10-Q
Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q   
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR


☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to ____________

Commission file number 001-32216

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland 
47-0934168 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

275 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(212) 792-0107
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer ☒
Accelerated Filer ☐
Non-Accelerated Filer ☐
Smaller Reporting Company ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒


The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on May 5, 2016 was 109,409,236.


Table of Contents


NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Table of Contents


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investment securities, available for sale, at fair value (including $41,490 and $40,734 held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively and pledged securities of $645,267 and $639,683, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
$
794,473

 
$
765,454

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
113,186

 
119,921

Distressed residential mortgage loans, net (including $0 and $114,214 held in securitization trusts)
537,616

 
558,989

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
7,250,586

 
7,105,336

Derivative assets
288,925

 
228,775

Receivables for securities sold
1,858

 
—

Cash and cash equivalents
39,931

 
61,959

Receivables and other assets
226,369

 
215,808

Total Assets (1)
$
9,252,944

 
$
9,056,242

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
$
589,919

 
$
577,413

Financing arrangements, distressed residential mortgage loans
216,604

 
212,155

Residential collateralized debt obligations
110,023

 
116,710

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
6,957,293

 
6,818,901

Securitized debt
83,471

 
116,541

Derivative liabilities
4,998

 
1,500

Payable for securities purchased
311,250

 
227,969

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
59,378

 
59,527

Subordinated debentures
45,000

 
45,000

Total liabilities (1)
8,377,936

 
8,175,716

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 7.75% Series B cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 6,000,000 shares authorized, 3,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
$
72,397

 
$
72,397

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 7.875% Series C cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 4,140,000 shares authorized, 3,600,000 shares issued and outstanding
86,862

 
86,862

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 109,409,236 and 109,401,721 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
1,094

 
1,094

Additional paid-in capital
734,664

 
734,610

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
4,106

 
(2,854
)
Accumulated deficit
(24,115
)
 
(11,583
)
Total stockholders' equity
$
875,008

 
$
880,526

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
9,252,944

 
$
9,056,242


(1) Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") as the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $7,432,157 and $7,413,082, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $7,175,369 and $7,077,175, respectively. See Note 7 for further discussion.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
Investment securities and other
$
8,434

 
$
11,344

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
63,532

 
66,300

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts
837

 
1,180

Distressed residential mortgage loans
8,823

 
10,161

Total interest income
81,626

 
88,985

 
 
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
Investment securities and other
3,849

 
3,463

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
57,200

 
60,095

Residential collateralized debt obligations
303

 
239

Securitized debt
2,131

 
3,127

Subordinated debentures
501

 
460

Total interest expense
63,984

 
67,384

 
 
 
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
17,642

 
21,601

 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
Recovery (provision) for loan losses
645

 
(436
)
Realized gain on investment securities and related hedges, net
1,266

 
1,124

Gain on de-consolidation of multi-family loans held in securitization trust and multi-family collateralized debt obligations
—

 
1,483

Realized gain on distressed residential mortgage loans
5,548

 
676

Unrealized loss on investment securities and related hedges, net
(2,490
)
 
(5,728
)
Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
818

 
13,628

Other income
3,073

 
2,286

Total other income
8,860

 
13,033

 
 
 
 
Base management and incentive fees
3,526

 
6,870

Expenses related to distressed residential mortgage loans
3,194

 
1,884

Other general and administrative expenses
2,640

 
2,092

Total general, administrative and other expenses
9,360

 
10,846

 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
17,142

 
23,788

Income tax expense
191

 
245

NET INCOME
16,951

 
23,543

Preferred stock dividends
(3,225
)
 
(1,453
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
13,726

 
$
22,090

 
 
 
 
Basic income per common share
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

Diluted income per common share
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
109,402

 
105,488

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
109,402

 
105,488


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
13,726

 
$
22,090

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
Increase in fair value on available for sale securities
7,862

 
3,137

Decrease in fair value of derivative instruments utilized for cash flow hedges
(902
)
 
(1,261
)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
6,960

 
1,876

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
20,686

 
$
23,966


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Common
Stock
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
1,094

 
$
159,259

 
$
734,610

 
$
(11,583
)
 
$
(2,854
)
 
$
880,526

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,951

 
—

 
16,951

Stock issuance, net
—

 
—

 
54

 
—

 
—

 
54

Dividends declared on common and preferred stock
—

 
—

 


 
(29,483
)
 
—

 
(29,483
)
Increase in fair value on available for sale securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,862

 
7,862

Decrease in fair value of derivative instruments utilized for cash flow hedges
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(902
)
 
(902
)
Balance, March 31, 2016
$
1,094

 
$
159,259

 
$
734,664

 
$
(24,115
)
 
$
4,106

 
$
875,008


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)


 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
16,951

 
$
23,543

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Net amortization (accretion)
1,012

 
(1,226
)
Realized gain on investment securities and related hedges, net
(1,266
)
 
(1,124
)
Realized gain on distressed residential mortgage loans
(5,548
)
 
(676
)
Unrealized loss on investment securities and related hedges, net
2,490

 
5,728

Gain on de-consolidation of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and multi-family collateralized debt obligations
—

 
(1,483
)
Unrealized gain on loans and debt held in multi-family securitization trusts
(818
)
 
(13,628
)
Net decrease in loans held for sale
151

 
4

(Recovery of) provision for loan losses
(645
)
 
436

Income from investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies
(4,366
)
 
(2,920
)
Distributions of income from investments in limited partnership and limited liability companies
6,119

 
2,302

Amortization of stock based compensation, net
253

 
174

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and other assets
4,339

 
(136
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(151
)
 
(5,346
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
18,521

 
5,648

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
(6,483
)
 
1,534

Proceeds from sales of investment securities
58,875

 
—

Purchases of investment securities
(90,351
)
 
—

Purchases of other assets
(2
)
 
(4
)
Funding of mezzanine loans, equity and preferred equity investments
—

 
(12,701
)
Net proceeds on other derivative instruments settled during the period
1,418

 
1,165

Principal repayments received on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts
6,421

 
6,776

Principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancing of distressed residential mortgage loans
47,441

 
36,643

Principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
34,745

 
19,793

Principal paydowns on investment securities - available for sale
24,427

 
11,618

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
541

 
344

Purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans
(29,684
)
 
—

Proceeds from sales of loans held in multi-family securitization trusts
—

 
44,261

Net cash provided by investing activities
47,348

 
109,429

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net Proceeds from (payments made on) financing arrangements, including FHLBI advances and payments
16,955

 
(32,945
)
Common stock issuance (repurchases), net
(198
)
 
20,839

Dividends paid on common stock
(26,256
)
 
(28,376
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(3,225
)
 
(1,453
)
Payments made on residential collateralized debt obligations
(6,715
)
 
(7,205
)
Payments made on multi-family collateralized debt obligations
(34,741
)
 
(19,790
)
Payments made on securitized debt
(33,717
)
 
(32,755
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(87,897
)
 
(101,685
)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(22,028
)
 
13,392

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period
61,959

 
75,598

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period
$
39,931

 
$
88,990

 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)


Supplemental Disclosure:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
75,048

 
$
82,606

Cash paid for income taxes
$
807

 
$
1,180

Non-Cash Investment Activities:
 
 
 
Sales of investment securities not yet settled
$
1,858

 
$
19,373

Purchase of investment securities not yet settled
$
311,250

 
$
350,145

Deconsolidation of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
—

 
$
1,075,529

Deconsolidation of multi-family collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
1,031,268

Non-Cash Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Dividends declared on common stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
26,258

 
$
29,147

Dividends declared on preferred stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
3,225

 
$
1,453


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2016
(unaudited)
1.
Organization

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries ("NYMT," "we," "our," or the “Company"), is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, in the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing primarily mortgage-related assets and financial assets. Our objective is to deliver stable distributions to our stockholders over diverse economic conditions through a combination of income generated by net interest margin and net realized capital gains from our diversified investment portfolio. Our portfolio includes residential mortgage loans, including loans sourced from distressed markets, multi-family CMBS, mezzanine loans to and preferred equity investments in owners of multi-family properties, equity and debt securities issued by entities that invest in commercial real estate and commercial real estate-related debt investments, Agency RMBS consisting of fixed-rate, adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS and Agency IOs consisting of interest only and inverse interest-only RMBS that represent the right to the interest component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans and certain other investments in mortgage-related and financial assets.

The Company conducts its business through the parent company, New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., and several subsidiaries, including special purpose subsidiaries established for residential loan, distressed residential loan and CMBS securitization purposes, taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") and qualified REIT subsidiaries ("QRSs"). The Company consolidates all of its subsidiaries under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Company will generally not be subject to federal income tax on that portion of its income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders by the due date of its federal income tax return and complies with various other requirements.


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2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Definitions – The following defines certain of the commonly used terms in these financial statements: 

“RMBS” refers to residential adjustable-rate, hybrid adjustable-rate, fixed-rate, interest only and inverse interest only and principal only mortgage-backed securities;
“Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”);
“Non-Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS backed by prime jumbo mortgage loans including re-performing and non-performing loans;
“IOs” refers collectively to interest only and inverse interest only mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the interest component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;
“POs” refers to mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the principal component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;
“Agency IOs” refers to an IO that represents the right to the interest component of the cash flows from a pool of residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a GSE or an agency of the U.S. government;
“ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans;
“Prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARM loans (“prime ARM loans”) held in securitization trusts; “Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS;
“CMBS” refers to commercial mortgage-backed securities comprised of commercial mortgage pass-through securities, as well as IO or PO securities that represent the right to a specific component of the cash flow from a pool of commercial mortgage loans;
“Multi-family CMBS” refers to CMBS backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties; “CDOs” refers to collateralized debt obligations; and
“CLO” refers to collateralized loan obligations.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are unaudited. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including valuation of its CMBS investments, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and multi-family CDOs, as well as, income recognition on distressed residential mortgage loans purchased at a discount. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.

Principles of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a VIE where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.



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A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE, herein referred to as a "Consolidated VIE". As primary beneficiary, it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

Investment Securities Available for Sale – The Company's investment securities, where the fair value option has not been elected and which are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”), include Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS and CMBS. The Company has elected the fair value option for its Agency IOs, U.S. Treasury securities, certain Agency ARMs and Agency fixed rate securities within the Agency IO portfolio, which measures unrealized gains and losses through earnings in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value option was elected for these investment securities to better match the accounting for these investment securities with the related derivative instruments within the Agency IO portfolio, which are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes.

The Company generally intends to hold its investment securities until maturity; however, from time to time, it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business. As a result, our investment securities are classified as available for sale securities. Realized gains and losses recorded on the sale of investment securities available for sale are based on the specific identification method and included in realized gain (loss) on investment securities and related hedges in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Interest income on our investment securities available for sale is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Purchase premiums or discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted to interest income over the estimated life of the investment securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to amortization are made for actual prepayment activity.

Interest income on our credit sensitive securities, such as our CMBS that were purchased at a discount to par value, is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate on these securities is based on management’s estimate from each security of the projected cash flows, which are estimated based on assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, management reviews and, if appropriate, adjusts its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the yield/interest income recognized on these securities.

A portion of the purchase discount on the Company’s first loss tranche PO multi-family CMBS is designated as non-accretable purchase discount or credit reserve, which partially mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such multi-family CMBS, and is not expected to be accreted into interest income. The amount designated as a credit reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors. If the performance of a security with a credit reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as credit reserve may be accreted into interest income over time. Conversely, if the performance of a security with a credit reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as credit reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and writedowns of such securities to a new cost basis could be required.

The Company accounts for debt securities that are of high credit quality (generally those rated AA or better by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization, or NRSRO) at date of acquisition in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320-10. The Company accounts for debt securities that are not of high credit quality (i.e., those whose risk of loss is less than remote) or securities that can be contractually prepaid such that we would not recover our initial investment at the date of acquisition in accordance with ASC 325-40. The Company considers credit ratings, the underlying credit risk and other market factors in determining whether the debt securities are of high credit quality; however, securities rated lower than AA or an equivalent rating are not considered of high credit quality and are accounted for in accordance with ASC 325-40. If ratings are inconsistent among NRSROs, the Company uses the lower rating in determining whether the securities are of high credit quality.





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The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary” by applying the guidance prescribed in ASC Topic 320-10. When the fair value of an investment security is less than its amortized cost as of the reporting balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired.  If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then it must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value as of the balance sheet date. If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses is recognized through earnings with the remainder recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income (loss) do not impact earnings. Following the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security, which may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings. However, other-than-temporary impairments recognized through earnings may be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income. The determination as to whether an other-than-temporary impairment exists and, if so, the amount considered other-than-temporarily impaired is subjective, as such determinations are based on both factual and subjective information available at the time of assessment as well the Company’s estimates of the future performance and cash flow projections. As a result, the timing and amount of other-than-temporary impairments constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change.

In determining the other-than temporary impairment related to credit losses for securities that are not of high credit quality, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected at the prior reporting date or purchase date, whichever is most recent against the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected at the current financial reporting date. The Company considers information available about the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities and delinquency rates.

Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of certain ARM loans transferred to Consolidated VIEs that have been securitized into sequentially rated classes of beneficial interests. The Company accounted for these securitization trusts as financings which are consolidated into the Company’s financial statements. Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are carried at their unpaid principal balances, net of unamortized premium or discount, unamortized loan origination costs and allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued and recognized as revenue when earned according to the terms of the mortgage loans and when, in the opinion of management, it is collectible. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is not collectible in the normal course of business, but in no case when payment becomes greater than 90 days delinquent. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

We establish an allowance for loan losses based on management's judgment and estimate of credit losses inherent in our portfolio of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. Estimation involves the consideration of various credit-related factors, including but not limited to, macro-economic conditions, current housing market conditions, loan-to-value ratios, delinquency status, historical credit loss severity rates, purchased mortgage insurance, the borrower's current economic condition and other factors deemed to warrant consideration. Additionally, we look at the balance of any delinquent loan and compare that to the current value of the collateralizing property. We utilize various home valuation methodologies including appraisals, broker pricing opinions, internet-based property data services to review comparable properties in the same area or consult with a real estate agent in the property's area.

Acquired Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans – Distressed residential mortgage loans are comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company at a discount, with evidence of credit deterioration since their origination and where it is possible that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal payments. Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are distressed residential mortgage loans transferred to Consolidated VIEs that have been securitized into beneficial interests. The Company accounted for these securitization trusts as financings which are consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.

Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans that have evidence of deteriorated credit quality at acquisition are accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). Management evaluates whether there is evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the acquisition date using indicators such as past due or modified status, risk ratings, recent borrower credit scores and recent loan-to-value percentages. Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans are recorded at fair value as the date of acquisition, with no allowance for loan losses. Under ASC 310-30, the acquired loans may be accounted for individually or aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans if the loans being aggregated have common risk characteristics. A pool is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an expectation of aggregate cash flows. Once a pool is assembled, it is treated as if it was one loan for purposes of applying the accounting guidance.

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Under ASC 310-30, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the “accretable yield,” is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans in each pool or individually using a level yield methodology. Accordingly, our acquired distressed residential mortgage loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are not subject to classification as nonaccrual classification in the same manner as our residential mortgage loans that were not distressed when acquired by us. Rather, interest income on acquired distressed residential mortgage loans relates to the accretable yield recognized at the pool level or on an individual loan basis, and not to contractual interest payments received at the loan level. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected, referred to as the “nonaccretable difference,” includes estimates of both the impact of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the individual loan, or the pool (for loans grouped into a pool).

Management monitors actual cash collections against its expectations, and revised cash flow estimates are prepared as necessary. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the loan pool or individual loan, as applicable, is impaired thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. An increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods initially reduces any previously established allowance for loan losses by the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, and results in a recalculation of the amount of accretable yield for the loan pool. The adjustment of accretable yield due to an increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. The additional cash flows expected to be collected are reclassified from the nonaccretable difference to the accretable yield, and the amount of periodic accretion is adjusted accordingly over the remaining life of the loans in the pool or individual loan, as applicable. The impacts of (i) prepayments, (ii) changes in variable interest rates, and (iii) any other changes in the timing of expected cash flows are recognized prospectively as adjustments to interest income.

A distressed residential mortgage loan disposal, which may include a loan sale, receipt of payment in full from the borrower or foreclosure, results in removal of the loan from the loan pool at its allocated carrying amount. In the event of a sale of the loan and receipt of payment (in full or partial) from the borrower, a gain or loss on sale is recognized and reported based on the difference between the sales proceeds or payment from the borrower and the allocated carrying amount of the acquired distressed residential mortgage loan. In the case of a foreclosure, an individual loan is removed from the pool, a gain or loss on sale is recognized and reported based on the difference between the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell and the carrying amount of the acquired distressed residential mortgage loan.

The Company uses the specific allocation method for the removal of loans as the estimated cash flows and related carrying amount for each individual loan are known. In these cases, the remaining accretable yield is unaffected and any material change in remaining effective yield caused by the removal of the loan from the pool is addressed by the re-assessment of the estimate of cash flows for the pool prospectively.

Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans subject to modification are not removed from the pool even if those loans would otherwise be considered troubled debt restructurings because the pool, and not the individual loan, represents the unit of account.

For individual loans not accounted for in pools that are sold or satisfied by payment in full, a gain or loss on sale is recognized and reported based on the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the acquired distressed residential mortgage loan. In the case of a foreclosure, a gain or loss sale is recognized and reported based on the difference between the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell and the carrying amount of the acquired distressed residential mortgage loan.


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Multi-Family Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in five Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations (the “Consolidated K-Series”) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Based on a number of factors, we determined that we were the primary beneficiary of each VIE within the Consolidated K-Series, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, have consolidated these Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses in our financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations be reflected in the Company's accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company has adopted ASU 2014-13 effective January 1, 2016, which updates the guidance on measuring the financial assets and financial liabilities of consolidated collateralized financing entities, or CFEs. The update allows the Company to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying CFE it consolidates using the fair value of either the CFE’s financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable. As the Company’s securitization trusts are considered qualifying CFEs, the Company determines the fair value of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts based on the fair value of its multi-family collateralized debt obligations and its retained interests from these securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable.

Interest income is accrued and recognized as revenue when earned according to the terms of the mortgage loans and when, in the opinion of management, it is collectible. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is not collectible in the normal course of business, but in no case when payment becomes greater than 90 days delinquent. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

Mezzanine Loan and Preferred Equity Investments – The Company invests in mezzanine loans and preferred equity of entities that have significant real estate assets. The mezzanine loan is secured by a pledge of the borrower’s equity ownership in the property. Unlike a mortgage, this loan does not represent a lien on the property. Therefore, it is always junior and subordinate to any first-lien as well as second liens, if applicable, on the property. These loans are senior to any preferred equity or common equity interests.

A preferred equity investment is an equity investment in the entity that owns the underlying property. Preferred equity is not secured by the underlying property, but holders have priority relative to common equity holders on cash flow distributions and proceeds from capital events. In addition, preferred equity holders may be able to enhance their position and protect their equity position with covenants that limit the entity’s activities and grant the holder the exclusive right to control the property after an event of default.

Mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments, where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to mezzanine loans, are accounted for as loans and are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, net of valuation allowances, and are included in receivables and other assets. The Company has evaluated its mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments for accounting treatment as loans versus equity investment utilizing the guidance provided by the ADC Arrangements Subsection of ASC 310, Receivables.
 
For mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments where the characteristics, facts and circumstances indicate that loan accounting treatment is appropriate, the Company accretes or amortizes any discounts or premiums and deferred fees and expenses over the life of the related asset utilizing the effective interest method or straight line-method, if the result is not materially different.

Management evaluates the collectibility of both interest and principal of each of our loans, if circumstances warrant, to determine whether they are impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated by comparing the carrying amount of the investment to the estimated fair value of the loan or, as a practical expedient, to the value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest income is accrued and recognized as revenue when earned according to the terms of the loans and when, in the opinion of management, it is collectible. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is not collectible in the normal course of business, but in all cases when payment becomes greater than 90 days delinquent. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

The Company had preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments accounted for as loans included in receivables and other assets in the amounts of $44.4 million and $44.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to an equity investment are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. See “Investment in Unconsolidated Entities.”
 

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Mortgage Loans Held for Investment – Mortgage loans held for investment are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, net of valuation allowances, and are included in receivables and other assets. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Amortization of premiums and discounts is recorded using the effective yield method. Interest income, amortization of premiums and discounts and prepayment fees are reported in interest income. A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that based upon current information and events, the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Based on the facts and circumstances of the individual loans being impaired, loan specific valuation allowances are established for the excess carrying value of the loan over either: (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (ii) the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent, or (iii) the loan’s observable market price.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities – Non-controlling, unconsolidated ownership interests in an entity may be accounted for using the equity method, at fair value or the cost method. In circumstances where the Company has a non-controlling interest but either owns a significant interest or is able to exert influence over the affairs of the enterprise, the Company utilizes the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the initial investment is increased each period for additional capital contributions and a proportionate share of the entity’s earnings or preferred return and decreased for cash distributions and a proportionate share of the entity’s losses. Management periodically reviews its investments for impairment based on projected cash flows from the entity over the holding period. When any impairment is identified, the investments are written down to recoverable amounts. The Company had equity method investments included in receivables and other assets in the amounts of $19.9 million and $20.1 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The Company may account for an investment in an unconsolidated entity at fair value by electing the fair value option. The Company elected the fair value option for certain investments in unconsolidated entities that own interests (directly or indirectly) in commercial and residential real estate assets because the Company determined that such presentation represents the underlying economics of the respective investment. The Company records the change in fair value of its investment in other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company had investments in unconsolidated entities at fair value included in receivables and other assets in the amounts of $65.8 million and $67.6 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Investments in unconsolidated entities accounted at fair value consist of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Investment Name
 
Ownership Interest
Carrying Amount
 
Ownership Interest
Carrying Amount
RB Development Holding Company, LLC
 
63%
$
2,034

 
63%
$
1,927

RB Multifamily Investors LLC (1)
 
70%
$
54,814

 
70%
$
56,891

Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
11%
$
8,950

 
13%
$
8,753


(1) Includes the Company's preferred and common equity interests.

The following table presents income (loss) from investments in unconsolidated entities accounted at fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Investment Name
 
2016
 
2015
RB Development Holding Company, LLC
 
$
107

 
$
35

RB Multifamily Investors LLC (1)
 
1,756

 
1,147

Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
357

 
—









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The Company accounts for an investment that does not qualify for equity method accounting or for which the fair value option was not elected using the cost method if the Company determines the investment in the unconsolidated entity is insignificant. Under the cost method, equity in earnings is recorded as dividends are received to the extent they are not considered a return of capital, which is recorded as a reduction of cost of the investment. The Company had no investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for using the cost method.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and overnight deposits. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in highly rated financial institutions, and at times these balances exceed insurable amounts.

Receivables and Other Assets – Receivables and other assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 include restricted cash held by third parties of $27.3 million and $20.8 million, respectively. Included in restricted cash is $13.5 million and $11.6 million held in our Agency IO portfolio to be used for trading purposes and $13.3 million and $8.2 million held by counterparties as collateral for hedging instruments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Interest receivable on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts is also included in the amounts of $24.5 million and $24.6 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments – The Company finances the majority of its Agency RMBS using repurchase agreements. Under a repurchase agreement, an asset is sold to a counterparty to be repurchased at a future date at a predetermined price, which represents the original sales price plus interest. The Company accounts for these repurchase agreements as financings and are carried at their contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements. Borrowings under repurchase agreements generally bear interest rates of a specified margin over one-month LIBOR.

On February 20, 2015, our wholly-owned, captive-insurance subsidiary, Great Lakes Insurance Holdings LLC (“GLIH”), became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”). On January 12, 2016, the regulator of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") system, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, released a final rule that amends regulations governing FHLB membership, including preventing captive insurance companies from being eligible for FHLB membership. Under the terms of the final rule, the Company's captive insurance subsidiary is required to terminate its membership and repay its existing advances within one year following the effective date of the final rule. In addition, the Company's captive insurance subsidiary is prohibited from taking new advances or renewing existing maturing advances during the one year transition period. The final rule became effective on February 19, 2016. During January 2016, the Company repaid all of its outstanding FHLBI advances, which repayment was funded primarily through repurchase agreement financing.

Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans – The Company finances a portion of its residential mortgage loans, including its distressed residential mortgage loans through a repurchase agreement, expiring within 12 to 15 months. The borrowing under the repurchase agreement bears an interest rate of a specified margin over one-month LIBOR. The repurchase agreement is treated as a collateralized financing transaction and is carried at the contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreement. Costs related to the establishment of the repurchase agreement which include underwriting, legal, accounting and other fees are reflected as deferred charges. Such costs are presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability on the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $1.9 million as of March 31, 2016 and $2.3 million as of December 31, 2015. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, or straight line-method, if the result is not materially different.

Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations (“Residential CDOs”) – We use Residential CDOs to permanently finance our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. For financial reporting purposes, the ARM loans held as collateral are recorded as assets of the Company and the Residential CDOs are recorded as the Company’s debt. The Company completed four securitizations in 2005 and 2006.The first three were accounted for as a permanent financing while the fourth was accounted for as a sale and accordingly, is not included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Multi-Family Collateralized Debt Obligations (“Multi-Family CDOs”) – We consolidated the Consolidated K-Series including their debt, referred to as Multi-Family CDOs, in our financial statements. The Multi-Family CDOs permanently finance the multi-family mortgage loans held in the Consolidated K-Series securitizations. For financial reporting purposes, the loans held as collateral are recorded as assets of the Company and the Multi-Family CDOs are recorded as the Company’s debt. We refer to both the Residential CDOs and Multi-Family CDOs as CDOs in this report.





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Securitized Debt – Securitized Debt represents third-party liabilities of Consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that are eliminated on consolidation. The Company has entered into several financing transactions that resulted in the Company consolidating as VIEs the special purpose entities (the “SPEs”) that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which underlying assets in connection with the financing were transferred. The Company engaged in these transactions primarily to obtain permanent or longer term financing on a portion of its multi-family CMBS and acquired distressed residential mortgage loans.

Costs related to issuance of securitized debt which include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees are reflected as deferred charges. Such costs are presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability on the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $0.5 million and $1.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, or straight line-method, if the result is not materially different.

Derivative Financial Instruments – In accordance with ASC 815, the Company records derivative financial instruments on its consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative instruments and whether they qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

In connection with our investment in Agency IOs, the Company uses several types of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, futures, put and call options on futures and TBAs to hedge the interest rate risk, as well as spread risk associated with these investments. The Company also purchase, or sells short, To-Be-Announced securities (“TBAs”) through its Agency IO portfolio. TBAs are forward-settling purchases and sales of Agency RMBS where the underlying pools of mortgage loans are “To-Be-Announced.” Pursuant to these TBA transactions, we agree to purchase or sell, for future settlement, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered is not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. For TBA contracts that we have entered into, we have not asserted that physical settlement is probable, therefore we have not designated these forward commitments as hedging instruments. The use of TBAs, futures, options on futures and interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio hedge the overall risk profile of investment securities in the portfolio. The derivative instruments in our Agency IO portfolio are not designated as hedging instruments, therefore realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with these derivative instruments are recognized through earnings and reported as part of the other income (loss) category in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with borrowings made under its financing arrangements and Residential CDOs. We typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one month LIBOR, on the notional amount of the interest rate swaps. The floating rate we receive under our swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics and cash flows of our financing arrangements. These interest rate swaps, qualify as a cash flow hedge, where the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instruments in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change

Termination of Hedging Relationships – The Company employs risk management monitoring procedures to ensure that the designated hedging relationships are demonstrating, and are expected to continue to demonstrate, a high level of effectiveness. Hedge accounting is discontinued on a prospective basis if it is determined that the hedging relationship is no longer highly effective or expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged item.

Additionally, the Company may elect to un-designate a hedge relationship during an interim period and re-designate upon the rebalancing of a hedge profile and the corresponding hedge relationship. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the Company continues to carry the derivative instruments at fair value with changes recorded in current earnings.

Manager Compensation – We are a party to separate investment management agreements with Headlands Asset Management LLC (“Headlands”), The Midway Group, LP (“Midway”) and RiverBanc LLC (“RiverBanc”), with Headlands providing investment management services with respect to our investments in certain distressed residential mortgage loans, Midway providing investment management services with respect to our investments in Agency IOs, and RiverBanc providing investment management services with respect to our investments in multifamily CMBS and certain commercial real estate-related equity and debt investments. These investment management agreements provide for the payment to our investment managers of a management fee, incentive fee and reimbursement of certain operating expenses, which are accrued and expensed during the period for which they are earned or incurred.



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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) available to common stockholders includes net income, the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its available for sale securities and its derivative hedging instruments, currently comprised of interest rate swaps, (to the extent that such changes are not recorded in earnings), adjusted by realized net gains/(losses) reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) for available for sale securities and is reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock.

Employee Benefits Plans – The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan (the “Plan”) for all eligible domestic employees. The Plan qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The Company made no contributions to the Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Stock Based Compensation – The Company has awarded restricted stock to eligible employees and officers as part of their compensation. Compensation expense for equity based awards and stock issued for services are recognized over the vesting period of such awards and services based upon the fair value of the award at the grant date.

In May 2015, the Company granted certain Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) which cliff vest after a three-year period, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of three-year total stockholder return (“TSR”) and the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of certain peer companies. The feature in this award constitutes a “market condition” which impacts the amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards. The grant date fair values of PSAs were determined through Monte-Carlo simulation analysis.

Income Taxes – The Company operates in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT under the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Requirements for qualification as a REIT include various restrictions on ownership of the Company’s stock, requirements concerning distribution of taxable income and certain restrictions on the nature of assets and sources of income. A REIT must distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders, of which 85% plus any undistributed amounts from the prior year must be distributed within the taxable year in order to avoid the imposition of an excise tax. Distribution of the remaining balance may extend until timely filing of the Company’s tax return in the subsequent taxable year. Qualifying distributions of taxable income are deductible by a REIT in computing taxable income.

Certain activities of the Company are conducted through TRSs and therefore are subject to federal and various state and local income taxes. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

ASC 740, Income Taxes, provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. ASC 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. In situations involving uncertain tax positions related to income tax matters, we do not recognize benefits unless it is more likely than not that they will be sustained. ASC 740 was applied to all open taxable years as of the effective date. Management’s determinations regarding ASC 740 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, an ongoing analysis of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. The Company will recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company.

Segment Reporting – ASC 280, Segment Reporting, is the authoritative guidance for the way public entities report information about operating segments in their annual financial statements. We are a REIT focused on the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing primarily mortgage-related and financial assets, and currently operate in only one reportable segment.


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Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition (Topic 606)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). This guidance creates a new, principle-based revenue recognition framework that will affect nearly every revenue-generating entity. ASU 2014-09 also creates a new topic in the Codification, Topic 606 (“ASC 606”). In addition to superseding and replacing nearly all existing U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, ASC 606 does the following: (1) establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model; (2) changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time; (3) provides new and more detailed guidance on specific aspects of revenue recognition; and (4) expands and improves disclosures about revenue. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 that defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early application is not permitted for public business entities. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.


Consolidation (Topic 810)

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-13, Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity (“ASU 2014-13”). For entities that consolidate a collateralized financing entity within the scope of this update, an option to elect to measure the financial assets and the financial liabilities of that collateralized financing entity using either the measurement alternative included in this Update or Topic 820 on fair value measurement is provided. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU using the modified retrospective approach did not have an impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”) which changes the guidance on the consolidation of certain investment funds as well as both the variable interest model and the voting model. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Interest - Imputation of Interest (Topic 835)

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"). The amendments in ASU 2016-01 require (1) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (2) public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (3) separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and (4) significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.


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Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02") which required organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations creates by those leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. Both types of leases however must now be recognized on the balance sheet. The lessee will be required to recognize both a lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323)

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting ("ASU 2016-07"). The amendments eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required.

Additionally, the amendments require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). The amendments simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transaction including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. The Company has determined that this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.





20
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3.
Investment Securities Available For Sale

Investment securities available for sale consisted of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized  Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized  Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Agency RMBS (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
$
79,924

 
$
190

 
$
(229
)
 
$
79,885

 
$
62,383

 
$
41

 
$
(770
)
 
$
61,654

Fannie Mae
88,005

 
224

 
(393
)
 
87,836

 
92,605

 
121

 
(1,334
)
 
91,392

Ginnie Mae
35,985

 
166

 
(253
)
 
35,898

 
20,172

 
55

 
(260
)
 
19,967

Total Agency ARMs
203,914

 
580

 
(875
)
 
203,619

 
175,160

 
217

 
(2,364
)
 
173,013

Agency Fixed Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
29,994

 
—

 
(287
)
 
29,707

 
31,076

 
—

 
(719
)
 
30,357

Fannie Mae
365,466

 
—

 
(6,369
)
 
359,097

 
380,684

 
—

 
(12,149
)
 
368,535

Ginnie Mae
521

 
—

 
(8
)
 
513

 
25,923

 
9

 
(111
)
 
25,821

Total Agency Fixed Rate
395,981

 
—

 
(6,664
)
 
389,317

 
437,683

 
9

 
(12,979
)
 
424,713

Agency IOs (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
26,216

 
860

 
(4,676
)
 
22,400

 
28,970

 
680

 
(4,471
)
 
25,179

Fannie Mae
37,632

 
446

 
(7,718
)
 
30,360

 
39,603

 
433

 
(6,341
)
 
33,695

Ginnie Mae
70,794

 
1,697

 
(8,043
)
 
64,448

 
63,050

 
511

 
(7,045
)
 
56,516

Total Agency IOs
134,642

 
3,003

 
(20,437
)
 
117,208

 
131,623

 
1,624

 
(17,857
)
 
115,390

Total Agency RMBS
734,537

 
3,583

 
(27,976
)
 
710,144

 
744,466

 
1,850

 
(33,200
)
 
713,116

Non-Agency RMBS
17,126

 
120

 
(247
)
 
16,999

 
1,727

 
51

 
(211
)
 
1,567

U.S. Treasury securities (1)
7,982

 
7

 
—

 
7,989

 
10,113

 
—

 
(76
)
 
10,037

CMBS (2)
47,237

 
12,104

 
—

 
59,341

 
28,692

 
12,042

 
—

 
40,734

Total investment securities available for sale
$
806,882

 
$
15,814

 
$
(28,223
)
 
$
794,473

 
$
784,998

 
$
13,943

 
$
(33,487
)
 
$
765,454


(1) Included in investment securities available for sale are Agency IOs, Agency RMBS and U.S. Treasury securities managed by Midway that are measured at fair value through earnings.
(2) Included in CMBS is $41.5 million and $40.7 million of investment securities for sale held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Realized Gain or Loss Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company received proceeds of approximately $58.9 million on sales of investment securities available for sale realizing a loss of approximately $0.5 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company had no sales of investments securities.

Weighted Average Life

Actual maturities of our available for sale securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities (with maturities up to 30 years), as they are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments and prepayments of principal. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, based on management’s estimates using the three month historical constant prepayment rate (“CPR”), the weighted average life of the Company’s available for sale securities portfolio was approximately 4.2 years and 5 years, respectively.

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The following table sets forth the weighted average lives our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Weighted Average Life
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
0 to 5 years
$
622,949

 
$
518,594

Over 5 to 10 years
152,537

 
219,747

10+ years
18,987

 
27,113

Total
$
794,473

 
$
765,454


Portfolio Interest Reset Periods

The following tables set forth the stated reset periods of our investment securities available for sale and investment securities available for sale held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 at carrying value (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Less than 6
months
 
6 to 24
months
 
More than
24 months
 
Total
 
Less than
6 months
 
6 to 24
months
 
More than
24 months
 
Total
Agency RMBS
$
146,846

 
$
53,003

 
$
510,295

 
$
710,144

 
$
92,693

 
$
44,700

 
$
575,723

 
$
713,116

Non-Agency RMBS
15,309

 
—

 
1,690

 
16,999

 
188

 
1,379

 
—

 
1,567

U.S. Treasury securities
—

 
7,989

 
—

 
7,989

 
10,037

 
—

 
—

 
10,037

CMBS
17,851

 
—

 
41,490

 
59,341

 
—

 
—

 
40,734

 
40,734

Total investment securities available for sale
$
180,006

 
$
60,992

 
$
553,475

 
$
794,473

 
$
102,918

 
$
46,079

 
$
616,457

 
$
765,454


Unrealized Losses in OCI

The following tables present the Company's investment securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position reported through OCI, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
March 31, 2016
Less than 12 Months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Agency RMBS
$
18,641

 
$
(359
)
 
$
455,020

 
$
(7,125
)
 
$
473,661

 
$
(7,484
)
Non-Agency RMBS
—

 
—

 
712

 
(247
)
 
712

 
(247
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
18,641

 
$
(359
)
 
$
455,732

 
$
(7,372
)
 
$
474,373

 
$
(7,731
)

December 31, 2015
Less than 12 Months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Agency RMBS
$
71,587

 
$
(688
)
 
$
476,157

 
$
(14,497
)
 
$
547,744

 
$
(15,185
)
Non-Agency RMBS
771

 
—

 
796

 
(211
)
 
1,567

 
(211
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
72,358

 
$
(688
)
 
$
476,953

 
$
(14,708
)
 
$
549,311

 
$
(15,396
)

Other than Temporary Impairment

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment through earnings.

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4.
Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts (Net) and Real Estate Owned

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net) consist of the following as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Unpaid principal balance
$
116,118

 
$
122,545

Deferred origination costs – net
736

 
775

Reserve for loan losses
(3,668
)
 
(3,399
)
Total
$
113,186

 
$
119,921


Allowance for Loan Losses - The following table presents the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
3,399

 
$
3,631

Provisions for loan losses
246

 
310

Transfer to real estate owned
23

 
1

Charge-offs
—

 
—

Balance at the end of period
$
3,668

 
$
3,942


On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses. The Company’s allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2016 was $3.7 million, representing 316 basis points of the outstanding principal balance of residential loans held in securitization trusts, as compared to 277 basis points as of December 31, 2015. As part of the Company’s allowance for loan loss adequacy analysis, management will assess an overall level of allowances while also assessing credit losses inherent in each non-performing residential mortgage loan held in securitization trusts. These estimates involve the consideration of various credit related factors, including but not limited to, current housing market conditions, current loan to value ratios, delinquency status, the borrower’s current economic and credit status and other relevant factors.

Real Estate Owned – The following table presents the activity in the Company’s real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
411

 
$
965

Write downs
—

 
—

Transfer from/(to) mortgage loans held in securitization trusts
23

 
(192
)
Disposal
—

 
(315
)
Balance at the end of period
$
434

 
$
458


Real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts are included in receivables and other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and write downs are included in provision for loan losses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for reporting purposes.


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All of the Company’s mortgage loans and real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts are pledged as collateral for the Residential CDOs issued by the Company. The Company’s net investment in the residential securitization trusts, which is the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that is at risk to loss and represents the difference between (i) the carrying amount of the mortgage loans and real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.3 million and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Delinquency Status of Our Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts

As of March 31, 2016, we had 34 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $19.2 million categorized as Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts (net) of which $11.7 million, or 61%, are under some form of temporary modified payment plan. The table below shows delinquencies in our portfolio of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, including real estate owned (“REO”) through foreclosure, as of March 31, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2016
Days Late
Number of
Delinquent
Loans 
 
Total
Unpaid
Principal 
 
% of Loan
Portfolio 
30 - 60
4
 
$
1,033

 
0.89
%
61 - 90
1
 
$
685

 
0.59
%
90 +
29
 
$
17,491

 
14.99
%
Real estate owned through foreclosure
3
 
$
574

 
0.49
%

As of December 31, 2015, we had 31 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $18.0 million categorized as Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts (net), of which $11.9 million, or 67%, are under some form of modified payment plan. The table below shows delinquencies in our portfolio of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, including real estate owned through foreclosure (REO), as of December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):

December 31, 2015
Days Late
Number of Delinquent
Loans 
 
Total
Unpaid Principal 
 
% of Loan
Portfolio 
30 - 60
3
 
$
825

 
0.67
%
61 - 90
2
 
$
1,763

 
1.43
%
90 +
26
 
$
15,365

 
12.48
%
Real estate owned through foreclosure
3
 
$
574

 
0.47
%

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances in our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts and real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
New York
34.1
%
 
35.6
%
Massachusetts
20.9
%
 
20.7
%
New Jersey
11.6
%
 
11.1
%
Florida
8.0
%
 
7.7
%
Connecticut
6.8
%
 
6.5
%


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5.
Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the Company’s distressed residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, amounts to approximately $537.6 million and $559.0 million, respectively.

The Company considers its purchase price for the distressed residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, to be at fair value at the date of acquisition. The Company only establishes an allowance for loan losses subsequent to acquisition.

There were no acquisitions of distressed residential mortgage loans during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

The following table presents information regarding the estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the distressed residential mortgage loans acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
Contractually required principal and interest
$
52,302

Non-accretable yield
(5,464
)
Expected cash flows to be collected
46,838

Accretable yield
(25,759
)
Fair value at the date of acquisition
$
21,079


The following table details activity in accretable yield for the distressed residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
579,009

 
$
640,416

Additions
29,581

 
1,317

Disposals
(59,629
)
 
(12,658
)
Accretion
(8,815
)
 
(10,218
)
Balance at end of period (1)
$
540,146

 
$
618,857


(1) 
Accretable yield is the excess of the distressed residential mortgage loans’ cash flows expected to be collected over the purchase price. The cash flows expected to be collected represents the Company’s estimate of the amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest cash flows. Additions include accretable yield estimates for purchases made during the period and reclassification to accretable yield from nonaccretable yield. Deletions include distressed residential mortgage loan dispositions, which include refinancing, sale and foreclosure of the underlying collateral and resulting removal of the distressed residential mortgage loans from the accretable yield, and reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable yield. The reclassifications between accretable and nonaccretable yield and the accretion of interest income is based on various estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. As the Company continues to update its estimates regarding the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is not necessarily indicative of future results.


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Table of Contents


The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the unpaid principal balance of our distressed residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are as follows:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Florida
11.9
%
 
12.6
%
California
8.3
%
 
7.7
%
North Carolina
8.0
%
 
8.1
%
Georgia
6.1
%
 
6.1
%
Maryland
5.2
%
 
5.4
%
New York
5.0
%
 
5.2
%

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had no distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. At December 31, 2015, the Company's distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value of approximately $114.2 million were pledged as collateral for certain of the Securitized Debt issued by the Company (see Note 7). In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $247.7 million and $307.0 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a Master Repurchase Agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch (see Note 10).

6.
Consolidated K-Series

The Company has elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations in the assets and liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series be reflected in the Company's statements of operations. Our investment in the Consolidated K-Series is limited to the multi-family CMBS comprised of first loss tranche PO securities and/or certain IOs issued by certain K-Series securitizations with an aggregate net carrying value of $293.3 million and $286.4 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (see Note 7). The Consolidated K-Series is comprised of five K-Series securitizations as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated K-Series at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

Balance Sheets
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
7,250,586

 
$
7,105,336

Receivables
24,492

 
24,579

Total Assets
$
7,275,078

 
$
7,129,915

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Multi-family CDOs
$
6,957,293

 
$
6,818,901

Accrued expenses
24,396

 
24,483

Total Liabilities
6,981,689

 
6,843,384

Equity
293,389

 
286,531

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
7,275,078

 
$
7,129,915


The multi-family loans held in securitization trusts had an unpaid principal balance of approximately $6.8 billion and $6.8 billion at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The multi-family CDOs had an unpaid principal balance of approximately $6.8 billion at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the current weighted average interest rate on these multi-family CDOs was 3.98%.

In February 2015, the Company sold a first loss PO security in one of the Company’s Consolidated K-Series obtaining total proceeds of approximately $44.3 million and realizing a gain of approximately $1.5 million. The sale resulted in a de-consolidation of $1.1 billion in Multi-Family loans held in a securitization trust and $1.0 billion in Multi-Family CDOs.


26
Table of Contents



The Company does not have any claims to the assets or obligations for the liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series (other than the security represented by our first loss tranche securities). We have elected the fair value option for the Consolidated K-Series. The net fair value of our investment in the Consolidated K-Series, which represents the difference between the carrying values of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts less the carrying value of multi-family CDOs, approximates the fair value of our underlying securities. The fair value of our underlying securities is determined using the same valuation methodology as our CMBS investments available for sale (see Note 14).

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the Consolidated K-Series for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Statements of Operations
2016
 
2015
Interest income
$
63,532

 
$
66,300

Interest expense
57,200

 
60,095

Net interest income
6,332

 
6,205

Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
818

 
13,628

Net Income
$
7,150

 
$
19,833


The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to our CMBS investments included in investment securities available for sale and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are as follows:

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
California
13.9
%
 
13.8
%
Texas
12.4
%
 
12.3
%
New York
8.1
%
 
8.0
%
Maryland
5.3
%
 
5.2
%


27
Table of Contents


7.
Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities

The Company uses SPEs to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or re-securitizing previously securitized financial assets. The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms. Securitization involves transferring assets to an SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments. Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement, such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement.    

The Company has entered into resecuritization and financing transactions which required the Company to analyze and determine whether the SPEs that were created to facilitate the transactions are VIEs in accordance with ASC 810 and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. The Company evaluated the following resecuritization and financing transactions: 1) its Residential CDOs completed in 2005; 2) its multi-family CMBS re-securitization transaction completed in May 2012; 3) its collateralized recourse financing transactions completed in November 2013 and 4) its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transactions completed in December 2012, July 2013 and September 2013 (each a “Financing VIE” and collectively, the “Financing VIEs”) and concluded that the entities created to facilitate each of the transactions are VIEs and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the Financing VIEs as of March 31, 2016.

The Company invests in multi-family CMBS consisting of PO securities that represent the first loss tranche of the securitizations from which they were issued, and certain IOs issued from Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trusts. The Company has evaluated these CMBS investments in Freddie Mac-sponsored K-Series securitization trusts to determine whether they are VIEs and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. The Company has determined that five Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively are VIEs. The Company also determined that it is the primary beneficiary of each VIE within the Consolidated K-Series and, accordingly, has consolidated its assets, liabilities, income and expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (see Notes 2 and 6). One of the Company’s multi-family CMBS investments included in the Consolidated K-Series (herein referred to as "Non-Financed VIEs") is not subject to any financing as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

In analyzing whether the Company is primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and the Financing VIEs (collectively referred to in this footnote as "Consolidated VIEs"), the Company considered its involvement in each of the VIEs, including the design and purpose of each VIE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. In determining whether the Company would be considered the primary beneficiary, the following factors were assessed:

•
whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE; and
•
whether the Company has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.

The following tables present a summary of the assets and liabilities of these consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Intercompany balances have been eliminated for purposes of this presentation.


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Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Financing VIEs
 
Non-financed VIEs
 
 
 
Multi-family
CMBS re-
securitization(1)
 
Collateralized
Recourse
Financing(2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Mortgage
Loan
Securitization(3)
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-
family
CMBS
 
Total
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
$
41,490

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
41,490

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net)
—

 
—

 
—

 
113,186

 
—

 
113,186

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
1,249,895

 
4,743,795

 
—

 
—

 
1,256,896

 
7,250,586

Receivables and other assets
4,476

 
14,981

 
856

 
1,150

 
5,432

 
26,895

Total assets
$
1,295,861

 
$
4,758,776

 
$
856

 
$
114,336

 
$
1,262,328

 
$
7,432,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
110,023

 
$
—

 
$
110,023

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
1,193,308

 
4,570,783

 
—

 
—

 
1,193,202

 
6,957,293

Securitized debt
27,781

 
55,690

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
83,471

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,455

 
14,677

 
—

 
18

 
5,432

 
24,582

Total liabilities
$
1,225,544

 
$
4,641,150

 
$
—

 
$
110,041

 
$
1,198,634

 
$
7,175,369


(1) 
The Company classified the multi-family CMBS issued by two K-Series securitizations and held by this Financing VIE as available for sale securities as the purpose is not to trade these securities. The Financing VIE consolidated one K-Series securitization that issued certain of the multi-family CMBS owned by the Company, including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses, in its financial statements, as based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary and has a controlling financial interest in this particular K-Series securitization (see Note 6).
(2) 
The multi-family CMBS serving as collateral under the November 2013 collateralized recourse financing are comprised of securities issued from three separate Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations. The Financing VIE consolidated these K-Series securitizations, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses, in its financial statements as based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary and has a controlling financial interest in such K-Series securitizations (see Note 6). One of the Company’s Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series is not subject to any financing as of March 31, 2016.
(3) 
In February 2016, the Company repaid the Company’s outstanding notes from its distressed residential mortgage loan securitizations transactions completed in 2013 with original principal amounts of $138.3 million and outstanding principal balance at the time of repayment amounting to $31.9 million. With the repayment of the notes, the Company terminated and deconsolidated the Financing VIEs that facilitated these financing transactions and the distressed residential loans serving as collateral on the notes were transferred back to the Company.





29
Table of Contents


Assets and Liabilities of consolidated Financing VIEs as of December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Financing VIEs
 
Non-financed VIEs
 
 
 
Multi-family
CMBS re-
securitization(1)
 
Collateralized
Recourse
Financing(2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Mortgage
Loan
Securitization (3)
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-
family
CMBS(4)
 
Total
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
$
40,734

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
40,734

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net)
—

 
—

 
—

 
119,921

 
—

 
119,921

Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trust (net)
—

 
—

 
114,214

 
—

 
—

 
114,214

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
1,224,036

 
4,633,061

 
—

 
—

 
1,248,239

 
7,105,336

Receivables and other assets
4,864

 
15,281

 
6,076

 
1,200

 
5,456

 
32,877

Total assets
$
1,269,634

 
$
4,648,342

 
$
120,290

 
$
121,121

 
$
1,253,695

 
$
7,413,082

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
116,710

 
$
—

 
$
116,710

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
1,168,470

 
4,464,340

 
—

 
—

 
1,186,091

 
6,818,901

Securitized debt
27,613

 
55,629

 
33,299

 
—

 
—

 
116,541

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,436

 
14,750

 
368

 
13

 
5,456

 
25,023

Total liabilities
$
1,200,519

 
$
4,534,719

 
$
33,667

 
$
116,723

 
$
1,191,547

 
$
7,077,175


(1) 
The Company classified the multi-family CMBS issued by two K-Series securitizations and held by this Financing VIE as available for sale securities as the purpose is not to trade these securities. The Financing VIE consolidated one K-Series securitization that issued certain of the multi-family CMBS owned by the Company, including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses, in its financial statements, as based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary and has a controlling financial interest in this particular K-Series securitization (see Note 6).
(2) 
The multi-family CMBS serving as collateral under the November 2013 collateralized recourse financing are comprised of securities issued from three separate Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations. The Financing VIE consolidated these K-Series securitizations, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses, in its financial statements as based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary and has a controlling financial interest in such K-Series securitizations (see Note 6).
(3) 
In December 2015, the Company repaid the Company’s outstanding notes from its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transaction completed in December 2012 with an original principal amount of $38.7 million and outstanding principal balance at the time of repayment amounting to $5.5 million. With the repayment of the notes, the Company terminated and deconsolidated the Financing VIE that facilitated this financing transaction and the distressed residential loans serving as collateral on the notes were transferred back to the Company.


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(4) 
In February 2015, the Company sold a first loss tranche PO security issued by one of the Consolidated K-Series securitizations obtaining total proceeds of approximately $44.3 million and realizing a gain of approximately $1.5 million. The sale resulted in a de-consolidation of $1.1 billion in Multi-Family loans held in a securitization trust and $1.0 billion in Multi-Family CDOs.

The following table summarizes the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by multi-family CMBS and distressed residential mortgage loans (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Multi-family CMBS
Re-securitization (1)
 
Collateralized
Recourse Financing (2)
 
Distressed
Residential Mortgage
Loan Securitizations (3)
Principal Amount at March 31, 2016
$
33,720

 
$
55,853

 
$
—

Principal Amount at December 31, 2015
$
33,781

 
$
55,853

 
$
33,656

Carrying Value at March 31, 2016 (4)
$
27,781

 
$
55,690

 
$
—

Carrying Value at December 31, 2015 (4)
$
27,613

 
$
55,629

 
$
33,299

Pass-through rate of Notes issued
5.35%
 
One-month LIBOR plus 5.25%
 
4.25% - 4.85%

(1) 
The Company engaged in the re-securitization transaction primarily for the purpose of obtaining non-recourse financing on a portion of its multi-family CMBS portfolio. As a result of engaging in this transaction, the Company remains economically exposed to the first loss position on the underlying multi-family CMBS transferred to the Consolidated VIE. The holders of the Note have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, but the Company does have the obligation, under certain circumstances, to repurchase assets upon the breach of certain representations and warranties. The Company will receive all remaining cash flow, if any, through its retained ownership.
(2) 
The Company entered into a CMBS Master Repurchase Agreement with a three-year term for the purpose of financing a portion of its multi-family CMBS portfolio. In connection with the transaction, the Company agreed to guarantee the due and punctual payment of its wholly-owned subsidiary's obligations under the CMBS Master Repurchase Agreement.
(3) 
The Company engaged in these transactions for the purpose of financing distressed residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company. The distressed residential mortgage loans serving as collateral for the financings are comprised of performing, re-performing and, to a lesser extent, non-performing, fixed and adjustable-rate, fully-amortizing, interest only and balloon, seasoned mortgage loans secured by first liens on one to four family properties. Two of the four securitization transactions provide for a revolving period of one to two years from the date of the respective financing (“Revolving Period”) where no principal payments will be made on these two notes. All cash proceeds generated by the distressed residential mortgage loans and received by the respective securitization trust during the Revolving Period, after payment of interest on the respective note, reserve amounts and certain other transaction expenses, will be available for the purchase by the respective trust of additional mortgage loans that satisfy certain eligibility criteria. In December 2015, the Company repaid the Company’s outstanding notes from its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transaction completed in December 2012 with an original principal amount of $38.7 million and outstanding principal balance at the time of repayment amounting to $5.5 million. With the repayment of the notes, the Company terminated and deconsolidated the Financing VIE that facilitated this financing transaction and the distressed residential loans serving as collateral on the notes were transferred back to the Company.
(4) 
Classified as securitized debt in the liability section of the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, net of debt issuance costs.



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The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Financing VIEs’ securitized debt as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively:
Scheduled Maturity (principal amount) 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollar amount in thousands)
 
 
 
Within 24 months
$
55,853

 
$
89,509

Over 36 months
33,720

 
33,781

Total outstanding principal
89,573

 
123,290

Discount
(5,555
)
 
(5,763
)
Debt Issuance Cost
(547
)
 
(986
)
Carrying value
$
83,471

 
$
116,541


There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any cash flows from these securitization trusts.

Residential Mortgage Loan Securitization Transaction

The Company has completed four residential mortgage loan securitizations (other than the distressed residential mortgage loan securitizations discussed above) since inception, the first three were accounted for as permanent financings and have been included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The fourth was accounted for as a sale and accordingly, is not included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Unconsolidated VIEs

The Company has evaluated its multi-family CMBS investments in two Freddie Mac-sponsored K-Series securitizations, mezzanine loan, preferred equity and other equity investments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, to determine whether they are VIEs and should be consolidated by the Company. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. The following table presents the classification and carrying value of unconsolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Investment
securities
available for
sale, at fair
value 
 
Receivables and other Assets
 
Total
 
Investment
securities
available for
sale, at fair value
 
Receivables and
other Assets
 
Total
Multi-Family CMBS
$
41,490

 
$
75

 
$
41,565

 
$
40,734

 
$
76

 
$
40,810

Mezzanine loan, preferred equity and investments in unconsolidated entities
—

 
128,027

 
128,027

 
—

 
129,887

 
129,887

Total assets
$
41,490

 
$
128,102

 
$
169,592

 
$
40,734

 
$
129,963

 
$
170,697


Our maximum loss exposure on the multi-family CMBS investments, mezzanine loan and equity investments is approximately $169.6 million and $170.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company’s maximum exposure does not exceed the carrying value of its investments.


32
Table of Contents


8.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company enters into derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. These derivative instruments include interest rate swaps, swaptions and futures. The Company may also purchase or sell short TBAs purchase put or call options on U.S. Treasury futures or invest in other types of mortgage derivative securities.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments and their location in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
TBA securities
 
Derivative assets
 
$
288,455

 
$
226,929

Options on U.S. Treasury futures
 
Derivative assets
 
79

 
15

Interest rate swap futures
 
Derivative assets
 
—

 
706

Swaptions
 
Derivative assets
 
391

 
821

Eurodollar futures
 
Derivative liabilities
 
3,277

 
1,242

U.S. Treasury futures
 
Derivative liabilities
 
64

 
—

Interest rate swap futures
 
Derivative liabilities
 
682

 
—

Interest rate swaps(1)
 
Derivative liabilities
 
377

 
258


(1) 
Includes interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio. Contracts in a liability position of $0.5 million have been netted against the asset position of $0.1 million in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016. There was no netting of interest rate swaps at December 31, 2015.

The tables below summarize the activity of derivative instruments not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments 
December 31, 2015
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2016
TBA securities
$
222,000

 
$
1,065,000

 
$
(1,006,000
)
 
$
281,000

U.S. Treasury futures
—

 
70,600

 
(35,300
)
 
35,300

Interest rate swap futures
(137,200
)
 
316,500

 
(272,900
)
 
(93,600
)
Eurodollar futures
(2,769,000
)
 
676,000

 
(1,484,000
)
 
(3,577,000
)
Options on U.S. Treasury futures
28,000

 
29,000

 
(35,000
)
 
22,000

Swaptions
159,000

 
—

 
(5,000
)
 
154,000

Interest rate swaps
10,000

 
5,000

 
—

 
15,000



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Table of Contents


 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments 
December 31, 2014
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2015
TBA securities
$
273,000

 
$
1,171,000

 
$
(1,123,000
)
 
$
321,000

U.S. Treasury futures
2,300

 
91,500

 
(64,200
)
 
29,600

Interest rate swap futures
(190,100
)
 
318,500

 
(336,400
)
 
(208,000
)
Eurodollar futures
(2,961,000
)
 
471,000

 
(388,000
)
 
(2,878,000
)
Options on U.S. Treasury futures
21,000

 
152,000

 
(122,000
)
 
51,000

Swaptions
180,000

 
5,000

 
—

 
185,000

Interest rate swaps
10,000

 
—

 
—

 
10,000


The following tables presents the components of realized and unrealized gains and losses related to our derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments included in other income (expense) in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
TBA Securities
$
4,808

 
$
1,976

 
$
2,829

 
$
655

Eurodollar futures (1)
(781
)
 
(2,035
)
 
(247
)
 
(1,573
)
Interest rate swaps
—

 
(119
)
 
—

 
(184
)
Swaptions
—

 
(128
)
 
—

 
(556
)
U.S. Treasury and Interest rate swap futures and options
(2,271
)
 
(1,384
)
 
(1,445
)
 
(3,056
)
Total
$
1,756

 
$
(1,690
)
 
$
1,137

 
$
(4,714
)
 
(1) 
At March 31, 2016, the Eurodollar futures consist of 3,577 contracts with expiration dates ranging between June 2016 and September 2017.

The use of TBAs exposes the Company to market value risk, as the market value of the securities that the Company is required to purchase pursuant to a TBA transaction may increase or decrease from the agreed-upon purchase price. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our condensed consolidated balance sheets include TBA-related liabilities of $286.9 million and $228.0 million included in payable for securities purchased, respectively. Open TBA purchases and sales involving the same counterparty, same underlying deliverable and the same settlement date are reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements on a net basis. TBA sales amounting to approximately $157.4 million were netted against TBA purchases amounting to approximately $444.3 million at March 31, 2016. There was $55.1 million netting of TBA sales against TBA purchases of $283.1 million at December 31, 2015.

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company’s interest rate swaps, except interest swaps included in its Agency IO portfolio, are used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with borrowings made under our financing arrangements including FHLBI advances until January 2016 and are designated as cash flow hedges. There were no costs incurred at the inception of the Company's interest rate swaps, under which the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable interest rate based on one month LIBOR, on the notional amount of the interest rate swaps.

The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities, and upon entering into hedging transactions, documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability contemporaneously. The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on an on-going basis, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective” when using the matched term basis.


34
Table of Contents


The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in the fair value through earnings when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions); (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) it is determined that designating the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate. The Company’s derivative instruments are carried on the Company’s balance sheets at fair value, as assets, if their fair value is positive, or as liabilities, if their fair value is negative. For the Company’s derivative instruments that are designated as “cash flow hedges,” changes in their fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), provided that the hedges are effective. A change in fair value for any ineffective amount of the Company’s derivative instruments would be recognized in earnings. The Company has not recognized any change in the value of its existing derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges through earnings as a result of ineffectiveness of any of its hedges.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments and their location in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Designated
as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Total Notional Amount
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Derivative liability
 
$
215,000

 
$
598

 
$
—

Interest Rate Swaps
 
Derivative asset
 
215,000

 
—

 
304


The Company has netting arrangements by counterparty with respect to its interest rate swaps. There was no netting of interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2016.

The following table presents the impact of the Company’s derivative instruments on the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
2016
 
2015
Accumulated other comprehensive income for derivative instruments:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of the period
$
304

 
$
1,135

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps
(902
)
 
(1,261
)
Balance at end of the period
$
(598
)
 
$
(126
)

The Company estimates that over the next 12 months, approximately $0.6 million of the net unrealized gains on the interest rate swaps will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings.

The following table details the impact of the Company’s interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income
 
 
 
Interest expense-investment securities
$
218

 
$
451













35
Table of Contents


The following table presents information about our interest rate swaps whereby we receive floating rate payments in exchange for fixed rate payments (includes interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Swap Maturities 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
2017
 
$
215,000

 
0.83
%
 
0.43
%
 
$
215,000

 
0.83
%
 
0.39
%
2019
 
10,000

 
2.25
%
 
0.64
%
 
10,000

 
2.25
%
 
0.59
%
Total
 
$
225,000

 
0.90
%
 
0.44
%
 
$
225,000

 
0.90
%
 
0.40
%

The following table presents information about our interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio whereby we receive fixed rate payments in exchange for floating rate payments as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Swap Maturities
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
2026
 
$
5,000

 
1.80
%
 
0.62
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
—
%
Total
 
$
5,000

 
1.80
%
 
0.62
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
—
%

The use of derivatives exposes the Company to counterparty credit risks in the event of a default by a counterparty. If a counterparty defaults under the applicable derivative agreement, the Company may be unable to collect payments to which it is entitled under its derivative agreements and may have difficulty collecting the assets it pledged as collateral against such derivatives. The Company currently has in place with all counterparties bi-lateral margin agreements requiring a party to post collateral to the Company for any valuation deficit. This arrangement is intended to limit the Company’s exposure to losses in the event of a counterparty default.

The Company is required to pledge assets under a bi-lateral margin arrangement, including either cash or Agency RMBS, as collateral for its interest rate swaps, futures contracts and TBAs, whose collateral requirements vary by counterparty and change over time based on the market value, notional amount, and remaining term of the agreement. In the event the Company is unable to meet a margin call under one of its agreements, thereby causing an event of default or triggering an early termination event under one of its agreements, the counterparty to such agreement may have the option to terminate all of such counterparty’s outstanding transactions with the Company. In addition, under this scenario, any close-out amount due to the counterparty upon termination of the counterparty’s transactions would be immediately payable by the Company pursuant to the applicable agreement. The Company believes it was in compliance with all margin requirements under its agreements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company had $10.1 million and $6.3 million of restricted cash related to margin posted for its agreements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The restricted cash held by third parties is included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.


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9.
Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments

The Company finances its portfolio investments with a combination of repurchase agreements and, until January 2016, Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The Company has entered into repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, GLIH, as a member of the FHLBI, had access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLBI, including secured advances, until January 2016 when the regulator of the FHLB system amended regulations governing FHLB membership. These financing arrangements are short-term borrowings that bear interest rates typically based on a spread to LIBOR, and are secured by the securities which they finance.

At March 31, 2016, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $589.9 million and a weighted average interest rate of 0.84%. At December 31, 2015, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $456.4 million and a weighted average interest rate of 0.77%.

As of March 31, 2016, GLIH had no outstanding secured advances. Advances require approval by the FHLBI and are secured by collateral in accordance with the FHLBI’s credit and collateral guidelines, as may be revised from time to time by the FHLBI. Eligible collateral included Agency RMBS and certain non-Agency RMBS with a rating of A and above, conventional 1-4 family residential mortgage loans and commercial real estate loans.

The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s borrowings under financing arrangements and associated assets pledged as collateral at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Outstanding
Financing
Arrangements
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
 
Outstanding
Financing
Arrangements (1)
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
Agency ARMs
$
146,840

 
$
156,070

 
$
156,473

 
$
227,609

 
$
141,585

 
$
143,754

Agency Fixed Rate
344,829

 
362,401

 
368,685

 
261,644

 
374,691

 
386,853

Agency IOs/U.S. Treasury Securities
82,188

 
105,853

 
119,103

 
88,160

 
123,407

 
139,218

Non Agency/CMBS
16,062

 
20,943

 
20,943

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance at end of the period
$
589,919

 
$
645,267

 
$
665,204

 
$
577,413

 
$
639,683

 
$
669,825


(1)    Includes FHLBI advances amounting to $121.0 million as of December 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the average days to maturity for financing arrangements, including FHLBI advances, were 23 days and 27 days, respectively. The Company’s accrued interest payable on outstanding financing arrangements, including FHLBI advances at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 amounts to $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s outstanding financing arrangements, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Contractual Maturity
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Within 30 days
$
503,937

 
$
468,402

Over 30 days to 90 days
85,982

 
85,423

Over 90 days
—

 
23,588

Total
$
589,919

 
$
577,413


As of March 31, 2016, the outstanding balance under our financing arrangements was funded at an advance rate of 92.0% that implies an average haircut of 8.0%. The weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS (excluding Agency IOs), Non Agency RMBS, CMBS and Agency IOs was approximately 5%, 20%, 25% and 25%, respectively.


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In the event we are unable to obtain sufficient short-term financing through existing financings arrangements, or our lenders start to require additional collateral, we may have to liquidate our investment securities at a disadvantageous time, which could result in losses. Any losses resulting from the disposition of our investment securities in this manner could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and net profitability. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had financing arrangements with 7 and 6 counterparties, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had no counterparties where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of Stockholders’ Equity. The amount at risk is defined as the fair value of securities pledged as collateral to the financing arrangement in excess of the financing arrangement liability.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $39.9 million in cash and $171.4 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircut or market valuation requirements, including $96.9 million of RMBS, of which $93.8 million are Agency RMBS, and $74.5 million of CMBS (including $63.7 million of net fair value of certain first loss tranche PO securities and/or certain IOs issued by certain K-Series securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series). The $39.9 million of cash, the $96.9 million of RMBS, the $74.5 million of CMBS, and the $13.5 million held in overnight deposits in our Agency IO portfolio included in restricted cash (that is available to meet margin calls as it relates to our Agency IO portfolio financing arrangements), which collectively represent 38.1% of our financing arrangements, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize the liability immediately.

10.
Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250.0 million, to fund future purchases of distressed residential mortgage loans. The outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 amounts to approximately $218.5 million and $214.5 million, respectively, bearing interest at one month LIBOR plus 2.50% (2.93% and 2.92% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) and expires on December 15, 2016.

In addition, on November 25, 2015, the Company entered into a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, to fund the future purchase of residential mortgage loans. The outstanding balance on the master repurchase agreement will bear interest at one-month LIBOR plus 4.0% and expires on May 25, 2017. There was no outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

During the term of the master repurchase agreements, proceeds from the residential mortgage loans, including the Company's distressed residential mortgage loans will be applied to pay any price differential and to reduce the aggregate repurchase price of the collateral. The financings under the master repurchase agreements are subject to margin calls to the extent the market value of the residential mortgage loans falls below specified levels and repurchase may be accelerated upon an event of default under the master repurchase agreements. The master repurchase agreements contain various covenants, including among other things, to maintain certain levels of net worth, liquidity and leverage ratios. The Company is in compliance with such covenants as of May 5, 2016.

11.
Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations

The Company’s Residential CDOs, which are recorded as liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, are secured by ARM loans pledged as collateral, which are recorded as assets of the Company. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had Residential CDOs outstanding of $110.0 million and $116.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the current weighted average interest rate on these Residential CDOs was 0.81% and 0.80%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARM loans with a principal balance of $116.1 million and $122.5 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest for three securitizations, and, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively.


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12.
Subordinated Debentures

Subordinated debentures are trust preferred securities that are fully guaranteed by the Company with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment. The following table summarizes the key details of the Company’s subordinated debentures as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
NYM Preferred Trust I
 
NYM Preferred Trust II
Principal value of trust preferred securities
$
25,000

 
$
20,000

Interest Rate
Three month LIBOR plus 3.75%, resetting quarterly

 
Three month LIBOR plus 3.95%, resetting quarterly

Scheduled maturity
March 30, 2035

 
October 30, 2035


As of May 5, 2016, the Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants for the subordinated debentures.

13.
Commitments and Contingencies

Loans Sold to Third Parties – The Company sold its mortgage lending business in March 2007. In the normal course of business, the Company is obligated to repurchase loans based on violations of representations and warranties in the loan sale agreements. The Company did not repurchase any loans during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Outstanding Litigation – The Company is at times subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of March 31, 2016, the Company does not believe that any of its current legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations, financial condition or cash flows.

14.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has established and documented processes for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use inputs that are market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

a.
Investment Securities Available for Sale – Fair value for the investment securities in our portfolio, except the CMBS held in securitization trusts are valued using a third-party pricing service or are based on quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The dealers will incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from a dealer, the security will be re-classified as a Level 3 security and, as a result, management will determine the fair value based on characteristics of the security that the Company receives from the issuer available market information. Management reviews all prices used in determining fair value to ensure they represent current market conditions. This review includes surveying similar market transactions, comparisons to interest pricing models as well as offerings of like securities by dealers. The Company's investment securities,

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except the CMBS held in securitization trusts are valued based upon readily observable market parameters and are classified as Level 1 or 2 fair values.

The Company’s CMBS held in securitization trusts are comprised of securities for which there are not substantially similar securities that trade frequently, the Company classifies these securities as Level 3 fair values. Fair value of the Company’s CMBS investments held in securitization trusts is based on an internal valuation model that considers expected cash flows from the underlying loans and yields required by market participants. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of these investments are projected losses of certain identified loans within the pool of loans and a discount rate. The discount rate used in determining fair value incorporates default rate, loss severity and current market interest rates. The discount rate ranges from 4.5% to 10.5%. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

b.
Multi-Family Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts are carried at fair value as a result of a fair value election and classified as Level 3 fair values. Effective January 1, 2016, the Company determines the fair value of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts based on the fair value of its multi-family collateralized debt obligations and its retained interests from these securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable. Prior to January 1, 2016, fair value was based on an internal valuation model that considers expected cash flows from the underlying loans and yields required by market participants. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of these investments are discount rates. The discount rate used in determining fair value incorporates default rate, loss severity and current market interest rates.

c.
Derivative Instruments – The fair value of interest rate swaps, swaptions, options and TBAs are based on dealer quotes. The fair value of future contracts are based on exchange-traded prices. The Company’s derivatives are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 fair values.

d.
Multi-Family CDOs – Multi-Family collateralized debt obligations are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 fair values. The fair value of Multi-family CDOs is determined using a third party pricing service or are based on quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The dealers will consider contractual cash payments and yields expected by market participants. Dealers also incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security. The Company’s Multi-family CDOs are classified as Level 3 fair values.

e.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities – Fair value for investments in unconsolidated entities is determined based on a valuation model using assumptions for the timing and amount of expected future cash flow for income and realization events for the underlying assets in the unconsolidated entities and a discount rate. This fair value measurement is generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.


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The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets carried at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
—

 
$
710,144

 
$
—

 
$
710,144

 
$
—

 
$
713,116

 
$
—

 
$
713,116

Non-Agency RMBS
—

 
16,999

 
—

 
16,999

 
—

 
1,567

 
—

 
1,567

U.S. Treasury Securities
7,989

 
—

 
—

 
7,989

 
10,037

 
—

 
—

 
10,037

CMBS
—

 
17,851

 
41,490

 
59,341

 
—

 
—

 
40,734

 
40,734

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
—

 
—

 
7,250,586

 
7,250,586

 
—

 
—

 
7,105,336

 
7,105,336

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA Securities
—

 
288,455

 
—

 
288,455

 
—

 
226,929

 
—

 
226,929

Options on U.S. Treasury futures
79

 
—

 
—

 
79

 
15

 
—

 
—

 
15

Interest rate swap futures
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
706

 
—

 
—

 
706

Interest rate swaps
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
304

 
—

 
304

Swaptions
—

 
391

 
—

 
391

 
—

 
821

 
—

 
821

Investments in unconsolidated entities
—

 
—

 
65,798

 
65,798

 
—

 
—

 
67,571

 
67,571

Total
$
8,068

 
$
1,033,840

 
$
7,357,874

 
$
8,399,782

 
$
10,758

 
$
942,737

 
$
7,213,641

 
$
8,167,136

Liabilities carried at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,957,293

 
$
6,957,293

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
6,818,901

 
$
6,818,901

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury futures
64

 
—

 
—

 
64

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Eurodollar futures
3,277

 
—

 
—

 
3,277

 
1,242

 
—

 
—

 
1,242

Interest rate swaps
—

 
975

 
—

 
975

 
—

 
258

 
—

 
258

Interest rate swap futures
682

 
—

 
—

 
682

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
$
4,023

 
$
975

 
$
6,957,293

 
$
6,962,291

 
$
1,242

 
$
258

 
$
6,818,901

 
$
6,820,401



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The following table details changes in valuation for the Level 3 assets for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Assets:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
7,213,641

 
$
8,442,604

Total gains/(losses) (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
Included in earnings (1)
182,880

 
131,421

Included in other comprehensive income
63

 
68

Sales(2)
—

 
(1,075,529
)
Contributions
—

 
12,701

Paydowns
(34,745
)
 
(19,793
)
Distributions
(3,965
)
 
(382
)
Balance at the end of period
$
7,357,874

 
$
7,491,090


(1) 
Amounts included in interest income from multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, realized gain (loss) on investment securities and related hedges and gain on deconsolidation.
(2) 
In February 2015, the Company sold a first loss PO security from one of the Company’s Consolidated K-Series securitizations obtaining total proceeds of approximately $44.3 million and realizing a gain of approximately $1.5 million. The sale resulted in a de-consolidation of $1.1 billion in Multi-Family loans held in a securitization trust and $1.0 billion in Multi-Family CDOs.

The following table details changes in valuation for the Level 3 liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Liabilities:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
6,818,901

 
$
8,048,053

Total gains/(losses) (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
Included in earnings (1)
173,133

 
109,686

Sales(2)
—

 
(1,031,268
)
Paydowns
(34,741
)
 
(19,790
)
Balance at the end of period
$
6,957,293

 
$
7,106,681


(1) 
Amounts included in interest expense on multi-family collateralized debt obligations, realized gain (loss) on investment securities and related hedges and unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts.
(2) 
In February 2015, the Company sold a first loss PO security from one of the Company’s Consolidated K-Series securitizations obtaining total proceeds of approximately $44.3 million and realizing a gain of approximately $1.5 million. The sale resulted in a de-consolidation of $1.1 billion in Multi-Family loans held in a securitization trust and $1.0 billion in Multi-Family CDOs.

The following table details the changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for our Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Change in unrealized gains (losses)– assets
$
189,932

 
$
136,396

Change in unrealized (losses) gains – liabilities
(189,114
)
 
(122,768
)
Net change in unrealized gains included in earnings for assets and liabilities
$
818

 
$
13,628


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Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products develop and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company continues to refine its valuation methodologies. The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of each reporting date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which time price transparency may be reduced. This condition could cause the Company’s financial instruments to be reclassified from Level 2 to Level 3 in future periods.

The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans (net)
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9,565

 
$
9,565

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
8,976

 
$
8,976

Real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts
—

 
—

 
434

 
434

 
—

 
—

 
411

 
411


The following table presents gains (losses) incurred for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans (net)
$
269

 
$
(285
)
Real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts
(23
)
 
—


Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Impaired Loans (net) – Impaired residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are recorded at amortized cost less specific loan loss reserves. Impaired loan value is based on management’s estimate of the net realizable value taking into consideration local market conditions of the property, updated appraisal values of the property and estimated expenses required to remediate the impaired loan.

Real Estate Owned Held in Residential Securitization Trusts – Real estate owned held in the residential securitization trusts are recorded at net realizable value. Any subsequent adjustment will result in the reduction in carrying value with the corresponding amount charged to earnings. Net realizable value based on an estimate of disposal taking into consideration local market conditions of the property, updated appraisal values of the property and estimated expenses required to sell the property.


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The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Level 1
 
$
39,931

 
$
39,931

 
$
61,959

 
$
61,959

Investment securities available for sale(1)
Level 1, 2 or 3
 
794,473

 
794,473

 
765,454

 
765,454

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net)
Level 3
 
113,186

 
100,909

 
119,921

 
109,120

Distressed residential mortgage loans (net) (2)
Level 3
 
537,616

 
547,818

 
558,989

 
564,310

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
Level 3
 
7,250,586

 
7,250,586

 
7,105,336

 
7,105,336

Derivative assets
Level 1 or 2
 
288,925

 
288,925

 
228,775

 
228,775

Mortgage loans held for sale (net) (3)
Level 3
 
5,755

 
5,859

 
5,471

 
5,557

Mortgage loans held for investment (3)
Level 3
 
6,501

 
6,641

 
2,706

 
2,846

Mezzanine and preferred equity investments (3)(4)
Level 3
 
44,355

 
44,717

 
44,151

 
44,540

Investments in unconsolidated entities(5)
Level 3
 
85,497

 
86,090

 
87,065

 
87,558

Receivable for securities sold
Level 1
 
1,858

 
1,858

 
—

 
—

Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
Level 2
 
$
589,919

 
$
589,919

 
$
577,413

 
$
577,413

Financing arrangements, residential mortgage loans
Level 2
 
216,604

 
216,604

 
212,155

 
212,155

Residential collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
110,023

 
98,113

 
116,710

 
105,606

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
6,957,293

 
6,957,293

 
6,818,901

 
6,818,901

Securitized debt
Level 3
 
83,471

 
89,742

 
116,541

 
123,776

Derivative liabilities
Level 1 or 2
 
4,998

 
4,998

 
1,500

 
1,500

Payable for securities purchased
Level 1
 
311,250

 
311,250

 
227,969

 
227,969

Subordinated debentures
Level 3
 
45,000

 
33,846

 
45,000

 
42,731


(1) 
Includes $41.5 million and $40.7 million of investment securities for sale held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2) 
Includes distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value amounting to approximately $0 and $114.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value amounting to approximately $537.6 million and $444.8 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(3) 
Included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(4) 
Includes mezzanine and preferred equity investments accounted for as loans (see Note 2).
(5) 
Includes investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the fair value option with a carrying value of $65.8 million and $67.6 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

In addition to the methodology to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis and non-recurring basis, as previously described, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments in the table immediately above:

a.
Cash and cash equivalents – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such assets.

b.
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net) – Residential mortgage loans held in the securitization trusts are recorded at amortized cost. Fair value is based on an internal valuation model that considers the aggregated characteristics of groups of loans such as, but not limited to, collateral type, index, interest rate, margin, length of fixed-rate period, life cap, periodic cap, underwriting standards, age and credit estimated using the estimated market prices for similar types of loans.

c.
Distressed residential mortgage loans (net) – Fair value is estimated using pricing models taking into consideration current interest rates, loan amount, payment status and property type, and forecasts of future interest rates, home prices and property values, prepayment speeds, default, loss severities, and actual purchases and sales of similar loans.

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d.
Receivable for securities sold – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such assets

e.
Mortgage loans held for sale (net) – The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale (net) are estimated by the Company based on the price that would be received if the loans were sold as whole loans taking into consideration the aggregated characteristics of the loans such as, but not limited to, collateral type, index, interest rate, margin, length of fixed interest rate period, life time cap, periodic cap, underwriting standards, age and credit.

f.
Mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments – Estimated fair value is determined by both market comparable pricing and discounted cash flows. The discounted cash flows are based on the underlying contractual cash flows and estimated changes in market yields. The fair value also reflects consideration of changes in credit risk since the origination or time of initial investment.

g.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities – Fair value for investments in unconsolidated entities is determined based on a valuation model using assumptions for the timing and amount of expected future cash flow for income and realization events for the underlying assets in the unconsolidated entities and a discount rate. This fair value measurement is generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

h.
Financing arrangements – The fair value of these financing arrangements approximates cost as they are short term in nature.

i.
Residential collateralized debt obligations – The fair value of these CDOs is based on discounted cash flows as well as market pricing on comparable obligations.

j.
Securitized debt – The fair value of securitized debt is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields.

k.
Payable for securities purchased – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such liabilities.

l.
Subordinated debentures – The fair value of these subordinated debentures is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields.


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15.
Stockholders' Equity

(a)
Dividends on Preferred Stock

The Company had 200,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 6,600,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

On June 4, 2013, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), with a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25 per share, in an underwritten public offering, for net proceeds of approximately $72.4 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 6,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock authorized. The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.75% per year on the $25 liquidation preference and is senior to the common stock with respect to dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

On April 22, 2015, the Company issued 3,600,000 shares of 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”), with a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25 per share, in an underwritten public offering, for net proceeds of approximately $86.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 4,140,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock authorized. The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.875% per year on the $25 liquidation preference and is senior to the common stock with respect to dividends and distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

The Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock generally do not have any voting rights, subject to an exception in the event the Company fails to pay dividends on such stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock.

Neither the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock are redeemable by the Company prior to June 4, 2018, in the case of the Series B Preferred Stock, and April 22, 2020, in the case of the Series C Preferred Stock, except under circumstances intended to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Articles Supplementary designating the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, respectively). On and after June 4, 2018 and April 22, 2020, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, respectively, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date, on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

Each of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by the Company or converted into the Company’s common stock in connection with a Change of Control.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock will have the right (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, respectively) to convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the applicable Articles Supplementary for such series.

From the time of original issuance of each of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock through March 31, 2016, the Company has declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on such series of stock. The following table presents the relevant dates with respect to quarterly cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016 and cash dividends on Series C Preferred Stock from issuance through March 31, 2016:

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Series B Preferred Stock
 
Series C Preferred Stock
 
 
Declaration Date
 
Record
Date
 
Payment
Date
 
Cash
Dividend
Per Share
 
Declaration
Date
 
Record
Date
 
Payment
Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
 
 
 
 
March 18, 2016
 
April 1, 2016
 
April 15, 2016
 
$
0.484375

 
March 18, 2016
 
April 1, 2016
 
April 15, 2016
 
$
0.4921875

 
 
December 16, 2015
 
January 1, 2016
 
January 15, 2016
 
0.484375

 
December 16, 2015
 
January 1, 2016
 
January 15, 2016
 
0.4921875

 
 
September 18, 2015
 
October 1, 2015
 
October 15, 2015
 
0.484375

 
September 18, 2015
 
October 1, 2015
 
October 15, 2015
 
0.4921875

 
 
June 18, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
July 15, 2015
 
0.484375

 
June 18, 2015
 
July 1, 2015
 
July 15, 2015
 
0.4539100

(1) 
 
March 18, 2015
 
April 1, 2015
 
April 15, 2015
 
0.484375

 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 

(1) 
Cash dividend for the partial quarterly period that began on April 22, 2015 and ended on July 14, 2015.

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(b)
Dividends on Common Stock

The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock with respect to each of the quarterly periods commencing January 1, 2015 and ended March 31, 2016:
Period
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
First Quarter 2016
 
March 18, 2016
 
March 28, 2016
 
April 25, 2016
 
$
0.24

Fourth Quarter 2015
 
December 16, 2015
 
December 28, 2015
 
January 25, 2016
 
0.24

Third Quarter 2015
 
September 18, 2015
 
September 28, 2015
 
October 26, 2015
 
0.24

Second Quarter 2015
 
June 18, 2015
 
June 29, 2015
 
July 27, 2015
 
0.27

First Quarter 2015
 
March 18, 2015
 
March 30, 2015
 
April 27, 2015
 
0.27


(c)
Public Offering of Common Stock

There were no underwritten public offerings of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and three months ended March 31, 2015.

(d)
Equity Distribution Agreements

On March 20, 2015, the Company entered into separate equity distribution agreements (collectively, the “Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of JMP Securities LLC (“JMP”) and MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”), each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $75,000,000 of aggregate value of (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per and (ii) shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, from time to time through the Agents. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares under the Equity Distribution Agreements and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Equity Distribution Agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 1,375,682 shares of its common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreements, at an average sales price of $8.04, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $10.8 million after deducting the placement fees. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company issued no shares under the Equity Distribution Agreements. As of March 31, 2016, approximately $52.9 million of securities remains available for issuance under the Equity Distribution Agreements.

On March 20, 2015, in connection with the Company’s execution of the Equity Distribution Agreements described above, the Company delivered to JMP a notice of termination of the Equity Distribution Agreement dated June 11, 2012 (the “Prior Equity Distribution Agreement”), which termination became effective March 23, 2015. The Prior Equity Distribution Agreement provided for the sale by the Company of common stock having a maximum aggregate value of up to $25,000,000 from time to time through JMP, as the Company’s agent. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 1,326,676 shares under the Prior Equity Distribution Agreement, at an average sales price of $7.89 resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $10.3 million, after deducting the placement fees. During the term of the Prior Equity Distribution Agreement, the Company sold a total of 2,153,989 shares of its common stock at an average price of $7.63 per share pursuant to the Prior Distribution Agreement, resulting in aggregate net proceeds to the Company of approximately $16.1 million.


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16.
Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates basic net income per share by dividing net income for the period by weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as convertible preferred stock, stock options and unvested restricted or performance stock, but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. There were no dilutive instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

The following table presents the computation of basic and dilutive net income per share for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders– Basic
$
13,726

 
$
22,090

Net income attributable to common stockholders– Dilutive
$
13,726

 
$
22,090

Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding
109,402

 
105,488

EPS:
 
 
 
Basic EPS
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

Dilutive EPS
$
0.13

 
$
0.21


17.
Stock Based Compensation

Pursuant to the Company’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”), as approved by the Company’s stockholders, eligible employees, officers and directors of the Company have the opportunity to acquire the Company's common stock through the award of restricted common stock, performance share awards and other equity awards under the 2010 Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2010 Plan is 1,190,000.

Of the common stock authorized at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 491,156 shares and 551,609 shares, respectively, were reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan. The Company’s non-employee directors have been issued 146,935 shares under the 2010 Plan as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company’s employees have been issued 462,280 and 401,827 restricted shares under the 2010 Plan as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 219,058 and 280,457 shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding under the 2010 Plan.

(a)
Restricted Common Stock Awards

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense on its restricted common stock awards of $0.2 million. Dividends are paid on all restricted common stock issued, whether those shares have vested or not. In general, non-vested restricted stock is forfeited upon the recipient's termination of employment. There were no forfeitures during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.


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A summary of the activity of the Company's non-vested restricted stock under the 2010 Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, is presented below:
 
2016
 
2015
 
Number of
Non-vested
Restricted
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value (1)
 
Number of
Non-vested
Restricted
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value (1)
Non-vested shares at January 1
280,457

 
$
7.63

 
162,171

 
$
7.26

Granted
60,453

 
4.16

 
185,650

 
7.79

Vested
(121,852
)
 
7.54

 
(67,364
)
 
7.18

Non-vested shares as of March 31
219,058

 
$
6.72

 
280,457

 
$
7.63

Weighted-average fair value of restricted stock granted during the period
60,453

 
$
4.16

 
185,650

 
$
7.79


(1) 
The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.

At March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $1.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to the non-vested shares of restricted common stock under the 2010 Plan. The unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2016 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The requisite service period for restricted shares at issuance is 3 years.

(b)
Performance Share Awards

In May 2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a performance share award (“PSA”) pursuant to the 2010 Plan to the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. The PSA granted consisted of 89,629 shares of common stock and had a grant date fair value of approximately $0.4 million. The PSA are awards under which the number of underlying shares of Company common stock that vest and that the recipient becomes entitled to receive at the time of vesting will generally range from 0% to 200% of the target number of PSAs granted, with the target number of PSAs granted being adjusted to reflect the value of the reinvestment of any dividends declared on Company common stock during the vesting period. Vesting of these PSUs will occur at the end of three years based on three-year TSR, as follows:

•
If three-year TSR is less than 33%, then 0% of the PSAs will vest;

•
If three-year TSR is greater than or equal to 33% and the TSR is not in the bottom quartile of an identified peer group, then 100% of the PSAs will vest;

•
If three-year TSR is greater than or equal to 33% and the TSR is in the top quartile of an identified peer group, then 200% of the PSAs will vest;

•
If three-year TSR is greater than or equal to 33% and the TSR is in the bottom quartile of an identified peer group, then 50% of the PSAs will vest.

TSR is defined, with respect to the Company and each member of the identified peer group, as applicable, as the average annual total shareholder return based on common stock price appreciation/depreciation during the applicable measurement period or until the date of a change of control, whichever first occurs, plus the value on the last day of the applicable measurement period or the date of a change of control of common shares if all cash dividends declared on a common share during such period were reinvested in additional common shares.

The grant date fair values of PSAs were determined through a Monte-Carlo simulation of the Company’s common stock total shareholder return and the common stock total shareholder return of its peer companies to determine the TSR of the Company’s common stock relative to its peer companies over a future period of three years. For the 2015 PSA grant, the inputs used by the model to determine the fair value are (i) historical stock return volatilities of the Company and its peer companies over the most recent three year period, (ii) a risk free rate based on the three year U.S. Treasury rate on grant date, and (iii) historical pairwise stock return correlations between the Company and its peer companies over the most recent three year period.

50



Compensation expenses related to PSAs were $31.7 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, there was $0.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSAs.

18.
Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to stockholders and does not engage in prohibited transactions. Certain activities the Company performs may produce income that will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. The Company has designated its TRSs to engage in these activities. The tables below reflect the taxes accrued at the TRS level and the tax attributes included in the consolidated financial statements.

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 is comprised of the following components (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Current income tax expense
$
72

 
$
998

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
119

 
(753
)
Total provision
$
191

 
$
245


Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The major sources of temporary differences included in the deferred tax assets and their deferred tax effect as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforward
$
2,339

 
$
2,083

Net capital loss carryforward
1,575

 
2,029

GAAP/Tax basis differences
2,747

 
3,043

Total deferred tax assets (1)
$
6,661

 
$
7,155

Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
$
908

 
$
192

Total deferred tax liabilities (2)
908

 
192

Valuation allowance (1)
(5,366
)
 
(6,457
)
Total net deferred tax asset
$
387

 
$
506


(1) 
Included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2) 
Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
    
As of March 31, 2016, the Company through wholly owned TRSs, had incurred net operating losses in the aggregate amount of approximately $5.0 million. The Company’s carryforward net operating losses will expire between 2033 and 2034 if they are not offset by future taxable income. Additionally, as of March 31, 2016, the Company, through one of its wholly owned TRSs, also incurred approximately $3.4 million in capital losses. The Company’s carryforward capital losses will expire between 2018 and 2020 if they are not offset by future capital gains. At March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets as management does not believe that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized.




51


The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2012. The Company has assessed its tax positions for all open years, which includes 2012 to 2015 and concluded that there are no material uncertainties to be recognized.

In addition, based on the Company’s evaluation, it has been concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements.

    


19.
Related Party Transactions

On April 5, 2011, the Company entered into a management agreement with RiverBanc, pursuant to which RiverBanc provides investment management services to the Company. On March 13, 2013, the Company entered into an amended and restated management agreement with RiverBanc (as amended, the “RiverBanc Management Agreement”). The RiverBanc Management Agreement replaced the prior management agreement between RiverBanc and the Company, dated as of April 5, 2011. The amended and restated agreement has an effective date of January 1, 2013 and has an initial term that expired on December 31, 2015 and is now subject to automatic annual one-year renewals (subject to any notice of termination).

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company owned a 20% membership interest in RiverBanc. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million in income related to its investment in RiverBanc, respectively.

RiverBanc manages an entity, RB Multifamily Investors LLC (“RBMI”), in which the Company owns, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately 67% of the outstanding common equity interests. Pursuant to a management agreement between RiverBanc and this entity, RiverBanc is entitled to receive base management and incentive fees for its management of assets owned by RBMI. Our total investment in RBMI, which is included in receivable and other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, amounts to approximately $54.8 million and $56.9 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Included in our total investment in RBMI are preferred equity interests amounting to approximately $41.5 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company recognized $1.8 million and $1.1 million in income related to its investment in RBMI, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company expensed $1.2 million and $3.9 million in fees to RiverBanc, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had fees payable to RiverBanc of $0.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.

20.
Subsequent Events

On April 15, 2016, the Company closed on a securitization transaction that involved the issuance and sale of $177.5 million of Class A Notes representing beneficial ownership in a pool of performing and re-performing seasoned mortgage loans. The Company retained $25.5 million of Class M Notes and a $79.8 million equity certificate.  In addition, the Company holds 5% of the Class A Notes issued, which resulted in gross proceeds to the Company from the sale of the remaining Class A Notes of approximately $167.7 million. The Class A Notes have an expected redemption date of March 25, 2019, with a stated final maturity date of March 25, 2021 and a stated interest rate of 4.00%. 

On May 3, 2016, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the members of RiverBanc.  Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will acquire the remaining 80% membership interests in RiverBanc for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $24 million.





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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, or in press releases or other written or oral communications issued or made by us, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “goal,” “objective,” “will,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. The following factors are examples of those that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements: changes in interest rates and the market value of our securities, changes in credit spreads, the impact of the downgrade of the long-term credit ratings of the U.S., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae; market volatility; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans underlying our investment securities; increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our assets; delays in identifying and acquiring our targeted assets; our ability to borrow to finance our assets; changes in government laws, regulations or policies affecting our business, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury and those relating to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal tax purposes; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including the risk factors described in this report, in Part I, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Defined Terms

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q we refer to New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, as “we,” “us,” “Company,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries as “TRSs” and our wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiaries as “QRSs.” In addition, the following defines certain of the commonly used terms in this report: “RMBS” refers to residential mortgage-backed securities comprised of adjustable-rate, hybrid adjustable-rate, fixed-rate, interest only and inverse interest only, and principal only securities; “Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”); “Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS; “non-Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS backed by prime jumbo and Alternative A-paper (“Alt-A”) residential mortgage loans; “IOs” refers collectively to interest only and inverse interest only mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the interest component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans; “Agency IOs” refers to IOs that represent the right to the interest components of the cash flow from a pool of residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a GSE or an agency of the U.S. government; “POs” refers to mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the principal component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans; “ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans; “prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARM loans (“prime ARM loans”) held in securitization trusts; “distressed residential loans” refers to pools of performing and re-performing, fixed-rate and adjustable-rate, fully amortizing, interest-only and balloon, seasoned mortgage loans secured by first liens on one- to four-family properties; “CMBS” refers to commercial mortgage-backed securities comprised of commercial mortgage pass-through securities, as well as IO or PO securities that represent the right to a specific component of the cash flow from a pool of commercial mortgage loans; “multi-family CMBS” refers to CMBS backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties; “CDOs” refers to collateralized debt obligations; “CLO” refers to collateralized loan obligation; “Consolidated K-Series” refers to, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, five separate Freddie Mac- sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations, of which we, or one of our special purpose entities,(“SPEs”), own the first loss PO securities and certain IO securities; “Variable Interest Entity” or “VIE” refers to an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; and “Consolidated VIEs” refers to VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary, as it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.

General

We are a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes, in the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing primarily mortgage-related assets and financial assets. Our objective is to deliver long-term stable distributions to our stockholders over changing economic conditions through a combination of net interest margin and net realized capital gains from a diversified investment portfolio. Our portfolio includes certain credit sensitive assets and investments sourced from distressed markets in recent years that create the potential for capital gains, as well as more traditional types of mortgage-related investments that generate interest income.

Our investment portfolio includes residential mortgage loans, including second mortgages and loans sourced from distressed markets, multi-family CMBS, mezzanine loans to and preferred equity investments in owners of multi-family properties, equity and debt securities issued by entities that invest in residential and commercial real estate and commercial real estate-related debt investments and Agency RMBS. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we also may opportunistically acquire and manage various other types of mortgage-related and financial assets that we believe will compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them, including, without limitation, non-Agency RMBS (which may include IOs and POs), collateralized mortgage obligations and securities issued by newly originated residential securitizations, including credit sensitive securities from these securitizations.

We seek to achieve a balanced and diverse funding mix to finance our assets and operations. We currently rely primarily on a combination of short-term borrowings, such as repurchase agreements with terms typically of 30 days, longer term repurchase agreement borrowing with terms between one year and 18 months and longer term structured financings, such as securitizations, with terms longer than one year.





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We internally manage a certain portion of our portfolio, including Agency ARMs, fixed-rate Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, residential securitized loans and second mortgage loans. In addition, as part of our investment strategy, we also contract with certain external investment managers to manage specific asset types targeted by us. We are a party to separate investment management agreements with Headlands Asset Management, LLC, or Headlands, RiverBanc, LLC, or RiverBanc, and The Midway Group, L.P., or Midway, with Headlands providing investment management services with respect to our investments in certain distressed residential mortgage loans, RiverBanc providing investment management services with respect to our investments in multi-family CMBS and certain commercial real estate-related investments, and Midway providing investment management services with respect to our investments in Agency IOs.

Key First Quarter 2016 Developments

Repayment of FHLBI Advances

On January 12, 2016, the regulator of the FHLB system, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, released a final rule that amends regulations governing FHLB membership, including preventing captive insurance companies from being eligible for FHLB membership.  Under the terms of the final rule, our captive insurance subsidiary is required to terminate its membership and repay its existing advances within one year following the effective date of the final rule.  In addition, our captive insurance subsidiary is prohibited from taking new advances or renewing existing maturing advances during the one-year transition period. The final rule became effective on February 19, 2016.  During January 2016, we repaid all of our outstanding FHLBI advances, which was funded primarily through repurchase agreement financing. In April 2016, we redeemed $5.4 million of FHLBI stock, representing majority of our investment in FHLBI stock.

Repayment of Outstanding Notes from Distressed Residential Mortgage Loan Securitization Transactions
    
In February 2016, we repaid the outstanding notes from our 2013 distressed residential mortgage loan securitizations, which had an outstanding principal balance of $31.9 million at the time of repayment. The notes were issued in 2013 in an aggregate original principal amount of $138.3 million.
 
First Quarter 2016 Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends

On March 18, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share of common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The dividend was paid on April 25, 2016 to our common stockholders of record as of March 28, 2016.

On March 18, 2016, in accordance with the terms of our Series B Preferred Stock, our Board of Directors declared a Series B Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.484375 per share of Series B Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2016 to our Series B Preferred stockholders of record as of April 1, 2016.

Also on March 18, 2016, in accordance with the terms of our Series C Preferred Stock, our Board of Directors declared a Series C Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.4921875 per share of Series C Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2016 to our Series C Preferred stockholders of record as of April 1, 2016.

Subsequent Events

Securitization Transaction

On April 15, 2016, the Company closed on a securitization transaction that involved the issuance and sale of $177.5 million of Class A Notes representing beneficial ownership in a pool of performing and re-performing seasoned mortgage loans. The Company retained $25.5 million of Class M Notes and a $79.8 million equity certificate.  In addition, the Company holds 5% of the Class A Notes issued, which resulted in gross proceeds to the Company from the sale of the remaining Class A Notes of approximately $167.7 million.


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RiverBanc LLC Acquisition

On May 3, 2016, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Donlon Family LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (“DF LLC”), JMP Investment Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“JMP”), and Hypotheca Capital, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Hypotheca” and, together with DF LLC and JMP, the “Sellers”) pursuant to which the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of RiverBanc. Such acquisition of membership interests being referred to collectively herein as the “RiverBanc Acquisition.” RiverBanc is an investment management firm and registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that was founded in 2010 and has sourced and managed over $400 million of direct and indirect investments in multifamily apartment properties on behalf of both public and private institutional investors, including the Company. Hypotheca is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, through which the Company indirectly owns 20% of RiverBanc. As of March 31, 2016, RiverBanc manages, directly or indirectly, approximately $371.5 million of the Company’s capital.
 
At the closing of the acquisition, DF LLC and JMP will receive total consideration of cash in the aggregate amount of approximately $24 million, subject to certain adjustments and holdback amounts as described in the Purchase Agreement. Of the cash consideration payable to DF LLC, $3 million will be subject to a holdback at closing, which amount shall be subsequently paid following receipt by the Company of notice from DF LLC that DF LLC or its affiliates has acquired shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate purchase price of not less than $3 million.  The closing of the acquisition is subject to customary closing requirements and conditions, including the execution of a mutually acceptable employment agreement between Kevin Donlon, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of RiverBanc, and the Company. While the Company expects to close the acquisition in the second quarter of 2016, there can be no assurance that the acquisition will close, or if it will close on the Company’s expected schedule.

Current Market Conditions and Commentary

General. Recently released U.S. economic data suggests that the U.S. economy experienced little to no growth during the first quarter of 2016, although economic growth is expected to improve during the balance of 2016. According to the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s March 2016 meeting, Federal Reserve policymakers expect slowing GDP growth in 2016, 2017 and 2018, with the central tendency projections for GDP growth ranging from 2.1% to 2.3% for 2016, 2.0% to 2.3% for 2017, and 1.8% to 2.1% for 2018.
 
The U.S. labor market was substantially unchanged during the first quarter of 2016, with the unemployment rate and number of unemployed persons essentially unchanged from December 31, 2015. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate was 5.0% as of the end of March 2016, while total nonfarm payroll employment posted an average monthly increase of 209,000 jobs during the first quarter of 2016, down modestly from an average monthly increase of 221,000 jobs in 2015.

Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy. In December 2015, given indications that the U.S. economy had improved sufficiently, the Federal Reserve announced that it would raise the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points and has indicated its expectations for additional rate hikes in 2016, although the Federal Reserve opted not to increase the rate at its January or March 2016 meetings. The Federal Reserve indicated following its March 2016 meeting that in determining the size and timing of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will assess both realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2% inflation. Significant uncertainty with respect to the speed at which the Federal Reserve will tighten its monetary policy continues to persist and may result in substantial market volatility in the future. We anticipate further uncertainty as the recent economic data suggests tepid growth for the U.S. economy in the first quarter of 2016 which may cause the Federal Reserve to leave rates lower for an extended period. Greater uncertainty frequently leads to wider asset spreads or lower prices and higher hedging costs.

Single-Family Homes and Residential Mortgage Market. U.S. home prices continued to advance in January 2016, continuing the home price appreciation trend that marked 2015. Data released by S&P Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for January 2016 showed that, on average, home prices increased 5.7% for the 20-City Composite over January 2015. In addition, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, privately-owned housing starts for single family homes averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 792,000 during the first quarter of 2016, as compared to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 636,000 for the first quarter of 2015. We expect the single-family residential real estate market to continue to improve modestly in the near term and that improving single family housing fundamentals will have a positive impact on the overall credit profile of our existing portfolio of distressed residential loans.


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Multi-family Housing. Apartments and other residential rental properties remain one of the better performing segments of the commercial real estate market. According to data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, starts on multi-family homes containing five units or more averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 327,000 during the first quarter of 2016, as compared to 321,000 for the first quarter of 2015. Moreover, even with the recent growth in supply, vacancy trends in the multi-family sector appear to remain stable. According to the fourth quarter of 2015 Multifamily Vacancy Index (“MVI”), which is produced by the National Association of Home Builders and surveys the multifamily housing industry’s perception of vacancies, the MVI was at 40 for the fourth quarter of 2015, up from 36 for the first quarter of 2015, but largely in-line with index scores over the prior eight quarters and equal to the level reported for the fourth quarter of 2014. Strength in the multi-family housing sector has contributed to valuation improvements for multi-family properties and, in turn, many of the multi-family CMBS that we own. We expect the multi-family sector to continue to be a strong performer in the near term given the current favorable conditions for multi-family housing in the U.S.
 
Credit Spreads. The first quarter of 2016 was a story of divergence, with widening credit spreads in the first half of the quarter while the second half of the quarter saw credit spreads for risk assets tighten again. Tightening credit spreads generally increase the value of many of our credit sensitive assets while widening credit spreads generally decrease the value of these assets.
 
Financing markets. During the first quarter of 2016, the bond market experienced a significant amount of volatility with the closing yield of the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note trading between 1.65% and 2.24%, settling at 1.77% at March 31, 2016.

Developments at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Payments on the Agency ARMs and fixed-rate Agency RMBS in which we invest are guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In addition, although not guaranteed by Freddie Mac, all of our multi-family CMBS have been issued by securitization vehicles sponsored by Freddie Mac and the Agency IOs we invest in are issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. As broadly publicized, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are presently under federal conservatorship as the U.S. Government continues to evaluate the future of these entities and what role the U.S. Government should continue to play in the housing markets in the future. Since being placed under federal conservatorship, there have been a number of proposals introduced, both from industry groups and by the U.S. Congress, relating to changing the role of the U.S. government in the mortgage market and reforming or eliminating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It remains unclear how the U.S. Congress will move forward on such reform at this time and what impact, if any, this reform will have on mortgage REITs. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business and Our Company-Changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the U.S. government may adversely affect our business.”

Significant Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

A summary of our critical accounting policies is included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and “Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included therein.

Revenue Recognition. Interest income on our investment securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with investment securities at the time of purchase or origination are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity.

Interest income on our credit sensitive securities, such as our CMBS that were purchased at a discount to par value, is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate on these securities is based on management’s estimate from each security of the projected cash flows, which are estimated based on assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, management reviews and, if appropriate, adjusts its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its own judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the yield/interest income recognized on these securities.

A portion of the purchase discount on the Company’s first loss tranche PO multi-family CMBS is designated as non-accretable purchase discount or credit reserve, which partially mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such multi-family CMBS, and is not expected to be accreted into interest income. The amount designated as a credit reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors. If the performance of a security with a credit reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as credit reserve may be accreted into interest income over time. Conversely, if the performance of a security with a credit reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as credit reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could be required.

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With respect to interest rate swaps that have not been designated as hedges, any net payments under, or fluctuations in the fair value of, such swaps will be recognized in current earnings.

Fair Value. The Company has established and documented processes for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use inputs that are market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves. Such inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s interest-only CMBS, principal-only CMBS, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and multi-family CDOs are considered to be the most significant of its fair value estimates.

The Company’s valuation methodologies are described in “Note 14 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Impaired Loans (net) – Impaired residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are recorded at amortized cost less specific loan loss reserves. Impaired loan value is based on management’s estimate of the net realizable value taking into consideration local market conditions of the distressed property, updated appraisal values of the property and estimated expenses required to remediate the impaired loan.

Variable Interest Entities – A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE. As primary beneficiary, it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

Loan Consolidation Reporting Requirement for Certain Multi-Family K-Series Securitizations. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we owned 100% of the first loss tranche of securities of the Consolidated K-Series. The Consolidated K-Series collectively represents, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, five separate Freddie Mac sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations, of which we, or one of our SPEs, own the first loss PO securities and certain IO securities. We determined that the Consolidated K-Series were VIEs and that we are the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series. As a result, we are required to consolidate the Consolidated K-Series’ underlying multi-family loans including their liabilities, income and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We have elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations in the assets and liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series to be reflected in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Fair Value Option – The fair value option provides an election that allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value for financial assets and liabilities on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition. Changes in fair value for assets and liabilities for which the election is made will be recognized in earnings as they occur. The Company elected the fair value option for its Agency IO strategy, certain of its investments in unconsolidated entities and the Consolidated K-Series (as defined in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report).

Acquired Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans – Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans that have evidence of deteriorated credit quality at acquisition are accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). Management evaluates whether there is evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the acquisition date using indicators such as past due or modified status, risk ratings, recent borrower credit scores and recent loan-to-value percentages. Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, with no allowance for loan losses. Under ASC 310-30, the acquired loans may be aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans if the loans being aggregated have common risk characteristics. A pool is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an expectation of aggregate cash flows. Once a pool is assembled, it is treated as if it was one loan for purposes of applying the accounting guidance.








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Under ASC 310-30, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the “accretable yield,” is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans in each pool or individually using a level yield methodology. Accordingly, our acquired distressed residential mortgage loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are not subject to classification as nonaccrual classification in the same manner as our residential mortgage loans that were not distressed when acquired by us. Rather, interest income on acquired distressed residential mortgage loans relates to the accretable yield recognized at the pool level or on an individual loan basis, and not to contractual interest payments received at the loan level. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected, referred to as the “nonaccretable difference,” includes estimates of both the impact of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the individual loan, or the pool (for loans grouped into a pool).

Management monitors actual cash collections against its expectations, and revised cash flow expectations are prepared as necessary. A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the loan pool or individual loan, as applicable, is impaired, thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. An increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods initially reduces any previously established allowance for loan losses by the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, and results in a recalculation of the amount of accretable yield for the loan pool. The adjustment of accretable yield due to a significant increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. The additional cash flows expected to be collected are reclassified from the nonaccretable difference to the accretable yield, and the amount of periodic accretion is adjusted accordingly over the remaining life of the loans in the pool or individual loan, as applicable. The impacts of (i) prepayments, (ii) changes in variable interest rates, and (iii) any other changes in the timing of expected cash flows are recognized prospectively as adjustments to interest income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and the possible effects on our financial statements is included in “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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Capital Allocation

The following tables set forth our allocated capital by investment type at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

At March 31, 2016:
 
Agency
RMBS(1) 
 
Agency IOs
 
Multi-
Family(2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Loans (3)
 
Residential Securitized
Loans(4)
 
Other(5)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
531,572

 
$
188,251

 
$
473,745

 
$
541,366

 
$
113,186

 
$
32,766

 
$
1,880,886

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable(6)
(471,383
)
 
(102,474
)
 
(5,661
)
 
(217,555
)
 
—

 
(9,450
)
 
(806,523
)
Non-callable
—

 
—

 
(83,471
)
 
—

 
(110,023
)
 
(45,000
)
 
(238,494
)
Hedges (Net)(7)
2,358

 
(19,555
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(17,197
)
Cash(8)
5,316

 
28,934

 
719

 
—

 
—

 
22,101

 
57,070

Other
10,524

 
6,739

 
(1,599
)
 
12,472

 
1,132

 
(30,002
)
 
(734
)
Net capital allocated
$
78,387

 
$
101,895

 
$
383,733

 
$
336,283

 
$
4,295

 
$
(29,585
)
 
$
875,008

% of capital allocated
9.0
%
 
11.6
%
 
43.9
%
 
38.4
%
 
0.5
%
 
(3.4
)%
 



(1) 
Includes both Agency ARMs and Agency fixed rate RMBS.
(2) 
The Company determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of March 31, 2016 follows:
        
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
7,250,585

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(6,957,293
)
Net carrying value
293,292

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
59,341

Total CMBS, at fair value
352,633

First mortgage loan, mezzanine loan, preferred equity and other equity investments
121,111

Financing arrangements
(5,661
)
Securitized debt
(83,471
)
Cash and other
(879
)
Net Capital in Multi-Family
$
383,733


(3) 
Includes mortgage loans held for sale with a carrying value of $3.7 million that is included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet in receivables and other assets.
(4) 
Represents our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. We securitized these loans in 2005.
(5) 
Other includes non-Agency RMBS and loans held for investment. Other non-callable liabilities consist of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures.
(6) 
Includes repurchase agreements.
(7) 
Includes derivative assets, derivative liabilities, payable for securities purchased and restricted cash posted as margin.
(8) 
Includes $13.5 million held in overnight deposits in our Agency IO portfolio to be used for trading purposes. These deposits are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet in receivables and other assets.


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At December 31, 2015:
 
Agency
RMBS(1) 
 
Agency IOs
 
Multi-
Family(2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Loans(3)
 
Residential Securitized
Loans(4)
 
Other(5)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
547,745

 
$
175,408

 
$
450,228

 
$
562,303

 
$
119,921

 
$
15,184

 
$
1,870,789

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable(6)
(489,253
)
 
(88,160
)
 
—

 
(214,490
)
 
—

 
—

 
(791,903
)
Non-callable
—

 
—

 
(83,871
)
 
(33,657
)
 
(116,710
)
 
(45,000
)
 
(279,238
)
Hedges (Net)(7)
2,997

 
2,623

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,620

Cash(8)
5,477

 
13,663

 
525

 
551

 
—

 
56,213

 
76,429

Other
9,311

 
4,799

 
(2,185
)
 
13,330

 
1,187

 
(27,613
)
 
(1,171
)
Net capital allocated
$
76,277

 
$
108,333

 
$
364,697

 
$
328,037

 
$
4,398

 
$
(1,216
)
 
$
880,526

% of capital allocated
8.7
%
 
12.3
%
 
41.4
%
 
37.3
%
 
0.5
%
 
(0.1
)%
 
 

(1) 
Includes both Agency ARMs and Agency fixed rate RMBS.
(2) 
The Company determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of December 31, 2015 follows:
        
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
7,105,336

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(6,818,901
)
Net carrying value
286,435

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
40,734

Total CMBS, at fair value
327,169

First mortgage loan, mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments
123,059

Securitized debt
(83,871
)
Other
(1,660
)
Net Capital in Multi-family
$
364,697

(3) 
Includes mortgage loans held for sale with a carrying value of $3.3 million that is included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet in receivables and other assets.
(4) 
Represents our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. We securitized these loans in 2005.
(5) 
Other includes non-Agency RMBS and mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment. Other non-callable liabilities consist of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures.
(6) 
Includes repurchase agreements and FHLBI advances.
(7) 
Includes derivative assets, derivative liabilities, payable for securities purchased and restricted cash posted as margin.
(8) 
Includes $11.6 million held in overnight deposits in our Agency IO portfolio to be used for trading purposes. These deposits are included in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheet in receivables and other assets.



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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $13.7 million as compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $22.1 million for the same period in 2015. The main components of the change in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same periods in 2015 are detailed in the following table (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Net interest income
$
17,642

 
$
21,601

 
$
(3,959
)
Total other income
$
8,860

 
$
13,033

 
$
(4,173
)
Total general, administrative and other expenses
$
9,360

 
$
10,846

 
$
(1,486
)
Income from operations before income taxes
$
17,142

 
$
23,788

 
$
(6,646
)
Income tax expense
$
191

 
$
245

 
$
(54
)
Net income
$
16,951

 
$
23,543

 
$
(6,592
)
Preferred stock dividends
$
(3,225
)
 
$
(1,453
)
 
$
(1,772
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
13,726

 
$
22,090

 
$
(8,364
)
Basic income per common share
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
(0.08
)
Diluted income per common share
$
0.13

 
$
0.21

 
$
(0.08
)

Net Interest Income

The decrease in net interest income of approximately $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015 was primarily driven by:
•
A decrease in net interest income of approximately $2.8 million due to the sale of CLO securities in the second quarter of 2015.

•
A decrease in net interest income of approximately and $0.8 million in our Agency RMBS portfolios due to a decrease in average interest earning assets in this portfolio.

•
A decrease in net interest income of approximately $0.6 million in our distressed residential loan portfolio due to a decrease in average interest earning assets in this portfolio. Average interest earning assets in this portfolio decreased to $561.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to $576.2 million in the corresponding period in 2015.

•
An increase in net interest income of approximately $0.8 million in our multi-family portfolio due to an increase in this portfolio’s average interest earning assets.

Other Income

The decrease in other income of approximately $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2015 was primarily driven by:

•
A decline in net unrealized gains on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts of $12.8 million for the three months ended as compared to the corresponding period in 2015. Credit spreads for these assets widened during the last quarter of 2015 and first half of the first quarter of 2016, although the second half of the first quarter of 2016 saw credit spreads tighten again on these assets.

•
An increase in realized gains on distressed residential mortgage loans of $4.9 million due primarily to the sale of a pool of distressed residential mortgage loans in February 2016 for aggregate proceeds of approximately $39.5 million, which resulted in a net realized gain, before income taxes, of approximately $5.5 million.


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•
A decrease in net unrealized loss on investment securities and related hedges of $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily related to our Agency IO portfolio. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, our Agency IO portfolio had a net increase in the mark-to-market valuation of its investment securities and hedges.

•
An increase in other income of $0.8 million, which is primarily due to an increase in income from our common and preferred equity ownership interests in RB Multifamily Investors LLC, an entity that invests in commercial real estate and commercial real estate-related debt investments. RB Multifamily Investors LLC is externally managed by RiverBanc.

Comparative Expenses (dollar amounts in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
General, Administrative and Other Expenses
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
Salaries, benefits and directors’ compensation
$
1,297

 
$
1,082

 
$
215

Professional Fees
$
562

 
$
263

 
$
299

Base management and incentive fees
$
3,526

 
$
6,870

 
$
(3,344
)
Expenses on distressed residential mortgage loans
$
3,194

 
$
1,884

 
$
1,310

Other
$
781

 
$
747

 
$
34

Total
$
9,360

 
$
10,846

 
$
(1,486
)

The decrease in base management and incentive fees for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily driven by a decrease in incentive compensation earned by RiverBanc. RiverBanc earned incentive compensation of $3.2 million from the sale of a multi-family CMBS security included in the Consolidated K-Series in the first quarter of 2015.

The increase in expenses related to distressed residential mortgage loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 is due to higher work-out costs for seasoned loans as well as an increase in appraisal costs on outstanding loans in the portfolio.



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Quarterly Comparative Net Interest Spread

Our results of operations for our investment portfolio during a given period typically reflect the net interest income earned on our investment portfolio of RMBS, CMBS (including CMBS held in securitization trusts), residential securitized loans, distressed residential loans including distressed residential loans held in securitization trusts, loans held for investment, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments, where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to accounted for as loans, loans held for sale and CLOs (collectively, our “Interest Earning Assets”). The net interest spread is impacted by factors such as our cost of financing, the interest rate that our investments bear and our interest rate hedging strategies. Furthermore, the amount of premium or discount paid on purchased portfolio investments and the prepayment rates on portfolio investments will impact the net interest spread as such factors will be amortized over the expected term of such investments. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on TBAs, Eurodollar and Treasury futures and other derivatives associated with our Agency IO investments, which do not utilize hedge accounting for financial reporting purposes, are included in other income (loss) in our statement of operations, and therefore, not reflected in the data set forth below.

The following table sets forth certain information about our portfolio by investment type and their related interest income, interest expense, weighted average yield, average cost of funds and net interest spread for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (dollar amounts in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Agency
RMBS
 
Agency IOs
 
Multi-
Family (1) (2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Loans
 
Residential
Securitized
Loans
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
2,454

 
$
3,637

 
$
8,647

 
$
8,858

 
$
744

 
$
86

 
$
24,426

Interest Expense
(1,155
)
 
(515
)
 
(1,545
)
 
(2,604
)
 
(303
)
 
(161
)
 
(6,283
)
Net Interest Income (3)
$
1,299

 
$
3,122

 
$
7,102

 
$
6,254

 
$
441

 
$
(75
)
 
$
18,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (2) (4)
$
573,605

 
$
137,546

 
$
286,051

 
$
561,685

 
$
121,152

 
$
6,736

 
$
1,686,775

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
1.71
 %
 
10.58
 %
 
12.09
 %
 
6.31
 %
 
2.46
 %
 
5.11
%
 
5.79
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(0.95
)%
 
(2.48
)%
 
(7.29
)%
 
(4.18
)%
 
(1.05
)%
 
—

 
(2.46
)%
Net interest spread(7)
0.76
 %
 
8.10
 %
 
4.80
 %
 
2.13
 %
 
1.41
 %
 
5.11
%
 
3.33
 %

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

 
Agency
RMBS
 
Agency IOs
 
Multi-
Family (1) (2)
 
Distressed
Residential
Loans
 
Residential
Securitized
Loans
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
3,315

 
$
3,566

 
$
7,821

 
$
10,554

 
$
871

 
$
2,763

 
$
28,890

Interest Expense
(1,220
)
 
(198
)
 
(1,486
)
 
(3,687
)
 
(239
)
 
—

 
(6,830
)
Net Interest Income (3)
$
2,095

 
$
3,368

 
$
6,335

 
$
6,867

 
$
632

 
$
2,763

 
$
22,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (2) (4)
$
659,488

 
$
131,589

 
$
265,221

 
$
576,214

 
$
152,013

 
$
30,250

 
$
1,814,775

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
2.01
 %
 
10.84
 %
 
11.8
 %
 
7.33
 %
 
2.29
 %
 
36.54
%
 
6.37
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(0.85
)%
 
(1.23
)%
 
(7.15
)%
 
(4.03
)%
 
(0.67
)%
 
—
%
 
(2.22
)%
Net interest spread(7)
1.16
 %
 
9.61
 %
 
4.65
 %
 
3.30
 %
 
1.62
 %
 
36.54
%
 
4.15
 %

(1) 
The Company determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series (as defined below) and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s financial statements. Average Interest Earning Assets for the periods indicated exclude all Consolidated K-Series assets other than those securities issued by the securitizations comprising the Consolidated K-Series that are actually owned by us and interest income amounts represent interest income earned by securities that are actually owned by us. A reconciliation of our interest income in multi-family investments to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is set forth below (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
63,532

 
$
66,300

Interest income, investment securities, available for sale (a)
922

 
827

Interest expense, multi-family collateralized obligation
57,200

 
60,095

Interest income, multi-family CMBS
7,254

 
7,032

Interest income, mezzanine loan and preferred equity investments (a)
1,393

 
789

Interest income in Multi-Family
$
8,647

 
$
7,821


(a)
Included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in interest income, investment securities and other.

(2) 
Average Interest Earning Assets for the quarter excludes all Consolidated K-Series assets other than those securities issued by the securitizations comprising the Consolidated K-Series that are actually owned by us.
(3) 
Net Interest Income excludes interest expense on our subordinated debentures.
(4) 
Our Average Interest Earning Assets is calculated each quarter based on daily average amortized cost for the respective periods.
(5) 
Our Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets was calculated by dividing our annualized interest income for the quarter by our Average Interest Earning Assets for the quarter.
(6) 
Our Average Cost of Funds was calculated by dividing our annualized interest expense by our average interest bearing liabilities, excluding subordinated debentures for the respective periods. Our Average Cost of Funds includes interest expense on our interest rate swaps.
(7) 
Net Interest Spread is the difference between our Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets and our Average Cost of Funds, excluding the Weighted Average Cost of subordinated debentures.






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Prepayment Experience

The following table sets forth the actual constant prepayment rates (“CPR”) for selected asset classes, by quarter, for the quarterly periods indicated:
Quarter Ended

Agency
ARMs

Agency
Fixed
Rate

Agency
IOs

Non-Agency
RMBS

Residential
Securitizations

Total Weighted
Average
March 31, 2016
 
13.5%
 
7.9%
 
14.7%
 
12.9%
 
14.8%
 
12.7%
December 31, 2015
 
16.9%
 
8.5%
 
14.6%
 
15.3%
 
31.2%
 
14.7%
September 30, 2015

18.6%
 
10.5%
 
18.0%
 
12.54%
 
8.9%
 
15.1%
June 30, 2015

9.2%
 
10.6%
 
16.3%
 
12.5%
 
11.1%
 
13.3%
March 31, 2015

9.1%
 
6.5%
 
14.7%
 
15.5%
 
13.7%
 
11.5%
December 31, 2014

12.3%
 
6.5%
 
14.6%
 
13.7%
 
5.4%
 
11.1%
September 30, 2014

20.5%
 
9.2%
 
15.2%
 
18.7%
 
5.4%
 
13.1%
June 30, 2014

9.9%
 
6.7%
 
12.7%
 
10.5%
 
7.0%
 
10.1%
March 31, 2014

8.8%
 
5.2%
 
11.3%
 
9.7%
 
7.5%
 
8.8%

When prepayment expectations over the remaining life of assets increase, we have to amortize premiums over a shorter time period resulting in a reduced yield to maturity on our investment assets. Conversely, if prepayment expectations decrease, the premium would be amortized over a longer period resulting in a higher yield to maturity. In addition, the market values and cash flows from our Agency IOs can be materially adversely affected during periods of elevated prepayments. We monitor our prepayment experience on a monthly basis and adjust the amortization rate to reflect current market conditions.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately $9.3 billion of total assets, as compared to approximately $9.1 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Consolidated K-Series assets amounted to approximately $7.3 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively. See "Significant Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies—Loan Consolidation Reporting Requirement for Certain Multi-Family K-Series Securitizations" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Balance Sheet Analysis

Investment Securities Available for Sale. Our securities portfolio includes Agency RMBS, including Agency fixed-rate and ARM pass-through certificates, Agency IOs, CMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and U.S. Treasury securities, which are classified as investment securities available for sale. At March 31, 2016, we had no investment securities in a single issuer or entity that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our total assets. The increase in our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2015 is primarily related to our purchases of non-Agency RMBS and CMBS during the quarter.


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The following tables set forth the balances of our investment securities available for sale by vintage (i.e., by issue year) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2013
$
179,900

 
$
188,263

 
$
163,980

 
$
170,049

2013
12,951

 
13,346

 
1,282

 
1,313

2014
1,386

 
1,430

 
1,203

 
1,233

2015
559

 
580

 
401

 
418

Total ARMs
194,796

 
203,619

 
166,866

 
173,013

Fixed
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2013
372,272

 
388,804

 
408,240

 
422,488

2013
—

 
—

 
309

 
335

2015
469

 
513

 
1,668

 
1,890

Total Fixed
372,741

 
389,317

 
410,217

 
424,713

IO
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2013
448,003

 
68,478

 
484,683

 
74,652

2013
109,392

 
18,162

 
113,845

 
19,214

2014
62,853

 
7,196

 
65,295

 
7,976

2015
112,824

 
19,030

 
91,837

 
13,548

2016
40,374

 
4,342

 
—

 
—

Total IOs
773,446

 
117,208

 
755,660

 
115,390

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Agency RMBS
1,340,983

 
710,144

 
1,332,743

 
713,116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2011
—

 
—

 
10,000

 
10,037

2016
8,000

 
7,989

 
—

 
—

Total US Treasury Securities
8,000

 
7,989

 
10,000

 
10,037

Non Agency RMBS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

2006
19,029

 
16,999

 
2,088

 
1,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2013 (1)
844,922

 
41,490

 
853,408

 
40,734

2013
5,912

 
5,351

 
—

 
—

2014
2,500

 
2,201

 
—

 
—

2015
11,880

 
10,299

 
—

 
—

Total CMBS
865,214

 
59,341

 
853,408

 
40,734

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
2,233,226

 
$
794,473

 
$
2,188,239

 
$
765,454


(1)  
These amounts represent multi-family CMBS available for sale held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.



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Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts (net). Included in our portfolio are prime ARM loans that we originated or purchased in bulk from third parties that met our investment criteria and portfolio requirements and that we subsequently securitized in 2005.

At March 31, 2016, residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts totaled approximately $113.2 million. The Company’s net investment in the residential securitization trusts, which is the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that is at risk to loss and represents the difference between the carrying amount of (i) the ARM mortgage loans and real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.3 million. Of the residential mortgage loans held in securitized trusts, 100% are traditional ARMs or hybrid ARMs, 82.6% of which are ARM loans that are interest only. With respect to the hybrid ARMs included in these securitizations, interest rate reset periods were predominately five years or less and the interest-only period is typically nine years, which mitigates the “payment shock” at the time of interest rate reset. None of the residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are pay option-ARMs or ARMs with negative amortization.

The following table details our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2016
321

 
$
116,118

 
$
113,186

December 31, 2015
331

 
$
122,545

 
$
119,921


Characteristics of Our Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts:

The following table sets forth the composition of our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
General Loan Characteristics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Loan Balance
$
427

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

 
$
432

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

Current Coupon Rate
2.93
%
 
4.63
%
 
1.50
%
 
2.82
%
 
4.63
%
 
1.38
%
Gross Margin
2.37
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
 
2.37
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
Lifetime Cap
11.29
%
 
13.25
%
 
9.38
%
 
11.30
%
 
13.25
%
 
9.38
%
Original Term (Months)
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

Remaining Term (Months)
229

 
237

 
196

 
233

 
240

 
199

Average Months to Reset
6

 
11

 
1

 
5

 
11

 
1

Original FICO Score
725

 
818

 
593

 
724

 
818

 
593

Original LTV
69.62
%
 
95.00
%
 
13.94
%
 
69.77
%
 
95.00
%
 
13.94
%


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The following tables detail the activity for the residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts (net) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Principal
 
Premium
 
Allowance for
Loan Losses
 
Net Carrying
Value
Balance, January 1, 2016
$
122,545

 
$
775

 
$
(3,399
)
 
$
119,921

Principal repayments
(6,427
)
 
—

 
—

 
(6,427
)
Provision for loan loss
—

 
—

 
(246
)
 
(246
)
Transfer to real estate owned
—

 
—

 
(23
)
 
(23
)
Charge-Offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of premium
—

 
(39
)
 
—

 
(39
)
Balance, March 31, 2016
$
116,118

 
$
736

 
$
(3,668
)
 
$
113,186

 
Principal
 
Premium
 
Allowance for
Loan Losses
 
Net Carrying Value
Balance, January 1, 2015
$
152,277

 
$
968

 
$
(3,631
)
 
$
149,614

Principal repayments
(6,775
)
 
—

 
—

 
(6,775
)
Provision for loan loss
—

 
—

 
(310
)
 
(310
)
Transfer to real estate owned
193

 
—

 
(1
)
 
192

Charge-Offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of premium
—

 
(44
)
 
—

 
(44
)
Balance, March 31, 2015
$
145,695

 
$
924

 
$
(3,942
)
 
$
142,677


Acquired Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans. Distressed residential mortgage loans are comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company at a discount, with evidence of credit deterioration since their origination and where it is probable that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal payments. Management evaluates whether there is evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the acquisition date using indicators such as past due or modified status, risk ratings, recent borrower credit scores and recent loan-to-value percentages. Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are distressed residential mortgage loans transferred to Consolidated VIEs that have been securitized into beneficial interests.

The following table details our portfolio of distressed residential mortgage loans, including those distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of
Loans
 
Unpaid principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2016
5,752

 
$
608,914

 
$
537,616

December 31, 2015
5,877

 
$
640,570

 
$
558,989


The Company’s distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value of approximately $0 and $114.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are pledged as collateral for certain of the securitized debt issued by the Company. The Company’s net investment in these securitization trusts, which is the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that is at risk to loss and represents the difference between the carrying amount of the net assets and liabilities associated with the distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, was $0.9 million and $86.6 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $247.7 million and $307.0 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch.



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Characteristics of Our Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans, including Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts:

Loan to Value at Purchase
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
50.00% or less
3.7
%
 
3.3
%
50.01% - 60.00%
4.1
%
 
3.6
%
60.01% - 70.00%
6.6
%
 
6.7
%
70.01% - 80.00%
10.3
%
 
10.0
%
80.01% - 90.00%
12.2
%
 
11.9
%
90.01% - 100.00%
13.3
%
 
13.1
%
100.01% and over
49.8
%
 
51.4
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

FICO Scores at Purchase
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
550 or less
17.5
%
 
17.7
%
551 to 600
29.4
%
 
30.3
%
601 to 650
27.9
%
 
28.2
%
651 to 700
15.6
%
 
15.4
%
701 to 750
7.2
%
 
6.5
%
751 to 800
2.1
%
 
1.7
%
801 and over
0.3
%
 
0.2
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Current Coupon
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
3.00% or less
13.0
%
 
14.9
%
3.01% - 4.00%
10.7
%
 
9.3
%
4.01% - 5.00%
21.2
%
 
21.3
%
5.01% – 6.00%
11.5
%
 
11.5
%
6.01% and over
43.6
%
 
43.0
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Delinquency Status
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Current
73.9
%
 
68.1
%
31 – 60 days
12.2
%
 
11.0
%
61 – 90 days
1.4
%
 
9.0
%
90+ days
12.5
%
 
11.9
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Origination Year
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
2005 or earlier
27.1
%
 
27.1
%
2006
18.7
%
 
19.0
%
2007
33.7
%
 
34.2
%
2008 or later
20.5
%
 
19.7
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Consolidated K-Series. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we owned 100% of the first loss securities of the Consolidated K-Series. The Consolidated K-Series are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in five Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations, of which we, or one of our SPEs, own the first loss securities and certain IOs. We determined that the securitizations comprising the Consolidated K-Series were VIEs and that we are the primary beneficiary of these securitizations. Accordingly, we are required to consolidate the Consolidated K-Series’ underlying multi-family loans and related debt, income and expense in our financial statements.

We have elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations in the liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series will be reflected in our consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Consolidated K-Series was comprised of $7.3 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively, in multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and $7.0 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively, in multi-family CDOs, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.98%. As a result of the consolidation of the Consolidated K-Series, our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 included $63.5 million and $66.3 million in interest income, respectively, and $57.2 million and $60.1 million in interest expense, respectively. Also, we recognized a $0.8 million and $13.6 million unrealized gain in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively, as a result of the fair value accounting method election.

We do not have any claims to the assets (other than the security represented by our first loss piece) or obligations for the liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series. Our investment in the Consolidated K-Series is limited to the multi-family CMBS comprised of first loss tranche PO securities and or/certain IOs issued by these K-Series securitizations with an aggregate net carrying value of $293.3 million and $286.4 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Multi-Family CMBS Loan Characteristics:

The following table details the loan characteristics of the loans that back the multi-family CMBS (including the Consolidated K-Series) in our portfolio as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands, except as noted):
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Current balance of loans
$
8,953

 
$
9,034

Number of loans
545

 
548

Weighted average original LTV
68.9
%
 
68.8
%
Weighted average underwritten debt service coverage ratio
1.49x

 
1.49x

Current average loan size
$
16,427

 
$
16,486

Weighted average original loan term (in months)
120

 
120

Weighted average current remaining term (in months)
79

 
79

Weighted average loan rate
4.39
%
 
4.40
%
First mortgages
100
%
 
100
%
Geographic state concentration (greater than 5.0%):
 
 
 
California
13.9
%
 
13.8
%
Texas
12.4
%
 
12.3
%
New York
8.1
%
 
8.0
%
Maryland
5.3
%
 
5.2
%

Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments. The Company finances its portfolio investments primarily through repurchase agreements and, until January 2016, Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The Company has entered into repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, GLIH, which is a member of the FHLBI, had access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLBI, including secured advances, until January 2016 when the regulator of the FHLB system amended regulations governing FHLB membership. These financing arrangements are short-term borrowings that bear interest rates typically based on a spread to LIBOR, and are secured by the securities which they finance.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had approximately $589.9 million and $577.4 million, respectively, of borrowings under financing arrangements, including Federal Home Loan Bank advances. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the current weighted average borrowing rate on these financing facilities was 0.84% and 0.71%, respectively.

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As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had no counterparties where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of stockholders’ equity. The amount at risk is defined as the fair value of securities pledged as collateral to the financing agreement in excess of the financing agreement liability.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the outstanding balance under our financing agreements was funded at an advance rate of 92.0% and 92.1% that implies an average haircut of 8.0% and 7.9%, respectively. The weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS (excluding Agency IOs), non-Agency RMBS, CMBS and Agency IOs was approximately 5%, 20%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The following table details the ending balance, quarterly average balance and maximum balance at any month-end during each quarter in 2016, 2015 and 2014 for outstanding financing arrangements, including Federal Home Loan Bank advances (dollar amounts in thousands):
Quarter Ended
 
Quarterly Average
Balance
 
End of Quarter
Balance
 
Maximum Balance
at any Month-End
March 31, 2016
 
$
576,822

 
$
589,919

 
$
589,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
$
574,847

 
$
577,413

 
$
578,136

September 30, 2015
 
$
578,491

 
$
586,075

 
$
586,075

June 30, 2015
 
$
513,254

 
$
585,492

 
$
585,492

March 31, 2015
 
$
633,132

 
$
619,741

 
$
645,162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
$
658,360

 
$
651,965

 
$
668,901

September 30, 2014
 
$
639,831

 
$
627,881

 
$
653,181

June 30, 2014
 
$
725,761

 
$
668,428

 
$
758,857

March 31, 2014
 
$
774,545

 
$
767,827

 
$
784,019


Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans. The Company has a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million, to fund future purchases of distressed residential mortgage loans. The outstanding balance on the master repurchase agreement, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, amounts to approximately $218.5 million and $214.5 million, respectively, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 2.50% (2.93% and 2.92% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) and expires on December 15, 2016. Distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $247.7 million at March 31, 2016, are pledged as collateral for the borrowings under the master repurchase agreement. The Company expects to roll outstanding borrowings under this master repurchase agreement into a new repurchase agreement or other financing prior to or at maturity.

In addition, on November 25, 2015, the Company entered into a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million, to fund the future purchase of residential mortgage loans. The outstanding balance on the master repurchase agreement will bear interest at one-month LIBOR plus 4.0% and expires on May 25, 2017. There was no outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had Residential CDOs of $110.0 million and $116.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate of these Residential CDOs was 0.81% and 0.80%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARM loans with a principal balance of $116.1 million and $122.5 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest for three securitizations, and, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

Securitized Debt. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 we had approximately $83.5 million and $116.5 million of securitized debt, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate for our securitized debt was 5.57% and 5.28%, respectively. The Company’s securitized debt is collateralized by multi-family CMBS and distressed residential mortgage loans. In February 2016, the Company repaid the Company’s outstanding notes from its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transactions completed in 2013 with original principal amounts of $138.3 million and outstanding principal balance at the time of repayment amounting to $31.9 million. See Note 7 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on securitized debt.

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Subordinated Debentures. As of March 31, 2016, certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries had trust preferred securities outstanding of $45.0 million with a weighted average interest rate of 4.46%. The securities are fully guaranteed by us with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment. These securities are classified as subordinated debentures in the liability section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities. The Company enters into derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. These derivative instruments may include interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures, put and call options on futures and mortgage derivatives such as forward-settling purchases and sales of Agency RMBS where the underlying pools of mortgage loans are “To-Be-Announced,” or TBAs.

In connection with our investment in Agency IOs, we utilize several types of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, futures, put and call options on futures and TBAs to hedge the interest rate risk and spread risk. This hedging technique is dynamic in nature and requires frequent adjustments, which accordingly makes it very difficult to qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Hedge accounting treatment requires specific identification of a risk or group of risks and then requires that we designate a particular trade to that risk with no minimal ability to adjust over the life of the transaction. Because we and Midway are frequently adjusting these derivative instruments in response to current market conditions, we have determined to account for all the derivative instruments related to our Agency IO investments as derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with derivatives in our Agency IO portfolio are recognized through earnings in the consolidated statements of operations.

We also use interest rate swaps (separately from interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio) to hedge variable cash flows associated with borrowings made under our financing arrangements and Residential CDOs. We typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one month LIBOR, on the notional amount of the interest rate swaps. The floating rate we receive under our swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics and cash flows of our financing arrangements. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had $215.0 million of notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding that qualify as cash flow hedges for financial reporting purposes. The interest rate swaps had a net fair market liability value of $0.6 million at March 31, 2016 and net fair market asset value of $0.3 million at December 31, 2015. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information on our derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Derivative financial instruments may contain credit risk to the extent that the institutional counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with good credit ratings. In addition, we regularly monitor the potential risk of loss with any one party resulting from this type of credit risk. Accordingly, we do not expect any material losses as a result of default by other parties, but we cannot guarantee that we will not experience counterparty failures in the future.

Balance Sheet Analysis - Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2016 was $875.0 million and included $4.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive income. The accumulated other comprehensive income primarily consisted of $12.1 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS, partially offset by $0.6 million in unrealized derivative losses related to cash flow hedges and $7.4 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS. Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2015 was $880.5 million and included $2.9 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of $15.2 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS offset by $12.0 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS and $0.3 million in unrealized derivative gains related to cash flow hedges.














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Analysis of Changes in Book Value

The following table analyzes the changes in book value of our common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands, except per share):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Per Share (1)
Beginning Balance
$
715,526

 
109,402

 
$
6.54

Common stock issuance, net (2)
54

 
7

 


Balance after share issuance activity
715,580

 
109,409

 
6.54

Dividends declared
(26,258
)
 


 
(0.24
)
Net change AOCI: (3) 

 

 


Hedges
(902
)
 


 
(0.01
)
RMBS
7,799

 


 
0.07

CMBS
63

 


 
—

Net income attributable to common stockholders
13,726

 


 
0.13

Ending Balance
$
710,008

 
109,409

 
$
6.49


(1) 
Outstanding shares used to calculate book value per share for the ending balance is based on outstanding shares as of March 31, 2016 of 109,409,236.
(2) 
Includes amortization of stock based compensation.
(3) 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, comply with margin requirements, fund our operations, pay management, incentive and consulting fees, pay dividends to our stockholders and other general business needs. Our investments and assets, excluding the principal only multi-family CMBS we invest in, generate liquidity on an ongoing basis through principal and interest payments, prepayments, net earnings retained prior to payment of dividends and distributions from unconsolidated investments. Our principal only multi-family CMBS are backed by balloon non-recourse mortgage loans that provide for the payment of principal at maturity date, which is typically seven to ten years from the date the underlying mortgage loans are originated, and therefore do not directly contribute to monthly cash flows. In addition, the Company will, from time to time, sell on an opportunistic basis certain securities, as part of its overall investment strategy and these sales are expected to provide additional liquidity.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash decreased by $22.0 million, as a result of $47.3 million provided by investing activities and $18.5 million of cash provided by operating activities offset by $87.9 million used in financing activities. Our investing activities primarily included $58.9 million in proceeds from sales of investment securities, $24.4 million in principal paydowns received on investment securities available for sale, $34.7 million in principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, $6.4 million in principal repayments received on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, $47.4 million in principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancing of distressed residential mortgage loans, partially offset by $29.7 million in purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans and $90.4 million in purchases of investment securities. Our financing activities primarily included $17.0 million in net proceeds from financing arrangements offset by $34.7 million in payments made on multi-family CDOs, $29.5 million in dividends paid on common stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, $6.7 million in payments made on Residential CDOs, and $33.7 million in payments made on securitized debt.

    






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We fund our investments and operations through a balanced and diverse funding mix, which includes proceeds from equity offerings, short-term and longer-term repurchase agreement borrowings, CDOs, securitized debt, trust preferred debentures and, until January 2016, we also used FHLBI advances. The type and terms of financing used by us depends on the asset being financed. In those cases where we utilize some form of structured financing, be it through CDOs, longer-term repurchase agreements or securitized debt, the cash flow produced by the assets that serve as collateral for these structured finance instruments may be restricted in terms of its use or applied to pay principal or interest on CDOs, repurchase agreements, or notes that are senior to our interests. At March 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents balances of $39.9 million, which decreased from $62.0 million at December 31, 2015. Based on our current investment portfolio, new investment initiatives, leverage ratio and available and future possible borrowing arrangements, we believe our existing cash balances, funds available under our various financing arrangements and cash flows from operations will meet our liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months.

Liquidity – Financing Arrangements

We rely primarily on short-term repurchase agreements to finance the more liquid assets in our investment portfolio, such as Agency RMBS. In recent years, certain repurchase agreement lenders have elected to exit the repo lending market for various reasons, including new capital requirement regulations. However, as certain lenders have exited the space, other financing counterparties that had not participated in the repo lending market historically have begun to step in to replace many of the lenders that have elected to exit.    

As of March 31, 2016, we have outstanding short-term repurchase agreements, a form of collateralized short-term borrowing, with seven different financial institutions. These agreements are secured by certain of our investment securities and bear interest rates that have historically moved in close relationship to LIBOR. Our borrowings under repurchase agreements are based on the fair value of our investment securities portfolio. Interest rate changes and increased prepayment activity can have a negative impact on the valuation of these securities, reducing the amount we can borrow under these agreements. Moreover, our repurchase agreements allow the counterparties to determine a new market value of the collateral to reflect current market conditions and because these lines of financing are not committed, the counterparty can call the loan at any time. Market value of the collateral represents the price of such collateral obtained from generally recognized sources or most recent closing bid quotation from such source plus accrued income. If a counterparty determines that the value of the collateral has decreased, the counterparty may initiate a margin call and require us to either post additional collateral to cover such decrease or repay a portion of the outstanding borrowing in cash, on minimal notice. Moreover, in the event an existing counterparty elected to not renew the outstanding balance at its maturity into a new repurchase agreement, we would be required to repay the outstanding balance with cash or proceeds received from a new counterparty or to surrender the securities that serve as collateral for the outstanding balance, or any combination thereof. If we are unable to secure financing from a new counterparty and had to surrender the collateral, we would expect to incur a loss. In addition, in the event one of our lenders under the repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to “re-sell” or return to us the securities that are securing the borrowings at the end of the term of the repurchase agreement, we would incur a loss on the transaction equal to the amount of “haircut” associated with the short-term repurchase agreement, which we sometimes refer to as the “amount at risk.” As of March 31, 2016, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our repurchase agreements with seven counterparties of approximately $55.3 million, with no more than approximately $23.7 million at risk with any single counterparty. At March 31, 2016, the Company had short-term repurchase agreement borrowings of $589.9 million as compared to $577.4 million as of December 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $39.9 million in cash and $171.4 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircut or market valuation requirements, including $96.9 million of RMBS, of which $93.8 million are Agency RMBS, and $74.5 million of CMBS (including $63.7 million of net fair value of certain first loss tranche PO securities and/or certain IOs issued by certain K-Series securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series). The $39.9 million of cash, the $96.9 million in RMBS, $74.5 million of CMBS, and $13.5 million held in overnight deposits in our Agency IO portfolio included in restricted cash (that is available to meet margin calls as it relates to our Agency IO portfolio financing arrangements), which collectively represent 38.1% of our financing arrangements, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize the liability immediately.

At March 31, 2016, the Company also had two master repurchase agreements with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million and $100 million, expiring on December 15, 2016 and May 25, 2017, respectively. The outstanding balances under the master repurchase agreement amounted to approximately $218.5 million and $0 at March 31, 2016. The agreement with an aggregate principal amount of $250 million is collateralized by distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of $247.7 million at March 31, 2016.




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At March 31, 2016, we also had other longer-term debt, including Residential CDOs outstanding of $110.0 million, multi-family CDOs outstanding of $7.0 billion (which represent obligations of the Consolidated K-Series), subordinated debt of $45.0 million and securitized debt of $83.5 million. The CDOs are collateralized by residential and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, respectively. The securitized debt represents the notes issued in (i) our May 2012 multi-family re-securitization transaction and (ii) our November 2013 multi-family CMBS collateralized recourse financing transaction, which are described in Note 7 of our condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

As of March 31, 2016, our overall leverage ratio, including both our short- and longer-term financing, such as securitized debt and subordinated debt (and excluding the CDOs issued by the Consolidated K-Series and our Residential CDOs) divided by stockholders’ equity, was approximately 1.1 to 1. As of March 31, 2016, our leverage ratio on our short term financings or callable debt was approximately 0.9 to 1. We monitor all at risk or short term borrowings to ensure that we have adequate liquidity to satisfy margin calls and have the ability to respond to other market disruptions.

Liquidity – Hedging and Other Factors

Certain of our hedging instruments may also impact our liquidity. We use interest rate swaps, swaptions, TBAs, Eurodollar or other futures contracts to hedge interest rate risk associated with our investments in Agency RMBS, including Agency IOs.

With respect to interest rate swaps, futures contracts and TBAs, initial margin deposits, which can be compromised of either cash or securities, will be made upon entering into these contracts. During the period these contracts are open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market on a daily basis to reflect the market value of these contracts at the end of each day’s trading. We may be required to satisfy variable margin payments periodically, depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. In addition, because delivery of TBAs extend beyond the typical settlement dates for most non-derivative investments, these transactions are more prone to market fluctuations between the trade date and the ultimate settlement date, and thereby are more vulnerable to increasing amounts at risk with the applicable counterparties. The use of TBAs associated with our Agency IO investments creates significant short term payables (and/or receivables) amounting to $286.9 million at March 31, 2016, and is included in payable for securities purchased on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

We also use interest rate swaps (separately from interest rate swaps in our Agency IO portfolio) to hedge variable cash flows associated with borrowings made under our financing arrangements and Residential CDOs.

For additional information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities for the periods covered by this report, including the fair values and notional amounts of these instruments and realized and unrealized gains and losses relating to these instruments, please see Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. Also, please see Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, under the caption, “Fair Value Risk”, for a tabular presentation of the sensitivity of the market value and net duration changes of the Company’s portfolio across various changes in interest rates, which takes into account the Company’s hedging activities.

Liquidity — Equity Offerings

In addition to the financing arrangements described above under the caption “Liquidity—Financing Arrangements,” we also rely on secondary equity offerings of common and preferred stock as a source of both short-term and long-term liquidity. We also may generate liquidity through the sale of shares of our common stock in an “at the market” offering program pursuant to an equity distribution agreement, as well as through the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to our Dividend Reinvestment Plan, or DRIP. Our DRIP provides for the issuance of up to $20,000,000 of shares of our common stock.

On March 20, 2015, the Company entered into separate equity distribution agreements (collectively, the “Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of JMP Securities LLC (“JMP”) and MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”), each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $75,000,000 of aggregate value of (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per and (ii) shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, from time to time through the Agents. Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreements, the shares may be offered and sold through the Agents in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or, subject to the terms of a written notice from us, in privately negotiated transactions. We have no obligation to sell any of the shares under the Equity Distribution Agreements and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Equity Distribution Agreements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no shares issued under the Equity Distribution Agreements. As of March 31, 2016, approximately $52.9 million of securities remains available for issuance under the Equity Distribution Agreements.

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Management Agreements

We have investment management agreements with RiverBanc, Midway and Headlands, pursuant to which we pay these managers a base management and incentive fee, if earned, quarterly in arrears. See "- Results of Operations - Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 to Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 - Comparative Expenses" for more information regarding the base management and incentive fee incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Dividends

On March 18, 2016, we declared a Series B Preferred Stock cash dividend of $0.484375 per share of Series B Preferred Stock for the quarterly period that began on January 15, 2016 and ended on April 14, 2016. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2016 to our Series B Preferred stockholders of record as of April 1, 2016.

On March 18, 2016, we declared a Series C Preferred Stock cash dividend of $0.4921875 per share of Series C Preferred Stock for the quarterly period that began on January 15, 2016 and ended on April 14, 2016. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2016 to our Series C Preferred stockholders of record as of April 1, 2016.

On March 18, 2016, we declared a 2016 first quarter cash dividend of $0.24 per common share. The dividend was paid on April 25, 2016 to common stockholders of record as of March 28, 2016. The dividend was paid out of our working capital.

We expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock during the near term. However, our Board of Directors will continue to evaluate our dividend policy each quarter and will make adjustments as necessary, based on a variety of factors, including, among other things, the need to maintain our REIT status, our financial condition, liquidity, earnings projections and business prospects. Our dividend policy does not constitute an obligation to pay dividends.

We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the various requirements to maintain our REIT status and to minimize or avoid corporate income tax and the nondeductible excise tax. However, differences in timing between the recognition of REIT taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the REIT distribution requirements and to minimize or avoid corporate income tax and the nondeductible excise tax.

Exposure to European financial counterparties

We finance the acquisition of a significant portion of our mortgage-backed securities with repurchase agreements. In connection with these financing arrangements, we pledge our securities as collateral to secure the borrowings. The amount of collateral pledged will typically exceed the amount of the financing with the extent of over-collateralization from 5% of the amount borrowed (in the case of Agency ARM and Agency fixed rate RMBS collateral) and up to 25% (in the case of Agency IOs and CMBS).

While our repurchase agreement financing results in us recording a liability to the counterparty in our consolidated balance sheet, we are exposed to the counterparty, if during the term of the repurchase agreement financing, a lender should default on its obligation and we are not able to recover our pledged assets. The amount of this exposure is the difference between the amount loaned to us plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by us to the lender (including accrued interest receivable on such collateral).

Several large European banks have experienced financial difficulty in recent years, some of whom have required a rescue or assistance from other large European banks or the European Central Bank. Some of these banks have U.S. banking subsidiaries which have provided repurchase agreement financing or interest rate swap agreements to us in connection with the acquisition of various investments, including mortgage-backed securities investments. We have outstanding repurchase agreement borrowings with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch, in the amount of $218.5 million at March 31, 2016 with a net exposure of $29.2 million. In addition, certain of our U.S. based counterparties may have significant exposure to the financial and economic turmoil in Europe which could impact their future lending activities or cause them to default under agreements with us. In the event one or more of these counterparties or their affiliates experience liquidity difficulties in the future, our liquidity could be materially adversely affected.



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Inflation

For the periods presented herein, inflation has been relatively low and we believe that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations. The impact of inflation is primarily reflected in the increased costs of our operations. Virtually all our assets and liabilities are financial in nature. Our consolidated financial statements and corresponding notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more than inflation. Inflation affects our operations primarily through its effect on interest rates, since interest rates typically increase during periods of high inflation and decrease during periods of low inflation. During periods of increasing interest rates, demand for mortgages and a borrower’s ability to qualify for mortgage financing in a purchase transaction may be adversely affected. During periods of decreasing interest rates, borrowers may prepay their mortgages, which in turn may adversely affect our yield and subsequently the value of our portfolio of mortgage assets.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

This section should be read in conjunction with “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC.

We seek to manage risks that we believe will impact our business including, interest rates, liquidity, prepayments, credit quality and market value. When managing these risks we consider the impact on our assets, liabilities and derivative positions. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe the risk can be quantified from historical experience. We seek to actively manage that risk, to generate risk-adjusted total returns that we believe compensate us appropriately for those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we take.

The following analysis includes forward-looking statements that assume that certain market conditions occur. Actual results may differ materially from these projected results due to changes in our portfolio assets and borrowings mix and due to developments in the domestic and global financial and real estate markets. Developments in the financial markets include the likelihood of changing interest rates and the relationship of various interest rates and their impact on our portfolio yield, cost of funds and cash flows. The analytical methods that we use to assess and mitigate these market risks should not be considered projections of future events or operating performance.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rates are sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary, tax policies, domestic and international economic conditions, and political or regulatory matters beyond our control. Changes in interest rates affect the value of the financial assets we manage and hold in our investment portfolio and the variable-rate borrowings we use to finance our portfolio. Changes in interest rates also affect the interest rate swaps and caps, Eurodollar and other futures, TBAs and other securities or instruments we use to hedge our portfolio. As a result, our net interest income is particularly affected by changes in interest rates.

For example, we hold RMBS, some of which may have fixed rates or interest rates that adjust on various dates that are not synchronized to the adjustment dates on our repurchase agreements. In general, the re-pricing of our repurchase agreements occurs more quickly than the re-pricing of our variable-interest rate assets. Thus, it is likely that our floating rate borrowings, such as our repurchase agreements, may react to interest rates before our RMBS because the weighted average next re-pricing dates on the related borrowings may have shorter time periods than that of the RMBS. In addition, the interest rates on our Agency ARMs backed by hybrid ARMs may be limited to a “periodic cap,” or an increase of typically 1% or 2% per adjustment period, while our borrowings do not have comparable limitations. Moreover, changes in interest rates can directly impact prepayment speeds, thereby affecting our net return on RMBS. During a declining interest rate environment, the prepayment of RMBS may accelerate (as borrowers may opt to refinance at a lower interest rate) causing the amount of liabilities that have been extended by the use of interest rate swaps to increase relative to the amount of RMBS, possibly resulting in a decline in our net return on RMBS, as replacement RMBS may have a lower yield than those being prepaid. Conversely, during an increasing interest rate environment, RMBS may prepay more slowly than expected, requiring us to finance a higher amount of RMBS than originally forecast and at a time when interest rates may be higher, resulting in a decline in our net return on RMBS. Accordingly, each of these scenarios can negatively impact our net interest income.

We seek to manage interest rate risk in our portfolio by utilizing interest rate swaps, swaptions, caps, Eurodollar and other futures, options and U.S. Treasury securities with the goal of optimizing the earnings potential while seeking to maintain long term stable portfolio values. We continually monitor the duration of our mortgage assets and have a policy to hedge the financing of those assets such that the net duration of the assets, our borrowed funds related to such assets, and related hedging instruments, is less than one year. In addition, we utilize TBAs to mitigate the risks on our long Agency RMBS positions associated with our investments in Agency IOs.

We utilize a model-based risk analysis system to assist in projecting portfolio performances over a scenario of different interest rates. The model incorporates shifts in interest rates, changes in prepayments and other factors impacting the valuations of our financial securities and instruments, including mortgage-backed securities, repurchase agreements, interest rate swaps and interest rate caps, TBAs and Eurodollar futures.


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Based on the results of the model, the instantaneous changes in interest rates specified below would have had the following effect on net interest income for the next 12 months based on our assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Changes in Net Interest Income
Changes in Interest Rates
Changes in Net Interest
Income
+200
$5,895
+100
$5,261
-100
$(10,144)

Interest rate changes may also impact our net book value as our financial assets and related hedge derivatives are marked-to-market each quarter. Generally, as interest rates increase, the value of our mortgage assets, other than IOs, decreases, and conversely, as interest rates decrease, the value of such investments will increase. The value of an IO will likely be negatively affected in a declining interest rate environment due to the risk of increasing prepayment rates because the IOs’ value is wholly contingent on the underlying mortgage loans having an outstanding balance. In general, we expect that, over time, decreases in the value of our portfolio attributable to interest rate changes will be offset, to the degree we are hedged, by increases in the value of our interest rate swaps or other financial instruments used for hedging purposes, and vice versa. However, the relationship between spreads on securities and spreads on our hedging instruments may vary from time to time, resulting in a net aggregate book value increase or decline. That said, unless there is a material impairment in value that would result in a payment not being received on a security or loan, changes in the book value of our portfolio will not directly affect our recurring earnings or our ability to make a distribution to our stockholders.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, pay dividends to our stockholders and other general business needs. We recognize the need to have funds available to operate our business. It is our policy to have adequate liquidity at all times. We plan to meet liquidity through normal operations with the goal of avoiding unplanned sales of assets or emergency borrowing of funds.

Our principal sources of liquidity are repurchase agreements, the CDOs we have issued to finance our loans held in securitization trusts, securitized debt, trust preferred securities, the principal and interest payments from our assets and cash proceeds from the issuance of equity or debt securities (as market and other conditions permit). We believe our existing cash balances and cash flows from operations will be sufficient for our liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months.

We are subject to “margin call” risk under our repurchase agreements. In the event the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decreases, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chooses not to provide ongoing funding, we may be unable to replace the financing through other lenders on favorable terms or at all. As such, we provide no assurance that we will be able to roll over our repurchase agreements as they mature from time to time in the future. See Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management.

Derivative financial instruments used to hedge interest rate risk are subject to “margin call” risk. For example, under our interest rate swaps, typically we pay a fixed rate to the counterparties while they pay us a floating rate. If interest rates drop below the fixed rate we are paying on an interest rate swap, we may be required to post cash margin.

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Prepayment Risk

When borrowers repay the principal on their residential mortgage loans before maturity or faster than their scheduled amortization, the effect is to shorten the period over which interest is earned, and therefore, reduce the yield for residential mortgage assets purchased at a premium to their then current balance, as with our portfolio of Agency RMBS. Conversely, residential mortgage assets purchased for less than their then current balance, such as our distressed residential mortgage loans, exhibit higher yields due to faster prepayments. Furthermore, actual prepayment speeds may differ from our modeled prepayment speed projections impacting the effectiveness of any hedges we have in place to mitigate financing and/or fair value risk. Generally, when market interest rates decline, borrowers have a tendency to refinance their mortgages, thereby increasing prepayments. The impact of increasing prepayment rates, whether as a result of declining interest rates, government intervention in the mortgage markets or otherwise, is particularly acute with respect to our Agency IOs. Because the value of an IO security is wholly contingent on the underlying mortgage loans having an outstanding principal balance, an unexpected increase in prepayment rates on the pool of mortgage loans underlying the IOs could significantly negatively impact the performance of our Agency IOs.

Our modeled prepayments will help determine the amount of hedging we use to off-set changes in interest rates. If actual prepayment rates are higher than modeled, the yield will be less than modeled in cases where we paid a premium for the particular residential mortgage asset. Conversely, when we have paid a premium, if actual prepayment rates experienced are slower than modeled, we would amortize the premium over a longer time period, resulting in a higher yield to maturity.

In an environment of increasing prepayment speeds, the timing difference between the actual cash receipt of principal paydowns and the announcement of the principal paydown may result in additional margin requirements from our repurchase agreement counterparties.

We mitigate prepayment risk by constantly evaluating our residential mortgage assets relative to prepayment speeds observed for assets with similar structures, quantities and characteristics. Furthermore, we stress-test the portfolio as to prepayment speeds and interest rate risk in order to further develop or make modifications to our hedge balances. Historically, we have not hedged 100% of our liability costs due to prepayment risk.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that we will not fully collect the principal we have invested in our credit sensitive assets, including distressed residential and other mortgage loans, CMBS and commercial real estate and commercial real estate-related debt investments, due to borrower defaults. In selecting the credit sensitive assets in our portfolio, we seek to identify and invest in assets with characteristics that we believe offset or limit the exposure of borrower defaults to the Company.

We seek to manage credit risk through our pre-acquisition or pre-funding due diligence process, and by factoring projected credit losses into the purchase price we pay or loan terms we negotiate for all of our credit sensitive assets. In general, we evaluate relative valuation, supply and demand trends, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, vintage of collateral and macroeconomic factors as part of this process. Nevertheless, these procedures do not guarantee unanticipated credit losses which would materially affect our operating results.

With respect to the $537.6 million of distressed residential mortgage loans the Company owned at March 31, 2016, the mortgage loans were purchased at a discount to par reflecting their distressed state or perceived higher risk of default, which may include higher loan to value ratios and, in certain instances, delinquent loan payments. Prior to the acquisition of distressed residential mortgage loans, the Company validates key information provided by the sellers that is necessary to determine the value of the distressed residential mortgage loans. We then seek to maximize the value of the mortgage loans that we acquire either through borrower assisted refinancing, outright loan sale or through foreclosure and resale of the underlying home. We evaluate credit quality on an ongoing basis by reviewing borrower’s payment status and current financial and economic condition. Additionally, we look at the carrying value of any delinquent loan and compare to the current value of the underlying collateral.

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As of March 31, 2016, we own $325.6 million of first loss CMBS comprised solely of first loss POs that are backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties at a weighted average amortized purchase price of approximately 36.3% of current par. Prior to the acquisition of each of our first loss CMBS securities, the Company completed an extensive review of the underlying loan collateral, including loan level cash flow re-underwriting, site inspections on selected properties, property specific cash flow and loss modeling, review of appraisals, property condition and environmental reports, and other credit risk analyses. We continue to monitor credit quality on an ongoing basis using updated property level financial reports provided by borrowers and periodic site inspection of selected properties. We also reconcile on a monthly basis the actual bond distributions received against projected distributions to assure proper allocation of cash flow generated by the underlying loan pool.

As of March 31, 2016, we own approximately $129.9 million of first mortgage loan, mezzanine loan, preferred equity and equity investments backed by residential and multi-family properties. The performance and value of these investments depend upon the applicable operating partner’s or borrower’s ability to effectively operate the multifamily and residential properties, that serve as the underlying collateral, to produce cash flows adequate to pay distributions, interest or principal due to us. The Company monitors the performance and credit quality of the underlying assets that serve as collateral for its investments. In the case of our multi-family investments, the procedures for ongoing monitoring include financial statement analysis and regularly scheduled site inspections of portfolio properties to assess property physical condition, performance of on-site staff and competitive activity in the sub-market. We also formulate annual budgets and performance goals alongside our operating partners for use in measuring the ongoing investment performance and credit quality of our investments.


Fair Value Risk

Changes in interest rates also expose us to market value (fair value) fluctuation on our assets, liabilities and hedges. While the fair value of the majority of our assets (when excluding all Consolidated K-Series assets other than the securities we actually own) that are measured on a recurring basis are determined using Level 2 fair values, we own certain assets, such as our CMBS, for which fair values may not be readily available if there are no active trading markets for the instruments. In such cases, fair values would only be derived or estimated for these investments using various valuation techniques, such as computing the present value of estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. However, the determination of estimated future cash flows is inherently subjective and imprecise. Minor changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies can have a material effect on these derived or estimated fair values. Our fair value estimates and assumptions are indicative of the interest rate environments as of March 31, 2016 and do not take into consideration the effects of subsequent interest rate fluctuations.

We note that the values of our investments in derivative instruments, primarily interest rate hedges on our debt, will be sensitive to changes in market interest rates, interest rate spreads, credit spreads and other market factors. The value of these investments can vary and has varied materially from period to period.

The following describes the methods and assumptions we use in estimating fair values of our financial instruments:

Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties and are significantly affected by the assumptions used and the judgments made regarding risk characteristics of various financial instruments, discount rates, estimate of future cash flows, future expected loss experience and other factors.

Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates and the resulting fair values. Derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in an immediate sale of the instrument. Also, because of differences in methodologies and assumptions used to estimate fair values, the fair values used by us should not be compared to those of other companies.

The table below presents the sensitivity of the market value and net duration changes of our portfolio as of March 31, 2016, using a discounted cash flow simulation model assuming an instantaneous interest rate shift. Application of this method results in an estimation of the fair market value change of our assets, liabilities and hedging instruments per 100 basis point (“bp”) shift in interest rates.

The use of hedging instruments is a critical part of our interest rate risk management strategies, and the effects of these hedging instruments on the market value of the portfolio are reflected in the model's output. This analysis also takes into consideration the value of options embedded in our mortgage assets including constraints on the re-pricing of the interest rate of assets resulting from periodic and lifetime cap features, as well as prepayment options. Assets and liabilities that are not interest rate-sensitive such as cash, payment receivables, prepaid expenses, payables and accrued expenses are excluded.

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Changes in assumptions including, but not limited to, volatility, mortgage and financing spreads, prepayment behavior, defaults, as well as the timing and level of interest rate changes will affect the results of the model. Therefore, actual results are likely to vary from modeled results.

Market Value Changes
Changes in
Interest Rates
 
Changes in
Market Value
 
Net
Duration
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
+200
 
$(94,797)
 
3.62
+100
 
$(47,967)
 
3.21
Base
 

 
2.67
-100
 
$35,772
 
1.88

It should be noted that the model is used as a tool to identify potential risk in a changing interest rate environment but does not include any changes in portfolio composition, financing strategies, market spreads or changes in overall market liquidity.

Although market value sensitivity analysis is widely accepted in identifying interest rate risk, it does not take into consideration changes that may occur such as, but not limited to, changes in investment and financing strategies, changes in market spreads and changes in business volumes. Accordingly, we make extensive use of an earnings simulation model to further analyze our level of interest rate risk.

There are a number of key assumptions in our earnings simulation model. These key assumptions include changes in market conditions that affect interest rates, the pricing of ARM products, the availability of investment assets and the availability and the cost of financing for portfolio assets. Other key assumptions made in using the simulation model include prepayment speeds and management's investment, financing and hedging strategies, and the issuance of new equity. We typically run the simulation model under a variety of hypothetical business scenarios that may include different interest rate scenarios, different investment strategies, different prepayment possibilities and other scenarios that provide us with a range of possible earnings outcomes in order to assess potential interest rate risk. The assumptions used represent our estimate of the likely effect of changes in interest rates and do not necessarily reflect actual results. The earnings simulation model takes into account periodic and lifetime caps embedded in our assets in determining the earnings at risk.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2016. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $4.75 per share in connection with the satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock awards.

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on the behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, as amended), of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Period
 
Total # of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total # of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Program
 
Maximum # of Shares that May Yet be Purchased under Plans or Programs
January 1-31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee Transaction
(1) 
—

 
—

 
N/A
 
N/A
February 1-29, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee Transaction
(1) 
41,513

 
$
4.78

 
N/A
 
N/A
March 1-31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee Transaction
(1) 
11,425

 
$
4.66

 
N/A
 
N/A
Total Employee Transactions
(1) 
52,938

 
$
4.75

 
N/A
 
N/A

(1) The Company's 2010 Plan provides that the value of the shares forfeited be based on the price of its common stock on the date the relevant shares vest.

Item 6. Exhibits

The information set forth under "Exhibit Index" below is incorporated herein by reference.




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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.
 
 
 
Date: May 5, 2016
By:
/s/ Steven R. Mumma
 
 
Steven R. Mumma
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Date: May 5, 2016
By:
/s/ Kristine R. Nario
 
 
Kristine R. Nario
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 



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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 
 
Description 
 
 
 
2.1
 
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, by and among Donlon Family LLC, JMP Investment Holdings LLC, Hypotheca Capital, LLC, RiverBanc LLC and New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., dated May 3, 2016.
 
 
 
3.1(a)
 
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2014).
  
 
  
3.2
 
Bylaws of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2011).
  
 
  
3.3
 
Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
3.4
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,550,000 additional shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2015).
 
 
 
3.5
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
  
 
  
4.1
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-111668), effective June 23, 2004).
  
 
  
4.2
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
4.3
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series C Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
 
 
 
4.4(a)
 
Junior Subordinated Indenture between The New York Mortgage Company, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated September 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2005).
  
 
  
4.4(b)
 
Parent Guarantee Agreement between New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as guarantee trustee, dated September 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2005).
  
 
  
4.5(a)
 
Junior Subordinated Indenture between The New York Mortgage Company, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated March 15, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2012).
  
 
  
4.5(b)
 
Parent Guarantee Agreement between New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as guarantee trustee, dated March 15, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2012).
 
 
 

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4.6
 
Parent Guarantee Agreement by New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. for the benefit of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, dated April 2, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(d) of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2015.)
  
 
  
4.7
 
Indenture, dated April 15, 2016, by and between NYMT Residential 2016-RP1, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2016.)
 
 
 
  
 
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Registrant and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of any such instruments. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.1
  
Statement re: Computation of Ratios.
 
 
 
31.1
 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.*
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document **
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.DEF XBRL
 
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **

*
Furnished herewith. Such certification shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

**
Submitted electronically herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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