That's just weird -- I don't get it. The land isn't going anywhere. Unless it's grossly inflated in price (speculation), I can't see how a lending institution could come up short. There must be some other reason. Maybe the loan doesn't "produce" well enough to meet their current business model. If they only have so much money to lend, they're going to focus on the best returns. Or maybe, in a time of inflation, bare land doesn't appreciate in value like a house, and that leaves them exposed.