Loan volume in the seniors housing and care industry skyrocketed to nearly $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2006. This increase is one indicator of the strength of the industry, according to the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry.

Volume, which represents the quarterly lending activity of major national lenders that make debt investments in seniors housing and care, rose by 130% from the same time last year. It is the highest reported to NIC since the organization began tracking indicators 1999.

Other indicators also indicated strong health. Loan performance rose to 99.25% and median occupancy rates remained stable. Capitalization rates remained near historic lows.