Why Banks Should Require Single-Close Construction-Through-Perm Loans

Every commercial lender knows the feeling.  The bank took the hardest risk on a project – the construction phase. The bank managed the draws, monitored the budget, inspected the site, and shepherded the borrower through permitting delays and cost overruns.  Then, just as the project stabilizes and the loan finally becomes easy to hold, the…

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7 Levers To Pull For Commercial Loan Profitability

We were recently collaborating with a community banker who was trying to win a relationship client from a regional bank. The issue was that the incumbent bank was pricing this client at a credit spread of 1.25% over SOFR and our client banker was told that his bank would not accept less than 2.40% credit…

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How to Price Fixed Rate Loans Without Prepayment Provisions

We are often asked by lenders about pricing differentials for fixed-rate commercial loans with and without prepayment provisions.  For example, if a bank were to price a loan with a yield maintenance provision the loan would have a much longer expected life, and under most circumstances the bank would not have negative impact if rates…

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How to Price Fixed Rate Loans Without Prepayment Provisions

We are often asked by lenders about pricing differentials for fixed-rate commercial loans with and without prepayment provisions.  For example, if a bank were to price a loan with a yield maintenance provision the loan would have a much longer expected life, and under most circumstances the bank would not have negative impact if rates…

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Setting Commercial Loan Rates – Part II

In our previous article (HERE) we discussed differences between how various banks price commercial loans.  When it comes to setting commercial loan rates, we contrasted “ideal” and real-world pricing strategies employed by banks. We highlighted the objectives of loan pricing and summarized seven tools that community banks can use to price commercial loan relationships. In…

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The Profitability of Longer, Hedged Loans

In recent articles (last one HERE) we discussed the importance of commercial loan prepayment speeds.  We explained the importance of keeping loans vs. making loans in driving bank profitability.  The key factor affecting a loan’s expected life, after contractual term of the loan, is the specific loan prepayment provision.  The most acceptable, marketable, and enforceable…

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Which Prepayment Structure Do You Use?

In recent articles (HERE) we discussed the importance of commercial loan prepayment speeds.  We explained why loan prepayment speed is a major factor influencing a bank’s profitability, and how national banks use historical analysis, quantitative modeling, and predictive analytics to structure loans to increase loan retention (decrease loan prepayments). We also outlined how various input…

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Calculating Loan Prepay Speeds (Part II)

In a recent article (HERE) we discussed the importance of loan prepay speeds.  We explained why loan prepayment speed is a major factor influencing a bank’s profitability, how national banks use historical analysis, quantitative modeling, and predictive analytics to structure loans to increase loan retention (decrease loan prepayments).  We introduced the crucial factors influencing commercial…

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A Case Study of Assumable Commercial Loans

With regard to commercial real estate, an assumable commercial loan allows a buyer of the property to take over the seller’s existing mortgage, keeping the basic economics of the loan in place. The basic economics of the loan include rate, term, prepayment provisions, and other key features. However, the basic economics may be adjusted to…

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The Art of Keeping Loans Plus 1031 Exchanges

We are strong proponents that bankers should be focused on keeping loans instead of making loans. While it is true that banks make loans, originating a loan is an unprofitable business. Banks earn an acceptable return on capital by keeping loans, not by making them. We recently worked with a bank that kept, and increased…

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Fixed, Float or Capped – Advising Commercial Borrowers

The Fed Funds futures market is currently pricing in a high probability of a September interest rate cut – although that is not a certainty.  Many clients with financing needs are looking to their commercial relationship managers for advice on how to structure and price their credit facilities.  We recently worked with a lender who…

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What You Learn By Ranking Your Loans

We estimate that roughly 10% to 15% of community banks use a loan pricing model and fewer use a risk-adjusted return-on-capital (RAROC) loan pricing version. Most bankers are aware of loan pricing models but choose not to use them for the following reasons: 1) The cost of acquisition and implementation, 2) A lack of time…

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