Why does DY matter to Lenders?

Sorry might be a stupid question but debt is not my expertise.

Why do lenders care so much about debt yield? Shouldn’t LTV and DSCR (ability for borrow to repay debt service) be the really only two metrics? Why would I care what my yield is on a loan if I am not technically getting any of that NOI? If the DY is only say 6% but they have sufficient CF to repay me, why would I care?

9 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Debt yield is used by many life co’s and banks as well. Both of these will sometimes tie loan tests for value add properties to debt yield. 
 

for the original poster: debt yield became important post 2008 financial crisis. It is the loan’s ‘cap rate.’ Therefore, if the borrower defaulted, the lender will get the property back at their debt yield (cap rate). 
 

For instance, your coverage ratio could be 1.05x, but your debt yield may be 4%. If the property stabilizes at 1.25x and than the debt yield is only 5.5%, sure you’re covering the loan, but what if the market cap rate is 5.75%? Well if the borrower defaults, the lender will lose money on their principal balance because the property is worth less than the loan. 

 

It is just another metric for lenders to look at. It represents the cap rate the lender "buys into" if the loan defaults and the lender has to take over the property. 

PropMetrica | Multifamily underwriting template
 

CapRateSlapper

It is just another metric for lenders to look at. It represents the cap rate the lender "buys into" if the loan defaults and the lender has to take over the property. 

Ah, now that makes sense. Never thought about it from the side of defaulting and a lender taking over. Thank you!

 

It came back into vogue after 2008. DY is the cash yield the bank would enjoy were it to take over the property. Obviously, the NOI is going to go to hell if the borrower defaults, but it is still a useful tool. It is a way to relate the size of the loan to the cash flow, without being skewed by interest rates and valuation. It is also worth noting that most banks don't even use actual DSCR, they use a risk rating interest rate (which is standardized) and judge DSCR vs that. 

 

Ut ex eos omnis quis dolor mollitia. Qui odio aut quo libero. Eaque facilis incidunt eos quidem pariatur. Omnis et vitae facere quasi. Qui quidem molestias ratione cumque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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

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...”