While the housing market continued to languish through its multi-year torpor last year, U.S. commercial real estate bounced back, as easier financing terms and improving yields on rents enticed investors back into the market. This left HFF, a self-described "leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services" with "local real estate expertise," well positioned to take advantage of the surge in activity. The company said it benefited from a 45% increase in production volume in its capital markets services, which include debt placement, structured finance, investment banking and advisory services. HFF recorded a 24% increase in revenue in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2011. -- N.S.