percent, and hotel property lending decreased 20 percent.

Among investor types, the dollar volume of loans originated for Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) loans increased by 52 percent year-over-year, 44 percent for commercial bank portfolio loans, 11 percent for the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), and 6 percent for life insurance company loans.

On a quarterly basis, third quarter originations for health care properties increased 60 percent compared to the second quarter 2019. There was a 23 percent increase in originations for industrial properties, a 14 percent increase for multifamily properties, and a 13 percent increase for retail properties. Originations for office properties declined 9 percent, and hotel property lending fell 22 percent from last quarter.

Among investor types, between the second and third quarter of the year, the dollar volume of loans for commercial bank portfolios increased 10 percent, loans for GSEs increased 7 percent, and originations for life insurance companies increased 4 percent. Loans for commercial bank portfolios decreased 5 percent.

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“Low interest rates are supporting strong levels of commercial and multifamily borrowing and lending,”

“Low interest rates are supporting strong levels of commercial and multifamily borrowing and lending,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s Vice President for Commercial Real Estate Research.

“Through the third quarter, every major capital source is lending at a pace above last year’s level. Loans backed by multifamily and industrial properties, and made for life companies and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are all running at a record pace. The low interest rate environment should continue to support property values and encourage borrowing into 2020,” added Jamie Woodwell.