* Regulators urge “prudent” commercial loan modifications
* Commercial real estate seen as trouble spot for banks
By Karey Wutkowski WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) – U.S regulators on Friday encouraged banks to modify troubled commercial real estate loans, which are seen as a looming danger spot for the banking industry.
The regulators issued guidance to financial institutions and said “prudent” loan workouts are often in the best interest of both the borrower and the bank itself.
“The financial regulators recognize that financial institutions face significant challenges when working with commercial real estate (CRE) borrowers that are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciated collateral values, or prolonged sales and rental absorption periods,” the policy statement said.
The commercial real estate crisis is going to bring the whole system down. Where I live in North Florida, rows and rows of strip malls sit empty. They were completed and not a single tenant moved in. The banks holding these mortgages are doomed.
I have been working with Flagstar Bank for 10 months to modify or short sale my commercial loan. In fact, just yesterday I informed them that I had a buyer who would buy the property and I would make up the difference between his price and the appraisal. Flagstar refused to do so, asking me to cash out my 401 plan and sign over the building to them and sign a 10 year note to repay them $500 per month with a $60,000 balloon when I am 70 years old! I cannot believe these predatory, blood sucking, people. Keep in mind they received TARP monies. Also, I mentioned to them the orginal loan was granted by their appraisor, etc. Shame on them. They belong in prision, but I can’t seem to find an advocate in Washington that can help me.