The decline in bank lending to the commercial property market since the financial crisis has slowed dramatically, according to data from commercial law firm EMW.

Bank lending to investors in the sector is down just 1% from July last year to £136.2bn.
It comes after several years during which bank lending fell significantly. Over the past five years, lending has fallen 28% from £187.6bn.
In part the slowdown is due to a lower quantity of non-performing loans being sold off by the banks.
EMW said write-offs of bad debt had also freed up more capital for new lending and rising capital values provided further encouragement.
Minal Thakarar, a principal at EMW, said “The banks’ appetite to lend to property investors is at its highest level since the financial crisis.
“For the first time since the financial crisis the decline in the amount of lending to property investors has tailed off – investors are now more optimistic about seeking funding from the banks.”