Miami-The CREFC January Conference delved into the issue of lending Tuesday, at a panel discussion moderated by Kimco SVP Scott Onufrey. As 2012 kicks off, most panelists agreed that, despite uncertainty and existing headwinds, that lending will continue at a decent pace for the year. However, the caution that shut down the second half of 2011 will continue, slightly abated.

David Twardock, president of Prudential Mortgage Capital Co., said that it was lending today and “reasonably optimistic” about the market, but that global events do cast a pall. “As we think about how we’re going to approach the market we have to be a little more conservative because we just don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of the global economy,” he said.

Jon Martin, managing director at Wells Fargo Bank, pointed out that it is “looking forward” and that, in hindsight, this may turn out to have been a great time to have originated a loan. “We actually view this as a good entry point to be making commercial mortgages,” Martin told those assembled. “We think a couple of years down the road this vintage we’re involved with now will be viewed as good real estate loans.”