The delinquency rate for loans held in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are the highest they been reported since 1997, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Commercial/Multifamily Delinquency Report.

However, delinquency rates for other groups remain below levels seen in the early 1990’s, some by large margins, according to a statement.

Between the first quarter and second quarter 2010, the 30 plus day delinquency rate on loans held in CMBS rose 1.39 percentage points to 8.22 percent. The 60 plus day delinquency rate on loans held in life company portfolios decreased 0.02 percentage points to 0.29 percent, according to a statement. The 60 plus day delinquency rate on multifamily loans held or insured by Fannie Mae rose 0.01 percentage points to 0.80 percent. The 60 plus day delinquency rate on multifamily loans held or insured by Freddie Mac increased 0.03 percentage points to 0.28 percent. The 90 plus day delinquency rate on loans held by FDIC-insured banks and thrifts remained unchanged at 4.26 percent.

"Different investor groups lend in different ways and on different types of properties," said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s vice president of commercial real estate research. "Those differences are becoming more evident as the economy continues to struggle to work its way out of the recession. Performance across all investor groups will continue to depend on economic growth and its ability to generate demand for commercial real estate space."