Third quarter commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations nationwide were 32 percent higher than during the same period last year and 15 percent higher than during the second quarter, according to a recent survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

The increase in commercial and multifamily lending activity was driven by increases in originations for multifamily and industrial properties, according to a statement. When compared to the third quarter of 2009, the increase included a 129 percent increase in loans for industrial properties; a 37 percent increase in loans for multifamily properties; a 36 percent increase in loans for office properties; a 19 percent increase in loans for retail properties; a 20 percent decrease in hotel property loans and a 46 percent decrease in health care property loans.

"Commercial and multifamily mortgage lending continued to pick up during the third quarter," said Jamie Woodwell, MBA vice president of commercial real estate research. "Today’s low interest rates make for a very attractive borrowing environment. However, relatively low levels of loan maturities and a slow, albeit rising, sales market continued to dampen overall commercial mortgage demand."