Definition · Commercial Lending

What is loan-to-value (LTV)?

Loan-to-value (LTV) is the loan balance divided by the collateral's value. It measures how well-secured a credit is: a low LTV means a large equity cushion; an LTV above 100% means the loan exceeds the property's value — the loan is under-secured.

Why it matters

LTV largely determines how a non-performing loan prices: a well-secured (low-LTV) credit can price near balance, while an under-secured (high-LTV) credit prices toward collateral value less the cost to realize it.

Market context & sources

Why credits like this reach a workout desk: bank noncurrent commercial real-estate loans have risen while reserve coverage slips at community banks (FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile), and roughly $957 billion of commercial and multifamily mortgage debt was scheduled to mature in 2025 — against a total market of about $4.8–5.0 trillion, ~38% of it held by banks and thrifts (Mortgage Bankers Association). See the CRE distress statistics hub for the full figures and sources.

Primary sources: FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile, Mortgage Bankers Association, and interagency (FDIC / OCC / Federal Reserve) guidance on CRE loan accommodations and workouts. Figures are directional and updated periodically; confirm the latest release before relying on a specific number.

Common questions
What does an LTV over 100% mean?

The loan balance exceeds the property's value — the credit is under-secured, so a sale prices to the collateral rather than the balance.

How is LTV used in a loan sale?

It frames the recovery: low LTV supports a price near balance; high LTV moves the price toward collateral value.

How is value determined?

From a recent appraisal or BPO and the property's income — see how buyers price a CRE loan.

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