Episode Details
Back to EpisodesCMBS Decoded: Commercial Real Estate, "Lockouts," and the B-Piece Buyer
Description
In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex world of Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS). We explain how these investment vehicles differ from residential securities by relying on income-generating properties—such as office buildings, shopping centers, and apartment complexes—rather than home loans.
Tune in as we break down:
• The Structure: How CMBS function as Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (REMICs) and why they are generally more complex and volatile than residential mortgage-backed securities.
• Risk Factors: Why American CMBS often carry less prepayment risk than other types due to distinct features like "lockout provisions" and yield maintenance penalties.
• Key Participants: A who's-who of the industry, from the Master Servicer managing daily operations to the Special Servicer who steps in when a borrower defaults.
• The "B-Piece": An explanation of the "controlling class" or "B-piece buyer," the investors who purchase the most subordinate and risky bond classes in the trust.