CMBS Special Servicer Volume Falls Despite Slowing Workouts

The slowing pace of workouts hasn't stopped CMBS special servicer volume from falling, ""Fitch Ratings reported"":http://www.fitchratings.com/web/en/dynamic/fitch-home.jsp.

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According to Fitch's weekly U.S. CMBS Market Trends newsletter, the balance of loans in special servicing as of June 30 was $80.5 billion, a drop from $83.1 billion at the end of 2011 and $85.6 billion in June 2011.

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This news comes despite a slowdown in resolutions in the year's first half, with 1,242 loans resolved in that time (compared to 1,556 in the first half of 2011).

The most active special servicers have been working out more than 9,600 loans since 2010 (when volume reached $90 billion), totaling $141.6 billion in volume.

Of the most active special servicers, LNR Partners, Inc., CIII Asset Management, and CW Capital Asset Management dominated the market in both volume and number of specially serviced loans. All have resolved more than half of their loans in special serving since 2010.

Midland Loan Services, Inc., and Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, LLC also made strong showings in volume and number of loans resolved.

Fitch also reported that time in special servicing for resolved loans is increasing. For loans resolved in the first half of 2012, the average number of months in servicing was 18.2, double the average in 2009.