Industries

Banks lending against the oil and natural gas reserves of hundreds of independent U.S. drilling companies have pulled back from the sector at an unprecedented rate this year after oil and gas prices slumped.

Many commercial property owners are locked out of existing coronavirus relief by financing terms that bar them from taking new loans. Under a House bill, they would receive government-backed equity investments.

The Detroit lender disclosed that the consumer bureau had sent a civil investigative demand to Rocket Homes Real Estate for potential violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.

Bankers Healthcare Group, affiliated with Pinnacle Financial, is launching into securitization to branch out from its primary strategy of selling its medical-professional loans to community banks.

Bankers had asserted in April that they could handle a slump in oil prices tied to the coronavirus pandemic. Continued volatility, combined with declining collateral values and a rise in bankruptcies for exploration companies, is denting their confidence.

The first-time transaction under Fortress Investment Group's new shelf will be backed by long-term leases on 11 Amazon fulfillment and last-mile distribution centers – three of which remain under construction.

Driven Brands is preparing a $175 million asset-backed securities deal that will provide investors with exposure to a relatively safe industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

For banks with assets between $10 billion and $100 billion, the average exposure is 165% of capital.

But deal sponsors are primarily restricting property assets to the lower risk multifamily and office buildings that lenders are more confident will weather the economic strains brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sellers are currently willing to concede discounts of around 5%, while bidders are hoping for about 20% off pre-pandemic prices. That estimated gap, which is likely wider in specific cases, has put a freeze on deals.