Lenders of All Shapes and Sizes Duke it Out Over Competition and an Uncertain Future

With traditional banks having pulled back slightly in some areas of lending and still facing regulatory pressures, the ascension of unregulated and aggressive alternative lenders of all shapes and sizes is no secret. Even while major banks still have the strongest lending footprints, they find themselves wanting.

Reimers, the northeast market manager of J.P. Morgan’s real estate banking practice, was joined by Wells Fargo (WFC)’s Alan Wiener, Starwood (STWD) Property Trust’s Chief Originations Officer Dennis Schuh and Ralph Herzka, the chairman and CEO of brokerage Meridian Capital Group, to hash out the state of the currently bloated capital markets at Commercial Observer’s second annual Financing Commercial Real Estate Forum at the Metropolitan in Midtown on Wednesday. Morrison and Foerster Partner and Global Real Estate Group Chair, Mark Edelstein, moderated the panel.

”It depends on the type of lending,” Wiener said when asked about how rising interest rates and competition has affected lending. “With construction lending, spreads have come in. But, we’re really focused on the borrower. If you look at community banks and alternative debt [compared to Wells Fargo], we’re more regulated, so our credit quality is not changing.

“[Alternative lending is] less structured and spreads are greater,” Wiener added. “As rates go up, then you’re borrowing at [a six percent interest rate]. It’s less efficient than what banks can do.”

Schuh said that Starwood is very interested in the challenging sphere of construction financing and likes to be active where others aren’t.“We look for voids in the market and opportunities where banks pulled back and capital isn’t afraid to take risks,” he said. “But we’re thoughtful in our evaluations. We’re regulated by shareholders.”

When it comes to construction financing, Herzka said, “Banks are focused on top-tier borrowers. Within 15 minutes [of hearing a client], we know where [the construction financing is] going.”

 As of the fourth quarter of 2017, there was 600,000 multifamily units under construction, which maintained a construction inventory not experienced since the mid-1970s, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s commercial and multifamily fourth quarter databook.

“We’re most aggressive on multifamily, with the amount of liquidity, there,” Schuh said. “We’re cautious on retail, but we also don’t redline any markets. Our average balance is $100 million and we usually focus on the top 10 to 15 markets throughout the country and the coastal markets. We’re seeing some softness in luxury condo market, but we actually find those opportunities interesting.”

Edelstein hinted that a recession is ready and waiting, as has been the case throughout their respective careers after boom years, and he asked how each panelist will brave a potential storm. Weiner said his group is “going to stick to what we do best, which is knowing our client and how much equity they can bring in, as well as their track records.”

“We’re going to remain disciplined and watch leverage points,” Schuh said. “We raised over $1 billion in corporate debt and we’re relying on that, having people call you for capital. We have a lot of liquid assets, so we’re going to be looking for opportunities in a potential downturn.”

Reimers said: “Our plan is to stick to the plan. It’s been an extraordinary run through this cycle. We want to continue to watch our leverage and structure, especially with 2-5 year loans. But, It’s really hard to win when you’re underwriting for a downturn.”

Edelstein ended the discussion by asking who each of the panelists actually believe will be caught “swimming naked,” should there be a recession.

Herzka took a modest approach, saying that agencies will prosper because people will always need a place to live, but added, “Life companies and banks aren’t at risk. Alternative lenders have been disciplined, but they can stop in and take an asset [at the end of the day]. I don’t anticipate a deep recession.”

Wiener answered, “probably alternative lenders and CMBS.”

Reimers responded, saying, “in some form or fashion, it will be alternative lenders and equity holders.”

Schuh—an alternative lender—immediately followed, “Agencies, but it’s going to come down to to interest rate management.”

Let the games begin.