Green bonds have been around since 2007, but they only really started to gain traction in 2014 when about $37 billion worth of bonds were issued in the U.S. That number jumped to $45.4 billion last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). These financing vehicles, which tout environmental and social good, can be big business. Fannie Mae accounted for much of these green mortgage-backed securities (Green MBS) with $19.8 billion contributed in 2018. These loans center on assets that have achieved green certification or those that can reduce their energy and water consumption. “Multifamily had another outstanding year in 2018, thanks to our lenders,” says Rob Levin, senior vice president for multifamily customer engagement at Fannie Mae. “Together, we supported all market segments, bringing liquidity to the market while building a balanced portfolio that reflects our strategy with strong credit quality and mission-rich business.” Getting With The Program Lenders are taking advantage of the government-sponsored entities’ (GSEs) sustainability programs at an accelerated pace. Walker & Dunlop structured $392.3 million in green financing for three multifamily properties in Southern California in June 2018. Class A communities the Medici and the Orsini I in downtown Los Angeles were financed through …
