BETHESDA, MD - Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced the launch of its large loan bridge program. Through the program, Walker & Dunlop will originate adjustable rate loans on multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing but will be candidates for permanent funding through one of Walker & Dunlop's channels such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, CMBS, or Life Company once stabilized or repositioned.
The program is funded with capital from a large Canadian institutional investor, a premier U.S. real estate investment manager and Walker & Dunlop. Walker & Dunlop is a 5 percent investor in the program which will have over $850 million in lending power, inclusive of leverage, making this a significant addition to Walker & Dunlop's product offerings. The parties may elect to increase capacity to meet demand.
The program will focus on loans $30 million and above with loan terms of up to three years on multifamily properties, including student, manufactured and seniors housing. Walker & Dunlop will receive an asset management fee for managing the program and servicing the loans.
"Walker & Dunlop earned almost $200,000 in net interest income during the second quarter on the interim loans we have originated using our own balance sheet and warehouse lines from banks," commented Walker & Dunlop Chairman and CEO, Willy Walker. "This new program provides Walker & Dunlop with significant equity capital to dramatically scale this line of business to meet our borrowers' needs at this time in the real estate cycle." Walker continued, "This program not only meets our clients' needs, but also creates a pipeline of high quality assets for Walker & Dunlop to finance once the properties stabilize. We are very excited to have raised this quantity of equity capital from two large, strategic institutional investors, and we look forward to scaling this program and potentially raising new funds with distinct investment parameters going forward."
Through its subsidiary Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE: WD) is one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. As a Fannie Mae DUS®, Freddie Mac Program Plus® and MAP- and LEAN-approved FHA lender, the Multifamily and FHA Finance groups are focused on lending to property owners, investors, and developers of multifamily properties across the country.