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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2018
Commission File Number 001-34506
TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland
 
27-0312904
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
575 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2930
New York, New York
 
10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(612) 629-2500
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class:
 
Name of Exchange on Which Registered:
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange
7.625% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange
7.25% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange
7.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange
7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
 
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
Emerging growth company o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $2.7 billion based on the closing sale price as reported on the NYSE on that date.
As of February 22, 2019 there were 251,080,610 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of registrant’s fiscal year covered by this Annual Report, are incorporated by reference into Part III.
 
 
 
 
 

Table of Contents



TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
2018 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
PART I
 
 
PART II
 
 
PART III
 
 
PART IV
 
 


i
Table of Contents



PART I

Item 1. Business

Overview
Our Company
Two Harbors Investment Corp. is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, mortgage servicing rights, or MSR, and other financial assets, which we collectively refer to as our target assets. We operate as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. The terms “Two Harbors,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “company” refer to Two Harbors Investment Corp. and its subsidiaries as a consolidated entity.
We were incorporated on May 21, 2009 and commenced operations as a publicly traded company on October 28, 2009, upon completion of a merger with Capitol Acquisition Corp., or Capitol, which became our wholly owned indirect subsidiary as a result of the merger. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “TWO”.
Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted total return to our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. We selectively acquire and manage an investment portfolio of our target assets, which is constructed to generate attractive returns through market cycles. We focus on asset selection and implement a relative value investment approach across various sectors within the mortgage market. Our target assets include the following:
•
Agency RMBS, meaning RMBS whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (or Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (or Fannie Mae), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (or Freddie Mac);
•
Non-Agency securities that are not issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
•
MSR; and
•
Other financial assets comprising approximately 5% to 10% of the portfolio.
We seek to deploy moderate leverage as part of our investment strategy. We generally finance our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities through short- and long-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB. We also finance our MSR through repurchase agreements and revolving credit facilities.
We have elected to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT, we are required to meet certain investment and operating tests and annual distribution requirements. We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our net taxable income to stockholders, do not participate in prohibited transactions and maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. However, certain activities that we may perform may cause us to earn income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. We have designated certain of our subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities, and we may form additional TRSs in the future. We also operate our business in a manner that will permit us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.
Our Manager
We are externally managed and advised by PRCM Advisers LLC, or PRCM Advisers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P, or Pine River. Pine River formed PRCM Advisers for the purpose of providing management services to us. PRCM Advisers is responsible for administering our business activities and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement between us and PRCM Advisers, PRCM Advisers provides us with our management team, including our executive officers and support personnel. In addition, PRCM Advisers provides us with the expertise of a dedicated team of investment professionals and other support. PRCM Advisers is at all times subject to the supervision and oversight of our board of directors. Each of our executive officers is an employee or partner of Pine River; we do not have any employees. We do not pay any of our executive officers cash compensation; rather, we pay PRCM Advisers a base management fee equal to 1.5% per annum of our stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income, among other adjustments, as defined by the management agreement. We also reimburse PRCM Advisers for the allocable share of the compensation paid by Pine River to its personnel serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel and other reimbursable costs under the management agreement. We do not pay PRCM Advisers any incentive-based fees or other incentive-based compensation.

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Through our relationship with PRCM Advisers, we benefit from Pine River’s disciplined and highly analytical investment approach and extensive long-term relationships in the financial community. Pine River’s disciplined investment process utilizes a cross-product approach, conducting top-down market assessments with respect to various subsets of the securities and mortgage market in order to identify the most attractive segments and investment opportunities. Our investment process leverages proprietary and third-party analytic tools to conduct a detailed analysis of factors that influence our target assets. We select our target assets after extensive analysis of the asset, including the underlying collateral, prepayment trends, average remaining life, amortization schedules, fixed versus floating interest rates, geographic concentration, property type, loan-to-value ratios and credit scores, among others.
The dedicated team of investment professionals provided to us by PRCM Advisers has broad experience in managing our target assets and has demonstrated the ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns under different market conditions and cycles. Pine River maintains extensive long-term relationships with financial intermediaries, including prime brokers, investment banks, broker-dealers and asset custodians. We believe these relationships enhance our ability to source, finance, protect and hedge our investments and, thus, enable us to succeed in various credit and interest rate environments. We also benefit from Pine River’s risk management, accounting, operations, legal, compliance and information technology teams. Through the contribution of resources employed by Pine River who have significant experience in managing our target assets and the use of experienced outside advisors, we believe that we have sufficient experience to execute on our business strategies.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, or incorporates by reference, not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and that are subject to the safe harbors created by such sections. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ from our beliefs, expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are not historical in nature and can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “target,” “believe,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “goals,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” and similar expressions or their negative forms, or by references to strategy, plans, or intentions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors.” Other risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are described below and may be described from time to time in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Important factors, among others, that may affect our actual results include:
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changes in interest rates and the market value of our target assets;
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changes in prepayment rates of mortgages underlying our target assets;
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the occurrence, extent and timing of credit losses within our portfolio;
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our exposure to adjustable-rate and negative amortization mortgage loans underlying our target assets;
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the state of the credit markets and other general economic conditions, particularly as they affect the price of earning assets and the credit status of borrowers;
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the concentration of the credit risks to which we are exposed;
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legislative and regulatory actions affecting our business;
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the availability and cost of our target assets;
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the availability and cost of financing for our target assets, including repurchase agreement financing, lines of credit, revolving credit facilities and financing through the FHLB;
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declines in home prices;
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increases in payment delinquencies and defaults on the mortgages comprising and underlying our target assets;
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changes in liquidity in the market for real estate securities, the re-pricing of credit risk in the capital markets, inaccurate ratings of securities by rating agencies, rating agency downgrades of securities, and increases in the supply of real estate securities available-for-sale;
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changes in the values of securities we own and the impact of adjustments reflecting those changes on our consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and balance sheets, including our stockholders’ equity;
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our ability to generate cash flow from our target assets;
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our ability to effectively execute and realize the benefits of strategic transactions and initiatives we have pursued or may in the future pursue;

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changes in the competitive landscape within our industry, including changes that may affect our ability to attract and retain personnel;
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our exposure to legal and regulatory claims, penalties or enforcement activities, including those arising from our ownership and management of MSR and prior securitization transactions;
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our exposure to counterparties involved in our MSR business and prior securitization transactions and our ability to enforce representations and warranties made by them;
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our ability to acquire MSR and successfully operate our seller-servicer subsidiary and oversee the activities of our subservicers;
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our ability to successfully diversify our business into new asset classes, and manage the new risks to which they may expose us;
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our ability to manage various operational and regulatory risks associated with our business;
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interruptions in or impairments to our communications and information technology systems;
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our ability to maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting;
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our ability to establish, adjust and maintain appropriate hedges for the risks in our portfolio;
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our ability to maintain our REIT qualification for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
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limitations imposed on our business due to our REIT status and our status as exempt from registration under the 1940 Act.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain statistics and other data that, in some cases, have been obtained or compiled from information made available by mortgage loan servicers and other third-party service providers.

Our Business
Our Investment Strategy
Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted total return to our stockholders over the long-term, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. We intend to achieve this objective by constructing a well-balanced portfolio consisting of Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, MSR and other financial assets, with a focus on managing various associated risks, including interest rate, prepayment, credit, mortgage spread and financing risk. The preservation of book value is of paramount importance to our ability to generate total return on an ongoing basis. Consistent with the objective of achieving attractive risk-adjusted total return over various market cycles, we intend to maintain a balanced approach to these various risks.
We rely on PRCM Advisers’ expertise in identifying assets within our target asset classes. PRCM Advisers makes investment decisions based on a rigorous asset selection process that takes into consideration a variety of factors, including expected cash yield, risk-adjusted returns, current and projected credit fundamentals, current and projected macroeconomic considerations, current and projected supply and demand, credit and market risk concentration limits, liquidity, cost of financing and financing availability. It is our intention to select our assets in such a way as to maintain our REIT qualification and our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.

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Our Target Assets
Our portfolio can be categorized into two strategies based on investment characteristics, which embodies our hybrid investment approach. Both strategies are managed by our Chief Investment Officer and resources are allocated and financial performance is assessed on a consolidated basis. The categories and their respective target asset classes are as follows:
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Rates Strategy - Includes Agency RMBS, MSR and related hedging transactions. The performance of this strategy is most affected by changes in interest rates, prepayments and mortgage spreads. These assets have minimal exposure to the underlying credit performance of the investments.
Agency RMBS
Agency RMBS collateralized by fixed rate mortgage loans, adjustable-rate mortgage (or ARM) loans or hybrid mortgage loans, or derivatives thereof, including:
 
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mortgage pass-through certificates;
 
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collateralized mortgage obligations;
 
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Freddie Mac gold certificates;
 
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Fannie Mae certificates;
 
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Ginnie Mae certificates;
 
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“to-be-announced” forward contracts, or TBAs, which are pools of mortgages with specific investment terms to be issued by government sponsored entities, or GSEs, at a future date; and
 
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interest-only and inverse interest-only securities.
MSR
The right to control the servicing of mortgage loans and receive the servicing income therefrom; the actual servicing functions are outsourced to appropriately licensed third-party subservicers, which service the loans in their own names.
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Credit Strategy - Includes non-Agency securities and related hedging transactions. The performance of this strategy is most affected by changes in credit performance of the underlying collateral. These assets have interest rate and mortgage spread exposure, although such exposures are not viewed to be the main drivers of performance.
Non-Agency securities
Non-Agency securities collateralized by prime mortgage loans, Alt-A mortgage loans, pay-option ARM loans and subprime mortgage loans, which may have fixed rate, adjustable rate or hybrid rate terms.
 
Non-Agency securities includes both senior and mezzanine securities. Senior refers to non-Agency securities that represent the senior-most tranches (that is, the tranches which have the highest priority claim to cash flows from the related collateral pool) within the securities’ structure. Mezzanine refers to subordinated tranches within the collateral pool. The non-Agency securities we purchase may include investment-grade and non-investment grade classes, including non-rated securities.
 
Hybrid mortgage loans have terms with interest rates that are fixed for a specified period of time and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index. ARMs refer to hybrid and adjustable-rate mortgage loans which typically have interest rates that adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index.

Other assets include financial and mortgage-related assets other than the target assets in our rates and credit strategies, including previously held commercial real estate assets, residential mortgage loans and certain non-hedging transactions that may produce non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
Our Investment Activities
The following is a summary of our investment activities related to the target assets in our rates and credit strategies for the year ended December 31, 2018. We believe our investment model allows management to allocate capital across various sectors within the mortgage market, with a focus on asset selection and the implementation of a relative value investment approach. Our capital allocation decisions factor in the opportunities in the marketplace, the cost of financing and the cost of hedging interest rate, prepayment, credit and other portfolio risks. As a result, allocation among our target assets reflects management’s flexible approach to investing in the marketplace.

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Rates Strategy
Our Agency RMBS portfolio is comprised of adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities backed by single-family and multi-family mortgage loans. All of our principal and interest Agency RMBS are Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations that carry an implied rating of “AAA,” or Ginnie Mae mortgage pass-through certificates, which are backed by the guarantee of the U.S. government. The majority of these securities consist of whole pools in which we own all of the investment interests in the securities.
One of our wholly owned subsidiaries holds the requisite approvals from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to own and manage MSR, which represent a contractual right to service a mortgage loan and collect a fee for performing servicing activities, such as collecting principal and interest from a borrower and distributing those payments to the owner of the loan. We do not directly service the mortgage loans underlying the MSR we acquire; rather, we contract with appropriately licensed third-party subservicers to handle substantially all servicing functions in the name of the subservicer for the loans underlying our MSR.
We believe MSR are a natural fit for our portfolio over the long term. Our MSR business leverages our core competencies in prepayment and credit risk analytics and the MSR assets are a natural hedge to our Agency RMBS, hedging both interest rate and mortgage spread risk. Our goal is to create long-lasting relationships with high quality originators in both flow and bulk acquisitions of MSR. 
Credit Strategy
Within our non-Agency securities portfolio, we have a substantial emphasis on “legacy” securities, which consist of securities issued prior to 2009, many of which are subprime. We believe these deeply discounted securities can add relative value as the economy and housing markets continue to improve, as there remains upside optionality to lower delinquencies, higher recoveries and faster prepays. We also hold “new issue” non-Agency securities, which we believe have enabled us to find attractive returns and further diversify our non-Agency securities portfolio.
Our Investment Guidelines
Our board of directors has approved the following investment guidelines:
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no investment shall be made that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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no investment shall be made that would cause us to be regulated as an investment company under the 1940 Act;
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we will primarily invest within our target assets, consisting primarily of Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, residential mortgage loans, MSR and commercial real estate assets, inclusive of commercial real estate loans, commercial real property, CMBS, commercial corporate debt and loans and other commercial real estate related investments in the U.S; approximately 5% to 10% of our portfolio may include other financial assets; and
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until appropriate investments can be identified, we will invest available cash in interest-bearing and short-term investments that are consistent with (i) our intention to qualify as a REIT and (ii) our exemption from investment company status under the 1940 Act.
These investment guidelines may be changed from time to time by our board of directors in its discretion without the approval of our stockholders.
Within the constraints of the foregoing investment guidelines, PRCM Advisers has broad authority to select, finance and manage our investment portfolio. As a general matter, our investment strategy is designed to enable us to:
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build an investment portfolio consisting of Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, MSR and other financial assets that will generate attractive returns while having a moderate risk profile;
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manage financing, interest, prepayment rate, credit and similar risks;
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capitalize on discrepancies in the relative valuations in the mortgage and housing markets; and
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provide regular quarterly dividend distributions to stockholders.
Within the requirements of the investment guidelines, PRCM Advisers makes determinations as to the percentage of our assets that will be invested in each of our target assets. Our investment decisions depend on prevailing market conditions and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different interest rate, economic and credit environments. As a result, we cannot predict the percentage of our assets that will be invested in any of our target asset classes at any given time. We believe that the diversification of our portfolio of assets and the flexibility of our strategy, combined with the expertise of PRCM Advisers and its affiliates, will enable us to achieve attractive risk-adjusted total return under a variety of market conditions and economic cycles.

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Financing Strategy
We deploy moderate leverage to increase potential returns to our stockholders and to fund the acquisition of our target assets. We are not required to maintain any particular leverage ratio. The amount of leverage we deploy for particular investments in our target assets depends upon a variety of factors, including without limitation: general economic, political and financial market conditions; the anticipated liquidity and price volatility of our assets; the gap between the duration of assets and liabilities, including hedges; the availability and cost of financing the assets; our opinion of the credit worthiness of financing counterparties; the health of the U.S. residential mortgage and housing markets; our outlook for the level, slope and volatility of interest rates; the credit quality of the loans underlying our Agency and non-Agency securities; the rating assigned to securities; and our outlook for asset spreads relative to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, curve and benchmark rate curves.
Our primary financing sources for Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities are repurchase agreements and FHLB advances. Repurchase agreements are financings pursuant to which one party, the seller/borrower, sells assets to the repurchase agreement counterparty, the buyer/lender, for an agreed price with the obligation to repurchase the assets from the buyer at a future date and at a price higher than the original purchase price. The amount of financing available under a repurchase agreement is limited to a specified percentage of the estimated market value of the assets. The difference between the sale price and repurchase price is the interest expense of financing under a repurchase agreement. Under repurchase agreement financing arrangements, if the value of the collateral decreases, the buyer could require the seller to provide additional cash collateral to re-establish the ratio of value of the collateral to the amount of borrowing (i.e., a margin call). In the current economic climate, lenders under repurchase agreements generally advance approximately 90% to 97% of the market value of the Agency RMBS financed (a discount from market value, generally referred to as a haircut, of 3% to 10%) and 50% to 75% of the market value of the non-Agency securities financed (i.e., a haircut of 25% to 50%).
To finance MSR, we enter into repurchase agreements and revolving credit facilities collateralized by the value of the MSR pledged. If the value of our MSR pledged as collateral for the agreements decreases, the respective lender could require us to provide additional collateral to re-establish the ratio of value of the collateral to the amount of the debt outstanding. Due to certain GSE requirements, we may be restricted as to the frequency in which we are able to pledge additional MSR collateral to counterparties. As a result, we may choose to over-collateralize certain repurchase agreements and revolving credit facilities in order to avoid having to provide cash as additional collateral. Lenders generally advance approximately 65% to 70% of the market value of the MSR financed (i.e., a haircut of 30% to 35%).
A significant decrease in the advance rate or an increase in the haircut could result in our having to sell assets in order to meet additional margin requirements by the lender. We expect to mitigate our risk of margin calls under repurchase agreements by deploying leverage at an amount that is below what could be used under current advance rates.
In order to reduce our exposure to risks associated with lender counterparty concentration, we generally seek to diversify our exposure by entering into repurchase agreements with multiple counterparties. At December 31, 2018, we had $23.1 billion of outstanding balances under repurchase agreements with 30 counterparties, with a maximum net exposure (the difference between the amount loaned to us, including interest payable, and the value of the assets pledged by us as collateral, including accrued interest receivable on such assets) to any single lender of $342.7 million, or 8.1% of equity.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, TH Insurance Holdings Company LLC, or TH Insurance, is a member of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB, TH Insurance currently has access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLB, including secured advances. Eligible collateral may include conventional 1-4 family residential loans, commercial real estate loans, Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities with a rating of A and above.
We use FHLB advances to finance our Agency and non-Agency securities. Similar to repurchase agreements, if the value of our assets pledged to the FHLB as collateral for advances decreases, the FHLB could require us to provide additional collateral to re-establish the ratio of value of the collateral to the amount of advances outstanding. The FHLB generally advances approximately 90% to 95% of the market value of the Agency RMBS financed (i.e., a haircut of 5% to 10%) and 85% to 90% of the market value of the non-Agency securities financed (i.e., a haircut of 10% to 15%).
In January 2016, the FHFA released a final rule regarding membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system. Among other effects, the ruling excludes captive insurers from membership eligibility, including our subsidiary member, TH Insurance. Since TH Insurance was admitted as a member in 2013, it is eligible for a membership grace period that runs through February 19, 2021, during which new advances or renewals that mature beyond the grace period will be prohibited. However, any existing advances that mature beyond this grace period will be permitted to remain in place subject to their terms insofar as we maintain good standing with the FHLB. If any new advances or renewals occur, TH Insurance’s outstanding advances will be limited to 40% of its total assets.

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Interest Rate Hedging and Risk Management Strategy
We may enter into a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to economically hedge interest rate risk or “duration mismatch (or gap)” by adjusting the duration of our floating-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings to more closely match the duration of our assets. This particularly applies to borrowing agreements with maturities or interest rate resets of less than six months. Typically, the interest receivable terms (i.e., LIBOR) of certain derivatives match the terms of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective conversion of the rate of the related borrowing agreement from floating to fixed. The objective is to manage the cash flows associated with current and anticipated interest payments on borrowings, as well as the ability to roll or refinance borrowings at the desired amount by adjusting the duration. To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of our portfolio as well as our cash flows, we may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps, caps, credit default swaps and total return swaps. In executing on the Company’s current interest rate risk management strategy, the Company has entered into TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements and Markit IOS total return swaps. In addition, because MSR are negative duration assets, they provide a natural hedge to interest rate exposure on our Agency RMBS portfolio. In hedging interest rate risk, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets, improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing.
Management Agreement
Pursuant to the management agreement between us and PRCM Advisers, PRCM Advisers provides a dedicated team of investment and management professionals to carry out our business strategy as well as operational and administrative infrastructure to support our operations, subject to ongoing oversight by our board of directors. PRCM Advisers is responsible for, among other duties, (i) performing all of our day-to-day functions; (ii) determining investment criteria in conjunction with our board of directors; (iii) sourcing, analyzing and executing investments, asset sales and financings; and (iv) performing asset management duties.
The current term of the management agreement expires on October 28, 2019, and will continue to automatically renew thereafter for successive one-year terms unless terminated in accordance with the agreement. Our independent directors review PRCM Advisers’ performance annually and the management agreement may be terminated by us without cause upon the vote of at least two-thirds of our independent directors or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, based upon: (i) PRCM Advisers’ unsatisfactory performance that is materially detrimental to us or (ii) our determination that the management fees payable to PRCM Advisers are not fair, subject to PRCM Advisers’ right to prevent termination based on unfair fees by accepting a reduction of management fees agreed to by at least two-thirds of our independent directors. We are required to provide PRCM Advisers with 180 days’ prior notice of such termination. Upon termination of the management agreement by us without cause or by PRCM Advisers due to our material breach of the management agreement, we are required to pay a termination fee equal to three times the sum of the average annual base management fee earned by PRCM Advisers during the 24-month period immediately preceding the date of termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination. We may terminate the management agreement with 30 days’ prior notice from our board of directors, without payment of a termination fee, for cause, as defined in the management agreement. PRCM Advisers may terminate the management agreement if we become required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, with such termination deemed to occur immediately before such event, and may also decline to renew the management agreement by providing us with 180 days’ prior notice; in either case, we would not be required to pay a termination fee.
Base Management Fee
The base management fee paid to PRCM Advisers is 1.5% of our stockholders’ equity per annum, calculated and payable quarterly in arrears.
For purposes of calculating the management fee, our stockholders’ equity means the sum of the net proceeds from all issuances of our equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus our retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less the consolidated stockholders’ equity of Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., or Granite Point, during the time Granite Point was consolidated on our balance sheet (i.e. prior to spin off in 2017) the weighted average cost basis of Granite Point common stock purchased, the outstanding principal balance of the promissory note due from the sale of Granite Point preferred stock and any amount that we have paid for repurchases of our common stock since inception, and excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income). In connection with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc., or CYS, in 2018, the management agreement was amended to (i) reduce PRCM Advisers’ base management fee with respect to the additional equity under management resulting from the merger to 0.75% from the effective time through the first anniversary of the effective time and (ii) for the fiscal quarter in which closing of the merger occured, to make a one-time downward adjustment of Pine River’s management fees payable by Two Harbors for such quarter by $15.0 million to offset the cash consideration payable to stockholders of CYS, plus an

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additional downward adjustment of up to $3.3 million for certain transaction-related expenses. This amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, and certain non-cash items after discussions between PRCM Advisers and our independent directors and approval by a majority of our independent directors. To the extent asset impairments reduce our retained earnings at the end of any completed calendar quarter it will reduce the base management fee for such quarter. Our stockholders’ equity for the purposes of calculating the base management fee could be greater than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the consolidated financial statements.
Expense Reimbursement
We reimburse PRCM Advisers for (i) our allocable share of the compensation paid by Pine River to its personnel serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel and personnel employed by Pine River as in-house legal, tax, accounting, consulting, auditing, administrative, information technology, valuation, computer programming and development, and back-office resources to us and (ii) any amounts for personnel of Pine River’s affiliates arising under a shared facilities and services agreement. We also have certain costs allocated to us by PRCM Advisers for data services and technology, but most direct expenses with third-party vendors are paid directly by us.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
Our business is subject to extensive regulation by U.S. federal and state governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations and securities exchanges. We are required to comply with numerous federal and state laws, including those described below. The laws, rules and regulations comprising this regulatory framework change frequently, as can the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations. Some of the laws, rules and regulations to which we are subject are intended primarily to safeguard and protect consumers, rather than stockholders or creditors. From time to time, we may receive requests from U.S. federal and state agencies for records, documents and information regarding our policies, procedures and practices regarding our business activities. We incur significant ongoing costs to comply with these government regulations.
REIT Qualification
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, commencing with our taxable period ended December 31, 2009. Our qualification as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and value of our assets, our distribution levels and the diversity of ownership of our shares. We believe that we are organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and we conduct our operations in a manner which will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Certain activities that we may perform may cause us to earn income that will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. We have designated certain of our subsidiaries as TRSs to engage in such activities, and we may in the future form additional TRSs.
As long as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the REIT taxable income we distribute currently to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years following the year during which we lost our REIT qualification. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income or property.
Investment Company Act of 1940
We conduct our operations so that we are not required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. If we were to fall within the definition of an investment company, we would be unable to conduct our business as described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act defines an investment company as any issuer that “is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities.” Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act also defines an investment company as any issuer that “is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of the issuer’s total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis.” Excluded from the term “investment securities,” among other things, are U.S. government securities and securities issued by majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exclusion from the definition of investment company set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
We are organized as a holding company that conducts business primarily through our subsidiaries. Any business conducted through our subsidiaries will be conducted in such a manner as to ensure that we do not meet the definition of “investment company” because less than 40% of the value of our total assets on an unconsolidated basis would consist of “investment securities.”

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To avoid registration as an investment company, certain of our subsidiaries rely on certain exemptions from the 1940 Act, including Section 3(c)(5)(C), which exempts entities that are “primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” Under the SEC staff’s current guidance, to qualify for this exemption, we must maintain (i) at least 55% of our assets in qualifying interests (referred to as the 55% Test) and (ii) at least 80% of our assets in qualifying interest plus other real estate related assets (referred to as the 80% Test). Qualifying interests for this purpose include mortgage loans and other assets, such as whole pool Agency and non-Agency RMBS, which are considered the functional equivalent of mortgage loans for the purposes of the 1940 Act. We expect each of our subsidiaries relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to invest at least 55% of its assets in qualifying interests in accordance with SEC staff guidance, and an additional 25% of its assets in either qualifying interests or other types of real estate related assets that do not constitute qualifying interests. We believe that we conduct our business so that we are exempt from the 1940 Act under Section 3(c)(5)(C), but rapid changes in the values of our assets could disrupt prior efforts to conduct our business to meet the 55% Test and the 80% Test. Our efforts to comply with the 55% Test and the 80% Test could require us to acquire or dispose of certain assets at unfavorable prices and limit our ability to pursue certain investment opportunities.
The SEC has previously solicited public comment on issues relating to the exemptions set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, including what types of assets should be deemed qualifying interests and whether REITs that invest in RMBS should be regulated in a manner similar to investment companies. Although we believe that we are properly relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act to exempt us from regulation under the 1940 Act, any modifications to the 1940 Act exemption rules or interpretations may require us to change our business and operations in order for us to continue to rely on such exemption. We will continue to monitor our compliance with the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exemptions.
Mortgage Industry Regulation
Although we do not originate or service residential mortgage loans, we must comply with various federal and state laws, rules and regulations as a result of owning MSR. These rules generally focus on consumer protection and include, among others, rules promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999, or the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. We are also required to maintain qualifications and licenses in certain states in order to own certain of our assets. These requirements can and do change as statutes and regulations are enacted, promulgated or amended, or as regulatory guidance or interpretations evolve or change, and the trend in recent years among federal and state lawmakers and regulators has been toward increasing laws, regulations and investigative proceedings in relation to the mortgage industry generally.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act imposes additional obligations on us to safeguard the information we maintain on mortgage loan borrowers, requires that we provide mortgage borrowers with notices describing how we collect, use and share their personal information, and allows mortgage borrowers to “opt-out” of sharing certain information with third parties and affiliates. In addition, certain states have passed a variety of laws to further protect borrower information, including laws that regulate the use and storage of personally identifiable information, require notifications to borrowers if the security of their personal information is breached, or require us to encrypt personal information when it is transmitted electronically. These federal and state laws require ongoing review and changes to our operations, increased compliance costs, and affect our ability to use and share information with third parties.
The Dodd-Frank Act significantly changed the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry, including the mortgage industry. The Dodd-Frank Act tasked many agencies with issuing a variety of new regulations, including rules related to mortgage origination, mortgage servicing, securitization transactions and derivatives.
The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the CFPB, which is responsible for regulating the offering and provision of financial products and services for personal, family and household purposes. The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority with respect to many of the federal consumer protection laws applicable to the mortgage industry. In addition to its rulemaking authority, the CFPB has supervision, examination and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services by certain non-depository institutions, including our company.
The CFPB has issued a series of rules as part of ongoing efforts to affect reforms and create uniform standards for the mortgage lending and servicing industries. These rules include requirements addressing how lenders must evaluate a consumer’s ability to repay a mortgage loan, what specific communications must be made to consumers at various stages in the mortgage lending and servicing processes, how consumer account records must be maintained and how servicers must respond to written borrower requests, complaints and notices of errors. The rules also provide specific guidance relating to servicing delinquent loans, undertaking loss mitigation efforts and commencing foreclosure proceedings. These rules have led to increased costs to originate and service loans across the mortgage industry, and given their complexity, it is anticipated the originators, servicers and other mortgage industry participants will be exposed to greater regulatory scrutiny from federal and state regulators and increased litigation and complaints from both consumers and government officials. We expect the CFPB will continue to interpret and modify the rules, regulations and guidance related to mortgage lending and servicing industries and we will continue to evaluate these actions in order to understand the impact on our business and the industry, generally.
We have implemented and will continue to implement new policies and procedures in order to ensure ongoing compliance with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business. We have incurred and expect to incur ongoing operational costs

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to comply with existing and future rules and regulations. We continue to monitor and evaluate rulemaking and other developments regarding the Dodd-Frank Act.
Competition
Our net income depends, in large part, on our ability to acquire assets at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs. In acquiring our target assets, we compete with other REITs, specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, financial institutions, governmental agencies, mortgage loan servicers, asset management firms and other entities. Some of these entities may not be subject to the same regulatory constraints that we are (i.e., REIT compliance or maintaining an exemption under the 1940 Act). Many of our competitors are significantly larger than us, have access to greater capital and other resources and may have other advantages over us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish different counterparty relationships than us. Further, we may from time to time face competition from government agencies in connection with initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy or the mortgage market. Market conditions may from time to time attract more competitors for certain of our target assets, which will not only affect the supply of assets but may also increase the competition for sources of financing for these assets. An increase in the competition for sources of funding could adversely affect the availability and cost of financing, and thereby adversely affect our financial results.
Financial Information
Financial information concerning our business for each of 2018, 2017 and 2016 is set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, and the supplemental financial information, which are in Part II, Items 7, 7A and 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Available Information
Our website can be found at www.twoharborsinvestment.com. We make available, free of charge on our website (on the Investor Relations page under “SEC Filings”), our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as are filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as our proxy statement with respect to our annual meeting of stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Exchange Act reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The content of any website referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K unless expressly noted.
We also make available, free of charge, the charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Oversight Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Whistleblowing Procedures and Stockholder Communication Policy. Within the time period required by the SEC and the NYSE, we will post on our website any amendment to the Code of Ethics and any waiver applicable to any executive officer, director or senior officer (as defined in the Code of Ethics).
Our Investor Relations Department can be contacted at:
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
Attn: Investor Relations
575 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2930
New York, NY 10022
(612) 629-2500
investorrelations@twoharborsinvestment.com

Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following is a summary of the significant risk factors known to us that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition to understanding the key risks described below, investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors and, consequently, the following is not a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
The value of your investment is subject to the significant risks affecting our business described below. If any of the events described below occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations could be adversely affected in a material way.

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Difficult conditions in the residential mortgage and real estate markets, the financial markets and the economy generally may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the residential mortgage and real estate markets, the financial markets and the economy generally. In past years, concerns about the mortgage market, declines in home prices, increases in home foreclosures, high unemployment, the availability and cost of credit and rising government debt levels, as well as inflation, energy costs, global economic lethargy, geopolitical unrest across various regions worldwide, European sovereign debt issues, the U.K.’s planned exit from the European Union, U.S. budget debates, federal government shutdowns and and international trade disputes, have from time to time contributed to increased volatility and uncertainty in the economy and financial markets. More recently, home prices increased modestly through 2018 and are expected to gradually appreciate over the next several years, albeit at a slower rate. Credit standards in the mortgage market have eased in recent years, though the availability of credit remains well below levels prior to the 2008 financial crisis. Employment market conditions remain solid as jobless claims, unemployment and payroll data continue to show improvement at this state of the business cycle, although new job creation has yet to generate meaningful wage growth. Adverse developments with respect to any of these market conditions may have an impact on new demand for homes, which may compress the home ownership rates and weigh heavily on future home price performance. There is a strong correlation between home price growth rates (or losses) and mortgage loan delinquencies. Any stagnation in or deterioration of the residential mortgage or real estate markets may limit our ability to acquire our target assets on attractive terms or cause us to experience losses related to our assets. Declines in the market values of our investments may adversely affect our results of operations and credit availability and cost, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Actions of the U.S. government, including the U.S. Congress, U.S. Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury and other governmental and regulatory bodies, to stabilize or reform the financial markets may not achieve their intended effects and may adversely affect our business.
The U.S. government, including the U.S. Congress, U.S. Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury and other governmental and regulatory bodies have from time to time taken actions designed to stabilize and reform the financial markets. In recent years, these activities have included the Federal Reserve’s purchasing of Treasury and mortgage bonds in connection with its quantitative easing programs. In 2017, the Federal Reserve announced plans to reduce its mortgage bond holdings, with the intention to gradually reduce the reinvestment of principal and interest in such securities. During periods in which the Federal Reserve further reduces or ceases reinvestment of principal and interest or undertakes outright sales of its securities portfolio, the price of Agency RMBS and U.S. Treasury securities could decline, mortgage spreads could widen, refinancing volumes could be lower and market volatility could be considerably higher than would have been the case absent such actions, which could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
There can be no assurance as to how, in the long term, actions by the U.S. government will impact the efficiency and stability of the mortgage markets or U.S. financial markets. To the extent the mortgage or financial markets do not respond favorably to any of these actions or such actions do not function as intended, our business may be harmed. In addition, because the programs may be designed, in part, to improve the markets for certain of our target assets, the establishment of these programs may result in increased competition to acquire our target assets or, in the case of government-backed mortgage refinancing and modification programs, may have the effect of reducing the revenues associated with certain of our target assets. We cannot predict whether or when additional government actions or initiatives may occur or the potential impact to our business, operations and financial condition.
Our business model depends in part upon the continuing viability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, or similar institutions, and any significant changes to their structure or creditworthiness could have an adverse impact on us.
We purchase Agency RMBS that are protected from the risk of default on the underlying mortgages by guarantees from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or, in the case of the Ginnie Mae, the U.S. government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have from time to time reported substantial losses and a need for significant amounts of additional capital. In 2008, in response to the deteriorating financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the U.S. government and U.S. Treasury undertook a series of actions designed to stabilize these GSEs, including placing them into a federal conservatorship, under which the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, operates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In December 2009, the U.S. government committed virtually unlimited capital to ensure the continued existence of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More recently, in February 2018, Fannie Mae reported a substantial loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 due to the impact of the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and indicated that the FHFA would seek a taxpayer infusion from the U.S. Treasury. Despite projections that the U.S. Treasury will continue to provide financing, there is no assurance that such capital will continue to be available or that the GSEs will honor their guarantees or other obligations. If these GSEs fail to honor their guarantees, the value of any Agency RMBS that we hold would decline.

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The continued flow of residential mortgage-backed securities from the GSEs is essential to the operation of the mortgage markets in their current form, and crucial to our business model. In the wake of the 2008 Financial Crisis, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac became the dominant, and in some cases, the only source of mortgage financing in the U.S. Although any reform would be expected to take several years to implement, if the structure of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac were altered, or if they were eliminated altogether, the amount and type of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related assets available for investment would be significantly affected. A reduction in supply of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related assets would result in increased competition for those assets and likely lead to a significant increase in the price we would have to pay for such assets.
A number of legislative proposals have been introduced in recent years that would wind down or phase out the GSEs, including a 2018 Trump administration proposal to end the conservatorship and privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is not possible to predict the scope and nature of the actions that the U.S. government, including the Trump administration, will ultimately take with respect to the GSEs. As a result, market uncertainty with respect to the treatment of the GSEs, including that which may be created by proposed legislation or the eventual adoption of laws affecting the GSEs, could have the effect of reducing the actual or perceived quality of, and therefore the market value for, the Agency RMBS that we currently hold in our portfolio. Moreover, if the guarantee obligations of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae were repudiated by FHFA, payments of principal and/or interest to holders of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae securities would be reduced in the event of any borrower's late payments or failure to pay, or a servicer's failure to remit, borrower payments to the trust. In that case, trust administration and servicing fees could be paid from mortgage payments prior to distributions to holders of agency securities. Any actual direct compensatory damages owed due to the repudiation of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae's guarantee obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by holders of agency securities.
All of the foregoing could materially adversely affect the availability, pricing, liquidity, market value and financing of our target assets and materially adversely affect our business, operations and financial condition.
We operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in federal and state laws and regulations.
We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to rules, regulations, approvals, licensing, reporting and examination requirements of various federal and state authorities. Any change in applicable federal or state laws, rules and regulations, or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, could have a substantial impact on our assets, operating expenses, business strategies and results of operations. Our inability or failure to comply with the rules, regulations or reporting requirements, to obtain or maintain approvals and licenses applicable to our businesses, or to satisfy annual or periodic examinations may impact our ability to do business and expose us to fines, penalties or other claims and, as a result, could harm our business. Additionally, legislation and regulations may be enacted or adopted in the future that could significantly affect our business and operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act and regulations implementing such legislation have had a substantial impact on the mortgage industry and the MBS markets; these regulations as well as new or modified regulations implemented under Dodd-Frank may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act, which has changed and continues to change the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry, including the mortgage industry. The Dodd-Frank Act tasked many agencies with issuing a variety of new regulations, including rules related to mortgage origination, mortgage servicing, securitization transactions and derivatives. The Trump administration has previously called for a comprehensive review of the Dodd-Frank Act and, in 2018, President Trump signed into law legislation that rolls back key provisions of the Act, easing mortgage regulations on small- and medium-sized lenders. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how additional regulatory changes under or the further repeal of any provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will affect our business, and there can be no assurance that new or revised rules and regulations will not have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB, which is responsible for regulating the offering and provision of financial products and services for personal, family and household purposes. In addition to assuming many of the consumer financial protection functions exercised by other federal regulators under certain enumerated financial protection statutes, such as the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the CFPB was granted broad rule-making and enforcement authority to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices. The CFPB issued a series of rules as part of ongoing efforts to effect reforms and create uniform standards for the mortgage lending and servicing industries. These mortgage lending rules include requirements addressing how lenders must evaluate a consumer’s ability to repay a mortgage loan and what specific disclosures and communications must be made to consumers at various stages in the mortgage lending process.

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Mortgage servicing rules promulgated by the CFPB to implement certain sections of Dodd-Frank include provisions relating to periodic billing statements and disclosures, responding to borrower inquiries and complaints, maintenance of consumer account records, lender-placed insurance, and adjustable rate mortgage interest rate adjustment notices. Further, the mortgage servicing rules require servicers to, among other things, make good faith early intervention efforts to notify delinquent borrowers of loss mitigation options, to implement specified loss mitigation procedures, and if feasible, exhaust all loss mitigation options before proceeding to foreclosure. Amendments to these rules designed to expand protections for struggling homeowners were adopted by the CFPB in 2016 and took effect in late 2017 and early 2018. These amendments impact the manner in which servicers are required to communicate with borrowers who are in bankruptcy or have applied for loss mitigation, and also provide additional protections for successors in interest.
The foregoing rules have led increased costs to originate and service loans across the mortgage industry, and given their complexity, originators, servicers and other mortgage industry participants have been exposed to greater regulatory scrutiny from federal and state regulators, and increased litigation and complaints from consumers and government officials.
We have incurred and expect to incur in the future operational and system costs necessary to maintain processes to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations applicable to us as well as to monitor compliance by our business partners. Additional rules and regulations implemented by the CFPB, as well as any changes to existing rules as a result of the reassessment, could lead to changes in the way we conduct our business and increased costs of compliance, both of which may have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition.
If we were required to register with the CFTC as a Commodity Pool Operator, it could adversely affect our business model, our financial condition and our results of operations.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, was given jurisdiction over the regulation of swaps. Under rules implemented by the CFTC, companies that utilize swaps as part of their business model, including many mortgage REITs, are deemed to fall within the statutory definition of Commodity Pool Operator, or CPO, and are required to register with the CFTC as a CPO. On December 7, 2012, the CFTC issued no-action relief that permits a CPO to receive relief from registration requirements if it meets certain criteria. While we believe we meet the criteria for such relief, there can be no assurance that the CFTC will not withdraw the no-action letter in the future or that we will continue to satisfy the criteria to qualify for relief from CPO registration. If we were required to register as a CPO in the future or change our business model to ensure we can continue to satisfy the criteria to qualify for the no-action relief, it could impact our ability to operate our business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in a highly competitive market and we may not be able to compete successfully.
We operate in a highly competitive market. Our profitability depends, in large part, on our ability to acquire a sufficient supply of our target assets at favorable prices. In acquiring assets, we compete with a variety of investors, including other mortgage REITs, specialty finance companies, public and private investment funds, asset managers, commercial and investment banks, broker-dealers, commercial finance and insurance companies, the GSEs, mortgage servicers and other financial institutions. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Certain competitors may also have a broader investment mandate or higher risk tolerance, which may allow them to consider a wider variety of potential investments. Additionally, we may face competition from governmental actions and initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy and mortgage market. Competition for our target assets may lead to the price of such assets increasing and their availability decreasing, which may limit our ability to generate desired returns, reduce our earnings and, in turn, decrease the cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
We may change any of our strategies, policies or procedures without stockholder consent.
We may change any of our strategies, policies or procedures with respect to investments, asset allocation, growth, operations, indebtedness, financing strategy and distributions at any time without the consent of stockholders, which could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the types of investments described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in strategy could also result in the elimination of certain investments and business activities that we no longer view as attractive or in alignment with our business model. Shifts in strategy may increase our exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk, financing risk, default risk, regulatory risk and real estate market fluctuations. We also cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively execute or to realize the potential benefits of changes in strategy. Any such changes could adversely affect our financial condition, risk profile, results of operations, the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.

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We have invested in and may in the future invest in a variety of mortgage-related and other financial assets that may or may not be closely related to our current business. Additionally, we may enter other operating businesses that may or may not be closely related to our current business. These new assets or business operations may have new, different or increased risks than what we are currently exposed to in our business and we may not be able to manage these risks successfully. Additionally, when investing in new assets or businesses we will be exposed to the risk that those assets, or income generated by those assets or businesses, will affect our ability to meet the requirements to maintain our REIT status or our status as exempt from registration under the 1940 Act. If we are not able to successfully manage the risks associated with new assets types or businesses, it could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our risk management policies and procedures may not be effective.
We have established and maintain risk management policies and procedures designed to identify, monitor and mitigate financial risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk and liquidity risk, as well as operational risks related to our business, assets and liabilities. These policies and procedures may not sufficiently identify all of the risks to which we are or may become exposed or mitigate the risks we have identified. Any expansion of our business activities may result in our being exposed to risks to which we have not previously been exposed or may increase our exposure to certain types of risks. Alternatively, any narrowing of our business activities may increase the concentration of our exposure to certain types of risk. Any failure to effectively identify and mitigate the risks to which we are exposed could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Maintaining our exemptions from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act imposes limits on our operations.
We intend to conduct our operations so as not to become required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act defines an investment company as any issuer that is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act defines an investment company as any issuer that is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of the issuer’s total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Excluded from the term “investment securities,” among other things, are U.S. government securities and securities issued by majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exception from the definition of investment company set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
We are organized as a holding company that conducts its businesses primarily through our subsidiaries. We intend to conduct the operations of Two Harbors and its subsidiaries so that they do not come within the definition of an investment company, either because less than 40% of the value of their total assets on an unconsolidated basis will consist of “investment securities” or because they meet certain other exceptions or exemptions set forth in the 1940 Act based on the nature of their business purpose and activities, such as the Rule 3a-7 structured finance exemption for issuers of asset-backed securities or the Section 3(c)(3) exemption for insurance companies.
Certain of our subsidiaries intend to rely upon the exemption set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, which is available for entities “primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” This exemption generally means that at least 55% of each such subsidiary’s portfolio must be comprised of qualifying assets and at least 80% of its portfolio must be comprised of qualifying assets and real estate-related assets under the 1940 Act. Qualifying assets for this purpose include mortgage loans and other assets, such as whole pool Agency and non-Agency RMBS, which are considered the functional equivalent of mortgage loans for the purposes of the 1940 Act. We expect each of our subsidiaries relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to invest at least 55% of its assets in whole pool Agency and non-Agency RMBS and other interests in real estate that constitute qualifying assets in accordance with SEC staff guidance and an additional 25% of its assets in either qualifying assets and other types of real estate related assets that do not constitute qualifying assets.
As a result of the foregoing restrictions, we are limited in our ability to make or dispose of certain investments. To the extent the SEC publishes new or different guidance with respect to these matters, we may be required to adjust our strategy accordingly. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make certain investments, which could result in a subsidiary holding assets that we might wish to sell or selling assets that we might wish to hold. Although we monitor the portfolios of our subsidiaries relying on the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exemption periodically and prior to each acquisition or disposition of assets, there can be no assurance that such subsidiaries will be able to maintain this exemption.

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We make the determination as to whether a subsidiary is considered a majority-owned subsidiary. The 1940 Act defines a majority-owned subsidiary of a person as a company 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned by such person, or by another company which is a majority-owned subsidiary of such person. The 1940 Act further defines voting securities as any security presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote for the election of directors of a company. We treat companies in which we own at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities as majority-owned subsidiaries for purposes of the 40% test. We have not requested the SEC staff to approve our treatment of any company as a majority-owned subsidiary and the SEC staff has not done so. If the SEC or its staff were to disagree with our treatment of one or more companies as majority-owned subsidiaries, we may need to adjust our strategy and our assets in order to continue to pass the 40% test. Any such adjustment in our strategy could have a material adverse effect.
Qualification for exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act limits our ability to make certain investments. For example, these restrictions limit the ability of our subsidiaries to invest directly in mortgage-backed securities that represent less than the entire ownership in a pool of mortgage loans, debt and equity tranches of securitizations and certain asset backed securities and real estate companies or in assets not related to real estate.
Loss of our 1940 Act exemptions would adversely affect us, the market price of shares of our common stock and our ability to distribute dividends, and could result in the termination of our management agreement with PRCM Advisers and certain of our financing or other agreements.
As described above, we intend to conduct operations so that we are not required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Although we monitor our portfolio and our activities periodically, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our exemption from investment company registration under the 1940 Act. The SEC has previously solicited public comment on a wide range of issues relating to the exemptions set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, including what types of assets should be deemed qualifying interests and whether REITs that invest in RMBS should be regulated in a manner similar to investment companies. Although we believe that we are properly relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to exempt us from regulation under the 1940 Act, any modifications to the 1940 Act exemption rules or interpretations may require us to change our business and operations in order for us to continue to rely on such exemption. Additionally, any uncertainty regarding our 1940 Act exemption could negatively impact our ability to raise capital, borrow money, or engage in certain other types of business transactions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operations, and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the rules, regulations and interpretations governing the exemptions available under the 1940 Act will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. If we were no longer able to qualify for exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act, we could be required to restructure our activities or the activities of our subsidiaries, including effecting sales of assets in a manner that, or at a time when, we would not otherwise choose, which could negatively affect the value of our common stock, the sustainability of our business model, and our ability to make distributions. Such sales could occur during adverse market conditions, and we could be forced to accept prices below that which we believe are appropriate. The loss of our 1940 Act exemptions may also result in a default under or permit certain of our counterparties to terminate the many repurchase agreements, financing facilities or other agreements we have in place, including permitting PRCM Advisers to terminate our management agreement. The termination of any of these agreements could result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exemption from the 1940 Act.
If the market value or income potential of our assets declines as a result of increased interest rates, prepayment rates, general market conditions, government actions or other factors, we may need to increase our real estate assets and income or liquidate our non-qualifying assets in order to maintain our REIT qualification or our exemption from the 1940 Act. If the decline in real estate asset values or income occurs quickly, this may be difficult to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of certain assets we own, including MSR. We may have to make decisions that we otherwise would not make absent the REIT and 1940 Act considerations.
The lack of liquidity of our assets may adversely affect our business, including our ability to value, finance and sell our assets.
We have and may in the future acquire assets or other instruments with limited or no liquidity, including securities, MSR and other instruments that are not publicly traded. Market conditions could also significantly and negatively affect the liquidity of our assets. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain third-party pricing on such illiquid assets and validating third-party pricing for illiquid assets may be more subjective than more liquid assets. Illiquid assets typically experience greater price volatility, as a ready market may not exist for such assets, and such assets can be more difficult to value.

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Any illiquidity in our assets may make it difficult for us to sell such assets if the need or desire arises. Unlike equity securities, bonds or other exchange-traded instruments with highly liquid markets, the ability to quickly sell certain of our target assets, such as certain securities and MSR, may be constrained by a number of factors, including a small number of willing buyers, lack of transparency as to current market terms and price, and time delays resulting from the buyer’s desire to conduct due diligence on the assets, negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement, compliance with any applicable contractual or regulatory requirements, and for certain assets like MSR, the need for certain approvals from the investor in the underlying mortgage loan (e.g., Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac), all of which can result in a sale process that takes several weeks or months. Moreover, certain of our assets may not be registered under the relevant securities laws, resulting in prohibitions against their transfer, sale, pledge or their disposition except in transactions that are exempt from registration requirements or are otherwise in accordance with such laws. Consequently, even if we identify a buyer for certain of our securities and MSR, there is no assurance that we would be able to sell such assets in a timely manner if the need or desire arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may be forced to sell our assets at a price that is significantly less than the value at which we previously attributed to such assets.
Assets that are illiquid are typically more difficult and costly to finance. As a result, we may be required to finance the assets at unattractive rates or hold them on our balance sheet without the use of leverage. Assets tend to become less liquid during times of financial stress, which is often the time that liquidity is most needed. To the extent that we use leverage to finance assets that later become illiquid, we may lose that leverage if the financing counterparty determines that the collateral is no longer sufficient to secure the financing, or the counterparty could reduce the amount of money that it is willing to lend against the asset.
The illiquidity of certain of our assets may, therefore, adversely impact our ability to manage our portfolio and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We use leverage in executing our business strategy, which may adversely affect the return on our assets and may reduce cash available for distribution to our stockholders, as well as increase losses when economic conditions are unfavorable.
We use leverage to finance many of our investments and to enhance our financial returns. Our primary source of leverage is short-term repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities. We also use revolving credit facilities and repurchase agreements to finance MSR. Other sources of leverage may include credit facilities (including term loans, revolving facilities and FHLB advances) as well as the public issuance of debt securities.
Through the use of leverage, we may acquire positions with market exposure significantly greater than the amount of capital committed to the transaction. For example, by entering into repurchase agreements with advance rates, or haircut levels, of 5% (which is not an atypical haircut for Agency RMBS), we could leverage capital allocated to Agency RMBS by a ratio of as much as 20 to 1. It is not uncommon for investors in Agency RMBS to obtain leverage equal to ten or more times equity through the use of repurchase agreement financing. Subject to market conditions, we anticipate that we may deploy, on a debt-to-equity basis, up to ten times leverage on our Agency RMBS and up to two times on our non-Agency securities; however, there is no specific limit on the amount of leverage that we may use.
Leverage will magnify both the gains and the losses of our positions. Leverage will increase our returns as long as we earn a greater return on investments purchased with borrowed funds than our cost of borrowing such funds. However, if we use leverage to acquire an asset and the value of the asset decreases, the leverage will increase our losses. Even if the asset increases in value, if the asset fails to earn a return that equals or exceeds our cost of borrowing, the leverage will decrease our returns.
We may be required to post large amounts of cash as collateral or margin to secure our leveraged positions. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in value of our financed assets, we might not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to repay our borrowings, further magnifying losses. Even a small decrease in the value of a leveraged asset may require us to post additional margin or cash collateral. This may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and decrease the cash available to us for distributions to stockholders.
We may not be able to raise the capital required to finance our assets and grow our business.
The operation of our business may require access to debt and equity capital that may or may not be available on favorable terms or at the desired times, or at all. In addition, we invest in certain assets, including MSR, for which financing has historically been difficult or costly to obtain and is otherwise subject to the consent of and the terms and conditions required by the GSEs. Any limitation on our ability to obtain financing for our target assets could require us to seek equity or debt capital that may be more costly or unavailable to us. We cannot assure you that we will have access to any debt or equity capital on favorable terms or at the desired times, or at all. Our inability to raise such capital or obtain financing on favorable terms could materially adversely impact our business, operations, financial condition, liquidity, and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.

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We depend on repurchase agreements and other credit facilities to execute our business plan and any limitation on our ability to access funding through these sources could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and business.
Our ability to purchase and hold assets is affected by our ability to secure repurchase agreements and other credit facilities on acceptable terms. We currently have repurchase agreements, revolving credit facilities and other credit facilities in place with several counterparties, including national banks and the FHLB. In the future, we may enter into additional or increase commitment amounts under our existing repurchase agreements, revolving credit facilities and credit facilities, but we can provide no assurance that lenders will be willing or able to provide us with sufficient financing through the repurchase markets or otherwise. In addition, with respect to MSR financing, there can be no assurance that the GSEs will consent to such transactions. Because repurchase agreements and similar credit facilities are generally short-term commitments of capital, changes in conditions in the financing markets may make it more difficult for us to secure continued financing during times of market stress. During certain periods of a credit cycle, lenders may lose their ability or curtail their willingness to provide financing. If we are not able to arrange for replacement financing on acceptable terms, or if we default on our covenants or are otherwise unable to access funds under any of our repurchase agreements and credit facilities, we may have to curtail our asset acquisition activities and/or dispose of assets.
Our ability to efficiently access financing through our repurchase agreements may be adversely impacted by counterparty requirements regarding the type of assets that may be sold and the timing and process for such sales. In order for us to borrow funds under our repurchase agreements, counterparties must first review the assets for which we are seeking financing and approve such assets in their sole discretion. This review and approval process may delay the timing in which funding may be provided, or preclude funding altogether. For MSR, delays may also occur due to the need to obtain GSE approval of the collateral to be posted, the need for third party valuations of the MSR collateral or the agreement of the relevant servicing party to be party to the financing agreement.
It is possible that the lenders that provide us with financing could experience changes in their ability to advance funds to us, independent of our creditworthiness or the value of our assets. For example, the Basel III regulatory capital reform rules or other regulatory changes, may have the effect of significantly changing or eliminating the sources of financing that are customarily available to us. If regulatory requirements imposed on our lenders change, they may be required to significantly increase the cost of the financing that they provide to us or eliminate it altogether. Our lenders also may revise their eligibility requirements for the types of assets they are willing to finance or the terms of such financings, based on, among other factors, the regulatory environment and their management of perceived risk.
In January 2016, the FHFA issued a final rule that excluded captive insurers from ongoing FHLB membership. Our subsidiary, TH Insurance Holdings Company LLC, or TH Insurance, is a licensed captive insurer and has been a member of the FHLB of Des Moines since 2013. Pursuant to the final rule, TH Insurance will be allowed to remain an FHLB member through February 19, 2021. During this grace period, any new advances or renewals that mature beyond the grace period will be prohibited. However, any existing advances that mature beyond this grace period will be permitted to remain in place subject to their terms insofar as TH Insurance maintains good standing with the FHLB. If any new advances or renewals occur, TH Insurance’s outstanding advances will be limited to forty percent of its assets. While our reliance upon the FHLB as a source of financing has diminished in recent years relative to alternative sources of funding, we cannot assure you that, in the future, we will be able to obtain financing on terms similar to the FHLB, if at all, which could have material adverse impact on our business.
Changes in the financing markets could adversely affect the marketability of the assets in which we invest, and this could negatively affect the value of our assets. If our lenders are unwilling or unable to provide us with financing, or if the financing is only available on terms that are uneconomical or otherwise not satisfactory to us, we could be forced to sell assets when prices are depressed. The amount of financing we receive under our repurchase agreements, revolving credit facilities or other credit facilities will be directly related to the lenders’ valuation of the assets that secure the outstanding borrowings. Typically, repurchase agreements and similar lending arrangements grant the respective lender the right to reevaluate the market value of the assets that secure outstanding borrowings at any time. If a lender determines that the value of the assets has decreased, it has the right to initiate a margin call, requiring us to transfer additional assets to such lender or repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings. Any such margin call could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, business, liquidity and ability to make distributions to stockholders, and could cause the value of our common stock to decline. We may be forced to sell assets at significantly depressed prices to meet margin calls and to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses. Moreover, to the extent that we are forced to sell assets because of availability of financing or changes in market conditions, other market participants may face similar pressures, which could exacerbate a difficult market environment and result in significantly greater losses on the sale of such assets. In an extreme case of market duress, a market may not exist for certain of our assets at any price.

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Although we generally seek to reduce our exposure to lender concentration-related risk by entering into repurchase agreements and other credit facilities with multiple counterparties, we are not required to observe specific diversification criteria, except as may be set forth in the investment guidelines adopted by our board of directors. To the extent that the number of or net exposure under our lending arrangements may become concentrated with one or more lenders, the adverse impacts of defaults or terminations by such lenders may be significantly greater. As of December 31, 2018, repurchase agreement and other lenders for whom our net exposure (generally, the value of assets sold under repurchase agreements or posted as loan collateral, less the amount of the associated liabilities) exceeded 5% of stockholders’ equity included the Royal Bank of Canada. See Note 10 - Repurchase Agreements and Note 12 - Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advances to the consolidated financial statements, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for additional information.
Our inability to meet certain financial covenants related to our repurchase agreements, revolving credit facilities or other credit facilities could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In connection with certain of our repurchase agreements, revolving credit facilities and other credit facilities, we are required to comply with certain financial covenants, the most restrictive of which are disclosed within Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Compliance with these financial covenants will depend on market factors and the strength of our business and operating results. Various risks, uncertainties and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with the financial covenants. Failure to comply with our financial covenants could result in an event of default, termination of the lending facility, acceleration of all amounts owing under the lending facility, and may give the counterparty the right to exercise certain other remedies under the lending agreement, including without limitation the sale of the asset subject to repurchase at the time of default, unless we were able to negotiate a waiver. Any such waiver could be conditioned on an amendment to the lending agreement and any related guaranty agreement on terms that may be unfavorable to us. If we are unable to negotiate a covenant waiver or replace or refinance our assets under a new lending facility on favorable terms or at all, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected.
If a counterparty to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to resell the underlying security back to us at the end of the purchase agreement term, or if the value of the underlying asset has declined as of the end of that term, or if we default on our obligations under the repurchase agreement, we may incur losses.
When we enter into repurchase agreements, we sell the assets to lenders (i.e., repurchase agreement counterparties) and receive cash from the lenders. The lenders are obligated to resell the same assets back to us at the end of the term of the repurchase agreement. Because the cash that we receive from the lender when we initially sell the assets to the lender is less than the value of those assets (the difference being the “haircut”), if the lender defaults on its obligation to resell the same assets back to us, we would incur a loss on the repurchase agreement equal to the amount of the haircut (assuming there was no change in the value of the securities). We would also incur losses on a repurchase agreement if the value of the underlying assets has declined as of the end of the repurchase agreement term, because we would have to repurchase the assets for their initial value but would receive assets worth less than that amount. Further, if we default on our obligations under a repurchase agreement, the lender will be able to terminate the repurchase agreement and cease entering into any other repurchase agreements with us. Typically, our repurchase agreements contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any repurchase agreement, lenders can also declare a default with respect to all other repurchase agreements. If a default occurs under any of our repurchase agreements and a lender terminates one or more of its repurchase agreements, we may need to enter into replacement repurchase agreements with different lenders. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into such replacement repurchase agreements on the same terms as the repurchase agreements that were terminated or at all. Any losses that we incur on our repurchase agreements could adversely affect our earnings and thus our cash available for distribution to stockholders.
Our rights under our repurchase agreements are subject to the effects of bankruptcy laws in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of us or our lenders under the repurchase agreements.
In the event of our insolvency or bankruptcy, certain repurchase agreements may qualify for special treatment under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the effect of which, among other things, would be to allow the lender under the applicable repurchase agreement to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and to foreclose on the collateral agreement without delay. In the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a lender during the term of a repurchase agreement, the lender may be permitted, under applicable insolvency laws, to repudiate the contract, and our claim against the lender for damages may be treated simply as an unsecured creditor. In addition, if the lender is a broker or dealer subject to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, or an insured depository institution subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, our ability to exercise our rights to recover our assets under a repurchase agreement or to be compensated for any damages resulting from the lender's insolvency may be further limited by those statutes. These claims would be subject to significant delay and, if and when received, may be substantially less than the damages we actually incur.

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The impairment or negative performance of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
We have exposure to and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including broker-dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, investment funds and other institutions. The operations of U.S. and global financial services institutions are highly interconnected and a decline in the financial condition of one or more financial services institutions may expose us to credit losses or defaults, limit our access to liquidity or otherwise disrupt the operations of our businesses. While we regularly assess our exposure to different counterparties, the performance and financial strength of specific institutions are subject to rapid change, the timing and extent of which cannot be known.
Downgrades in the credit or financial strength ratings assigned to the counterparties with whom we transact or other adverse reputational impacts to such counterparties could create the perception that our business or financial condition will be adversely impacted as a result of potential future defaults by such counterparties. Additionally, we could be adversely affected by a general, negative perception of financial institutions caused by the downgrade or other adverse impact to the reputation of other financial institutions. Accordingly, ratings downgrades or other adverse reputational impacts for other financial institutions could adversely affect our business and financial condition and could limit access to or increase our cost of capital.
We may not have the ability to raise funds necessary to pay principal amounts owed upon maturity of our outstanding convertible senior notes or to purchase such notes upon a fundamental change.
In January 2017, we issued through an underwritten public offering $287.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible senior notes due January 2022. To the extent these notes are not converted by the noteholders prior to their maturity date, we will be obligated to repay the principal amount of all outstanding notes upon maturity. In addition, if a fundamental change occurs (as described in the First Supplemental Indenture governing the notes) noteholders have the right to require us to purchase for cash any or all of their notes. The fundamental change purchase price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date. We may not have sufficient funds available at the time we are required to repay principal amounts or to purchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and we may not be able to arrange necessary financing for such payments on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, our ability to purchase the notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by the agreements governing our other indebtedness outstanding at the time. If we fail to pay any amounts associated with the notes when due, we may be in default under the indenture governing the notes. A default under the indenture or a fundamental change itself could also constitute a default under the agreements governing our other existing and future indebtedness, which would further restrict our ability to make required payments under the notes. As a consequence of the foregoing matters, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
An increase in our borrowing costs relative to the interest that we receive on our leveraged assets may adversely affect our profitability and our cash available for distribution to stockholders.
As our repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings mature, we must enter into new borrowings, find other sources of liquidity or sell assets. An increase in short-term interest rates at the time that we seek to enter into new borrowings would reduce the spread between the returns on our assets and the cost of our borrowings. This would adversely affect the returns on our assets, which might reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to stockholders.
We are highly dependent on information technology and security breaches or systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.
Our business is highly dependent on information technology. In the ordinary course of our business, we may store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our business partners, and personally identifiable information of mortgage borrowers, on our networks. The secure maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations.
Computer malware, viruses, hacking and phishing attacks have become more prevalent and sophisticated in recent years and we are from time to time the target of attempted cyber threats. We continuously monitor and develop our information technology networks and infrastructure to prevent , detect, address and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses and other events that could have a security impact. Despite these security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disrupt our operations, disrupt our trading activities or damage our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to stockholders.

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The resources required to protect our information technology and infrastructure, and to comply with the laws and regulations related to data and privacy protection, are subject to uncertainty. Even in circumstances where we are able to successfully protect such technology and infrastructure from attacks, we may incur significant expenses in connection with our responses to such attacks. In addition, recent well-publicized security breaches have led to enhanced government and regulatory scrutiny of the measures taken by companies to protect against cyber-security attacks, and may in the future result in heightened cyber-security requirements and/or additional regulatory oversight. As cyber-security threats and government and regulatory oversight of associated risks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to enhance or expand upon the security measures we currently maintain. Any such actions may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or war, or other unexpected events may affect the value of our investments, the markets in which we operate and our results of operations.
Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, other acts of violence or war, or other unexpected events may negatively affect our operations, the market price of our capital stock and the value of our investments. There can be no assurance that events like these will not occur or have a direct impact on our business. Such events could materially interrupt our business operations, cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and economy. They also could result in or prolong an economic recession in the U.S. or abroad. Any of these occurrences could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results and revenues and on the market price of our capital stock and on the value of our investments.
The occurrence of natural disasters, terrorist attacks or a significant adverse climate changes may cause a sudden decrease in the value of real estate in the area or areas affected and would likely reduce the value of the properties securing the mortgages collateralizing our non-Agency securities or underlying our MSR. Because certain natural disasters may not be covered by the standard hazard insurance policies maintained by borrowers (such as hurricanes or certain flooding), or the proceeds payable under any such policy are not sufficient to cover the related repairs, the affected borrowers may have to pay for any repairs themselves. Under these circumstances, borrowers may decide not to repair their property or may stop paying their mortgages. This would likely cause defaults and credit loss severities to increase and would negatively impact our securities and MSR portfolios.
We enter into hedging transactions that expose us to contingent liabilities in the future, which may adversely affect our financial results or cash available for distribution to stockholders.
We engage in transactions intended to hedge against various risks to our portfolio, including the exposure to changes in interest rates. The extent of our hedging activity varies in scope based on, among other things, the level and volatility of interest rates, the type of assets held and other market conditions. Although these transactions are intended to reduce our exposure to various risks, hedging may fail to adequately protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things:
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hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of volatile or rapidly changing interest rates;
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available hedges may not correspond directly with the risks for which protection is sought;
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the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;
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the amount of income that a REIT may earn from certain hedging transactions (other than through our TRSs) is limited by U.S. federal income tax provisions;
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the credit quality of a hedging counterparty may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and
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the hedging counterparty may default on its obligations.
Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and satisfying the criteria for no-action relief from the CFTC’s CPO registration rules, there are no current limitations on the hedging transactions that we may undertake. Our hedging transactions could require us to fund large cash payments in certain circumstances (e.g., the early termination of the hedging instrument caused by an event of default or other early termination event, or a demand by a counterparty that we make increased margin payments).
Our ability to fund these obligations will depend on the liquidity of our assets and our access to capital at the time. The need to fund these obligations could adversely affect our financial condition. Further, hedging transactions, which are intended to limit losses, may actually result in losses, which would adversely affect our earnings and could in turn reduce cash available for distribution to stockholders.

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The Dodd-Frank Act regulates derivative transactions, including certain hedging instruments we use in our risk management activities. Rules implemented by the CFTC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act require, among other things, that certain derivatives be cleared through a registered clearing facility and traded on a designated exchange or swap execution facility. These regulations could increase the operational and transactional cost of derivatives contracts and affect the number and/or creditworthiness of available counterparties. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying hedging transactions may depend on compliance with applicable statutory and commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the identity of the counterparty, applicable international requirements. The business failure of a hedging counterparty will most likely result in its default. Default by a hedging counterparty may result in the loss of unrealized profits and force us to cover our commitments, if any, at the then current market price. Although generally we seek to reserve the right to terminate our hedging positions, it may not always be possible to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the consent of the hedging counterparty and we may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract in order to cover our risk. We cannot assure you that a liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold, and we may be required to maintain a position until exercise or expiration, which could result in losses.
Our results may experience greater fluctuations due to our decision not to elect hedge accounting treatment on our derivative instruments.
We have elected to not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC 815, for our current derivative instruments. The economics of our derivative hedging transactions are not affected by this election; however, our earnings (losses) for U.S. GAAP purposes, or GAAP net income (loss), may be subject to greater fluctuations from period to period as a result of this accounting treatment for changes in fair value of derivative instruments or for the accounting of the underlying hedged assets or liabilities in our financial statements, as it does not necessarily align with the accounting used for derivative instruments.
We depend on third-party service providers, including mortgage loan servicers, for a variety of services related to our business. We are, therefore, subject to the risks associated with third-party service providers.
We depend on a variety of services provided by third-party service providers related to our investments in Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR as well as for general operating purposes. For example, we rely on the mortgage servicers who service the mortgage loans underlying our Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR to, among other things, collect principal and interest payments on such mortgage loans and perform loss mitigation services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Mortgage servicers and other service providers, such as trustees, bond insurance providers, due diligence vendors and document custodians, may fail to perform or otherwise not perform in a manner that promotes our interests.
For example, any legislation intended to reduce or prevent foreclosures through, among other things, loan modifications may reduce the value of mortgage loans, including those underlying our Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR. Mortgage servicers may be required or otherwise incentivized by the Federal or state governments to pursue such loan modifications, as well as forbearance plans and other actions intended to prevent foreclosure, even if such loan modifications and other actions are not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the mortgage loans. Similarly, legislation delaying the initiation or completion of foreclosure proceedings on specified types of residential mortgage loans or otherwise limiting the ability of mortgage servicers to take actions that may be essential to preserve the value of the mortgage loans may also reduce the value of mortgage loans underlying our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities. Any such limitations are likely to cause delayed or reduced collections from mortgagors and generally increase servicing costs. As a consequence of the foregoing matters, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
In addition, in connection with our ownership of MSR, we possess personally identifiable information that is shared with third party service providers, including our sub-servicers, as required or permitted by law. In the event the information technology networks and infrastructure of our third party service providers is breached, we may be liable for losses suffered by individuals whose personal information is stolen as a result of such breach and any such liability could be material. Even if we are not liable for such losses, any breach of these third party systems could expose us to material costs related to notifying affected individuals or other parties and providing credit monitoring services, as well as to regulatory fines or penalties. In addition, any breach of these systems could disrupt our normal business operations and expose us to reputational damage or adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.


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We may be subject to fines, penalties or other enforcement actions based on the conduct of third-party mortgage loan servicers who service the loans underlying the MSR we acquire, which could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and business.
We contract with third-party mortgage loan servicers to perform the actual day-to-day servicing obligations on the mortgage loans underlying our MSR. We and the mortgage loan servicers operate in a highly regulated industry and are required to comply with various federal, state and local laws and regulations. Although the servicing activity is conducted primarily in the name of the mortgage loan servicers, to the extent these servicers fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to governmental actions such as denial, suspension or revocation of licenses, be fined or incur losses or be subject to lawsuits, any of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. While some of these laws and regulations may not explicitly hold us responsible for the legal violations of third party servicers, federal and state agencies have increasingly sought to impose such liability. Accordingly, the conduct of third-party mortgage loan servicers or our failure to adequately oversee their compliance with these laws and regulations may subject us to increased regulatory risk and could result in regulatory fines, penalties, civil liabilities or other limitations in our ability to acquire and manage MSR. Further, it is possible that a third-party servicer’s failure to comply with the new and evolving servicing rules or standards could adversely affect the value of our MSR.
A failure to protect our reputation could adversely affect our businesses.
Our reputation is critical to the success of our business. Damage to our reputation may arise from numerous sources, including for example legal or regulatory actions, failing to deliver minimum or required standards of service, compliance failures, perceived or actual weakness in our financial condition, technological or other security breaches or misconduct on the part of our manager or third-party service providers. In addition, adverse developments with respect to our industry generally or with respect to one or more of our competitors may also, by association, negatively impact our reputation. Negative perceptions or publicity regarding the foregoing matters could lead to difficulties in developing and maintaining relationships with our business counterparties, limit the sources of available funding and/or result in additional legal and regulatory scrutiny, all of which could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our ability to own and manage MSR is subject to terms and conditions established by the GSEs, which are subject to change.
Our subsidiary’s continued approval to own and manage MSR by the GSEs is subject to compliance with each of their respective selling and servicing guidelines, minimum capital requirements and other conditions they may impose from time to time at their discretion. Failure to meet such guidelines and conditions could result in the unilateral termination of our subsidiary’s approved status by one or more GSEs. In addition, the implementation of more restrictive or operational intensive guidance may increase the costs associated with owning and managing MSR as well as our ability to finance MSR.
GSEs generally require mortgage servicers to be paid a minimum servicing fee for the services provided. Changes in minimum servicing fee amounts for loans purchased or guaranteed by government-related entities could occur at any time and could negatively impact the value of the income derived from MSR on new origination that we may acquire in the future under our flow agreements or through bulk transactions.
We may not be able to acquire MSR.
MSR is a critical component of our overall portfolio management strategy, and our ability to source a sufficient amount of MSR may be adversely impacted for many reasons. We may be unable to locate originators or other sellers that are able or willing to sell MSR that meet our standards or on acceptable terms and conditions. Additionally, competition for MSR may drive down supply or drive up prices, making it uneconomical to purchase. General economic factors, such as recession, declining home values, unemployment and high interest rates, may limit the supply of available MSR. As a result, we may incur additional costs to acquire a sufficient volume of MSR or be unable to acquire MSR at a reasonable price. If we cannot source an adequate volume of MSR on desirable terms, our results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Our past securitization activities expose us to risk of litigation, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
In connection with our past securitization transactions, we prepared disclosure documentation, including term sheets and offering memorandums, which contain disclosures regarding the securitization transactions and the assets securitized. If our disclosure documentation is alleged or found to contain inaccuracies or omissions, we may be liable under federal securities laws, state securities laws or other applicable laws for damages to third parties that invest in these securitization transactions, including in circumstances in which we relied on a third party in preparing accurate disclosures, or we may incur other expenses and costs in connection with disputing these allegations or settling claims. We have also sold or contributed residential mortgage loans to third parties who, in turn, securitize those loans. In these circumstances, we may have also prepared disclosure documentation, including documentation that is included in term sheets and offering memorandums relating to those securitization transactions. We could be liable under federal securities laws, state securities laws, or other applicable laws for damages to third parties that invest in these securitization transactions, including liability for disclosures prepared by third parties or with respect to loans that we did not sell or contribute to the securitization.

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In recent years, there has also been debate as to whether there are defects in the legal process and legal documents governing transactions in which securitization trusts and other secondary purchasers take legal ownership of residential mortgage loans and establish their rights as first priority lien holders on underlying mortgaged property. To the extent there are problems with the manner in which title and lien priority rights were established or transferred, securitization transactions that we sponsored and third-party sponsored securitizations that we hold investments in, we may experience losses.
Defending a lawsuit can consume significant resources and may divert management’s attention from our operations. We may be required to establish reserves for potential losses from litigation, which could be material. To the extent we are unsuccessful in our defense of any lawsuit, we could suffer losses which could be in excess of any reserves established relating to that lawsuit and these losses could be material.
We may be subject to representation and warranty risk in our capacity as an owner of MSR as well as in connection with our prior securitization transactions and our sales of MSR and other assets.
The MSR we acquire may be subject to existing representations and warranties made to the applicable investor (including, without limitation, the GSEs) regarding, among other things, the origination and prior servicing of those mortgage loans, as well as future servicing practices following our acquisition of such MSR. If such representations and warranties are inaccurate, we may be obligated to repurchase certain mortgage loans or indemnify the applicable investor for any losses suffered as a result of the origination or prior servicing of the mortgage loans, either of which may result in a loss. As such, the applicable investor will have direct recourse to us for such origination and/or prior servicing issues.
In connection with our prior securitization transactions and with the sales of our MSR and other assets from time to time, we may have been or be required to make representations and warranties to the purchasers of the assets regarding certain characteristics of those assets. If our representations and warranties are inaccurate, we may be obligated to repurchase the assets, which may result in a loss. Even if we obtain representations and warranties from the parties from whom we acquired the asset, as applicable, they may not correspond with the representations and warranties we make or may otherwise not protect us from losses. Additionally, the loan originator or other parties from whom we acquired the MSR may be insolvent or otherwise unable to honor their respective representation and warranties. For example, if representations and warranties we obtain from those parties do not exactly align with the representations and warranties we make, or if the representations and warranties made to us are not enforceable or if we cannot collect damages for a breach (e.g., due to the financial condition of the party that made the representation or warranty to us or statutes of limitations), we may incur losses.

Risks Related To Our Assets
Declines in the market values of our assets may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
A substantial portion of our assets are classified for accounting purposes as “available-for-sale.” Changes in the market values of those assets will be directly charged or credited to stockholders’ equity. As a result, a decline in values may result in connection with factors that are out of our control and adversely affect our book value. Moreover, if the decline in value of an available-for-sale security is other than temporary, such decline will reduce our earnings.
We may not realize gains or income from our assets.
We seek to generate current income and capital appreciation for our stockholders. However, the assets that we acquire may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Additionally, the securities that we acquire, or the loans underlying certain of our assets, may experience defaults of interest and/or principal payments, which could result in significant losses related to such assets. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains or income from our assets. Any gains that we do realize may not be sufficient to offset other losses that we experience. Any income that we realize may not be sufficient to offset our expenses.
Changes in mortgage prepayment rates may adversely affect the value of our assets.
The value of our assets is affected by prepayment rates on mortgage loans, and our investment strategy includes making investments based on our expectations regarding prepayment rates. A prepayment rate is the measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the unpaid principal balance of their loans or how quickly loans are otherwise brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off.

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With respect to our securities portfolio, typically the value of a mortgage-backed security includes market assumptions regarding the speed at which the underlying mortgages will be prepaid. Faster than expected prepayments could adversely affect our profitability, including in the following ways:
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We may purchase securities that have a higher interest rate than the market interest rate at the time. In exchange for this higher interest rate, we may pay a premium over the par value to acquire the security. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we may amortize this premium over the estimated term of the security. If the security is prepaid in whole or in part prior to its maturity date, however, we may be required to expense the premium that was prepaid at the time of the prepayment.
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A substantial portion of our adjustable-rate Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities may bear interest rates that are lower than their fully indexed rates, which are equivalent to the applicable index rate plus a margin. If an adjustable-rate security is prepaid prior to or soon after the time of adjustment to a fully-indexed rate, we will have held that security while it was least profitable and lost the opportunity to receive interest at the fully indexed rate over the remainder of its expected life.
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If we are unable to acquire new Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities similar to the prepaid security, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would suffer.
Prepayment rates also significantly affect the value of MSR because such rights are priced on an assumption of a stable repayment rate. If the prepayment rate is significantly greater than expected, the fair value of the MSR could decline and we may be required to record a non-cash charge, which would have a negative impact on our financial results. Furthermore, a significant increase in the prepayment rate could materially reduce the ultimate cash flows we receive from MSR, and we could ultimately receive substantially less than what we paid for such assets.
Prepayment rates may be affected by a number of factors including the availability of mortgage credit, the relative economic vitality of the area in which the related properties are located, the average remaining life of the loans, the average size of the remaining loans, the servicing of the mortgage loans, changes in tax laws, other opportunities for investment, homeowner mobility and other economic, social, geographic, demographic and legal factors. Consequently, prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty. In making investment decisions, we depend on certain assumptions based upon historical trends with respect to the relationship between interest rates and prepayments under normal market conditions. If dislocations in the residential mortgage market or other developments change the way that prepayment trends have historically responded to interest rate changes, our ability to (i) assess the market value of target assets, (ii) implement hedging strategies and (iii) implement techniques to hedge prepayment risks would be significantly affected, which could materially adversely affect our financial position and results of operations. If we make erroneous assumptions regarding prepayment rates, we may experience significant investment losses.
A prolonged economic slowdown, a lengthy or severe recession or declining real estate values could impair our assets and harm our operations.
The risks associated with our business are more severe during periods of economic slowdown or recession, especially if these periods are accompanied by declining real estate values. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by a residential property typically is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. During an economic slowdown, unemployment rises and increasing numbers of borrowers have difficulty in making payments on their debts, including on mortgage loans. When a recession is combined with declining real estate values, as was the case following the 2008 financial crisis, defaults on mortgages may increase dramatically.
Owners of Agency RMBS are protected from the risk of default on the underlying mortgages by guarantees from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or, in the case of the Ginnie Mae, the U.S. government. However, we also own non-Agency securities, which are backed by residential real property but, in contrast to Agency RMBS, the principal and interest payments are not guaranteed by GSEs or the U.S. government. Our non-Agency securities are therefore particularly sensitive to recessions and declining real estate values.
In the event of a default on a mortgage loan that we hold in our portfolio or a mortgage loan underlying a non-Agency security in our portfolio, we bear the risk of loss as a result of the potential deficiency between the value of the collateral and the debt owed on the mortgage, as well as the costs and delays of foreclosure or other remedies, and the costs of maintaining and ultimately selling a property after foreclosure. Delinquencies and defaults on mortgage loans for which we own the servicing rights will adversely affect the amount of servicing fee income we receive and may result in increased servicing costs and operational risks due to the increased complexity of servicing delinquent and defaulted mortgage loans. If an investor in the mortgage loans for which we own the servicing rights determines that the rate of delinquencies or defaults for the loans it owns is unacceptable, we bear the risk of losing the right to service the related mortgage loans which could adversely affect our revenues, business prospects and financial condition.
Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures or losses on our non-Agency securities, mortgage loans, mortgage loans for which we own the servicing rights could adversely affect our revenues, results of operations, financial condition, business prospects and ability to make distributions to stockholders.

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Changes in inter-bank lending rate reporting practices or the method pursuant to which LIBOR is determined may adversely affect the value of our assets and financial obligations that are linked to LIBOR.
LIBOR and other “benchmark” indices have been the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. In particular, regulators and law enforcement agencies in the U.K. and elsewhere are conducting criminal and civil investigations into whether the banks that contributed information to the British Bankers’ Association, or BBA, in connection with the daily calculation of LIBOR may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate LIBOR. A number of BBA member banks have entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to this alleged manipulation of LIBOR. Actions by the regulators or law enforcement agencies may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined or the establishment of alternative reference rates. For example, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021.
At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be implemented in the U.K. or elsewhere. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes, alternative reference rates or other reforms may adversely affect the market for or value of any securities on which the interest or dividend is determined by reference to LIBOR, loans, derivatives and other financial obligations or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. More generally, any of the above changes or any other consequential changes to LIBOR or any other “benchmark” index as a result of international, national or other proposals for reform or other initiatives or investigations, or any further uncertainty in relation to the timing and manner of implementation of such changes, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any of our securities based on or linked to such a “benchmark.”
Our delayed delivery transactions, including TBAs, subject us to certain risks, including price risks and counterparty risks.
We may purchase Agency RMBS through delayed delivery transactions, including TBAs. In a delayed delivery transaction, we enter into a forward purchase agreement with a counterparty to purchase either (i) an identified Agency RMBS, or (ii) a to-be-issued (or “to-be-announced”) Agency RMBS with certain terms. As with any forward purchase contract, the value of the underlying Agency RMBS may decrease between the contract date and the settlement date. Furthermore, a transaction counterparty may fail to deliver the underlying Agency RMBS at the settlement date. If any of the above risks were to occur, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
It may be uneconomical to roll our TBA dollar roll transactions or we may be unable to meet margin calls on our TBA contracts, which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize TBA dollar roll transactions as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS. TBA contracts enable us to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of collateral, but the specific securities to be delivered are not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. Prior to settlement of the TBA contract we may choose to move the settlement of the securities to a later date by entering into an offsetting position (referred to as a “pair off”), net settling the paired off positions for cash, and simultaneously purchasing a similar TBA contact for a later settlement date, collectively referred to as a “dollar roll”. The Agency RMBS purchased for a forward settlement date under the TBA contracts are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference (or discount) is referred to as the “price drop.” The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as a “dollar roll income.” Consequently, dollar roll transactions and such forward purchase of Agency RMBS represent a form of off-balance sheet financing and increase our “at-risk” leverage.
Under certain market conditions, TBA dollar roll transactions may result in negative carry income whereby the Agency RMBS purchase for a forward settlement date under TBA contracts are priced at a premium to Agency RMBS by the Fed could adversely impact the dollar roll market. Under such conditions, it may be uneconomical to roll our TBA positions prior to the settlement date and we could have to take physical delivery of the underlying securities and settle our obligations for cash. We may not have sufficient funds or alternative financing sources available to settle such obligations. In addition, pursuant to the margin provisions established by the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (“MBSD”) of the FICC, we are subject to margin calls on our TBA contracts. Further, our prime brokerage agreements may require us to post additional margin above the levels established by the MBSD. Negative carry income on TBA dollar roll transactions or failure to procure adequate financing to settle our obligations or meet margin calls under our TBA contracts could result in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions or through foreclosure and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We acquire RMBS collateralized by subprime mortgage loans, which are subject to increased risks.
Among other assets, we acquire RMBS backed by collateral pools of subprime mortgage loans, which are mortgage loans that have been originated using underwriting standards that are less conservative than those used in underwriting prime mortgage loans (mortgage loans that generally conform to GSE underwriting guidelines) and Alt-A mortgage loans (mortgage loans made to borrowers whose qualifying mortgage characteristics do not conform to GSE underwriting guidelines and generally allow homeowners to qualify for a mortgage loan with reduced or alternate forms of documentation). These lower

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standards include mortgage loans made to borrowers having imperfect or impaired credit histories, mortgage loans where the amount of the loan at origination is 80% or more of the value of the mortgage property, mortgage loans made to borrowers with low credit scores, mortgage loans made to borrowers who have other debt that represents a large portion of their income and mortgage loans made to borrowers whose income is not required to be disclosed or verified. Due to economic conditions, including increased interest rates and lower home prices, as well as aggressive lending practices, subprime mortgage loans have in recent periods experienced increased rates of delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss, and they are likely to continue to experience delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss rates that may be substantially higher, than those experienced by mortgage loans underwritten in a more traditional manner. In acquiring these assets, we endeavor to factor the risk of losses on the underlying mortgages into the purchase price of the asset. If we underestimate those losses, however, the performance of RMBS backed by subprime mortgage loans that we acquire could be adversely affected, which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and business.
Our portfolio of assets may be concentrated in terms of credit risk.
Although as a general policy we seek to acquire and hold a diverse portfolio of assets, we are not required to observe specific diversification criteria, except as may be set forth in the investment guidelines adopted by our board of directors. Therefore, our asset portfolio may at times be concentrated in certain property types that are subject to higher risk of foreclosure, or secured by properties concentrated in a limited number of geographic locations. To the extent that our portfolio is concentrated in any one region or type of asset, downturns relating generally to such region or type of asset may result in defaults on a number of our assets within a short time period, which may reduce our net income and the value of our shares and accordingly reduce our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders. The portfolio may contain other concentrations of risk, and we may fail to identify, detect or hedge against those risks, resulting in large or unexpected losses.
Our subordinated RMBS may be in the “first loss” position, subjecting us to greater risk of losses.
We invest in certain tranches of RMBS that are only entitled to a portion of the principal and interest payments made on mortgage loans underlying the securities issued by the trust. In general, losses on a mortgage loan included in such a trust will be borne first by the equity holder of the issuing trust, and then by the “first loss” subordinated security holder and then by the “second loss” mezzanine holder. We may acquire securities at every level of such a trust, from the equity holder to the most senior tranche. In the event of default and the exhaustion of any classes of securities junior to those which we acquire, our securities will suffer losses as well. In addition, if we overvalue the underlying mortgage portfolio, or if the values subsequently decline and, as a result, less collateral is available to satisfy interest and principal payments due on the related RMBS, the securities which we acquire may effectively become the “first loss” position behind the more senior securities, which may result in significant losses. The prices of lower credit quality securities are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than more highly rated securities, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual issuer developments. A projection of an economic downturn could cause a decline in the value of lower credit quality securities because the ability of obligors of mortgages underlying RMBS to make principal and interest payments may be impaired. In such event, existing credit support in the securitization structure may be insufficient to protect us against loss of our principal on these securities.
Increases in interest rates could adversely affect the value of our assets and cause our interest expense to increase, which could result in reduced earnings or losses and negatively affect our profitability as well as the cash available for distribution to stockholders.
Our operating results will depend in large part on the difference between the income from our assets, net of credit losses, and financing costs. We anticipate that, in many cases, the income from our assets will respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Consequently, changes in interest rates, particularly short-term interest rates, may significantly influence our financial results.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. For example, the Federal Reserve continued to modestly raise the federal funds target rate in 2017 and 2018, though has more recently communicated a roughly balanced outlook. We cannot predict the impact that recent rate increases, or any future actions or non-actions with respect to the federal funds rate, may have on the markets or the economy. Interest rate fluctuations present a variety of risks, including the risk of a narrowing of the difference between asset yields and borrowing rates, flattening or inversion of the yield curve and fluctuating prepayment rates.
In a normal yield curve environment, fixed income assets, including many Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities, decline in value if interest rates increase. If long-term rates increased significantly, not only will the market value of these assets be expected to decline, but the duration and weighted-average life of the assets could increase as well because borrowers are less likely to prepay mortgages. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates would increase the rate of interest payable on any repurchase agreements required to finance these securities.
We endeavor to hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates, but there can be no assurances that our hedges will be successful, or that we will be able to enter into or maintain such hedges. As a result, interest rate fluctuations can cause significant losses, reductions in income, and limitations on our cash available for distribution to stockholders.

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An increase in interest rates may cause a decrease in the availability of certain of our target assets, which could adversely affect our ability to acquire target assets that satisfy our investment objectives and to generate income and pay dividends.
Rising interest rates generally reduce the demand for mortgage loans due to the higher cost of borrowing. A reduction in the volume of mortgage loans originated may affect the volume of certain target assets available to us, which could adversely affect our ability to acquire assets that satisfy our investment and business objectives. Rising interest rates may also cause certain target assets that were issued prior to an interest rate increase to provide yields that are below prevailing market interest rates. If rising interest rates cause us to be unable to acquire a sufficient volume of our target assets with a yield that is above our borrowing cost, our ability to satisfy our investment objectives and to generate income and pay dividends may be materially and adversely affected.
The assets in our portfolio are recorded at fair value, but there may be substantial uncertainty as to the value of certain assets.
Some of the assets in our portfolio are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other assets that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We value these assets quarterly at fair value, as determined in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which may include unobservable inputs. Because such valuations are subjective, the fair value of certain of our assets may fluctuate over short periods of time and our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. The value of our common stock could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of these assets are materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon their disposal.
Our MSR are recorded at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets based upon significant estimates and assumptions. The determination of the fair value of MSR requires our management to make numerous estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions include, without limitation, estimates of future cash flows associated with MSR based upon assumptions involving interest rates as well as the prepayment rates, delinquencies and foreclosure rates of the underlying mortgage loans. The ultimate realization of the value of MSR may be materially different than the fair values of such MSR as may be reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as of any particular date. The use of different estimates or assumptions in connection with the valuation of these assets could produce materially different fair values for such assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Accordingly, there may be material uncertainty about the fair value of any MSR we acquire.
The value of our Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR may be adversely affected by deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, as well as related delays in the foreclosure process.
Deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices among servicers of residential mortgage loans have raised and may in the future raise concerns relating to such practices, including the improper execution of the documents used in foreclosure proceedings (so-called “robo signing”), inadequate documentation of transfers and registrations of mortgages and assignments of loans, improper handling and processing of loan modifications, violations of representations and warranties at the date of securitization and failure to enforce put-backs. The integrity of the servicing and foreclosure processes is critical to the value of our Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR, and our financial results could be adversely affected by deficiencies in the conduct of those processes. For example, delays in the foreclosure process that may result from improper servicing practices may adversely affect the values of, and our losses on, our mortgage-related assets. Foreclosure delays may also increase the administrative expenses of the securitization trusts for non-Agency securities or result in the curtailment of payments to the GSEs, thereby resulting in additional expense and reducing the amount of funds available for distribution to investors. In addition, the subordinate classes of securities issued by the securitization trusts may continue to receive interest payments while the defaulted loans remain in the trusts, rather than absorbing the default losses. This may reduce the amount of credit support available for any senior classes we own, thus possibly adversely affecting these securities.
While we believe that our servicers would be in violation of their servicing contracts to the extent that they have improperly serviced mortgage loans or improperly executed documents in foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings, or do not comply with the terms of servicing contracts and applicable laws and regulations when assessing loss mitigation options for affected borrowers, it may be difficult, expensive, and time consuming for us to enforce our contractual rights. Such failure to comply may also expose us to regulatory risks. We continue to monitor and review the issues raised by improper servicing practices. While we cannot predict exactly how servicing, loss mitigation and foreclosure matters or any resulting litigation, regulatory actions or settlement agreements will affect our business, there can be no assurance that these matters will not have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to our Management and Relationship with PRCM Advisers and Pine River
We are dependent on PRCM Advisers and Pine River and may not find a suitable replacement if we or PRCM Advisers terminates the management agreement.
We have no employees. Instead, we are completely reliant on the employees provided to us by PRCM Advisers, which has significant discretion as to the implementation and execution of our business strategies and risk management practices. PRCM

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Advisers may not have sufficient access to Pine River’s employees, systems and facilities in order to comply with its obligations under the management agreement. We are also subject to the risk that PRCM Advisers will terminate the management agreement and that no suitable replacement will be found.
The current term of the management agreement expires on October 28, 2019 and will automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless terminated by us or PRCM Advisers as set forth in the management agreement. If the management agreement is terminated and no suitable replacement is found to manage Two Harbors or we are unable to hire our own qualified employees, we may not be able to continue to execute our business plan.
We will have no recourse to Pine River if it does not fulfill its obligations under the shared facilities and services agreement with PRCM Advisers.
Neither we nor PRCM Advisers has any employees, and PRCM Advisers does not have separate facilities. As a result, PRCM Advisers has entered into a shared facilities and services agreement with Pine River pursuant to which PRCM Advisers is provided with the personnel, services and resources necessary for PRCM Advisers to perform its obligations and responsibilities under the management agreement in exchange for certain amounts payable by PRCM Advisers. Because we are not a party to the shared facilities and services agreement, we will not have any recourse to Pine River if it does not fulfill its obligations under the shared facilities and services agreement, or if Pine River and PRCM Advisers choose to amend or terminate the shared facilities and services agreement.
There are conflicts of interest in our relationship with Pine River and its affiliates, including PRCM Advisers, which could result in decisions that are not in the best interests of our stockholders.
We are subject to conflicts of interest arising out of our relationship with Pine River and its affiliates, including PRCM Advisers. PRCM Advisers is wholly owned by Pine River. Each of Thomas Siering (a director, and our Chief Executive Officer and President), and Bill Roth (a director, and our Chief Investment Officer) is a partner and owner of equity interests in Pine River. All of our other executive officers are employees of Pine River. As a result, the management agreement with PRCM Advisers was negotiated between related parties, and its terms, including fees payable to PRCM Advisers, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party. In addition, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights under the management agreement because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with PRCM Advisers.
The management agreement with PRCM Advisers does not prevent PRCM Advisers and its affiliates from engaging in additional management or investment opportunities. Pine River and its affiliates, including PRCM Advisers, may engage in additional management or investment opportunities that have overlapping objectives with us, and thus face conflicts in the allocation of resources between us, any other funds they manage and for their own accounts. For example, Pine River serves as the external manager for Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) (“Granite Point”). In 2017, we contributed our commercial real estate business to Granite Point and subsequently distributed to our common stockholders the shares of Granite Point common stock that we received in connection with that contribution. Each of Thomas Siering and Bill Roth serves as a director of Granite Point, and a number of Pine River non-investment personnel who provide services to Two Harbors have also continued to provide support to Granite Point’s operations.
The ability of PRCM Advisers, Pine River and the officers and employees providing services to Two Harbors under the management agreement to engage in other business activities reduces the time PRCM Advisers spends managing Two Harbors. While there are a number of employees of Pine River who allocate 100% of their time to Two Harbors, certain employees who provide services to Two Harbors allocate some, or a material portion, of their time to other businesses and activities of Pine River. Under the management agreement, none of these individuals is required to devote a specific amount of time to Two Harbors’ affairs. Accordingly, we compete with Pine River, its existing funds, investment vehicles and other ventures, including Granite Point, for the time and attention of these officers and other personnel.
We may enter into additional transactions with Pine River, its affiliates or the investment vehicles that it manages. In particular, we may purchase assets from Pine River or its affiliates or make co-purchases alongside Pine River or its affiliates. These transactions may not be the result of arm’s length negotiations and may involve conflicts between our interests and the interests of Pine River and/or its affiliates. There can be no assurance that any procedural protections will be sufficient to assure that these transactions will be made on terms that will be at least as favorable to us as those that would have been obtained in an arm’s length transaction.
We compete with current and future investment entities affiliated with Pine River for access to certain of the benefits that our relationship with Pine River provides to us, including access to investment opportunities.
There may be conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities among Two Harbors and other funds, investment vehicles and ventures managed by Pine River, including Granite Point. There may be overlap in the assets and investment strategies of Two Harbors and Pine River’s private funds, and additional areas of overlap may develop in the future. Although PRCM Advisers and Pine River have a dedicated team of trading and investment personnel to serve Two Harbors full-time, in some cases certain non-investment personnel may provide services to both entities as well as Granite Point. Additionally, there are other members of the Pine River investment team that are dedicated full-time to other Pine River strategies and clients and,

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therefore, do not devote any of their time to Two Harbors and its trading activities. Pine River and its affiliates may in the future form additional funds or sponsor additional investment vehicles and ventures that have overlapping objectives with Two Harbors and therefore may compete with us for investment opportunities and Pine River resources. Pine River has an allocation policy that addresses the manner in which investment opportunities are allocated among the various entities and strategies for which they provide investment management services. However, we cannot assure you that Pine River and PRCM Advisers will always allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is advantageous for us; indeed, we may expect that the allocation of investment opportunities will at times result in our receiving only a portion of, or none of, certain investment opportunities.
The loss of our access to Pine River’s investment professionals and principals may adversely affect our ability to achieve our investment objectives.
We depend on PRCM Advisers’ access, through a shared facilities and services agreement, to the investment professionals and principals of Pine River and the information opportunities generated by Pine River’s investment professionals and principals. These investment professionals and principals evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments and our financing activities and we depend on their continued service. The departure of a significant number of the investment professionals or principals of Pine River could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objectives. Certain Pine River investment personnel and principals are dedicated to strategies and clients other than Two Harbors and, as a result, Two Harbors will not benefit from the investment opportunities they generate. Further, we cannot assure you that PRCM Advisers will remain as Two Harbors’ manager, that Pine River will continue to be able to support our business and operations consistent with historical practice or that we will continue to have access to Pine River’s investment professionals or principals.
Our board of directors has approved very broad investment guidelines for Two Harbors and will not review or approve each investment decision made by PRCM Advisers.
Our board of directors periodically reviews and updates our investment guidelines and also reviews our investment portfolio but does not review or approve specific investments. PRCM Advisers has great latitude within the broad parameters of the investment guidelines set by our board of directors in determining our investments and investment strategies, which could result in investment returns that are substantially below expectations or that result in material losses.
The manner of determining the management fee may not provide sufficient incentive to PRCM Advisers to maximize risk-adjusted returns on our investment portfolio because it is based on our stockholders’ equity and not on our financial performance.
PRCM Advisers is entitled to receive a management fee that is based on our stockholders’ equity at the end of each quarter, regardless of our financial performance. Accordingly, significant management fees will be payable to PRCM Advisers even if we have a net loss during a quarter. PRCM Advisers’ right to such compensation may not provide sufficient incentive to PRCM Advisers to devote sufficient time and effort to maximize risk-adjusted returns on our investment portfolio, which could, in turn, adversely affect our financial results. Further, the management fee structure gives PRCM Advisers the incentive to maximize stockholders’ equity by the issuance of new common or preferred stock or the retention of existing equity, regardless of the effect of these actions on existing stockholders. In other words, the management fee structure rewards PRCM Advisers primarily based on the size of Two Harbors, and not on our returns to stockholders.
Termination of the management agreement may be difficult and costly, which may adversely affect our inclination to end our relationship with PRCM Advisers.
Termination of the management agreement with PRCM Advisers without cause is difficult and costly. We have the right to terminate for cause; however, the term “cause” is limited to certain specifically described circumstances. In the absence of cause, we may only terminate it after October 28, 2019, upon the vote of at least two-thirds of all of our independent directors or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and only for the reasons set forth in the management contract. Additionally, upon a termination by Two Harbors without cause (or upon a termination by PRCM Advisers due to our material breach), the management agreement requires us to pay PRCM Advisers a termination payment equal to three times the sum of the average annual base management fee received by PRCM Advisers during the 24-month period before such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. This provision increases the effective cost to us of terminating our relationship with PRCM Advisers, even if we believe that PRCM Advisers’ performance is not satisfactory.

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The liability of PRCM Advisers and Pine River is limited under the management agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify PRCM Advisers and its affiliates and advisers, including Pine River, against certain liabilities. As a result, we could experience poor performance or losses for which PRCM Advisers and Pine River would not be liable.
Pursuant to the management agreement, PRCM Advisers does not assume any responsibility other than to render the services called for thereunder and will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow its advice or recommendations. PRCM Advisers and its officers, stockholders, members, managers, personnel and directors, any person controlling or controlled by PRCM Advisers and any person providing sub-advisory services to PRCM Advisers will not be liable to Two Harbors, any of our subsidiaries, any of our directors, stockholders or partners or any subsidiary’s stockholders, members or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with or pursuant to the management agreement, except by reason of acts constituting reckless disregard of PRCM Advisers’ duties under the management agreement which has a material adverse effect on Two Harbors, willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. We have agreed to indemnify PRCM Advisers and its affiliates and sub-advisers, including Pine River, with respect to all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims arising from willful misconduct, gross negligence or acts or omissions of such indemnified parties not constituting reckless disregard of PRCM Advisers’ duties under the management agreement which has a material adverse effect on Two Harbors. As a result, if we experience poor performance or losses, PRCM Advisers would not be liable.

Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
Certain provisions of Maryland law could inhibit changes in control.
Certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL, may have the effect of deterring a third party from making a proposal to acquire us or of impeding a change in control under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares.
We are subject to the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between our company and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of our then outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of our company who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between our company and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our voting stock; and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. These provisions of the MGCL do not apply to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations (1) between our company and any person, provided that such business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person) and (2) between our company and Pine River or its affiliates. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements will not apply to any business combination between our company and any person if such combination is approved in accordance with the foregoing procedures. As a result, any person, including Pine River, may be able to enter into business combinations with Two Harbors that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders, without compliance with the super-majority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute.
The “control share” provisions of the MGCL provide that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation (defined as voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding votes entitled to be cast by the acquirer of control shares, our officers and employees who are also our directors. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

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The “unsolicited takeover” provisions of the MGCL (Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL) permit our board of directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to implement takeover defenses, some of which (for example, a classified board) we do not currently have. These provisions may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for our company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of shares of our common stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then current market price. Our charter contains a provision whereby our company has elected to be subject to the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL relating to the filling of vacancies on its board of directors.
Our authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock and the ownership limitations contained in our charter may prevent a change in control.
Our charter authorizes Two Harbors to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. In addition, our board of directors may, with the approval of a majority of the entire board and without stockholder approval, amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of our stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that Two Harbors has the authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the terms of the classified or reclassified shares. As a result, our board may establish a series of shares of common or preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of stockholders.
In addition, our charter contains restrictions limiting the ownership and transfer of shares of our common stock and other outstanding shares of capital stock. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to certain exceptions, ownership of shares of our common stock by any person is limited to 9.8% by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock (the common share ownership limit), and no more than 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding capital stock (the aggregate share ownership limit). The common share ownership limit and the aggregate share ownership limit are collectively referred to herein as the “ownership limits.” These charter provisions will restrict the ability of persons to purchase shares in excess of the relevant ownership limits.
Our charter contains provisions that make removal of our directors difficult, which could make it difficult for stockholders to effect changes in management.
Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock, a director may be removed only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. Our charter and bylaws provide that vacancies generally may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum. These requirements make it more difficult to change management by removing and replacing directors and may prevent a change in control that is in the best interests of stockholders.
Our rights and stockholders’ rights to take action against directors and officers are limited, which could limit recourse in the event of actions not in the best interests of stockholders.
As permitted by Maryland law, our charter eliminates the liability of its directors and officers to Two Harbors and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:
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actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or
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a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated.
In addition, pursuant to our charter we have agreed contractually to indemnify our present and former directors and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Further, our bylaws require us to indemnify each present or former director or officer, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to any proceeding because of his or her service to Two Harbors. As part of these indemnification obligations, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our directors and officers.

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Our amended and restated bylaws designate certain Maryland courts as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our amended and restated bylaws provided that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following: any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to the corporation or to our stockholders; any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder believes is favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Securities
Future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock may depress the market price of our common stock or have adverse consequences for our stockholders.
We have 450,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and we may increase our authorized common stock without stockholder approval. As of December 31, 2018, 248,085,721 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. In May 2015, our stockholders approved our Second Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, which provides for grants of restricted common stock and other equity-based awards, subject to a ceiling of 6,500,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan. As of December 31, 2018, an aggregate of 2,125,725 shares of common stock remained available for issuance to our independent directors and Pine River employees pursuant to the Plan. Additionally, shares of our common stock have also been reserved for issuance in connection with the conversion of our 6.25% convertible senior notes due January 2022 and our Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances or sales of our common stock on the market price of our common stock. We also cannot predict the amounts and timing of restricted stock awards to be issued pursuant to the Plan, nor can we predict the amount and timing of any conversions of our 6.25% convertible senior notes due January 2022 or our Series A, Series B Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock into shares of our common stock. Any stock awards or conversions resulting in the issuance of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such awards or conversions could occur, may adversely affect the market price for our common stock.
Also, we may issue additional shares in subsequent public offerings or private placements to raise capital, acquire new assets or for other purposes. We are not required to offer any such shares to existing stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, it may not be possible for existing stockholders to participate in such future share issuances, which may dilute the existing stockholders’ interests.
Any future offerings of our securities could dilute our existing stockholders and may rank senior for purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions.
In order to grow our business, we may rely on additional issuances of securities which may rank senior and/or be dilutive to our stockholders. For example, in 2017, we completed an offering of senior unsecured notes due January 2022 that are convertible into shares of our common stock at the election of the noteholder. In addition, our Series A, Series B Series C, Series D and Series E preferred shares may be converted into shares of our common stock following the occurrence of certain events, as set forth in the Articles Supplementary for each series. Any election by noteholders or preferred stockholders to convert their notes or preferred shares into shares of our common stock will dilute the interests of other common stockholders. In addition, upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before holders of our shares.

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In the future, we may again elect to raise capital through the issuance of convertible or non-convertible debt or common or preferred equity securities. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred stock, if any, and lenders with respect to other borrowings will be entitled to our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Convertible debt and convertible preferred stock may have anti-dilution provisions which are unfavorable to our common stockholders. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Any preferred stock could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders or favorable conversion rights. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or the sale of securities which have rights and preferences that are superior to our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, may have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their holdings.
We have not established a minimum distribution payment level and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay distributions in the future.
We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions and to make distributions to our stockholders in an amount such that we distribute all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income in each year, subject to certain adjustments. We have not established a minimum distribution payment level and our ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described herein. All distributions will be made, subject to Maryland law, at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, any debt covenants, maintenance of our REIT qualification and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will achieve results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions and distributions in future periods may be significantly lower than in prior quarterly periods.
The market price of our common stock could fluctuate and could cause you to lose a significant part of your investment.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. The stock market has experienced and may in the future experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies’ operating performances. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares of our common stock at a gain. Further, fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock may adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for our common stock and, in the event that we seek to raise capital through future equity financings, our ability to raise such equity capital. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.
The market price of our common stock may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including those described above and the following:
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changes in financial estimates by analysts;
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fluctuations in our results of operations or financial condition or the results of operations or financial condition of companies perceived to be similar to us;
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general economic and financial and real estate market conditions;
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changes in market valuations of similar companies;
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monetary policy and regulatory developments in the U.S.; and
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additions or departures of key personnel at Pine River.
Resulting fluctuations in the market price of our common stock could cause you to lose a significant part of your investment.


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Tax Risks
Our failure to qualify as a REIT would subject us to U.S. federal income tax and potentially increased state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of our income available for distribution to our stockholders.
We operate in a manner that will enable us to qualify as a REIT and have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2009. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, that we qualify as a REIT. The U.S. federal income tax laws governing REITs and the assets they hold are complex, and judicial and administrative interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing REIT qualification are limited. To continue to qualify as a REIT, we must meet, on an ongoing basis, various tests regarding the nature of our assets and income, the ownership of our outstanding shares, and the amount of our distributions. Moreover, new legislation, court decisions, administrative guidance or actions by federal agencies or others to modify or re-characterize our assets, as a whole or in part, as other than real estate assets, in each case possibly with retroactive effect, may make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. Thus, while we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we will so qualify for any particular year. These considerations also might restrict the types of assets that we can acquire in the future.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, and distributions to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in determining our taxable income. In such a case, we might need to borrow money or sell assets in order to pay taxes. Our payment of income tax would decrease the amount of income available for distribution to stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we no longer would be required to distribute substantially all of our net taxable income to stockholders. In addition, unless we were eligible for certain statutory relief provisions, we could not re-elect to be taxed as a REIT until the fifth calendar year following the year in which we failed to qualify.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive investment opportunities or financing or hedging strategies.
In order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy various tests on an annual and quarterly basis regarding the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to stockholders and the ownership of our stock. To meet these tests, we may be required to forego investments we might otherwise make. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, and may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us in order to satisfy the source of income or asset diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our investment performance.
Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise profitable assets.
In order to continue to qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and designated real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and shares in other REITs. Subject to certain exceptions, our ownership of securities, other than government securities and securities that constitute real estate assets, generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets, other than government securities and securities that constitute real estate assets, can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter after the first calendar quarter for which we qualified as a REIT, we must generally correct such failure within 30 days after the end of such calendar quarter to avoid losing our REIT qualification. As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise profitable assets prematurely, which could reduce our return on assets, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 changed certain aspects of the U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to REITs. In particular, the act reduced the maximum allowable value of assets attributable to our TRSs from 25% to 20%, which is applicable with respect to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. In addition, the act adjusted the way we may calculate certain earnings and profits calculations to avoid double taxation at the stockholder level. These modifications could result in changes in our tax positions or investments and may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

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Potential characterization of distributions or gain on sale may be treated as unrelated business taxable income to tax exempt investors.
If (i) all or a portion of our assets are subject to the rules relating to taxable mortgage pools, (ii) we are a “pension held REIT,” (iii) a tax exempt stockholder has incurred debt to purchase or hold our common stock, or (iv) we purchase residual REMIC interests that generate “excess inclusion income,” then a portion of the distributions to and, in the case of a stockholder described in clause (iii), gains realized on the sale of common stock by such tax exempt stockholder may be subject to U.S. federal income tax as unrelated business taxable income under the Code.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.
The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our assets and operations. Under these provisions, on an annual basis we must derive 75% of our gross income from real estate assets, and 95% of our income from real estate assets and certain other qualifying income sources, in order to maintain our REIT status. Any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge our interest rate and currency risks will generally be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests if the instrument hedges interest rate risk or foreign currency exposure on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate or income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests, and such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury regulations. In addition, any income from other hedges would generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of hedging techniques that might otherwise be advantageous, which could result in greater risks associated with interest rate or other changes than we would otherwise incur.
The failure of our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities that are subject to a repurchase agreement to qualify as real estate assets would adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
We may enter into repurchase agreements under which we will nominally sell certain of our Agency RMBS or non-Agency securities to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets. We believe that we will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of the securities that are the subject of any such agreement notwithstanding that such agreement may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the securities during the term of the repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan and may require us to incur debt, sell assets or take other actions to make such distributions.
In order to continue to qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to stockholders, each calendar year, at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (including certain items of non-cash income), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. To the extent that we satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax law.
We intend to distribute our net income to stockholders in a manner intended to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid both corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax. Our taxable income may substantially exceed our net income as determined by U.S. GAAP or differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash may occur in which case we may have taxable income in excess of cash flow from our operating activities. In such event, we may generate less cash flow than taxable income in a particular year and find it difficult or impossible to meet the REIT distribution requirements in certain circumstances. In such circumstances, in order to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid U.S. federal corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax in that year, we may be required to: (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms, (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt or (iv) make a taxable distribution of our shares as part of a distribution in which stockholders may elect to receive shares or (subject to a limit measured as a percentage of the total distribution) cash, in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Thus, compliance with the REIT distribution requirements may require us to take actions that may not otherwise be advisable given existing market conditions and hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
Even though we have elected to be taxed as a REIT, we may be required to pay certain taxes.
Even though we have elected to be taxed as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, prohibited transactions, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, franchise, property and transfer taxes, including mortgage recording taxes. In addition, we will hold some of our assets through wholly owned TRSs. Our TRSs and any other taxable corporations in which we own an interest will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate taxes. Payment of these taxes generally would reduce our cash flow and the amount available to distribute to stockholders.

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Our qualification as a REIT may depend on the accuracy of legal opinions or advice rendered or given or statements by the issuers of assets we acquire, including with respect to the treatment of our TBA securities and transactions for tax purposes.
When purchasing securities, we may rely on opinions or advice of counsel for the issuer of such securities, or statements made in related offering documents, for purposes of determining, among other things, whether such securities represent debt or equity securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the value of such securities, and also to what extent those securities constitute qualified real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests and produce qualified income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, we may from time to time obtain and rely upon opinions of counsel regarding the qualification of certain assets and income as real estate assets. The inaccuracy of any such opinions, advice or statements may adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT and result in significant corporate-level tax.
We may utilize TBAs as a means of investing and financing Agency RMBS. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We intend to treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Sidley Austin LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% asset test, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying Agency RMBS, and to treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Sidley Austin LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS. Such opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth therein. In addition, the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to remain qualified as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs or a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
Although our use of TRSs may be able to partially mitigate the impact of meeting the requirements for qualification as a REIT, our ownership of and relationship with our TRSs is limited and a failure to comply with the limits would jeopardize our REIT qualification and may result in the application of a 100% excise tax.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. Other than certain activities relating to lodging and healthcare facilities, a TRS generally may engage in any business and may hold assets and earn income that would not be qualifying assets or income if held or earned directly by a REIT. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. In addition, the TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arm’s length basis.
Our TRSs will pay U.S. federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income, and their after-tax net income will be available for distribution to Two Harbors but are not required to be distributed to Two Harbors. We anticipate that the aggregate value of the securities of our TRSs will be less than 20% of the value of our total assets (including our TRS securities). Furthermore, we intend to monitor the value of our respective investments in our TRSs for the purpose of ensuring compliance with TRS ownership limitations. In addition, we will review all of our transactions with TRSs to ensure that they are entered into on arm’s-length terms to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the 20% limitation or to avoid application of the 100% excise tax discussed above.
As discussed above, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 reduced the maximum allowable value of assets attributable to our TRSs from 25% to 20%, which is applicable with respect to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. This modification, as well as other changes promulgated by the act, could result in changes in our tax positions or investments and may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
We may be required to report taxable income with respect to certain of our investments in excess of the economic income we ultimately realize from them.
We may acquire interests in debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such interests in debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount may nevertheless be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Market discount on a debt instrument may accrue based on the assumption that all future payments on the debt instrument will be made. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made. In the case of residential mortgage loans, principal payments are ordinarily made monthly, and consequently, accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument were assured of ultimately being collected in full. If we collect less on a debt instrument than its purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deduction in a subsequent taxable year.

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Similarly, some of the mortgage-backed securities that we purchase will likely have been issued with original issue discount, or OID. We may be required to report such OID based on a constant yield method and income would accrue over the period we own the underlying security. This may lead to an accrual of OID income in excess of the amount that is collected. An offsetting loss deduction will become available only in the later year in which uncollectability is provable or ultimate disposition; and may be subject to limitation.
Finally, in the event that any debt instruments or mortgage-backed securities acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event a borrower with respect to a particular debt instrument acquired by us encounters financial difficulty rendering it unable to pay stated interest as due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income as it accrues, despite doubt as to its ultimate collectability. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to subordinate mortgage-backed securities at their stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received or are ultimately collectible. In each case, while we would in general ultimately have an offsetting loss deduction available to us when such interest was determined to be uncollectable; the utility of that deduction would depend on our having taxable income in that later year or thereafter subject to carryforward limitations.
Dividends payable by REITs generally do not qualify for the reduced tax rates on dividend income from regular corporations, which could adversely affect the value of our shares.
The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for these reduced rates. Although the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to dividend income from regular corporate dividends does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends paid by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our shares of common stock.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) made many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to businesses and their owners, including REITs and their stockholders. Pursuant to the TCJA, as of January 1, 2018, the highest marginal individual income tax rate is reduced to 37%. In addition, individuals, estates and trusts may deduct up to 20% of certain pass-through income, including ordinary REIT dividends that are not “capital gain dividends” or “qualified dividend income,” subject to complex limitations. For taxpayers qualifying for the full deduction, the effective maximum tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends would be 29.6% (through taxable years ending in 2025). The maximum rate of withholding with respect to our distributions to non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests is also reduced from 35% to 21%. There can be no assurance as to how these or any other tax rate changes in the future will impact the attractiveness of an investment in our shares or the value of our securities.
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of our shares.
At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be changed. We cannot predict if or when any new U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective or whether any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.
The TCJA made many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to businesses, including REITs, and may lessen the relative competitive advantage of operating as a REIT rather than as a C corporation. Pursuant to the TCJA, as of January 1, 2018, the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations was reduced to 21% and the corporate alternative minimum tax was repealed. In addition, the deduction of net interest expense is limited for all businesses; provided that certain businesses, including real estate businesses, may elect not to be subject to such limitations and instead to depreciate their real property related assets over longer depreciable lives. This limitation could adversely affect our TRSs.
Additional changes to the tax laws are likely to continue to occur, and we cannot assure you that any such changes will not adversely affect the taxation of us or our stockholders. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our shares or on the market value or the resale potential of our assets. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the impact of any legislative, regulatory or administrative developments or proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our shares.
REIT limitations may affect our ability to dispose of real properties we may acquire in the course of our MSR business, or in meeting our obligations under prior securitization transactions.
The provisions of the Code relating to REITs may limit our ability to sell properties at a profit without incurring unfavorable tax consequences. Generally, sales of property within two years of acquisition, and sale of multiple properties within one year, may result in the gains from such sales being subject to 100% taxation. To the extent we own real property within the REIT, we may face significant restrictions in our ability to dispose of this property.


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We could incur adverse tax consequences if CYS failed to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In connection with our acquisition of CYS, we assumed, based on public filings, that CYS has qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the completion of the merger pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 25, 2018, by and among us, Eiger Merger Subsidiary LLC, or Merger Sub, and CYS pursuant to which, on July 31, 2018, Merger Sub merged with and into CYS, with CYS continuing as the surviving corporation. This merger resulted in CYS becoming our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary. However, if CYS failed to qualify as a REIT, we and Merger Sub generally would succeed to or incur significant tax liabilities (including the significant tax liability that would result from the deemed sale of assets by CYS pursuant to the merger), and we could possibly lose our REIT status should disqualifying activities continue after the acquisition.


Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

Item 2. Properties
Our principal place of business is located at 575 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2930, New York, New York 10022. We also have offices located at 601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 1400, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305, 8625 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Florida 34108 and 10 CityPoint, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451. In accordance with the shared facilities and services agreement between PRCM Advisers and Pine River, we may from time to time utilize additional Pine River office space in Minnetonka and New York.
In New York, we lease 5,103 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that expires in August 2023. Additionally in New York, we lease, and are subleasing to an unaffiliated third party through March 2019, 8,934 square feet of office space at a different location pursuant to a lease that expires in April 2019. In Minnetonka, we lease 27,982 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that expires in June 2022. In Naples, we lease 4,522 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that expires in May 2021. In Waltham, we lease, and are subleasing to an unaffiliated third party through June 2019, 9,942 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that expires in July 2023.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be involved in various legal claims and/or administrative proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. As of the date of this filing, we are not party to any litigation or legal proceedings or, to the best of our knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings, which, in our opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.


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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TWO”. As of February 22, 2019, 251,080,610 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.
On September 14, 2017, our board of directors approved a one-for-two reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock. The reverse stock split was effected on November 1, 2017 at 5:01 p.m. Eastern time, following the special dividend of Granite Point common stock. At the effective time, every two issued and outstanding shares of our common stock were converted into one share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split; instead, each stockholder holding fractional shares was entitled to receive, in lieu of such fractional shares, cash in an amount determined on the basis of the volume weighted average price of our common stock on the NYSE on November 1, 2017. In connection with the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of our common stock was also reduced on a one-for-two basis, from 900 million to 450 million. The par value of each share of common stock remained unchanged. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented have been adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the reverse stock split.
The following table shows the high and low sales prices for our common stock, adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the reverse stock split, as reported on the NYSE during the calendar years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Quarter Ended
 
Common Stock
2018
 
High
 
Low
December 31
 
$
15.06

 
$
12.63

September 30
 
$
16.23

 
$
14.48

June 30
 
$
16.27

 
$
15.02

March 31
 
$
16.30

 
$
13.85

2017
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
$
20.42

 
$
15.21

September 30
 
$
20.51

 
$
19.16

June 30
 
$
21.08

 
$
19.10

March 31
 
$
19.64

 
$
17.02


Holders
As of February 21, 2019, there were 639 registered holders and approximately 118,265 beneficial owners of our common stock.

Dividends
The following table, which has been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split, presents cash dividends declared on our common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.47000

September 20, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.31163

July 13, 2018
 
July 25, 2018
 
July 30, 2018
 
$
0.15837

June 19, 2018
 
June 29, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.47000

March 20, 2018
 
April 2, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.47000

December 14, 2017
 
December 26, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
$
0.47000

September 14, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 27, 2017
 
$
0.52000

June 15, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 27, 2017
 
$
0.52000

March 14, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 27, 2017
 
$
0.50000


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All dividend distributions are authorized by our board of directors, in its discretion, and will depend on such items as our REIT taxable earnings, financial condition, maintenance of REIT status, and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. The holders of our common stock share proportionally on a per share basis in all declared dividends on our common stock. Dividends cannot be paid on our common stock unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on all classes of our preferred stock. We have paid full cumulative dividends on all classes of our preferred stock from the respective dates of issuance through December 31, 2018. We intend to continue to pay quarterly dividends on our common stock and to distribute on our common stockholders as dividends 100% of our REIT taxable income, continue to on an annual basis.
We have not established a minimum dividend distribution level for our common stock. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the sources of funds used for dividends and for a discussion of factors, if any, which may adversely affect our ability to pay dividends in 2019 and thereafter.
Our stock transfer agent and registrar is Equiniti Trust Company. Requests for information from Equiniti Trust Company can be sent to Equiniti Trust Company, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN 55164-0874 and their telephone number is 1-800-468-9716.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
Our Second Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted by our board of directors and approved by our stockholders for the purpose of enabling us to provide equity compensation to attract and retain qualified directors, officers, advisers, consultants and other personnel, including affiliates and personnel of PRCM Advisers and its affiliates, and any joint venture affiliates of ours. The Plan is administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors and permits the granting of restricted shares of common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards. For a detailed description of the Plan, see Note 17 - Equity Incentive Plan of the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table presents certain information about the Plan as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
December 31, 2018
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column of this table)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1)
 
—

 
$
—

 
2,125,725

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
 
—

 
$
—

 
2,125,725

___________________
(1)
For a detailed description of the Plan, see Note 17 - Equity Incentive Plan of the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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Performance Graph
The following graph compares the stockholder’s cumulative total return, assuming $100 invested at December 31, 2013, with all reinvestment of dividends, as if such amounts had been invested in: (i) our common stock; (ii) the stocks included in the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index, or S&P 500; and (iii) the stocks included in the Bloomberg REIT Mortgage Index.

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Two Harbors Investment Corp.,
S&P 500 and Bloomberg REIT Mortgage Index

chart-19007cabfa205845b48.jpg

 
 
December 31,
Index
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
 
$
146.62

 
$
163.79

 
$
129.51

 
$
107.80

 
$
119.47

S&P 500
 
$
150.27

 
$
157.17

 
$
129.02

 
$
115.24

 
$
113.68

Bloomberg REIT Mortgage Index
 
$
153.65

 
$
158.25

 
$
131.58

 
$
107.61

 
$
119.43



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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Our board of directors has adopted a share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 37,500,000 shares of our common stock. Shares may be repurchased from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act or by any combination of such methods. The manner, price, number and timing of share repurchases are subject to a variety of factors, including market conditions and applicable SEC rules. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares, and, subject to SEC rules, purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 12,067,500 shares had been repurchased under the program for an aggregate cost of $200.4 million. We did not repurchase shares during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.



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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Our selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation. All per share amounts and common shares outstanding for all periods presented have been adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 1, 2017.
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities (1)
$
847,325

 
$
631,853

 
$
414,050

 
$
458,515

 
$
506,268

Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
—

 
102,886

 
133,993

 
95,740

 
41,220

Other (1)
22,707

 
10,350

 
27,037

 
38,624

 
29,719

Total interest income
870,032

 
745,089

 
575,080

 
592,879

 
577,207

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements (1)
469,437

 
210,430

 
88,850

 
72,653

 
76,177

Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
—

 
82,573

 
97,729

 
57,216

 
26,760

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
20,417

 
36,911

 
26,101

 
11,921

 
4,513

Revolving credit facilities
10,820

 
2,341

 
604

 
—

 
—

Convertible senior notes
18,997

 
17,933

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total interest expense
519,671

 
350,188

 
213,284

 
141,790

 
107,450

Net interest income
350,361

 
394,901

 
361,796

 
451,089

 
469,757

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(470
)
 
(789
)
 
(1,822
)
 
(535
)
 
(392
)
Other (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) gain on investment securities (1)
(341,312
)
 
(34,695
)
 
(107,374
)
 
363,379

 
87,201

Servicing income
343,096

 
209,065

 
143,579

 
127,398

 
128,160

Loss on servicing asset
(69,033
)
 
(91,033
)
 
(83,531
)
 
(99,584
)
 
(128,388
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
16,043

 
(9,753
)
 
45,371

 
(210,621
)
 
(345,647
)
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
(54,857
)
 
(70,159
)
 
99,379

 
(5,049
)
 
(17,529
)
Other income (loss)
3,037

 
30,141

 
9,964

 
(7,686
)
 
35,836

Total other (loss) income
(103,026
)
 
33,566

 
107,388

 
167,837

 
(240,367
)
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
30,272

 
40,472

 
39,261

 
49,116

 
48,803

Servicing expenses
61,136

 
35,289

 
32,119

 
28,028

 
25,925

Securitization deal costs
—

 
—

 
6,152

 
8,971

 
4,638

Other operating expenses
62,983

 
54,160

 
56,605

 
56,764

 
56,231

Merger transaction costs (1)
86,703

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Restructuring charges (1)
8,238

 
—

 
2,990

 
—

 
—

Total expenses
249,332

 
129,921

 
137,127

 
142,879

 
135,597

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
(2,467
)
 
297,757

 
330,235

 
475,512

 
93,401

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
41,823

 
(10,482
)
 
12,314

 
(16,560
)
 
(73,738
)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
(44,290
)
 
308,239

 
317,921

 
492,072

 
167,139

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
44,146

 
35,357

 
138

 
—

Net (loss) income
(44,290
)
 
352,385

 
353,278

 
492,210

 
167,139

Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
3,814

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(44,290
)
 
348,571

 
353,278

 
492,210

 
167,139

Dividends on preferred stock
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(109,685
)
 
$
323,449

 
$
353,278

 
$
492,210

 
$
167,139

____________________
(1)
During the year-ended December 31, 2018, the activity disclosed within was impacted by the acquisition of CYS, on July 31, 2018. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc. for further information.

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(in thousands, except share data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Basic (loss) earnings per weighted average share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.62

 
$
1.83

 
$
2.70

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations
—

 
0.23

 
0.20

 
—

 
—

Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.85

 
$
2.03

 
$
2.70

 
$
0.91

Diluted (loss) earnings per weighted average share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.60

 
$
1.83

 
$
2.70

 
$
0.91

Discontinued operations
—

 
0.21

 
0.20

 
—

 
—

Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.81

 
$
2.03

 
$
2.70

 
$
0.91

Dividends declared per common share
$
1.88

 
$
2.01

 
$
1.86

 
$
2.08

 
$
2.08

Weighted average number of shares of common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
206,020,502

 
174,433,999

 
174,036,852

 
182,623,869

 
183,005,928

Diluted
206,020,502

 
188,133,341

 
174,036,852

 
182,623,869

 
183,005,928

Comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(44,290
)
 
$
352,385

 
$
353,278

 
$
492,210

 
$
167,139

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
 
(496,728
)
 
411,054

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
 
(496,728
)
 
411,054

Comprehensive (loss) income
(278,204
)
 
487,971

 
193,444

 
(4,518
)
 
578,193

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
3,814

 
—

 
—

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(278,204
)
 
484,157

 
193,444

 
(4,518
)
 
578,193

Dividends on preferred stock
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

 
—

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(343,599
)
 
$
459,035

 
$
193,444

 
$
(4,518
)
 
$
578,193

 
At December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Available-for-sale securities
$
25,552,604

 
$
21,220,819

 
$
13,116,171

 
$
7,825,320

 
$
14,341,102

Mortgage servicing rights
$
1,993,440

 
$
1,086,717

 
$
693,815

 
$
493,688

 
$
452,006

Total assets
$
30,132,479

 
$
24,789,313

 
$
20,112,056

 
$
14,575,772

 
$
21,084,309

Repurchase agreements
$
23,133,476

 
$
19,451,207

 
$
8,865,184

 
$
4,948,926

 
$
12,932,463

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
$
865,024

 
$
1,215,024

 
$
4,000,000

 
$
3,785,000

 
$
2,500,000

Total stockholders’ equity
$
4,254,489

 
$
3,571,424

 
$
3,401,112

 
$
3,576,561

 
$
4,068,042



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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

General
We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, mortgage servicing rights, or MSR, and other financial assets, which we collectively refer to as our target assets. We operate as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. We are externally managed by PRCM Advisers LLC, or PRCM Advisers, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P., or Pine River.
Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted total return to our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. We selectively acquire and manage an investment portfolio of our target assets, which is constructed to generate attractive returns through market cycles. We focus on asset selection and implement a relative value investment approach across various sectors within the mortgage market. Our target assets include the following:
•
Agency RMBS (which includes inverse interest-only Agency securities classified as “Agency Derivatives” for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP), meaning RMBS whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (or Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (or Fannie Mae), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (or Freddie Mac), or collectively, the government sponsored entities, or GSEs;
•
Non-Agency securities, meaning securities that are not issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
•
MSR; and
•
Other financial assets comprising approximately 5% to 10% of the portfolio.
We generally view our target assets in two strategies that are based on our core competencies of understanding and managing prepayment and credit risk. Our rates strategy includes assets that are sensitive to changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds, specifically Agency RMBS and MSR. Our credit strategy includes assets with inherent credit risk, including non-Agency securities. Other assets include financial and mortgage-related assets other than the target assets in our rates and credit strategies, including certain non-hedging transactions that may produce non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
As opportunities in the residential mortgage marketplace change, we continue to evolve our business model. From a capital allocation perspective, we expect to continue to increase our allocation towards MSR over time and allocate capital towards Agency RMBS based on opportunities in the marketplace, the cost of financing and the cost of hedging interest rate, prepayment, credit and other portfolio risks. Within our non-Agency securities portfolio, we have a substantial emphasis on “legacy” securities, which consist of securities issued prior to 2009. We have also allocated capital towards “new issue” non-Agency securities, which we believe have enabled us to find attractive returns and further diversify our non-Agency securities portfolio.
Within our MSR business, we purchase the right to control the servicing of residential mortgage loans from high-quality originators. We do not directly service the mortgage loans on our consolidated balance sheet, nor the mortgage loans underlying the MSR we acquire; rather, we contract with appropriately licensed third-party subservicers to handle substantially all servicing functions in the name of the subservicer.
On April 26, 2018, we announced that we had entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which we would acquire CYS Investments, Inc., or CYS, a Maryland corporation investing in primarily Agency RMBS and treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The transaction was approved by the stockholders of both Two Harbors and CYS on July 27, 2018, and the merger was completed on July 31, 2018, at which time CYS became our wholly owned subsidiary. In exchange for all of the shares of CYS common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, we issued approximately 72.6 million new shares of common stock, as well as aggregate cash consideration of $15.0 million, to CYS common stockholders. In addition, we issued 3 million shares of newly classified Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock and 8 million shares of newly classified Series E cumulative redeemable preferred stock in exchange for all shares of CYS’s Series A and Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the effective time of the merger. The financial results of CYS since the closing date of the acquisition have been included in our consolidated financial statements.

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We believe our investment model allows management to allocate capital across various sectors within the mortgage market, with a focus on asset selection and the implementation of a relative value investment approach. Our capital allocation decisions factor in the opportunities in the marketplace, the cost of financing and the cost of hedging interest rate, prepayment, credit and other portfolio risks. As a result, capital allocation reflects management’s flexible approach to investing in the marketplace. The following table provides our capital allocation in each of our investment strategies as of December 31, 2018 and the four immediately preceding period ends:
 
As of
 
December 31,
2018
 
September 30,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Rates strategy
74%
 
76%
 
68%
 
69%
 
68%
Credit strategy
26%
 
24%
 
32%
 
31%
 
32%

As our capital allocation shifts, our annualized yields and cost of financing shift. Our capital allocation at December 31, 2018 was 74% to our rates strategy and 26% to our credit strategy. The increased allocation to our rates strategy during the year was driven by the acquisition of CYS’s Agency portfolio and the continued growth of our MSR portfolio. In 2019, we expect to
continue to reallocate capital from Agency RMBS into what we believe are the most attractive investment opportunities, including MSR and non-Agency securities, though we do not have a fixed allocation target between our rates and credit strategies. As previously discussed, our investment decisions are not driven solely by annualized yields, but rather a multitude of macroeconomic drivers, including market environments and their respective impacts (e.g., uncertainty of prepayment speeds, extension risk and credit events).
For the three months ended December 31, 2018, our net yield realized on the portfolio was higher than the most recent period due to the purchase of Agency RMBS at attractive yields and slower prepayment speeds on MSR, offset by an increase in our cost of financing as a result of increases in LIBOR and correlated borrowing rates offered by counterparties. The following table provides the average annualized yield on our assets, including Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities and MSR for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and the four immediately preceding quarters:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
2018
 
September 30,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Average annualized portfolio yield (1)
4.14%
 
3.76%
 
3.91%
 
3.77%
 
3.69%
Cost of financing (2)
2.53%
 
2.28%
 
1.98%
 
1.84%
 
1.72%
Net portfolio yield
1.61%
 
1.48%
 
1.93%
 
1.93%
 
1.97%
____________________
(1)
Average annualized yield incorporates future prepayment, credit loss and other assumptions, all of which are estimates and subject to change.
(2)
Cost of financing includes swap and cap interest rate spread.

We seek to deploy moderate leverage as part of our investment strategy. We generally finance our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities through short- and long-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB. We also finance our MSR through repurchase agreements and revolving credit facilities. In addition, in January 2017, we closed an underwritten public offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2022. The notes are unsecured, pay interest semiannually at a rate of 6.25% per annum and are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of our common stock. The notes will mature in January 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. We do not have the right to redeem the notes prior to maturity, but may be required to repurchase the notes from holders under certain circumstances. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $282.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. The majority of these proceeds were used to help fund our MSR assets, which previously had largely been funded with cash. As of December 31, 2018, the notes had a conversion rate of 62.4003 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the notes.

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Our Agency RMBS, given their liquidity and high credit quality, are eligible for higher levels of leverage, while non-Agency securities and MSR, with less liquidity and/or more exposure to credit risk, utilize lower levels of leverage. As a result, our debt-to-equity ratio is determined by our portfolio mix as well as many additional factors, including the liquidity of our portfolio, the sustainability and price of our financing, diversification of our counterparties and their available capacity to finance our assets, and anticipated regulatory developments. Over the past several quarters, we have generally maintained a debt-to-equity ratio range of 5.0 to 6.0 times to finance our securities portfolio and MSR, on a fully deployed capital basis. Our debt-to-equity ratio is directly correlated to the composition of our portfolio; specifically, the higher percentage of Agency RMBS we hold, the higher our debt-to-equity ratio is, while the higher percentage of non-Agency securities and MSR we hold, the lower our debt-to-equity ratio is. We may alter the percentage allocation of our portfolio among our target assets depending on the relative value of the assets that are available to purchase from time to time, including at times when we are deploying proceeds from offerings we conduct. As we allocate capital toward Agency RMBS and deploy financing on MSR, our debt-to-equity ratio may increase beyond 6.0 times in the future. See the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition - Repurchase Agreements” for further discussion.
We recognize that investing in our target assets is competitive and we compete with other entities for attractive investment opportunities. We rely on our management team and our dedicated team of investment professionals provided by our external manager to identify investment opportunities. We believe that our significant focus in the residential market, the extensive mortgage market expertise of our investment team, our strong analytics and our disciplined relative value investment approach give us a competitive advantage versus our peers.
We have elected to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT we are required to meet certain investment and operating tests and annual distribution requirements. We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our net taxable income to stockholders, do not participate in prohibited transactions and maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. However, certain activities that we may perform may cause us to earn income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. We have designated certain of our subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities. We also operate our business in a manner that will permit us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. While we do not currently originate or service residential mortgage loans, certain of our subsidiaries have obtained the requisite licenses and approvals to own and manage MSR.

Overview
Our efforts in 2018 focused on three strategic objectives that we believe have positioned us for long-term success.
•
Managing an investment portfolio to generate attractive returns with balanced risks. We operate a hybrid REIT model, diversifying our portfolio across Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities in combination with MSR and derivative hedging instruments. We manage to an overall low level of interest rate exposure and leverage relative to our peers. We believe effectively managing an appropriate balance of risks within our portfolio is critical to providing attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders and our ability to adjust our allocations and deploy capital across sectors allows us to optimize portfolio results over time.
•
Continuing to grow shareholder base and market capitalization. In 2018, we completed the acquisition of CYS, growing the company’s market capitalization and shareholder base, increasing the liquidity of the company’s stock and driving expense lower.
•
Maintaining “best in class” corporate governance, investor relations and disclosure practices.

Factors Affecting our Operating Results
Our net interest income includes income from our securities portfolio, including the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts, and income from our residential mortgage loans. Net interest income, as well as our servicing income, net of subservicing expenses, will fluctuate primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates, our financing costs and prepayment speeds on our assets. Interest rates, financing costs and prepayment rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results will also be affected by default rates and credit losses with respect to the mortgage loans underlying our non-Agency securities and in our residential mortgage loan portfolio.


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Fair Value Measurement
A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are reported at fair value and, therefore, our consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive (loss) income are significantly affected by fluctuations in market prices. At December 31, 2018, approximately 92.5% of our total assets, or $27.9 billion, consisted of financial instruments recorded at fair value. See Note 9 - Fair Value to the consolidated financial statements, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for descriptions of valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models and significant assumptions utilized. Although we execute various hedging strategies to mitigate our exposure to changes in fair value, we cannot fully eliminate our exposure to volatility caused by fluctuations in market prices. Although markets for asset-backed securities, including RMBS, have modestly stabilized since the severe dislocations experienced as a result of the 2008 Financial Crisis, these markets continue to experience volatility and, as a result, our assets and liabilities will be subject to valuation adjustment as well as changes in the inputs we use to measure fair value.
Any temporary change in the fair value of our available-for-sale, or AFS, securities, excluding Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities, is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and does not impact our earnings. Our reported (loss) earnings for U.S. GAAP purposes, or GAAP net (loss) income, is affected, however, by fluctuations in market prices on the remainder of our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, including interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements and certain other derivative instruments (i.e., TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, Markit IOS total return swaps and inverse interest-only securities), which are accounted for as derivative trading instruments under U.S. GAAP, Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities and MSR.
We have numerous internal controls in place to help ensure the appropriateness of fair value measurements. Significant fair value measures are subject to detailed analytics and management review and approval. Our entire investment portfolio reported at fair value is priced by third-party brokers and/or by independent pricing providers. We generally receive three or more broker and vendor quotes on pass-through Agency RMBS, and generally receive multiple broker or vendor quotes on all other securities, including interest-only Agency RMBS, inverse interest-only Agency RMBS, and non-Agency securities. We also currently receive three vendor quotes for the MSR in our investment portfolio. For Agency RMBS, the third-party pricing providers and brokers use pricing models that commonly incorporate such factors as coupons, primary and secondary mortgage rates, rate reset period, issuer, prepayment speeds, credit enhancements and expected life of the security. For non-Agency securities, the third-party pricing providers and brokers utilize both observable and unobservable inputs such as pool-specific characteristics (i.e., loan age, loan size, credit quality of borrowers, vintage, servicer quality), floating rate indices, prepayment and default assumptions, and recent trading of the same or similar securities. For MSR and residential mortgage loans, vendors use pricing models that generally incorporate observable inputs such as principal balance, note rate, geographical location, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, FICO, appraised value and other loan characteristics, along with observed market yields, securitization economics and trading levels. Additionally for MSR, pricing providers will customarily incorporate loan servicing cost, servicing fee, ancillary income, and earnings rate on escrow as observable inputs. Unobservable or model-driven inputs include forecast cumulative defaults, default curve, forecast loss severity and forecast voluntary prepayment.
We evaluate the prices we receive from both brokers and independent pricing providers by comparing those prices to actual purchase and sale transactions, our internally modeled prices calculated based on market observable rates and credit spreads, and to each other both in current and prior periods. We review and may challenge broker quotes and valuations from third-party pricing providers to ensure that such quotes and valuations are indicative of fair value as a result of this analysis. We then estimate the fair value of each security based upon the median of the final broker quotes received, and we estimate the fair value of MSR based upon the average of prices received from independent providers, subject to internally-established hierarchy and override procedures.
We utilize “bid side” pricing for our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities and, as a result, certain assets, especially the most recent purchases, may realize a markdown due to the “bid-offer” spread. To the extent that this occurs, any economic effect of this would be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Considerable judgment is used in forming conclusions and estimating inputs to our Level 3 fair value measurements. Level 3 inputs such as interest rate movements, prepayments speeds, credit losses and discount rates are inherently difficult to estimate. Changes to these inputs can have a significant effect on fair value measurements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our estimates of fair value are indicative of the amounts that would be realized on the ultimate sale or exchange of these assets. The Company classified 7.0% of its total assets as Level 3 fair value assets at December 31, 2018.

Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain judgments and assumptions, based on information available at the time of our preparation of the financial statements, in determining accounting estimates used in preparation of the statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Accounting estimates are considered critical if the estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made and if different estimates reasonably could have been used in the reporting period or changes in the accounting estimate are reasonably likely to occur from period to period that would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The methods used by us to estimate fair value for AFS securities, MSR, residential mortgage loans, equity securities and collateralized borrowings may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe that our 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. We use inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which in periods of market dislocation, may have reduced transparency.
Classification and Valuation of Available-for-Sale Securities
Our securities investments consist primarily of Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities that we classify as available-for-sale, or AFS. All assets classified as AFS, excluding Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities, are reported at estimated fair value with changes in fair value included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity, on an after-tax basis. On July 1, 2015, we elected the fair value option for Agency interest-only securities acquired on or after such date. All Agency interest-only securities acquired on or after July 1, 2015 are carried at estimated fair value with changes in fair value recorded as a component of loss on investment securities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
When the estimated fair value of an AFS security is less than amortized cost, we consider whether there is an other-than-temporary impairment in the value of the security that is required to be recognized in GAAP net (loss) income. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. Consideration is given to whether we (i) have the intent to sell the investment securities, (ii) are more likely than not to be required to sell the investment securities before recovery, or (iii) do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the investment securities. Investments with unrealized losses are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired if we have the ability and intent to hold the investments for a period of time, to maturity if necessary, sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the amortized cost basis of the investments. If an impairment is determined to be solely driven by the inability to fully recover the entire amortized cost basis over the remaining life of the security, the security is further analyzed for credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis). The credit loss, if any, is then recognized in GAAP net (loss) income, while the balance of impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income.
Classification and Valuation of Mortgage Servicing Rights
We account for our MSR at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in GAAP net (loss) income, rather than at amortized cost. Fair value is generally determined based on prices obtained from third-party pricing providers. Although MSR transactions are observable in the marketplace, the valuation includes unobservable market data inputs (prepayment speeds, delinquency levels and discount rates).
Interest Income Recognition
Our interest income on our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities using the effective yield method, as adjusted for actual prepayments. We estimate prepayments for our Agency interest-only securities, which represent our right to receive a specified portion of the contractual interest flows of specific Agency and collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMO, securities. As a result, if prepayments increase (or are expected to increase), we will accelerate the rate of amortization on the premiums. Conversely, if prepayments decrease (or are expected to decrease), we will decelerate the rate of amortization on the premiums.
Our interest income on our non-Agency securities rated below AA, including unrated securities, is recognized in accordance with estimated cash flows. Cash flows from a security are estimated by applying assumptions used to determine the fair value of such security and the excess of the future cash flows over the investment are recognized as interest income under the effective yield method. We review and, if appropriate, make adjustments to our cash flow projections at least quarterly and monitor these projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and our 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 interest income recognized on, or the carrying value of, such securities.

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For non-Agency securities purchased at a discount, we account for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from our initial investment in debt securities acquired if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. We limit the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of an estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest, and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the initial investment. The excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference or designated credit reserve) is not recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual, or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected is recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairments.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
We apply the provisions of ASC 815, which requires the recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value. The fair value adjustments of our current derivative instruments affect net income as the hedge for accounting purposes is being treated as an economic, or trading, hedge and not as a qualifying hedging instrument.
Derivatives are primarily used for hedging purposes rather than speculation. We utilize third-party pricing providers and broker quotes to value our financial derivative instruments. If our hedging activities do not achieve their desired results, our reported GAAP net (loss) income may be adversely affected.
Income Taxes
Our financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for those taxable benefits or provisions recognized by our TRSs. We estimate, based on existence of sufficient evidence, the ability to realize the remainder of any deferred tax asset our TRSs recognize. Any adjustments to such estimates will be made in the period such determination is made. We plan to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT. As a result of our expected REIT qualification, we do not generally expect to pay U.S. federal corporate level taxes. However, many of the REIT requirements are highly technical and complex. If we were to fail to meet the REIT requirements, we would be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) significantly changed how the U.S. taxes corporations. The TCJA requires complex computations to be performed that were not previously required in U.S. tax law, significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the provisions of the TCJA and significant estimates in calculations, and the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. We have completed our determination of the accounting implications of the TCJA on our tax accruals and determined there is no impact recorded to our 2018 financial statements. Technical corrections or other amendments of the TCJA or administrative guidance interpreting the TCJA may be forthcoming at any time. While we do not anticipate a material effect on our operations, we continue to analyze and monitor the application of the TCJA to our business, our peers and the economic environment.

Market Conditions and Outlook
The key macroeconomic factors that impact our business are U.S. residential property prices, national employment rates and the interest rate environment. Home prices continued to increase modestly during the fourth quarter of 2018 and are expected to gradually appreciate over the next several years, albeit at a slower rate. Employment market conditions remain solid as jobless claims, unemployment and payroll data continue to show improvement at this stage of the business cycle, although new job creation has yet to generate excessive wage growth. Other than LTV ratios and cash reserves, we believe employment is the most powerful determinant of homeowners’ ongoing likelihood to pay their mortgages. Home price performance and employment are particularly important to our non-Agency portfolio.
The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target rate by a total of 100 basis points during 2018, while more recently noting a roughly balanced outlook. The market’s expectations at the end of 2018 were for the Federal Reserve to cease raising rates during 2019. At the same time, due in part to the absence of meaningful inflation, the spread between long and short end interest rates narrowed during 2018 leading to a flat interest rate curve. The Trump administration continues to focus on several issues that could impact interest rates, the U.S. economy and U.S. businesses, including deregulation, trade and taxes. While there is much uncertainty regarding the timing and specifics of many policy changes, any such actions could affect our business. While interest rates have increased, they are still at historically low levels, and the Federal Reserve has reiterated it will take a measured and conservative approach to future interest rate decisions. While the Federal Reserve has begun to reduce its mortgage-backed securities holdings through cessation of reinvesting principal and interest payments, the approach has generally been to move gradually and cautiously.  Mortgage investments could be impacted by a decision to increase or decrease the overall size, or the rate of change, of Federal Reserve’s System Open Market Account (SOMA) mortgage holdings.

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We believe our blended Agency and non-Agency securities portfolio and our investing expertise, as well as our operational capabilities to invest in MSR, will allow us to better navigate the dynamic mortgage market while future regulatory and policy activities take shape. Having a diversified portfolio allows us to mitigate a variety of risks, including interest rate and RMBS spread volatility.
We expect that the majority of our assets will remain in whole-pool Agency RMBS in light of the long-term attractiveness of the asset class and in order to continue to satisfy the requirements of our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Interest-only Agency securities and MSR also provide a complementary investment and risk-management strategy to our principal and interest Agency RMBS. Risk-adjusted returns in our Agency RMBS portfolio may decline if we are required to pay higher purchase premiums due to lower interest rates or additional liquidity in the market. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s prior quantitative easing programs and reinvestment of its mortgage-backed security principal repayments and other policy changes may impact the returns of our Agency RMBS portfolio.
The following table provides the carrying value of our securities portfolio by product type:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate
$
21,665,960

 
84.6
%
 
18,215,505

 
85.5
%
Hybrid ARM
19,073

 
0.1
%
 
23,220

 
0.1
%
Total Agency
21,685,033

 
84.7
%
 
18,238,725

 
85.6
%
Agency Derivatives
70,257

 
0.3
%
 
90,975

 
0.4
%
Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
2,854,731

 
11.1
%
 
1,956,145

 
9.2
%
Mezzanine
928,632

 
3.6
%
 
960,865

 
4.5
%
Interest-only securities
84,208

 
0.3
%
 
65,084

 
0.3
%
Total Non-Agency
3,867,571

 
15.0
%
 
2,982,094

 
14.0
%
Total
$
25,622,861

 
 
 
$
21,311,794

 
 

Prepayment speeds and volatility due to interest rates
Our Agency RMBS portfolio is subject to inherent prepayment risk. We seek to offset a portion of our Agency pool exposure to prepayment speeds through our MSR and interest-only Agency RMBS portfolios. Generally, a decline in interest rates that leads to rising prepayment speeds will cause the market value of our interest-only securities and MSR to deteriorate, and our fixed coupon Agency pools to increase. The inverse relationship occurs when interest rates increase and prepayments slow. As previously discussed, despite the Federal Reserve raising rates throughout 2017 and 2018, the low interest rate environment is expected to persist in the near term. However, changes in home price performance, key employment metrics and government programs, among other macroeconomic factors, could cause prepayment speeds to increase on many RMBS, which could lead to less attractive reinvestment opportunities. Nonetheless, we believe our portfolio management approach, including our asset selection process, positions us to respond to a variety of market scenarios, including an overall faster prepayment environment.
The following table provides the three-month weighted average constant prepayment rate, or CPR, on our Agency RMBS for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and the four immediately preceding quarters:
 
 
Three Months Ended
Agency RMBS
 
December 31,
2018
 
September 30,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Weighted Average CPR
 
6.8
%
 
8.1
%
 
9.2
%
 
7.0
%
 
7.6
%

Although we are unable to predict the movement in interest rates in the remainder of 2019 and beyond, our diversified portfolio management strategy is intended to generate attractive yields with a low level of sensitivity to changes in the yield curve, prepayments and interest rate cycles.

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Our Agency RMBS are collateralized by pools of fixed-rate mortgage loans and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage loans, or hybrid ARMs, which are mortgage loans that have interest rates that are fixed for an initial period and adjustable thereafter. Our Agency portfolio also includes securities with implicit or explicit prepayment protection, including lower loan balances (securities collateralized by loans of less than $175,000 in initial principal balance), higher LTVs (securities collateralized by loans with LTVs greater than or equal to 80%), certain geographic concentrations and lower FICO scores. Our overall allocation of Agency RMBS and holdings of pools with specific characteristics are viewed in the context of our aggregate rates strategy, including MSR and related derivative hedging instruments. Additionally, the selection of securities with certain attributes is driven by the perceived relative value of the securities, which factors in the opportunities in the marketplace, the cost of financing and the cost of hedging interest rate, prepayment, credit and other portfolio risks. As a result, Agency RMBS capital allocation reflects management’s flexible approach to investing in the marketplace.
The following tables provide the carrying value of our Agency RMBS portfolio by underlying mortgage loan rate type:
 
December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Agency Portfolio
 
% Prepayment Protected
 
Weighted Average Coupon Rate
 
Amortized Cost
 
Weighted Average Loan Age (months)
Agency RMBS AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30-Year Fixed
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0-3.5%
$
234,323

 
$
234,521

 
1.1
%
 
100.0
%
 
3.5
%
 
$
235,514

 
19

4.0-4.5%
18,877,967

 
19,533,066

 
89.8
%
 
91.8
%
 
4.3
%
 
19,812,426

 
19

≥ 5%
1,367,700

 
1,452,170

 
6.7
%
 
74.4
%
 
5.1
%
 
1,449,256

 
24

 
20,479,990

 
21,219,757

 
97.6
%
 
90.7
%
 
4.3
%
 
21,497,196

 
19

15-Year & Other Fixed
277,860

 
270,787

 
1.2
%
 
0.3
%
 
4.7
%
 
272,435

 
149

Hybrid ARM
17,940

 
19,073

 
0.1
%
 
—
%
 
5.1
%
 
18,855

 
177

Interest-only
3,115,967

 
175,416

 
0.8
%
 
—
%
 
2.0
%
 
209,901

 
92

Agency Derivatives
476,299

 
70,257

 
0.3
%
 
—
%
 
4.0
%
 
69,496

 
173

Total Agency RMBS
$
24,368,056

 
$
21,755,290

 
100.0
%
 
88.4
%
 
 
 
$
22,067,883

 
 
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Agency Portfolio
 
% Prepayment Protected
 
Weighted Average Coupon Rate
 
Amortized Cost
 
Weighted Average Loan Age (months)
Agency RMBS AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30-Year Fixed
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0-3.5%
$
4,370,847

 
$
4,509,743

 
24.6
%
 
95.9
%
 
3.5
%
 
$
4,569,946

 
13

4.0-4.5%
11,990,911

 
12,764,960

 
69.7
%
 
99.1
%
 
4.2
%
 
12,812,335

 
17

≥ 5%
453,054

 
500,880

 
2.7
%
 
100.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
489,312

 
90

 
16,814,812

 
17,775,583

 
97.0
%
 
98.3
%
 
4.1
%
 
17,871,593

 
18

15-Year & Other Fixed
245,383

 
244,834

 
1.3
%
 
0.6
%
 
4.9
%
 
242,033

 
153

Hybrid ARM
21,654

 
23,220

 
0.1
%
 
—%

 
5.0
%
 
22,831

 
166

Interest-only
2,941,772

 
195,088

 
1.1
%
 
—%

 
2.2
%
 
223,289

 
77

Agency Derivatives
588,246

 
90,975

 
0.5
%
 
—%

 
4.9
%
 
86,734

 
163

Total Agency RMBS
$
20,611,867

 
$
18,329,700

 
100.0
%
 
95.4
%
 
 
 
$
18,446,480

 
 

Our non-Agency securities yields are expected to increase if prepayment rates on such assets exceed our prepayment assumptions. To the extent that prepayment speeds increase due to macroeconomic factors, we expect to benefit from the ability to recognize the income from the heavily discounted prices that principally arose from credit or payment default expectations.

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The following tables provide net unamortized discount/premium information on our non-Agency securities portfolio:
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
Principal and interest securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
4,227,631

 
$
5,381

 
$
(477,682
)
 
$
(1,204,325
)
 
$
2,551,005

Mezzanine
1,132,493

 
1,301

 
(216,437
)
 
(118,437
)
 
798,920

Total P&I securities
5,360,124

 
6,682

 
(694,119
)
 
(1,322,762
)
 
3,349,925

Interest-only
5,137,169

 
83,846

 
—

 
—

 
83,846

Total Non-Agency
$
10,497,293

 
$
90,528

 
$
(694,119
)
 
$
(1,322,762
)
 
$
3,433,771

 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
Principal and interest securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
2,552,972

 
$
2,435

 
$
(424,580
)
 
$
(534,160
)
 
$
1,596,667

Mezzanine
1,205,162

 
322

 
(251,453
)
 
(119,453
)
 
834,578

Total P&I securities
3,758,134

 
2,757

 
(676,033
)
 
(653,613
)
 
2,431,245

Interest-only
5,614,925

 
65,667

 
—

 
—

 
65,667

Total Non-Agency
$
9,373,059

 
$
68,424

 
$
(676,033
)
 
$
(653,613
)
 
$
2,496,912


Credit losses
Although our Agency portfolio is supported by U.S. government agency and federally chartered corporation guarantees of payment of principal and interest, we are exposed to credit risk in our non-Agency securities.
The credit support built into non-Agency securities deal structures is designed to provide a level of protection from potential credit losses for more senior tranches. We evaluate credit risk on our non-Agency investments through a comprehensive asset selection process, which is predominantly focused on quantifying and pricing credit risk, including extensive initial modeling and scenario analysis. In addition, the discounted purchase prices paid for our non-Agency securities provide additional insulation from credit losses in the event we receive less than 100% of par on such assets. At purchase, we estimate the portion of the discount we do not expect to recover and factor that into our expected yield and accretion methodology. We may also record an other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI, for a portion of our investment in a security to the extent we believe that the amortized cost exceeds the present value of expected future cash flows. We review our non-Agency securities on an ongoing basis using quantitative and qualitative analysis of the risk-adjusted returns on such investments and through on-going asset surveillance. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur, adversely impacting our operating results.
Counterparty exposure and leverage ratio
We monitor counterparty exposure in our broker, banking and lending counterparties on a daily basis. We believe our broker and banking counterparties are well-capitalized organizations and we attempt to manage our cash balances across these organizations to reduce our exposure to a single counterparty.
As of December 31, 2018, we had entered into repurchase agreements with 46 counterparties, 30 of which had outstanding balances at December 31, 2018. In addition, we held short- and long-term secured advances from the FHLB, short- and long-term borrowings under revolving credit facilities and long-term unsecured convertible senior notes. As of December 31, 2018, the debt-to-equity ratio funding our AFS securities, MSR and Agency Derivatives, which includes unsecured borrowings under convertible senior notes, was 5.8:1.0.

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As of December 31, 2018, we held $409.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately $3.6 million of unpledged Agency securities and derivatives and $0.4 billion of unpledged non-Agency securities. As a result, we had an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity on our unpledged securities of approximately $0.3 billion. As of December 31, 2018, we held approximately $849.5 million of unpledged MSR and had an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity on MSR financing facilities of $160.0 million. Generally, unused borrowing capacity may be the result of our election not to utilize certain financing, as well as delays in the timing in which funding is provided or the inability to meet lenders’ eligibility requirements for specific types of asset classes. If borrowing rates and collateral requirements change in the near term, we believe we are subject to less earnings volatility than if we carried higher leverage.
We also monitor exposure to our MSR counterparties. We may also be required to make representations and warranties to investors in the loans underlying the MSR we own; however, some of our MSR were purchased on a bifurcated basis, meaning the representation and warranty obligations remain with the seller. If the representations and warranties we make prove to be inaccurate, we may be obligated to repurchase certain mortgage loans, which may impact the profitability of our portfolio. Although we obtain similar representations and warranties from the counterparty from which we acquired the relevant asset, if those representations and warranties do not directly mirror those we make to the investor, or if we are unable to enforce the representations and warranties against the counterparty for a variety of reasons, including the financial condition or insolvency of the counterparty, we may not be able to seek indemnification from our counterparties for any losses attributable to the breach.

Summary of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Our GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders was $573.5 million and $109.7 million ($(2.31) and $(0.53) per diluted weighted average share) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $154.0 million and $323.4 million ($0.84 and $1.81 per diluted weighted average share) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.
With our accounting treatment for AFS securities, unrealized fluctuations in the market values of AFS securities, excluding Agency interest-only securities, do not impact our GAAP net (loss) income or taxable income but are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as a change in stockholders’ equity under “accumulated other comprehensive income.” As a result of this fair value accounting through stockholders’ equity, we expect our net (loss) income to have less significant fluctuations and result in less U.S. GAAP to taxable income timing differences, than if the portfolio were accounted for as trading instruments. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, net unrealized gains on AFS securities recognized as other comprehensive income, net of tax, were $265.5 million and net unrealized losses on AFS securities recognized as other comprehensive loss, net of tax, were $233.9 million, respectively. This, combined with GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders of $573.5 million and $109.7 million, resulted in comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders of $307.9 million and $343.6 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, net unrealized losses on AFS securities recognized as other comprehensive loss, net of tax, were $88.3 million and net unrealized gains of AFS securities recognized as other comprehensive income, net of tax, were $135.6 million, respectively. This, combined with GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $154.0 million and $323.4 million, resulted in comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders of $65.7 million and $459.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
Our book value per common share for U.S. GAAP purposes was $13.11 at December 31, 2018, a decrease from $16.31 book value per common share at December 31, 2017. During this twelve month period, we declared dividends of $452.0 million and recognized comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders of $343.6 million, which drove the overall decrease in book value.

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The following tables present the components of our comprehensive (loss) income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2016:

(in thousands, except share data)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
Income Statement Data:
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income:
 

 

Available-for-sale securities
 
$
242,535

 
$
182,712

 
$
847,325

 
$
631,853

 
$
414,050

Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
 
—

 
10,567

 
—

 
102,886

 
133,993

Other
 
9,420

 
1,826

 
22,707

 
10,350

 
27,037

Total interest income
 
251,955

 
195,105

 
870,032

 
745,089

 
575,080

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
 
146,702

 
74,674

 
469,437

 
210,430

 
88,850

Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
 
—

 
8,374

 
—

 
82,573

 
97,729

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
5,762

 
6,357

 
20,417

 
36,911

 
26,101

Revolving credit facilities
 
5,044

 
614

 
10,820

 
2,341

 
604

Convertible senior notes
 
4,793

 
4,776

 
18,997

 
17,933

 
—

Total interest expense
 
162,301

 
94,795

 
519,671

 
350,188

 
213,284

Net interest income
 
89,654

 
100,310

 
350,361

 
394,901

 
361,796

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
(107
)
 
(360
)
 
(470
)
 
(789
)
 
(1,822
)
Other (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on investment securities
 
(245,763
)
 
(19,210
)
 
(341,312
)
 
(34,695
)
 
(107,374
)
Servicing income
 
104,623

 
60,597

 
343,096

 
209,065

 
143,579

Loss on servicing asset
 
(171,284
)
 
(593
)
 
(69,033
)
 
(91,033
)
 
(83,531
)
(Loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
 
(239,492
)
 
57,237

 
16,043

 
(9,753
)
 
45,371

(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
(39,122
)
 
(3,831
)
 
(54,857
)
 
(70,159
)
 
99,379

Other income
 
342

 
9,088

 
3,037

 
30,141

 
9,964

Total other (loss) income
 
(590,696
)
 
103,288

 
(103,026
)
 
33,566

 
107,388

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
 
12,152

 
10,671

 
30,272

 
40,472

 
39,261

Servicing expenses
 
18,610

 
10,135

 
61,136

 
35,289

 
32,119

Securitization deal costs
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,152

Other operating expenses
 
15,943

 
9,787

 
62,983

 
54,160

 
56,605

Acquisition transaction costs
 
—

 
—

 
86,703

 
—

 
 
Restructuring charges
 
—

 
—

 
8,238

 
—

 
2,990

Total expenses
 
46,705

 
30,593

 
249,332

 
129,921

 
137,127

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
(547,854
)
 
172,645

 
(2,467
)
 
297,757

 
330,235

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
6,681

 
10,618

 
41,823

 
(10,482
)
 
12,314

Net (loss) income from continuing operations
 
(554,535
)
 
162,027

 
(44,290
)
 
308,239

 
317,921

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
—

 
4,977

 
—

 
44,146

 
35,357

Net (loss) income
 
(554,535
)
 
167,004

 
(44,290
)
 
352,385

 
353,278

Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
1,100

 
—

 
3,814

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
 
(554,535
)
 
165,904

 
(44,290
)
 
348,571

 
353,278

Dividends on preferred stock
 
18,950

 
11,949

 
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(573,485
)
 
$
153,955

 
$
(109,685
)
 
$
323,449

 
$
353,278


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(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
Income Statement Data:
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Basic (loss) earnings per weighted average share:
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
(2.31
)
 
$
0.86

 
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.62

 
$
1.83

Discontinued operations
 
—

 
0.02

 
—

 
0.23

 
0.20

Net (loss) income
 
$
(2.31
)
 
$
0.88

 
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.85

 
$
2.03

Diluted (loss) earnings per weighted average share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
$
(2.31
)
 
$
0.82

 
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.60

 
$
1.83

Discontinued operations
 
—

 
0.02

 
—

 
0.21

 
0.20

Net (loss) income
 
$
(2.31
)
 
$
0.84

 
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.81

 
$
2.03

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.47

 
$
1.88

 
$
2.01

 
$
1.86

Weighted average number of shares of common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
248,081,168

 
174,490,106

 
206,020,502

 
174,433,999

 
174,036,852

Diluted
 
248,081,168

 
188,938,030

 
206,020,502

 
188,133,341

 
174,036,852

Comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
 
$
(554,535
)
 
$
167,004

 
$
(44,290
)
 
$
352,385

 
$
353,278

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
 
265,546

 
(88,227
)
 
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
265,546

 
(88,227
)
 
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
Comprehensive (loss) income
 
(288,989
)
 
78,777

 
(278,204
)
 
487,971

 
$
193,444

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
1,100

 
—

 
3,814

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
 
(288,989
)
 
77,677

 
(278,204
)
 
484,157

 
193,444

Dividends on preferred stock
 
18,950

 
11,949

 
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(307,939
)
 
$
65,728

 
$
(343,599
)
 
$
459,035

 
$
193,444

(in thousands)
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
25,552,604

 
$
21,220,819

Mortgage servicing rights
 
$
1,993,440

 
$
1,086,717

Total assets
 
$
30,132,479

 
$
24,789,313

Repurchase agreements
 
$
23,133,476

 
$
19,451,207

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
$
865,024

 
$
1,215,024

Total stockholders’ equity
 
$
4,254,489

 
$
3,571,424


Results of Operations
The following analysis focuses on financial results during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Interest Income
Interest income increased from $195.1 million and $745.1 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, to $252.0 million and $870.0 million for the same periods in 2018 due to the growth of our AFS securities portfolio as a result of the acquisition of CYS and purchases of Agency securities with higher yields, offset by sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.

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Interest Expense
Interest expense increased from $94.8 million and $350.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, to $162.3 million and $519.7 million for the same periods in 2018 due to increased financing on AFS securities as a result of the acquisition of CYS and on MSR due to portfolio growth, an increase in the proportion of total borrowings financed through repurchase agreements (relative to FHLB advances) and increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties, offset by sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Net Interest Income
The following tables present the components of interest income and average annualized net asset yield earned by asset type, the components of interest expense and average annualized cost of funds on borrowings incurred by liability and/or collateral type, and net interest income and average annualized net interest rate spread for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
 
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
Interest-earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
21,401,757

 
$
176,997

 
3.3
%
 
$
19,782,775

 
$
620,582

 
3.1
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
3,405,550

 
65,538

 
7.7
%
 
2,935,601

 
226,743

 
7.7
%
Other
28,551

 
9,420

 
4.1
%
 
30,148

 
22,707

 
4.2
%
Total interest income/net asset yield
$
24,835,858

 
$
251,955

 
4.1
%
 
$
22,748,524

 
$
870,032

 
3.8
%
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and borrowings in securitization trusts collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
19,796,348

 
$
125,014

 
2.5
%
 
$
18,603,631

 
$
396,786

 
2.1
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
2,569,298

 
23,802

 
3.7
%
 
2,278,651

 
79,772

 
3.5
%
Agency derivatives (3)
48,018

 
404

 
3.4
%
 
56,393

 
1,650

 
2.9
%
Mortgage servicing rights (4)
579,348

 
8,288

 
5.7
%
 
407,085

 
22,466

 
5.5
%
Other unassignable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Convertible senior notes
283,755

 
4,793

 
6.8
%
 
283,347

 
18,997

 
6.7
%
Total interest expense/cost of funds
$
23,276,767

 
162,301

 
2.8
%
 
$
21,629,107

 
519,671

 
2.4
%
Net interest income/spread (5)
 
 
$
89,654

 
1.3
%
 
 
 
$
350,361

 
1.4
%

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Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
 
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
Interest-earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
17,842,609

 
$
137,331

 
3.1
%
 
$
15,561,985

 
$
470,619

 
3.0
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
2,381,956

 
45,381

 
7.6
%
 
1,970,055

 
161,234

 
8.2
%
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
1,103,946

 
10,567

 
3.8
%
 
2,641,277

 
102,886

 
3.9
%
Other
33,124

 
1,826

 
3.9
%
 
35,517

 
10,350

 
4.8
%
Total interest income/net asset yield
$
21,361,635

 
$
195,105

 
3.7
%
 
$
20,208,834

 
$
745,089

 
3.7
%
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and borrowings in securitization trusts collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
17,254,668

 
$
65,788

 
1.5
%
 
$
14,877,129

 
$
193,283

 
1.3
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
1,876,009

 
14,169

 
3.0
%
 
1,522,437

 
44,691

 
2.9
%
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
1,084,285

 
8,774

 
3.2
%
 
2,593,750

 
85,940

 
3.3
%
Agency derivatives (3)
73,545

 
401

 
2.2
%
 
82,387

 
1,661

 
2.0
%
Mortgage servicing rights (4)
58,071

 
856

 
5.9
%
 
43,033

 
2,582

 
6.0
%
Other unassignable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Convertible senior notes
282,733

 
4,776

 
6.8
%
 
272,376

 
17,933

 
6.6
%
Other
 
 
31

 
 
 
 
 
4,098

 


Total interest expense/cost of funds
$
20,629,311

 
94,795

 
1.8
%
 
$
19,391,112

 
350,188

 
1.8
%
Net interest income/spread (5)
 
 
$
100,310

 
1.9
%
 
 
 
$
394,901

 
1.9
%
____________________
(1)
Average asset balance represents average amortized cost on AFS securities and Agency Derivatives and average unpaid principal balance, adjusted for purchase price changes, on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts.
(2)
Cost of funds does not include the accrual and settlement of interest associated with interest rate swaps and caps. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, those costs are included in (loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, our total average cost of funds on the assets assigned as collateral for borrowings shown in the table above, including interest spread expense associated with interest rate swaps and caps, was 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively, compared to 1.9% and 1.9% for the same periods in 2017.
(3)
Yields on Agency Derivatives not shown as interest income is included in (loss) gain on other derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
(4)
Yields on mortgage servicing rights not shown as these assets do not earn interest.
(5)
Net interest spread does not include the accrual and settlement of interest associated with interest rate swaps and caps. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, those costs are included in (loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, our total average net interest rate spread on the assets and liabilities shown in the table above, including interest spread expense associated with interest rate swaps and caps, was 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively, compared to 1.8% and 1.8% for the same periods in 2017.

The increase in yields on Agency AFS securities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was predominantly driven by purchases of pools with higher yields and sales of pools with lower yields. The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of Agency AFS securities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by financing counterparties.
The decrease in yields on non-Agency securities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, was predominantly driven by purchases of non-Agency securities at lower yields than our existing portfolio. The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of non-Agency AFS securities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties.
The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of Agency Derivatives for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties.

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The decrease in cost of funds associated with the financing of MSR for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was the result of an increase in the proportion of total average borrowings financed through repurchase agreements (relative to revolving credit facilities, which have higher interest rates) and improvement in MSR financing rates in the market.
Our convertible senior notes were issued in January 2017, are unsecured and pay interest semiannually at a rate of 6.25% per annum. The cost of funds associated with our convertible senior notes for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was consistent.
The following tables present the components of the yield earned by investment type on our AFS securities portfolio as a percentage of our average amortized cost of securities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Gross yield/stated coupon
4.1
 %
 
4.8
%
 
4.2
 %
 
4.1
 %
 
4.7
%
 
4.1
 %
Net (premium amortization) discount accretion
(0.8
)%
 
2.9
%
 
(0.3
)%
 
(1.0
)%
 
3.0
%
 
(0.4
)%
Net yield (2)
3.3
 %
 
7.7
%
 
3.9
 %
 
3.1
 %
 
7.7
%
 
3.7
 %
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Gross yield/stated coupon
4.0
 %
 
4.1
%
 
4.1
 %
 
4.0
 %
 
3.7
%
 
4.0
 %
Net (premium amortization) discount accretion
(0.9
)%
 
3.5
%
 
(0.5
)%
 
(1.0
)%
 
4.5
%
 
(0.4
)%
Net yield (2)
3.1
 %
 
7.6
%
 
3.6
 %
 
3.0
 %
 
8.2
%
 
3.6
 %
____________________
(1)
Excludes Agency Derivatives. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the average annualized net yield on total Agency RMBS, including Agency Derivatives, was 3.3% and 3.2%, respectively, compared to 3.1% and 3.1% for the same periods in 2017.
(2)
These yields have not been adjusted for cost of delay and cost to carry purchase premiums.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
We review each of our securities on a quarterly basis to determine if an OTTI charge is necessary. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recorded $0.1 million and $0.5 million in other-than-temporary credit impairments on a total of three non-Agency securities where the future expected cash flows for each security were less than its amortized cost. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded $0.4 million and $0.8 million in other-than-temporary credit impairments on two non-Agency securities where the future expected cash flows for the security were less than their amortized cost. For further information about evaluating AFS securities for OTTI, refer to Note 4 - Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Loss on Investment Securities
During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we sold AFS securities for $6.0 billion and $15.2 billion with an amortized cost of $6.3 billion and $15.6 billion, for net realized losses of $248.8 million and $349.6 million, respectively. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we sold AFS securities for $2.9 billion and $8.7 billion with an amortized cost of $3.0 billion and $8.7 billion, for net realized losses of $11.5 million and $32.5 million, respectively. We do not expect to sell assets on a frequent basis, but may sell assets to reallocate capital into new assets that we believe have higher risk-adjusted returns.
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities experienced a change in unrealized gains of $3.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities experienced a change in unrealized gains of $7.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The change in unrealized gains for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was predominantly driven by higher prepayment expectations on Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $1.3 million in dividend income on equity securities. We did not recognize any dividend income on equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, equity securities experienced a change in unrealized gains of $0.6 million. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2018, we sold equity securities for $31.2 million with a cost basis of $30.1 million for net realized gains of $1.2 million. For both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $0.7 million in dividend income on

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equity securities and experienced a change in unrealized losses of $0.6 million due to declines in the market price of the securities.
Servicing Income
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recognized total servicing income from our MSR portfolio of $104.6 million and $343.1 million, respectively. These amounts include servicing fee income of $94.1 million and $312.1 million, ancillary and other fee income of $0.3 million and $1.3 million, and float income of $10.3 million and $29.7 million, respectively. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized total servicing income of $60.6 million and $209.1 million, respectively. These amounts include servicing fee income of $56.0 million and $197.9 million, ancillary and other fee income of $0.4 million and $1.0 million, and float income of $4.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The increase in servicing income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was the result of an increase in the size of our MSR portfolio. Additionally, the increase in float income was the result of both the increased size of our MSR portfolio and increased float earning rates.
Loss on Servicing Asset
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, loss on servicing asset of $171.3 million and $69.0 million, respectively, includes a decrease in fair value of MSR due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions of $129.4 million and an increase in fair value of MSR due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions of $80.2 million, respectively, offset by a decrease in fair value of MSR due to realization of cash flows (runoff) of $42.1 million and $149.9 million, respectively. Additionally, we recognized gains on sales of MSR of $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, loss on servicing asset of $0.6 million and $91.0 million, respectively, includes an increase in fair value of MSR due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions of $29.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively, and a decrease in fair value of MSR due to realization of cash flows (runoff) of $30.2 million and $96.8 million, respectively. The increase in loss on servicing asset for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was predominantly driven by an increase in market demand, and higher portfolio runoff during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 due to an increase in the size of our MSR portfolio, offset by a decrease in prepayment speed assumptions.
(Loss) gain on Interest Rate Swap, Cap and Swaption Agreements
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $15.3 million and $49.2 million of income, respectively, for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with our interest rate swaps and caps. The income results from receiving either LIBOR interest or a fixed interest rate and paying either a fixed interest rate or LIBOR interest on an average $32.5 billion and $29.4 billion notional, respectively, held to economically hedge/mitigate portfolio interest rate exposure (or duration) risk. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $2.0 million of income and $8.8 million of expenses for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with our interest rate swaps and caps. The income and expenses result from paying either a fixed interest rate or LIBOR interest and receiving either LIBOR interest or a fixed interest rate on an average $24.9 billion and $19.4 billion notional, respectively, held to economically hedge/mitigate portfolio interest rate exposure (or duration) risk.
During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we terminated, had agreements mature or had options expire on 58 and 174 interest rate swap, cap and swaption positions of $26.0 billion and $95.5 billion notional, respectively. Upon settlement of the early terminations and option expirations, we paid $1.1 million and $19.2 million in full settlement of our net interest spread asset/liability and recognized $35.8 million and $3.6 million in realized losses on the swaps, caps and swaptions for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively, including early termination penalties. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we terminated, had agreements mature or had options expire on 30 and 151 interest rate swap, cap and swaption positions of $12.2 billion and $67.7 billion notional, respectively. Upon settlement of the early terminations and option expirations, we paid $0.2 million and $19.7 million in full settlement of our net interest spread liability and recognized $5.7 million in realized losses and $63.2 million in realized gains on the swaps, caps and swaptions for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, including early termination penalties. We elected to terminate certain swaps and swaptions during these periods to align with our investment portfolio.
Also included in our financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, was the recognition of a change in unrealized valuation losses of $219.1 million and $29.6 million, respectively, on our interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements that were accounted for as trading instruments, compared to a change in unrealized valuation gains of $60.9 million and losses of $64.1 million for the same periods in 2017. The change in fair value of interest rate swaps and caps was a result of changes to LIBOR, the swap curve and corresponding counterparty borrowing rates during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Since these swaps, caps and swaptions are used for purposes of hedging our interest rate exposure, their unrealized valuation gains and losses are generally offset by unrealized losses and gains in our Agency RMBS AFS portfolio, which are recorded either directly to stockholders’ equity through other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, or to loss on investment securities, in the case of Agency interest-only securities.

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The following table provides the net interest spread and gains and losses associated with our interest rate swap, cap and swaption positions:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net interest spread
$
15,331

 
$
2,044

 
$
49,217

 
$
(8,823
)
Early termination, agreement maturation and option expiration (losses) gains
(35,757
)
 
(5,685
)
 
(3,593
)
 
63,169

Change in unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements, at fair value
(219,066
)
 
60,878

 
(29,581
)
 
(64,099
)
(Loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
$
(239,492
)
 
$
57,237

 
$
16,043

 
$
(9,753
)

Loss on Other Derivative Instruments
Included in our financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, was the recognition of $39.1 million and $54.9 million of losses, respectively, on other derivative instruments we hold for purposes of both hedging and non-hedging activities, principally TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, Markit IOS total return swaps and inverse interest-only securities. Included within these results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, was the recognition of $1.4 million and $6.5 million of interest income, net of accretion on inverse interest-only securities on an average amortized cost basis of $71.3 million and $78.0 million, respectively, and interest expense on short U.S. treasuries of $5.6 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The remainder represented realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on other derivative instruments.
Included in our financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, was the recognition of $3.8 million and $70.2 million of losses, respectively, on other derivative instruments we hold for purposes of both hedging and non-hedging activities, principally TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, Markit IOS total return swaps and inverse interest-only securities. Included within these results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, was the recognition of $2.8 million and $12.7 million of interest income, net of accretion on inverse interest-only securities on an average amortized cost basis of $88.6 million and $92.8 million, respectively. The remainder represented realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on other derivative instruments. As these derivative instruments are considered trading instruments, our financial results include both realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with these instruments.
Other Income
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recorded other income of $0.3 million and $3.0 million. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded other income of $9.1 million and $30.1 million. The decrease in other income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was predominantly driven by sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Management Fees
We incurred management fees of $12.2 million and $30.3 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and $10.7 million and $40.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, which are payable to PRCM Advisers, our external manager, under the terms of our management agreement, dated as of October 28, 2009 and subsequently amended. The management fee is calculated based on our stockholders’ equity with certain adjustments outlined in the management agreement.
In connection with the acquisition of CYS, the management agreement was amended to (i) reduce PRCM Advisers’ base management fee with respect to the additional equity under management resulting from the merger to 0.75% from the effective time through the first anniversary of the effective time and (ii) for the fiscal quarter in which closing of the merger occurs, to make a one-time downward adjustment of Pine River’s management fees payable by Two Harbors for such quarter by $15.0 million to offset the cash consideration payable to stockholders of CYS, plus an additional downward adjustment of up to $3.3 million for certain transaction-related expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total downward adjustment to management fees was $17.5 million. We do not anticipate any further downward adjustments to management fees for transaction-related expenses.

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Servicing Expenses
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $18.6 million and $61.1 million, respectively, in servicing expenses generally related to the subservicing of MSR and residential mortgage loans, compared to $10.1 million and $35.3 million for the same periods in 2017. The increase in servicing expenses during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same periods in 2017, was largely the result of an increase in the size of our MSR portfolio.
Other Operating Expenses
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $15.9 million and $63.0 million of other operating expenses, which represents an annualized expense ratio of 1.4% and 1.6% of average equity, respectively. Excluding non-cash equity compensation expenses (amortization of restricted stock), our annualized expense ratio was 1.1% and 1.3% of average equity for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $9.8 million and $54.2 million of other operating expenses, which, for the year ended December 31, 2017, includes $2.2 million of transaction expenses associated with the contribution of TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point. Excluding these transaction expenses, our annualized expense ratio was 1.1% and 1.4% of average common equity for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. Excluding non-cash equity compensation expenses (and transaction expenses associated with the contribution of TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point), our annualized expense ratio was 1.1% and 1.2% of average equity for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.
Included in other operating expenses are direct and allocated costs incurred by PRCM Advisers on our behalf and reimbursed by us. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, these direct and allocated costs totaled approximately $5.5 million and $26.3 million, respectively, compared to $5.9 million and $27.9 million for the same periods in 2017. Included in these reimbursed costs was compensation paid to employees of Pine River serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel of $0.2 million and $1.8 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and $0.2 million and $1.7 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. The allocation of compensation paid to employees of Pine River serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel is based on time spent overseeing our company’s activities in accordance with the management agreement; we do not reimburse PRCM Advisers for any expenses related to the compensation of our chief executive officer or chief investment officer. Equity based compensation expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 also includes the amortization of restricted stock awarded to our executive officers, including our chief executive officer, chief investment officer, principal financial officer and general counsel of $1.8 million and $6.8 million, compared to $(0.2) million and $6.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. The increase in amortization of restricted stock was due to the decline in our share price following the special dividend of Granite Point common stock in the fourth quarter of 2017.
We have direct relationships with the majority of our third-party vendors. We will continue to have certain costs allocated to us by PRCM Advisers for compensation, data services, technology and certain office lease payments, but most of our expenses with third-party vendors are paid directly by us.
Acquisition Transaction Costs
The acquisition of CYS was treated as an asset purchase under U.S. GAAP. Given there were no meaningful nonfinancial assets and non-current assets acquired in the merger with CYS and no identified intangible assets to assign value, the excess consideration and costs associated with the transaction were recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as acquisition transaction costs. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, these acquisition transaction costs totaled approximately $86.7 million.
Restructuring Charges
In connection with the acquisition of CYS, we incurred restructuring charges, including termination benefits, contract terminations and other associated costs, of $8.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

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Income Taxes
During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, our TRSs recognized a provision for income taxes of $6.7 million and $41.8 million, which was primarily due to realized gains on sales of AFS securities held in the TRSs as well as the write-down of net deferred tax assets resulting from the deemed liquidation of one of our TRSs due to its TRS election revocation, offset by net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in the TRSs. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, our TRSs recognized a provision for income taxes of $10.6 million which was primarily due to changes in our deferred tax asset and liability balances at December 31, 2017 as a result of a decrease in the future federal statutory tax rate due to recent tax reform, partially offset by net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in our TRSs. During the year ended December 31, 2017, our TRSs recognized a benefit from income taxes of $10.5 million, which was primarily due to realized losses on sales of AFS securities and net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in our TRSs, offset by a decrease in the future federal statutory tax rate due to recent tax reform. As of December 31, 2018, no valuation allowance was recorded. As of December 31, 2017, a $2.7 million valuation allowance was recorded because we determined that it was more likely than not that the associated deferred tax asset would not be realized. We currently intend to distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income and comply with all requirements to continue to qualify as a REIT.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA, significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other things, lowering the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations from 35% to 21% and repealing the corporate alternative minimum tax. We have completed our analysis of the accounting implications of the TCJA on our tax accruals and determined there is no impact recorded to our 2018 financial statements. Additionally, we recorded a provisional tax provision of $17.5 million in our 2017 financial statements, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. This amount represents the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax assets resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. This provisional amount has been finalized without any changes. Technical corrections or other amendments to the TCJA or administrative guidance interpreting the TCJA may be forthcoming at any time. While we do not anticipate a material effect on our operations, we will continue to analyze and monitor the application of the TCJA to our business, our peers and the economic environment.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
The following analysis focuses on financial results during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Interest Income
Interest income increased from $575.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively, to $745.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the growth of our AFS securities portfolio, offset by the sale of substantially all of our remaining prime nonconforming residential mortgage loans held-for-sale during the latter half of 2016 as well as sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased from $213.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $350.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to increased financing on AFS securities due to purchases, increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties, the addition of revolving credit facilities for financing of MSR and the issuance of convertible senior notes, offset by sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.

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Net Interest Income
The following tables present the components of interest income and average annualized net asset yield earned by asset type, the components of interest expense and average annualized cost of funds on borrowings incurred by liability and/or collateral type, and net interest income and average annualized net interest rate spread for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
 
Average Balance (1)
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Net Yield/Cost of Funds (2)
Interest-earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
15,561,985

 
$
470,619

 
3.0
%
 
$
10,341,218

 
$
293,498

 
2.8
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
1,970,055

 
161,234

 
8.2
%
 
1,436,769

 
120,552

 
8.4
%
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
2,641,277

 
102,886

 
3.9
%
 
3,470,272

 
133,993

 
3.9
%
Other
35,517

 
10,350

 
4.8
%
 
566,239

 
27,037

 
4.8
%
Total interest income/net asset yield
$
20,208,834

 
$
745,089

 
3.7
%
 
$
15,814,498

 
$
575,080

 
3.6
%
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and borrowings in securitization trusts collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency available-for-sale securities
$
14,877,129

 
$
193,283

 
1.3
%
 
$
9,834,224

 
$
73,864

 
0.8
%
Non-Agency available-for-sale securities
1,522,437

 
44,691

 
2.9
%
 
1,165,498

 
28,897

 
2.5
%
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
2,593,750

 
85,940

 
3.3
%
 
3,377,687

 
103,039

 
3.1
%
Agency derivatives (3)
82,387

 
1,661

 
2.0
%
 
111,770

 
1,729

 
1.5
%
Mortgage servicing rights (4)
43,033

 
2,582

 
6.0
%
 
11,311

 
604

 
5.3
%
Convertible senior notes
272,376

 
17,933

 
6.6
%
 
—

 
—

 
—
%
Other
 
 
4,098

 


 
376,513

 
5,151

 
1.4
%
Total interest expense/cost of funds
$
19,391,112

 
$
350,188

 
1.8
%
 
$
14,877,003

 
$
213,284

 
1.4
%
Net interest income/spread (5)
 
 
$
394,901

 
1.9
%
 
 
 
$
361,796

 
2.2
%
____________________
(1)
Average asset balance represents average amortized cost on AFS securities and Agency Derivatives and average unpaid principal balance, adjusted for purchase price changes, on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts.
(2)
Cost of funds does not include the accrual and settlement of interest associated with interest rate swaps. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, those costs are included in gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our total average cost of funds on the assets assigned as collateral for borrowings shown in the table above, including interest spread expense associated with interest rate swaps, was 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively.
(3)
Yields on Agency Derivatives not shown as interest income is included in (loss) gain on other derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
(4)
Yields on mortgage servicing rights not shown as these assets do not earn interest.
(5)
Net interest spread does not include the accrual and settlement of interest associated with interest rate swaps. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, those costs are included in (loss) gain on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our total average net interest rate spread on the assets and liabilities shown in the table above, including interest spread expense associated with interest rate swaps, was 1.8% and 2.1%, respectively.

The increase in yields on Agency AFS securities for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was predominantly driven by purchases of pools with higher yields and sales of pools with lower yields. The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of Agency AFS securities for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties.
The decrease in yields on non-Agency securities for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was predominantly driven by purchases of non-Agency securities at lower yields than our existing portfolio. The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of non-Agency AFS securities for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties.

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Yields on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts for the year ended December 31, 2017 were consistent with those for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was primarily the result of the sale of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations in 2016, temporarily increasing the amount of collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts prior to their deconsolidation in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of Agency Derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties.
The increase in cost of funds associated with the financing of MSR for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of increases in the borrowing rates offered by counterparties as well as increased amortization of deferred debt issuance costs due to additional lending facilities.
The following tables present the components of the net yield earned by investment type on our AFS securities portfolio as a percentage of our average amortized cost of securities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Gross yield/stated coupon
4.0
 %
 
3.7
%
 
4.0
 %
 
3.9
 %
 
3.5
%
 
3.9
 %
Net (premium amortization) discount accretion
(1.0
)%
 
4.5
%
 
(0.4
)%
 
(1.1
)%
 
4.9
%
 
(0.4
)%
Net yield (2)
3.0
 %
 
8.2
%
 
3.6
 %
 
2.8
 %
 
8.4
%
 
3.5
 %
____________________
(1)
Excludes Agency Derivatives. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the average annualized net yield on total Agency RMBS, including Agency Derivatives, was 3.1% and 3.0%, respectively.
(2)
These yields have not been adjusted for cost of delay and cost to carry purchase premiums.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
We review each of our securities on a quarterly basis to determine if an OTTI charge is necessary. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $0.8 million and $1.8 million in OTTI losses, respectively. For further information about evaluating AFS securities for OTTI, refer to Note 4 - Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Loss on Investment Securities
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we sold AFS securities for $8.7 billion and $14.4 billion with an amortized cost of $8.7 billion and $14.5 billion, for net realized losses of $32.5 million and $126.2 million, respectively. We do not expect to sell assets on a frequent basis, but may sell assets to reallocate capital into new assets that we believe have higher risk-adjusted returns.
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities experienced a change in unrealized losses of $2.3 million and gains of $18.9 million. The increase in change in unrealized losses (decrease in gains) for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was predominantly driven by higher prepayment expectations on Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized $0.7 million in dividend income on equity securities and experienced a change in unrealized losses of $0.6 million due to declines in the market price of the securities. We did not hold any equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2016.
(Loss) gain on Interest Rate Swap and Swaption Agreements
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $8.8 million and $21.1 million, respectively, of expenses for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with our interest rate swaps. The expenses result from paying either a fixed interest rate or LIBOR interest and receiving either LIBOR interest or a fixed interest rate on an average $19.4 billion and $15.5 billion notional, respectively, held to economically hedge/mitigate portfolio interest rate exposure (or duration) risk.
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we terminated, had agreements mature or had options expire on 151 and 117 interest rate swap and swaption positions of $67.7 billion and $37.2 billion notional, respectively. Upon settlement of the early terminations and option expirations, we paid $19.7 million and $4.0 million in full settlement of our net interest spread liability and recognized $63.2 million in realized gains and $82.0 million in realized losses on the swaps and swaptions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, including early termination penalties. We elected to terminate certain swaps and swaptions during these periods to align with our investment portfolio.

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Also included in our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was the recognition of a change in unrealized valuation losses of $64.1 million and gains of $148.4 million, respectively. The change in fair value of interest rate swaps was a result of changes to LIBOR, the swap curve and corresponding counterparty borrowing rates during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Since these swaps and swaptions are used for purposes of hedging our interest rate exposure, their unrealized valuation gains and losses are generally offset by unrealized losses and gains in our Agency RMBS AFS portfolio, which are recorded either directly to stockholders’ equity through other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, or to loss on investment securities, in the case of Agency interest-only securities.
The following table provides the net interest spread and gains and losses associated with our interest rate swap and swaption positions:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Net interest spread
$
(8,823
)
 
$
(21,074
)
Early termination, agreement maturation and option expiration gains (losses)
63,169

 
(81,984
)
Change in unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair value
(64,099
)
 
148,429

(Loss) gain on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
$
(9,753
)
 
$
45,371


(Loss) Gain on Other Derivative Instruments
Included in our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was the recognition of $70.2 million of losses and $99.4 million of gains, respectively, on other derivative instruments we hold for purposes of both hedging and non-hedging activities, principally TBAs, short U.S. Treasuries, put and call options for TBAs and U.S. Treasuries, constant maturity swaps, Markit IOS total return swaps, credit default swaps and inverse interest-only securities. Included within these results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was the recognition of $12.7 million and $19.8 million of interest income, net of accretion on inverse interest-only securities on an average amortized cost basis of $92.8 million and $117.9 million, respectively. The remainder represented realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on other derivative instruments. Since our derivative instruments are generally used for purposes of hedging our interest rate and credit risk exposure, their unrealized valuation gains and losses are generally offset by unrealized losses and gains in our AFS securities and residential mortgage loan portfolios.
Servicing Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized total servicing income of $209.1 million and $143.6 million, respectively. These amounts include servicing fee income of $197.9 million and $138.5 million, ancillary and other fee income of $1.0 million and $1.6 million, and float income of $10.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The servicing income for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of an increase in the size of our MSR portfolio.
Loss on Servicing Asset
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, loss on servicing asset of $91.0 million and $83.5 million, respectively, includes a decrease in fair value of MSR due to realization of cash flows (runoff) of $96.8 million and $78.7 million, respectively, and an increase in fair value of MSR due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions of $6.3 million and $16.6 million, respectively. The decrease in gain (increase in loss) on servicing asset for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was predominantly driven by an increase in prepayment speed assumptions as well as portfolio runoff during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Other Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded other income of $30.1 million and $10.0 million. The increase in other income for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was driven by increases in interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as sales of retained interests from our on-balance sheet securitizations resulting in the deconsolidation of all securitization trusts in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Management Fees
We incurred management fees of $40.5 million and $39.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are payable to PRCM Advisers, our external manager, under our management agreement. The management fee is calculated based on our stockholders’ equity with certain adjustments outlined in the management agreement. See further discussion of the management fee calculation in Note 20 - Related Party Transactions of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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Servicing Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $35.3 million and $32.1 million, respectively, in servicing expenses generally related to the subservicing of residential mortgage loans and MSR. The increase in servicing expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, was the result of an increase in the size of our MSR portfolio as well as the recognition of de-boarding and transfer fees related to our subservicer network repositioning during the year ended December 31, 2017, offset by the release of MSR representation and warranty reserves due to a refinement of the reserve method and a higher concentration of MSR purchased on a bifurcated basis.
Mortgage Loan Securitization Deal Costs
Due to the discontinuation of our mortgage loan conduit and securitization business in 2016, we did not record any securitization deal costs related to the sponsoring of securitization trusts during the year December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized $6.2 million in mortgage loan upfront costs related to the sponsoring of securitization trusts. These costs are included when evaluating the economics of a securitization; however, the election of the fair value option for the assets and liabilities held in the securitization trusts requires the expense to be recognized upfront on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. We do not expect to incur mortgage loan securitization deal costs going forward.
Other Operating Expenses
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $54.2 million and $56.6 million of other operating expenses, which, for the year ended December 31, 2017, includes $2.2 million of transaction expenses associated with the contribution of TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point. Excluding these transaction expenses, our annualized expense ratio was 1.4% and 1.8% of average total equity for the respective periods. The decrease of our operating expense ratio resulted primarily from an increase in our average equity balance due to the issuance of preferred stock during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Included in other operating expenses are direct and allocated costs incurred by PRCM Advisers on our behalf and reimbursed by us. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, these direct and allocated costs totaled approximately $27.9 million and $28.4 million, respectively. Included in these reimbursed costs was compensation paid to employees of Pine River serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel of $1.7 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The allocation of compensation paid to employees of Pine River serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel is based on time spent overseeing our company’s activities in accordance with the management agreement; we do not reimburse PRCM Advisers for any expenses related to the compensation of our chief executive officer or chief investment officer. Equity based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 also includes the amortization of the restricted stock awarded to our executive officers in conjunction with the Company’s Second Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan (see discussion in Note 17 - Equity Incentive Plan), including our chief executive officer, chief investment officer, principal financial officer and general counsel of $6.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
We have direct relationships with the majority of our third-party vendors. We will continue to have certain costs allocated to us by PRCM Advisers for compensation, data services, technology and certain office lease payments, but most of our expenses with third-party vendors are paid directly by us.
Restructuring Charges
On July 28, 2016, we announced that our board of directors had approved a plan to discontinue our mortgage loan conduit and securitization business. This decision was made due to the challenging market environment facing the business, combined with the intent to reduce operating complexity and costs, and allowed for the reallocation of capital to assets we believe will generate higher returns. The wind down process was completed by the end of 2016. In connection with the closure, we incurred restructuring charges, including termination benefits, contract terminations and other associated costs, of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. We did not incur any restructuring charges in 2017.
Income Taxes
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, our TRSs recognized a benefit from income taxes of $10.5 million and a provision for income taxes of $12.3 million, respectively. The benefit recognized for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to realized losses on sales of AFS securities and net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in our TRSs, offset by a decrease in the future federal statutory tax rate due to recent tax reform. Conversely, the provision recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to gains recognized on MSR and derivative instruments, offset by realized losses on sales of AFS securities, held in our TRSs. We currently intend to distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income and comply with all requirements to continue to qualify as a REIT.


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Financial Condition
Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value
Agency RMBS
Our Agency RMBS AFS portfolio is comprised of adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities backed by single-family and multi-family mortgage loans. All of our principal and interest (“P&I”) Agency RMBS AFS were Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations that carry an implied rating of “AAA,” or Ginnie Mae mortgage pass-through certificates, which are backed by the guarantee of the U.S. government. The majority of these securities consist of whole pools in which we own all of the investment interests in the securities.
The tables below summarize certain characteristics of our Agency RMBS AFS at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands, except purchase price)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Net (Discount) Premium
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Coupon Rate
 
Weighted Average Purchase Price
P&I securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
$
20,757,850

 
$
1,011,781

 
$
21,769,631

 
$
60,819

 
$
(339,906
)
 
$
21,490,544

 
4.33
%
 
$
105.19

Hybrid ARM
17,940

 
915

 
18,855

 
309

 
(91
)
 
19,073

 
5.12
%
 
$
107.63

Total P&I securities
20,775,790

 
1,012,696

 
21,788,486

 
61,128

 
(339,997
)
 
21,509,617

 
4.33
%
 
$
105.20

Interest-only securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
794,144

 
58,886

 
58,886

 
4,880

 
(403
)
 
63,363

 
2.84
%
 
$
33.15

Fixed Other (1)
2,321,823

 
151,015

 
151,015

 
9,290

 
(48,252
)
 
112,053

 
1.55
%
 
$
8.82

Total
$
23,891,757

 
$
1,222,597

 
$
21,998,387

 
$
75,298

 
$
(388,652
)
 
$
21,685,033

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands, except purchase price)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Net (Discount) Premium
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Coupon Rate
 
Weighted Average Purchase Price
Principal and interest securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
$
17,060,195

 
$
1,053,431

 
$
18,113,626

 
$
41,705

 
$
(134,914
)
 
$
18,020,417

 
4.06
%
 
$
106.56

Hybrid ARM
21,654

 
1,177

 
22,831

 
444

 
(55
)
 
23,220

 
4.97
%
 
$
108.20

Total P&I Securities
17,081,849

 
1,054,608

 
18,136,457

 
42,149

 
(134,969
)
 
18,043,637

 
4.06
%
 
$
106.56

Interest-only securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
332,772

 
50,981

 
50,981

 
2,410

 
(648
)
 
52,743

 
3.81
%
 
$
17.56

Fixed Other (1)
2,609,000

 
172,308

 
172,308

 
8,545

 
(38,508
)
 
142,345

 
1.57
%
 
$
8.84

Total
$
20,023,621

 
$
1,277,897

 
$
18,359,746

 
$
53,104

 
$
(174,125
)
 
$
18,238,725

 
 
 
 
____________________
(1)
Fixed Other represents weighted-average coupon interest-only securities that are not generally used for our interest-rate risk management purposes. These securities pay variable coupon interest based on the weighted average of the fixed rates of the underlying loans of the security, less the weighted average rates of the applicable issued P&I securities.

Our three-month average constant prepayment rate, or CPR, experienced by Agency RMBS AFS owned by us as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, on an annualized basis, was 6.8% and 7.5%, respectively.


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Non-Agency Securities
Our non-Agency securities portfolio is comprised of senior and mezzanine tranches of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The following tables provide investment information on our non-Agency securities as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Principal/Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
P&I securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
4,227,631

 
$
5,381

 
$
(477,682
)
 
$
(1,204,325
)
 
$
2,551,005

 
$
343,358

 
$
(39,632
)
 
$
2,854,731

Mezzanine
1,132,493

 
1,301

 
(216,437
)
 
(118,437
)
 
798,920

 
134,737

 
(5,025
)
 
928,632

Total P&I
5,360,124

 
6,682

 
(694,119
)
 
(1,322,762
)
 
3,349,925

 
478,095

 
(44,657
)
 
3,783,363

Interest-only securities
5,137,169

 
83,846

 
—

 
—

 
83,846

 
3,655

 
(3,293
)
 
84,208

Total
$
10,497,293

 
$
90,528

 
$
(694,119
)
 
$
(1,322,762
)
 
$
3,433,771

 
$
481,750

 
$
(47,950
)
 
$
3,867,571

 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Principal/Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
Principal and interest securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
2,552,972

 
$
2,435

 
$
(424,580
)
 
$
(534,160
)
 
$
1,596,667

 
$
361,561

 
$
(2,083
)
 
$
1,956,145

Mezzanine
1,205,162

 
322

 
(251,453
)
 
(119,453
)
 
834,578

 
127,370

 
(1,083
)
 
960,865

Total P&I
3,758,134

 
2,757

 
(676,033
)
 
(653,613
)
 
2,431,245

 
488,931

 
(3,166
)
 
2,917,010

Interest-only securities
5,614,925

 
65,667

 
—

 
—

 
65,667

 
2,163

 
(2,746
)
 
65,084

Total
$
9,373,059

 
$
68,424

 
$
(676,033
)
 
$
(653,613
)
 
$
2,496,912

 
$
491,094

 
$
(5,912
)
 
$
2,982,094


The majority of our non-Agency securities were rated at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Note that credit ratings are based on the par value of the non-Agency securities, whereas the distressed non-Agency securities in our portfolio were acquired at heavily discounted prices. The following table summarizes the credit ratings of our non-Agency securities portfolio, based on the Bloomberg Index Rating, a composite of each of the four major credit rating agencies (i.e., DBRS Ltd., Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch, Inc.), as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
AAA
0.5
%
 
0.8
%
AA
—
%
 
—
%
A
0.1
%
 
—
%
BBB
2.1
%
 
2.8
%
BB
0.6
%
 
1.4
%
B
5.3
%
 
4.2
%
Below B
73.3
%
 
71.5
%
Not rated
18.1
%
 
19.3
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Within our non-Agency securities portfolio, we have a substantial emphasis on “legacy” securities, which include securities issued up to and including 2009, many of which are subprime. We believe these deeply discounted securities can add relative value as the economy and housing markets continue to improve, as there remains upside optionality to lower delinquencies, higher recoveries and faster prepays. We also hold “new issue” non-Agency securities (issued after 2009), which include commercial mortgage-backed securities, term notes backed by MSR-related collateral, certain securities from our previously consolidated securitization trusts and other newly issued non-Agency securities. We believe these “new issue” securities have enabled us to find attractive returns and further diversify our non-Agency securities portfolio.
The following table provides the carrying value of our “legacy” and “new issue” non-Agency securities at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying Value
 
% of Total Non-Agency Portfolio
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total Non-Agency Portfolio
“Legacy” non-Agency P&I securities
$
3,642,651

 
94.2
%
 
$
2,552,833

 
85.6
%
“Legacy” non-Agency interest-only securities
28,305

 
0.7
%
 
7,426

 
0.3
%
“New issue” non-Agency securities
196,615

 
5.1
%
 
421,835

 
14.1
%
Total
$
3,867,571

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,982,094

 
100.0
%

Due to acquisitions of “legacy” non-Agency securities, our designated credit reserve as a percentage of total discount increased from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 (as disclosed in Note 4 - Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value of the notes to the consolidated financial statements). From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, our designated credit reserve as a percentage of total discount increased from 49.2% to 65.6%.
A subprime bond may generally be considered higher risk; however, if purchased at a discount that reflects a high expectation of credit losses, it could be viewed as less risky than a prime bond, which is subject to unanticipated credit loss performance. Accordingly, we believe our risk profile in owning a heavily discounted subprime bond with known delinquencies affords us the ability to assume a higher percentage of expected credit loss with comparable risk-adjusted returns to a less discounted prime bond with a lower percentage of expected credit loss.
The following tables present certain information by investment type and their respective underlying loan characteristics for our “legacy” senior and mezzanine non-Agency securities, excluding our non-Agency interest-only portfolio, at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
December 31, 2018
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
 
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Carrying value (in thousands)
 
$
2,842,712

 
$
799,939

 
$
3,642,651

% of total
 
78.0
%
 
22.0
%
 
100.0
%
Average purchase price (1)
 
$
60.72

 
$
65.96

 
$
61.87

Average coupon
 
3.4
%
 
3.2
%
 
3.3
%
Average fixed coupon
 
5.8
%
 
5.5
%
 
5.8
%
Average floating coupon
 
3.1
%
 
3.1
%
 
3.1
%
Average hybrid coupon
 
4.6
%
 
—
%
 
4.6
%
Collateral attributes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loan age (months)
 
148

 
157

 
150

Average loan size (in thousands)
 
$
373

 
$
385

 
$
376

Average original loan-to-value
 
67.3
%
 
66.9
%
 
67.2
%
Average original FICO (2)
 
608

 
574

 
601

Current performance
 
 
 
 
 
 
60+ day delinquencies
 
19.6
%
 
17.7
%
 
19.2
%
Average credit enhancement (3)
 
5.1
%
 
15.8
%
 
7.5
%
3-month CPR (4)
 
4.9
%
 
6.4
%
 
5.2
%

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December 31, 2017
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
 
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total P&I
Carrying Value (in thousands)
 
$
1,790,481

 
$
762,352

 
$
2,552,833

% of Total
 
70.1
%
 
29.9
%
 
100.0
%
Average Purchase Price (1)
 
$
57.57

 
$
65.36

 
$
59.89

Average Coupon
 
2.8
%
 
2.3
%
 
2.6
%
Average Fixed Coupon
 
5.9
%
 
5.6
%
 
5.8
%
Average Floating Coupon
 
2.5
%
 
2.2
%
 
2.4
%
Average Hybrid Coupon
 
3.2
%
 
—
%
 
3.2
%
Collateral Attributes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Loan Age (months)
 
137

 
145

 
139

Average Loan Size (in thousands)
 
$
370

 
$
356

 
$
366

Average Original Loan-to-Value
 
69.3
%
 
68.8
%
 
69.1
%
Average Original FICO (2)
 
636

 
573

 
617

Current Performance
 
 
 
 
 
 
60+ day delinquencies
 
22.9
%
 
20.3
%
 
22.1
%
Average Credit Enhancement (3)
 
7.5
%
 
16.1
%
 
10.0
%
3-Month CPR (4)
 
6.1
%
 
7.1
%
 
6.4
%
____________________
(1)
Average purchase price utilized carrying value for weighting purposes. If current face were utilized for weighting purposes, the average purchase price for senior, mezzanine, and total “legacy” non-Agency securities, excluding our non-Agency interest-only portfolio, would be $58.12, $63.19 and $59.07, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and $55.07, $62.73 and $57.27, respectively at December 31, 2017.
(2)
FICO represents a mortgage industry accepted credit score of a borrower, which was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.
(3)
Average credit enhancement remaining on our “legacy” non-Agency securities portfolio, which is the average amount of protection available to absorb future credit losses due to defaults on the underlying collateral.
(4)
Three-month CPR is reflective of the prepayment speed on the underlying securitization; however, it does not necessarily indicate the proceeds received on our investment tranche. Proceeds received for each security are dependent on the position of the individual security within the structure of each deal.

 
December 31, 2018
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Collateral Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
Prime
$
27,878

 
1.0
%
 
$
13,797

 
1.7
%
 
$
41,675

 
1.1
%
Alt-A
367,985

 
12.9
%
 
89,785

 
11.3
%
 
457,770

 
12.6
%
POA
214,683

 
7.6
%
 
171,348

 
21.4
%
 
386,031

 
10.6
%
Subprime
2,232,166

 
78.5
%
 
525,009

 
65.6
%
 
2,757,175

 
75.7
%
Total
$
2,842,712

 
100.0
%
 
$
799,939

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,642,651

 
100.0
%
 
December 31, 2017
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Collateral Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
Prime
$
21,181

 
1.2
%
 
$
13,829

 
1.8
%
 
$
35,010

 
1.4
%
Alt-A
133,357

 
7.4
%
 
92,399

 
12.1
%
 
225,756

 
8.8
%
POA
87,054

 
4.9
%
 
141,834

 
18.6
%
 
228,888

 
9.0
%
Subprime
1,548,889

 
86.5
%
 
514,290

 
67.5
%
 
2,063,179

 
80.8
%
Total
$
1,790,481

 
100.0
%
 
$
762,352

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,552,833

 
100.0
%

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December 31, 2018
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Coupon Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
Fixed rate
$
219,245

 
7.7
%
 
$
20,396

 
2.5
%
 
$
239,641

 
6.6
%
Hybrid or floating
2,623,467

 
92.3
%
 
779,543

 
97.5
%
 
3,403,010

 
93.4
%
Total
$
2,842,712

 
100.0
%
 
$
799,939

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,642,651

 
100.0
%
 
December 31, 2017
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Coupon Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
Fixed Rate
$
147,883

 
8.3
%
 
$
19,957

 
2.6
%
 
$
167,840

 
6.6
%
Hybrid or Floating
1,642,598

 
91.7
%
 
742,395

 
97.4
%
 
2,384,993

 
93.4
%
Total
$
1,790,481

 
100.0
%
 
$
762,352

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,552,833

 
100.0
%
 
December 31, 2018
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Origination Year
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
2006 and thereafter
$
2,618,076

 
92.1
%
 
$
315,314

 
39.4
%
 
$
2,933,390

 
80.5
%
2002-2005
219,183

 
7.7
%
 
483,061

 
60.4
%
 
702,244

 
19.3
%
Pre-2002
5,453

 
0.2
%
 
1,564

 
0.2
%
 
7,017

 
0.2
%
Total
$
2,842,712

 
100.0
%
 
$
799,939

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,642,651

 
100.0
%
 
December 31, 2017
 
“Legacy” Non-Agency P&I Securities
(dollars in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Origination Year
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total
2006 and Thereafter
$
1,594,088

 
89.0
%
 
$
293,916

 
38.6
%
 
$
1,888,004

 
73.9
%
2002-2005
191,288

 
10.7
%
 
466,923

 
61.2
%
 
658,211

 
25.8
%
Pre-2002
5,105

 
0.3
%
 
1,513

 
0.2
%
 
6,618

 
0.3
%
Total
$
1,790,481

 
100.0
%
 
$
762,352

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,552,833

 
100.0
%


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The underlying mortgage loans collateralizing our non-Agency securities are located across the U.S. The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations of the mortgages and assets collateralizing these securities at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying Value
 
% of Total Non-Agency Securities
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Total Non-Agency Securities
California
$
1,041,464

 
26.9
%
 
$
694,757

 
23.8
%
New York
529,738

 
13.7
%
 
367,353

 
12.6
%
Florida
393,936

 
10.2
%
 
266,329

 
9.1
%
New Jersey
176,265

 
4.6
%
 
125,794

 
4.3
%
Texas
153,687

 
4.0
%
 
101,606

 
3.5
%
Total
$
2,295,090

 
59.4
%
 
$
1,555,839

 
53.3
%

Mortgage Servicing Rights, at Fair Value
One of our wholly owned subsidiaries has approvals from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to own and manage MSR, which represent the right to control the servicing of mortgage loans. We do not directly service mortgage loans, and instead contract with appropriately licensed subservicers to handle substantially all servicing functions in the name of the subservicer for the loans underlying our MSR. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our MSR had a fair market value of $2.0 billion and $1.1 billion.
As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our MSR portfolio included MSR on 717,167 and 454,028 loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $163.1 billion and $101.3 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the loans underlying our MSR at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Unpaid principal balance (in thousands)
$
163,102,308

 
$
101,344,054

Number of loans
717,167

 
454,028

Average coupon
4.1
%
 
3.9
%
Average loan age (months)
28

 
26

Average loan size (in thousands)
$
227

 
$
223

Average original loan-to-value
75.0
%
 
73.8
%
Average original FICO
752

 
753

60+ day delinquencies
0.3
%
 
0.5
%
3-month CPR
7.3
%
 
10.0
%

Financing
Our borrowings consist primarily of repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities collateralized by our pledge of AFS securities, derivative instruments, MSR and certain cash balances. Substantially all of our Agency RMBS are currently pledged as collateral, and the majority of our non-Agency securities have been pledged as collateral, either through repurchase agreements or FHLB advances. Additionally, on January 19, 2017, we closed an underwritten public offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible senior notes due 2022. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $282.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. The majority of these proceeds were used to help fund our MSR assets, which previously had largely been funded with cash.

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At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes had the following characteristics:
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Collateral Type
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate
 
Weighted Average Haircut on Collateral Value
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate
 
Weighted Average Haircut on Collateral Value
Agency RMBS
 
$
20,954,730

 
2.53
%
 
4.6
%
 
$
18,538,953

 
1.55
%
 
4.8
%
Non-Agency securities
 
2,697,254

 
3.65
%
 
24.2
%
 
1,943,535

 
2.98
%
 
27.1
%
Agency Derivatives
 
46,516

 
3.34
%
 
26.4
%
 
71,243

 
2.15
%
 
26.7
%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
610,000

 
5.06
%
 
40.6
%
 
132,500

 
3.99
%
 
48.8
%
Other (1)
 
283,856

 
6.25
%
 
NA

 
282,827

 
6.25
%
 
NA

Total
 
$
24,592,356

 
2.76
%
 
7.6
%
 
$
20,969,058

 
1.76
%
 
7.1
%
____________________
(1)
Includes unsecured convertible senior notes paying interest semiannually at a rate of 6.25% per annum on the aggregate principal amount of $287.5 million.

As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding $23.1 billion of repurchase agreements, and the term to maturity ranged from two days to over 23 months. Repurchase agreements had a weighted average borrowing rate of 2.68% and weighted average remaining maturities of 66 days as of December 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding $865.0 million of FHLB advances with a weighted average term to maturity of 16 months, ranging from approximately 7 months to over 15 years. The weighted average cost of funds for our advances was 2.79% at December 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding $310.0 million of short- and long-term borrowings under revolving credit facilities with a weighted average borrowing rate of 5.60% and weighted average remaining maturities of 4.25 years.
As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding amount due on convertible senior notes was $283.9 million, net of deferred issuance costs. These notes are unsecured, pay interest semiannually at a rate of 6.25% per annum and mature in January 2022.
As of December 31, 2018, the debt-to-equity ratio funding our AFS securities, MSR and Agency Derivatives, which includes unsecured borrowings under convertible senior notes, was 5.8:1.0. We believe our debt-to-equity ratio provides unused borrowing capacity and, thus, improves our liquidity and the strength of our balance sheet.
The following table provides a summary of our borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes, our net TBA notional amounts and our debt-to-equity ratios for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and the four immediately preceding quarters:
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
Quarterly Average (1)
 
End of Period Balance (1)
 
Maximum Balance of Any Month-End (1)
 
End of Period Total Borrowings to Equity Ratio
 
End of Period Net Long (Short) TBA Notional
 
End of Period Economic Debt-to-Equity Ratio (2)
December 31, 2018
 
$
23,276,768

 
$
24,592,356

 
$
24,592,356

 
5.8:1.0
 
 
$
6,484,000

 
7.2:1.0
 
September 30, 2018
 
$
23,921,989

 
$
25,265,210

 
$
27,528,323

 
5.4:1.0
 
 
$
9,324,000

 
7.3:1.0
 
June 30, 2018
 
$
19,123,370

 
$
18,524,115

 
$
19,237,474

 
5.3:1.0
 
 
$
3,049,000

 
6.2:1.0
 
March 31, 2018
 
$
20,194,305

 
$
20,316,757

 
$
20,466,930

 
5.9:1.0
 
 
$
445,000

 
6.0:1.0
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
19,270,237

 
$
20,969,058

 
$
20,969,058

 
5.9:1.0
(3) 
 
$
(573,000
)
 
5.7:1.0
 
____________________
(1)
Includes borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes and excludes collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts.
(2)
Defined as total borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes, plus implied debt on net TBA notional, divided by total equity.


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Equity
The tables below provide details of our changes in stockholders’ equity from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 as well as a reconciliation of comprehensive income and GAAP net income to non-GAAP measures.
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Book Value
 
Common Shares Outstanding
 
Common Book Value Per Share
Common stockholders' equity at December 31, 2017
$
2,845.1

 
174.5

 
$
16.31

Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP net loss and Comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
Core Earnings, net of tax expense of $2.4 million (1)
384.0

 
 
 
 
Dividends on preferred stock
(65.4
)
 
 
 
 
Core Earnings attributable to common stockholders (1)
318.6

 
 
 
 
Dollar roll income
86.9

 
 
 
 
Core Earnings attributable to common stockholders, including dollar roll income (1)
405.5

 
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $39.4 million
(428.4
)
 
 
 
 
Transaction expenses and purchase premium associated with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
(86.7
)
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(233.9
)
 
 
 
 
Dividend declaration
(386.6
)
 
 
 
 
Other
12.9

 
1.0

 
 
Acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
1,125.1

 
72.6

 
 
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
0.2

 
—

 
 
Common stockholders' equity at December 31, 2018
$
3,253.2

 
248.1

 
$
13.11

Total preferred stock liquidation preference
1,001.3

 
 
 
 
Total stockholders' equity at December 31, 2018
$
4,254.5

 
 
 
 
____________________
(1)
Core Earnings is a non-U.S. GAAP measure that we define as comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders, excluding “realized and unrealized gains and losses” (impairment losses, realized and unrealized gains and losses on the aggregate portfolio, reserve expense for representation and warranty obligations on MSR, non-cash compensation expense related to restricted common stock and restructuring charges) and transaction costs associated with the acquisition of CYS. As defined, Core Earnings includes interest income or expense and premium income or loss on derivative instruments and servicing income, net of estimated amortization on MSR. “Dollar roll income” is the economic equivalent to holding and financing Agency RMBS using short-term repurchase agreements. We believe the presentation of Core Earnings, including dollar roll income, provides investors greater transparency into our period-over-period financial performance and facilitates comparisons to peer REITs.



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Year Ended
(in millions)
December 31,
2018
Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders
$
(343.6
)
Adjustment for other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders:
 
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities
233.9

Net loss attributable to common stockholders
(109.7
)
Adjustments for non-Core Earnings:
 
Realized loss on investment securities
348.4

Unrealized loss on investment securities
(6.4
)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss
0.5

Realized loss on termination or expiration of interest rate swaps, caps and swaptions
3.6

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, caps and swaptions
29.6

Loss on other derivative instruments
52.0

Realized and unrealized gains on mortgage servicing rights
(130.1
)
Change in servicing reserves
1.5

Non-cash equity compensation expense
12.3

Management fee reduction associated with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
(17.5
)
Transaction expenses and purchase premium associated with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
86.7

Restructuring charges
8.2

Net provision for income taxes on non-Core Earnings
39.4

Core Earnings attributable to common stockholders (1)
318.5

Dollar roll income
86.9

Core Earnings attributable to common stockholders, including dollar roll income (1)
$
405.4

____________________
(1)
Core Earnings is a non-U.S. GAAP measure that we define as comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders, excluding “realized and unrealized gains and losses” (impairment losses, realized and unrealized gains and losses on the aggregate portfolio, reserve expense for representation and warranty obligations on MSR, non-cash compensation expense related to restricted common stock and restructuring charges) and transaction costs associated with the acquisition of CYS. As defined, Core Earnings includes interest income or expense and premium income or loss on derivative instruments and servicing income, net of estimated amortization on MSR. Dollar roll income is the economic equivalent to holding and financing Agency RMBS using short-term repurchase agreements. We believe the presentation of Core Earnings, including dollar roll income, provides investors greater transparency into our period-over-period financial performance and facilitates comparisons to peer REITs.

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U.S. GAAP to Estimated Taxable Income
The following tables provide reconciliations of our GAAP net income (loss) to our estimated taxable income (loss) split between our REIT and TRSs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(dollars in millions)
TRS
 
REIT
 
Securitization Trusts & Eliminations
 
Consolidated
GAAP net income (loss), pre-tax
$
114.2

 
$
(59.4
)
 
$
(57.3
)
 
$
(2.5
)
State taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Adjusted GAAP net income (loss), pre-tax
114.2

 
(59.4
)
 
(57.3
)
 
(2.5
)
Permanent differences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intercompany RMBS sales
—

 
—

 
57.3

 
57.3

Other permanent differences
—

 
(0.8
)
 
—

 
(0.8
)
Temporary differences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CYS transaction costs
—

 
82.4

 
—

 
82.4

Net accretion of OID and market discount
0.1

 
76.3

 
—

 
76.4

Net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives
(68.0
)
 
(1.3
)
 
—

 
(69.3
)
Other temporary differences
(13.3
)
 
(0.6
)
 
—

 
(13.9
)
Capital loss carryforward (utilized) deferral
(8.0
)
 
393.7

 
—

 
385.7

Net operating loss carryforward (utilized) deferral
(15.3
)
 
—

 
—

 
(15.3
)
Estimated taxable income
9.7

 
490.3

 
—

 
500.0

Dividend declaration deduction
—

 
(490.3
)
 
—

 
(490.3
)
Estimated taxable income post-dividend deduction
$
9.7

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
9.7

 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(dollars in millions)
TRS
 
REIT
 
Securitization Trusts & Eliminations
 
Consolidated
GAAP net (loss) income, pre-tax
$
(72.0
)
 
$
409.4

 
$
4.5

 
$
341.9

State taxes
(0.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(0.1
)
Adjusted GAAP net (loss) income, pre-tax
(72.1
)
 
409.4

 
4.5

 
341.8

Permanent differences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Granite Point stock distribution and dividends
 
 
(26.6
)
 
 
 
(26.6
)
Securitization trusts consolidated for U.S. GAAP purposes only
—

 
—

 
(4.5
)
 
(4.5
)
Other permanent differences
—

 
(7.4
)
 
—

 
(7.4
)
Temporary differences
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net accretion of OID and market discount
0.1

 
36.2

 
—

 
36.3

Net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives
129.5

 
(57.1
)
 
—

 
72.4

Other temporary differences
(8.1
)
 
(7.1
)
 
—

 
(15.2
)
Capital loss carryforward (utilized) deferral
(33.3
)
 
(17.0
)
 
—

 
(50.3
)
Net operating loss carryforward (utilized) deferral
(24.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
(24.1
)
Estimated taxable (loss) income
(8.0
)
 
330.4

 
—

 
322.4

Dividend declaration deduction
—

 
(330.4
)
 
—

 
(330.4
)
Estimated taxable loss post-dividend deduction
$
(8.0
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(8.0
)


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The permanent tax differences recorded in 2018 and 2017 include a recurring difference in the income recognized from the securitization trusts that are consolidated for U.S. GAAP purposes only and also include a recurring difference in compensation expense related to restricted stock dividends. Temporary differences are principally timing differences between U.S. GAAP and tax accounting related to unrealized gains and losses from derivative instruments, realized and unrealized gains and losses from MSR and accretion and amortization from Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2018, there were both permanent and temporary tax differences resulting from the treatment of transaction costs and related expenses from the merger with CYS.
Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
With our accounting treatment for AFS securities, unrealized fluctuations in the market values of AFS securities, excluding Agency interest-only securities, do not impact our GAAP net (loss) income or taxable income but are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as a change in stockholders’ equity under “accumulated other comprehensive income.” As a result of this fair value accounting through stockholders’ equity, we expect our net income to have less significant fluctuations and result in less U.S. GAAP to taxable income timing differences, than if the portfolio were accounted for as trading instruments.
Dividends
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we declared cash dividends totaling $1.88 per share. As a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income to stockholders, subject to certain distribution requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our board of directors elected to distribute the majority of our taxable income to avoid U.S. Federal Income taxes. As such, temporary differences between GAAP net (loss) income and taxable income can generate deterioration in book value on a permanent and temporary basis as taxable income is distributed that has not been earned for U.S. GAAP purposes. The following table, which has been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split, presents cash dividends declared on our common stock for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.47

September 20, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.31

July 13, 2018
 
July 25, 2018
 
July 30, 2018
 
$
0.16

June 19, 2018
 
June 29, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.47

March 20, 2018
 
April 2, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.47

December 14, 2017
 
December 26, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
$
0.47

September 14, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 27, 2017
 
$
0.52

June 15, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 27, 2017
 
$
0.52

March 14, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 27, 2017
 
$
0.50

December 15, 2016
 
December 30, 2016
 
January 27, 2017
 
$
0.48

September 15, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
October 20, 2016
 
$
0.46

June 16, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
July 20, 2016
 
$
0.46

March 15, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
April 21, 2016
 
$
0.46


The following table, which has been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split, summarizes dividends declared on our common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and their related tax characterization (per share amounts):
 
 
 
 
Tax Characterization
Year Ended December 31,
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
 
Ordinary Dividends (Non-Qualified)
 
Qualified Ordinary Dividends
 
Capital Gain Distribution
 
Nondividend Distribution
2018
 
$
1.88

 
$
1.88

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

2017
 
$
5.57

 
$
2.02

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
3.55

2016
 
$
1.86

 
$
1.86

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—



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Table of Contents



Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity and capital resources are managed and forecasted on a daily basis. We believe this ensures that we have sufficient liquidity to absorb market events that could negatively impact collateral valuations and result in margin calls. We also believe that it gives us the flexibility to manage our portfolio to take advantage of market opportunities.
Our principal sources of cash consist of borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities, payments of principal and interest we receive on our target assets, cash generated from our operating results, and proceeds from capital market transactions. We typically use cash to repay principal and interest on our repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities, to purchase our target assets, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, and to fund our operations.
To the extent that we raise additional equity capital through capital market transactions, we anticipate using cash proceeds from such transactions to purchase additional Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, MSR and other target assets and for other general corporate purposes.
As of December 31, 2018, we held $409.8 million in cash and cash equivalents available to support our operations; $27.9 billion of AFS securities, MSR, and derivative assets held at fair value; and $24.6 billion of outstanding debt in the form of repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, borrowings under revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the debt-to-equity ratio funding our AFS securities, MSR and Agency Derivatives, which includes unsecured borrowings under convertible senior notes, increased from 5.4:10 to 5.8:1.0 and decreased from 5.9:1.0 to 5.8:1.0, respectively. The increase during the three months ended December 31, 2018 was driven by an increase in Agency RMBS held during the period as a result of the acquisition of CYS. The decrease during the year ended December 31, 2018 was predominantly driven by the repositioning of financing on AFS securities to TBA positions. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, our economic debt-to-equity ratio funding our AFS securities, MSR and Agency Derivatives, which includes unsecured borrowings under convertible senior notes and implied debt on net TBA notional, decreased from 7.3:10 to 7.2:1.0 and increased from 5.7:1.0 to 7.2:1.0, respectively.
As of December 31, 2018, we held approximately $3.6 million of unpledged Agency securities and derivatives and $0.4 billion of unpledged non-Agency securities. As a result, we had an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity on unpledged securities of approximately $0.3 billion. As of December 31, 2018, we held approximately $849.5 million of unpledged MSR and had an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity on MSR financing facilities of $160.0 million. Generally, unused borrowing capacity may be the result of our election not to utilize certain financing, as well as delays in the timing in which funding is provided or the inability to meet lenders’ eligibility requirements for specific types of asset classes. On a daily basis, we monitor and forecast our available, or excess, liquidity. Additionally, we frequently perform shock analyses against various market events to monitor the adequacy of our excess liquidity. If borrowing rates and/or collateral requirements change in the near term, we believe we are subject to less earnings volatility than a more leveraged organization.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not experience any restrictions to our funding sources, although balance sheet capacity of counterparties have tightened due to compliance with the Basel III regulatory capital reform rules as well as management of perceived risk in the volatile interest rate environment. We expect ongoing sources of financing to be primarily repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities, convertible notes and similar financing arrangements. We plan to finance our assets with a moderate amount of leverage, the level of which may vary based upon the particular characteristics of our portfolio and market conditions.
As of December 31, 2018, we had master repurchase agreements in place with 46 counterparties (lenders), the majority of which are U.S. domiciled financial institutions, and we continue to evaluate additional counterparties to manage and reduce counterparty risk. Under our repurchase agreements, we are required to pledge additional assets as collateral to our lenders when the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders, through a margin call, demand additional collateral. Lenders generally make margin calls because of a perceived decline in the value of our assets collateralizing the repurchase agreements. This may occur following the monthly principal reduction of assets due to scheduled amortization and prepayments on the underlying mortgages, or may be caused by changes in market interest rates, a perceived decline in the market value of the investments and other market factors. To cover a margin call, we may pledge additional assets or cash. At maturity, any cash on deposit as collateral is generally applied against the repurchase agreement balance, thereby reducing the amount borrowed. Should the value of our assets suddenly decrease, significant margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.

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The following table summarizes our repurchase agreements and counterparty geographical concentration at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Funding
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Funding
North America
$
12,061,693

 
$
1,120,101

 
55.4
%
 
$
10,746,447

 
$
993,279

 
57.0
%
Europe (2)
6,728,245

 
646,000

 
31.9
%
 
6,109,169

 
615,150

 
35.3
%
Asia (2)
4,343,538

 
255,973

 
12.7
%
 
2,595,591

 
134,694

 
7.7
%
Total
$
23,133,476

 
$
2,022,074

 
100.0
%
 
$
19,451,207

 
$
1,743,123

 
100.0
%
____________________
(1)
Represents the net carrying value of the assets sold under agreements to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, less the amount of the repurchase liability, including accrued interest. Payables due to broker counterparties for unsettled securities purchased are not included in the amounts presented above. We did not have any such payables at December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.
(2)
Exposure to European and Asian domiciled banks and their U.S. subsidiaries.

In addition to our master repurchase agreements to fund our Agency and non-Agency securities, we have one repurchase facility and two revolving credit facilities that provide short- and long-term financing for our MSR portfolio. An overview of the facilities is presented in the table below:
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Expiration Date (1)
 
Committed
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Unused Capacity
 
Total Capacity
 
Eligible Collateral
December 1, 2019
 
Yes (2)
 
$
300,000

 
$
100,000

 
$
400,000

 
Mortgage servicing rights (3)
June 22, 2023
 
Yes (2)
 
$
290,000

 
$
40,000

 
$
330,000

 
Mortgage servicing rights
December 16, 2019
 
No
 
$
20,000

 
$
20,000

 
$
40,000

 
Mortgage servicing rights
____________________
(1)
The facilities are set to mature on the stated expiration date, unless extended pursuant to their terms.
(2)
Commitment fee charged on unused capacity.
(3)
This repurchase facility is secured by MSR notes, which are collateralized by our MSR.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, TH Insurance, is a member of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB, TH Insurance has access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLB, including secured advances. As of December 31, 2018, TH Insurance had $865.0 million in outstanding secured advances with a weighted average borrowing rate of 2.79%, and an additional $2.7 billion of available uncommitted capacity for borrowings insofar as TH Insurance holds adequate total assets to support a new advance. To the extent TH Insurance has uncommitted capacity, it may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the FHLB.
The ability to borrow from the FHLB is subject to our continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB. Each advance requires approval by the FHLB and is secured by collateral in accordance with the FHLB’s credit and collateral guidelines, as may be revised from time to time by the FHLB. Eligible collateral may include conventional 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, Agency RMBS and certain non-Agency securities with a rating of A and above.
In January 2016, the FHFA released a final rule regarding membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system. Among other effects, the final rule excludes captive insurers from membership eligibility, including our subsidiary member, TH Insurance. Since TH Insurance was admitted as a member in 2013, it is eligible for a membership grace period that runs through February 19, 2021, during which new advances or renewals that mature beyond the grace period will be prohibited; however, any existing advances that mature beyond this grace period will be permitted to remain in place subject to their terms insofar as we maintain good standing with the FHLB. If any new advances or renewals occur, TH Insurance’s outstanding advances will be limited to 40% of its total assets.

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We are subject to a variety of financial covenants under our lending agreements. The following represent the most restrictive financial covenants across the agreements as of December 31, 2018:
•
Total indebtedness to net worth must be less than a specified threshold ratio in a repurchase agreement. As of December 31, 2018, our debt to net worth, as defined, was 5.9:1.0 while our threshold ratio, as defined, was 6.5:1.0.
•
Cash liquidity must be greater than $100.0 million. As of December 31, 2018, our liquidity, as defined, was $409.8 million.
•
Net worth must be greater than $1.75 billion. As of December 31, 2018, our net worth, as defined, was $4.3 billion.
We are also subject to additional financial covenants in connection with various other agreements we enter into in the normal course of our business. We intend to continue to operate in a manner which complies with all of our financial covenants.
The following table summarizes assets at carrying values that were pledged or restricted as collateral for the future payment obligations of repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and derivative instruments at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
25,157,999

 
$
20,990,890

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value
1,143,918

 
584,247

Cash and cash equivalents
—

 
15,000

Restricted cash
416,696

 
417,018

Due from counterparties
110,695

 
836,381

Derivative assets, at fair value
70,191

 
90,895

U.S. Treasuries, at fair value
$
6,457

 
$
—

Total
$
26,905,956

 
$
22,934,431


Although we generally intend to hold our target assets as long-term investments, we may sell certain of our assets in order to manage our interest rate risk and liquidity needs, to meet other operating objectives and to adapt to market conditions. Our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities are generally actively traded and thus, in most circumstances, readily liquid. However, certain of our assets, including MSR, are subject to longer trade timelines, and, as a result, market conditions could significantly and adversely affect the liquidity of our assets. Any illiquidity of our assets may make it difficult for us to sell such assets if the need or desire arises. Our ability to quickly sell certain assets, such as MSR may be limited by delays encountered while obtaining certain regulatory approvals required for such dispositions and may be further limited by delays due to the time period needed for negotiating transaction documents, conducting diligence, and complying with regulatory requirements regarding the transfer of such assets before settlement may occur. Consequently, even if we identify a buyer for our MSR, there is no assurance that we would be able to quickly sell such assets if the need or desire arises.
In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we previously recorded our assets. Assets that are illiquid are more difficult to finance, and to the extent that we use leverage to finance assets that become illiquid, we may lose that leverage or have it reduced. Assets tend to become less liquid during times of financial stress, which is often the time that liquidity is most needed. As a result, our ability to sell assets or vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited by liquidity constraints, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We cannot predict the timing and impact of future sales of our assets, if any. Because many of our assets are financed with repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities, a significant portion of the proceeds from sales of our assets (if any), prepayments and scheduled amortization are used to repay balances under these financing sources.

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The following table provides the maturities of our repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Within 30 days
$
7,488,869

 
$
4,269,464

30 to 59 days
5,077,598

 
3,831,111

60 to 89 days
5,655,060

 
3,458,940

90 to 119 days
1,938,859

 
2,452,426

120 to 364 days
3,508,114

 
5,346,766

One to three years
300,000

 
927,524

Three to five years
573,856

 
282,827

Five to ten years
—

 
—

Ten years and over
50,000

 
400,000

Total
$
24,592,356

 
$
20,969,058


For the year ended December 31, 2018, our restricted and unrestricted cash balance increased approximately $42.8 million to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2018. The cash movements can be summarized by the following:
•
Cash flows from operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2018, operating activities increased our cash balances by approximately $702.9 million, primarily driven by our financial results for the year.
•
Cash flows from investing activities. For the year ended December 31, 2018, investing activities increased our cash balances by approximately $4.8 billion, primarily driven by sales of AFS securities.
•
Cash flows from financing activities. For the year ended December 31, 2018, financing activities decreased our cash balance by approximately $5.5 billion, primarily driven by repayment of repurchase agreements as a result of sales of AFS securities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not participated in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships which would have been 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 or entered into any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.


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Aggregate Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the effect on our liquidity and cash flows from contractual obligations for repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities, interest expense on borrowings, our non-cancelable office leases, net of contractual subleases, and management fees payable under our management agreement:
 
Due During the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Repurchase agreements
$
22,833,476

 
$
300,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
23,133,476

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
815,024

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
50,000

 
865,024

Revolving credit facilities
20,000

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
290,000

 
—

 
310,000

Convertible senior notes
—

 
—

 
—

 
283,856

 
—

 
—

 
283,856

Interest expense on borrowings (1)
160,734

 
48,953

 
36,228

 
18,979

 
9,571

 
19,008

 
293,473

Long-term operating lease obligations
1,564

 
1,595

 
1,513

 
1,122

 
501

 
—

 
6,295

Management fee - PRCM Advisers (2)
156,600

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
156,600

Total
$
23,987,398

 
$
350,548

 
$
37,741

 
$
303,957

 
$
300,072

 
$
69,008

 
$
25,048,724

____________________
(1)
Interest expense on repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, revolving credit facilities and convertible senior notes calculated based on rates at December 31, 2018.
(2)
Contractual obligation for the management fee is estimated through the contract expiration date of October 28, 2019, inclusive of the termination fee as defined in the management agreement between us and PRCM Advisers. Disclosure assumes agreement not renewed or terminated without cause.

We are party to a management agreement with PRCM Advisers, pursuant to which PRCM Advisers is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses from us. We reimburse PRCM Advisers for (i) our allocable share of the compensation paid by PRCM Advisers to its personnel serving as our principal financial officer and general counsel and personnel employed by PRCM Advisers as in-house legal, tax, accounting, consulting, auditing, administrative, information technology, valuation, computer programming and development and back-office resources to us, and (ii) any amounts for personnel of PRCM Advisers’ affiliates arising under a shared facilities and services agreement. We also have certain costs allocated to us by PRCM Advisers for data services and technology, but most direct expenses with third-party vendors are paid directly by us.
We are also party to contracts that contain a variety of indemnification obligations, principally with brokers, underwriters, counterparties to lending agreements and investors in the RMBS we issued in connection with our previous securitization transactions and the loans underlying our MSR. The maximum potential future payment amount we could be required to pay under these indemnification obligations may be unlimited.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Inflation
Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature. As a result, changes in interest rates and other factors impact our performance far more than does inflation. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and dividends are based upon net ordinary income and capital gains as calculated for tax purposes; in each case, our results of operations and reported assets, liabilities and equity are measured with reference to historical cost or fair value without considering inflation.


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Other Matters
We intend to conduct our business so as to maintain our exempt status under, and not to become regulated as, an investment company for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we failed to maintain our exempt status under the 1940 Act and became regulated as an investment company, our ability to, among other things, use leverage would be substantially reduced and, as a result, we would be unable to conduct our business as described in Item 1, “Business - Other Business - Regulation” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, we monitor our compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Tests of the 1940 Act in order to maintain our exempt status. As of December 31, 2018, we determined that we maintained compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Test requirements.
We calculate that at least 75% of our assets were qualified REIT assets, as defined in the Code for the year ended December 31, 2018. We also calculate that our revenue qualifies for the 75% source of income test and for the 95% source of income test rules for the year ended December 31, 2018. Consequently, we met the REIT income and asset tests. We also met all REIT requirements regarding the ownership of our common stock and the distribution of our net income. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2018, we believe that we qualified as a REIT under the Code.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 contains changes to certain aspects of the U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to REITs. In particular, the act reduced the maximum allowable value of assets attributable to our TRSs from 25% to 20%, which is applicable with respect to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We currently monitor our compliance with this TRS asset test and, in light of this change, we intend to continue to meet the requirement.
The TCJA made many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to businesses, including REITs and TRSs. Pursuant to the TCJA, as of January 1, 2018, the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations was reduced to 21% and the corporate alternative minimum tax was repealed. In addition, the deduction of net interest expense is limited for all businesses; provided that certain businesses, including real estate businesses, may elect not to be subject to such limitations and instead to depreciate their real property related assets over longer depreciable lives. This limitation could adversely affect our TRSs.
Additional changes to the tax laws are likely to continue to occur, and we intend to continue to monitor such changes.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value while providing an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted total return through ownership of our capital stock. Although we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe that risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to manage our risk levels in order to earn sufficient compensation to justify the risks we undertake and to maintain capital levels consistent with taking such risks.
To reduce the risks to our portfolio, we employ portfolio-wide and asset-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations. Risk management tools include software and services licensed or purchased from third parties as well as proprietary and third-party analytical tools and models. There can be no guarantee that these tools and methods will protect us from market risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of interest rate management techniques that seek to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on the values of our assets.
We may enter into a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to economically hedge interest rate risk or “duration mismatch (or gap)” by adjusting the duration of our floating-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings to more closely match the duration of our assets. This particularly applies to borrowing agreements with maturities or interest rate resets of less than six months. Typically, the interest receivable terms (i.e., LIBOR) of certain derivatives match the terms of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective conversion of the rate of the related borrowing agreement from floating to fixed. The objective is to manage the cash flows associated with current and anticipated interest payments on borrowings, as well as the ability to roll or refinance borrowings at the desired amount by adjusting the duration. To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of our portfolio as well as our cash flows, we may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps, caps, credit default swaps and total return swaps. In executing on the Company’s current interest rate risk management strategy, the Company has entered into TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements and Markit IOS total return swaps. In addition, because MSR are negative duration assets, they provide a natural hedge to interest rate exposure on our Agency RMBS portfolio. In hedging interest rate risk, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets, improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing.

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Income of a REIT arising from “clearly identified” hedging transactions that are entered into to manage the risk of interest rate or price changes with respect to borrowings, including gain from the disposition of such hedging transactions, to the extent the hedging transactions hedge indebtedness incurred, or to be incurred, by the REIT to acquire or carry real estate assets, will not be treated as gross income for purposes of the either the 75% or the 95% gross income tests. In general, for a hedging transaction to be “clearly identified,” (i) it must be identified as a hedging transaction before the end of the day on which it is acquired, originated, or entered into; and (ii) the items of risks being hedged must be identified “substantially contemporaneously” with entering into the hedging transaction (generally not more than 35 days after entering into the hedging transaction). We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, although this determination depends on an analysis of the facts and circumstances concerning each hedging transaction. We also implement part of our hedging strategy through our TRSs, which are subject to U.S. federal, state and, if applicable, local income tax.
We intend to treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Sidley Austin LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% asset test, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying Agency RMBS, and to treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Sidley Austin LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS.
Interest Rate Effect on Net Interest Income
Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of leveraged fixed-rate Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities will remain static. Moreover, interest rates may rise at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged adjustable-rate and hybrid securities. Both of these factors could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target assets. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.
Our hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our target assets. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the investment will be longer or shorter, which could reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions. Hedging strategies involving the use of derivative securities are highly complex and may produce volatile returns.
We acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities. These are assets in which some of the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which may limit the amount by which the security’s interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements are not subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate and hybrid securities could effectively be limited by caps. This issue will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid securities that are not based on mortgages that are fully indexed. In addition, adjustable-rate and hybrid securities may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. If this happens, we could receive less cash income on such assets than we would need to pay for interest costs on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Interest Rate Mismatch Risk
We fund the majority of our adjustable-rate and hybrid Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities with borrowings that are based on LIBOR, while the interest rates on these assets may be indexed to other index rates, such as the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury index, or CMT, the Monthly Treasury Average index, or MTA, or the 11th District Cost of Funds Index, or COFI. Accordingly, any increase in LIBOR relative to these indices may result in an increase in our borrowing costs that is not matched by a corresponding increase in the interest earnings on these assets. Any such interest rate index mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we utilize the hedging strategies discussed above.

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The following table provides the indices of our variable rate Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, based on carrying value (dollars in thousands).
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Index Type
 
Floating
 
Hybrid (1)
 
Total
 
Index %
 
Floating
 
Hybrid (1)
 
Total
 
Index %
CMT
 
$
9,502

 
$
15,423

 
$
24,925

 
1
%
 
$
11,832

 
$
18,497

 
$
30,329

 
1
%
LIBOR
 
3,374,141

 
9,278

 
3,383,419

 
93
%
 
2,563,850

 
13,284

 
2,577,134

 
92
%
Other (2)
 
50,597

 
165,054

 
215,651

 
6
%
 
48,894

 
142,502

 
191,396

 
7
%
Total
 
$
3,434,240

 
$
189,755

 
$
3,623,995

 
100
%
 
$
2,624,576

 
$
174,283

 
$
2,798,859

 
100
%
____________________
(1)
“Hybrid” amounts reflect those assets with greater than twelve months to reset.
(2)
“Other” includes COFI, MTA and other indices.

The following analyses of risks are based on our experience, estimates, models and assumptions. They rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models.
We perform interest rate sensitivity analyses on various measures of our financial results and condition by examining how our assets, financing, and hedges will perform in various interest rate “shock” scenarios. Two of these measures are presented here in more detail. The first measure is change in annualized net interest income over the next 12 months, including interest spread from our interest rate swaps and caps and float income from custodial accounts associated with our MSR. The change in annualized net interest income does not reflect any potential changes to dollar roll income associated with our TBA positions. To the extent we hold long TBAs, we would expect dollar roll income to decrease as interest rates rise and vice versa. The second measure is change in value of financial position, including the value of our derivative assets and liabilities. All changes in value are measured as the change from the December 31, 2018 financial position. All projected changes in annualized net interest income are measured as the change from the projected annualized net interest income based off current performance returns.
Computation of the cash flows for the rate-sensitive assets underpinning change in annualized net interest income are based on assumptions related to, among other things, prepayment speeds, yield on future acquisitions, slope of the yield curve, and size of the portfolio. (The assumption for prepayment speeds for Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, and MSR, for example, is that they do not change in response to changes in interest rates.) Assumptions for the interest rate sensitive liabilities relate to, among other things, collateral requirements as a percentage of borrowings and amount/term of borrowing. These assumptions may not hold in practice; realized net interest income results may therefore be significantly different from the net interest income produced in scenario analyses. We also note that the uncertainty associated with the estimate of a change in net interest income is directly related to the size of interest rate move considered.
Computation of results for portfolio value involves a two-step process. The first is the use of models to project how the value of interest rate sensitive instruments will change in the scenarios considered. We use both recognized industry models and proprietary models to make these projections. The second, and equally important, step is the improvement of the model projections based on application of our experience in assessing how current market and macroeconomic conditions will affect the prices of various interest rate sensitive instruments. Judgment is best applied to localized (less than 25 bps) interest rate moves. The more an instantaneous interest rate move exceeds 25 bps, the greater the likelihood that accompanying market events are significant enough to warrant reconsideration of interest rate sensitivities. As with net interest income, the uncertainty associated with the estimate of change in portfolio value is therefore directly related to the size of interest rate move considered.

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The following interest rate sensitivity table displays the potential impact of instantaneous, parallel changes in interest rates of +/- 25 and +/- 50 bps on annualized net interest income and portfolio value, based on our interest sensitive financial instruments at December 31, 2018. The preceding discussion shows that the results for the 25 bps move scenarios are the best representation of our interest rate exposure, followed by those for the 50 bps move scenarios. This hierarchy reflects our localized approach to managing interest rate risk: monitoring rates and rebalancing our hedges on a day to day basis, where rate moves only rarely exceed 25 bps in either direction.
 
Changes in Interest Rates
(dollars in thousands)
-50 bps
 
-25 bps
 
+25 bps
 
+50 bps
Change in annualized net interest income (1):
$
15,381

 
$
7,655

 
$
(7,678
)
 
$
(15,356
)
% change in net interest income (1)
3.6
 %
 
1.8
 %
 
(1.8
)%
 
(3.6
)%
Change in value of financial position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
396,470

 
$
187,053

 
$
(213,050
)
 
$
(488,672
)
As a % of common equity
12.2
 %
 
5.7
 %
 
(6.5
)%
 
(15.0
)%
Mortgage servicing rights
$
(235,667
)
 
$
(112,245
)
 
$
99,487

 
$
187,023

As a % of common equity
(7.2
)%
 
(3.5
)%
 
3.1
 %
 
5.7
 %
Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale
$
137

 
$
38

 
$
(70
)
 
$
(263
)
As a % of common equity
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Derivatives, net
$
(274,909
)
 
$
(136,316
)
 
$
100,208

 
$
196,999

As a % of common equity
(8.5
)%
 
(4.2
)%
 
3.1
 %
 
6.1
 %
Reverse repurchase agreements
$
159

 
$
79

 
$
(79
)
 
$
(159
)
As a % of common equity
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Repurchase agreements
$
(17,537
)
 
$
(8,769
)
 
$
8,769

 
$
17,537

As a % of common equity
(0.5
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
0.3
 %
 
0.5
 %
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
$
(180
)
 
$
(90
)
 
$
90

 
$
180

As a % of common equity
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Revolving credit facilities
$
(129
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$
65

 
$
129

As a % of common equity
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Convertible senior notes
$
(3,537
)
 
$
(1,761
)
 
$
1,746

 
$
3,478

As a % of common equity
(0.1
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
0.1
 %
 
0.1
 %
Total Net Assets
$
(135,193
)
 
$
(72,076
)
 
$
(2,834
)
 
$
(83,748
)
As a % of total assets
(0.4
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
—
 %
 
(0.3
)%
As a % of common equity
(4.2
)%
 
(2.2
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
(2.6
)%
____________________
(1)
Amounts include the effect of interest spread from our interest rate swaps and caps and float income from custodial accounts associated with our MSR, but do not reflect any potential changes to dollar roll income associated with our TBA positions, which are accounted for as derivative instruments in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at December 31, 2018. As discussed, the analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on our experience and judgment. Furthermore, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.
The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table above and all related disclosures constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. While this table reflects the estimated impact of interest rate changes on the static portfolio, we actively manage our portfolio and continuously make adjustments to the size and composition of our asset and hedge portfolio. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table.

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Prepayment Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated. As we receive prepayments of principal on our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities, premiums paid on such assets will be amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets.
We believe that we will be able to reinvest proceeds from scheduled principal payments and prepayments at acceptable yields; however, no assurances can be given that, should significant prepayments occur, market conditions would be such that acceptable investments could be identified and the proceeds timely reinvested.
MSR are also subject to prepayment risk in that, generally, an increase in prepayment rates would result in a decline in value of the MSR.
Market Risk
Market Value Risk. Our AFS securities are reflected at their estimated fair value, with the difference between amortized cost and estimated fair value for all AFS securities except Agency interest-only securities reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, market valuation of credit risks, and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets may be adversely impacted.
Our MSR are reflected at their estimated fair value. The estimated fair value fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect prepayments to decrease, resulting in an increase in the fair value of our MSR. Conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect prepayments to increase, resulting in a decline in fair value.
Real estate risk. Residential property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including national, regional and local economic conditions; local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; retroactive changes to building or similar codes; and natural disasters and other catastrophes. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral for residential mortgage loans and the potential proceeds available to borrowers to repay the loans, which could cause us to suffer losses on our non-Agency securities.
Liquidity Risk
Our liquidity risk is principally associated with our financing of long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and borrowings under revolving credit facilities. Although the interest rate adjustments of these assets and liabilities fall within the guidelines established by our operating policies, maturities are not required to be, nor are they, matched.
Should the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, lender margin calls could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Moreover, the portfolio construction of MSR, which generally have negative duration, combined with levered RMBS, which generally have positive duration, may in certain market scenarios lead to variation margin calls, which could negatively impact our excess cash position. Additionally, if the FHLB or one or more of our repurchase agreement or revolving credit facility counterparties chose not to provide ongoing funding, our ability to finance would decline or exist at possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities. See Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management.
Credit Risk
We believe that our investment strategy will generally keep our risk of credit losses low to moderate. However, we retain the risk of potential credit losses on all of the loans underlying our non-Agency securities. With respect to our non-Agency securities that are senior in the credit structure, credit support contained in deal structures provide a level of protection from losses. We seek to manage the remaining credit risk through our pre-acquisition due diligence process, which includes comprehensive underwriting, and by factoring assumed credit losses into the purchase prices we pay for non-Agency securities. In addition, with respect to any particular target asset, we evaluate relative valuation, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. At times, we enter into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments in an attempt to manage our credit risk. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could adversely affect our operating results.


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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 

89
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors
of Two Harbors Investment Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Two Harbors Investment Corp. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 26, 2019

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
25,552,604

 
$
21,220,819

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value
1,993,440

 
1,086,717

Cash and cash equivalents
409,758

 
419,159

Restricted cash
688,006

 
635,836

Accrued interest receivable
86,589

 
68,309

Due from counterparties
154,626

 
842,303

Derivative assets, at fair value
319,981

 
309,918

Reverse repurchase agreements
761,815

 
—

Other assets
165,660

 
206,252

Total Assets
$
30,132,479

 
$
24,789,313

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
23,133,476

 
$
19,451,207

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
865,024

 
1,215,024

Revolving credit facilities
310,000

 
20,000

Convertible senior notes
283,856

 
282,827

Derivative liabilities, at fair value
820,590

 
31,903

Due to counterparties
130,210

 
88,898

Dividends payable
135,551

 
12,552

Accrued interest payable
160,005

 
87,698

Other liabilities
39,278

 
27,780

Total Liabilities
25,877,990

 
21,217,889

Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 40,050,000 and 29,050,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($1,001,250 and $726,250 liquidation preference, respectively)
977,501

 
702,537

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized and 248,085,721 and 174,496,587 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
2,481

 
1,745

Additional paid-in capital
4,809,616

 
3,672,003

Accumulated other comprehensive income
110,817

 
334,813

Cumulative earnings
2,332,371

 
2,386,604

Cumulative distributions to stockholders
(3,978,297
)
 
(3,526,278
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
4,254,489

 
3,571,424

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
30,132,479

 
$
24,789,313


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands, except share data)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
847,325

 
$
631,853

 
$
414,050

Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
—

 
102,886

 
133,993

Other
22,707

 
10,350

 
27,037

Total interest income
870,032

 
745,089

 
575,080

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
469,437

 
210,430

 
88,850

Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
—

 
82,573

 
97,729

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
20,417

 
36,911

 
26,101

Revolving credit facilities
10,820

 
2,341

 
604

Convertible senior notes
18,997

 
17,933

 
—

Total interest expense
519,671

 
350,188

 
213,284

Net interest income
350,361

 
394,901

 
361,796

Other-than-temporary impairments:

 

 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
(470
)
 
(789
)
 
(1,822
)
Other (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on investment securities
(341,312
)
 
(34,695
)
 
(107,374
)
Servicing income
343,096

 
209,065

 
143,579

Loss on servicing asset
(69,033
)
 
(91,033
)
 
(83,531
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
16,043

 
(9,753
)
 
45,371

(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
(54,857
)
 
(70,159
)
 
99,379

Other income
3,037

 
30,141

 
9,964

Total other (loss) income
(103,026
)
 
33,566

 
107,388

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
30,272

 
40,472

 
39,261

Servicing expenses
61,136

 
35,289

 
32,119

Securitization deal costs
—

 
—

 
6,152

Other operating expenses
62,983

 
54,160

 
56,605

Acquisition transaction costs
86,703

 
—

 
—

Restructuring charges
8,238

 
—

 
2,990

Total expenses
249,332

 
129,921

 
137,127

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes
(2,467
)
 
297,757

 
330,235

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
41,823

 
(10,482
)
 
12,314

Net (loss) income from continuing operations
(44,290
)
 
308,239

 
317,921

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
44,146

 
35,357

Net (loss) income
(44,290
)
 
352,385

 
353,278

Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
3,814

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(44,290
)
 
348,571

 
353,278

Dividends on preferred stock
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(109,685
)
 
$
323,449

 
$
353,278

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, continued
(in thousands, except share data)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Basic (loss) earnings per weighted average common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.62

 
$
1.83

Discontinued operations
—

 
0.23

 
0.20

Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.85

 
$
2.03

Diluted (loss) earnings per weighted average common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.60

 
$
1.83

Discontinued operations
—

 
0.21

 
0.20

Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.81

 
$
2.03

Weighted average number of shares of common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
206,020,502

 
174,433,999

 
174,036,852

Diluted
206,020,502

 
188,133,341

 
174,036,852

Comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(44,290
)
 
$
352,385

 
$
353,278

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(233,914
)
 
135,586

 
(159,834
)
Comprehensive (loss) income
(278,204
)
 
487,971

 
193,444

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
3,814

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(278,204
)
 
484,157

 
193,444

Dividends on preferred stock
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(343,599
)
 
$
459,035

 
$
193,444

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock Par Value
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Cumulative Earnings
 
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
Non-
controlling Interest
 
Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
—

 
$
1,770

 
$
3,707,288

 
$
359,061

 
$
1,684,755

 
$
(2,176,313
)
 
$
3,576,561

 
$
—

 
$
3,576,561

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
353,278

 
—

 
353,278

 
—

 
353,278

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax benefit of $20,435
—

 
—

 
—

 
(58,804
)
 
—

 
—

 
(58,804
)
 
—

 
(58,804
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit of $6,373
—

 
—

 
—

 
(101,030
)
 
—

 
—

 
(101,030
)
 
—

 
(101,030
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $26,809
—

 
—

 
—

 
(159,834
)
 
—

 
—

 
(159,834
)
 
—

 
(159,834
)
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
—

 
1

 
501

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
502

 
—

 
502

Repurchase of common stock
—

 
(40
)
 
(61,267
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(61,307
)
 
—

 
(61,307
)
Common dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(323,286
)
 
(323,286
)
 
—

 
(323,286
)
Non-cash equity award compensation
—

 
8

 
15,189

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15,197

 
—

 
15,197

Balance, December 31, 2016
$
—

 
$
1,739

 
$
3,661,711

 
$
199,227

 
$
2,038,033

 
$
(2,499,599
)
 
$
3,401,111

 
$
—

 
$
3,401,111

Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
348,571

 
—

 
348,571

 
3,814

 
352,385

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax expense of $45,157
—

 
—

 
—

 
129,590

 
—

 
—

 
129,590

 
—

 
129,590

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit of $2,722
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,996

 
—

 
—

 
5,996

 
—

 
5,996

Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense of $42,435
—

 
—

 
—

 
135,586

 
—

 
—

 
135,586

 
—

 
135,586

Contribution of TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.
—

 
—

 
(13,771
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(13,771
)
 
195,646

 
181,875

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests
—

 
—

 
181

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
181

 
(11,542
)
 
(11,361
)
Issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs
702,537

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
702,537

 
—

 
702,537

Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
—

 
—

 
449

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
449

 
—

 
449

Preferred dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(25,122
)
 
(25,122
)
 
—

 
(25,122
)
Common dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(350,709
)
 
(350,709
)
 
(3,177
)
 
(353,886
)
Special dividend of Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. common stock
—

 
—

 
11,267

 
—

 
—

 
(650,848
)
 
(639,581
)
 
(184,741
)
 
(824,322
)
Non-cash equity award compensation
—

 
6

 
12,165

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,171

 
—

 
12,171

Balance, December 31, 2017
$
702,537

 
$
1,745

 
$
3,672,003

 
$
334,813

 
$
2,386,604

 
$
(3,526,278
)
 
$
3,571,424

 
$
—

 
$
3,571,424

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting principles
—

 
—

 
25

 
9,918

 
(9,943
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Adjusted balance, January 1, 2018
702,537

 
1,745

 
3,672,028

 
344,731

 
2,376,661

 
(3,526,278
)
 
3,571,424

 
—

 
3,571,424

Net loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(44,290
)
 
—

 
(44,290
)
 
—

 
(44,290
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax benefit of $14,890
—

 
—

 
—

 
(488,253
)
 
—

 
—

 
(488,253
)
 
—

 
(488,253
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit of $0
—

 
—

 
—

 
254,339

 
—

 
—

 
254,339

 
—

 
254,339

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $14,890
—

 
—

 
—

 
(233,914
)
 
—

 
—

 
(233,914
)
 
—

 
(233,914
)
Acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
274,950

 
726

 
1,124,388

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,400,064

 
—

 
1,400,064

Issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs
14

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14

 
—

 
14

Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
—

 
—

 
215

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
215

 
—

 
215

Preferred dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(65,395
)
 
(65,395
)
 
—

 
(65,395
)
Common dividends declared
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(386,624
)
 
(386,624
)
 
—

 
(386,624
)
Non-cash equity award compensation
—

 
10

 
12,985

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,995

 
—

 
12,995

Balance, December 31, 2018
$
977,501

 
$
2,481

 
$
4,809,616

 
$
110,817

 
$
2,332,371

 
$
(3,978,297
)
 
$
4,254,489

 
$
—

 
$
4,254,489

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
$
(44,290
)
 
$
308,239

 
$
317,921

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
   

Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities, net
93,830

 
67,651

 
42,888

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs on convertible senior notes
1,029

 
714

 
—

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
470

 
789

 
1,822

Realized and unrealized losses on investment securities
344,468

 
35,401

 
107,374

Loss on servicing asset
69,033

 
91,033

 
83,531

(Gain) loss on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment and collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
—

 
(22,683
)
 
11,834

Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps, caps and swaptions
33,174

 
930

 
(66,444
)
Unrealized loss (gain) on other derivative instruments
23,489

 
50,099

 
(37,463
)
Equity based compensation
12,995

 
11,330

 
15,197

Excess consideration in the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
77,602

 
—

 
—

Net change in assets and liabilities:


 
 
 
 
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
12,366

 
(24,689
)
 
(10,603
)
Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes, net
41,988

 
(11,030
)
 
13,766

Increase in accrued interest payable
44,820

 
67,118

 
10,200

Increase (decrease) in other, net
(8,104
)
 
(229
)
 
(270,513
)
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
—

 
32,108

 
20,169

Net cash provided by operating activities
$
702,870

 
$
606,781

 
239,679

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, continued
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
$
(12,621,282
)
 
$
(18,232,105
)
 
$
(21,310,083
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
15,202,406

 
8,708,941

 
14,404,458

Principal payments on available-for-sale securities
2,434,071

 
1,553,051

 
1,276,159

Purchases of mortgage servicing rights, net of purchase price adjustments
(976,393
)
 
(484,261
)
 
(317,709
)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage servicing rights
637

 
355

 
40,137

(Purchases) short sales of derivative instruments, net
(83,887
)
 
(103,175
)
 
(19,240
)
Proceeds from sales and settlement (payments for termination and settlement) of derivative instruments, net
354,822

 
85,811

 
76,040

Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements
4,085,127

 
—

 
—

Repayments of reverse repurchase agreements
(4,085,482
)
 
—

 
—

Proceeds from sales of beneficial interests in securitization trusts
—

 
190,160

 
—

Proceeds from repayment of residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
—

 
332,085

 
913,894

Net cash paid for the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
(13,552
)
 
—

 
—

Increase (decrease) in due to counterparties, net
449,274

 
(805,158
)
 
34,665

Increase (decrease) in other, net
44,257

 
83,976

 
(11,206
)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations
—

 
(813,939
)
 
(757,393
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
4,789,998

 
(9,484,259
)
 
$
(5,670,278
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from repurchase agreements
151,887,922

 
139,559,059

 
$
111,505,422

Principal payments on repurchase agreements
(156,949,180
)
 
(128,973,036
)
 
(107,589,163
)
Proceeds from issuance of collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
—

 
—

 
1,877,399

Principal payments on collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
—

 
(328,978
)
 
(832,405
)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
—

 
—

 
215,000

Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(350,000
)
 
(2,784,976
)
 
—

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
397,400

 
123,000

 
70,000

Principal payments on revolving credit facilities
(107,400
)
 
(173,000
)
 
—

Proceeds from convertible senior notes
—

 
282,113

 
—

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs
(36
)
 
702,537

 
—

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
215

 
449

 
502

Repurchase of common stock
—

 
—

 
(61,307
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(58,394
)
 
(13,173
)
 
—

Dividends paid on common stock
(270,626
)
 
(422,885
)
 
(331,865
)
Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations
—

 
1,146,168

 
391,818

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(5,450,099
)
 
9,117,278

 
5,245,401

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
42,769

 
239,800

 
(185,198
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of continuing operations at beginning of period
1,054,995

 
758,916

 
944,055

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations at beginning of period
—

 
56,279

 
56,338

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
1,054,995

 
815,195

 
1,000,393

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
1,097,764

 
$
1,054,995

 
$
815,195

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, continued
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
419,878

 
$
227,518

 
$
116,147

Cash paid (received) for taxes
$
397

 
$
(856
)
 
$
(5,146
)
Noncash Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of the assets and liabilities of CYS Investments, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
10,034,557

 
$
—

 
$
—

Cash and cash equivalents
$
386

 
$
—

 
$
—

Restricted cash
$
1,062

 
$
—

 
$
—

Accrued interest receivable
$
30,646

 
$
—

 
$
—

Reverse repurchase agreements
$
761,460

 
$
—

 
$
—

Other assets
$
11,977

 
$
—

 
$
—

Repurchase agreements
$
(8,743,527
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Derivative liabilities, net
$
(451,026
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Due to counterparties, net
$
(279,715
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Accrued interest payable
$
(27,487
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Other liabilities
$
(821
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Issuance of preferred stock in connection with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
$
275,000

 
$
—

 
$
—

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
$
1,125,114

 
$
—

 
$
—

Deconsolidation of the assets and liabilities of variable interest entities
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
$
—

 
$
2,894,507

 
$
—

Accrued interest receivable
$
—

 
$
15,386

 
$
—

Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
$
—

 
$
2,920,970

 
$
—

Accrued interest payable
$
—

 
$
8,271

 
$
—

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
—

 
$
10,826

 
$
—

Recognition of beneficial interests in securitization trusts
$
—

 
$
59,826

 
$
—

Distribution of TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. in exchange for common shares
$
—

 
$
651,000

 
$
—

Distribution of Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. common stock
$
—

 
$
650,848

 
$
—

Transfers of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale to residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,031,226

Cumulative-effect adjustment to equity for adoption of new accounting principle
$
9,918

 
$
—

 
$
—

Dividends declared but not paid at end of period
$
135,551

 
$
12,552

 
$
83,437

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Organization and Operations
Two Harbors Investment Corp., or the Company, is a Maryland corporation investing in, financing and managing Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or Agency RMBS, non-Agency securities, mortgage servicing rights, or MSR, and other financial assets. The Company’s Chief Investment Officer manages the investment portfolio as a whole and resources are allocated and financial performance is assessed on a consolidated basis. The Company is externally managed and advised by PRCM Advisers LLC, or PRCM Advisers, which is a subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P., or Pine River. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TWO”.
The Company was incorporated on May 21, 2009, and commenced operations as a publicly traded company on October 28, 2009, upon completion of a merger with Capitol Acquisition Corp., or Capitol, which became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company as a result of the merger.
The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As long as the Company continues to comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law and maintains its qualification as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes to the extent that the Company distributes its taxable income to its stockholders on an annual basis and does not engage in prohibited transactions. However, certain activities that the Company may perform may cause it to earn income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. The Company has designated certain of its subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities.
On June 28, 2017, the Company completed the contribution of its portfolio of commercial real estate assets to Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., or Granite Point, a newly formed Maryland corporation intended to qualify as a REIT, externally managed and advised by Pine River, and focused on directly originating, investing in and managing senior floating-rate commercial mortgage loans and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments. The Company contributed its equity interests in its wholly owned subsidiary, TH Commercial Holdings LLC, to Granite Point and, in exchange for its contribution, received approximately 33.1 million shares of common stock of Granite Point, which represented approximately 76.5% of the outstanding stock of Granite Point upon completion of the initial public offering, or IPO, of its common stock on June 28, 2017. On November 1, 2017, the Company distributed, on a pro rata basis, the 33.1 million shares of Granite Point common stock that it acquired in connection with the contribution to stockholders holding shares of Two Harbors common stock outstanding as of the close of business on October 20, 2017.
On April 26, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which the Company would acquire CYS Investments, Inc., or CYS, a Maryland corporation investing in primarily Agency RMBS and treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The transaction was approved by the stockholders of both the Company and CYS on July 27, 2018, and the merger was completed on July 31, 2018, at which time CYS became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In exchange for all of the shares of CYS common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, the Company issued approximately 72.6 million new shares of common stock, as well as aggregate cash consideration of $15.0 million, to CYS common stockholders. In addition, the Company issued 3 million shares of newly classified Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock and 8 million shares of newly classified Series E cumulative redeemable preferred stock in exchange for all shares of CYS’s Series A and Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the effective time of the merger.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries; inter-company accounts and
transactions have been eliminated. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all prior periods presented have been adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 1, 2017 (refer to Note 16 - Stockholders’ Equity for additional information).
Due to its controlling ownership interest in Granite Point through November 1, 2017, the Company consolidated Granite Point on its financial statements. Effective November 1, 2017 (the date the 33.1 million shares of Granite Point common stock were distributed to the Company’s common stockholders), the Company no longer had a controlling interest in Granite Point and, therefore, deconsolidated Granite Point and its subsidiaries from its financial statements and reclassified all of Granite Point’s prior period assets, liabilities and results of operations to discontinued operations.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company retains debt securities and excess servicing rights purchased from securitization trusts sponsored by either third parties or the Company’s subsidiaries. The securitization trusts are considered variable interest entities, or VIEs, for financial reporting purposes and, thus, are reviewed for consolidation under the applicable consolidation guidance. Whenever the Company has both the power to direct the activities of a trust that most significantly impact the entities’ performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entities that could be significant, the Company consolidates the trust. During the majority of 2017, the Company retained the most subordinate security in each of the securitization trusts, which gave the Company the power to direct the activities of the trusts that most significantly impact the trusts’ performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the securitization trusts that could be significant. As a result, the Company consolidated all of the securitization trusts, including the underlying mortgage loans held by the trusts (residential mortgage loans held-for-investment) and the associated debt (collateralized borrowings), on its consolidated balance sheet. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company sold all of the retained subordinated securities thereby removing the Company’s power to direct the activities of the trusts and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the securitization trusts. As a result, the securitization trusts are no longer consolidated on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the remaining retained securities are included within non-Agency available-for-sale, or AFS, securities.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, the period of time during which the Company anticipates an increase in the fair values of real estate securities sufficient to recover unrealized losses in those securities, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company’s estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.
Significant Accounting Policies
Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value
The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations and other residential mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans (collectively “Agency RMBS”) issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, and the Government National Mortgage Association, or Ginnie Mae, or collectively, the government sponsored entities, or GSEs. The Company also invests in securities that are not issued by the GSEs, or non-Agency securities, and, from time to time, U.S. Treasuries.
The Company classifies its Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities, excluding inverse interest-only Agency securities classified as derivatives for purposes of U.S. GAAP, as AFS, investments. Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its investment securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its investment securities as part of its overall management of its portfolio. Accordingly, the Company classifies all of its securities as AFS, including its interest-only strips, which represent the Company’s right to receive a specified portion of the contractual interest flows of specific Agency or non-Agency securities. All assets classified as AFS, excluding Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities, are reported at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses, excluding other than temporary impairments, included in accumulated other comprehensive income, on an after-tax basis.
On July 1, 2015, the Company elected the fair value option for Agency interest-only securities acquired on or after such date. All Agency interest-only securities acquired on or after July 1, 2015 are carried at estimated fair value with changes in fair value, excluding other than temporary impairments, recorded as a component of loss on investment securities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair value is determined under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820. The Company determines the fair value of its RMBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency RMBS”), based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing providers or broker quotes received using the bid price, which are both deemed indicative of market activity. In determining the fair value of its non-Agency securities, management judgment is used to arrive at fair value that considers prices obtained from third-party pricing providers, broker quotes received and other applicable market data. If listed price data is not available or insufficient, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that are primarily based on observable market-based inputs but also include unobservable market data inputs. See Note 9 - Fair Value of these notes to the consolidated financial statements for details on fair value measurement.
Investment securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. The cost basis for realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities are determined on the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method.
Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities rated AA and higher at the time of purchase, are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity. The Company estimates prepayments for its Agency interest-only securities, which represent the Company’s right to receive a specified portion of the contractual interest flows of specific Agency securities. As a result, if prepayments increase (or are expected to increase), the Company will accelerate the rate of amortization on the premiums.
Interest income on the non-Agency securities that were purchased at a discount to par value and were rated below AA at the time of purchase is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate. The effective interest rate on these securities is based on the projected cash flows from each security, which are estimated based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to interest rates, prepayment rates, and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the yield/interest income recognized on such securities. Actual maturities of the AFS securities are affected by the contractual lives of the associated mortgage collateral, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal. Therefore actual maturities of AFS securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Stated contractual maturities are generally greater than ten years.
Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s non-Agency securities purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as credit protection against future credit losses and, therefore, not accreted into interest income. The amount designated as credit discount 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 discount is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as credit discount may be accreted into interest income prospectively. Conversely, if the performance of a security with a credit discount is less favorable than forecasted, an impairment charge and write-down of such security to a new cost basis results.
The Company evaluates its investment securities, on a quarterly basis, to assess whether a decline in the fair value of an AFS security below the Company’s amortized cost basis is an other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI. The presence of OTTI is based upon a fair value decline below a security’s amortized cost basis and a corresponding adverse change in expected cash flows due to credit related factors as well as non-credit factors, such as changes in interest rates and market spreads. Impairment is considered other-than-temporary if an entity (i) intends to sell the security, (ii) will more likely than not be required to sell the security before it recovers in value, or (iii) does not expect to recover the security’s amortized cost basis, even if the entity does not intend to sell the security. Under these scenarios, the impairment is other-than-temporary and the full amount of impairment should be recognized currently in earnings and the cost basis of the investment security is adjusted. However, if an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery, the OTTI is separated into (i) the estimated amount relating to credit loss, or credit component, and (ii) the amount relating to all other factors, or non-credit component. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized currently in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income in accordance with the effective interest method.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Mortgage Servicing Rights, at Fair Value
The Company’s MSR represent the right to service mortgage loans. The Company and its subsidiaries do not originate or directly service mortgage loans, and instead contract with appropriately licensed subservicers to handle substantially all servicing functions in the name of the subservicer for the loans underlying the Company’s MSR. However, as an owner and manager of MSR, the Company may be obligated to fund advances of principal and interest payments due to third-party owners of the loans, but not yet received from the individual borrowers. These advances are reported as servicing advances within the other assets line item on the consolidated balance sheets.
MSR are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Although MSR transactions are observable in the marketplace, the valuation includes unobservable market data inputs (prepayment speeds, delinquency levels and discount rates). Changes in the fair value of MSR as well as servicing fee income and servicing expenses are reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in bank accounts and cash held in money market funds on an overnight basis.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by counterparties as collateral against the Company’s securities, certain derivative instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Also included is the cash balance held pursuant to a letter of credit on the New York office lease. Cash held by counterparties as collateral, which resides in non-interest bearing accounts, is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to security, derivative or repurchase counterparties or returned to the Company when the collateral requirements are exceeded or, at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement.
Accrued Interest Receivable
Accrued interest receivable represents interest that is due and payable to the Company. Cash interest is generally received within 30 days of recording the receivable.
Due from/to Counterparties, net
Due from counterparties includes cash held by counterparties for payment of principal and interest as well as cash held by counterparties as collateral against certain of the Company’s derivatives and/or repurchase agreements but represents excess capacity and deemed unrestricted and a receivable from the counterparty as of the balance sheet date. Due from counterparties also includes cash receivable from counterparties for sales of MSR pending final transfer and settlement. Due to counterparties includes cash payable by the Company upon settlement of trade positions as well as cash deposited to and held by the Company as collateral against certain of the Company’s derivatives and/or repurchase agreements but represents a payable to the counterparty as of the balance sheet date. Due to counterparties also includes purchase price holdbacks on MSR acquisitions for early prepayment or default provisions, collateral exceptions and other contractual terms.
Derivative Financial Instruments, at Fair Value
In accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, as amended and interpreted, or ASC 815, all derivative financial instruments, whether designated for hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities and carried at fair value.
At the inception of a derivative contract, 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. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has elected to treat all current derivative contracts as trading instruments. Changes in fair value as well as the accrual and settlement of interest associated with derivatives accounted for as trading instruments are reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements or (loss) gain on other derivative instruments depending on the type of derivative instrument.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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 consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s centrally cleared interest rate swaps require that the Company posts an “initial margin” amount determined by the clearing exchange, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the interest rate swap’s maximum estimated single-day price movement. The Company also exchanges “variation margin” based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by the exchange. As a result of amendments to rules governing certain central clearing activities, the exchange of variation margin is a settlement of the interest rate swap, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2018 and in subsequent periods, the Company accounts for the receipt or payment of variation margin on interest rate swaps as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, variation margin pledged or received is netted on a counterparty basis and classified within restricted cash, due from counterparties, or due to counterparties on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company has provided specific disclosure regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in the consolidated financial statements and how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for. See Note 7 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities of these notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Company may borrow U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase transactions under its master repurchase agreements to cover short sales. The Company accounts for these reverse repurchase agreements as securities borrowing transactions and records them at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature, on its consolidated balance sheets.
Commercial Real Estate Assets (of Discontinued Operations)
Due to the Company’s controlling ownership interest in Granite Point through November 1, 2017, its financial condition and results of operations through such date reflect Granite Point’s commercial strategy, which includes as target assets first mortgages, mezzanine loans, B-notes and preferred equity. These commercial real estate assets have been reclassified to assets of discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income on commercial real estate assets has been reclassified to income from discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
The Company’s commercial real estate assets were reported at cost, net of any unamortized acquisition premiums or discounts, loan fees and origination costs as applicable, unless the assets were deemed impaired. No impairments were recorded while these loans were held by the Company.
Interest income on commercial real estate assets was recognized at the loan coupon rate. Any premiums or discounts, loan fees and origination costs were amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the loans using the effective interest method. Loans were considered past due when they are 30 days past their contractual due date. Interest income recognition was suspended when loans are placed on nonaccrual status. Generally, commercial real estate loans were placed on nonaccrual status when delinquent for more than 60 days or when determined not to be probable of full collection. Interest accrued, but not collected, at the date loans were placed on nonaccrual is reversed and subsequently recognized only to the extent it was received in cash or until it qualified for return to accrual status. However, where there was doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of loan principal, all cash received was applied to reduce the carrying value of such loans. Commercial real estate loans were restored to accrual status only when contractually current or the collection of future payments was reasonably assured.
Repurchase Agreements
The Company finances certain of its investment securities and MSR through the use of repurchase agreements. These repurchase agreements are generally short-term debt, which expire within one year. As of December 31, 2018, certain of the Company’s repurchase agreements had contractual terms of greater than one year, and were considered long-term debt. Borrowings under repurchase agreements generally bear interest rates of a specified margin over one-month LIBOR and are generally uncommitted. The repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advances and Stock Holdings
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, TH Insurance Holdings Company LLC, or TH Insurance, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB, TH Insurance has access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLB, including secured advances.
The Company’s secured advances from the FHLB may have both short-term and long-term maturities. The advances with less than five year terms generally bear interest rates of a spread over one- or three-month LIBOR and the advances with 20-year terms generally bear interest rates of or one- or three-month MOVR, or the FHLB member option variable-rate. FHLB advances are treated as secured financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts.
As a condition to membership in the FHLB, the Company is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock, which is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. FHLB stock is considered a nonmarketable, long-term investment, is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. This stock can only be redeemed or sold at its par value, and only to the FHLB. Accordingly, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. At its discretion, the FHLB may declare dividends on its stock.
Revolving Credit Facilities
To finance MSR, the Company enters into revolving credit facilities collateralized by pledged MSR. Borrowings under these revolving credit facilities that expire within one year are considered short-term debt. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s revolving credit facilities that had contractual terms of greater than one year were considered long-term debt. The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally bear interest rates of a specified margin over one-month LIBOR. Borrowings under revolving credit facilities are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements.
Convertible Senior Notes
Convertible senior notes include unsecured convertible debt that are carried at their unpaid principal balance, net of any unamortized deferred issuance costs, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually until such time the notes mature or are converted into shares of the Company’s common stock.
Accrued Interest Payable
Accrued interest payable represents interest that is due and payable to third parties. Interest is generally paid within 30 days to three months of recording the payable, based upon the Company’s remittance requirements.
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income recognition for U.S. GAAP and tax differ in certain respects. These differences often reflect differing accounting treatments for tax and U.S. GAAP, such as accounting for discount and premium amortization, credit losses, asset impairments, recognition of certain operating expenses and certain valuation estimates. Some of these differences are temporary in nature and create timing mismatches between when taxable income is earned and the tax is paid versus when the earnings (losses) for U.S. GAAP purposes, or GAAP net (loss) income, are recognized and the tax provision is recorded. Some of these differences are permanent since certain income (or expense) may be recorded for tax purposes but not for U.S. GAAP purposes (or vice-versa). One such significant permanent difference is the Company’s ability as a REIT to deduct dividends paid to stockholders as an expense for tax purposes, but not for U.S. GAAP purposes.
As a result of these temporary differences, the Company’s TRSs may recognize taxable income in periods prior or subsequent to when it recognizes income for U.S. GAAP purposes. When this occurs, the TRSs pay or defer the tax liability and establish deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities, respectively, for U.S. GAAP purposes.
As the income is subsequently realized in future periods under U.S. GAAP, the deferred tax asset is recognized as an expense. Alternatively, as the TRSs realize the deferred taxable income, the deferred tax liability is recognized as a reduction to taxable income. The Company’s deferred tax assets and/or liabilities are generated solely by differences in GAAP net (loss) income and taxable income (loss) at our taxable subsidiaries. U.S. GAAP and tax differences in the REIT may create additional deferred tax assets and/or liabilities to the extent the Company does not distribute all of its taxable income.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code and the corresponding provisions of state law. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to stockholders (not including taxable income retained in its taxable subsidiaries) within the time frame set forth in the tax Code and the Company must also meet certain other requirements. In addition, because certain activities, if performed by the Company, may cause the Company to earn income which is not qualifying for the REIT gross income tests, the Company has formed TRSs, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities. These TRSs’ activities are subject to income taxes as well as any REIT taxable income not distributed to stockholders.
The Company assesses its tax positions for all open tax years and determines whether the Company has any material unrecognized liabilities in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company records these liabilities to the extent the Company deems them more likely than not to be incurred. The Company classifies interest and penalties on material uncertain tax positions as interest expense and operating expense, respectively, in its consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. SAB 118 provided a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the TCJA enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA were incomplete but it was able to determine a reasonable estimate, it was required to record a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements. . If a company could not determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it continued to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the TCJA.
The TCJA significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the federal income tax rate applicable to corporations from 35% to 21% and repealing the corporate alternative minimum tax. In addition, the deduction of net interest expense is limited for all businesses; provided that certain businesses, including real estate businesses, may elect not to be subject to such limitations and instead to depreciate their real property related assets over longer depreciable lives. This limitation could adversely affect our TRSs.
The Company recorded a provisional tax provision of $17.5 million in the 2017 financial statements, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. This amount represents the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax assets resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The provisional amount was finalized in 2018 without any changes and there is no additional impact to the 2018 financial statements. Technical corrections or other amendments to the TCJA or administrative guidance interpreting the TCJA may be forthcoming at any time. While the Company does not anticipate a material effect on its operations, the Company will continue to analyze and monitor the application of the TCJA to its businesses, its peers and the economic environment.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Current period net unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities, excluding Agency interest-only securities, are reported as components of accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. Net unrealized gains and losses on securities held by our taxable subsidiaries that are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted for the effects of taxation and may create deferred tax assets or liabilities.
Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share are computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. For both basic and diluted per share calculations, potential common shares represents issued and unvested shares of restricted stock, which have full rights to the common stock dividend declarations of the Company. If the assumed conversion of convertible notes into common shares is dilutive, diluted (loss) earnings per share is adjusted by adding back the periodic interest expense (net of any tax effects) associated with dilutive convertible notes to net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders and adding the shares issued in an assumed conversion to the diluted weighted average share count. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 1, 2017 (refer to Note 16 - Stockholders’ Equity for additional information).

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Equity Incentive Plan
The Company’s Second Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, provides incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel, including PRCM Advisers and its affiliates. The Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors. The Plan permits the granting of restricted shares of common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards. See Note 17 - Equity Incentive Plan for further details regarding the Plan.
The cost of equity-based compensation awarded to employees provided by our manager is measured on and fixed at the grant date, based on the price of the Company’s stock as of period end in accordance with ASU No. 2018-07, and amortized over the vesting term.
Asset Acquisition
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the acquirer in a merger transaction is to evaluate whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If that threshold is met, the set of acquired assets and associated activities is not deemed a business and is required to be accounted for as an asset acquisition. Upon completion of the merger with CYS on July 31, 2018, approximately 89% of the CYS assets acquired were Agency RMBS. The Company concluded that they were similar identifiable assets to be grouped to evaluate whether the “substantially all” threshold was met as the Agency RMBS are financial assets with similar risk characteristics associated with managing these assets. Given the concentration of the fair value of the Agency RMBS of the gross assets acquired, the Company concluded that the fair value of the gross assets acquired was concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets and, therefore, the merger was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The financial results of CYS since the closing date of the acquisition have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Asset acquisitions are generally accounted for by allocating the cost of the acquisition plus direct transaction costs to the individual assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. This allocation may cause identified assets to be recognized at amounts that are greater than their fair values. However, “non-qualifying” assets, which include financial assets and other current assets, should not be assigned an amount greater than their fair value. The gross assets acquired in the merger consisted most significantly of financial assets and other current assets. The cost of the acquisition of CYS plus direct transaction costs exceeded gross assets acquired less liabilities assumed in the merger. As there were no meaningful nonfinancial assets and non-current assets in this transaction and no identified intangible assets to assign value, the excess consideration and transaction costs were recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as an expense and an associated reduction in stockholders’ equity.
Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2014-09, which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. As a result of the issuance of ASU No. 2015-14 in August 2015 deferring the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year, the ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited. The Company has evaluated the new guidance and determined that interest income, gains and losses on financial instruments and income from servicing residential mortgage loans are outside the scope of ASC 606, Revenues from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606. For income from servicing residential mortgage loans, the Company considered that the FASB Transition Resource Group members generally agreed that an entity should look to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, to determine the appropriate accounting for these fees and ASC 606 contains a scope exception for contracts that fall under ASC 860. As a result, the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.
Lease Classification and Accounting
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheets both a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Valuation allowances for credit losses on AFS debt securities will be recognized, rather than direct reductions in the amortized cost of the investments, regardless of whether the impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. The new model also requires the estimation of lifetime expected credit losses and corresponding recognition of allowance for losses on trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans, and other instruments held at amortized cost. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the adoption of this ASU to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements, which at the date of adoption, will establish an allowance for credit losses on AFS securities which will be derived from the current designated credit reserve with a resulting increase to amortized cost on the securities. The Company also expects adoption of this ASU to impact the recording for the purchase of certain non-Agency securities with purchased credit deterioration by recording an allowance for credit losses with an increase in amortized cost above the purchase price of the same amount. Subsequent changes in expected credit losses will be recognized immediately in earnings as a provision for credit losses until the allowance is reduced to zero. Further favorable changes will result in prospective yield adjustments.
Clarifying the Definition of a Business
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, which changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The ASU requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in ASC 606. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company’s adoption of this ASU impacted how the Company accounted for the acquisition of CYS (see discussion above).
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, which permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, to retained earnings and requires entities to disclose whether or not they elected to reclassify the tax effects related to the TCJA as well as their policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Early adoption of this ASU was elected and applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment of $9.9 million to retained earnings, with the offsetting impact to accumulated other comprehensive income as of January 1, 2018.
Accounting for Share-Based Payments to Nonemployees
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 to simplify the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees by aligning it with the accounting for share-based payments to employees, with certain exceptions. Under the guidance, equity-classified nonemployee awards will be measured on and fixed at the grant date, rather than measured at fair value at each reporting date until the date at which the nonemployee’s performance is complete. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Early adoption of this ASU was elected on July 1, 2018 and applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.
Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Requirements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Under the guidance, entities are no longer required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but public companies are required to disclose (1) the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period and (2) the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Early adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations but resulted in some modified financial statement disclosures.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

SEC Disclosure Update and Simplification
In August 2018, the SEC adopted a final rule that amends certain disclosure requirements that have become duplicative, overlapping, or outdated in light of other SEC disclosure requirements, U.S. GAAP, or changes in the information environment. However, the guidance also added requirements for entities to include in their interim financial statements a reconciliation of changes in stockholders’ equity for each period for which an income statement is required (both year-to-date and quarterly periods). The final rule is effective for all filings made on or after November 5, 2018. However, the SEC staff said it would not object to a registrant waiting to comply with the new interim disclosure requirement until the filing of its Form 10-Q for the quarter that begins after the effective date. As a result, the Company plans to adopt the new interim disclosure requirement in its Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company has determined this final rule will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

Note 3. Acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
On July 31, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of CYS, through a merger of CYS with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in exchange for approximately 72.6 million shares of Two Harbors common stock as well as aggregate cash consideration of $15.0 million. In accordance with the merger agreement, the number of shares of Two Harbors common stock issued was based on an exchange ratio of 0.4680 per share and the cash consideration received by CYS common stockholders was $0.0965 per share. In addition, the Company issued 3 million shares of newly classified Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock and 8 million shares of newly classified Series E cumulative redeemable preferred stock in exchange for all shares of CYS’s Series A and Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the effective time of the merger.
The total purchase price for the merger of $1.4 billion consists primarily of Two Harbors common stock issued in exchange for shares of CYS common stock and was calculated based on the $15.50 closing price of Two Harbors common stock on July 31, 2018.
(dollars in thousands, except per share prices)
July 31,
2018
Common Stock Exchange:
 
 
 
CYS common stock outstanding
155,102,543

 
 
Common exchange ratio
0.4680

 
 
Two Harbors common stock to be issued
72,587,990

 
 
Less: fractional shares
218

 
 
Two Harbors common stock issued
72,587,772

 
 
Two Harbors share price
$
15.50

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,125,114

Cash in Lieu of Common Stock:
 
 
 
Fractional shares
218

 
 
Cash in lieu rate
$
15.59

 
 
 
 
 
$
3

Per Share Cash Consideration:
 
 
 
CYS common stock outstanding
155,102,543

 
 
Per share cash consideration
0.0965

 
 
 


 
$
14,967

 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock Exchange:
Shares
 
 
Series D preferred stock
3,000,000

 
$
75,000

Series E preferred stock
8,000,000

 
$
200,000

 
 
 
 
Total Purchase Price
 
 
$
1,415,084




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 2 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, the merger was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The total purchase price for the merger including direct transaction costs, which exceeded gross assets acquired less liabilities assumed in the merger, was allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis, as shown below:
(in thousands)
July 31,
2018
Assets:
 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
10,034,557

Cash and cash equivalents
386

Restricted cash
1,062

Accrued interest receivable
30,646

Due from counterparties
21,572

Derivative assets, at fair value
314,811

Reverse repurchase agreements
761,460

Other assets
11,947

Total Assets
$
11,176,441

Liabilities:
 
Repurchase agreements
$
8,743,527

Derivative liabilities, at fair value
765,837

Due to counterparties
301,287

Accrued interest payable
27,487

Other liabilities
821

Total Liabilities
9,838,959

Stockholders’ Equity
 
Cumulative deficit (acquisition transaction costs)
(77,602
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
$
(77,602
)
 
 
Total Purchase Price
$
1,415,084



As there were no meaningful nonfinancial assets and non-current assets in this transaction and no identified intangible assets to assign value, the excess consideration and transaction costs were recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income as an expense and an associated reduction in stockholders’ equity.

Note 4. Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value
The Company holds AFS investment securities which are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Agency
 
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association
$
15,812,696

 
$
13,920,721

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
4,930,963

 
3,616,967

Government National Mortgage Association
941,374

 
701,037

Non-Agency
3,867,571

 
2,982,094

Total available-for-sale securities
$
25,552,604

 
$
21,220,819




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company pledged AFS securities with a carrying value of $25.2 billion and $21.0 billion, respectively, as collateral for repurchase agreements and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB. See Note 10 - Repurchase Agreements and Note 12 - Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advances.
At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any securities purchased from and financed with the same counterparty that did not meet the conditions of ASC 860, to be considered linked transactions and, therefore, classified as derivatives.
The Company is not required to consolidate VIEs for which it has concluded it does not have both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the entities’ performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entities that could be significant. The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated VIEs include all non-Agency securities, which are classified within available-for-sale securities, at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying value, which also represents the maximum exposure to loss, of all non-Agency securities in unconsolidated VIEs was $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively.
The following tables present the amortized cost and carrying value of AFS securities by collateral type as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal and interest
$
20,775,790

 
$
1,037,781

 
$
(25,085
)
 
$
—

 
$
21,788,486

 
$
61,128

 
$
(339,997
)
 
$
21,509,617

Interest-only
3,115,967

 
209,901

 
—

 
—

 
209,901

 
14,170

 
(48,655
)
 
175,416

Total Agency
23,891,757

 
1,247,682

 
(25,085
)
 
—

 
21,998,387

 
75,298

 
(388,652
)
 
21,685,033

Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal and interest
5,360,124

 
6,682

 
(694,119
)
 
(1,322,762
)
 
3,349,925

 
478,095

 
(44,657
)
 
3,783,363

Interest-only
5,137,169

 
83,846

 
—

 
—

 
83,846

 
3,655

 
(3,293
)
 
84,208

Total Non-Agency
10,497,293

 
90,528

 
(694,119
)
 
(1,322,762
)
 
3,433,771

 
481,750

 
(47,950
)
 
3,867,571

Total
$
34,389,050

 
$
1,338,210

 
$
(719,204
)
 
$
(1,322,762
)
 
$
25,432,158

 
$
557,048

 
$
(436,602
)
 
$
25,552,604


 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Principal/ Current Face
 
Un-amortized Premium
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal and interest
$
17,081,849

 
$
1,079,246

 
$
(24,638
)
 
$
—

 
$
18,136,457

 
$
42,149

 
$
(134,969
)
 
$
18,043,637

Interest-only
2,941,772

 
223,289

 
—

 
—

 
223,289

 
10,955

 
(39,156
)
 
195,088

Total Agency
20,023,621

 
1,302,535

 
(24,638
)
 
—

 
18,359,746

 
53,104

 
(174,125
)
 
18,238,725

Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal and interest
3,758,134

 
2,757

 
(676,033
)
 
(653,613
)
 
2,431,245

 
488,931

 
(3,166
)
 
2,917,010

Interest-only
5,614,925

 
65,667

 
—

 
—

 
65,667

 
2,163

 
(2,746
)
 
65,084

Total Non-Agency
9,373,059

 
68,424

 
(676,033
)
 
(653,613
)
 
2,496,912

 
491,094

 
(5,912
)
 
2,982,094

Total
$
29,396,680

 
$
1,370,959

 
$
(700,671
)
 
$
(653,613
)
 
$
20,856,658

 
$
544,198

 
$
(180,037
)
 
$
21,220,819




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following tables present the carrying value of the Company’s AFS securities by rate type as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
 Agency
 
 Non-Agency
 
 Total
Adjustable Rate
$
19,073

 
$
3,475,171

 
$
3,494,244

Fixed Rate
21,665,960

 
392,400

 
22,058,360

Total
$
21,685,033

 
$
3,867,571

 
$
25,552,604

 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Adjustable Rate
$
23,220

 
$
2,622,710

 
$
2,645,930

Fixed Rate
18,215,505

 
359,384

 
18,574,889

Total
$
18,238,725

 
$
2,982,094

 
$
21,220,819



The following table presents the Company’s AFS securities according to their estimated weighted average life classifications as of December 31, 2018:
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
 Agency
 
 Non-Agency
 
 Total
≤ 1 year
$
6,301

 
$
97,955

 
$
104,256

> 1 and ≤ 3 years
124,121

 
135,457

 
259,578

> 3 and ≤ 5 years
260,886

 
428,851

 
689,737

> 5 and ≤ 10 years
19,550,827

 
2,582,835

 
22,133,662

> 10 years
1,742,898

 
622,473

 
2,365,371

Total
$
21,685,033

 
$
3,867,571

 
$
25,552,604



When the Company purchases a credit-sensitive AFS security at a significant discount to its face value, the Company often does not amortize into income a significant portion of this discount that the Company is entitled to earn because the Company does not expect to collect the entire discount due to the inherent credit risk of the security. The Company may also record an other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI, for a portion of its investment in the security to the extent the Company believes that the amortized cost will exceed the present value of expected future cash flows. The amount of principal that the Company does not amortize into income is designated as a credit reserve on the security, with unamortized net discounts or premiums amortized into income over time to the extent realizable.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table presents the changes for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of the net unamortized discount/premium and designated credit reserves on non-Agency AFS securities.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
(in thousands)
Designated Credit Reserve
 
Net Unamortized Discount/Premium
 
Total
 
Designated Credit Reserve
 
Net Unamortized Discount/Premium
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 1
$
(653,613
)
 
$
(607,609
)
 
$
(1,261,222
)
 
$
(367,437
)
 
$
(623,440
)
 
$
(990,877
)
Acquisitions
(737,765
)
 
(60,894
)
 
(798,659
)
 
(373,051
)
 
(57,732
)
 
(430,783
)
Accretion of net discount
—

 
89,111

 
89,111

 
—

 
88,037

 
88,037

Realized credit losses
26,457

 
—

 
26,457

 
17,539

 
—

 
17,539

Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments
(470
)
 
—

 
(470
)
 
(789
)
 
—

 
(789
)
Transfers from (to)
42,629

 
(42,629
)
 
—

 
66,537

 
(66,537
)
 
—

Sales, calls, other
—

 
18,430

 
18,430

 
3,588

 
52,063

 
55,651

Ending balance at December 31
$
(1,322,762
)
 
$
(603,591
)
 
$
(1,926,353
)
 
$
(653,613
)
 
$
(607,609
)
 
$
(1,261,222
)


The following table presents the components comprising the carrying value of AFS securities not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired by length of time that the securities had an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, the Company held 1,550 AFS securities, of which 290 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months and 489 were in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months. At December 31, 2017, the Company held 1,435 AFS securities, of which 253 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months and 234 were in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months. Of the $4.4 billion and $12.2 billion of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $3.1 billion, or 71.1%, and $12.0 billion, or 98.5%, respectively, were Agency AFS securities, whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the GSEs.
 
Unrealized Loss Position for
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
(in thousands)
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2018
$
4,386,946

 
$
(66,520
)
 
$
9,501,123

 
$
(370,082
)
 
$
13,888,069

 
$
(436,602
)
December 31, 2017
$
12,198,870

 
$
(65,313
)
 
$
2,464,544

 
$
(114,724
)
 
$
14,663,414

 
$
(180,037
)


Evaluating AFS Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
In evaluating AFS securities for OTTI, the Company determines whether there has been a significant adverse quarterly change in the cash flow expectations for a security. The Company compares the amortized cost of each security in an unrealized loss position against the present value of expected future cash flows of the security. The Company also considers whether there has been a significant adverse change in the regulatory and/or economic environment as part of this analysis. If the amortized cost of the security is greater than the present value of expected future cash flows using the original yield as the discount rate, an other-than-temporary credit impairment has occurred. If the Company does not intend to sell and will not be more likely than not required to sell the security, the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the balance of the unrealized loss is recognized in either other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, or loss on investment securities, depending on the accounting treatment. If the Company intends to sell the security or will be more likely than not required to sell the security, the full unrealized loss is recognized in earnings.

111
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $0.5 million, $0.8 million and $1.8 million in other-than-temporary credit impairments on a total of three, two and four non-Agency securities, respectively, where the future expected cash flows for each security were less than its amortized cost. As of December 31, 2018, impaired securities with a carrying value of $135.5 million had actual weighted average cumulative losses of 8.8%, weighted average three-month prepayment speed of 5.8%, weighted average 60+ day delinquency of 18.6% of the pool balance, and weighted average FICO score of 667. At December 31, 2018, the Company did not intend to sell the securities and determined that it was not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities; therefore, only the projected credit loss was recognized in earnings.
The following table presents the changes in OTTI included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period
$
(6,395
)
 
$
(5,606
)
 
$
(6,499
)
Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairments not previously recognized
(264
)
 
(429
)
 
(1,307
)
Increases related to other-than-temporary impairments on securities with previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments
(206
)
 
(360
)
 
(515
)
Reductions:
 
 
 
 
 
Decreases related to other-than-temporary impairments on securities paid down
—

 
—

 
1,387

Decreases related to other-than-temporary impairments on securities sold
—

 
—

 
1,328

Cumulative credit loss at end of period
$
(6,865
)
 
$
(6,395
)
 
$
(5,606
)


Cumulative credit losses related to OTTI may be reduced for securities sold as well as for securities that mature, are paid down, or are prepaid such that the outstanding principal balance is reduced to zero. Additionally, increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of the security cause a reduction in the cumulative credit loss.
Gross Realized Gains and Losses
Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded as realized gains (losses) within loss on investment securities in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company sold AFS securities for $15.2 billion, $8.7 billion and $14.4 billion with an amortized cost of $15.6 billion, $8.7 billion and $14.5 billion for net realized losses of $349.6 million, $32.5 million and $126.2 million, respectively.
The following table presents the gross realized gains and losses on sales of AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Gross realized gains
$
70,076

 
$
67,764

 
$
97,049

Gross realized losses
(419,638
)
 
(100,255
)
 
(223,277
)
Total realized losses on sales, net
$
(349,562
)
 
$
(32,491
)
 
$
(126,228
)



112
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Servicing Activities
Mortgage Servicing Rights, at Fair Value
One of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries has approvals from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to own and manage MSR, which represent the right to control the servicing of mortgage loans. The Company and its subsidiaries do not originate or directly service mortgage loans, and instead contract with appropriately licensed subservicers to handle substantially all servicing functions in the name of the subservicer for the loans underlying the Company’s MSR.
The following table summarizes activity related to MSR for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,086,717

 
$
693,815

 
$
493,688

Additions from purchases of mortgage servicing rights
988,283

 
499,866

 
312,580

Additions from sales of residential mortgage loans
—

 
20

 
924

Subtractions from sales of mortgage servicing rights
—

 
(946
)
 
(61,511
)
Changes in fair value due to:
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model
80,209

 
6,339

 
16,572

Other changes in fair value (1)
(149,879
)
 
(96,781
)
 
(78,729
)
Other changes (2)
(11,890
)
 
(15,596
)
 
10,291

Balance at end of period
$
1,993,440

 
$
1,086,717

 
$
693,815

____________________
(1)
Other changes in fair value primarily represents changes due to the realization of expected cash flows.
(2)
Other changes includes purchase price adjustments, contractual prepayment protection, and changes due to the Company’s purchase of the underlying collateral.

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company pledged MSR with a carrying value of $1.1 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively, as collateral for repurchase agreements and revolving credit facilities. See Note 10 - Repurchase Agreements and Note 13 - Revolving Credit Facilities.
As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the key economic assumptions and sensitivity of the fair value of MSR to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in these assumptions were as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Weighted average prepayment speed:
8.6
%
 
9.8
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
$
(67,245
)
 
$
(40,100
)
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
$
(130,371
)
 
$
(77,483
)
Weighted average delinquency:
1.3
%
 
1.7
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
$
(6,911
)
 
$
(4,274
)
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
$
(13,688
)
 
$
(8,875
)
Weighted average discount rate:
9.4
%
 
9.9
%
Impact on fair value of 10% adverse change
$
(62,528
)
 
$
(35,137
)
Impact on fair value of 20% adverse change
$
(121,135
)
 
$
(68,246
)



113
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

These assumptions and sensitivities are hypothetical and should be considered with caution. Changes in fair value based on 10% and 20% variations in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumptions to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of MSR is calculated without changing any other assumptions. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another (e.g., increased market interest rates may result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses) that could magnify or counteract the sensitivities. Further, these sensitivities show only the change in the asset balances and do not show any expected change in the fair value of the instruments used to manage the interest rates and prepayment risks associated with these assets.
Risk Mitigation Activities
The primary risk associated with the Company’s MSR is interest rate risk and the resulting impact on prepayments. A significant decline in interest rates could lead to higher-than-expected prepayments that could reduce the value of the MSR. The Company economically hedges the impact of these risks with its Agency RMBS portfolio.
Mortgage Servicing Income
The following table presents the components of servicing income recorded on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Servicing fee income
$
312,100

 
$
197,902

 
$
138,430

Ancillary and other fee income
1,280

 
1,009

 
1,631

Float income
29,716

 
10,154

 
3,518

Total
$
343,096

 
$
209,065

 
$
143,579



Mortgage Servicing Advances
In connection with the servicing of loans, the Company’s subservicers make certain payments for property taxes and insurance premiums, default and property maintenance payments, as well as advances of principal and interest payments before collecting them from individual borrowers. Servicing advances, including contractual interest, are priority cash flows in the event of a loan principal reduction or foreclosure and ultimate liquidation of the real estate-owned property, thus making their collection reasonably assured. These servicing advances, which are funded by the Company, totaled $39.7 million and $31.1 million and were included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Serviced Mortgage Assets
The Company’s total serviced mortgage assets consist of residential mortgage loans underlying MSR, residential mortgage loans held in previous on-balance sheet securitization trusts for which the Company is the named servicing administrator and and other assets. The following table presents the number of loans and unpaid principal balance of the mortgage assets for which the Company manages the servicing as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
Mortgage servicing rights
717,167

 
$
163,102,308

 
454,028

 
$
101,344,054

Residential mortgage loans in securitization trusts
3,612

 
2,392,471

 
3,845

 
2,618,016

Other assets
220

 
34,374

 
260

 
40,222

Total serviced mortgage assets
720,999

 
$
165,529,153

 
458,133

 
$
104,002,292




114
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in bank accounts and cash held in money market funds on an overnight basis.
The Company is required to maintain certain cash balances with counterparties for securities and derivatives trading activity and collateral for the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLB advances in restricted accounts. The Company has also placed cash in a restricted account pursuant to a letter of credit on an office space lease.
The following table presents the Company’s restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Restricted cash balances held by trading counterparties:
 
 
 
For securities and loan trading activity
$
51,350

 
$
27,050

For derivatives trading activity
219,900

 
191,421

As restricted collateral for repurchase agreements and Federal Home Loan Bank advances
416,696

 
417,018

Total restricted cash balances held by trading counterparties
687,946

 
635,489

Restricted cash balance pursuant to letter of credit on office lease
60

 
347

Total
$
688,006

 
$
635,836



The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Cash and cash equivalents
$
409,758

 
$
419,159

Restricted cash
688,006

 
635,836

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
1,097,764

 
$
1,054,995



Note 7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company enters into a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. The primary objective for executing these derivative and non-derivative instruments is to mitigate the Company’s economic exposure to future events that are outside its control, principally market risk and cash flow volatility associated with interest rate risk (including associated prepayment risk). Specifically, the Company enters into derivative and non-derivative instruments to economically hedge interest rate risk or “duration mismatch (or gap)” by adjusting the duration of its floating-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings to more closely match the duration of its assets. This particularly applies to floating-rate borrowing agreements with maturities or interest rate resets of less than six months. Typically, the interest receivable terms (i.e., LIBOR) of certain derivatives match the terms of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective conversion of the rate of the related borrowing agreement from floating to fixed. The objective is to manage the cash flows associated with current and anticipated interest payments on borrowings, as well as the ability to roll or refinance borrowings at the desired amount by adjusting the duration.
To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of the Company’s portfolio as well as its cash flows, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps, caps and total return swaps. In executing on the Company’s current risk management strategy, the Company has entered into interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements, TBAs, put and call options for TBAs and total return swaps (based on the Markit IOS Index). The Company has also entered into a number of non-derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk, principally MSR and Agency interest-only securities (see discussion below).

115
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following summarizes the Company’s significant asset and liability classes, the risk exposure for these classes, and the Company’s risk management activities used to mitigate these risks. The discussion includes both derivative and non-derivative instruments used as part of these risk management activities. Any of the Company’s derivative and non-derivative instruments may be entered into in conjunction with one another in order to mitigate risks. As a result, the following discussions of each type of instrument should be read as a collective representation of the Company’s risk mitigation efforts and should not be considered independent of one another. While the Company uses derivative and non-derivative instruments to achieve the Company’s risk management activities, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of the Company’s market rate risk. In addition, the Company might elect, at times, not to enter into certain hedging arrangements in order to maintain compliance with REIT requirements.
Balance Sheet Presentation
In accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC 815, the Company records derivative financial instruments on its 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 are designated or qualifying as hedge instruments. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has not designated any current derivatives as hedging instruments.
The following tables present the gross fair value and notional amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments treated as trading derivatives as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
Inverse interest-only securities
 
$
70,813

 
$
476,299

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap agreements
 
187,231

 
26,798,605

 
—

 
2,725,000

Interest rate cap contracts
 
40,335

 
2,500,000

 
—

 
—

Swaptions, net
 
—

 
—

 
(13,456
)
 
63,000

TBAs
 
21,602

 
6,484,000

 
—

 
—

Put and call options for TBAs, net
 
—

 
—

 
(25,296
)
 
1,767,000

Markit IOS total return swaps
 
—

 
—

 
(383
)
 
48,265

Short U.S. Treasuries
 
—

 
—

 
(781,455
)
 
800,000

Total
 
$
319,981

 
$
36,258,904

 
$
(820,590
)
 
$
5,403,265


 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
Inverse interest-only securities
 
$
91,827

 
$
588,246

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap agreements
 
206,773

 
21,516,125

 
(29,867
)
 
6,966,000

Swaptions, net
 
10,405

 
2,666,000

 
—

 
—

TBAs
 
913

 
733,000

 
(1,930
)
 
1,306,000

Markit IOS total return swaps
 
—

 
—

 
(106
)
 
63,507

Total
 
$
309,918

 
$
25,503,371

 
$
(31,903
)
 
$
8,335,507



Comprehensive (Loss) Income Statement Presentation
The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its current derivative portfolio held to mitigate interest rate risk and credit risk. As a result, the Company is subject to volatility in its earnings due to movement in the unrealized gains and losses associated with its derivative instruments.

116
Table of Contents

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income:
Derivative Instruments
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
(in thousands)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Interest rate risk management
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBAs
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
$
(12,521
)
 
$
(46,778
)
 
$
51,816

Short U.S. Treasuries
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
(26,988
)
 
—

 
—

Put and call options for TBAs
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
(18,457
)
 
(22,623
)
 
64,920

Interest rate swaps - Payers
 
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
 
48,995

 
67,124

 
(3,110
)
Interest rate swaps - Receivers
 
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
 
(74,407
)
 
(17,677
)
 
37,272

Swaptions
 
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
 
45,954

 
(59,200
)
 
11,209

Interest rate caps
 
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements
 
(4,499
)
 
—

 
—

Markit IOS total return swaps
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
125

 
(870
)
 
(36,898
)
Credit risk management
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps - Receive protection
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
—

 
—

 
962

Non-risk management
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inverse interest-only securities
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
2,984

 
112

 
18,579

Forward purchase commmitments
 
(Loss) gain on other derivative instruments
 
—

 
—

 
2,418

Total
 
 
 
$
(38,814
)
 
$
(79,912
)
 
$
147,168



For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized $49.2 million of income and $8.8 million, and $21.1 million of expenses, respectively, for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with its interest rate swaps and caps. The income/expenses result from receiving either LIBOR interest or a fixed interest rate and paying either a fixed interest rate or LIBOR interest on an average $29.4 billion, $19.4 billion and $15.5 billion notional, respectively.

117
Table of Contents

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following tables present information with respect to the volume of activity in the Company’s derivative instruments during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Beginning of Period Notional Amount
 
Additions
 
Settlement, Termination, Expiration or Exercise
 
End of Period Notional Amount
 
Average Notional Amount
 
Realized Gain (Loss), net (1)
Inverse interest-only securities
$
588,246

 
$
—

 
$
(111,947
)
 
$
476,299

 
$
530,509

 
$
—

Interest rate swap agreements
28,482,125

 
49,269,781

 
(48,228,301
)
 
29,523,605

 
28,317,793

 
(71,578
)
Interest rate cap contracts
—

 
2,500,000

 
—

 
2,500,000

 
1,054,795

 
—

Swaptions, net
2,666,000

 
(35,000
)
 
(2,568,000
)
 
63,000

 
(1,495,421
)
 
67,985

TBAs, net
(573,000
)
 
64,988,000

 
(57,931,000
)
 
6,484,000

 
4,502,888

 
(35,140
)
Short U.S. Treasuries
—

 
(800,000
)
 
—

 
(800,000
)
 
(337,534
)
 
—

Put and call options for TBAs, net
—

 
(451,000
)
 
(1,316,000
)
 
(1,767,000
)
 
(804,997
)
 
6,839

Markit IOS total return swaps
63,507

 
—

 
(15,242
)
 
48,265

 
55,143

 
(765
)
Total
$
31,226,878

 
$
115,471,781

 
$
(110,170,490
)
 
$
36,528,169

 
$
31,823,176

 
$
(32,659
)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Beginning of Period Notional Amount
 
Additions
 
Settlement, Termination, Expiration or Exercise
 
End of Period Notional Amount
 
Average Notional Amount
 
Realized Gain (Loss), net (1)
Inverse interest-only securities
$
740,844

 
$
—

 
$
(152,598
)
 
$
588,246

 
$
662,273

 
$
(40
)
Interest rate swap agreements
20,371,063

 
36,642,245

 
(28,531,183
)
 
28,482,125

 
19,447,067

 
54,476

Swaptions, net
225,000

 
4,306,000

 
(1,865,000
)
 
2,666,000

 
1,014,578

 
8,694

TBAs, net
(1,489,000
)
 
(7,249,400
)
 
8,165,400

 
(573,000
)
 
(1,256,424
)
 
(51,810
)
Put and call options for TBAs, net
(1,136,000
)
 
4,460,000

 
(3,324,000
)
 
—

 
11,978

 
20,010

Markit IOS total return swaps
90,593

 
—

 
(27,086
)
 
63,507

 
74,183

 
(181
)
Total
$
18,802,500

 
$
38,158,845

 
$
(25,734,467
)
 
$
31,226,878

 
$
19,953,655

 
$
31,149

____________________
(1)
Excludes net interest paid or received in full settlement of the net interest spread liability.

Cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the operating activities and investing activities sections of the consolidated statements of cash flows. Realized gains and losses and derivative fair value adjustments are reflected within the realized and unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps, caps and swaptions and unrealized loss (gain) on other derivative instruments line items within the operating activities section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. The remaining cash flow activity related to derivative instruments is reflected within the (purchases) short sales of other derivative instruments, proceeds from sales (payments for termination) of other derivative instruments, net and increase (decrease) in due to counterparties, net line items within the investing activities section of the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Interest Rate Sensitive Assets/Liabilities
The Company’s Agency RMBS portfolio is generally subject to change in value when mortgage rates decline or increase, depending on the type of investment. Rising mortgage rates generally result in a slowing of refinancing activity, which slows prepayments and results in a decline in the value of the Company’s fixed-rate Agency pools. To mitigate the impact of this risk on the Company’s fixed-rate Agency pool portfolio, the Company maintains a portfolio of fixed-rate interest-only securities and MSR, which increase in value when interest rates increase. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $147.6 million and $117.8 million, respectively, of interest-only securities, and $2.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, of MSR in place to economically hedge its Agency RMBS. Interest-only securities are included in AFS securities, at fair value, in the consolidated balance sheets.

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Table of Contents

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company monitors its borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities, which are generally floating-rate debt, in relation to the rate profile of its portfolio. In connection with its risk management activities, the Company enters into a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to economically hedge interest rate risk or “duration mismatch (or gap)” by adjusting the duration of its floating-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings to more closely match the duration of its assets. This particularly applies to borrowing agreements with maturities or interest rate resets of less than six months. Typically, the interest receivable terms (i.e., LIBOR) of certain derivatives match the terms of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective conversion of the rate of the related borrowing agreement from floating to fixed. The objective is to manage the cash flows associated with current and anticipated interest payments on borrowings, as well as the ability to roll or refinance borrowings at the desired amount by adjusting the duration. To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of the Company’s portfolio as well as its cash flows, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, TBAs, options, futures, swaps, caps, credit default swaps and total return swaps. In executing on the Company’s current interest rate risk management strategy, the Company has entered into TBAs, put and call options for TBAs, interest rate swap, cap and swaption agreements and Markit IOS total return swaps.
TBAs. At times, the Company may use TBAs as a means of deploying capital until targeted investments are available or to take advantage of temporary displacements, funding advantages or valuation differentials in the marketplace. Additionally, the Company may use TBAs independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. TBAs are forward contracts for the purchase (long notional positions) or sale (short notional positions) of Agency RMBS. The issuer, coupon and stated maturity of the Agency RMBS are predetermined as well as the trade price, face amount and future settle date (published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). However, the specific Agency RMBS to be delivered upon settlement is not known at the time of the TBA transaction. As a result, and because physical delivery of the Agency RMBS upon settlement cannot be assured, the Company accounts for TBAs as derivative instruments.
The Company may hold both long and short notional TBA positions, which are disclosed on a gross basis according to the unrealized gain or loss position of each TBA contract regardless of long or short notional position. The following tables present the notional amount, cost basis, market value and carrying value (which approximates fair value) of the Company’s TBA positions as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Carrying Value (4)
(in thousands)
Notional Amount (1)
 
Cost Basis (2)
 
Market Value (3)
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Purchase contracts
$
6,484,000

 
$
6,734,858

 
$
6,756,460

 
$
21,602

 
$
—

Sale contracts
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

TBAs, net
$
6,484,000

 
$
6,734,858

 
$
6,756,460

 
$
21,602

 
$
—

 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Carrying Value (4)
(in thousands)
Notional Amount (1)
 
Cost Basis (2)
 
Market Value (3)
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Purchase contracts
$
733,000

 
$
769,446

 
$
770,359

 
$
913

 
$
—

Sale contracts
(1,306,000
)
 
(1,316,368
)
 
(1,318,297
)
 
—

 
(1,930
)
TBAs, net
$
(573,000
)
 
$
(546,922
)
 
$
(547,938
)
 
$
913

 
$
(1,930
)
___________________
(1)
Notional amount represents the face amount of the underlying Agency RMBS.
(2)
Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid (received) for the underlying Agency RMBS.
(3)
Market value represents the current market value of the TBA (or of the underlying Agency RMBS) as of period-end.
(4)
Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA as of period-end and its cost basis, and is reported in derivative assets / (liabilities), at fair value, in the consolidated balance sheets.




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Short U.S. Treasuries. The Company may use short U.S. Treasury securities independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had short sold U.S. Treasuries with a notional amount of $800.0 million with a fair market value of $781.5 million included in derivative liabilities, at fair value, on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. The Company did not hold any short U.S. Treasuries as of December 31, 2017.
Put and Call Options for TBAs. The Company may use put and call options for TBAs independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had purchased put and call options for TBAs with a notional amount of $5.4 billion and short sold put and call options for TBAs with a notional amount of $7.2 billion. The put and call options had a fair market value of $25.3 million included in derivative liabilities, at fair value, on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. The Company did not hold any put and call options for TBAs as of December 31, 2017.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements. The Company may use interest rate swaps independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held the following interest rate swaps that were utilized as economic hedges of interest rate exposure (or duration) whereby the Company receives interest at a three-month LIBOR rate:
(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Fixed Pay Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Maturity (Years) (2)
2019
 
$
4,336,897

 
1.769
%
 
2.565
%
 
0.79
2020
 
3,640,000

 
1.806
%
 
2.689
%
 
1.83
2021
 
4,117,000

 
1.550
%
 
2.687
%
 
2.69
2022
 
2,470,000

 
2.002
%
 
2.728
%
 
3.75
2023 and Thereafter
 
6,842,270

 
2.495
%
 
2.636
%
 
7.60
Total
 
$
21,406,167

 
1.978
%
 
2.651
%
 
3.75

(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Fixed Pay Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Maturity (Years) (2)
2018
 
$
4,320,000

 
1.155
%
 
1.508
%
 
0.50
2019
 
5,448,135

 
1.767
%
 
1.386
%
 
1.79
2020
 
5,490,000

 
1.945
%
 
1.509
%
 
2.87
2021
 
2,417,000

 
1.788
%
 
1.628
%
 
3.92
2022 and Thereafter
 
5,245,000

 
1.764
%
 
1.516
%
 
6.44
Total
 
$
22,920,135

 
1.694
%
 
1.493
%
 
3.01
____________________
(1)
Notional amount includes $572.0 million and $570.0 million in forward starting interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(2)
Weighted averages exclude forward starting interest rate swaps. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the weighted average fixed pay rate on forward starting interest rate swaps was 2.8% and 2.1%, respectively.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Additionally, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held the following interest rate swaps in order to mitigate mortgage interest rate exposure (or duration) risk whereby the Company pays interest at a three-month LIBOR rate:
(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Weighted Average Pay Rate
 
Weighted Average Fixed Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Maturity (Years)
2020
 
$
250,000

 
2.469
%
 
2.258
%
 
1.06
2021
 
$
2,477,438

 
2.538
%
 
2.736
%
 
2.24
2022
 
800,000

 
2.653
%
 
2.975
%
 
3.39
2023 and Thereafter
 
4,590,000

 
2.653
%
 
2.757
%
 
7.37
Total
 
$
8,117,438

 
2.612
%
 
2.757
%
 
5.22
(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Weighted Average Pay Rate
 
Weighted Average Fixed Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Maturity (Years)
2020
 
$
200,000

 
1.391
%
 
1.642
%
 
2.60
2021
 
500,000

 
1.357
%
 
1.327
%
 
3.05
2022 and Thereafter
 
4,861,990

 
1.475
%
 
2.325
%
 
8.34
Total
 
$
5,561,990

 
1.462
%
 
2.211
%
 
7.66


Interest Rate Swaptions. The Company may use interest rate swaptions (agreements to enter into interest rate swaps in the future for which the Company would either pay or receive a fixed rate) independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swaptions that were utilized as macro-economic hedges:
 
 
December 31, 2018
(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Swaption
 
Expiration
 
Cost Basis
 
Fair Value
 
Average Months to Expiration
 
Notional Amount
 
Average Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Term (Years)
Purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payer
 
< 6 Months
 
$
4,855

 
$
2,430

 
5.13

 
$
900,000

 
3.16
%
 
3M Libor
 
10.0
Payer
 
≥ 6 Months
 
8,400

 
5,992

 
8.60

 
800,000

 
3.14
%
 
3M Libor
 
10.0
Total Payer
 
 
 
$
13,255

 
$
8,422

 
7.92

 
$
1,700,000

 
3.15
%
 
3M Libor
 
10.0
Sale contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receiver
 
< 6 Months
 
$
(4,855
)
 
$
(9,001
)
 
4.74

 
$
(845,000
)
 
3M Libor
 
2.66
%
 
10.0
Receiver
 
≥ 6 Months
 
$
(8,400
)
 
$
(12,877
)
 
8.60

 
$
(792,000
)
 
3M Libor
 
2.64
%
 
10.0
Total Receiver
 
 
 
$
(13,255
)
 
$
(21,878
)
 
7.52

 
$
(1,637,000
)
 
3M Libor
 
2.65
%
 
10.0

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
December 31, 2017
(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Swaption
 
Expiration
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Average Months to Expiration
 
Notional Amount
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Term (Years)
Purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payer
 
< 6 Months
 
$
21,380

 
$
17,736

 
4.03

 
$
7,200,000

 
2.27
%
 
3M Libor
 
3.8
Receiver
 
< 6 Months
 
$
4,660

 
$
2,982

 
3.72

 
$
2,300,000

 
3M Libor
 
2.10
%
 
10.0
Sale contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payer
 
< 6 Months
 
$
(7,950
)
 
$
(5,619
)
 
4.66

 
$
(1,693,000
)
 
2.70
%
 
3M Libor
 
10.0
Receiver
 
< 6 Months
 
$
(16,260
)
 
$
(4,694
)
 
5.17

 
$
(5,141,000
)
 
3M Libor
 
1.89
%
 
5.6


Interest Rate Cap Contracts. The Company may use interest rate caps independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. As of December 31, 2018, the Company held the following interest rate caps that were utilized as economic hedges of interest rate exposure (or duration) whereby the Company receives interest at a three-month LIBOR rate, net of a fixed cap rate:
(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Caps Maturities
 
Notional Amount
 
Weighted Average Cap Rate
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Maturity (Years)
2019
 
$
800,000

 
1.344
%
 
2.422
%
 
0.53
2020
 
$
1,700,000

 
1.250
%
 
2.766
%
 
1.29
Total
 
$
2,500,000

 
1.280
%
 
2.656
%
 
1.04

The Company did not hold any interest rate caps as of December 31, 2017.
Markit IOS Total Return Swaps. The Company may use total return swaps (agreements whereby the Company receives or makes payments based on the total return of an underlying instrument or index, such as the Markit IOS Index, in exchange for fixed or floating rate interest payments) independently, or in conjunction with other derivative and non-derivative instruments, in order to mitigate risks. The Company enters into total return swaps to help mitigate the potential impact of larger increases or decreases in interest rates on the performance of our portfolio (referred to as “convexity risk”). Total return swaps based on the Markit IOS Index are intended to synthetically replicate the performance of interest-only securities. The Company had the following total return swap agreements in place at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Maturity Date
 
Current Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
January 12, 2043
 
$
(21,395
)
 
$
(153
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
(123
)
January 12, 2044
 
(26,870
)
 
(230
)
 
(29
)
 
(201
)
Total
 
$
(48,265
)
 
$
(383
)
 
$
(59
)
 
$
(324
)

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
Maturity Date
 
Current Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
January 12, 2043
 
$
(24,362
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
201

 
$
(225
)
January 12, 2044
 
(39,145
)
 
(82
)
 
366

 
(448
)
Total
 
$
(63,507
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
567

 
$
(673
)


Credit Risk
The Company’s exposure to credit losses on its Agency RMBS portfolio is limited due to implicit or explicit backing from the GSEs. The payment of principal and interest on the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies, and the payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
For non-Agency investment securities and residential mortgage loans, the Company may enter into credit default swaps to hedge credit risk. In future periods, the Company could enhance its credit risk protection, enter into further paired derivative positions, including both long and short credit default swaps, and/or seek opportunistic trades in the event of a market disruption (see discussion under “Non-Risk Management Activities” below). The Company also has processes and controls in place to monitor, analyze, manage and mitigate its credit risk with respect to non-Agency securities and residential mortgage loans.
Derivative financial instruments contain an element of credit risk if counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the agreements. Credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments is measured as the net replacement cost should the counterparties that owe the Company under such contracts completely fail to perform under the terms of these contracts, assuming there are no recoveries of underlying collateral, as measured by the market value of the derivative financial instruments. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of derivative financial instruments as an asset and liability position was $320.0 million and $820.6 million, respectively.
The Company attempts to mitigate its credit risk exposure on derivative financial instruments by limiting its counterparties to banks and financial institutions that meet established credit guidelines. The Company also seeks to spread its credit risk exposure across multiple counterparties in order to reduce its exposure to any single counterparty. Additionally, the Company reduces credit risk on the majority of its derivative instruments by entering into agreements that permit the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty or clearing agency, in the case of centrally cleared interest rate swaps, upon the occurrence of certain events. To further mitigate the risk of counterparty default, the Company maintains collateral agreements with certain of its counterparties and clearing agencies, which require both parties to maintain cash deposits in the event the fair values of the derivative financial instruments exceed established thresholds. The Company’s centrally cleared interest rate swaps require that the Company posts an “initial margin” amount determined by the clearing exchange, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the interest rate swap’s maximum estimated single-day price movement. The Company also exchanges “variation margin” based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by the exchange. As a result of amendments to rules governing certain central clearing activities, the exchange of variation margin is considered a settlement of the interest rate swap, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2018 and in subsequent periods, the Company accounts for the receipt or payment of variation margin as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability. As of December 31, 2017, variation margin pledged or received was netted on a counterparty basis and classified within restricted cash, due from counterparties, or due to counterparties on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Certain of the Company’s repurchase agreements are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff in the event of default by either party to the agreement. The Company also has netting arrangements in place with all derivative counterparties pursuant to standard documentation developed by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, or ISDA, or central clearing exchange agreements, in the case of centrally cleared interest rate swaps. The Company and the counterparty or clearing agency are required to post cash collateral based upon the net underlying market value of the Company’s open positions with the counterparty. Additionally, the Company’s centrally cleared interest rate swaps require that the Company posts an “initial margin” amount determined by the clearing exchange, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the interest rate swap’s maximum estimated single-day price movement. The Company also exchanges “variation margin” based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by the exchange.
Under U.S. GAAP, if the Company has a valid right of setoff, it may offset the related asset and liability and report the net amount. As a result of amendments to rules governing certain central clearing activities, the exchange of variation margin is considered a settlement of the interest rate swap, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2018 and in subsequent periods, the Company accounts for the receipt or payment of variation margin on CME and LCH cleared positions as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability. The receipt or payment of initial margin will continue to be accounted for separate from the interest rate swap asset or liability. As of December 31, 2017, variation margin pledged or received was netted on a counterparty basis and classified within restricted cash, due from counterparties, or due to counterparties on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company presents repurchase agreements subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements on a gross basis and derivative assets and liabilities (other than centrally cleared interest rate swaps) subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on derivative type and counterparty, in its consolidated balance sheets. Separately, the Company presents cash collateral subject to such arrangements (other than variation margin on centrally cleared interest rate swaps) on a net basis, based on counterparty, in its consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not offset repurchase agreements or derivative assets and liabilities (other than centrally cleared interest rate swaps) with the associated cash collateral on its consolidated balance sheets.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements and can potentially be offset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset with Financial Assets (Liabilities) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)
 
 
(in thousands)
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged
 
Net Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
599,573

 
$
(279,592
)
 
$
319,981

 
$
(58,775
)
 
$
—

 
$
261,206

Reverse repurchase agreements
761,815

 
$
—

 
$
761,815

 
(761,815
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Total Assets
$
1,361,388

 
$
(279,592
)
 
$
1,081,796

 
$
(820,590
)
 
$
—

 
$
261,206

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
(23,133,476
)
 
$
—

 
$
(23,133,476
)
 
$
23,133,476

 
$
—

 
$
—

Derivative liabilities
(1,100,182
)
 
279,592

 
(820,590
)
 
820,590

 
—

 
—

Total Liabilities
$
(24,233,658
)
 
$
279,592

 
$
(23,954,066
)
 
$
23,954,066

 
$
—

 
$
—



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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset with Financial Assets (Liabilities) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)
 
 
(in thousands)
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged
 
Net Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
340,576

 
$
(30,658
)
 
$
309,918

 
$
(31,903
)
 
$
—

 
$
278,015

Total Assets
$
340,576

 
$
(30,658
)
 
$
309,918

 
$
(31,903
)
 
$
—

 
$
278,015

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
(19,451,207
)
 
$
—

 
$
(19,451,207
)
 
$
19,451,207

 
$
—

 
$
—

Derivative liabilities
(62,561
)
 
30,658

 
(31,903
)
 
31,903

 
—

 
—

Total Liabilities
$
(19,513,768
)
 
$
30,658

 
$
(19,483,110
)
 
$
19,483,110

 
$
—

 
$
—


____________________
(1)
Amounts presented are limited in total to the net amount of assets or liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets by instrument. Excess cash collateral or financial assets that are pledged to counterparties may exceed the financial liabilities subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement, or counterparties may have pledged excess cash collateral to the Company that exceed the corresponding financial assets. These excess amounts are excluded from the table above, although separately reported within restricted cash, due from counterparties, or due to counterparties in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Note 9. Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e., observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e., unobservable inputs). Additionally, ASC 820 requires an entity to consider all aspects of nonperformance risk, including the entity’s own credit standing, when measuring fair value of a liability.
ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy to be used when measuring and disclosing fair value. An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. Following is a description of the three levels:

Level 1
Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date under current market conditions. Additionally, the entity must have the ability to access the active market and the quoted prices cannot be adjusted by the entity.
Level 2
Inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full-term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent the assumptions that market participants would use to price the assets and liabilities, including risk. Generally, Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that require significant judgment or estimation.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models and significant assumptions utilized.
Available-for-sale securities. The Company holds a portfolio of AFS securities that are carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and primarily comprised of Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities. The Company determines the fair value of its Agency RMBS based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing providers received using bid price, which are deemed indicative of market activity. The third-party pricing providers use pricing models that generally incorporate such factors as coupons, primary and secondary mortgage rates, rate reset period, issuer, prepayment speeds, credit enhancements and expected life of the security. In determining the fair value of its non-Agency securities, management judgment may be used to arrive at fair value that considers prices obtained from third-party pricing providers and other applicable market data. If observable market prices are not available or insufficient to determine fair value due principally to illiquidity in the marketplace, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that are primarily based on observable market-based inputs but also include unobservable market data inputs (including prepayment speeds, delinquency levels, and credit losses). The Company classified 99.6% and 0.4% of its AFS securities as Level 2 and Level 3 fair value assets, respectively, at December 31, 2018. AFS securities account for 91.7% of all assets reported at fair value at December 31, 2018.
Mortgage servicing rights. The Company holds a portfolio of MSR that are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company determines fair value of its MSR based on prices obtained from third-party pricing providers. Although MSR transactions are observable in the marketplace, the valuation is based upon cash flow models that include unobservable market data inputs (including prepayment speeds, delinquency levels and discount rates). As a result, the Company classified 100% of its MSR as Level 3 fair value assets at December 31, 2018.
Derivative instruments. The Company may enter into a variety of derivative financial instruments as part of its hedging strategies. The Company principally executes over-the-counter, or OTC, derivative contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, swaptions, put and call options for TBAs and Markit IOS total return swaps. The Company utilizes third-party pricing providers to value its financial derivative instruments. The Company classified 100% of the interest rate swaps, caps, swaptions, put and call options for TBAs and Markit IOS total return swaps reported at fair value as Level 2 at December 31, 2018.
The Company may also enter into certain other derivative financial instruments, such as TBAs, short U.S. Treasuries and inverse interest-only securities. These instruments are similar in form to the Company’s AFS securities and the Company utilizes a pricing service to value TBAs, short U.S. Treasuries and inverse interest-only securities. The Company classified 100% of its short U.S. Treasuries and inverse interest-only securities at fair value as Level 2 at December 31, 2018. The Company reported 100% of its TBAs as Level 1 as of December 31, 2018.
The Company’s risk management committee governs trading activity relating to derivative instruments. The Company’s policy is to minimize credit exposure related to financial derivatives used for hedging by limiting the hedge counterparties to major banks, financial institutions, exchanges, and private investors who meet established capital and credit guidelines as well as by limiting the amount of exposure to any individual counterparty.
The Company has netting arrangements in place with all derivative counterparties pursuant to standard documentation developed by ISDA, or central clearing exchange agreements, in the case of centrally cleared interest rate swaps. Additionally, both the Company and the counterparty or clearing agency are required to post cash collateral based upon the net underlying market value of the Company’s open positions with the counterparty. Posting of cash collateral typically occurs daily, subject to certain dollar thresholds. Due to the existence of netting arrangements, as well as frequent cash collateral posting at low posting thresholds, credit exposure to the Company and/or to the counterparty or clearing agency is considered materially mitigated. Based on the Company’s assessment, there is no requirement for any additional adjustment to derivative valuations specifically for credit.
Equity securities. The Company’s equity securities are carried at fair value and reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value are recorded as a component of loss on investment securities in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. The Company determines fair value of its equity securities based on the closing market price of the securities at period end. The Company did not hold any equity securities at December 31, 2018.
The following tables display the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company often economically hedges the fair value change of its assets or liabilities with derivatives and other financial instruments. The tables below display the hedges separately from the hedged items, and therefore do not directly display the impact of the Company’s risk management activities.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
—

 
$
25,447,447

 
$
105,157

 
$
25,552,604

Mortgage servicing rights
—

 
—

 
1,993,440

 
1,993,440

Derivative assets
21,602

 
298,379

 
—

 
319,981

Total assets
$
21,602

 
$
25,745,826

 
$
2,098,597

 
$
27,866,025

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
—

 
$
820,590

 
$
—

 
$
820,590

Total liabilities
$
—

 
$
820,590

 
$
—

 
$
820,590

 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
—

 
$
21,067,678

 
$
153,141

 
$
21,220,819

Mortgage servicing rights
—

 
—

 
1,086,717

 
1,086,717

Derivative assets
913

 
309,005

 
—

 
309,918

Other assets
29,413

 
—

 
—

 
29,413

Total assets
$
30,326

 
$
21,376,683

 
$
1,239,858

 
$
22,646,867

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
1,930

 
29,973

 
—

 
31,903

Total liabilities
$
1,930

 
$
29,973

 
$
—

 
$
31,903



The Company may be required to measure certain assets or liabilities at fair value from time to time. These periodic fair value measures typically result from application of certain impairment measures under U.S. GAAP. These items would constitute nonrecurring fair value measures under ASC 820. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the periods presented. 
The valuation of Level 3 instruments requires significant judgment by the third-party pricing providers and/or management. The third-party pricing providers and/or management rely on inputs such as market price quotations from market makers (either market or indicative levels), original transaction price, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows to determine fair value. Level 3 instruments may also be discounted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the third-party pricing providers in the absence of market information. Assumptions used by the third-party pricing providers due to lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s valuation committee reviews all valuations that are based on pricing information received from third-party pricing providers. As part of this review, prices are compared against other pricing or input data points in the marketplace, along with internal valuation expertise, to ensure the pricing is reasonable. In addition, the Company performs back-testing of pricing information to validate price information and identify any pricing trends of a third-party price provider.
In determining fair value, third-party pricing providers use various valuation approaches, including market and income approaches. Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an instrument may include pricing information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. In addition, inputs can be either observable or unobservable.
The availability of observable inputs can vary by instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace and other characteristics particular to the instrument. The third-party pricing provider uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocations. In periods of market dislocation, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified to or from various levels within the fair value hierarchy.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the bid price (in the case of long positions) or the ask price (in the case of short positions) at the close of trading on the date as of which value is determined. Exchange-traded securities for which no bid or ask price is available are valued at the last traded price. OTC derivative contracts, including interest rate swaps, caps and swaption agreements, put and call options for TBAs and U.S. Treasuries, constant maturity swaps, credit default swaps and Markit IOS total return swaps, are valued by the Company using observable inputs, specifically quotations received from third-party pricing providers, and are therefore classified within Level 2.
The following tables present the reconciliation for all of the Company’s Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31, 2018
(in thousands)
Available-For-Sale Securities
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Beginning of period level 3 fair value
$
153,141

 
$
1,086,717

Gains (losses) included in net (loss) income:
 
 
 
Realized gains and losses, net
(2,538
)
 
(149,242
)
Unrealized gains and losses, net
—

 
80,209

Net gains (losses) included in net (loss) income
(2,538
)
 
(69,033
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(1,960
)
 
—

Purchases
17,861

 
988,283

Sales
—

 
(637
)
Settlements
(153,000
)
 
(11,890
)
Gross transfers into level 3
91,653

 
—

Gross transfers out of level 3
—

 
—

End of period level 3 fair value
$
105,157

 
$
1,993,440

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings for assets held at the end of the reporting period
—

 
$
68,518

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive (loss) income for assets held at the end of the reporting period
(1,818
)
 
$
—



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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
Year Ended
 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Available-For-Sale Securities
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
Beginning of period level 3 fair value
$
—

 
$
693,815

Gains (losses) included in net (loss) income:
 
 
 
Realized gains and (losses), net
—

 
(97,372
)
Unrealized gains and (losses), net
—

 
6,339

Net gains (losses) included in net (loss) income
—

 
(91,033
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
141

 
—

Purchases
153,000

 
499,886

Sales
—

 
(355
)
Settlements
—

 
(15,596
)
Gross transfers into level 3
—

 
—

Gross transfers out of level 3
—

 
—

End of period level 3 fair value
$
153,141

 
$
1,086,717

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings for assets held at the end of the reporting period
$
—

 
$
5,870

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive (loss) income for assets held at the end of the reporting period
141

 
$
—

____________________
(1)
The change in unrealized gains or losses on MSR was recorded in loss on servicing asset on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
(2)
The change in unrealized gains or losses on MSR that were held at the end of the reporting period was recorded in loss on servicing asset on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

The Company transferred certain AFS from Level 2 to Level 3 based the observability of inputs during the year ended December 31, 2018. No additional AFS transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 were made during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company did not transfer AFS between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2017. Transfers between Levels are deemed to take place on the first day of the reporting period in which the transfer has taken place.
The Company used third-party pricing providers in the fair value measurement of its Level 3 available-for-sale securities. The significant unobservable inputs used by the third-party pricing provider included expected default, severity and discount rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of the inputs in isolation may result in significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
The Company also used multiple third-party pricing providers in the fair value measurement of its Level 3 MSR. The table below presents information about the significant unobservable inputs used by the third-party pricing providers in the fair value measurement of the Company’s MSR classified as Level 3 fair value assets at December 31, 2018:
December 31, 2018
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input (1)
 
Range
 
Weighted Average (2)
Discounted cash flow
 
Constant prepayment speed
 
7.6
-
9.6
%
 
8.6%
 
 
Delinquency
 
1.0
-
1.5
%
 
1.3%
 
 
Discount rate
 
8.2
-
10.7
%
 
9.4%

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input (1)
 
Range
 
Weighted Average (2)
Discounted cash flow
 
Constant prepayment speed
 
8.2
-
11.2
%
 
9.8%
 
 
Delinquency
 
1.3
-
2.0
%
 
1.7%
 
 
Discount rate
 
8.3
-
11.2
%
 
9.9%
___________________
(1)
Significant increases (decreases) in any of the inputs in isolation may result in significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. A change in the assumption used for discount rates may be accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the probability of delinquency and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.
(2)
Calculated by averaging the weighted average significant unobservable inputs used by the multiple third-party pricing providers in the fair value measurement of MSR.

Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The Company elected the fair value option for its previously held residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts and the collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts. The fair value option was elected to better reflect the economics of the Company’s retained interests. The Company’s policy was to separately record interest income on the fair value elected loans and interest expense on the fair value elected borrowings. Upfront fees and costs were not deferred or capitalized. Fair value adjustments were reported in other income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company sold all of these retained subordinated securities thereby causing the deconsolidation of the securitization trusts from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The remaining retained securities are included within non-Agency AFS securities.
The following tables summarize the fair value option elections and information regarding the line items and amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for each fair value option-elected item.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Interest income (expense)
 
Other income
 
Total included in net (loss) income
 
Change in fair value due to credit risk
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
102,886

(1) 
 
45,275

 
148,161

 
$
—

(2) 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
(82,573
)
 
 
(22,592
)
 
(105,165
)
 
—

(2) 
Total
$
20,313

 
 
$
22,683

 
$
42,996

 
$
—

 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Interest income (expense)
 
Other income
 
Total included in net (loss) income
 
Change in fair value due to credit risk
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts
133,993

(1) 
 
(19,741
)
 
114,252

 
—

(2) 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts
(97,729
)
 
 
7,907

 
(89,822
)
 
—

(2) 
Total
$
36,264

 
 
$
(11,834
)
 
$
24,430

 
$
—

 
____________________
(1)
Interest income on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts is measured by multiplying the unpaid principal balance on the loans by the coupon rate and the number of days of interest due.
(2)
The change in fair value on residential mortgage loans held-for-investment in securitization trusts and collateralized borrowings in securitization trusts was due entirely to changes in market interest rates.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In accordance with ASC 820, the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, for which fair value can be estimated.
The following describes the Company’s methods for estimating the fair value for financial instruments.
•
AFS securities, MSR, and derivative assets and liabilities are recurring fair value measurements; carrying value equals fair value. See discussion of valuation methods and assumptions within the Fair Value Measurements section of this Note 9.
•
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash have a carrying value which approximates fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of these assets as Level 1.
•
Reverse repurchase agreements have a carrying value which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of these assets as Level 2.
•
The carrying value of repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities that mature in less than one year generally approximates fair value due to the short maturities. As of December 31, 2018, the Company held $300.0 million of repurchase agreements, $50.0 million of FHLB advances and $290.0 million of revolving credit facilities that are considered long-term. The Company’s long-term repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and revolving credit facilities have floating rates based on an index plus a spread and, for members of the FHLB, the credit spread is typically consistent with those demanded in the market. Accordingly, the interest rates on these borrowings are at market and thus carrying value approximates fair value. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of these liabilities as Level 2.
•
Convertible senior notes are carried at their unpaid principal balance, net of any unamortized deferred issuance costs. The Company estimates the fair value of its convertible senior notes using the market transaction price nearest to December 31, 2018. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of these assets as Level 2.
The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded or disclosed at fair value at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
25,552,604

 
$
25,552,604

 
$
21,220,819

 
$
21,220,819

Mortgage servicing rights
$
1,993,440

 
$
1,993,440

 
$
1,086,717

 
$
1,086,717

Cash and cash equivalents
$
409,758

 
$
409,758

 
$
419,159

 
$
419,159

Restricted cash
$
688,006

 
$
688,006

 
$
635,836

 
$
635,836

Derivative assets
$
319,981

 
$
319,981

 
$
309,918

 
$
309,918

Reverse repurchase agreements
$
761,815

 
$
761,815

 
$
—

 
$
—

Other assets
$
74,412

 
$
74,412

 
116,653

 
116,653

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
23,133,476

 
$
23,133,476

 
$
19,451,207

 
$
19,451,207

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
$
865,024

 
$
865,024

 
$
1,215,024

 
$
1,215,024

Revolving credit facilities
$
310,000

 
$
310,000

 
$
20,000

 
$
20,000

Convertible senior notes
$
283,856

 
$
281,951

 
$
282,827

 
$
306,351

Derivative liabilities
$
820,590

 
$
820,590

 
$
31,903

 
$
31,903



Note 10. Repurchase Agreements
As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding $23.1 billion and $19.5 billion, respectively, of repurchase agreements. Excluding the effect of the Company’s interest rate swaps and caps, the repurchase agreements had a weighted average borrowing rate of 2.68% and 1.69% and weighted average remaining maturities of 66 and 83 days as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the repurchase agreement balances were as follows:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Short-term
$
22,833,476

 
$
19,338,707

Long-term
300,000

 
112,500

Total
$
23,133,476

 
$
19,451,207



At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the repurchase agreements had the following characteristics and remaining maturities:
 
December 31, 2018
 
Collateral Type
 
 
(in thousands)
Agency RMBS
 
Non-Agency Securities
 
Agency Derivatives
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
Total Amount Outstanding
Within 30 days
$
6,712,021

 
$
770,287

 
$
6,561

 
$
—

 
$
7,488,869

30 to 59 days
4,557,688

 
496,466

 
23,444

 
—

 
5,077,598

60 to 89 days
5,410,967

 
242,473

 
1,621

 
—

 
5,655,061

90 to 119 days
1,209,395

 
722,399

 
7,065

 
—

 
1,938,859

120 to 364 days
2,201,325

 
463,939

 
7,825

 
—

 
2,673,089

One year and over
—

 
—

 
—

 
300,000

 
300,000

Total
$
20,091,396

 
$
2,695,564

 
$
46,516

 
$
300,000

 
$
23,133,476

Weighted average borrowing rate
2.52
%
 
3.65
%
 
3.34
%
 
4.51
%
 
2.68
%
 
December 31, 2017
 
Collateral Type
 
 
(in thousands)
Agency RMBS
 
Non-Agency Securities
 
Agency Derivatives
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
Total Amount Outstanding
Within 30 days
$
3,634,541

 
$
613,500

 
$
21,423

 
$
—

 
$
4,269,464

30 to 59 days
3,522,256

 
261,835

 
47,020

 
—

 
3,831,111

60 to 89 days
3,165,834

 
290,628

 
2,478

 
—

 
3,458,940

90 to 119 days
2,119,490

 
332,614

 
322

 
—

 
2,452,426

120 to 364 days
4,883,432

 
443,334

 
—

 
—

 
5,326,766

One year and over
—

 
—

 
—

 
112,500

 
112,500

Total
$
17,325,553

 
$
1,941,911

 
$
71,243

 
$
112,500

 
$
19,451,207

Weighted average borrowing rate
1.53
%
 
2.98
%
 
2.15
%
 
3.78
%
 
1.69
%



132
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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes assets at carrying values that are pledged or restricted as collateral for the future payment obligations of repurchase agreements and derivative instruments:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
24,240,507

 
$
19,780,175

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value
685,683

 
424,740

Cash and cash equivalents
—

 
15,000

Restricted cash
416,696

 
417,018

Due from counterparties
110,695

 
773,422

Derivative assets, at fair value
70,191

 
90,895

U.S. Treasuries (1)
6,457

 
—

Total
$
25,530,229

 
$
21,501,250


____________________
(1)
U.S. Treasuries received as collateral and re-pledged.

Although the transactions under repurchase agreements represent committed borrowings until maturity, the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral or fund margin calls.
The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements and counterparty concentration at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure (1)
 
Percent of Equity
 
Weighted Average Days to Maturity
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure (1)
 
Percent of Equity
 
Weighted Average Days to Maturity
Royal Bank of Canada
$
2,504,438

 
$
342,739

 
8
%
 
94
 
$
1,261,956

 
$
223,347

 
6
%
 
75
All other counterparties (2)
20,629,038

 
1,679,335

 
39
%
 
63
 
18,189,251

 
1,519,776

 
43
%
 
84
Total
$
23,133,476

 
$
2,022,074

 
 
 
 
 
$
19,451,207

 
$
1,743,123

 
 
 
 
____________________
(1)
Represents the net carrying value of the assets sold under agreements to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, less the amount of the repurchase liability, including accrued interest. The Company did not have any such payables at December 31, 2018 nor December 31, 2017.
(2)
Represents amounts outstanding with 29 and 26 counterparties at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The Company does not anticipate any defaults by its repurchase agreement counterparties. There can be no assurance, however, that any such default or defaults will not occur.

Note 11. Reverse Repurchase Agreements
As of December 31, 2018, the Company held securities, consisting of U.S Treasury securities, with a fair value of $781.5 million as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements that could be pledged, delivered or otherwise used, with a fair value of $761.8 million. The Company did not have any reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2017. 

Note 12. Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advances
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, TH Insurance Holdings Company LLC, or TH Insurance, is a member of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB, TH Insurance has access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLB, including secured advances. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, TH Insurance had $0.9 billion and $1.2 billion in outstanding secured advances with a weighted average borrowing rate of 2.79% and 1.79%, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, TH Insurance had an additional $2.7 billion and $2.2 billion of available uncommitted capacity for borrowings, respectively, insofar as TH Insurance holds adequate total assets to support a new advance. To the extent TH Insurance has uncommitted capacity, it may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the FHLB.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The ability to borrow from the FHLB is subject to the Company’s continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB. Each advance requires approval by the FHLB and is secured by collateral in accordance with the FHLB’s credit and collateral guidelines, as may be revised from time to time by the FHLB. Eligible collateral may include conventional 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, Agency RMBS and certain non-Agency securities with a rating of A and above.
On January 11, 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, released a final rule regarding membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system. Among other effects, the final rule excludes captive insurers from membership eligibility, including the Company’s subsidiary member, TH Insurance. Since TH Insurance was admitted as a member in 2013, it is eligible for a membership grace period that runs through February 19, 2021, during which new advances or renewals that mature beyond the grace period will be prohibited; however, any existing advances that mature beyond this grace period will be permitted to remain in place subject to their terms insofar as the Company maintains good standing with the FHLB. If any new advances or renewals occur, TH Insurance’s outstanding advances will be limited to 40% of its total assets.
At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, FHLB advances had the following remaining maturities:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
≤ 1 year
$
815,024

 
$
—

> 1 and ≤ 3 years
—

 
815,024

> 3 and ≤ 5 years
—

 
—

> 5 and ≤ 10 years
—

 
—

> 10 years
50,000

 
400,000

Total
$
865,024

 
$
1,215,024


The following table summarizes assets at carrying values that are pledged or restricted as collateral for the future payment obligations of FHLB advances:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
917,492

 
$
1,210,715

Due from counterparties
—

 
62,959

Total
$
917,492

 
$
1,273,674



The FHLB retains the right to mark the underlying collateral for FHLB advances to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral. In addition, as a condition to membership in the FHLB, the Company is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock, which is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had stock in the FHLB totaling $40.8 million and $53.8 million, respectively, which is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. FHLB stock is considered a non-marketable, long-term investment, is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. This stock can only be redeemed or sold at its par value, and only to the FHLB. Accordingly, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had not recognized an impairment charge related to its FHLB stock.

Note 13. Revolving Credit Facilities
To finance MSR, the Company has entered into revolving credit facilities collateralized by the value of the MSR pledged. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding short- and long-term borrowings under revolving credit facilities of $310.0 million and $20.0 million with a weighted average borrowing rate of 5.60% and 5.14% and weighted average remaining maturities of 4.25 and 0.96 years, respectively.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, borrowings under revolving credit facilities had the following remaining maturities:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Within 30 days
$
—

 
$
—

30 to 59 days
—

 
—

60 to 89 days
—

 
—

90 to 119 days
—

 
—

120 to 364 days
20,000

 
20,000

One year and over
290,000

 
—

Total
$
310,000

 
$
20,000



Although the transactions under revolving credit facilities represent committed borrowings from the time of funding until maturity, the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets below a designated threshold would require the Company to provide additional collateral or pay down the facility. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, MSR with a carrying value of $458.2 million and $159.5 million, respectively, was pledged as collateral for the Company’s future payment obligations under its revolving credit facilities. The Company does not anticipate any defaults by its revolving credit facility counterparties, although there can be no assurance that any such default or defaults will not occur.

Note 14. Convertible Senior Notes
In January 2017, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2022. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $282.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The notes are unsecured, pay interest semiannually at a rate of 6.25% per annum and are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock. The notes will mature in January 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Company does not have the right to redeem the notes prior to maturity, but may be required to repurchase the notes from holders under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the notes had a conversion rate of 62.4003 and 61.4698 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, respectively. The outstanding amount due on the convertible senior notes as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $283.9 million and $282.8 million, respectively, net of deferred issuance costs.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies
The following represent the material commitments and contingencies of the Company as of December 31, 2018:
Management agreement. The Company pays PRCM Advisers a management fee equal to 1.5% per annum, calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, of the Company’s stockholders’ equity. For purposes of calculating the management fee, the Company’s stockholders’ equity means the sum of the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less the consolidated stockholders’ equity of Granite Point and its subsidiaries during the time Granite Point was consolidated on the Company’s balance sheet, the weighted average cost basis of Granite Point common stock purchased, the outstanding principal balance of the promissory note due from the sale of Granite Point preferred stock and any amount that the Company has paid for repurchases of its common stock since inception, and excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income). In connection with the acquisition of CYS, the Management Agreement was amended to (i) reduce PRCM Advisers’ base management fee with respect to the additional equity under management resulting from the merger to 0.75% from the effective time through the first anniversary of the effective time and (ii) for the fiscal quarter in which closing of the merger occured, to make a one-time downward adjustment of Pine River’s management fees payable by Two Harbors for such quarter by $15.0 million to offset the cash consideration payable to stockholders of CYS, plus an additional downward adjustment of up to $3.3 million for certain transaction-related expenses. This amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP, and certain non-cash items after discussions between PRCM Advisers and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. To the extent asset impairment reduces the Company’s retained earnings at the end of any completed calendar quarter; it will reduce the management fee for such quarter. The Company’s stockholders’ equity for the purposes of calculating the management fee could be greater than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the consolidated financial statements. The current term of the management agreement expires on October 28, 2019, and automatically renews for successive one-year terms annually until terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The Company reimburses PRCM Advisers for (i) the Company’s allocable share of the compensation paid by PRCM Advisers to its personnel serving as the Company’s principal financial officer and general counsel and personnel employed by PRCM Advisers as in-house legal, tax, accounting, consulting, auditing, administrative, information technology, valuation, computer programming and development and back-office resources to the Company, and (ii) any amounts for personnel of PRCM Adviser’s affiliates arising under a shared facilities and services agreement.
Upon termination of the management agreement by the Company without cause or by PRCM Advisers due to the Company’s material breach of the management agreement, the Company is required to pay a termination fee equal to three times the sum of the average annual base management fee earned by PRCM Advisers during the 24-month period immediately preceding the date of termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination.
Employment contracts. The Company does not directly employ any personnel. Instead, the Company relies on the resources of PRCM Advisers to conduct the Company’s operations. Expense reimbursements to PRCM Advisers are made in cash on a quarterly basis following the end of each quarter.
Legal and regulatory. From time to time, the Company may be subject to liability under laws and government regulations and various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Liabilities are established for legal claims when payments associated with the claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts established for those claims. Based on information currently available, management is not aware of any legal or regulatory claims that would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and therefore no accrual is required as of December 31, 2018.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Stockholders’ Equity
Redeemable Preferred Stock
The following is a summary of the Company's series of cumulative redeemable preferred stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018. In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each series of preferred stock will rank on parity with one another and rank senior to the Company's common stock with respect to the payment of the dividends and the distribution of assets.
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class of Stock
Issuance Date
 
Shares issued and outstanding
 
Carrying Value
 
Contractual rate
 
Redemption date (1)
 
Fixed to floating rate conversion date (2)
 
Floating annual rate (3)
Fixed-to-Floating rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A
March 14, 2017
 
5,750

 
138,872

 
8.125
%
 
April 27, 2027
 
April 27, 2027
 
3M LIBOR + 5.660%
Series B
July 19, 2017
 
11,500

 
278,094

 
7.625
%
 
July 27, 2027
 
July 27, 2027
 
3M LIBOR + 5.352%
Series C
November 27, 2017
 
11,800

 
285,584

 
7.250
%
 
January 27, 2025
 
January 27, 2025
 
3M LIBOR + 5.011%
Fixed Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series D
July 31, 2018
 
3,000

 
74,964

 
7.750
%
 
July 31, 2018
 
N/A
 
N/A
Series E
July 31, 2018
 
8,000

 
199,987

 
7.500
%
 
July 31, 2018
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
     Total
 
 
40,050

 
$977,501
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
____________________
(1)
Subject to the Company's right under limited circumstances to redeem the preferred stock earlier than the redemption date disclosed in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT or following a change in control of the Company.
(2)
For the fixed-to-floating rate redeemable preferred stock, the dividend rate will remain at a annual fixed rate of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference from the issuance date up to but not including the transition date disclosed within. Effective the conversion date and onward, dividends will accumulate on a floating rate basis according to the terms disclosed within (3) below.
(3)
On and after the fixed to floating rate conversion date, the dividend will accumulate and be payable quarterly at a percentage of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference equal to an annual floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus the spread indicated within each preferred class.

On July 31, 2018, upon the closing of the merger with CYS, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of newly classified 7.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 8,000,000 shares of newly classified 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, in exchange for all shares of CYS’s Series A and Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock outstanding prior to the effective time of the merger. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement with CYS, the terms of the Company’s Series D and Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are substantially similar to the terms of CYS’s Series A and Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
For each series of preferred stock, the Company may redeem the stock on or after the redemption date in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time. Each series of preferred stock has a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation and redemption price of $25.00, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon up to, but excluding, the redemption date. Through December 31, 2018, the Company had declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on the Company’s preferred stock.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Distributions to Preferred Stockholders
The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its preferred stock since their issuances:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Preferred Share
Series A Preferred Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.507810

September 20, 2018
 
October 12, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.507810

June 19, 2018
 
July 12, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.507810

March 20, 2018
 
April 12, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.507810

December 14, 2017
 
January 12, 2018
 
January 29, 2018
 
$
0.507810

September 14, 2017
 
October 12, 2017
 
October 27, 2017
 
$
0.507810

June 15, 2017
 
July 12, 2017
 
July 27, 2017
 
$
0.750430

Series B Preferred Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.476560

September 20, 2018
 
October 12, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.476560

June 19, 2018
 
July 12, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.476560

March 20, 2018
 
April 12, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.476560

December 14, 2017
 
January 12, 2018
 
January 29, 2018
 
$
0.476560

September 14, 2017
 
October 12, 2017
 
October 27, 2017
 
$
0.518920

Series C Preferred Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.453130

September 20, 2018
 
October 12, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.453130

June 19, 2018
 
July 12, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.453130

March 20, 2018
 
April 12, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.453130

December 14, 2017
 
January 12, 2018
 
January 29, 2018
 
$
0.302080

Series D Preferred Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.484375

September 20, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 15, 2018
 
$
0.484375

Series E Preferred Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.468750

September 20, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 15, 2018
 
$
0.468750



Common Stock
Issuance of Common Stock in Connection with Acquisition of CYS Investments, Inc.
On July 31, 2018, in exchange for all of the shares of CYS common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, the Company issued approximately 72.6 million new shares of common stock, as well as aggregate cash consideration of $15.0 million, to CYS common stockholders.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Reverse Stock Split
On September 14, 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved a one-for-two reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock. The reverse stock split was effected on November 1, 2017 at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time, following the special dividend of Granite Point common stock. At the effective time, every two issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock were converted into one share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split; instead, each stockholder holding fractional shares was entitled to receive, in lieu of such fractional shares, cash in an amount determined on the basis of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on November 1, 2017. In connection with the reverse stock split, the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock was also reduced on a one-for-two basis, from 900 million to 450 million. The par value of each share of common stock remained unchanged. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented have been adjusted on a retroactive basis to reflect the reverse stock split.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had 248,085,721 shares of common stock outstanding. The following table presents a reconciliation of the common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Number of common shares
Common shares outstanding, December 31, 2015
176,953,403

Issuance of common stock
30,301

Issuance of restricted stock (1)
852,459

Repurchase of common stock
(4,010,000
)
Common shares outstanding, December 31, 2016
173,826,163

Issuance of common stock
26,950

Issuance of restricted stock (1)
643,474

Common shares outstanding, December 31, 2017
174,496,587

Issuance of common stock
72,616,483

Issuance of restricted stock (1)
972,651

Common shares outstanding, December 31, 2018
248,085,721

____________________
(1)
Represents shares of restricted stock granted under the Second Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, net of forfeitures, of which 1,593,701 restricted shares remained subject to vesting requirements at December 31, 2018.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Distributions to Common Stockholders
The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock during the he years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Common Share
December 18, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
January 28, 2019
 
$
0.470000

September 20, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 29, 2018
 
$
0.311630

July 13, 2018
 
July 25, 2018
 
July 30, 2018
 
$
0.158370

June 19, 2018
 
June 29, 2018
 
July 27, 2018
 
$
0.470000

March 20, 2018
 
April 2, 2018
 
April 27, 2018
 
$
0.470000

December 14, 2017
 
December 26, 2017
 
December 29, 2017
 
$
0.470000

September 14, 2017
 
September 29, 2017
 
October 27, 2017
 
$
0.520000

June 15, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
July 27, 2017
 
$
0.520000

March 14, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
April 27, 2017
 
$
0.500000

December 15, 2016
 
December 30, 2016
 
January 27, 2017
 
$
0.480000

September 15, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
October 20, 2016
 
$
0.460000

June 16, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
July 20, 2016
 
$
0.460000

March 15, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
 
April 21, 2016
 
$
0.460000



On September 14, 2017, the Company’s board of directors declared a special dividend pursuant to which the 33.1 million shares of Granite Point common stock acquired by the Company in exchange for the contribution of its equity interests in TH Commercial Holdings LLC to Granite Point on June 28, 2017 would be distributed, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of Two Harbors common stock outstanding at the close of business on October 20, 2017. The Granite Point common stock was distributed on November 1, 2017. Due to its controlling ownership interest in Granite Point through November 1, 2017, the Company consolidated Granite Point on its financial statements. Effective November 1, 2017 (the date the 33.1 million shares of Granite Point common stock were distributed to the Company’s common stockholders), the Company no longer had a controlling interest in Granite Point and, therefore, deconsolidated Granite Point and its subsidiaries from its financial statements and reclassified all of Granite Point’s prior period assets, liabilities and results of operations to discontinued operations.
Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan
The Company sponsors a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan through which stockholders may purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock by reinvesting some or all of the cash dividends received on shares of the Company’s common stock. Stockholders may also make optional cash purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to certain limitations detailed in the plan prospectus. The plan allows for the issuance of up to an aggregate of 3,750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2018, 227,852 shares have been issued under the plan for total proceeds of approximately $4.4 million, of which 28,711, 27,194 and 30,301 shares were issued for total proceeds of $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Share Repurchase Program
The Company’s share repurchase program allows for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 37,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Shares may be repurchased from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or by any combination of such methods. The manner, price, number and timing of share repurchases are subject to a variety of factors, including market conditions and applicable SEC rules. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares, and, subject to SEC rules, purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 12,067,500 shares had been repurchased by the Company under the program for an aggregate cost of $200.4 million; of these, 4,010,000 shares were repurchased for a total cost of $61.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. No shares were repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

At-the-Market Offering
As of December 31, 2018, the Company was party to an equity distribution agreement under which the Company was authorized to sell up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2018, 3,792,935 shares of common stock had been sold under the equity distribution agreement for total accumulated net proceeds of approximately $77.6 million. No shares were sold during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Subsequent to year-end, the Company terminated its prior equity distribution agreement and entered into a new equity distribution agreement with a total of 35,000,000 shares authorized for issuance. Refer to Note 21-Subsequent Events for further discussion.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
Unrealized gains
$
498,744

 
$
475,694

Unrealized losses
(387,927
)
 
(140,881
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
$
110,817

 
$
334,813



Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The Company reclassifies unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities in accumulated other comprehensive income to net (loss) income upon the recognition of any other-than-temporary impairments and realized gains and losses on sales, net of income tax effects, as individual securities are impaired or sold. The following table summarizes reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
Amount Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
(in thousands)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Other-than-temporary impairments on AFS securities
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
$
470

 
$
789

 
$
1,822

Realized losses (gains) on sales of certain AFS securities, net of tax
 
Loss on investment securities
 
253,869

 
5,207

 
(102,852
)
Total
 
 
 
$
254,339

 
$
5,996

 
$
(101,030
)



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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 17. Equity Incentive Plan
The Company’s Plan provides incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel, including PRCM Advisers and affiliates and employees of PRCM Advisers and its affiliates, and any joint venture affiliates of the Company. The Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors. The compensation committee has the full authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to authorize the granting of awards, to determine the eligibility of directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel, including PRCM Advisers and affiliates and personnel of PRCM Advisers and its affiliates, and any joint venture affiliates of the Company, to receive an award, to determine the number of shares of common stock to be covered by each award (subject to the individual participant limitations provided in the Plan), to determine the terms, provisions and conditions of each award (which may not be inconsistent with the terms of the Plan), to prescribe the form of instruments evidencing awards and to take any other actions and make all other determinations that it deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the Plan or the administration or interpretation thereof. In connection with this authority, the compensation committee may, among other things, establish performance goals that must be met in order for awards to be granted or to vest, or for the restrictions on any such awards to lapse.
The Company’s Plan provides for grants of restricted common stock, phantom shares, dividend equivalent rights and other equity-based awards, subject to a ceiling of 6,500,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan. The Plan allows for the Company’s board of directors to expand the types of awards available under the Plan to include long-term incentive plan units in the future. If an award granted under the Plan expires or terminates, the shares subject to any portion of the award that expires or terminates without having been exercised or paid, as the case may be, will again become available for the issuance of additional awards. Unless earlier terminated by the Company’s board of directors, no new award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date that such Plan was initially approved by the Company’s board of directors. No award may be granted under the Plan to any person who, assuming payment of all awards held by such person, would own or be deemed to own more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 1, 2017 (refer to Note 16 - Stockholders’ Equity for additional information).
During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted 55,553, 34,559 and 40,869 shares of common stock, respectively, to its independent directors pursuant to the Plan. The estimated fair value of these awards was $15.48, $19.82 and $16.86 per share on grant date, based on the adjusted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on such date. The grants vested immediately.
Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted 941,371, 637,286 and 968,761 shares of restricted common stock, respectively, to key employees of PRCM Advisers pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the associated award agreements. The estimated fair value of these awards was $15.12, $17.48 and $15.04 per share on grant date, based on the adjusted closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on such date. The shares underlying the grants vest in three equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, as long as such grantee complies with the terms and conditions of his or her applicable restricted stock award agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2016, in connection with the restructuring activities, certain agreements were forfeited and re-granted with accelerated vesting terms, in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation.
The following table summarizes the activity related to restricted common stock for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Market Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Market Value
Outstanding at Beginning of Period
1,284,010

 
$
17.15

 
1,319,712

 
$
17.10

Granted
996,924

 
14.96

 
671,845

 
17.60

Vested
(673,118
)
 
(17.12
)
 
(684,727
)
 
(17.47
)
Forfeited
(14,115
)
 
(15.59
)
 
(22,820
)
 
(17.90
)
Outstanding at End of Period
1,593,701

 
$
15.81

 
1,284,010

 
$
17.15



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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized compensation related to restricted common stock granted pursuant to the Plan of $13.0 million, $11.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively.

Note 18. Income Taxes
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes its net taxable income to stockholders, and does not engage in prohibited transactions. The Company intends to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income and comply with all requirements to continue to qualify as a REIT. The majority of states also recognize the Company’s REIT status. The Company’s TRSs file separate tax returns and are fully taxed as standalone U.S. C-corporations. The tables below reflect the net taxes accrued at the TRS level and the tax attributes included in the consolidated financial statements. It is assumed that the Company will retain its REIT status and will incur no REIT level taxation as it intends to comply with the REIT regulations and annual distribution requirements.
Certain activities the Company performs may produce income that will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. These activities include the designated portion of MSR treated as normal mortgage servicing, residential mortgage loans, certain derivative financial instruments and other risk-management instruments. The Company has designated its TRSs to engage in these activities.
The following table summarizes the tax (benefit) provision from continuing operations recorded at the taxable subsidiary level for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current tax (benefit) provision:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
52

 
$
492

 
$
(1,616
)
State
1

 
57

 
164

Total current tax (benefit) provision
53

 
549

 
(1,452
)
Deferred tax (benefit) provision
41,770

 
(11,031
)
 
13,766

Total (benefit from) provision for income taxes
$
41,823

 
$
(10,482
)
 
$
12,314



During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s TRSs recognized a provision for income taxes of $41.8 million, which was primarily due to realized gains on sales of AFS securities and gains recognized on MSR held in the TRSs as well as the write-down of net deferred tax assets resulting from the deemed liquidation of one of the Company’s TRSs due to its TRS election revocation, offset by net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in the TRS. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s TRSs recognized a benefit from income taxes of $10.5 million, which was primarily due to the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax assets resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, realized losses on sales of AFS securities and net losses incurred on derivative instruments held in the Company’s TRSs.
The Company’s taxable income before dividend distributions differs from its pre-tax net income for U.S. GAAP purposes primarily due to unrealized gains and losses, the recognition of credit losses for U.S. GAAP purposes but not tax purposes, differences in timing of income recognition due to market discount, and original issue discount and the calculations surrounding each. These book to tax differences in the REIT are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements as the Company intends to retain its REIT status.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal and state rates to the effective rates, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Computed income tax expense at federal rate
$
(518
)
 
21
 %
 
$
104,215

 
35
 %
 
$
127,957

 
35
 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit, if applicable
1

 
—
 %
 
37

 
—
 %
 
106

 
—
 %
Permanent differences in taxable income from GAAP net income (1)
28,414

 
(1,152
)%
 
1,208

 
—
 %
 
401

 
—
 %
Dividends paid deduction
13,926

 
(565
)%
 
(115,942
)
 
(39
)%
 
(116,150
)
 
(32
)%
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes/ Effective Tax Rate(2)
$
41,823

 
(1,696
)%
 
$
(10,482
)
 
(4
)%
 
$
12,314

 
3
 %
____________________
(1)
For the year ended December 31, 2018, permanent differences include a provision of 17.8 million related to the write-down of the net deferred tax assets resulting from the deemed liquidation of three of the Company’s TRSs due to their election revocation, offset by the reversal of the valuation allowance upon TRS revocation. For the year ended December 31, 2017, permanent differences include a provision of $17.5 million related to the effect of the federal tax reform statutory rate change from 35% to 21%.
(2)
The provision for (benefit from) income taxes is recorded at the taxable subsidiary level.

The Company’s permanent differences in taxable income from GAAP net (loss) income in the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the intercompany sale of RMBS between the Company’s TRS and the REIT, as well as the write-down of net deferred tax assets resulting from the deemed liquidation of three of the Company’s TRSs due to their TRS election revocation, offset by the reversal of the valuation allowance upon TRS revocation. Additionally, the Company’s recurring permanent differences in taxable income from GAAP net (loss) income in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were due to a difference in the dividends paid deduction for tax, compensation expense related to restricted stock dividends and, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, net losses incurred by consolidated securitization trusts that are not subject to federal taxes.
The Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 contain the following current and deferred tax liabilities and assets, which are included in other assets, and are recorded at the taxable subsidiary level:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Income taxes receivable
 
 
 
Federal income taxes receivable
$
690

 
$
130

State and local income taxes receivable
—

 
—

Income taxes receivable, net
690

 
130

Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
 
 
 
Deferred tax asset
17,196

 
50,419

Deferred tax liability
(18,333
)
 
(24,463
)
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets
(1,137
)
 
25,956

Total tax assets (liabilities), net
$
(447
)
 
$
26,086




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes at the TRS level. Components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
(in thousands)
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Available-for-sale securities
$
19

 
$
(11,917
)
Mortgage servicing rights
(18,333
)
 
(9,054
)
Derivative assets and liabilities
33

 
4,870

Other assets
9

 
139

Other liabilities
652

 
545

Intangibles
101

 
108

Alternative minimum tax credit
—

 
2,386

Net operating loss carryforward
16,354

 
21,853

Capital loss carryforward
28

 
19,766

Total deferred tax (liabilities) assets
(1,137
)
 
28,696

Valuation allowance
—

 
(2,740
)
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets
$
(1,137
)
 
$
25,956



As of December 31, 2018, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance for any portion of its deferred tax assets as it does not believe, at a more likely than not level, that any portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31, 2017, a $2.7 million valuation allowance was recorded because the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the associated deferred tax assets would not be realized. Of the TRS net operating loss deferred tax asset carryforward of $16.4 million, $2.4 million is scheduled to expire December 31, 2035, $12.3 million is scheduled to expire December 31, 2036, $1.7 million is scheduled to expire December 31, 2037.
Based on the Company’s evaluation, it has been concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements of a contingent tax liability for uncertain tax positions. Additionally, there were no amounts accrued for penalties or interest as of or during the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.


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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19. Earnings Per Share
The following table presents a reconciliation of the (loss) earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. All per share amounts, common shares outstanding and restricted shares for all periods presented reflect the Company’s one-for-two reverse stock split effected on November 1, 2017 (refer to Note 16 - Stockholders’ Equity for additional information).
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
$
(44,290
)
 
$
308,239

 
$
317,921

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
—

 
44,146

 
35,357

Net (loss) income
(44,290
)
 
352,385

 
353,278

Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
3,814

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(44,290
)
 
348,571

 
353,278

Dividends on preferred stock
65,395

 
25,122

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders - basic
(109,685
)
 
323,449

 
353,278

Interest expense attributable to convertible notes (1)
—

 
17,867

 
—

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders - diluted
$
(109,685
)
 
$
341,316

 
353,278

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
204,409,853

 
173,063,178

 
172,523,497

Weighted average restricted stock shares
1,610,649

 
1,370,821

 
1,513,355

Basic weighted average shares outstanding
206,020,502

 
174,433,999

 
174,036,852

Effect of dilutive shares issued in an assumed conversion
—

 
13,699,342

 
—

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
206,020,502


188,133,341


174,036,852

Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share:

 


 


Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)
 
$
1.85

 
$
2.03

Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(0.53
)

$
1.81


$
2.03


___________________
(1)
Includes a nondiscretionary adjustment for the assumed change in the management fee calculation.

Note 20. Related Party Transactions
The following summary provides disclosure of the material transactions with affiliates of the Company.
In accordance with the Management Agreement between the Company and PRCM Advisers dated as of October 28, 2009 and subsequently amended, the Company incurred $47.8 million, $40.5 million and $39.3 million as a management fee to PRCM Advisers for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, which represents approximately 1.5% of stockholders’ equity on an annualized basis as defined by the Management Agreement. For purposes of calculating the management fee, stockholders’ equity is adjusted as discussed below, and to exclude the consolidated stockholders’ equity of Granite Point and its subsidiaries previously included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and any common stock repurchases, as well as any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net (loss) income, among other adjustments, in accordance with the Management Agreement.

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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

In connection with the acquisition of CYS, the Management Agreement was amended to (i) reduce PRCM Advisers’ base management fee with respect to the additional equity under management resulting from the merger to 0.75% from the effective time through the first anniversary of the effective time and (ii) for the fiscal quarter in which closing of the merger occurred, to make a one-time downward adjustment of Pine River’s management fees payable by Two Harbors for such quarter by $15.0 million to offset the cash consideration payable to stockholders of CYS, plus an additional downward adjustment of up to $3.3 million for certain transaction-related expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total downward adjustment to management fees was $17.5 million. The Company does not anticipate any further downward adjustments to management fees for transaction-related expenses.
In addition, the Company reimbursed PRCM Advisers for direct and allocated costs incurred by PRCM Advisers on behalf of the Company. These direct and allocated costs totaled approximately $26.3 million, $27.9 million and $28.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company has direct relationships with the majority of its third-party vendors. The Company will continue to have certain costs allocated to it by PRCM Advisers for compensation, data services, technology and certain office lease payments, but most direct expenses with third-party vendors are paid directly by the Company.
The Company recognized $13.0 million, $11.3 million and $15.2 million of compensation during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to restricted common stock issued to employees of PRCM Advisers and the Company’s independent directors pursuant to the Plan.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company purchased 1,658,008 shares of Granite Point common stock in the open market for a cost of $30.0 million. These equity securities were carried at fair value and reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the equity securities was $29.4 million, which included $0.6 million in unrealized losses. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold all of the Granite Point common stock it held for $31.2 million, resulting in a realized gain of $1.2 million.

Note 21. Subsequent Events
On February 8, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, or Credit Suisse, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell up to 35,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time through Credit Suisse. Sales of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. Credit Suisse shall be entitled to total compensation of up to 2% of the gross proceeds from the sale of common stock sold under the equity distribution agreement.
On February 8, 2019, the Company provided notice of termination to JMP Securities LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. related to the equity distribution agreement dated May 25, 2012, as amended. The Company had previously offered and sold 3,792,935 shares of common stock pursuant to such equity distribution agreement (as adjusted for the one-for-two reverse stock split on November 1, 2017).
Events subsequent to December 31, 2018 were evaluated through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued and no other additional events were identified requiring further disclosure in these consolidated financial statements.




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TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 22. Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited
 
2018 Quarter Ended
(in thousands, except share data)
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
Total interest income
$
194,019

 
$
187,360

 
$
236,698

 
$
251,955

Total interest expense
96,560

 
108,414

 
152,396

 
162,301

Net interest income
97,459

 
78,946

 
84,302

 
89,654

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(94
)
 
(174
)
 
(95
)
 
(107
)
Total other income (loss)
281,982

 
93,174

 
112,514

 
(590,696
)
Total expenses
40,754

 
38,507

 
123,366

 
46,705

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
3,784

 
(6,051
)
 
37,409

 
6,681

Dividends on preferred stock
13,747

 
13,747

 
18,951

 
18,950

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
321,062

 
$
125,743

 
$
16,995

 
$
(573,485
)
Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

Continuing operations
$
1.83

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.08

 
$
(2.31
)
Net income (loss)
$
1.83

 
$
0.72

 
$
0.08

 
$
(2.31
)
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1.69

 
$
0.68

 
$
0.08

 
$
(2.31
)
Net income (loss)
$
1.69

 
$
0.68

 
$
0.08

 
$
(2.31
)
 
2017 Quarter Ended
(in thousands, except share data)
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
Total interest income
$
169,154

 
$
184,741

 
$
196,089

 
$
195,105

Total interest expense
70,685

 
85,281

 
99,427

 
94,795

Net interest income
98,469

 
99,460

 
96,662

 
100,310

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
—

 
(429
)
 
—

 
(360
)
Total other (loss) income
(35,585
)
 
(57,197
)
 
23,060

 
103,288

Total expenses
28,870

 
38,614

 
31,844

 
30,593

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(24,517
)
 
8,759

 
(5,342
)
 
10,618

Income from discontinued operations (net of noncontrolling), net of tax
13,454

 
14,157

 
8,844

 
3,877

Dividends on preferred stock
—

 
4,285

 
8,888

 
11,949

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
71,985

 
$
4,333

 
$
93,176

 
$
153,955

Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.33

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.48

 
$
0.86

Discontinued operations
0.08

 
0.08

 
0.05

 
0.02

Net income
$
0.41

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.53

 
$
0.88

Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.33

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.47

 
$
0.82

Discontinued operations
0.08

 
0.08

 
0.05

 
0.02

Net income
$
0.41

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.84



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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
A review and evaluation was performed by our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective. Although our CEO and CFO have determined our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the reports we submit under the Exchange Act.
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
•
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
•
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
•
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment the Company’s management used criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 framework).
Based on its assessment, the Company’s management believes that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
The Company’s independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, have issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 151 of this annual report on Form 10-K.


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Table of Contents



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors
of Two Harbors Investment Corp.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Two Harbors Investment Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Two Harbors Investment Corp. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated February 26, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 26, 2019


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Table of Contents



Item 9B. Other Information
None.


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Table of Contents



PART III

Items 10, 11, 12 and 13.
The information required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III of this Annual Report is incorporated by reference to information to be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after December 31, 2018.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
We retained Ernst & Young LLP, or EY, to audit our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. We also retained EY, as well as other accounting and consulting firms, to provide various other services in during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The table below presents the aggregate fees billed to us for professional services performed by EY for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 
Year Ended
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Audit fees (1)
$
1,301,476

 
$
1,753,745

Audit-related fees (2)
56,144

 
47,300

Tax fees (3)
536,267

 
381,908

Total principal accountant fees
$
1,893,887

 
$
2,182,953

____________________
(1)
Audit fees pertain to the audit of our annual Consolidated Financial Statements, including review of the interim financial statements contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, comfort letters to underwriters in connection with our registration statements and common stock offerings, attest services, consents to the incorporation of the EY audit report in publicly filed documents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
(2)
Audit-related fees pertain to assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by the principal accountant, including accounting consultations and audits in connection with proposed or consummated acquisitions, internal control reviews and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3)
Tax fees pertain to services performed for tax compliance, including REIT compliance, tax planning and tax advice, including preparation of tax returns and claims for refund and tax-payment planning services. Tax planning and advice also includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, and tax advice related to specific transactions.

The services performed by EY in 2018 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy set forth in our Audit Committee Charter. This policy requires that all engagement fees and the terms and scope of all auditing and non-auditing services be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee in advance of their formal initiation.


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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1)Consolidated Financial Statements:
The consolidated financial statements of the Company, together with the independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon, are set forth in Part II, Item 8 on pages 89 through 97 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
(2)Schedules to Consolidated Financial Statements:
All consolidated financial statement schedules not included have been omitted because they are either inapplicable or the information required is provided in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, included in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)Exhibits:
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibits Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.


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Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Index
1.1
 
2.1
 
2.2
 
2.3
 
2.4
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Two Harbors Investment Corp., Eiger Merger Subsidiary LLC and CYS Investments, Inc., dated as of April 25, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 26, 2018).

3.1
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
3.4
 
3.5
 
3.6
 
3.7
 
3.8
 
3.9
 
3.10
 
4.1
 
4.2
 
4.3
 

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Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Index
10.1
 
10.2
 
10.3
 
10.4
 
10.5
 
10.6
 
10.7*
 
10.8*
 
10.9*
 
10.10
 
21.1
 
23.1
 
24.1
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1
 
32.2
 
101
 
Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Two Harbors Investment Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (filed herewith)
____________________
*
Management or compensatory agreement


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Table of Contents



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
 
 
TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Dated:
February 26, 2019
By:
/s/ Thomas E. Siering
 
 
 
Thomas E. Siering
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director (principal executive officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Each of the undersigned hereby appoints Thomas E. Siering and Mary Riskey, and each of them (with full power to act alone), as attorneys and agents for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934, any and all amendments and exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K and any and all applications, instruments, and other documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to this annual report on Form 10-K or any amendments thereto, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary or desirable.
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
/s/ Thomas E. Siering
 
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(principal executive officer)
 
February 26, 2019
Thomas E. Siering
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Mary Riskey
 
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
February 26, 2019
Mary Riskey
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Stephen G. Kasnet
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
February 26, 2019
Stephen G. Kasnet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ E. Spencer Abraham
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
E. Spencer Abraham
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ James J. Bender
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
James J. Bender
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Karen Hammond
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
Karen Hammond
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William Roth
 
Chief Investment Officer and Director
 
February 26, 2019
William Roth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ W. Reid Sanders
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
W. Reid Sanders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ James A. Stern
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
James A. Stern
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Hope B. Woodhouse
 
Director
 
February 26, 2019
Hope B. Woodhouse
 
 
 


157