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Commercial Mortgage Volume Rises 52% Year-Over-Year
Commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 52% higher in the first quarter of 2026 compared to a year earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations. A rise in originations for healthcare, retail, hotel and industrial properties led to an overall increase in lending volumes
MBA reported a 209% year-over-year increase in the dollar volume of loans for healthcare properties, a 148% increase for retail properties, an 85% increase for hotel properties, a 56% increase for industrial properties and a 49% increase for multifamily properties. Office property loan originations decreased slightly.
Among lending sources, the dollar volume of loans originated for investor-driven lenders increased by 133% Y-O-Y. There was an 80% increase in loans by banks, a 38% increase in GSE lending volume, a 9% increase in life company loans and a 14% decrease in CMBS loans.
Compared to Q4 2025, lending volume declined 30%. However, “that slowdown is consistent with typical first-quarter seasonality and does not detract from the broader improvement in market conditions,” said Reggie Booker, MBA’s associate VP of commercial research.
The Real Estate Forces Reshaping Los Angeles
Coming up on May 28th: Connect Los Angeles is bringing the leaders actively making decisions across investment, development, policy and finance for a sharper conversation about the realities of operating in LA today. Attend for candid discussions featuring leadership from CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, BGO, Blackstone, Kennedy Wilson, and the city’s leadership – including Mayor Karen Bass and Antonio Villaraigosa. Secure your seat: Connect Los Angeles 2026
