Lender methodology to size floating rate construction loan reserve

Assuming that a rate cap is not required by the lender, is there a fairly standard method for how construction lenders size the interest reserve?  Is the assumption that SOFR is flat over the life of the loan, and simply use spread + current SOFR against the developer's proforma draw schedule to size the reserve?  Using a forward SOFR curve results in a lower reserve relatively speaking, but I am assuming that a lender would not use an assumption that SOFR drops meaningfully over the next 24 months despite what forecasts predict?

3 Comments
 

We typically use the borrower’s lease up schedule (will adjust using our UW rents and OpEx) and the forward SOFR curve.

Loan sizing on the other hand is based on current SOFR. I’ve heard some banks UW using the forward curve but that’s not what we do at my shop.

Hope that helps.

 

Typically a combination of 1. The borrowers draw schedule 2. Our underwriting and lease up schedule 3. SOFR curve To that we typically size an interest reserve with a 5%-15% cushion above the actual number to account for variance in any one of those factors. So yes we use the forward curve, and the SOFR floor that’s negotiated protects against massive drops in the curve

 
Most Helpful

Vel voluptas porro nemo impedit et sunt. Neque quas voluptate temporibus enim quaerat omnis consequatur earum. Officiis veritatis dolores velit eius veritatis. A ea nesciunt accusantium porro dolores aliquam ut. Cum est harum autem ratione quia.

Eveniet vero nemo itaque nihil est provident. Et ea numquam ut asperiores cumque est omnis rem. Corporis consectetur enim consequatur nulla. Unde minima dolorem est maxime voluptates.

In id dolor omnis. Qui praesentium quas sed aut suscipit. Velit laboriosam eligendi ducimus quisquam non maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”