Managing CRE Exposure in an Uncertain Market

There are many curious myths about lemmings (small rodents typically found in tundra climates), the wildest of which includes them spontaneously exploding when they become very angry. A more enduring myth is that herds of these small rodents throw themselves into the sea every few years in an attempt to control their population. In truth, they migrate to different areas when concentration in one area becomes excessive — an eminently sensible strategy. This is a skill that could serve community financial institutions (CFIs) well in the current commercial real estate (CRE) market.CRE has boomed in the last two years. In 2021, CRE sales totaled a record-breaking $809B and by the end of the year, the value of CRE loans exceeded $2.7T. In its mid-year review of the CRE market, JPMorgan expects a continued positive outlook for the remainder of the year, with forecasts varying depending on the asset class. While strip malls in remote areas and office properties struggle, industrial and multifamily properties are current bright spots in the market.As we’ve mentioned previously, CFIs perform very well in CRE loans, thanks to their focus on relationships, flexibility, and local market knowledge. According to Globe St., CFIs held almost $800B in CRE loans in 2021 — roughly 30% of the total CRE market’s value, despite having only 12% of the banking industry’s total assets. As such, they are especially vulnerable to fluctuations in the CRE market.Nevertheless, rising inflation, interest rates, construction costs, and fears of a recession — combined with the post-pandemic trend towards hybrid working — is generating uncertainty in the CRE market. Already, there are signs that values are dipping, with the Green Street Commercial Property Price Index declining 4.7% this year. This is leading to concern for CFIs with high CRE loan concentrations.The FDIC recently announced that it would scrutinize financial institutions with large CRE exposure more closely. One FDIC regulator noted that while most banks with CRE loan concentrations are “satisfactorily rated,” those concentrations add “dimensions of risk that necessitate continued attention from banks and their regulators, especially as the pandemic lingers and uncertainties remain.” Previously, the Federal Reserve included a 40% downturn in CRE market values in this year’s stress testing scenarios, indicating that it, too, is keeping a watchful eye on this area of potential concern.Here are four essential strategies for CFIs to manage the current CRE market uncertainty.

So far, CRE delinquency rates have remained low, and losses have been minimal — partly due to government stimulus and low interest rates. As market conditions toughen, CFIs would do well to deploy sound risk management principles and policies to ensure they are prepared for a potential market downturn.