Mortgage bankers originated $110 billion of commercial and multifamily mortgages during 2010, a 36 percent increase from 2009, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) quarterly survey of commercial/multifamily mortgage bankers originations (CMBA).

Life insurance companies were a leading source of lending in 2010, with origination volumes 155 percent higher than 2009 levels, according to a statement. Originations for commercial banks experienced a year-over-year decline and originations for CMBS conduits increased more than 10-fold.

Fourth quarter 2010 mortgage originations were 63 percent higher than the previous quarter, according to the survey. Year-over-year, there was an 88 percent increase in the fourth quarter 2010, which was driven by increases in originations for office and hotel properties.

"Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations jumped 63 percent in the fourth quarter, pulling the annual total for 2010 up to a preliminary estimate of $110 billion," said Jamie Woodwell, MBA vice president of commercial real estate research. "Life companies and FHA led the increase in dollar volumes, but a large percentage increase in originations for CMBS is likely the most symbolic change from last year."