Despite a decline in commercial mortgages held in securities, overall outstandings increased.

Commercial mortgage debt outstanding stood at $3.441 trillion on June 30, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported today. Commercial mortgages increased from $3.389 trillion on March 31.

MBA Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell noted the increase came "despite the persistent credit crunch."

Multifamily debt increased $0.016 trillion to $0.875 trillion.

Commercial mortgages held by commercial banks were $1.463 trillion in the second quarter, though some "commercial and industrial" holdings were included in that figure. Commercial bank holdings increased from $1.428 trillion in the first quarter.

Commercial mortgages held in commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized-debt obligations and asset-backed securities ended the second quarter at $0.762 trillion, down from $0.772 trillion three months earlier.

Life insurance companies held $0.313 trillion, up from the first quarter's $0.309 trillion. Another $0.230 trillion was held by savings institutions, rising from $0.226 trillion.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae held $0.146 trillion in MBS, up from $0.143 trillion. An additional $0.168 trillion was held by the three firms in portfolio whole loans, rising from $0.158 trillion. Commercial holdings by all three entities were exclusively multifamily.

The remaining holders of commercial mortgage debt included finance companies, real estate investment trusts and federal, state and local government.