Ackman-Ziff’s Fourth Quarter Lender Survey

See what lender appetites, lender underwriting approaches, and availability of debt capital are today.

The Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group has graciously provided us permission to print their fourth quarter 2010 lender survey which follows. Ackman-Ziff is a real estate investment banking firm based in New York.

Lender Appetite

  • Lenders have become more aggressive versus 6-12 months ago, citing pressure to put money out for strong sponsors with quality real estate
  • Broader appetite for “durable” cash-flowing assets across all major asset classes
  • Flourishing market for financing note purchases and Discounted Pay-Off (“DPO”)

Lender Underwriting Approach

  • Fundamental real estate analysis is important again; lenders focusing on “basis”
  • Lenders remain focused on underwriting of tenancy, market rents and occupancy statistics, lease rollover and associated costs
  • Debt yield, DSCR & LTV tests reverting to historic mean

Availability of Debt Capital

  • Significant amount of capital (public and private) available to support debt financing market
  • Origination of “CMBS/Non-TALF Securitization” in progress by commercial and investment banks
  • Life Insurance companies have become more aggressive; continue to focus on high quality assets in primary markets
  • Foreign Banks focused on institutional quality, cash-flowing stable assets in major markets for best- in- class sponsors
  • Money center banks are more active on smaller loan balances with existing clients for cash flowing assets; banks typically seeking some level of recourse
LenderSurvey110210

Stephen R. Blank joined ULI in December 1998 as Senior Fellow, Finance. His primary responsibilities include: expanding ULI’s real estate capital markets information and education programs; authoring real estate capital market commentary; participating as a principal researcher and adviser for the Emerging Trends in Real Estate series of publications; organizing and participating in real estate capital markets programs at ULI events worldwide; and participating in industry meetings, seminars, and conferences. Prior to joining ULI, Blank served from December 1993 to November 1998 as Managing Director, Real Estate Investment Banking of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. His responsibilities included: structuring, underwriting, and executing corporate financings including initial public offerings of common and preferred shares, unsecured debentures, and convertible bonds; property acquisitions, dispositions, and financing; and financial advisory services including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and recapitalizations.
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