Commercial and multifamily mortgage origination volumes nationwide increased 44 percent in 2010 compared to the previous year, with mortgage bankers reporting $118.8 billion of closed commercial and multifamily loans, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

"Coming off of the 2009 lows, commercial and multifamily originations increased by a strong 44 percent in 2010," said Jamie Woodwell, MBA vice president of commercial real estate research. "Low interest rates coupled with improving economic fundamentals have the potential to draw out even more borrowers in 2011."

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA, collectively, were the largest investor group in 2010, responsible for $42.8 billion of the total, followed by life insurance companies and pension funds at $30.6 billion, according to a statement. For property types, multifamily properties saw the highest volume, $48.9 billion, followed by office properties with $22.6 billion of originations. First liens accounted for 92 percent of the total dollar volume closed.