Commercial real estate lending

The top five banks had a combined commercial real estate loan volume of more than $482 billion at the end of the fourth quarter.

The Connecticut bank expects to report a $9.5 million net loss for the fourth quarter, but it said it's made headway in its efforts to cultivate investors and bolster its capital levels.

The Dallas bank made some headway on its goal to slim down its multifamily loan portfolio, but $17 million in bad loans led to a bottom-line loss in the fourth quarter.

During fourth-quarter earnings calls, bank leaders said they don't expect borrower demand to pick up until the second half of 2025. But to the extent there's optimism, it involves business lending.

Valley National Bank and Dime Community Bancshares expect a better balance of deposit costs to help boost their net interest margins in 2025.

The Dallas-based company expects average loan growth to be flat to up 1% from 2024, driven by the ongoing payoffs of commercial real estate loans, executives said.

The Louisiana-based bank reduced its dividend to a penny, the second reduction it has made this year as it tries to bring down expenses and generate more capital.

Median growth among small U.S. lenders was 1.2% for the third quarter. Bankers are hoping lower interest rates will boost demand, but borrowers aren't jumping.

Lower borrowing costs, reduced exposure to the urban office sector and flattening vacancy rates could collectively save lenders from beleaguered corners of the commercial real estate market.

Treasury yields rose the day after President-elect Donald Trump was picked. The short-term result: It's harder for commercial real estate lenders and borrowers to find common ground.