Blog

A Better Alternative to Margin Loans: The Case for Commercial Real Estate Loans

Commercial Real Estate Insights for Managing Your Investments

Margin loans are a popular way for people to access funds to meet a variety of financial needs, including covering costs related to real estate transactions. They can also be used to make large purchases or business acquisitions, pay for home renovations, or for securing short-term liquidity to handle unexpected expenses. While margin loans have multiple advantages, they come with potential drawbacks—several of which may be intensified in our current economic environment. Here we’ll look at why investors choose margin loans and illustrate several of the under-appreciated risks. We’ll also explore a potential solution: refinancing into a loan backed by commercial real estate (CRE).

Margin loans are collateralized by securities in the borrower’s brokerage account Many brokerage firms allow investors to borrow up to 50-70% of the total value of eligible securities. People are attracted to the speed and convenience of margin loans. They can often be accessed quickly after a margin account is approved, without any extra forms or application fees. Interest rates are typically competitive when compared to credit cards or other unsecured loans. Additionally, many borrowers are drawn to the flexible repayment terms: as long as the required level of equity is maintained in the account, people can pay back margin loans on their own schedule—there’s no specific term in which the loan is due.

Understanding the current risks for margin loans

Borrowing on margin is not without risk. Two risks in particular are especially prominent in our current economic environment: interest rate and margin call risk.

First, margin loan interest rates are generally variable, equaling a base rate plus a spread. Base rates are commonly linked to short-term interest rates and are typically subject to change frequently and without notice. As the U.S. economy continues to improve, rates are coming off historically low levels. The Federal Reserve has hiked its benchmark rate seven times since its post-crisis cycle began in December 2015. On September 26th of 2018, the Federal Reserve approved its third rate increase this year, increasing the short-term interest rate to a range of 2 to 2.25 percent. Many expect a steeper path of future rate hikes. Such quickly rising rates would make margin loans increasingly more expensive.

Second, the value of the collateral which backs margin loans can fluctuate. If the value of the collateral falls such that the loan is greater than the permitted loan-to-value maximum, then the borrower will face a margin call. This would require the borrower to immediately deposit more marginable securities or cash into the account or liquidate existing positions to generate cash. Brokerage firms have full discretion over when borrowers are required to increase the equity in their margin accounts, which means they can take immediate action by selling securities to satisfy equity requirements. Brokerage firms can also increase their equity requirements at any time, and are known to do so particularly during periods of heightened market volatility.

Margin calls may not have presented much concern for investors who were benefiting from the record-setting bull market in U.S. equities and recent all-time highs in major U.S. indexes. But how many more miles can the aging bull run? A growing chorus of financial experts is calling attention to the looming danger of a major correction in the stock market, and also noting that the risk is becoming increasingly imminent. For margin borrowers, falling stock prices would trigger margin calls which would likely force them to sell stocks at discounted prices in a volatile, tumbling market.

A better alternative: Refinancing into a commercial real estate loan

For many high-wealth owners of CRE, refinancing a margin loan into a longer-term loan backed by CRE may be an attractive solution to managing the risks of margin loans. Refinancing comes with several unique benefits, including the elimination of stress and potential losses generated by margin calls. Additionally, CRE loans are typically offered with a fixed interest-rate structure, allowing borrowers to lock in a competitive rate for the life of the loan. Lastly, interest on the new loan may be tax deductible against income from CRE.

If you want to learn more about refinancing margin loans, PLUM can help. We are a knowledge-based CRE lender that combines data intelligence with deep industry expertise and an ecosystem of capital sources to help property owners increase their wealth.

Related

Market Spotlight Pittsburgh, PA

  Pittsburgh, PA, is a PLUM SELECT 80 market due to its storied industrial history. Pittsburgh is widely known as Steel City, due to the long-standing presence and history of steel manufacturers, with US Steel still headquartered in the city. Forbes recently named it the best housing market for Baby Boomers. In addition, Pittsburgh has a long…

Read More >>

Market Spotlight Jacksonville, FL

  Jacksonville, FL, is a PLUM SELECT 80 market due to its low unemployment rate, strong population growth, and diversified employment base. According to Global Trade Magazine, Jacksonville has been named as one of the best cities for logistics infrastructure due to its two deep-water ports, three major interstates, major railways, and an international airport…

Read More >>

Market Spotlight Nashville, TN

  Nashville is a PLUM SELECT 80 market due to its dynamic population growth, access to prestigious college institutions, bustling hospitality sector, and business-friendly environment. Hospitality development is surging to keep up with demand from tourism. There are currently 3,700 new hotel rooms currently underway in Nashville. Recently Nashville was ranked as the #1 city…

Read More >>

Market Spotlight Cincinnati, OH

  Cincinnati is a PLUM SELECT 80 market due to its youthful population, favorable tax climate, and robust manufacturing industry. The office sector has returned to positive ground after a negative 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The industrial sector was recently ranked as the #1 city to buy industrial property in the…

Read More >>

Market Spotlight Tampa, FL

  Tampa is a PLUM SELECT 80 market due to its business-friendly environment, GDP growth, and strong performance across all commercial property types. The multifamily sector has seen a meteoric rise due to the influx of residents since the onset of the COVID pandemic. The industrial sector continues to benefit from expansions to Port Tampa…

Read More >>

© 2019 PLUM Lending. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of ServicePrivacy | Plum, Inc. dba Plum and/or Plum Lending