The multifamily finance landscape has changed dramatically from the start of last year. Rapidly increasing interest rates, combined with fears over an impending recession, have caused many borrowers to delay refinancing or hold off on new acquisitions.

As a result, originations slowed toward the end of 2022. A slowdown in originations is very different from a stop, however. If anything, the increase in the cost of capital has made borrowers more aware than ever of the importance of competitive financing terms — and it’s now more important than ever before to find the right lender for your deal.

Using data sourced from public records, we looked at 10 of the largest originators from 2022. These include a number of major financial institutions, brokerages, and other originators that were extremely active throughout the course of the year. 

Bigger isn’t always better, though. If you need financing for your next multifamily deal, fill in the form below, and we’ll shop your loan around to hundreds of lenders and originators to get you the absolute best terms possible from your best multifamily lender of 2023.

The Top Lenders of 2023

Our top lenders are listed below. For our methodology, we used public records from across the country, with special emphasis placed on lenders involved with financing packages of under $25 million. Our list was compiled balancing loan originations within these parameters with the amount of financing options offered.

#10 Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a large financial institution based in San Francisco that offers a range of financial products and services. The bank has been involved in numerous major financing deals in the real estate sector, particularly in the multifamily sector.

Wells Fargo offers various financing options, such as construction loans, permanent loans, and refinancing options, with flexible terms and competitive rates. The bank holds most of its loans, but close to 20% of the loans it extended last year were insured by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

#9 JLL

Jones Lang LaSalle is a real estate services firm, and also one of the top multifamily lenders of 2022. The firm originated a strong portfolio of multifamily financing alongside a larger collection of loans on other commercial real estate assets, from industrial properties to shopping centers.

While the firm was formed in 1999 by the merger of two other brokerages, JLL can trace its roots back more than two centuries to its founding in 1783 in London. The company’s present-day headquarters is in Chicago.

#8 Capital One

Capital One was one of the top 10 multifamily lenders of the past year, with a strong multifamily financing book. The bank offers a wide range of Fannie, Freddie, and HUD financing for multifamily properties, and it has regularly been named among the agencies’ top lenders in recent years.

Founded in 1994, the bank started as a spinoff of a larger financial institution. At first, Capital One only offered credit cards, eventually moving into auto loans and later retail banking and real estate finance.

#7 KeyBank

KeyBank was the seventh-ranked lender by multifamily origination volume in 2022. While multifamily lending makes up the vast majority of its portfolio, the regional bank does, upon occasion, finance other commercial real estate asset types.

Headquartered in Cleveland, the bank operates branches in 15 states but finances multifamily properties across the country. KeyBank typically does not provide construction loans, but the firm is heavily involved in providing agency debt and bridge loans for new builds.

#6 Lument

If you don’t know this name, don’t worry — ORIX Real Estate Capital rebranded itself as Lument in late 2020. The company includes a number of other brands that may be more familiar, from Hunt Real Estate Capital to RED Capital Group.

Lument has a strong focus on multifamily properties, offering agency and HUD debt for apartment buildings, senior housing communities, and healthcare facilities.

#5 Greystone

Boston-based Greystone comes in fifth place on our list, owing to its significant origination volume and diversity of multifamily assets financed. Of its 2022 originations, more than one-third of the dollar volume was through HUD multifamily vehicles, with Fannie and Freddie loans also comprising a significant portion.

In addition to multifamily communities, Greystone finances everything across the commercial real estate spectrum, from self storage assets to office parks. The lender offers a wide range of financing options, including CMBS, bridge, and mezzanine loans.

#4 CBRE Capital Markets

CBRE comes in fourth on our list. The brokerage has closed major multifamily financing deals over the past 12 months, and they are active in every primary and secondary market nationwide.

CBRE Capital Markets provided significant Fannie, Freddie, and CMBS financing during the past year, though it was only involved in a handful of HUD deals, according to public records. The Dallas-based brokerage offers everything from small balance loans to conduit financing and life company debt.

#3 Arbor

Arbor takes third place on our list, owing to its exclusive focus on multifamily and its high volume of financing activity in 2022. The Long Island-based REIT offers a broad range of financing options, from agency debt to FHA multifamily and CMBS debt. The firm has also expanded its single-family rental portfolio financing options in recent years.

#2 Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop ranked second in multifamily loan origination volume. Though active in other commercial real estate sectors, the firm heavily focuses on the multifamily sector, especially with loans insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Walker & Dunlop, founded in 1937, has been led by Willy Walker since 2007.

#1 Berkadia

Berkadia tops our list of best lenders in 2023, based on its significant multifamily origination volume from 2022, not to mention its wide range of loan products. Founded in 2009 as a joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corp., the firm offers debt and equity placement services and doesn’t only focus on multifamily, extending financing for everything from office buildings to hotels.

The Conclusion

Any of the lenders mentioned above are great choices for your next multifamily deal, as long as your needs are aligned with what your lender is willing to offer you — think loan size, interest rates, even amortization and term.

Do you know how much money you need, but you’re not sure who the best multifamily lenders for your unique situation are? That’s what we’re here to help you with. We’ll take a look at your financing needs, and get competitive quotes from a wide range of lenders — not just those on the list above — getting you 10 soft quotes in 24 hours.

Fill in your details below, and find your best multifamily lender of 2023.