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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, 2018

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 ☐
Emerging Growth Company ☐
    
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐

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 8, 2018 was 112,111,386.

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, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investment securities, available for sale, at fair value (including pledged securities of $1,077,540 and $1,076,187, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and $48,857 and $47,922 held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
$
1,400,370

 
$
1,413,081

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
70,864

 
73,820

Residential mortgage loans, at fair value
99,480

 
87,153

Distressed residential mortgage loans, net (including $119,201 and $121,791 held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
322,072

 
331,464

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
9,438,309

 
9,657,421

Derivative assets
9,815

 
846

Cash and cash equivalents
65,495

 
95,191

Investment in unconsolidated entities
51,921

 
51,143

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
154,006

 
138,920

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
29,293

 
64,202

Goodwill
25,222

 
25,222

Receivables and other assets
99,032

 
117,822

Total Assets (1)
$
11,765,879

 
$
12,056,285

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
$
1,287,314

 
$
1,276,918

Financing arrangements, residential mortgage loans
149,049

 
149,063

Residential collateralized debt obligations
67,154

 
70,308

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
8,953,467

 
9,189,459

Securitized debt
70,215

 
81,537

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
32,072

 
57,124

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
81,579

 
82,126

Subordinated debentures
45,000

 
45,000

Convertible notes
129,242

 
128,749

Total liabilities (1)
10,815,092

 
11,080,284

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

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 5,750,000 shares authorized and 5,400,000 shares issued and outstanding
130,496

 
130,496

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 112,116,506 and 111,909,909 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
1,121

 
1,119

Additional paid-in capital
751,542

 
751,155

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(18,925
)
 
5,553

Accumulated deficit
(74,447
)
 
(75,717
)
Company's stockholders' equity
949,046

 
971,865

Non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities
1,741

 
4,136

Total equity
950,787

 
976,001

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
11,765,879

 
$
12,056,285


(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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $9,771,205 and $10,041,468, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $9,157,640 and $9,436,421, respectively. See Note 10 for further discussion.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed 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,
 
2018
 
2017
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
Investment securities and other
$
16,258

 
$
9,801

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
85,092

 
61,304

Residential mortgage loans
2,187

 
1,242

Distressed residential mortgage loans
5,354

 
6,038

Total interest income
108,891

 
78,385

 
 
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
Investment securities and other
9,651

 
5,569

Convertible notes
2,649

 
1,975

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
74,478

 
53,932

Residential collateralized debt obligations
411

 
336

Securitized debt
1,330

 
2,115

Subordinated debentures
620

 
540

Total interest expense
89,139

 
64,467

 
 
 
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
19,752

 
13,918

 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
(Provision for) recovery of loan losses
(42
)
 
188

Realized loss on investment securities and related hedges, net
(3,423
)
 
(1,223
)
Realized (loss) gain on distressed residential mortgage loans at carrying value, net
(773
)
 
11,971

Net loss on residential mortgage loans at fair value
(166
)
 
—

Unrealized gain on investment securities and related hedges, net
11,692

 
1,546

Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
7,545

 
1,384

Income from operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
2,126

 
—

Other income
3,994

 
2,839

Total other income
20,953

 
16,705

 
 
 
 
GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
    General and administrative expenses
4,656

 
4,887

Base management and incentive fees
833

 
3,078

Expenses related to distressed residential mortgage loans
1,603

 
2,239

Expenses related to operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
1,606

 
—

Total general, administrative and operating expenses
8,698

 
10,204

 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
32,007

 
20,419

Income tax (benefit) expense
(79
)
 
1,237

 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
32,086

 
19,182

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities
(2,468
)
 
—

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY
29,618

 
19,182

Preferred stock dividends
(5,925
)
 
(3,225
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
23,693

 
$
15,957

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.21

 
$
0.14

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.20

 
$
0.14

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
112,018

 
111,721

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
131,761

 
126,602


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed 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,
 
2018
 
2017
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
23,693

 
$
15,957

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
 
 
 
(Decrease) increase in fair value of available for sale securities
(24,478
)
 
3,278

Reclassification adjustment for net gain included in net income
—

 
(522
)
Increase in fair value of derivative instruments utilized for cash flow hedges
—

 
164

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(24,478
)
 
2,920

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
(785
)
 
$
18,877


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed 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
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total Company Stockholders' Equity
 
Non-Controlling Interest in Consolidated VIE
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
1,119

 
$
289,755

 
$
751,155

 
$
(75,717
)
 
$
5,553

 
$
971,865

 
$
4,136

 
$
976,001

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
29,618

 
—

 
29,618

 
2,468

 
32,086

Common Stock issuance, net
2

 
—

 
387

 
—

 
—

 
389

 
—

 
389

Dividends declared on common stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
(22,423
)
 
—

 
(22,423
)
 
—

 
(22,423
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,925
)
 
—

 
(5,925
)
 
—

 
(5,925
)
Decrease in fair value of available for sale securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(24,478
)
 
(24,478
)
 
—

 
(24,478
)
Decrease in non-controlling interest related to de-consolidation of variable interest entities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4,863
)
 
(4,863
)
Balance, March 31, 2018
$
1,121

 
$
289,755

 
$
751,542

 
$
(74,447
)
 
$
(18,925
)
 
$
949,046

 
$
1,741

 
$
950,787


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed 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,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
32,086

 
$
19,182

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Net (accretion) amortization
(5,729
)
 
1,123

Realized loss on investment securities and related hedges, net
3,423

 
1,223

Net loss (gain) on distressed residential mortgage and residential mortgage loans
939

 
(11,971
)
Unrealized gain on investment securities and related hedges, net
(11,692
)
 
(1,546
)
Gain on sale of real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
(2,328
)
 
—

Unrealized gain on loans and debt held in multi-family securitization trusts
(7,545
)
 
(1,384
)
Net decrease in loans held for sale
8

 
10

Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
42

 
(188
)
Income from unconsolidated entity, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
(6,090
)
 
(5,796
)
Distributions of income from unconsolidated entity, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
3,926

 
3,170

Amortization of stock based compensation, net
387

 
40

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:


 

Receivables and other assets
117

 
(1,645
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(435
)
 
4,903

Net cash provided by operating activities
7,109

 
7,121

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash received from initial consolidation of variable interest entities
—

 
112

Net proceeds from sale of real estate in consolidated variable interest entities
33,192

 
—

Proceeds from sales of investment securities
10,080

 
35,996

Purchases of investment securities
(60,321
)
 
(58,925
)
Purchases of other assets
(2
)
 
(23
)
Capital expenditures on operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
(46
)
 
—

Funding of preferred equity, equity and mezzanine loan investments
(18,210
)
 
(1,300
)
Principal repayments received on preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
3,871

 
479

Return of capital from unconsolidated entity investments
638

 
930

Net proceeds from other derivative instruments settled during the period
—

 
630

Principal repayments received on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts
3,047

 
3,395

Principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancing of distressed residential mortgage loans
9,288

 
73,477

Principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
34,434

 
36,477

Principal paydowns on investment securities - available for sale
35,365

 
32,783

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
943

 
1,615

Purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans
(15,966
)
 
(18,129
)
Purchases of investments held in multi-family securitization trusts
—

 
(65,453
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
36,313

 
42,064

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from (payments made on) financing arrangements
10,215

 
(90,854
)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
—

 
126,995

Common stock issuance, net
—

 
574

Dividends paid on common stock
(22,382
)
 
(26,754
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(5,985
)
 
(3,225
)
Payments made on mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(25,565
)
 
—

Proceeds from mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
505

 
—

Payments made on residential collateralized debt obligations
(3,167
)
 
(3,758
)
Payments made on multi-family collateralized debt obligations
(34,437
)
 
(36,473
)
Payments made on securitized debt
(11,753
)
 
(11,662
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(92,569
)
 
(45,157
)
 
 
 
 
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(49,147
)
 
4,028

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
115,450

 
139,530

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
66,303

 
$
143,558

 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed 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
$
103,316

 
$
71,332

Cash paid for income taxes
$
642

 
$
255

Non-Cash Investment Activities:
 
 
 
Sales of investment securities not yet settled
$
—

 
$
1,301

Purchase of investment securities not yet settled
$
—

 
$
141,894

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

 
$
1,537,526

Consolidation of multi-family collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
1,472,073

Transfer from residential loans to real estate owned
$
1,992

 
$
2,357

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Dividends declared on common stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
22,423

 
$
26,754

Dividends declared on preferred stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
5,925

 
$
3,225

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Reconciliation:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
65,495

 
$
73,033

Restricted cash included in receivables and other assets
808

 
70,525

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
66,303

 
$
143,558


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2018
(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 mortgage-related and residential housing-related 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 residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential and second mortgage loans, multi-family CMBS, preferred equity and joint venture equity investments in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties, equity and debt securities issued by entities that invest in residential and commercial real estate, non-Agency RMBS, 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.

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 taxes 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 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 government sponsored enterprise (“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 residential mortgage loans, including performing, re-performing and non-performing mortgage loans;
"IO RMBS" refers to RMBS comprised of IOs;
“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 Agency RMBS comprised of IO RMBS;
“ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans;
“Prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARM loans held in our securitization trusts;
“Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS;
“Agency fixed-rate RMBS” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of fixed-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, 2017 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 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, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 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.

Reclassifications – Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

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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 variable interest entity ("VIE") where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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, the Company 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.

Business Combinations – The Company evaluates each purchase transaction to determine whether the acquired assets meet the definition of a business. The Company accounts for business combinations by applying the acquisition method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). Transaction costs related to acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred and excluded from the fair value of consideration transferred. The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests, if any, in an acquired entity are recognized and measured at their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests, if any, in an acquired entity, net of fair value of any previously held interest in the acquired entity, is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets and liabilities.

Contingent consideration is classified as a liability or equity, as applicable. Contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of a business is measured at fair value on acquisition date, and unless classified as equity, is remeasured at fair value each reporting period thereafter until the consideration is settled, with changes in fair value included in net income.

Net cash paid to acquire a business is classified as investing activities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

On March 31, 2017, the Company determined that it became the primary beneficiary of 200 RHC Hoover, LLC ("Riverchase Landing") and The Clusters, LLC ("The Clusters"), two VIEs that each own a multi-family apartment community and in which the Company held preferred equity investments. Accordingly, on this date, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"). These transactions were accounted for by applying the acquisition method for business combinations under ASC 805 (see Note 10).

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 and certain Agency ARMs and Agency fixed-rate RMBS which were transferred from our 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 has exited its Agency IO strategy with approximately $18.4 million in securities remaining as of March 31, 2018.

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.


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Interest income on certain of 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 yield. The effective yield on these securities is based on management’s estimate of the projected cash flows from each security, 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 (or interest income) recognized on these securities.

A portion of the purchase discount on the Company’s first loss PO multi-family CMBS is designated as non-accretable purchase discount or credit reserve, which is intended to partially mitigate 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 ASC 320-10, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities ("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, Investments - Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets ("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.

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 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, the Company recognizes 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.


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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 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 establishes 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, management looks at the balance of any delinquent loan and compares that to the current value of the collateralizing property. Management utilizes various home valuation methodologies including appraisals, broker pricing opinions, internet-based property data services to review comparable properties in the same area or consults with a broker in the property's area.

Residential Mortgage Loans, at fair value – Certain of the Company’s acquired residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans and second mortgage loans, are presented at fair value on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at the time of acquisition pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments. Changes in fair value are recorded in current period earnings in net loss on residential mortgage loans at fair value in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of residential mortgage loans, at fair value are amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the related loan using the effective interest method. Any premium amortization or discount accretion is reflected as a component of interest income, residential mortgage loans in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Residential mortgage loans at fair value are considered past due when they are 30 days past their contractual due date, and are placed on nonaccrual status when delinquent for more than 90 days. Interest accrued but not yet collected at the time loans are placed on nonaccrual is reversed and subsequently recognized only to the extent it is received in cash or until it qualifies for return to accrual status. Loans are restored to accrual status only when contractually current or the collection of future payments is reasonably assured.
    
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. 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 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 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 and a loss on sale is recognized if the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. A gain is not recognized if the fair value of collateral less costs to sell exceeds the carrying value.

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 loss is recognized if the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. A gain is not recognized if the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell exceeds the carrying value.

Multi-Family Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations of which we, or one of our "special purpose entities," or "SPEs," own the first loss POs and certain IOs and mezzanine securities and that we consolidate (the “Consolidated K-Series”). Based on a number of factors, management determined that the Company was the primary beneficiary of each VIE within the Consolidated K-Series, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, has 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 consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with ASC 810, the Company measures both the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying consolidated collateralized financing entity ("CFE") 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 GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable.


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Interest income is accrued and recognized as revenue when earned according to the terms of the multi-family loans and when, in the opinion of management, it is collectible. The accrual of interest on multi-family 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. The multi-family loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments - The Company invests in preferred equity of and mezzanine loans to entities that have significant real estate assets.

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 are 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 in the entity that owns the property.

Preferred equity, where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to mezzanine loans, and mezzanine loan investments 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. The Company has evaluated its preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments for accounting treatment as loans versus equity investment utilizing the guidance provided by the ADC Arrangements Subsection of ASC 310, Receivables.

For preferred equity and mezzanine loan 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 these 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.

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan 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”.

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.


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Investment in Unconsolidated Entities – Non-controlling, unconsolidated ownership interests in an entity may be accounted for using the equity method 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 may elect the fair value option for an investment in an unconsolidated entity that is accounted for using the equity method. 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 condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 8).
 
Operating Real Estate Held in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Net – The Company records its initial investments in income-producing real estate at fair value at the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 805. The purchase price of acquired properties is apportioned to the tangible and identified intangible assets and liabilities acquired at their respective estimated fair values. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective real estate, its own analysis of recently-acquired and existing comparable properties, property financial results, and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about the real estate as a result of its due diligence, including marketing and leasing activities, in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company considers the value of acquired in-place leases and utilizes an amortization period that is the average remaining term of the acquired leases. The Company has reclassified its operating real estate held in consolidated variable interest entities to real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as of March 31, 2018.

Real Estate - Depreciation – The Company depreciates on a straight-line basis the building component of its real estate over a 30-year estimated useful life, building and improvements over a 10-year to 30-year estimated useful life, and furniture, fixtures and equipment over a 5-year estimated useful life, all of which are judgmental determinations. Betterments and certain costs directly related to the improvement of real estate are capitalized. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred.

Real Estate Held for Sale in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities - The Company classifies its long-lived assets as held for sale in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. When real estate assets are identified as held for sale, the Company discontinues depreciating (amortizing) the assets and estimates the fair value, net of selling costs, of such assets. Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities is recorded at the lower of the net carrying amount of the assets or the estimated net fair value. If the estimated net fair value of the real estate held for sale is less than the net carrying amount of the assets, an impairment charge is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations with an allocation to non-controlling interests in the respective VIEs, if any.

The Company assesses the net fair value of real estate held for sale each reporting period the assets remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes, if any, in the net fair value of the real estate assets held for sale that require an adjustment to the carrying amount are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations with an allocation to non-controlling interests in the respective VIEs, if any, unless the adjustment causes the carrying amount of the assets to exceed the net carrying amount upon initial classification as held for sale.

If circumstances arise that the Company previously considered unlikely and, as a result, the Company decides not to sell real estate assets previously classified as held for sale, the real estate assets are reclassified to another real estate classification. Real estate assets that are reclassified are measured at the lower of (a) their carrying amount before they were classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation (amortization) expense that would have been recognized had the assets remained in their previous classification, or (b) their fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.


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Real Estate Sales – The Company accounts for its real estate sales in accordance with ASC 360-20, Property, Plant and Equipment - Real Estate Sales. When real estate is sold, the nature of the entire real estate component being sold is considered in relation to the entire transaction to determine whether the substance of the transaction is the sale of real estate. Profit is recognized on the date of the real estate sale provided that a) a sale is consummated, b) the buyer's initial and continuing investments are adequate to demonstrate commitment to pay for the property, c) the seller's receivable is not subject to future subordination, and d) the seller has transferred to the buyer the usual risks and rewards of ownership and does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the sold property. Sales value is calculated based off of the stated sales price plus any other proceeds that are additions to the sale price subtracting any discount needed to reduce a receivable to its present value and any services the seller commits to perform without compensation. See Note 11 for further discussion regarding sales of real estate by consolidated VIEs.

Real Estate Under Development – The Company's expenditures which directly relate to the acquisition, development, construction and improvement of properties are capitalized at cost. During the development period, which culminates once a property is substantially complete and ready for intended use, operating and carrying costs such as interest expense, real estate taxes, insurance and other direct costs are capitalized. Advertising and general administrative costs that do not relate to the development of a property are expensed as incurred. Real estate under development as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 of $21.6 million and $22.9 million, respectively, is included in receivables and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Real Estate - Impairment – The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. The judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal and environmental concerns, as well as the Company's ability to hold and its intent with regard to each asset. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment is warranted. If impairment indicators exist for long-lived assets to be held and used, and the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, then the Company will record an impairment loss for the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying amount. If the asset is to be disposed of, then an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset, net of selling costs, and its carrying amount.

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.

Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests, if any, in an acquired entity, net of fair value of any previously held interest in the acquired entity. Goodwill of $25.2 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 relates to the Company's multi-family investment reporting unit.

Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist, by initially performing a qualitative screen and, if necessary, then comparing fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value (in an amount not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit) is recognized. The Company evaluated goodwill as of October 1, 2017 and no impairment was indicated.

Intangible Assets – Intangible assets consisting of acquired trade name, acquired technology, employment/non-compete agreements, and acquired in-place leases with useful lives ranging from 6 months to 10 years are included in receivables and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The useful lives of intangible assets are evaluated on an annual basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining useful life. See "Operating Real Estate Held in Consolidated Variable Interest Entities, Net" for further discussion of acquired in-place lease intangible assets.

Receivables and Other Assets – Receivables and other assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include restricted cash held by third parties of $0.8 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Included in restricted cash is $0.5 million held in our Agency IO portfolio to be used for trading purposes as of December 31, 2017, and $0.1 million and $9.9 million held by counterparties as collateral for hedging instruments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Interest receivable on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts is also included in the amounts of $33.4 million and $33.6 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


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Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments – The Company finances the majority of its investment securities available for sale 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 LIBOR.

Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans – The Company finances a portion of its residential mortgage loans, including its distressed residential mortgage loans, through repurchase agreements (see Note 14). The borrowing under the repurchase agreements bear an interest rate of a specified margin over one-month LIBOR. The repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and carried at the contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements. Costs related to the establishment of the repurchase agreements 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 $0.5 million as of March 31, 2018 and $0.7 million as of December 31, 2017. 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”) – The Consolidated K-Series including their debt are referred to as Multi-Family CDOs in our condensed consolidated 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 the Residential CDOs and Multi-Family CDOs collectively as "CDOs" in this report.

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 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 $0.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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.

Convertible Notes – On January 23, 2017, the Company issued convertible notes (the "Convertible Notes") to finance the acquisition of targeted assets and for general working capital purposes. The Company evaluated the conversion features of the Convertible Notes for embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815") and determined that the conversion features should not be bifurcated from the notes.
 
The Convertible Notes were issued at a 4% discount. Costs related to issuance of the Convertible Notes which include underwriting, legal, accounting and other fees are reflected as deferred charges. The discount and deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method. The discount and deferred issuance costs, net of amortization, are presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability on the Company's accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $8.8 million as of March 31, 2018.

Derivative Financial Instruments – In accordance with ASC 815, the Company records derivative financial instruments on its condensed consolidated balance sheets 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.


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In connection with our Agency RMBS portfolio, the Company uses several types of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, futures, put and call options on futures and To-Be-Announced securities ("TBAs") to hedge the interest rate risk, as well as spread risk, associated with these investments. The Company also purchases, or sells short, TBAs. 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 portfolio hedge the overall risk profile of investment securities. The derivative instruments in our 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 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 our variable rate borrowings. We typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, based on one or three 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 the inception of an interest rate swap agreement, the Company determines whether the instrument will be part of a qualifying hedge accounting relationship or whether the Company will account for the contract as a trading instrument. Changes in fair value for interest rate swaps designated as a trading instrument will be reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities and related hedges. Changes in fair value for interest rate swaps qualifying for hedge accounting will be included in condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as an increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative instruments utilized for cash flow hedges. 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.

If the Company designates an instrument as a hedging relationship, it 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.

The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts for a variety of reasons, including minimizing fluctuations in earnings or market values on certain assets or liabilities that may be caused by changes in interest rates. The Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities (or TBAs), options, futures, swaps, and caps. Due to the nature of these instruments, they may be in a receivable/asset position or a payable/liability position at the end of an accounting period. Amounts payable to and receivable from the same party under contracts may be offset as long as the following conditions are met: (a) each of the two parties owes the other determinable amounts; (b) the reporting party has the right to offset the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party; (c) the reporting party intends to offset; and (d) the right of offset is enforceable by law. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, amounts payable to and receivable from are presented by the Company on a gross basis in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Manager Compensation – We are a party to an investment management agreement with Headlands Asset Management LLC (“Headlands”) pursuant to which Headlands provides investment management services with respect to our investments in certain distressed residential mortgage loans. From 2011 to December 2017, we were a party to an investment management agreement with the Midway Group, LP ("Midway"), pursuant to which Midway provided investment management services with respect to our investments in Agency IOs. 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. The Midway agreement was terminated effective December 31, 2017.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to the Company's common stockholders includes net income, the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its available for sale securities and its derivative hedging instruments, comprised of interest rate swaps until October 2017 (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, reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock and increased/decreased for net loss/income attributable to non-controlling interest.


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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, 2018 and 2017.

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 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 shareholder 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.

In March 2018, the Company granted Performance Stock Units ("PSUs") to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and certain other employees. The awards were issued pursuant to and are consistent with the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The PSU awards are subject to performance-based vesting under the 2017 Plan pursuant to a form of PSU award agreement (the "PSU Agreement"). Vesting of the PSUs will occur after a three-year period based on the Company's relative TSR percentile ranking as compared to an identified performance peer group. 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 PSUs 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 ("ASC 740"), 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 in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Company's 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 mortgage-related and residential housing-related 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 created a new, principle-based revenue recognition framework that affects nearly every revenue-generating entity. ASU 2014-09 also created a new topic in the Codification, Topic 606 (“ASC 606”). In addition to superseding and replacing nearly all existing 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.
 
ASC 606 applies to all contracts with customers with exceptions for financial instruments and other contractual rights or obligations that are within the scope of other ASC Topics. Exclusions from the scope of ASC 606 include investment securities available for sale (subject to ASC 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities or ASC 325, Investments - Other); residential mortgage loans, distressed residential mortgage loans, multi-family loans, and preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments (subject to either ASC 310, Receivables or ASC 825, Financial Instruments); derivative assets and derivative liabilities (subject to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging); and investment in unconsolidated entities (subject to either ASC 323, Investments- Equity Method and Joint Ventures or ASC 825, Financial Instruments). In adopting the ASU effective January 1, 2018, the Company evaluated the applicability of this ASU with respect to its investment portfolio and, considering the scope exceptions listed above, the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption as of the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance as the ASU will have an effect on the Company's estimation of credit losses on distressed residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, residential mortgage loans, and preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments that are accounted for as loans.

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3.
Investment Securities Available For Sale

Investment securities available for sale consisted of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized  Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized  Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
$
31,925

 
$
—

 
$
(1,100
)
 
$
30,825

 
$
33,623

 
$
16

 
$
(852
)
 
$
32,787

Fannie Mae
52,933

 
—

 
(1,568
)
 
51,365

 
54,958

 
6

 
(1,236
)
 
53,728

Ginnie Mae
4,529

 
—

 
(144
)
 
4,385

 
4,750

 
—

 
(193
)
 
4,557

Total Agency ARMs
89,387

 
—

 
(2,812
)
 
86,575

 
93,331

 
22

 
(2,281
)
 
91,072

Agency Fixed- Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
94,005

 
—

 
(2,436
)
 
91,569

 
20,804

 
—

 
(736
)
 
20,068

Fannie Mae
997,759

 
—

 
(33,190
)
 
964,569

 
1,038,363

 
669

 
(12,174
)
 
1,026,858

Ginnie Mae
356

 
—

 
(9
)
 
347

 
365

 
—

 
(6
)
 
359

Total Agency Fixed-Rate
1,092,120

 
—

 
(35,635
)
 
1,056,485

 
1,059,532

 
669

 
(12,916
)
 
1,047,285

Agency IOs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
5,912

 
—

 
(2,268
)
 
3,644

 
8,436

 
19

 
(2,756
)
 
5,699

Fannie Mae
5,002

 
4

 
(1,631
)
 
3,375

 
11,310

 
22

 
(2,989
)
 
8,343

Ginnie Mae
14,934

 
52

 
(3,620
)
 
11,366

 
21,621

 
230

 
(4,714
)
 
17,137

Total Agency IOs
25,848

 
56

 
(7,519
)
 
18,385

 
41,367

 
271

 
(10,459
)
 
31,179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Agency RMBS
1,207,355

 
56

 
(45,966
)
 
1,161,445

 
1,194,230

 
962

 
(25,656
)
 
1,169,536

Non-Agency RMBS
98,053

 
1,168

 
(9
)
 
99,212

 
100,291

 
1,852

 
(18
)
 
102,125

CMBS (1)
121,360

 
18,353

 
—

 
139,713

 
123,203

 
18,217

 
—

 
141,420

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,426,768

 
$
19,577

 
$
(45,975
)
 
$
1,400,370

 
$
1,417,724

 
$
21,031

 
$
(25,674
)
 
$
1,413,081



(1) 
Included in CMBS is $48.9 million and $47.9 million of investment securities available for sale held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Realized Gain or Loss Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company received total proceeds of approximately $10.1 million from the sale of investment securities available for sale, realizing a net loss of approximately $3.4 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company received total proceeds of approximately $37.3 million from the sale of investment securities available for sale, realizing approximately $1.7 million of net losses.

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 periodic payments and prepayments of principal on the underlying mortgages. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the weighted average life of the Company’s available for sale securities portfolio was approximately 5.8 years and 7.1 years, respectively.


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The following table sets forth the weighted average lives of our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Weighted Average Life
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
0 to 5 years
$
388,319

 
$
426,061

Over 5 to 10 years
946,709

 
970,336

10+ years
65,342

 
16,684

Total
$
1,400,370

 
$
1,413,081


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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 at carrying value (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
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
$
26,019

 
$
17,856

 
$
1,117,570

 
$
1,161,445

 
$
26,876

 
$
24,726

 
$
1,117,934

 
$
1,169,536

Non-Agency RMBS
14,947

 
—

 
84,265

 
99,212

 
84,461

 
—

 
17,664

 
102,125

CMBS
68,286

 
—

 
71,427

 
139,713

 
70,791

 
—

 
70,629

 
141,420

Total investment securities available for sale
$
109,252

 
$
17,856

 
$
1,273,262

 
$
1,400,370

 
$
182,128

 
$
24,726

 
$
1,206,227

 
$
1,413,081


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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018
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
$
822,431

 
$
(21,290
)
 
$
320,630

 
$
(17,156
)
 
$
1,143,061

 
$
(38,446
)
Non-Agency RMBS
—

 
—

 
189

 
(9
)
 
189

 
(9
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
822,431

 
$
(21,290
)
 
$
320,819

 
$
(17,165
)
 
$
1,143,250

 
$
(38,455
)

December 31, 2017
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
$
511,313

 
$
(1,807
)
 
$
342,963

 
$
(13,390
)
 
$
854,276

 
$
(15,197
)
Non-Agency RMBS
—

 
—

 
193

 
(18
)
 
193

 
(18
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
511,313

 
$
(1,807
)
 
$
343,156

 
$
(13,408
)
 
$
854,469

 
$
(15,215
)

Other than Temporary Impairment

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment through earnings.
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Unpaid principal balance
$
74,472

 
$
77,519

Deferred origination costs – net
473

 
492

Reserve for loan losses
(4,081
)
 
(4,191
)
Total
$
70,864

 
$
73,820


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, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
4,191

 
$
3,782

(Recovery of) provision for loan losses
(110
)
 
15

Transfer to real estate owned
—

 
—

Charge-offs
—

 
—

Balance at the end of period
$
4,081

 
$
3,797


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, 2018 was $4.1 million, representing 548 basis points of the outstanding principal balance of residential loans held in securitization trusts, as compared to 541 basis points as of December 31, 2017. 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, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
111

 
$
150

Write downs
—

 
—

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

 
—

Disposal
—

 
(150
)
Balance at the end of period
$
111

 
$
—


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) recovery of loan losses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for reporting purposes.

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, real estate owned and receivables held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.6 million and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


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Delinquency Status of Our Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts

As of March 31, 2018, we had 27 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $16.9 million categorized as residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net, of which $5.5 million, or 33%, 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, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2018
Days Late
Number of
Delinquent
Loans 
 
Total
Unpaid
Principal 
 
% of Loan
Portfolio 
30 - 60
1
 
$
315

 
0.42
%
61 - 90
1
 
$
255

 
0.34
%
90 +
25
 
$
16,295

 
21.85
%
Real estate owned through foreclosure
1
 
$
118

 
0.16
%

As of December 31, 2017, we had 26 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $16.5 million categorized as residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net, of which $10.2 million, or 62%, 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 REO through foreclosure, as of December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

December 31, 2017
Days Late
Number of Delinquent
Loans
 
Total
Unpaid Principal
 
% of Loan
Portfolio
30 - 60
1
 
$
203

 
0.26
%
61 - 90
1
 
$
173

 
0.22
%
90 +
24
 
$
16,147

 
20.80
%
Real estate owned through foreclosure
1
 
$
118

 
0.15
%

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances in our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts and REO held in residential securitization trusts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
New York
32.4
%
 
31.8
%
Massachusetts
20.1
%
 
20.7
%
New Jersey
12.3
%
 
11.9
%
Florida
9.1
%
 
8.8
%
Connecticut
7.5
%
 
7.3
%
Maryland
5.4
%
 
5.2
%

5.
Residential Mortgage Loans, At Fair Value
Certain of the Company’s residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans and second mortgages, are presented at fair value on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in net loss on residential mortgage loans at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

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The Company’s residential mortgage loans at fair value consist of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Principal
 
Premium/(Discount)
 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2018
 
$
104,394

 
$
(4,667
)
 
$
(247
)
 
$
99,480

December 31, 2017
 
$
92,105

 
$
(4,911
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
87,153

As of March 31, 2018, the company is committed to purchase $5.3 million of second mortgage loans from originators.

The following table presents the components of net loss on residential mortgage loans at fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Net realized gain on payoff and sale of loans
$
40

 
$
—

Net unrealized losses
(206
)
 
—


The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans at fair value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are as follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
California
36.4
%
 
35.9
%
New Jersey
7.9
%
 
7.7
%
Florida
6.6
%
 
6.6
%

The following table presents the difference between the fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company's residential mortgage loans at fair value greater than 90 days past due and in nonaccrual status at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Fair Value
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
March 31, 2018
$
1,336

 
$
1,543

 
$
(207
)
December 31, 2017
1,048

 
1,214

 
(166
)


6.
Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the Company’s distressed residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, amounts to approximately $322.1 million and $331.5 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.

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Table of Contents


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, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
Contractually required principal and interest
$
69,263

Nonaccretable yield
(5,892
)
Expected cash flows to be collected
63,371

Accretable yield
(55,448
)
Fair value at the date of acquisition
$
7,923


Distressed residential mortgage loans purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2018 are presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value (see Note 5).
    
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, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
303,949

 
$
530,511

Additions
1,694

 
81,211

Disposals
(8,694
)
 
(104,956
)
Accretion
(5,354
)
 
(6,038
)
Balance at end of period (1)
$
291,595

 
$
500,728


(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. Disposals 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 each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is not necessarily indicative of future results.


26
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are as follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Florida
11.2
%
 
11.2
%
North Carolina
8.4
%
 
8.3
%
California
7.0
%
 
6.9
%
Georgia
5.9
%
 
5.8
%
New York
5.7
%
 
5.7
%
South Carolina
5.1
%
 
5.0
%
Ohio
5.0
%
 
5.1
%

The Company's distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value of approximately $119.2 million and $121.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are pledged as collateral for certain of the Securitized Debt issued by the Company (see Note 10). In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $178.1 million and $182.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a Master Repurchase Agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch (see Note 14).

7.
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 condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our investment in the Consolidated K-Series is limited to the multi-family CMBS comprised of first loss POs, certain IOs and mezzanine securities issued by certain Freddie Mac K-Series securitizations with an aggregate net carrying value of $484.8 million and $468.0 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (see Note 10). The Consolidated K-Series is comprised of seven multi-family CMBS investments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated K-Series at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

Balance Sheets
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets
 
 
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
9,438,309

 
$
9,657,421

Receivables
33,437

 
33,562

Total Assets
$
9,471,746

 
$
9,690,983

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Multi-family CDOs
$
8,953,467

 
$
9,189,459

Accrued expenses
33,012

 
33,136

Total Liabilities
8,986,479

 
9,222,595

Equity
485,267

 
468,388

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
9,471,746

 
$
9,690,983


The multi-family loans held in securitization trusts had aggregate unpaid principal balances of approximately $9.3 billion and $9.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The multi-family CDOs had aggregate unpaid principal balances of approximately $9.3 billion and $9.4 billion at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the current weighted average interest rate on these multi-family CDOs was 3.94% and 3.92%, respectively.


27
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 those securities represented by our first loss and mezzanine 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 18).

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the Consolidated K-Series for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Statements of Operations
2018
 
2017
Interest income
$
85,092

 
$
61,304

Interest expense
74,478

 
53,932

Net interest income
10,614

 
7,372

Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
7,545

 
1,384

Net income
$
18,159

 
$
8,756


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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are as follows:

 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
California
14.7
%
 
14.7
%
Texas
12.7
%
 
12.7
%
New York
6.5
%
 
6.5
%
Maryland
5.5
%
 
5.5
%



28
Table of Contents


8.
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company's investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method consist of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2018

December 31, 2017
Investment Name
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
BBA-EP320 II, L.L.C., BBA-Ten10 II, L.L.C., and Lexington on the Green Apartments, L.L.C. (collectively)
 
45%
 
$
8,417

 
45%
 
$
8,320

Total - Equity Method
 
 
 
$
8,417

 
 
 
$
8,320

    
The Company's investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method using the fair value option consist of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Investment Name
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
11%
 
$
12,904

 
11%
 
$
12,623

Evergreens JV Holdings, LLC
 
85%
 
4,320

 
85%
 
4,220

The Preserve at Port Royal Venture, LLC
 
77%
 
13,250

 
77%
 
13,040

WR Savannah Holdings, LLC
 
90%
 
13,030

 
90%
 
12,940

Total - Fair Value Option
 
 
 
$
43,504

 
 
 
$
42,823


The following table presents income from investments in unconsolidated entities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
        
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Investment Name
 
2018
 
2017
200 RHC Hoover, LLC
 
$
—

 
$
275

BBA-EP320 II, L.L.C., BBA-Ten10 II, L.L.C., and Lexington on the Green Apartments, L.L.C. (collectively)
 
253

 
242

Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
282

 
649

Evergreens JV Holdings, LLC
 
194

 
164

Bent Tree JV Holdings, LLC
 
—

 
288

Summerchase LR Partners LLC
 
—

 
182

Lake Mary Realty Partners, LLC
 
—

 
211

The Preserve at Port Royal Venture, LLC
 
483

 
385

WR Savannah Holdings, LLC
 
361

 
330




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Table of Contents


9.
Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments consist of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Investment amount
$
155,604

 
$
140,560

Deferred loan fees, net
(1,598
)
 
(1,640
)
Total
$
154,006

 
$
138,920


There were no delinquent preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total preferred equity and mezzanine loan investment amounts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
New York
22.0
%
 
24.1
%
Texas
21.7
%
 
24.3
%
Florida
15.3
%
 
3.9
%
Virginia
9.8
%
 
10.8
%
Alabama
6.5
%
 
7.1
%
South Carolina
6.4
%
 
7.0
%

10.
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 or financing transactions: 1) its Residential CDOs; 2) its multi-family CMBS re-securitization transaction and 3) its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transaction (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 continues to consolidate the Financing VIEs as of March 31, 2018.


30
Table of Contents


The Company invests in multi-family CMBS consisting of PO securities that represent the first loss of the securitizations from which they were issued, and certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities 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 seven Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trusts are VIEs as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 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 condensed consolidated financial statements (see Notes 2 and 7). Of the Company’s multi-family CMBS investments included in the Consolidated K-Series, six of these investments are not included as collateral to any Financing VIE as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

In analyzing whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and the Financing 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.
    
RB Development Holding Company, LLC ("RBDHC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, owns 50% of Kiawah River View Investors LLC ("KRVI"), a limited liability company that owns developed land and residential homes under development in Kiawah Island, SC, for which RiverBanc LLC ("RiverBanc"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the manager. The Company has evaluated KRVI to determine if it is a VIE and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. The Company has determined that KRVI is a VIE for which RBDHC is the primary beneficiary as the Company, collectively through RiverBanc and RBDHC, has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of KRVI and has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of KRVI that could be potentially significant to KRVI. Accordingly, the Company has consolidated KRVI in its condensed consolidated financial statements with a non-controlling interest for the third-party ownership of KRVI membership interests.

On March 31, 2017, (the "Changeover Date"), the Company reconsidered its evaluation of its variable interests in Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, two VIEs that each own a multi-family apartment community and in which the Company held a preferred equity investment. The Company determined that it gained the power to direct the activities, and became primary beneficiary, of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters on the Changeover Date. Prior to the Changeover Date, the Company accounted for Riverchase Landing as an investment in an unconsolidated entity and for The Clusters as a preferred equity investment.

On the Changeover Date, the Company consolidated Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements. These transactions were accounted for by applying the acquisition method for business combinations.

The estimated Changeover Date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $12.5 million, which consisted of the estimated fair value of the Company's preferred equity investments in both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters. The Company determined the estimated fair value of its preferred equity investments in Riverchase Landing and The Clusters using assumptions for the timing and amount of expected future cash flows from the underlying multi-family apartment communities and a discount rate.

31
Table of Contents


The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters at the Changeover Date (dollar amounts in thousands).
Cash
$
112

Operating real estate (1)
62,322

Lease intangibles (1)
5,340

Receivables and other assets
2,260

   Total assets
70,034

 
 
Mortgages payable
51,570

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,519

   Total liabilities
53,089

 
 
Non-controlling interest (2)
4,462

Net assets consolidated
$
12,483

(1)
Reclassified to real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in 2017 (see Note 11).
(2)  
Represents third party ownership of membership interests in Riverchase Landing and The Clusters. The fair value of the non-controlling interests in Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, both private companies, was estimated using assumptions for the timing and amount of expected future cash flows from the underlying multi-family apartment communities and a discount rate.

In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. Prior to March 2018, the Company did not have any claims to the assets or obligations for the liabilities of Riverchase Landing. As of March 31, 2018, the Company does not have any claims to the assets or obligations for the liabilities of The Clusters.

The Consolidated K-Series, the Financing VIEs, KRVI, Riverchase Landing (as of December 31, 2017) and The Clusters are collectively referred to in this footnote as "Consolidated VIEs".

32
Table of Contents


The following tables present a summary of the assets and liabilities of these Consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Intercompany balances have been eliminated for purposes of this presentation.

Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Financing VIEs
 
Other VIEs
 
 
 
Multi-family
CMBS Re-
securitization (1)
 
Distressed
Residential
Mortgage
Loan
Securitization (2)
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-
family
CMBS (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
682

 
$
682

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
48,857

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
48,857

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
—

 
—

 
70,864

 
—

 
—

 
70,864

Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
—

 
119,201

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
119,201

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
1,133,139

 
—

 
—

 
8,305,170

 
—

 
9,438,309

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
29,293

 
29,293

Receivables and other assets
4,310

 
6,587

 
935

 
29,199

 
22,968

 
63,999

Total assets
$
1,186,306

 
$
125,788

 
$
71,799

 
$
8,334,369

 
$
52,943

 
$
9,771,205

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
67,154

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
67,154

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
1,068,139

 
—

 
—

 
7,885,328

 
—

 
8,953,467

Securitized debt
29,390

 
40,825

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
70,215

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
32,072

 
32,072

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,294

 
782

 
26

 
28,867

 
763

 
34,732

Total liabilities
$
1,101,823

 
$
41,607

 
$
67,180

 
$
7,914,195

 
$
32,835

 
$
9,157,640


(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 7).
(2) 
The Company engaged in this transaction for the purpose of financing distressed residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company. The distressed residential mortgage loans serving as collateral for the financing 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. Balances as of March 31, 2018 are related to a securitization transaction that closed in April 2016 that involved the issuance of $177.5 million of Class A Notes representing the beneficial ownership in a pool of performing and re-performing seasoned mortgage loans. The Company holds 5% of the Class A Notes issued as part of the securitization transaction, which were eliminated in consolidation.
(3) 
Six of the Company’s Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series were not held in a Financing VIE as of March 31, 2018.

33
Table of Contents


Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Financing VIEs
 
Other VIEs
 
 
 
Multi-family
CMBS Re-
securitization (1)
 
Distressed
Residential
Mortgage
Loan
Securitization (2)
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-
family
CMBS (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
808

 
$
808

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
47,922

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
47,922

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
—

 
—

 
73,820

 
—

 
—

 
73,820

Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
—

 
121,791

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
121,791

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
1,157,726

 
—

 
—

 
8,499,695

 
—

 
9,657,421

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
64,202

 
64,202

Receivables and other assets
4,333

 
15,428

 
935

 
29,301

 
25,507

 
75,504

Total assets
$
1,209,981

 
$
137,219

 
$
74,755

 
$
8,528,996

 
$
90,517

 
$
10,041,468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
70,308

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
70,308

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
1,094,044

 
—

 
—

 
8,095,415

 
—

 
9,189,459

Securitized debt
29,164

 
52,373

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
81,537

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
57,124

 
57,124

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,316

 
2,957

 
24

 
28,969

 
1,727

 
37,993

Total liabilities
$
1,127,524

 
$
55,330

 
$
70,332

 
$
8,124,384

 
$
58,851

 
$
9,436,421


(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 7).
(2) 
The Company engaged in this transaction for the purpose of financing distressed residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company. The distressed residential mortgage loans serving as collateral for the financing 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. Balances as of December 31, 2017 are related to a securitization transaction that closed in April 2016 that involved the issuance of $177.5 million of Class A Notes representing the beneficial ownership in a pool of performing and re-performing seasoned mortgage loans. The Company holds 5% of the Class A Notes issued as part of the securitization transaction, which have been eliminated in consolidation.
(3) 
Six of the Company’s Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series were not held in a Financing VIE as of December 31, 2017.



34
Table of Contents


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)
 
Distressed
Residential Mortgage
Loan Securitizations 
Principal Amount at March 31, 2018
$
33,303

 
$
41,383

Principal Amount at December 31, 2017
$
33,350

 
$
53,089

Carrying Value at March 31, 2018 (2)
$
29,390

 
$
40,825

Carrying Value at December 31, 2017 (2)
$
29,164

 
$
52,373

Pass-through rate of Notes issued
5.35%
 
4.00%

(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 issued in this re-securitization transaction 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) 
Classified as securitized debt in the liability section of the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Financing VIEs’ securitized debt as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
Scheduled Maturity (principal amount) 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Within 24 months
$
41,383

 
$
53,089

Over 24 months to 36 months
—

 
—

Over 36 months
33,303

 
33,350

Total
74,686

 
86,439

Discount
(3,921
)
 
(4,232
)
Debt issuance cost
(550
)
 
(670
)
Carrying value
$
70,215

 
$
81,537


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.


35
Table of Contents


Unconsolidated VIEs

The Company has evaluated its multi-family CMBS investments in two Freddie Mac-sponsored K-Series securitizations as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and its preferred equity, mezzanine loan and other equity investments to determine whether they are VIEs and should be consolidated by the Company. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that, except for The Clusters as of March 31, 2018 and both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters as of December 31, 2017, it does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. The following tables present the classification and carrying value of unconsolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
Investment
securities,
available for
sale, at fair
value, held in securitization trusts
 
Receivables and other assets
 
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
 
Investment in unconsolidated entities
 
Total
Multi-family CMBS
$
48,857

 
$
73

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
48,930

Preferred equity investment on multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
147,411

 
8,417

 
155,828

Mezzanine loan on multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
6,595

 
—

 
6,595

Equity investments in entities that invest in multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,934

 
25,934

Total assets
$
48,857

 
$
73

 
$
154,006

 
$
34,351

 
$
237,287


 
December 31, 2017
 
Investment
securities,
available for
sale, at fair
value, held in securitization trusts
 
Receivables and other assets
 
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
 
Investment in unconsolidated entities
 
Total
Multi-family CMBS
$
47,922

 
$
73

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
47,995

Preferred equity investment on multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
132,009

 
8,320

 
140,329

Mezzanine loan on multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
6,911

 
—

 
6,911

Equity investments in entities that invest in multi-family properties
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,562

 
25,562

Total assets
$
47,922

 
$
73

 
$
138,920

 
$
33,882

 
$
220,797


Our maximum loss exposure on the multi-family CMBS investments, preferred equity, mezzanine loan and equity investments is approximately $237.3 million and $220.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company’s maximum exposure does not exceed the carrying value of its investments.


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11.
Real Estate Held for Sale in Consolidated VIEs

On March 31, 2017, the Company determined that it became the primary beneficiary of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, two VIEs that each own a multi-family apartment community and in which the Company held preferred equity investments. Accordingly, on this date, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 10).

During the second quarter of 2017, Riverchase Landing determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale. Accordingly, the Company classified the real estate assets in Riverchase Landing as held for sale as of December 31, 2017 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also ceased depreciation of the operating real estate assets and amortization of the related lease intangible asset in Riverchase Landing as of June 5, 2017. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. Riverchase Landing recognized a net gain on sale of approximately $2.3 million which is included in other income and is allocated to net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company deconsolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale.

During the third quarter of 2017, The Clusters determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale. The Company anticipates completing a sale to a third party buyer in 2018. Accordingly, the Company classified the real estate assets in The Clusters as held for sale as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also ceased depreciation of the operating real estate assets and amortization of the related lease intangible asset in The Clusters as of September 1, 2017.

The following is a summary of the real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Land
$
2,650

 
$
7,000

Building and improvements
25,757

 
53,468

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
838

 
2,150

Lease intangible
2,802

 
5,340

Real estate held for sale before accumulated depreciation and amortization
32,047

 
67,958

Accumulated depreciation (1)
(418
)
 
(647
)
Accumulated amortization of lease intangible (1)
(2,336
)
 
(3,109
)
Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
$
29,293

 
$
64,202


(1)  
There were no depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

No gain or loss was recognized by the Company or allocated to non-controlling interests related to the initial classification of the real estate assets as held for sale.

12.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

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

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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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Interest rate swaps (1)
 
Derivative assets
 
$
9,815

 
$
846


(1) 
There was no netting of interest rate swaps at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

There were no open TBA purchases or sales as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The tables below summarize the activity of derivative instruments not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2018
Interest rate swaps
 
$
345,500

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
345,500


 
 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2017
TBA securities (1)
 
$
149,000

 
$
548,000

 
$
(588,000
)
 
$
109,000

U.S. Treasury futures
 
17,100

 
70,300

 
(58,700
)
 
28,700

Interest rate swap futures
 
(151,700
)
 
182,200

 
(146,000
)
 
(115,500
)
Eurodollar futures
 
(2,575,000
)
 
2,627,000

 
(1,890,000
)
 
(1,838,000
)
Swaptions
 
154,000

 
—

 
—

 
154,000

Interest rate swaps
 
15,000

 
—

 
—

 
15,000


(1) 
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.





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The following table 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 category in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
TBA securities
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(215
)
 
$
200

Eurodollar futures
—

 
—

 
555

 
(380
)
Interest rate swaps
—

 
8,969

 
—

 
26

Swaptions
—

 
—

 
—

 
(87
)
U.S. Treasury and interest rate swap futures and options
—

 
—

 
158

 
107

Total
$
—

 
$
8,969

 
$
498

 
$
(134
)

    
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company may use interest rate swaps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with borrowings made under our variable rate borrowings and designate them as cash flow hedges. There are 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 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.

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 had no derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The following table presents the impact of the Company’s interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments on the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
2018
 
2017
Accumulated other comprehensive income for derivative instruments:
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of the period
 
$
—

 
$
102

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps
 
—

 
164

Balance at end of the period
 
$
—

 
$
266



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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, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net Interest Expense
$
—

 
$
(27
)
    
Outstanding Derivatives    

The following table presents information about our interest rate swaps whereby we receive floating rate payments in exchange for fixed rate payments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
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
2024
 
$
98,000

 
2.18
%
 
1.73
%
 
$
98,000

 
2.18
%
 
1.36
%
2027
 
247,500

 
2.39
%
 
1.79
%
 
247,500

 
2.39
%
 
1.39
%
Total
 
$
345,500

 
2.33
%
 
1.77
%
 
$
345,500

 
2.33
%
 
1.38
%

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 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. Currently, all of the Company's interest rate swaps outstanding are cleared through the CME Group Inc. ("CME Clearing") which is the parent company of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. The CME Clearing serves as the counterparty to every cleared transaction, becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, limiting the credit risk by guaranteeing the financial performance of both parties and netting down exposures.

The Company is required to pledge assets under a 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 derivative agreement. In the event the Company is unable to meet a margin call under one of its derivative agreements, thereby causing an event of default or triggering an early termination event under one of its derivative agreements, the counterparty to such derivative 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 derivative agreement. The Company believes it was in compliance with all margin requirements under its derivative agreements as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Company had $0.1 million and $9.9 million of restricted cash related to margin posted for its agreements as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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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13.
Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments

The Company has entered into repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions to finance its investment portfolio. 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, 2018, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $1.3 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 2.51%. At December 31, 2017, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $1.3 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 2.18%.

The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s borrowings under financing arrangements and associated assets pledged as collateral at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Outstanding
Financing
Arrangements
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
 
Outstanding
Financing
Arrangements
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
Agency ARMs RMBS
$
80,977

 
$
84,361

 
$
87,132

 
$
86,349

 
$
90,343

 
$
92,586

Agency Fixed-rate RMBS
853,390

 
902,219

 
933,829

 
842,474

 
890,359

 
902,744

Non-Agency RMBS
37,016

 
49,205

 
48,269

 
38,160

 
51,841

 
50,693

CMBS (1)
315,931

 
435,118

 
323,042

 
309,935

 
421,156

 
322,092

Balance at end of the period
$
1,287,314

 
$
1,470,903

 
$
1,392,272

 
$
1,276,918

 
$
1,453,699

 
$
1,368,115


(1)  
Includes first loss PO and mezzanine CMBS securities with a fair value amounting to $393.4 million and $377.5 million included in the Consolidated K-Series as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the average days to maturity for financing arrangements were 55 days and 44 days, respectively. The Company’s accrued interest payable on outstanding financing arrangements at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounts to $3.1 million and $2.5 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Contractual Maturity
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Within 30 days
$
539,990

 
$
1,081,911

Over 30 days to 90 days
647,324

 
95,007

Over 90 days
100,000

 
100,000

Total
$
1,287,314

 
$
1,276,918


As of March 31, 2018, the outstanding balance under our financing arrangements was funded at a weighted average advance rate of 90.0% that implies an average haircut of 10.0%. As of March 31, 2018, the weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and CMBS was approximately 5%, 25%, and 24%, respectively.

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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had financing arrangements with ten counterparties. As of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017 the Company's only exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of the Company's stockholders’ equity was to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch at 6.2% and 5.0%, respectively. 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.


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As of March 31, 2018, our available liquid assets included unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, overnight deposits and unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin. The Company had $65.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $300.5 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircuts or market valuation requirements. The unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin as of March 31, 2018 included $174.9 million of Agency RMBS, $75.6 million of CMBS and $50.0 million of Non-Agency RMBS and other investment securities. The cash and unencumbered securities, which collectively represent 28.4% of our financing arrangements, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize a liability immediately.

14.
Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch with a maximum aggregate committed principal amount of $100.0 million and a maximum uncommitted principal amount of $150.0 million to fund distressed residential mortgage loans, expiring on June 8, 2019. The outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounts to approximately $119.3 million and $123.6 million, respectively, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 2.50% (4.37% and 4.05% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively). 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.

The Company also has a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch with a maximum aggregate committed principal amount of $25.0 million and a maximum uncommitted principal amount of $25.0 million to fund the purchase of residential mortgage loans, expiring on November 24, 2018. The outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounts to approximately $30.2 million and $26.1 million, respectively, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 3.50% (5.12% and 5.05% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively).

During the terms 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, the maintenance of certain amounts of net worth, liquidity and leverage ratios. The Company is in compliance with such covenants as of May 8, 2018.

15.
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had Residential CDOs outstanding of $67.2 million and $70.3 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the current weighted average interest rate on these Residential CDOs was 2.48% and 2.16%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARM loans with a principal balance of $74.5 million and $77.5 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest, for three securitizations, and, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively.


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16.
Debt

Convertible Notes    

On January 23, 2017, the Company issued $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022, including $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes issued upon exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option, in an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Convertible Notes, after deducting the underwriter's discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $127.0 million with the total cost to the Company of approximately 8.24%.

The Convertible Notes were issued at 96% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and are expected to mature on January 15, 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes will be permitted to convert their Convertible Notes into shares of the Company's common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2022. The conversion rate for the Convertible Notes, which is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, initially equals 142.7144 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.01 per share of the Company’s common stock, based on a $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company that rank senior in right of payment to the Company's subordinated debentures and any of its other indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, none of the Convertible Notes were converted. As of May 8, 2018, the Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants for the Convertible Notes.

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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (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 8, 2018, the Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants for the subordinated debentures.

Mortgages and Notes Payable in Consolidated VIEs

On March 31, 2017, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 10). In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company deconsolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale. The Clusters' real estate investment is subject to a mortgage payable and the Company has no obligation for this liability as of March 31, 2018.

The Company also consolidates KRVI into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 10). KRVI's real estate under development is subject to a note payable of $4.5 million that has an unused commitment of $3.9 million as of March 31, 2018. The Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants of KRVI's note payable as of May 8, 2018.


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The mortgages and notes payable in the consolidated VIEs are described below (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
Assumption/Origination Date
 
Mortgage Note Amount as of March 31, 2018
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
Net Deferred Finance Costs
The Clusters
 
6/30/2014
 
$
27,662

 
7/6/2024
 
4.49
%
 
$
63

KRVI
 
12/16/2016
 
$
4,473

 
12/16/2019
 
6.25
%
 
$
—


As of March 31, 2018, maturities for debt on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Fiscal Year
Total
2018
$
—

2019
4,473

2020
—

2021
—

2022
138,000

2023
—

Thereafter
72,662

 
$
215,135

 
17.
Commitments and Contingencies

Loans Sold to Third Parties – 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, 2018.

Outstanding Litigation – The Company is at times subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of March 31, 2018, 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.


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18.
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. Dealer valuations typically 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 classified as a Level 3 security and, as a result, management will determine fair value by modeling the security based on its specific characteristics and 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, except the CMBS held in securitization trusts, are valued based upon readily observable market parameters and are classified as Level 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 10.4%. 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. The Company determines the fair value of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts based on the fair value of its Multi-Family CDOs and its retained interests from these securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable.

c.
Derivative Instruments – The fair value of interest rate swaps are based on dealer quotes. The Company’s derivatives are classified as Level 2 fair values.


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d.
Multi-Family CDOs – Multi-Family CDOs 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.

e.
Investment 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.

f.
Residential Mortgage Loans - Certain of the Company’s acquired residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans and second mortgages, are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value for first lien mortgages is determined using prices obtained from a third party pricing service. The fair value is based upon cash flow models that primarily use market-based inputs such as current interest and discount rates but also include unobservable market data inputs such as prepayment speeds, default rates and loss severities. The fair value for second mortgage residential loans is based upon an internal cash flow model that considers current interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, and loss severities.

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.

    

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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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
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
$
—

 
$
1,161,445

 
$
—

 
$
1,161,445

 
$
—

 
$
1,169,536

 
$
—

 
$
1,169,536

Non-Agency RMBS
—

 
99,212

 
—

 
99,212

 
—

 
102,125

 
—

 
102,125

CMBS
—

 
90,856

 
48,857

 
139,713

 
—

 
93,498

 
47,922

 
141,420

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
—

 
—

 
9,438,309

 
9,438,309

 
—

 
—

 
9,657,421

 
9,657,421

Residential mortgage loans, at fair value
—

 
—

 
99,480

 
99,480

 
—

 
—

 
87,153

 
87,153

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Interest rate swaps
—

 
9,815

 
—

 
9,815

 
—

 
846

 
—

 
846

Investments in unconsolidated entities
—

 
—

 
43,504

 
43,504

 
—

 
—

 
42,823

 
42,823

Total
$
—

 
$
1,361,328

 
$
9,630,150

 
$
10,991,478

 
$
—

 
$
1,366,005

 
$
9,835,319

 
$
11,201,324

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

 
$
—

 
$
8,953,467

 
$
8,953,467

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9,189,459

 
$
9,189,459

Total
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
8,953,467

 
$
8,953,467

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9,189,459

 
$
9,189,459



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Table of Contents


The following table details changes in valuation for the Level 3 assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Assets:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
9,835,319

 
$
7,061,842

Total (losses)/gains (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
Included in earnings (1)
(182,601
)
 
3,340

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
(4
)
 
(193
)
Contributions
—

 
1,300

Paydowns/Distributions
(38,530
)
 
(38,425
)
Purchases (2)
15,966

 
1,545,030

Balance at the end of period
$
9,630,150

 
$
8,572,894


(1) 
Amounts included in interest income from multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, interest income from residential mortgage loans, realized gain on distressed residential mortgage loans, net gain on residential mortgage loans at fair value, unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, and other income.
(2) 
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company purchased PO securities, certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities issued from a Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trust. The Company determined that the securitization trust is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As a result, the Company consolidated assets of this Freddie Mac sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trust in the amount of $1.5 billion (see Notes 2 and 7).

The following table details changes in valuation for the Level 3 liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Liabilities:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
9,189,459

 
$
6,624,896

Total gains (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
Included in earnings (1)
(201,558
)
 
(8,068
)
Purchases (2)
—

 
1,472,073

Paydowns
(34,434
)
 
(36,473
)
Balance at the end of period
$
8,953,467

 
$
8,052,428


(1) 
Amounts included in interest expense on Multi-Family CDOs and unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts.
(2) 
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company purchased PO securities, certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities issued from a Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trust. The Company determined that the securitization trust is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As a result, the Company consolidated liabilities of this Freddie Mac sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trust in the amount of $1.5 billion (see Notes 2 and 7).







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The following table details the changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for our Level 3 multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Change in unrealized (losses) gains – assets 
$
(172,546
)
 
$
10,119

Change in unrealized gains (losses) – liabilities
180,091

 
(8,735
)
Net change in unrealized gains included in earnings for assets and liabilities
$
7,545

 
$
1,384


The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans, net
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
10,284

 
$
10,284

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
10,317

 
$
10,317

Real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts
—

 
—

 
111

 
111

 
—

 
—

 
111

 
111


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, 2018 and 2017, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans, net
$
110

 
$
(15
)
Real estate owned held in residential securitization trusts
—

 
—


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 is 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Level 1
 
$
65,495

 
$
65,495

 
$
95,191

 
$
95,191

Investment securities available for sale (1)
Level 2 or 3
 
1,400,370

 
1,400,370

 
1,413,081

 
1,413,081

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
Level 3
 
70,864

 
70,334

 
73,820

 
72,131

Distressed residential mortgage loans, at carrying value, net (2)
Level 3
 
322,072

 
325,597

 
331,464

 
334,765

Residential mortgage loans, at fair value (3)
Level 3
 
99,480

 
99,480

 
87,153

 
87,153

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
Level 3
 
9,438,309

 
9,438,309

 
9,657,421

 
9,657,421

Derivative assets
Level 2
 
9,815

 
9,815

 
846

 
846

Mortgage loans held for sale, net (4)
Level 3
 
5,473

 
5,599

 
5,507

 
5,598

Mortgage loans held for investment (4)
Level 3
 
1,760

 
1,900

 
1,760

 
1,900

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments (5)
Level 3
 
154,006

 
155,206

 
138,920

 
140,129

Investments in unconsolidated entities (6)
Level 3
 
51,921

 
51,990

 
51,143

 
51,212

Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
Level 2
 
1,287,314

 
1,287,314

 
1,276,918

 
1,276,918

Financing arrangements, residential mortgage loans
Level 2
 
149,049

 
149,049

 
149,063

 
149,063

Residential collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
67,154

 
63,957

 
70,308

 
66,865

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
8,953,467

 
8,953,467

 
9,189,459

 
9,189,459

Securitized debt
Level 3
 
70,215

 
75,778

 
81,537

 
87,891

Subordinated debentures
Level 3
 
45,000

 
44,975

 
45,000

 
45,002

Convertible notes
Level 2
 
129,242

 
138,911

 
128,749

 
140,060


(1) 
Includes $48.9 million and $47.9 million of investment securities for sale held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(2) 
Includes distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value amounting to approximately $119.2 million and $121.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value amounting to approximately $202.9 million and $209.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(3) 
Includes distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value amounting to $36.4 million and $36.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and second mortgages with a carrying value amounting to $63.1 million and $50.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(4) 
Included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(5) 
Includes preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments accounted for as loans (see Note 9).
(6) 
Includes investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the fair value option with a carrying value of $43.5 million and $42.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (see Note 8).

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, net of allowance for loan losses. 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.


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Table of Contents


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.

d.
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.

e.
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan 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.

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

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

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

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

j.
Convertible notes – The fair value is based on quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments.




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Table of Contents


19.
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 12,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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.

On October 13, 2017, the Company issued 5,400,000 shares of 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D 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 $130.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 5,750,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock authorized. The Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a fixed rate from and including the issue date to, but excluding, October 15, 2027 of 8.00% per year on the $25 liquidation preference. Beginning October 15, 2027, the Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.695% per year on the $25 liquidation preference. The Series D Preferred Stock 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, or Series D Preferred Stock.

The Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock are not redeemable by the Company prior to June 4, 2018, April 22, 2020, and October 15, 2027, respectively, 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively). On and after June 4, 2018, April 22, 2020, and October 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D 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.



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Table of Contents


Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock will have the right (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, or Series D Preferred Stock, respectively) to convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, or Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock or Series D 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 the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock through March 31, 2018, 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 such quarterly cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock commencing January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 and on the Series D Preferred Stock from its respective time of original issuance through March 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Series B Preferred Stock
 
Series C Preferred Stock
 
Series D Preferred Stock
 
March 19, 2018
 
April 1, 2018
 
April 15, 2018
 
$
0.484375

 
$
0.4921875

 
$
0.50

 
December 7, 2017
 
January 1, 2018
 
January 15, 2018
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
0.51111

(1) 
September 14, 2017
 
October 1, 2017
 
October 15, 2017
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
—
 
June 14, 2017
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 15, 2017
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
—
 
March 16, 2017
 
April 1, 2017
 
April 15, 2017
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
—
 

(1) 
Cash dividend for the partial quarterly period that began on October 13, 2017 and ended on January 14, 2018.

(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, 2017 and ended March 31, 2018:
Period
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
First Quarter 2018
 
March 19, 2018
 
March 29, 2018
 
April 26, 2018
 
$
0.20

Fourth Quarter 2017
 
December 7, 2017
 
December 18, 2017
 
January 25, 2018
 
0.20

Third Quarter 2017
 
September 14, 2017
 
September 25, 2017
 
October 25, 2017
 
0.20

Second Quarter 2017
 
June 14, 2017
 
June 26, 2017
 
July 25, 2017
 
0.20

First Quarter 2017
 
March 16, 2017
 
March 27, 2017
 
April 25, 2017
 
0.20


(c)
Public Offering of Common Stock

The Company did not issue any shares of its common stock through underwritten public offerings during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

(d)
Equity Distribution Agreements

On August 10, 2017, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), as sales agent, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having a maximum aggregate sales price of up to $100.0 million, from time to time through Credit Suisse. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares of common stock issuable under the Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Equity Distribution Agreement.


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Table of Contents


The Equity Distribution Agreement replaces the Company’s prior equity distribution agreements with JMP Securities LLC and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. dated as of March 20, 2015 and August 25, 2016, respectively (the “Prior Equity Distribution Agreements”), pursuant to which up to $39.3 million of aggregate value of the Company's common stock and Series B Preferred Stock remained available for issuance immediately prior to termination. The Prior Equity Distribution Agreements were terminated effective on August 7, 2017.

There were no shares of common stock issued under the Equity Distribution Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued 87,737 shares under the Prior Equity Distribution Agreements, at an average sales price of $6.68 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $0.6 million after deducting the placement fees. As of March 31, 2018, approximately $99.6 million of securities remains available for issuance under the Equity Distribution Agreement.

20.
Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted earnings per common share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as convertible notes and performance share awards, and the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company's Convertible Notes were determined to be dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share under the "if-converted" method. Under this method, the periodic interest expense (net of applicable taxes) for dilutive notes is added back to the numerator and the number of shares that the notes are entitled to (if converted, regardless of whether they are in or out of the money) are included in the denominator. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company's PSUs awarded under the 2018 Long-Term Equity Incentive Program ("2018 Long-Term EIP") (see Note 21) were also determined to be dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share under the treasury stock method. Under this method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that target PSUs vest according to the PSU Agreements and unrecognized compensation cost is used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period. 

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods indicated (dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Basic Earnings per Common Share
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Company
 
$
29,618

 
$
19,182

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
(5,925
)
 
(3,225
)
Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
 
$
23,693

 
$
15,957

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
 
112,018

 
111,721

Basic Earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.14

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Company
 
$
29,618

 
$
19,182

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
(5,925
)
 
(3,225
)
Add back: Interest expense on convertible notes for the period, net of tax
 
2,634

 
1,960

Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
 
$
26,327

 
$
17,917

Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
112,018

 
111,721

Net effect of assumed PSUs vested
 
49

 
—

Net effect of assumed convertible notes conversion to common shares
 
19,694

 
14,881

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
 
131,761

 
126,602

Diluted Earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.14



54


21.
Stock Based Compensation

In May 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2017 Plan, with such stockholder action resulting in the termination of the Company’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The terms of the 2017 Plan are substantially the same as the 2010 Plan. However, any outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan will continue in accordance with the terms of the 2010 Plan and any award agreement executed in connection with such outstanding awards. At March 31, 2018, there are 94,043 common shares reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan in connection with an outstanding PSA.

Pursuant to the 2017 Plan, eligible employees, officers and directors of the Company are offered the opportunity to acquire the Company's common stock through the award of restricted stock and other equity awards under the 2017 Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2017 Plan is 5,570,000. The Company’s non-employee directors have been issued 58,920 shares under the 2017 Plan as of March 31, 2018. The Company’s employees have been issued 212,855 shares under the 2017 Plan as of March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, there were 212,855 shares of non-vested restricted stock outstanding under the 2017 Plan.

Of the common stock authorized at March 31, 2018, 5,298,225 shares were reserved for issuance under the 2017 Plan. The Company’s non-employee directors have been issued 265,934 shares collectively under the 2010 and 2017 Plans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Company’s employees have been issued 1,101,798 and 895,201 restricted shares collectively under the 2010 and 2017 Plans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were 464,880 and 422,928 shares of non-vested restricted stock outstanding collectively under the 2010 and 2017 Plans, respectively.

(a)
Restricted Common Stock Awards

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense on its restricted common stock awards of $0.3 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, 2018 and 2017.

A summary of the activity of the Company's non-vested restricted stock collectively under the 2010 and 2017 Plans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is presented below:
 
2018
 
2017
 
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
422,928

 
$
6.36

 
319,058

 
$
6.40

Granted
206,597

 
5.57

 
326,663

 
6.54

Vested
(164,645
)
 
6.72

 
(116,875
)
 
7.04

Non-vested shares as of March 31
464,880

 
5.88

 
528,846

 
6.34

Weighted-average of restricted stock granted during the period
206,597

 
$
5.57

 
326,663

 
$
6.54


(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, 2018 and 2017, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $2.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, related to the non-vested shares of restricted common stock under the 2010 and 2017 Plans. The unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2018 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The requisite service period for restricted shares at issuance is three years.


55


(b)
Performance Share Awards

In May 2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a PSA under the 2010 Plan to the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. At the time of grant, the target number of shares pursuant to the PSA consisted of 89,629 shares of common stock. The PSA had a grant date fair value of approximately $0.4 million. The PSA award under which the number of underlying shares of Company common stock that can be earned will generally range from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares, with the target number of shares increased to reflect the value of the reinvestment of any dividends declared on Company common stock during the vesting period. Vesting of the PSA will occur at the end of three years based on three-year total shareholder return, or TSR, as follows:

•
If three-year TSR is less than 33%, then 0% of the PSA 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 PSA 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 PSA 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 PSA 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.

Under the terms of the agreement pursuant to which the PSA was granted (the "PSA Agreement"), the PSA is subject to the terms and conditions of the 2010 Plan and in the event of any conflict between the terms of the 2010 Plan and the PSA Agreement, the terms of the 2010 Plan govern. The 2010 Plan provides that the Compensation Committee may determine that the amount payable when an award of performance shares is earned may be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares, or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares which may be issued under the PSA is limited to 94,043 shares. In the event the PSA is earned at a level that would cause the Company to issue more than 94,043 shares, the dollar value of the PSA earned in excess of 94,043 shares will be paid in cash, subject to the terms of the 2010 Plan.

The grant date fair value of the PSA was 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 PSA granted in 2015, 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.

Compensation expense related to the PSA was $31.3 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, there was $10.4 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of the PSA.

(c)
Performance Stock Units

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors approved the grant of PSUs to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and certain other employees as part of our 2018 Long-Term EIP. The awards were issued pursuant to and are consistent with the terms and conditions of the 2017 Plan.

The PSU awards are subject to performance-based vesting under the 2017 Plan pursuant to the PSU Agreements. At the time of grant, the target number of shares pursuant to the PSU awards totaled 588,535 shares of common stock. The PSU awards had a grant date fair value of approximately $2.4 million. Vesting of the PSUs will occur at the end of three years based on the following:

•
If three-year TSR performance relative to the Company's identified performance peer group (the "Relative TSR") is less than 30th percentile, then 0% of the target PSUs will vest;


56


•
If three-year Relative TSR performance is equal to the 30th percentile, then Threshold % (as defined in the individual PSU Agreements) of the target PSUs will vest;

•
If three-year Relative TSR performance is equal to the 50th percentile, then 100% of the target PSUs will vest; and

•
If three-year Relative TSR performance is greater than or equal to the 80th percentile, then Maximum % (as defined in the individual PSU Agreements) of the target PSUs will vest.

The percentage of target PSUs that vest for performance between the 30th, 50th, and 80th percentiles will be calculated using linear interpolation.

Total shareholder return for the Company and each member of the peer group will be determined by dividing (i) the sum of the cumulative amount of such entity’s dividends per share for the performance period and the arithmetic average per share volume weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days of the performance period minus the arithmetic average per share VWAP of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the performance period by (ii) the arithmetic average per share VWAP of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the performance period. Each PSU represents an unfunded promise to receive one share of the Company's common stock once the performance condition has been satisfied.

The grant date fair value of the PSUs was determined through a Monte-Carlo simulation of the Company’s common stock total shareholder return and the common stock total shareholder return of its identified performance peer companies to determine the Relative TSR of the Company’s common stock over a future period of three years. For the PSUs granted in 2018, the inputs used by the model to determine the fair value are (i) historical stock price volatilities of the Company and its identified performance peer companies over the most recent three year period and correlation between each company's stock and the identified performance peer group over the same time series and (ii) a risk free rate for the period interpolated from the U.S. Treasury yield curve on grant date.

Compensation expense related to the PSU was $37.2 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, there was $2.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of the PSU.

22.
Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue 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 100% 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, 2018 and March 31, 2017 is comprised of the following components (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Current income tax expense
$
—

 
$
1,216

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(79
)
 
21

Total provision
$
(79
)
 
$
1,237



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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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforward
$
1,351

 
$
295

Net capital loss carryforward
—

 
—

GAAP/Tax basis differences
2,284

 
2,237

Total deferred tax assets (1)
3,635

 
2,532

Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
148

 
144

Total deferred tax liabilities (2)
148

 
144

Valuation allowance (1)
(3,201
)
 
(2,182
)
Total net deferred tax asset
$
286

 
$
206


(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, 2018, the Company, through wholly owned TRSs, had incurred net operating losses in the aggregate amount of approximately $4.0 million. The Company’s carryforward net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely until they are offset by future taxable income. At March 31, 2018, 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.

The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company's federal, state and city income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and related tax authorities generally for three years after they were filed. The Company has assessed its tax positions for all open years and concluded that there are no material uncertainties to be recognized.

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

On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, informally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) was signed into law. The TCJA makes major changes to the Internal Revenue Code, including several provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that may affect the taxation of real estate investment trusts and holders of their securities. The most significant of these changes, among other things, include lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates, net operating loss utilization rules, limitation on the deduction of business interest, and income recognition rules.

We have recognized the tax effects of the TCJA in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 through the measurement of deferred tax assets at the reduced corporate tax rate. We will continue to analyze and monitor the application of TCJA to our business and continue to assess our provision for income taxes as future guidance is issued.



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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 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 and Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, as amended, 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 and the terms thereof; changes in government laws, regulations or policies affecting our business; changes to our relationship with Headlands; 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; 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 Part I, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 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, and 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:

•
“Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS;

•
"Agency fixed-rate" refers to Agency RMBS comprised of fixed-rate RMBS;

•
“Agency IOs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of IO RMBS;

•
“Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a government sponsored enterprise (“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”);

•
“ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans;

•
“CLO” refers to collateralized loan obligation;

•
“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;

•
“Consolidated K-Series” refers to Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations, of which we, or one of our "special purpose entities," or "SPEs," own the first loss POs and certain IOs and mezzanine securities;

•
“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;

•
“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;

•
“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;

•
"IO RMBS" refers to RMBS comprised of IOs;

•
“multi-family CMBS” refers to CMBS backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties;

•
“CDO” refers to collateralized debt obligation;

•
“non-Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS backed by prime jumbo residential mortgage loans, including performing, re-performing and non-performing 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;

•
“prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARM loans held in our securitization trusts;

•
“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;

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•
“second mortgages” and “second mortgage loans” refers to a lien on a residential property which is subordinate to a more senior mortgage or loan; and

•
“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.

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 and residential-housing related 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 investment portfolio includes certain credit sensitive assets and investments sourced from distressed markets 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 (i) structured multi-family property investments such as multi-family CMBS and preferred equity in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties, (ii) distressed residential assets such as residential mortgage loans sourced from distressed markets and non-Agency RMBS, (iii) second mortgages, (iv) Agency RMBS and (v) certain other mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and the maintenance of our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), we also may opportunistically acquire and manage various other types of mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets that we believe will compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them, including, without limitation, collateralized mortgage obligations and securities issued by newly originated residential securitizations, including credit sensitive securities from these securitizations.

We intend to maintain our focus on residential and multi-family credit assets, which we believe will benefit from improving credit metrics. Consistent with this approach to capital allocation, we acquired an additional $34.2 million of residential and multi-family credit assets during the three months ended March 31, 2018. In periods where we have working capital in excess of our short-term liquidity needs, we expect to invest the excess in more liquid assets, such as Agency RMBS, until such time as we are able to re-invest that capital in credit assets that meet our underwriting requirements. Our investment and capital allocation decisions depend on prevailing market conditions, among other factors, and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different economic and capital market environments.

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 borrowings with terms between one year and 18 months and longer term structured financings, such as securitizations and convertible notes, with terms longer than one year.

We internally manage the assets in our investment portfolio, with the exception of distressed residential loans for which we have engaged Headlands Asset Management LLC ("Headlands") to provide investment management services. As part of our investment strategy, we may, from time to time, utilize one or more external investment managers, similar to Headlands, to manage specific asset types that we target or own.


Key First Quarter 2018 Developments

Residential Mortgage Loan Activity

We acquired residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans and second mortgages, for an aggregate cost of approximately $16.0 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Investment Securities Activity

During the first quarter of 2018, we purchased Agency fixed-rate RMBS for a gross purchase price of $60.4 million.


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Multi-Family Activity

We funded $18.2 million in preferred equity investments in owners of multi-family properties during the first quarter of 2018.

First Quarter 2018 Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends

On March 19, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The dividend was paid on April 26, 2018 to our common stockholders of record as of March 29, 2018.

On March 19, 2018, in accordance with the terms of our 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("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, 2018 to holders of record of our Series B Preferred Stock as of April 1, 2018.

Also on March 19, 2018, in accordance with the terms of our 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("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, 2018 to holders of record of our Series C Preferred Stock as of April 1, 2018.

Also on March 19, 2018, in accordance with the terms of our 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred Stock"), our Board of Directors declared a Series D Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Series D Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2018 to holders of record of our Series D Preferred Stock of record as of April 1, 2018.



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Current Market Conditions and Commentary

General. Global equity markets declined during the first quarter of 2018 due to investors’ concerns regarding U.S. interest rate increases and global trade restrictions. U.S. equity markets began 2018 strongly, but volatility increased during the second half of the quarter due to interest rate and trade concerns. U.S. economic data released over the past quarter suggests that the U.S. economy has continued to expand, with U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) estimated to have grown by 2.3% (advance estimate) in the first quarter of 2018, down from GDP growth of 2.9% posted for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
The U.S. labor market continued to expand during the first quarter of 2018. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate remained consistent for the sixth straight month at 4.1% as of the end of March 2018. Total nonfarm payroll employment posted an average monthly increase of 201,670 jobs during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to an average monthly increase of 147,000 jobs in 2017.
Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy.  In March 2018, in view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1.50% to 1.75% and indicated its expectations for additional rate hikes in 2018. The Federal Reserve indicated that in determining the size and timing of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will assess “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 significant volatility in 2018 and future periods. Greater uncertainty frequently leads to wider asset spreads or lower prices and higher hedging costs.
Single-Family Homes and Residential Mortgage Market.  The residential real estate market continued to improve during 2017, and initial data from the first quarter of 2018 suggests that trend continued. Data released by S&P Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for February 2018 showed that, on average, home prices increased 6.8% for the 20-City Composite over February 2017. 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 888,670 during the first quarter of 2018, which was 4.7% above the annual rate of 849,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Continued improvement in single-family housing fundamentals is generally expected to have a positive impact on the overall credit profile of our existing portfolio of distressed residential loans.
Multi-Family Housing.  Apartments and other residential rental properties performed well in 2017 and have continued to perform well during the first quarter of 2018. 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 415,000 during the first quarter of 2018 as compared to 345,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Moreover, even with the supply expansion in recent years and concerns that such expansion will lead to higher vacancy rates, vacancy sentiment among multi-family industry participants appears to remain stable. According to the Multifamily Vacancy Index (“MVI”), which is produced by the National Association of Home Builders and surveys the multi-family housing industry’s perception of vacancies, the MVI was at 41 for the fourth quarter of 2017 which is largely in-line with index scores over the prior two years. 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.
Credit Spreads.  Credit spreads tightened further during the first quarter of 2018 and this had a positive impact on the value of many of our credit sensitive assets while also resulting in a more challenging current return environment for new investment in many of these asset classes. 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 2018, the bond market experienced moderate volatility with the closing yield of the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note trading between 2.44% and 2.94% during the quarter, closing the quarter at 2.74%. During the first quarter of 2018, the Treasury curve continued to flatten with the spread between the 2-Year U.S. Treasury yield and the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield closing to 47 basis points, down 4 basis points from December 31, 2017. This spread is important as it is indicative of opportunities for investing in levered assets.

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Developments at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Payments on the Agency fixed-rate and Agency ARMs 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 has 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-The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae and the U.S. Government, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
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, 2017 and under “Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included therein.

Revenue Recognition. 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 certain of 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 yield on these securities is based on management’s estimate of the projected cash flows from each security, 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 (or interest income) recognized on these securities.

A portion of the purchase discount on the Company’s first loss 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.

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. 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 18 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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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 – We owned 100% of the first loss PO securities of the Consolidated K-Series. The Consolidated K-Series represent Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations, respectively, of which we, or one of our special purpose entities, or SPEs, own the first loss PO securities, certain IO securities and mezzanine CMBS 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 be reflected in our 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, the Consolidated K-Series and certain acquired residential mortgage loans, including both first and second mortgage loans.

Acquired Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans – Acquired distressed residential mortgage loans that have evidence of deteriorated credit quality at acquisition are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 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 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.

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 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.


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Business Combinations - The Company evaluates each purchase transaction to determine whether the acquired assets meet the definition of a business. The Company accounts for business combinations by applying the acquisition method in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Transaction costs related to acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred and excluded from the fair value of consideration transferred. The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests, if any, in an acquired entity are recognized and measured at their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interests, if any, in an acquired entity, net of fair value of any previously held interest in the acquired entity, is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets and liabilities.

Contingent consideration is classified as a liability or equity, as applicable. Contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of a business is measured at fair value on acquisition date, and unless classified as equity, is remeasured at fair value each reporting period thereafter until the consideration is settled, with changes in fair value included in net income.

Net cash paid to acquire a business is classified as investing activities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.


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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

At March 31, 2018:
 
Agency
RMBS(1) 
 
Multi-
Family (2)
 
Distressed
Residential (3)
 
Other (4)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
1,161,445

 
$
836,353

 
$
461,305

 
$
150,461

 
$
2,609,564

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable (5)
(934,367
)
 
(315,931
)
 
(155,965
)
 
(30,100
)
 
(1,436,363
)
Non-callable
—

 
(29,390
)
 
(40,825
)
 
(112,154
)
 
(182,369
)
Convertible
—

 
—

 
—

 
(129,242
)
 
(129,242
)
Hedges (Net) (6)
9,915

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,915

Cash (7)
12,284

 
15,739

 
436

 
37,743

 
66,202

Goodwill
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,222

 
25,222

Other
2,128

 
(5,958
)
 
17,610

 
(25,922
)
 
(12,142
)
Net capital allocated
$
251,405

 
$
500,813

 
$
282,561

 
$
(83,992
)
 
$
950,787

% of capital allocated
26.4
%
 
52.7
%
 
29.7
%
 
(8.8
)%
 
100.0
%

(1) 
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS, Agency ARMs and Agency IOs.
(2) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of March 31, 2018 follows:
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
9,438,309

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(8,953,467
)
Net carrying value
484,842

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
139,713

Total CMBS, at fair value
624,555

Preferred equity investments, mezzanine loans and investments in unconsolidated entities
193,023

Real estate under development
21,553

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
29,293

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(32,072
)
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
(315,931
)
Securitized debt
(29,390
)
Cash and other
9,782

Net Capital in Multi-Family
$
500,813


(3) 
Includes $322.1 million of distressed residential mortgage loans, $36.4 million of distressed residential mortgage loans, at fair value and $99.2 million of non-Agency RMBS backed by re-performing and non-performing loans.
(4) 
Other includes residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts amounting to $70.9 million, residential second mortgage loans, at fair value of $63.1 million, investments in unconsolidated entities amounting to $12.9 million and mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment totaling $3.4 million. Mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets. Other non-callable liabilities consist of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures and $67.2 million in residential collateralized debt obligations.
(5) 
Includes repurchase agreements.
(6) 
Includes derivative assets and restricted cash posted as margin.
(7) 
Includes $0.4 million in deposits held in our distressed residential securitization trusts to be used to pay down outstanding debt. These deposits are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets.



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At December 31, 2017:
 
Agency
RMBS (1) 
 
Multi-
Family (2)
 
Distressed
Residential (3)
 
Other (4)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
1,169,535

 
$
816,805

 
$
474,128

 
$
140,325

 
$
2,600,793

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable(5)
(928,823
)
 
(309,935
)
 
(161,277
)
 
(25,946
)
 
(1,425,981
)
Non-callable
—

 
(29,164
)
 
(52,373
)
 
(115,308
)
 
(196,845
)
Convertible
—

 
—

 
—

 
(128,749
)
 
(128,749
)
Hedges (Net)(6)
10,763

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
10,763

Cash(7)
12,365

 
2,145

 
9,615

 
81,407

 
105,532

Goodwill
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,222

 
25,222

Other
961

 
(4,651
)
 
15,673

 
(26,717
)
 
(14,734
)
Net capital allocated
$
264,801

 
$
475,200

 
$
285,766

 
$
(49,766
)
 
$
976,001

% of capital allocated
27.1
%
 
48.7
%
 
29.3
%
 
(5.1
)%
 
100.0
%

(1) 
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS, Agency ARMs and Agency IOs.
(2) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of December 31, 2017 follows:
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
9,657,421

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(9,189,459
)
Net carrying value
467,962

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
141,420

Total CMBS, at fair value
609,382

Preferred equity investments, mezzanine loans and investment in unconsolidated entities
177,440

Real estate under development
22,904

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
64,202

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(57,124
)
Financing arrangements, portfolio investments
(309,935
)
Securitized debt
(29,164
)
Cash and other
(2,505
)
Net Capital in Multi-family
$
475,200


(3) 
Includes $331.5 million of distressed residential mortgage loans, $36.9 million of distressed residential mortgage loans, at fair value and $101.9 million of non-Agency RMBS backed by re-performing and non-performing loans.
(4) 
Other includes residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts amounting to $73.8 million, residential second mortgage loans, at fair value of $50.2 million, investments in unconsolidated entities amounting to $12.6 million and mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment totaling $3.5 million. Mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets. Other non-callable liabilities consist of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures and $70.3 million in residential collateralized debt obligations.
(5) 
Includes repurchase agreements.
(6) 
Includes derivative assets, derivative liabilities, payable for securities purchased and restricted cash posted as margin.
(7) 
Includes $0.5 million held in overnight deposits related to our Agency IO investments and $9.6 million in deposits held in our distressed residential securitization trusts to be used to pay down outstanding debt. These deposits are included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets.



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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we reported net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders of $23.7 million as compared to net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders of $16.0 million for the same period in 2017. The main components of the change in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 are detailed in the following table (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
Net interest income
$
19,752

 
$
13,918

 
$
5,834

Total other income
$
20,953

 
$
16,705

 
$
4,248

Total general, administrative and operating expenses
$
8,698

 
$
10,204

 
$
(1,506
)
Income from operations before income taxes
$
32,007

 
$
20,419

 
$
11,588

Income tax (benefit) expense
$
(79
)
 
$
1,237

 
$
(1,316
)
Net income attributable to Company
$
29,618

 
$
19,182

 
$
10,436

Preferred stock dividends
$
5,925

 
$
3,225

 
$
2,700

Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
$
23,693

 
$
15,957

 
$
7,736

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.21

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.07

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.20

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.06


Net Interest Income

The increase in net interest income of approximately $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period in 2017 was primarily driven by:
•
An increase in net interest income of approximately $2.9 million in our multi-family portfolio primarily due to an increase in average interest earning assets to $612.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $457.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in average interest earning assets is attributable to new multi-family preferred equity investments and CMBS purchased since March 31, 2017.
•
An increase in net interest income of approximately $2.3 million in our Agency RMBS portfolio primarily due to an increase in average interest earning assets to $1.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $529.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Other Income

The increase in other income of approximately $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period in 2017 was primarily driven by:

•
An increase in net unrealized gains on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts of $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to the increase in multi-family CMBS owned by us as compared to the previous period and tightening of credit spreads.
•
An increase in net unrealized gains on investment securities and related hedges of $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the prior period primarily due to unrealized gains on interest rate swaps accounted for as trading instruments.
•
An increase in income from operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities of $2.1 million related to the consolidation of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, which required consolidation of the entities' income and expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. This income is offset by $1.6 million in expenses related to operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities included in general, administrative and operating expenses.

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•
A decrease in realized gains on distressed residential mortgage loans of $12.7 million as a result of limited loan sale activity in the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period in 2017.
•
An increase in net realized loss on investment securities and related hedges of $2.2 million primarily related to the continuation of our exit from the Agency IO strategy.

Comparative Expenses (dollar amounts in thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
General, Administrative and Operating Expenses
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and directors’ compensation
 
$
2,556

 
$
2,835

 
$
(279
)
Professional fees
 
1,138

 
799

 
339

Base management and incentive fees
 
833

 
3,078

 
(2,245
)
Other
 
962

 
1,253

 
(291
)
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses related to distressed residential mortgage loans
 
1,603

 
2,239

 
(636
)
Expenses related to operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
 
1,606

 
—

 
1,606

Total
 
$
8,698

 
$
10,204

 
$
(1,506
)

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding period in 2017, general, administrative and operating expenses decreased by $1.5 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a $2.2 million reduction in base management and incentive fees due to a decrease in sales activity related to our distressed residential mortgage loans and termination of our management agreement governing the management of our Agency IOs.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2017, the Company recognized expenses related to operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities due to the consolidation of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters in our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. In the three months ended March 31, 2018, these expenses totaled $1.6 million. These expenses are offset by $2.1 million of income from operating real estate and real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities included in other income.
  
Quarterly Comparative Portfolio Net Interest Margin

Our results of operations for our investment portfolio during a given period typically reflect, in large part, the net interest income earned on our investment portfolio of RMBS, CMBS (including CMBS held in securitization trusts), residential securitized loans, distressed residential mortgage loans (including distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts), loans held for investment, second mortgages, preferred equity investments and mezzanine loans, where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to and accounted for as loans, and loans held for sale (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 RMBS investments, which do not utilize hedge accounting for financial reporting purposes, are included in other income in our statement of operations, and therefore, not reflected in the data set forth below.

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The following tables set forth certain information about our portfolio by investment type and their related interest income, interest expense, weighted average yield on interest earning assets, average cost of funds and portfolio net interest margin for our interest earning assets (by investment type) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Agency
RMBS(1)
 
Multi-
Family (2) (3)
 
Distressed
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
7,971

 
$
17,493

 
$
7,311

 
$
1,638

 
$
34,413

Interest Expense
(4,407
)
 
(3,890
)
 
(2,291
)
 
(4,073
)
 
(14,661
)
Net Interest Income
$
3,564

 
$
13,603

 
$
5,020

 
$
(2,435
)
 
$
19,752

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (3) (4)
$
1,208,900

 
$
612,357

 
$
467,898

 
$
136,135

 
$
2,425,290

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
2.64
 %
 
11.43
 %
 
6.25
 %
 
4.81
 %
 
5.68
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(1.82
)%
 
(4.51
)%
 
(4.45
)%
 
(3.25
)%
 
(2.82
)%
Portfolio Net Interest Margin (7)
0.82
 %
 
6.92
 %
 
1.80
 %
 
1.56
 %
 
2.86
 %


Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Agency
RMBS(1)
 
Multi-
Family (2) (3)
 
Distressed
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
2,614

 
$
12,953

 
$
7,764

 
$
1,122

 
$
24,453

Interest Expense
(1,345
)
 
(2,211
)
 
(3,830
)
 
(3,149
)
 
(10,535
)
Net Interest Income
$
1,269

 
$
10,742

 
$
3,934

 
$
(2,027
)
 
$
13,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (3) (4)
$
529,485

 
$
457,943

 
$
661,738

 
$
120,372

 
$
1,769,538

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
1.97
 %
 
11.31
 %
 
4.69
 %
 
3.73
 %
 
5.53
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(1.23
)%
 
(4.55
)%
 
(3.71
)%
 
(2.81
)%
 
(2.83
)%
Portfolio Net Interest Margin (7)
0.74
 %
 
6.76
 %
 
0.98
 %
 
0.92
 %
 
2.70
 %



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(1) 
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS, Agency ARMs and Agency IOs.
(2) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  Interest income amounts represent interest income earned by securities that are actually owned by the Company. A reconciliation of our net interest income in multi-family investments to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is set forth below (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Interest income, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
85,092

 
$
61,304

Interest income, investment securities, available for sale (a)
2,434

 
2,510

Interest income, preferred equity investments and mezzanine loans (a)
4,445

 
3,071

Interest expense, multi-family collateralized debt obligation
(74,478
)
 
(53,932
)
Interest income, Multi-Family, net
17,493

 
12,953

Interest expense, investment securities, available for sale
(3,171
)
 
(1,513
)
Interest expense, securitized debt
(719
)
 
(698
)
Net interest income, Multi-Family
$
13,603

 
$
10,742


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

(3) 
Average Interest Earning Assets for the periods indicated exclude all Consolidated K-Series assets other than those securities actually owned by the Company.
(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 by our Average Interest Earning Assets for the respective periods.
(6) 
Our Average Cost of Funds was calculated by dividing our annualized interest expense by our average interest bearing liabilities, excluding our subordinated debentures and convertible notes, for the respective periods. In the three months ended March 31, 2018, our subordinated debentures and convertible notes generated interest expense of approximately $0.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, our subordinated debentures and convertible notes generated interest expense of approximately $0.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Our Average Cost of Funds includes interest expense on our interest rate swaps and amortization of premium on our swaptions.
(7) 
Portfolio Net Interest Margin 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 and convertible notes.



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Prepayment History

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 Fixed-Rate RMBS
 
Agency ARMs
 
Agency
IOs
 
Residential
Securitizations
March 31, 2018
 
5.4
%
 
10.2
%
 
10.2
%
 
10.8
%
December 31, 2017
 
6.3
%
 
12.9
%
 
17.8
%
 
22.1
%
September 30, 2017
 
12.8
%
 
9.4
%
 
17.4
%
 
18.2
%
June 30, 2017
 
9.6
%
 
16.5
%
 
17.5
%
 
16.8
%
March 31, 2017
 
10.6
%
 
8.3
%
 
15.9
%
 
5.1
%
December 31, 2016
 
12.3
%
 
21.7
%
 
19.4
%
 
11.1
%
September 30, 2016
 
10.0
%
 
20.7
%
 
18.2
%
 
15.9
%
June 30, 2016
 
10.2
%
 
17.6
%
 
15.6
%
 
17.8
%
March 31, 2016
 
7.9
%
 
13.5
%
 
14.7
%
 
14.8
%

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 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, 2018, we had approximately $11.8 billion of total assets, as compared to approximately $12.1 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2017. A significant portion of our assets represents the assets comprising the Consolidated K-Series, which we consolidate in accordance with GAAP. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Consolidated K-Series assets amounted to approximately $9.5 billion and $9.7 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.



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Balance Sheet Analysis

Investment Securities Available for Sale. At March 31, 2018, our securities portfolio includes Agency RMBS, including Agency fixed-rate and Agency ARMs, Agency IOs, CMBS, and non-Agency RMBS, which are classified as investment securities available for sale. At March 31, 2018, 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 decrease in our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017 is primarily related to sales of Agency IOs, principal payments and unrealized losses partially offset by purchases of Agency fixed-rate RMBS.

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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2012
$
15,879

 
$
16,516

 
$
16,290

 
$
16,899

2012
69,150

 
70,059

 
72,498

 
74,173

Total ARMs
85,029

 
86,575

 
88,788

 
91,072

Fixed Rate
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2012
467

 
470

 
597

 
609

2012
242,918

 
243,540

 
257,978

 
262,792

2015
2,762

 
2,802

 
2,786

 
2,886

2017
785,107

 
789,070

 
757,387

 
780,998

2018
20,478

 
20,603

 
—

 
—

Total Fixed Rate
1,051,732

 
1,056,485

 
1,018,748

 
1,047,285

IO
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2013
99,848

 
13,900

 
152,994

 
21,405

2013
—

 
—

 
27,484

 
4,361

2014
18,511

 
1,726

 
19,371

 
1,944

2015
5,419

 
954

 
5,636

 
956

2016
14,545

 
1,805

 
31,480

 
2,513

Total IOs
138,323

 
18,385

 
236,965

 
31,179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Agency RMBS
1,275,084

 
1,161,445

 
1,344,501

 
1,169,536

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

2006
198

 
191

 
211

 
192

2016
14,656

 
14,758

 
16,978

 
17,118

2017
84,054

 
84,263

 
84,054

 
84,815

Total Non-Agency RMBS
98,908

 
99,212

 
101,243

 
102,125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2013 (1)
818,082

 
48,857

 
821,746

 
47,922

2016
34,005

 
36,055

 
36,108

 
38,270

2017
55,220

 
54,801

 
55,977

 
55,228

Total CMBS
907,307

 
139,713

 
913,831

 
141,420

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
2,281,299

 
$
1,400,370

 
$
2,359,575

 
$
1,413,081


(1) 
These amounts represent multi-family CMBS available for sale held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


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Residential Mortgage Loans.

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, 2018, residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts totaled approximately $70.9 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 loans, real estate owned and receivables held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.6 million. Of the residential mortgage loans held in securitized trusts, 100% are traditional ARMs or hybrid ARMs, 80.9% of which are ARM loans that are interest only at the time of origination. 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. At March 31, 2018, the interest only period for the interest only ARM loans included in these securitizations has ended.

The following table details our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2018
231

 
$
74,472

 
$
70,864

December 31, 2017
240

 
$
77,519

 
$
73,820


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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
General Loan Characteristics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Loan Balance
$
428

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

 
$
423

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

Current Coupon Rate
3.91
%
 
5.63
%
 
2.75
%
 
3.79
%
 
5.63
%
 
2.38
%
Gross Margin
2.37
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
 
2.37
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
Lifetime Cap
11.32
%
 
13.25
%
 
9.38
%
 
11.32
%
 
13.25
%
 
9.38
%
Original Term (Months)
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

Remaining Term (Months)
206

 
213

 
172

 
209

 
216

 
175

Average Months to Reset
6

 
11

 
1

 
5

 
11

 
1

Original FICO Score
726

 
818

 
603

 
725

 
818

 
603

Original LTV
69.97
%
 
95.00
%
 
16.28
%
 
70.17
%
 
95.00
%
 
16.28
%


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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, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Principal
 
Premium
 
Allowance for
Loan Losses
 
Net Carrying
Value
Balance, January 1, 2018
$
77,519

 
$
492

 
$
(4,191
)
 
$
73,820

Principal repayments
(3,047
)
 
—

 
—

 
(3,047
)
Recovery of loan loss
—

 
—

 
110

 
110

Transfer to real estate owned
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Charge-Offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of premium
—

 
(19
)
 
—

 
(19
)
Balance, March 31, 2018
$
74,472

 
$
473

 
$
(4,081
)
 
$
70,864

 
Principal
 
Premium
 
Allowance for
Loan Losses
 
Net Carrying Value
Balance, January 1, 2017
$
98,303

 
$
623

 
$
(3,782
)
 
$
95,144

Principal repayments
(3,394
)
 
—

 
—

 
(3,394
)
Provision for loan loss
—

 
—

 
(15
)
 
(15
)
Transfer to real estate owned
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Charge-Offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Amortization of premium
—

 
(24
)
 
—

 
(24
)
Balance, March 31, 2017
$
94,909

 
$
599

 
$
(3,797
)
 
$
91,711


Residential Mortgage Loans, at Fair Value

Residential mortgage loans, at fair value, include both first lien distressed residential loans and second mortgages that are presented at fair value on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in net gain (loss) on residential mortgage loans at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The following table details our residential mortgage loans, at fair value at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Distressed Residential Loans
 
Residential Second Mortgages
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
 
Fair Value
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
 
Fair Value
March 31, 2018
199

 
$
42,408

 
$
36,423

 
994

 
$
61,986

 
$
63,057

December 31, 2017
201

 
$
42,789

 
$
36,914

 
766

 
$
49,316

 
$
50,239


Characteristics of Our Residential Second Mortgages, at Fair Value:

Combined Loan to Value at Purchase
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
50.00% or less
2.9
%
 
2.4
%
50.01% - 60.00%
3.8
%
 
4.1
%
60.01% - 70.00%
8.1
%
 
8.0
%
70.01% - 80.00%
23.3
%
 
21.5
%
80.01% - 90.00%
59.9
%
 
62.1
%
90.01% - 100.00%
2.0
%
 
1.9
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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FICO Scores at Purchase
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
651 to 700
13.7
%
 
10.6
%
701 to 750
57.0
%
 
58.4
%
751 to 800
26.9
%
 
28.6
%
801 and over
2.4
%
 
2.4
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Current Coupon
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
3.00% or less
—

 
—

3.01% - 4.00%
—

 
—

4.01% - 5.00%
—

 
—

5.01% – 6.00%
0.7
%
 
0.7
%
6.01% and over
99.3
%
 
99.3
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Delinquency Status
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Current
98.7
%
 
99.5
%
31 – 60 days
1.1
%
 
0.3
%
61 – 90 days
—

 
0.1
%
90+ days
0.2
%
 
0.1
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Origination Year
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
2015
0.9
%
 
1.1
%
2016
19.6
%
 
26.3
%
2017
54.7
%
 
72.6
%
2018
24.8
%
 
—

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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 at carrying value, including those distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of
Loans
 
Unpaid Principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2018
3,658

 
$
346,001

 
$
322,072

December 31, 2017
3,729

 
$
355,998

 
$
331,464



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The Company’s distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value of approximately $119.2 million and $121.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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 $84.2 million and $81.9 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $178.1 million and $182.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch.


Characteristics of our Acquired Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans, including Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts and Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans, at Fair Value:


Loan to Value at Purchase
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
50.00% or less
4.6
%
 
4.7
%
50.01% - 60.00%
5.1
%
 
5.1
%
60.01% - 70.00%
7.9
%
 
7.8
%
70.01% - 80.00%
12.3
%
 
12.4
%
80.01% - 90.00%
14.0
%
 
14.1
%
90.01% - 100.00%
15.6
%
 
15.7
%
100.01% and over
40.5
%
 
40.2
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

FICO Scores at Purchase
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
550 or less
19.7
%
 
19.9
%
551 to 600
29.2
%
 
29.2
%
601 to 650
27.8
%
 
27.8
%
651 to 700
13.6
%
 
13.4
%
701 to 750
6.1
%
 
6.2
%
751 to 800
3.1
%
 
3.0
%
801 and over
0.5
%
 
0.5
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Current Coupon
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
3.00% or less
9.9
%
 
9.7
%
3.01% - 4.00%
14.0
%
 
13.9
%
4.01% - 5.00%
23.5
%
 
23.0
%
5.01% – 6.00%
11.9
%
 
11.9
%
6.01% and over
40.7
%
 
41.5
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Table of Contents


Delinquency Status
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Current
71.1
%
 
65.2
%
31 – 60 days
10.7
%
 
11.5
%
61 – 90 days
3.0
%
 
5.1
%
90+ days
15.2
%
 
18.2
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Origination Year
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
2005 or earlier
25.7
%
 
26.0
%
2006
16.6
%
 
16.5
%
2007
30.8
%
 
30.6
%
2008 or later
26.9
%
 
26.9
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Table of Contents


Consolidated K-Series. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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 seven Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitizations as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, of which we, or one of our SPEs, own the first loss securities and, in certain cases, IOs and/or mezzanine securities. 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 condensed 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 be reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Consolidated K-Series were comprised of $9.4 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively, in multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and $9.0 billion and $9.2 billion, respectively, in multi-family CDOs, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.94% and 3.92%, respectively. As a result of the consolidation of the Consolidated K-Series, our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 included interest income of $85.1 million and $61.3 million, respectively, and interest expense of $74.5 million and $53.9 million, respectively. Also, we recognized a $7.5 million and a $1.4 million unrealized gain in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively, as a result of the fair value accounting method election.

We do not have any claims to the assets (other than those securities represented by our first loss and mezzanine securities) 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 PO, and, in certain cases, IOs and/or mezzanine securities, issued by these K-Series securitizations with an aggregate net carrying value of $484.8 million and $468.0 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands, except as noted):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Current balance of loans
$
11,434,684

 
$
11,479,393

Number of loans
662

 
662

Weighted average original LTV
69.5
%
 
69.5
%
Weighted average underwritten debt service coverage ratio
1.44x

 
1.44x

Current average loan size
$
17,273

 
$
17,340

Weighted average original loan term (in months)
120

 
120

Weighted average current remaining term (in months)
61

 
64

Weighted average loan rate
4.32
%
 
4.32
%
First mortgages
100
%
 
100
%
Geographic state concentration (greater than 5.0%):
 
 
 
  California
14.7
%
 
14.7
%
  Texas
12.7
%
 
12.7
%
  New York
6.5
%
 
6.5
%
  Maryland
5.5
%
 
5.5
%


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Table of Contents


Investment in Unconsolidated Entities. Investment in unconsolidated entities is comprised of ownership interests in entities that invest in multi-family or residential real estate and related assets. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had approximately $51.9 million and $51.1 million of investments in unconsolidated entities, respectively.

On March 31, 2017, the Company reconsidered its evaluation of its variable interest in 200 RHC Hoover, LLC ("Riverchase Landing"), a multi-family apartment community in which the Company held a preferred equity investment, and determined that it became the primary beneficiary of Riverchase Landing. Accordingly, on this date, the Company consolidated Riverchase Landing into its condensed consolidated financial statements and decreased its investment in unconsolidated entities by approximately $9.0 million. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on Riverchase Landing.

Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments.  The Company had preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments in the amount of $154.0 million and $138.9 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
On March 31, 2017, the Company reconsidered its evaluation of its variable interest in The Clusters, LLC ("The Clusters"), a multi-family apartment community in which the Company holds a preferred equity investment, and determined that it became the primary beneficiary of The Clusters. Accordingly, on this date, the Company consolidated The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements, resulting in a decrease in preferred equity investments of approximately $3.5 million. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on The Clusters.
As of March 31, 2018, all preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments were paying in accordance with their contractual terms. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were no impairments with respect to our preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments.
The following tables summarize our preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2018
 
Count
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Investment Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Interest or Preferred Return Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Preferred equity investments
21

 
$
147,411

 
$
148,978

 
11.89
%
 
6.7

Mezzanine loans
3

 
6,595

 
6,626

 
12.92
%
 
6.6

  Total
24

 
$
154,006

 
$
155,604

 
11.93
%
 
6.7

 
December 31, 2017
 
Count
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Investment Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Interest or Preferred Return Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Preferred equity investments
20

 
$
132,009

 
$
133,618

 
12.02
%
 
6.6

Mezzanine loans
3

 
6,911

 
6,942

 
12.95
%
 
6.8

  Total
23

 
$
138,920

 
$
140,560

 
12.07
%
 
6.6

(1) 
The difference between the carrying amount and the investment amount consists of any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees, or deferred expenses.
(2) 
Based upon investment amount and contractual interest or preferred return rate.

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Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments Characteristics

Combined Loan to Value at Investment
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
70.01% - 80.00%
4.9
%
 
5.4
%
80.01% - 90.00%
95.1
%
 
94.6
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

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Real Estate Held for Sale in Consolidated VIEs. On March 31, 2017, the Company re-evaluated its variable interests in Riverchase Landing and The Clusters and, as a result of the reconsideration, consolidated Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of 2017, Riverchase Landing determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale. Accordingly, the Company classified the real estate assets held by Riverchase Landing in the amount of $34.9 million as held for sale as of December 31, 2017 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company deconsolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale.

During the third quarter of 2017, The Clusters determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale, with anticipation of completing a sale to a third party buyer in 2018. As a result, the Company classified the real estate assets held by The Clusters in the amount of $29.3 million as real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

No gain or loss was recognized by the Company or allocated to non-controlling interests related to the classification of the real estate assets to held for sale.

Financing Arrangements, Portfolio Investments. The Company finances its portfolio investments primarily through repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions. 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, 2018, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $1.3 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 2.51%. At December 31, 2017, the Company had repurchase agreements with an outstanding balance of $1.3 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 2.18%. Our repurchase agreements have a weighted average days to maturity of 55 days.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company's only exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of the Company's stockholders' equity was to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch at 6.2% and 5.0%, respectively. 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance under our repurchase agreements was funded at an advance rate of 90.0% that implies an average haircut of 10.0%. The weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and CMBS was approximately 5%, 25%, and 24%, respectively, at March 31, 2018.

The following table details the ending balance, quarterly average balance and maximum balance at any month-end during each quarter in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for our repurchase agreement borrowings (dollar amounts in thousands):

Quarter Ended
 
Quarterly Average
Balance
 
End of Quarter
Balance
 
Maximum Balance
at any Month-End
March 31, 2018
 
$
1,287,939

 
$
1,287,314

 
$
1,297,949

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
1,224,771

 
$
1,276,918

 
$
1,276,918

September 30, 2017
 
$
624,398

 
$
608,304

 
$
645,457

June 30, 2017
 
$
688,853

 
$
656,350

 
$
719,222

March 31, 2017
 
$
702,675

 
$
702,309

 
$
762,382

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
$
742,594

 
$
773,142

 
$
773,142

September 30, 2016
 
$
686,348

 
$
671,774

 
$
699,506

June 30, 2016
 
$
615,930

 
$
618,050

 
$
642,536

March 31, 2016
 
$
576,822

 
$
589,919

 
$
589,919



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Financing Arrangements, Residential Mortgage Loans. The Company has a master repurchase agreement with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch with a maximum aggregate committed principal amount of $100.0 million and a maximum uncommitted principal amount of $150.0 million to fund distressed residential mortgage loans, expiring on June 8, 2019. The outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounts to approximately $119.3 million and $123.6 million, respectively, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 2.50% (4.37% and 4.05% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively). Distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $178.1 million at March 31, 2018 are pledged as collateral for the borrowings under this 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.

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 purchase of residential mortgage loans, particularly second mortgage loans, expiring on May 25, 2017. On May 24, 2017, the Company entered into an amended master repurchase agreement that reduced the committed principal amount to $25.0 million and extends the maturity date to November 24, 2018. The outstanding balance on this master repurchase agreement as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounts to approximately $30.2 million and $26.1 million, respectively, with the amount in excess of $25.0 million being uncommitted, bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus 3.50% (5.12% and 5.05% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively). Second mortgages with a carrying value of approximately $51.2 million at March 31, 2018 are pledged as collateral for the borrowings under this master repurchase agreement.

Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had Residential CDOs of $67.2 million and $70.3 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate of these Residential CDOs was 2.48% and 2.16%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARM loans with a principal balance of $74.5 million and $77.5 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest, for three securitizations, and, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.6 million and $4.4 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Securitized Debt. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had approximately $70.2 million and $81.5 million of securitized debt, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate for our securitized debt was 4.57% and 4.48%, respectively. The Company’s securitized debt is collateralized by multi-family CMBS and distressed residential mortgage loans. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on securitized debt.

Debt. The Company's debt as of March 31, 2018 included Convertible Notes, subordinated debentures and mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities.

Convertible Notes    

On January 23, 2017, the Company issued $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the "Convertible Notes") in an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Convertible Notes, after deducting the underwriter's discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $127.0 million with the total cost to the Company of approximately 8.24%.

Subordinated Debentures

As of March 31, 2018, certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries had trust preferred securities outstanding of $45.0 million with a weighted average interest rate of 5.91%. 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.


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Mortgages and Notes Payable in Consolidated VIEs

On March 31, 2017, the Company determined that it became the primary beneficiary of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, two VIEs that each own a multi-family apartment community and in which the Company held preferred equity investments. Accordingly, on this date, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements. Both of Riverchase Landing's and The Clusters' real estate investments were subject to a mortgage payable as of December 31, 2017. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company deconsolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale. The Clusters' real estate investment remains subject to a mortgage payable and the Company has no obligation for this liability as of March 31, 2018. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on Riverchase Landing and The Clusters.

The Company also consolidates KRVI into its condensed consolidated financial statements. KRVI's real estate under development is subject to a note payable of $4.5 million that has an unused commitment of $3.9 million as of March 31, 2018. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on KRVI.


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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, interest rate caps, futures, options on futures and mortgage derivatives such as forward-settling purchases and sales of Agency RMBS where the underlying pools of mortgage loans are TBAs.

In connection with our investment in Agency IOs, we utilize several types of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, futures, options on futures and TBAs to hedge the interest rate risk and market value 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 minimal ability to adjust over the life of the transaction. Because these derivative instruments are frequently adjusted 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 related to our Agency IO investments are recognized through earnings in the consolidated statements of operations.
We also use interest rate swaps (separately from interest rate swaps used in connection with our Agency IO investments) to hedge variable cash flows associated with our variable rate borrowings. We typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one or three 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. Historically, we have accounted for these interest rate swaps under the hedged accounting methodology, changes in value are reflected in comprehensive earnings and not through the statement of operations. As of the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company will not elect hedge accounting treatment and all changes in valuations will be reflected in the statement of operations.
At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had no outstanding swaps that qualify as cash flow hedges for financial reporting purposes. See Note 12 to our condensed 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 - Company's Stockholders’ Equity

The Company's stockholders' equity at March 31, 2018 was $949.0 million and included $18.9 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2018 consisted of $38.5 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS, partially offset by $18.4 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS and $1.2 million in net unrealized gains related to non-Agency RMBS. The Company's stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2017 was $971.9 million and included $5.6 million of accumulated other comprehensive income. The accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 consisted of $18.2 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS and $1.8 million in net unrealized gains related to our non-Agency RMBS, partially offset by $14.5 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS.


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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, 2018 (amounts in thousands, except per share):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Per Share (1)
Beginning Balance
$
671,865

 
111,910

 
$
6.00

Common stock issuance, net (2)
389

 
207

 


Balance after share issuance activity
672,254

 
112,117

 
6.00

Dividends declared
(22,423
)
 


 
(0.20
)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 
 
Investment securities
(24,478
)
 


 
(0.22
)
Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
23,693

 


 
0.21

Ending Balance
$
649,046

 
112,117

 
$
5.79


(1) 
Outstanding shares used to calculate book value per share for the ending balance is based on outstanding shares as of March 31, 2018 of 112,116,506.
(2) 
Includes amortization of stock based compensation.



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 and incentive 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 assets from its investment portfolio as part of its overall investment strategy and these sales are expected to provide additional liquidity.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, net cash decreased primarily as a result $92.6 million used in financing activities, partially offset by $36.3 million provided by investing activities and $7.1 million provided by operating activities. Our financing activities primarily included $34.4 million in payments made on multi-family CDOs, $28.4 million in aggregate dividends paid on common stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, $11.8 million in payments made on securitized debt, $3.2 million in payments made on Residential CDOs and $25.6 million in payments made on mortgages and notes payable in Consolidated VIEs, partially offset by net proceeds from financing arrangements of $10.2 million and $0.5 million in advances on mortgages and notes payable in Consolidated VIEs.

Our investing activities primarily included $35.4 million in principal paydowns on investment securities available for sale, $34.4 million in principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, $10.1 million in proceeds from sales of investment securities, $33.2 million in net proceeds from sales of real estate in Consolidated VIEs, $9.3 million in principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancings of distressed residential mortgage loans, $3.9 million in principal repayments received on preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments, $3.0 million in principal repayments received on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, $0.9 million in proceeds from sale of real estate owned and $0.6 million of return of capital from unconsolidated entities, partially offset by $60.3 million of purchases of investment securities, $18.2 million in the funding of preferred equity, equity and mezzanine loan investments and $16.0 million of purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans.


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We fund our investments and operations through a balanced and diverse funding mix, which includes proceeds from the issuance of common stock and preferred equity and debt securities, including convertible notes, short-term and longer-term repurchase agreement borrowings, CDOs, securitized debt and trust preferred debentures. The type and terms of financing used by us depends on the asset being financed and the financing available at the time of the financing. 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, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents balances of $65.5 million, which decreased from $95.2 million at December 31, 2017. 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 a number of the lenders that have elected to exit.

As of March 31, 2018, we have outstanding short-term repurchase agreements, a form of collateralized short-term borrowing, with ten 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, 2018, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our repurchase agreements of approximately $183.6 million, with no more than approximately $59.1 million at risk with any single counterparty. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had short-term repurchase agreement borrowings of $1.3 billion.

As of March 31, 2018, our available liquid assets include unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and unencumbered securities we believe may be posted as margin. We had $65.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $300.5 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircuts or market valuation requirements. The unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin as of March 31, 2018 included $174.9 million of Agency RMBS, $75.6 million of CMBS and $50.0 million of non-Agency RMBS and other investment securities. We believe the cash and unencumbered securities, which collectively represent 28.4% of our financing arrangements, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize a liability immediately.

At March 31, 2018, the Company also had two master repurchase agreements with Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch. The outstanding balances under the first master repurchase agreement with a maximum committed principal amount of $100.0 million and a maximum uncommitted principal amount of $150.0 million amounted to approximately $119.3 million and $123.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. This agreement is collateralized by distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of $178.1 million at March 31, 2018 and expires on June 8, 2019. 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. The outstanding balances under the second master repurchase agreement with a maximum aggregate committed principal amount of $25.0 million and a maximum uncommitted principal amount of $25.0 million amounted to approximately $30.2 million and $26.1 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. This agreement is collateralized by second mortgages with a carrying value of $51.2 million at March 31, 2018, and expires on November 24, 2018.

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At March 31, 2018, we also had other longer-term debt, including Residential CDOs outstanding of $67.2 million, multi-family CDOs outstanding of $9.0 billion (which represent obligations of the Consolidated K-Series), subordinated debt of $45.0 million and securitized debt of $70.2 million. The CDOs are collateralized by residential and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, respectively. The securitized debt as of March 31, 2018 represents the notes issued in (i) our May 2012 multi-family re-securitization transaction and (ii) our April 2016 distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transaction, which is described in Note 10 of our condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

On January 23, 2017, the Company completed the issuance of $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes in a public offering. The Convertible Notes were issued at 96% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and are expected to mature on January 15, 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes are permitted to convert their Convertible Notes into shares of the Company's common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2022. The conversion rate for the Convertible Notes, which is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, initially equals 142.7144 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.01 per share of the Company’s common stock, based on a $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes.

As of March 31, 2018, our overall leverage ratio, which represents our total debt divided by our total stockholders' equity, was approximately 1.8 to 1. Our overall leverage ratio does not include the mortgage debt of The Clusters or debt associated with the Multi-family CDOs or the Residential CDOs, for which we have no obligation. As of March 31, 2018, our leverage ratio on our short term financings or callable debt, which represents our repurchase agreement borrowings divided by our total stockholders' equity, was approximately 1.5 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 or other futures contracts to hedge interest rate and market value risk associated with our investments in Agency RMBS.

With respect to interest rate swaps, futures contracts and TBAs, initial margin deposits, which can be comprised 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.

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 12 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 fair 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 — Securities Offerings

In addition to the financing arrangements described above under the caption “Liquidity—Financing Arrangements,” we also rely on follow-on equity offerings of common and preferred stock, and may utilize from time to time in the future debt securities offerings, 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 (the "ATM Program"), 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.


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On August 10, 2017, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), as sales agent, pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having a maximum aggregate sales price of up to $100.0 million, from time to time through Credit Suisse. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares of common stock issued under the Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Equity Distribution Agreement.
    
The Equity Distribution Agreement replaces the Company’s prior equity distribution agreements with JMP Securities LLC and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. dated as of March 20, 2015 and August 25, 2016, respectively (the “Prior Equity Distribution Agreements”), pursuant to which up to $39.3 million of aggregate value of the Company's common stock and Series B Preferred Stock remained available for issuance immediately prior to termination. The Prior Equity Distribution Agreements were terminated effective on August 7, 2017.

There were no shares of common stock issued under the Equity Distribution Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued 87,737 shares of its common stock under the Prior Equity Distribution Agreements, at an average sales price of $6.68 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $0.6 million after deducting the placement fees. As of March 31, 2018, approximately $99.6 million of common stock remains available for issuance under the Equity Distribution Agreement.

Management Agreements

We have an investment management agreement with Headlands, pursuant to which we pay Headlands a base management and incentive fee, if earned, quarterly in arrears.

Dividends

For information regarding the declaration and payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock for the periods covered by this report, please see Note 19 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

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.


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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.


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 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.


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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, interest rate caps, futures, options on futures 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.
    
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 derivative hedging instruments.

Based on the results of the model, the instantaneous changes in interest rates specified below would have had the following effect on our net interest income for the next 12 months based on our assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Changes in Net Interest Income
Changes in Interest Rates
Changes in Net Interest
Income
+200
$(21,487)
+100
$(10,427)
-100
$8,141

Interest rate changes may also impact our net book value as our 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 our assets 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. The primary liquidity risk we face arises from financing long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowings primarily in the form of repurchase agreement financings. We recognize the need to have funds available to operate our business. We manage and forecast our liquidity needs and sources daily to ensure that we 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.


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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.

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.

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, non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, preferred equity and mezzanine loan and joint venture equity 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 our exposure to borrower defaults.

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 $322.1 million of distressed residential mortgage loans and $36.4 million of distressed residential mortgage loans, at fair value owned by the Company at March 31, 2018, 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.


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As of March 31, 2018, we own $479.3 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 42.5% 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, 2018, we own approximately $209.4 million of preferred equity, mezzanine loan and equity investments in owners of 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 multi-family 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 connection with these types of investments by us in multi-family properties, 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. Additionally, the Company's preferred equity and equity investments typically provide us with various rights and remedies to protect our investment. In March 2017, the Company exercised its rights and remedies with respect to Riverchase Landing and The Clusters and effectively assumed control of both entities. In March 2018, the Company successfully resolved its investment in Riverchase Landing with the sale of the entity's multi-family apartment community and full redemption of the Company's preferred equity investment. Additionally, the Company believes it has an asset management team with the experience and expertise necessary to efficiently manage The Clusters while working toward a successful resolution for this investment.

We are exposed to credit risk in our investments in non-Agency RMBS backed by re-performing or non-performing loans totaling $99.2 million as of March 31, 2018. The non-Agency RMBS in our investment portfolio were purchased primarily in offerings of new issues of such securities at prices at or around par and represent either the senior or junior securities in the securitizations of the loan portfolios collateralizing such securities. The senior securities are structured with significant credit enhancement (typically approximately 50%, subject to market and credit conditions) to mitigate our exposure to credit risk on these securities, while the junior securities typically have 30% credit enhancement. Both junior and senior securities are subordinated by an equity security that typically receives no cash flow (interest or principal) until the senior and junior securities are paid off. In addition, these deal structures contain an interest rate step-up feature, whereby the coupon on the senior and junior securities increase by 300 to 400 basis points if the securities that we hold have not been redeemed by the issuer after 36 months. We expect that the combination of the priority cash flow of the senior and junior securities and the 36-month step-up will result in these securities’ exhibiting short average lives and, accordingly, reduced interest rate sensitivity. Consequently, we believe that non-Agency RMBS provide attractive returns given our assessment of the interest rate and credit risk associated with these securities.

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 first loss principal only CMBS investments, 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, 2018 and do not take into consideration the effects of subsequent interest rate fluctuations.

We note that the fair values of our investments in derivative instruments 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.

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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 fair value and net duration changes of our portfolio as of March 31, 2018, 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.

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.
Fair Value Changes
Changes in Interest Rates
 
Changes in Fair Value
 
Net Duration
(basis points)
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
+200
 
$(102,647)
 
2.5
+100
 
$(44,943)
 
2.2
Base
 

 
1.3
-100
 
$13,118
 
0.3

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 our portfolio, 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. 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 principal executive officer and principal 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, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.

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, 2018 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, 2017.

Item 5. Other Information

On May 8, 2018, the Company announced that the Company's Chief Financial Officer, Kristine R. Nario, will return to the roles of principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company, effective immediately following the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Steven R. Mumma, served in a temporary capacity as the acting principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company during Ms. Nario’s previously announced temporary leave. See the information regarding Ms. Nario set forth under the captions "Executive Officers" and "Executive Compensation" in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018 which is incorporated by reference herein.




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Item 6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 
 
Description 
 
 
 
 
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 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2016).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
  
 
  
 
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).

 
 
 
 
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).

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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).
  
 
  
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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.)
 
 
 
 
Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
 
Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022 of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).

 
 
 
  
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.'s 2018 Annual Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2018).

 
 
 
 
Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2018).

 
 
 
 
Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2018, between New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. and Steven R. Mumma (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2018).



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Statement re: Computation of Ratios.
 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*


 
 
 
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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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 8, 2018
By:
/s/ Steven R. Mumma
 
 
Steven R. Mumma
 
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) 




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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 
 
Description 
 
 
 
 
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 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2016).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).
 
 
 
 
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).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
  
 
  
 
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).

 
 
 
 
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).
  
 
  
 
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).

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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).
 
 
 
 
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.)
 
 
 
 
Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).

 
 
 
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).

 
 
 
 
Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022 of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).

 
 
 
  
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.'s 2018 Annual Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2018).
 
 
 
 
Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2018).

 
 
 
 
Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2018, between New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. and Steven R. Mumma (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2018).
  
Statement re: Computation of Ratios.
 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*


 
 
 
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.

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**
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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