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CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORP - Quarter Report: 2020 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

             QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: June 30, 2020
OR
             TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______________ TO _________________
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-33796

CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter) 
Maryland
 
26-0630461
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
                                                                                                                                             

520 Madison Avenue 32nd Floor
New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
10022
(Zip Code)
(212) 626-2300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
 
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
CIM
New York Stock Exchange
8.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
CIM PRA
New York Stock Exchange
8.00% Series B Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock
CIM PRB
New York Stock Exchange
7.75% Series C Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock
CIM PRC
New York Stock Exchange
8.00% Series D Cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Redeemable Preferred Stock
CIM PRD
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all documents and 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 þ No ☐




Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

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

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


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date:
Class
Outstanding at July 31, 2020
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
232,020,857





CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2019 (Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019)
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
 






1


Part I
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
$
302,553

$
109,878

Non-Agency RMBS, at fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $2 million and $0 million, respectively)
2,184,170

2,614,408

Agency RMBS, at fair value
107,263

6,490,293

Agency CMBS, at fair value
2,612,344

2,850,717

Loans held for investment, at fair value
13,036,833

14,292,815

Receivable for investments sold

446,225

Accrued interest receivable
89,387

116,423

Other assets
115,601

194,301

Derivatives, at fair value, net

3,611

Total assets (1)
$
18,448,151

$
27,118,671

Liabilities:
 

 

Secured financing agreements ($7.8 billion and $15.4 billion pledged as collateral, respectively)
$
5,944,201

$
13,427,545

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS ($524 million and $598 million pledged as collateral, respectively)
124,414

133,557

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment ($12.2 billion and $12.1 billion pledged as collateral, respectively)
8,530,111

8,179,608

Long Term Debt
71,600


Payable for investments purchased
246,770

1,256,337

Accrued interest payable
41,336

63,600

Dividends payable
75,554

98,568

Accounts payable and other liabilities
18,286

6,163

Total liabilities (1)
$
15,052,272

$
23,165,378






Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 16)









Stockholders' Equity:
 

 

Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized:




8.00% Series A cumulative redeemable: 5,800,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($145,000 liquidation preference)
$
58

$
58

8.00% Series B cumulative redeemable: 13,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($325,000 liquidation preference)
130

130

7.75% Series C cumulative redeemable: 10,400,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($260,000 liquidation preference)
104

104

8.00% Series D cumulative redeemable: 8,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ($200,000 liquidation preference)
80

80

Common stock: par value $0.01 per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 232,003,526 and 187,226,081 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
2,320

1,873

Additional paid-in-capital
4,515,043

4,275,963

Accumulated other comprehensive income
537,510

708,336

Cumulative earnings
3,367,330

3,793,040

Cumulative distributions to stockholders
(5,026,696
)
(4,826,291
)
Total stockholders' equity
$
3,395,879

$
3,953,293

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
18,448,151

$
27,118,671

(1) The Company's consolidated statements of financial condition include assets of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that can only be used to settle obligations and liabilities of the VIE for which creditors do not have recourse to the primary beneficiary (Chimera Investment Corporation). As of June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, total assets

2



of consolidated VIEs were $12,578,835 and $12,544,744, respectively, and total liabilities of consolidated VIEs were $8,431,077 and $8,064,235, respectively. See Note 8 for further discussion.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3



CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Quarters Ended
For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
Net interest income:




Interest income (1)
$
245,922

$
339,914

$
546,189

$
690,303

Interest expense (2)
129,256

198,110

271,339

401,060

Net interest income
116,666

141,804

274,850

289,243










Increase/(decrease) in provision for credit losses
(4,497
)

1,817











Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses



(4,853
)









Other investment gains (losses):
 







Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

(132,171
)
201,000

(221,486
)
Realized gains (losses) on terminations of interest rate swaps

(95,211
)
(463,966
)
(203,257
)
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives

(9,697
)
(41,086
)
(16,974
)
Net gains (losses) on derivatives

(237,079
)
(304,052
)
(441,717
)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value
(171,921
)
190,748

(432,809
)
391,561

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
26,380

(7,526
)
102,234

1,077

Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt
459

(608
)
459

(608
)
Total other gains (losses)
(145,082
)
(54,465
)
(634,168
)
(49,687
)









Other expenses:
 

 




Compensation and benefits
10,255

12,114

23,190

26,484

General and administrative expenses
6,562

6,217

12,239

12,019

Servicing fees
9,473

9,280

19,462

18,243

Transaction expenses
4,710

813

9,616

895

Total other expenses
31,000

28,424

64,507

57,641

Income (loss) before income taxes
(54,919
)
58,915

(425,642
)
177,062

Income taxes
36

155

68

155

Net income (loss)
$
(54,955
)
$
58,760

$
(425,710
)
$
176,907










Dividends on preferred stock
18,438

18,438

36,875

35,829










Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(73,393
)
$
40,322

$
(462,585
)
$
141,078










Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders:








Basic
$
(0.37
)
$
0.22

$
(2.39
)
$
0.75

Diluted
$
(0.37
)
$
0.21

$
(2.39
)
$
0.75










Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:








Basic
199,282,790

187,153,007

193,150,696

187,132,842

Diluted
199,282,790

188,271,483

193,150,696

188,254,266


(1) Includes interest income of consolidated VIEs of $169,127 and $200,703 for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $343,809 and $407,814 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

(2) Includes interest expense of consolidated VIEs of $70,816 and $87,529 for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $135,445 and $178,556 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4




CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)






For the Quarters Ended
For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
Comprehensive income (loss):
 



Net income (loss)
$
(54,955
)
$
58,760

$
(425,710
)
$
176,907

Other comprehensive income:
 



Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net (1)
61,399

58,833

(137,805
)
85,218

Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income for other-than-temporary credit impairment losses



4,853

Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net income
(26,380
)
7,269

(33,021
)
22,187

Other comprehensive income (loss)
35,019

66,102

(170,826
)
112,258

Comprehensive income (loss) before preferred stock dividends
$
(19,936
)
$
124,862

$
(596,536
)
$
289,165

Dividends on preferred stock
$
18,438

$
18,438

$
36,875

$
35,829

Comprehensive income (loss) available to common stock shareholders
$
(38,374
)
$
106,424

$
(633,411
)
$
253,336


(1) Quarter ended and six months ended June 30, 2020 amounts includes $8 million and $15 million, respectively, of unrealized losses on AFS securities for which the Company has recognized an allowance for credit losses.

5



CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A Preferred Stock Par Value
Series B Preferred Stock Par Value
Series C Preferred Stock Par Value
Series D Preferred Stock Par Value
Common
Stock Par
Value
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Cumulative Earnings
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
Total
Balance, March 31, 2020
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
1,860

$
4,255,054

$
502,491

$
3,422,285

$
(4,938,208
)
$
3,243,854

Net income (loss)







(54,955
)

(54,955
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)






35,019



35,019

Settlement of Convertible Debt




460

292,349




292,809

Purchase of Capped Call





(33,750
)



(33,750
)
Stock based compensation





1,390




1,390

Common dividends declared








(70,050
)
(70,050
)
Preferred dividends declared








(18,438
)
(18,438
)
Balance, June 30, 2020
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
2,320

$
4,515,043

$
537,510

$
3,367,330

$
(5,026,696
)
$
3,395,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A Preferred Stock Par Value
Series B Preferred Stock Par Value
Series C Preferred Stock Par Value
Series D Preferred Stock Par Value
Common
Stock Par
Value
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Cumulative Earnings
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
Total
Balance, March 31, 2019
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
1,871

$
4,268,063

$
672,988

$
3,497,636

$
(4,487,753
)
$
3,953,177

Net income (loss)







58,760


58,760

Other comprehensive income (loss)






66,102



66,102

Stock based compensation




1

3,938




3,939

Common dividends declared








(94,590
)
(94,590
)
Preferred dividends declared








(18,438
)
(18,438
)
Balance, June 30, 2019
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
1,872

$
4,272,001

$
739,090

$
3,556,396

$
(4,600,781
)
$
3,968,950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A Preferred Stock Par Value
Series B Preferred Stock Par Value
Series C Preferred Stock Par Value
Series D Preferred Stock Par Value
Common
Stock Par
Value
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Cumulative Earnings
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
Total
Balance, December 31, 2019
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
1,873

$
4,275,963

$
708,336

$
3,793,040

$
(4,826,291
)
$
3,953,293

Net income (loss)







(425,710
)

(425,710
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)






(170,826
)


(170,826
)
Repurchase of common stock




(14
)
(22,052
)



(22,066
)
Settlement of Convertible Debt




460

292,349




292,809

Purchase of Capped Call





(33,750
)



(33,750
)
Stock based compensation




1

2,533




2,534

Common dividends declared








(163,530
)
(163,530
)
Preferred dividends declared








(36,875
)
(36,875
)
Balance, June 30, 2020
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
2,320

$
4,515,043

$
537,510

$
3,367,330

$
(5,026,696
)
$
3,395,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


6



For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A Preferred Stock Par Value
Series B Preferred Stock Par Value
Series C Preferred Stock Par Value
Series D Preferred Stock Par Value
Common
Stock Par
Value
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Cumulative Earnings
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
Total
Balance, December 31, 2018
$
58

$
130

$
104

$

$
1,871

$
4,072,093

$
626,832

$
3,379,489

$
(4,376,748
)
$
3,703,829

Net income (loss)







176,907


176,907

Other comprehensive income (loss)






112,258



112,258

Stock based compensation




1

6,620




6,621

Common dividends declared








(188,204
)
(188,204
)
Preferred dividends declared








(35,829
)
(35,829
)
Issuance of preferred stock



80


193,288




193,368

Balance, June 30, 2019
$
58

$
130

$
104

$
80

$
1,872

$
4,272,001

$
739,090

$
3,556,396

$
(4,600,781
)
$
3,968,950



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7



CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
$
(425,710
)
$
176,907

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Accretion) amortization of investment discounts/premiums, net
60,974

29,557

Accretion (amortization) of deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, and securitized debt discounts/premiums, net
(35,148
)
(14,327
)
Amortization of swaption premium

559

Net unrealized losses (gains) on derivatives
(201,000
)
221,486

Margin (paid) received on derivatives
325,594

(157,052
)
Net unrealized losses (gains) on financial instruments at fair value
432,809

(391,561
)
Net realized losses (gains) on sales of investments
(102,234
)
(1,077
)
Net increase (decrease) in provision for credit losses
1,817


Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses

4,853

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt
(459
)
608

Equity-based compensation expense
2,534

6,621

Changes in operating assets:




Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable, net
27,718

2,048

Decrease (increase) in other assets
(56,146
)
(2,166
)
Changes in operating liabilities:




Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities
12,123

2,646

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable, net
(24,765
)
(26,156
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
18,107

$
(147,054
)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Agency MBS portfolio:
 

 

Purchases
$
(292,379
)
$
(2,374,316
)
Sales
6,466,990

1,919,230

Principal payments
596,564

605,724

Non-Agency RMBS portfolio:
 



Purchases
(19,503
)
(265,062
)
Sales
141,912

5,167

Principal payments
124,351

196,261

Loans held for investment:
 



Purchases
(884,708
)
(1,137,244
)
Sales

705,653

Principal payments
895,764

806,677

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
7,028,991

$
462,090

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from secured financing agreements
$
57,804,851

$
57,358,115

Payments on secured financing agreements
(65,275,151
)
(56,874,303
)
Net proceeds from preferred stock offerings

193,368

Payments on repurchase of common stock
(22,066
)

Proceeds from securitized debt borrowings, collateralized by loans held for investment
1,462,500


Payments on securitized debt borrowings, collateralized by loans held for investment
(920,083
)
(748,949
)
Payments on securitized debt borrowings, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
(8,445
)
(13,792
)
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible debt
361,139


Purchase of capped call
(33,750
)


8



Common dividends paid
(186,543
)
(187,098
)
Preferred dividends paid
(36,875
)
(35,829
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
(6,854,423
)
$
(308,488
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
192,675

6,548

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
109,878

47,486

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
302,553

$
54,034

 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest received
$
634,199

$
721,909

Interest paid
$
328,753

$
441,557

Non-cash investing activities:
 



Payable for investments purchased
$
246,770

$
921,507

Receivable for investments sold
$

$
75,059

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for sale securities
$
(170,826
)
$
112,258

Retained beneficial interests
$

$
74,339

 
 
 
Non-cash financing activities:
 



   Dividends declared, not yet paid
$
75,554

$
97,091

Conversion of convertible debt
$
289,331

$



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

9



CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Organization

Chimera Investment Corporation, or the Company, was organized in Maryland on June 1, 2007. The Company commenced operations on November 21, 2007 when it completed its initial public offering. The Company elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the Code.

The Company conducts its operations through various subsidiaries including subsidiaries it treats as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The Company currently has eleven wholly owned direct subsidiaries: Chimera RMBS Whole Pool LLC, and Chimera RMBS LLC formed in June 2009; CIM Trading Company LLC, or CIM Trading, formed in July 2010; Chimera Funding TRS LLC, or CIM Funding TRS, a TRS formed in October 2013, Chimera CMBS Whole Pool LLC and Chimera RMBS Securities LLC formed in March 2015; Chimera Insurance Company, LLC formed in July 2015; Chimera RR Holding LLC formed in April 2016, Anacostia LLC, a TRS formed in June 2018, NYH Funding LLC, a TRS formed in May 2019, and Kali 2020 Holdings, LLC formed in May 2020.

2. Summary of the Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included. Investment securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.
The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts, the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or VIEs, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company uses securitization trusts considered to be VIEs in its securitization and re-securitization transactions. VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors (i) do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or (ii) do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The entity that consolidates a VIE is known as its primary beneficiary and is generally the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance, and (ii) the right to receive benefits from the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. For VIEs that do not have substantial on-going activities, the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance may be determined by an entity’s involvement with the design and structure of the VIE.
The trusts are structured as entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the security holders. The assets held by the securitization entities are restricted in that they can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the securitization entity. The Company’s risks associated with its involvement with these VIEs are limited to its risks and rights as a holder of the security it has retained.
Determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE requires judgment. The Company determined that for the securitizations it consolidates, its ownership provides the Company with the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. In addition, the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance, or power, such as rights to direct servicer activity or the Company was determined to have power in connection with its involvement with the structure and design of the VIE.
The Company’s interest in the assets held by these securitization vehicles, which are consolidated on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, is restricted by the structural provisions of these trusts, and a recovery of the Company’s investment in the vehicles will be limited by each entity’s distribution provisions. The liabilities of the securitization vehicles, which are also consolidated on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, are non-recourse to the Company, and can only be satisfied using proceeds from each securitization vehicle’s respective asset pool.
The assets of securitization entities are comprised of residential mortgage backed securities (or RMBS), or residential mortgage loans. See Notes 3, 4 and 8 for further discussion of the characteristics of the securities and loans in the Company’s portfolio.

10



(b) Statements of Financial Condition Presentation
The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition include both the Company’s direct assets and liabilities and the assets and liabilities of consolidated securitization vehicles. Assets of each consolidated VIE can only be used to satisfy the obligations of that VIE, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs are non-recourse to the Company. The Company is not obligated to provide, nor does it intend to provide, any financial support to these consolidated securitization vehicles. The notes to the consolidated financial statements describe the Company’s assets and liabilities including the assets and liabilities of consolidated securitization vehicles. See Note 8 for additional information related to the Company’s investments in consolidated securitization vehicles.
(c) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be materially different than anticipated in those estimates, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition. Management has made significant estimates including in accounting for income recognition on Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS, IO MBS (Note 3) and residential mortgage loans (Note 4), valuation of Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS (Notes 3 and 5), residential mortgage loans (Note 4 and 5), securitized debt (Note 5 and 7) and derivative instruments (Notes 5 and 10). Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
(d) Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no significant changes to the Company's accounting policies included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, other than the significant accounting policies discussed below.
Interest Income Recognition and Allowance for Credit Losses
Investments in Non-agency RMBS securities
The Company considers its investments in Non-Agency RMBS as beneficial interests. Beneficial interests give the Company the right to receive all or portions of specified cash flows received by a trust or other entity. Beneficial interests held by the Company are created in connection with securitization transactions such as those involving mortgage loan obligations. Beneficial interests are accounted for in accordance with guidance in ASC 325-40 as amended by the ASU 2016-13. Beneficial interests classified as available-for-sale (AFS) record changes in fair value in other comprehensive income (OCI). Beneficial interests for which the Company has elected the fair value option (FVO) record changes in fair value in earnings.
Interest income on the Company’s beneficial interests is recognized using the interest method based on management’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected. The effective interest rate on these securities is based on management’s estimate for each security of the projected cash flows, which are estimated based on observation of current market information and include assumptions related to fluctuations in prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, adjusts its cash flow projections based on inputs and analyses received from external sources, internal models, and the Company’s judgments about prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in the amount or timing of cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation date, are considered to be either favorable changes or adverse changes.
Adverse changes in the timing or amount of cash flows on beneficial interests classified as AFS could result in the Company recording an increase in the allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses are calculated using a discounted cash flow (DCF) approach and is measured as the difference between the beneficial interest’s amortized cost and the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected discounted at the effective interest rate used to accrete the beneficial interest. The allowance for credit losses is recorded as a contra-asset and a reduction in earnings. The allowance for credit losses will be limited to the amount of the unrealized losses on the beneficial interest. Any allowance for credit losses in excess of the unrealized losses on the beneficial interests are accounted for as a prospective reduction of the effective interest rate. No allowance is recorded for beneficial interests in an unrealized gain position. Favorable changes in the DCF will result in a reduction in the allowance for credit losses, if any. Any reduction in allowance for credit losses is recorded in earnings. If the allowance for credit losses has been reduced to zero, the remaining favorable changes are reflected as a prospective increase to the effective interest rate.
Beneficial interests for which other than temporary impairment (OTTI) had been recognized prior to the effective date of ASU 2016-13 shall apply the guidance in the update on a prospective basis. In addition, the yield used to accrete the beneficial interest on beneficial interests with prior OTTI will remain unchanged as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13. Recoveries

11



of amounts previously written off relating to improvements in cash flows shall be recorded in income in the period received. Therefore, subsequent favorable changes in the DCF of the beneficial interests with prior OTTI will not be reflected as an adjustment to their yield used to accrete the discount. Subsequent adverse changes in the DCF will result in an increase to the allowance for credit losses, limited to the amount of the unrealized losses on the beneficial interest.
Credit losses recognized on BIs will be accreted on a monthly basis at the rate used to recognize interest income, the effective interest rate. The accretion will be recorded as a reduction to interest income in the statement of operations.
The Company presents separately all accrued interest on the statement of financial position. Interest is accrued on all BIs when due. Interest which is not received at the due date is written off when it becomes delinquent. As all interest not received when due is charged off against interest income, no allowance for accrued interest is required.
No allowances for credit losses are recognized on beneficial interests for which the Company has elected the fair value option. All favorable or adverse changes in management’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected results in a prospective increase or decrease in the effective interest rate used to recognize interest income.
Investments in agency MBS securities
The Company invests in pass-through mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) (collectively “Agency Securities”).
Interest income for Agency Securities for which changes in fair value are recorded in OCI, including premiums and discounts associated with the acquisition of these securities, is recognized over the life of such securities using the interest method based on the contractual cash flows of the security. In applying the interest method, the Company considers estimates of future principal prepayments in the calculation of the effective yield. Differences that arise between previously anticipated prepayments and actual prepayments received, as well as changes in future prepayment assumptions, result in a recalculation of the effective yield on the security. This recalculation of the effective yield is updated on a monthly basis. Upon a recalculation of the effective yield, the investment in the security is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been retrospectively applied since acquisition with a corresponding charge or credit to interest income. This adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate with a cumulative effect adjustment on interest income as a result in the change in the yield. Prepayments are estimated using models generally accepted in the industry.
All securities carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in OCI need to be evaluated for expected losses, even if the risk of loss is considered remote. However, the Company is not required to measure expected credit losses on securities in which historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts results in an expectation that incurring a credit loss is zero. Based on the current facts and circumstances, the Company believes its investments Agency Securities would qualify for zero expected credit losses. The factors considered in reaching this conclusion include the long history of zero credit losses, the explicit guarantee by the US government (although limited for FNMA and FHLMC securities) and yields that, while not risk-free, generally trade based on market views of prepayment and liquidity risk (not credit risk).
Interest income on Agency Securities for which changes in fair value are recorded in earnings is recognized using the interest method based on management’s estimates of cash flows expected to be collected. The effective interest rate on these securities is based on management’s estimate of the projected cash flows. Changes in the amount or timing of cash flows as a result of changes in expected prepayments from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation date, are reflected prospectively as an adjustment to the effective interest rate used to recognize interest income. This recalculation of the effective interest rate is updated on a monthly basis.
Long Term Debt
Convertible Notes

Convertible notes include unsecured convertible debt that are carried at their unpaid principal balance net of any unamortized deferred issuance costs. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually until such time the notes mature or are converted or exchanged into shares. Any debt discounts or premiums are reported as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt liability and amortized into interest expense using the effective interest method. If converted by a holder, the holder of the notes would receive shares of our common stock. Deferred debt issuance costs are expenses associated with the issuance of long-term debt. These expenses typically include underwriting, legal, accounting, and other fees. Deferred debt issuance costs are included in the carrying value of the related long-term debt issued and are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, based upon the actual and estimated repayment schedules of the related long-term debt issued.

12




When the conversion of debt occurs in accordance with debt terms, the unpaid principal balance of the convertible debt is recorded as additional paid in capital and the outstanding debt is considered repaid. Any unamortized issuance costs and unpaid accrued interest related to the converted notes are also credited to the additional paid in capital.

Income Taxes

The Company does not have any material unrecognized tax positions that would affect its financial statements or require disclosure. No accruals for penalties and interest were necessary as of June 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Fair Value Disclosure

A complete discussion of the methodology utilized by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments is included in Note 5 to these consolidated financial statements.

(e) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - (Topic 326)
On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted accounting standards update (or ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update replaced the previous model for recognizing credit losses from an incurred credit loss model to a current expected credit loss (or CECL) model for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and required the Company to record an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale (or AFS) debt securities for all expected (rather than incurred) credit losses of the asset rather than reduce the carrying amount, as the Company did under the OTTI model. This update also revised the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities. The changes in the allowance for credit losses created in accordance with this update have been recorded in earnings. Expected credit losses are limited to the amount of the unrealized loss on the debt securities impacted by the update.
The update did not have any impact on financial instruments which were carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. As all Loans held for investment are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, the update had no impact on the carrying value or revenue recognition of Loans held for investment.
On January 1, 2020, the effective date of the update, the Company was required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment related to financial instruments under the scope of this update to the statement of financial position. As all financial instruments impacted by the update, including all purchased credit impaired debt securities, were in an unrealized gain position as of the effective date, there was no impact on the financial statements at the transition date and no cumulative-effect adjustment was required.
In addition, the update superseded subtopic 310-30, Receivables - Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. As of January 1, 2020, the Company accounted all investments previously classified as AFS and under subtopic 310-30, using the subtopic 326-30 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses; Available-for-Sale Debt Securities and subtopic 325-40, Investments -Other-Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.
Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-4, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in this update provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter Bank Offering Rate (or LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The Company has not yet adopted this guidance and is currently evaluating what impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.
3. Mortgage-Backed Securities


13



The Company classifies its Non-Agency RMBS as senior, subordinated, or Interest-only. The Company also invests in Agency MBS which it classifies as Agency RMBS to include residential and residential interest-only MBS and Agency CMBS to include commercial and commercial interest-only MBS. Senior interests in Non-Agency RMBS are generally entitled to the first principal repayments in their pro-rata ownership interests at the acquisition date. The tables below present amortized cost, allowance for credit losses, fair value and unrealized gain/losses of Company's MBS investments as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Principal or Notional Value
Total Premium
Total Discount
Amortized Cost
Allowance for credit losses
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
1,697,252

$
3,038

$
(820,859
)
$
879,431

$
(1,379
)
$
1,341,814

$
464,065

$
(303
)
$
463,762

Subordinated
893,311

8,132

(339,437
)
562,006

(438
)
522,655

51,707

(90,620
)
(38,913
)
Interest-only
6,380,154

275,025


275,025


319,701

90,965

(46,289
)
44,676

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 



Pass-through









Interest-only
1,425,919

130,610


130,610


107,263

378

(23,725
)
(23,347
)
Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
2,297,301

43,061

(3,671
)
2,336,691


2,572,329

235,673

(35
)
235,638

Interest-only
1,690,539

40,504


40,504


40,015

2,050

(2,539
)
(489
)
Total
$
14,384,476

$
500,370

$
(1,163,967
)
$
4,224,267

$
(1,817
)
$
4,903,777

$
844,838

$
(163,511
)
$
681,327


 
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Principal or Notional Value
Total Premium
Total Discount
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
2,024,564

$
2,038

$
(953,916
)
$
1,072,686

$
1,700,911

$
628,518

$
(293
)
$
628,225

Subordinated
876,592

9,915

(332,913
)
553,594

624,598

76,272

(5,268
)
71,004

Interest-only
7,458,653

301,170


301,170

288,899

51,481

(63,752
)
(12,271
)
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through
6,080,547

131,023


6,211,570

6,362,626

152,271

(1,215
)
151,056

Interest-only
1,539,941

139,536


139,536

127,667

220

(12,089
)
(11,869
)
Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
2,621,938

52,681

(4,961
)
2,669,658

2,801,692

132,700

(666
)
132,034

Interest-only
1,817,246

51,140


51,140

49,025

586

(2,701
)
(2,115
)
Total
$
22,419,481

$
687,503

$
(1,291,790
)
$
10,999,354

$
11,955,418

$
1,042,048

$
(85,984
)
$
956,064



The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of the Company’s Agency and Non-Agency MBS by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. All available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position have been evaluated by the Company for current expected credit losses.


14



 
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Loss Position for Less than 12 Months
 
Unrealized Loss Position for 12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
16,375

$
(303
)
2

 
$

$


 
$
16,375

$
(303
)
2

Subordinated
376,359

(88,566
)
28

 
14,378

(2,054
)
12

 
390,737

(90,620
)
40

Interest-only
15,589

(5,026
)
26

 
37,951

(41,263
)
51

 
53,540

(46,289
)
77

Agency RMBS
 

 



 


 

 

 
 

 

 

Pass-through



 



 



Interest-only
76,605

(14,572
)
14

 
24,471

(9,153
)
8

 
101,076

(23,725
)
22

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
24,755

(20
)
1

 
14,862

(15
)
2

 
39,617

(35
)
3

Interest-only
4,045

(281
)
4

 
5,071

(2,258
)
5

 
9,116

(2,539
)
9

Total
$
513,728

$
(108,768
)
75

 
$
96,733

$
(54,743
)
78

 
$
610,461

$
(163,511
)
153


 
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Loss Position for Less than 12 Months
 
Unrealized Loss Position for 12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
 
Estimated Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Number of Positions
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

$


 
$
31,635

$
(293
)
1

 
$
31,635

$
(293
)
1

Subordinated
69,178

(5,064
)
9

 
1,836

(204
)
11

 
71,014

(5,268
)
20

Interest-only
50,376

(22,737
)
46

 
64,129

(41,015
)
66

 
114,505

(63,752
)
112

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Pass-through
11,398

(605
)
4

 
67,552

(610
)
5

 
78,950

(1,215
)
9

Interest-only
121,228

(12,089
)
22

 



 
121,228

(12,089
)
22

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
41,971

(277
)
3

 
44,896

(389
)
4

 
86,867

(666
)
7

Interest-only
15,045

(295
)
6

 
9,930

(2,406
)
7

 
24,975

(2,701
)
13

Total
$
309,196

$
(41,067
)
90

 
$
219,978

$
(44,917
)
94

 
$
529,174

$
(85,984
)
184



At June 30, 2020, the Company did not intend to sell any of its Agency and Non-Agency MBS that were in an unrealized loss position, and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell these MBS investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity. With respect to RMBS held by consolidated VIEs, the ability of any entity to cause the sale by the VIE prior to the maturity of these RMBS is either expressly prohibited, not probable, or is limited to specified events of default, none of which have occurred as of June 30, 2020.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency MBS (excluding Agency MBS which are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings) were $35 thousand and $1 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Given the inherent credit quality of Agency MBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on its Agency MBS to be credit related. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell any impaired security before its anticipated recovery, which may be at their maturity, the Company considers the significance of each investment, the amount of impairment, the projected future performance of such impaired securities, as well as the Company’s current and anticipated leverage capacity and liquidity position. Based on these analyses, the Company determined that at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, unrealized losses on its Agency MBS were temporary.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS (excluding Non-Agency RMBS which are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings), net of any allowance for credit losses, was $9 million at June 30, 2020. After evaluating the securities and recording the allowance for credit losses, we concluded that the remaining unrealized losses

15



reflected above were non-credit related and would be recovered from the securities' estimated future cash flows. We considered a number of factors in reaching this conclusion, including that we did not intend to sell the securities, it was not considered more likely than not that we would be forced to sell the securities prior to recovering the amortized cost, and there were no material credit events that would have caused us to otherwise conclude that we would not recover the amortized cost. Credit losses are calculated by comparing the estimated future cash flows of each security discounted at the yield determined as of the initial acquisition date or, if since revised, as of the last date previously revised, to the net amortized cost basis. Significant judgment is used in projecting cash flows for Non-Agency RMBS.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company's Non-Agency RMBS (excluding Non-Agency RMBS which are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings), was $348 thousand at December 31, 2019. Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of other-than-temporary and does not believe that these unrealized losses are credit related, but rather are due to other factors.

The Company has reviewed its Non-Agency RMBS that are in an unrealized loss position to identify those securities with losses that are credit related based on an assessment of changes in cash flows expected to be collected for such RMBS, which considers recent bond performance and expected future performance of the underlying collateral. A summary of the credit loss allowance on available-for-sale securities for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 is presented below.

 
For the Quarter Ended
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)
(dollars in thousands)
Beginning allowance for credit losses
$
6,314

$

 


Transition impact from CECL standard


Additions to the allowance for credit losses on securities for which credit losses were not previously recorded
247

6,561

Allowance on purchased financial assets with credit deterioration


Reductions for the securities sold during the period
(321
)
(321
)
Increase/(decrease) on securities with an allowance in the prior period
(2,703
)
(2,703
)
Write-offs charged against the allowance
(1,748
)
(1,748
)
Recoveries of amounts previously written off
28

28




Ending allowance for credit losses
$
1,817

$
1,817



The following table presents significant credit quality indicators used for the credit loss allowance on our Non-Agency RMBS investments as of June 30, 2020.
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
  
 
Prepay Rate
CDR
Loss Severity
  
Amortized Cost
Weighted Average
Weighted Average
Weighted Average
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
Senior
80,221,558
5.4%
3.0%
53.3%
Subordinated
55,859,406
9.3%
1.0%
36.3%


For the quarter ended June 30, 2020 the allowance for credit losses decreased as there was a reduction on expected losses and delinquencies for the period. The increase in the allowance for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily due to increased expected losses and delinquencies as compared to the beginning of the year. In addition, the decline in fair value on certain Non-Agency RMBS positions which had previously been in an unrealized gain position as of the prior year-end, are now in an unrealized loss position as of the end of the current period. These Non-Agency RMBS positions now in an unrealized loss have resulted in the recognition of an allowance for credit losses which was previously limited by unrealized gains on these investments.

16




The following tables present a summary of unrealized gains and losses at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands) 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized Gain Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Gross Unrealized Gain Included in Cumulative Earnings
Total Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Gross Unrealized Loss Included in Cumulative Earnings
Total Gross Unrealized Loss
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
464,065

$

$
464,065

$
(303
)
$

$
(303
)
Subordinated
44,026

7,681

51,707

(8,864
)
(81,756
)
(90,620
)
Interest-only

90,965

90,965


(46,289
)
(46,289
)
Agency RMBS
 

 

 
 

 

 
Pass-through






Interest-only

378

378


(23,725
)
(23,725
)
Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
38,621

197,052

235,673

(35
)

(35
)
Interest-only

2,050

2,050


(2,539
)
(2,539
)
Total
$
546,712

$
298,126

$
844,838

$
(9,202
)
$
(154,309
)
$
(163,511
)
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)  
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized Gain Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Gross Unrealized Gain Included in Cumulative Earnings
Total Gross Unrealized Gain
Gross Unrealized Loss Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Gross Unrealized Loss Included in Cumulative Earnings
Total Gross Unrealized Loss
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
628,518

$

$
628,518

$
(293
)
$

$
(293
)
Subordinated
57,174

19,098

76,272

(55
)
(5,213
)
(5,268
)
Interest-only

51,481

51,481


(63,752
)
(63,752
)
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through

152,271

152,271


(1,215
)
(1,215
)
Interest-only

220

220


(12,089
)
(12,089
)
Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
23,643

109,057

132,700

(651
)
(15
)
(666
)
Interest-only

586

586


(2,701
)
(2,701
)
Total
$
709,335

$
332,713

$
1,042,048

$
(999
)
$
(84,985
)
$
(85,984
)


Changes in prepayments, actual cash flows, and cash flows expected to be collected, among other items, are affected by the collateral characteristics of each asset class. The Company chooses assets for the portfolio after carefully evaluating each investment’s risk profile.

The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s MBS portfolio at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

17



 
June 30, 2020
 
Principal or Notional Value
at Period-End
(dollars in thousands)
Weighted Average Amortized
Cost Basis
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average
Coupon
Weighted Average Yield at Period-End (1)
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
1,697,252

$
51.81

79.06

4.6
%
16.8
%
Subordinated
893,311

62.91

58.51

3.6
%
6.4
%
Interest-only
6,380,154

4.31

5.01

1.5
%
15.5
%
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Interest-only
1,425,919

9.16

7.52

1.4
%
2.1
%
Agency CMBS










Project loans
2,297,301

101.71

111.97

3.8
%
3.7
%
Interest-only
1,690,539

2.40

2.37

0.7
%
5.0
%
(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end.

 
December 31, 2019
 
Principal or Notional Value at Period-End
(dollars in thousands)
Weighted Average Amortized
Cost Basis
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average
Coupon
Weighted Average Yield at Period-End (1)
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
2,024,564

$
52.98

$
84.01

5.0
%
20.8
%
Subordinated
876,592

63.15

71.25

3.7
%
6.9
%
Interest-only
7,458,653

4.04

3.87

1.1
%
8.4
%
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through
6,080,547

102.15

104.64

4.0
%
3.4
%
Interest-only
1,539,941

9.06

8.29

1.6
%
4.0
%
Agency CMBS










Project loans
2,621,938

101.82

106.86

3.7
%
3.6
%
Interest-only
1,817,246

2.81

2.70

0.7
%
4.7
%
(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end.

The following table presents the weighted average credit rating of the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS portfolio at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019

AAA
0.4
%
0.4
%
AA
0.1
%
0.1
%
A
0.8
%
0.9
%
BBB
1.5
%
1.6
%
BB
4.0
%
3.8
%
B
1.8
%
1.6
%
Below B or not rated
91.4
%
91.6
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%


Actual maturities of MBS are generally shorter than the stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities of the Company’s MBS are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal. The following tables provide a summary of the fair value and amortized cost of the Company’s MBS at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 according to their estimated weighted-average life classifications. The weighted-average lives of the MBS in the tables below are based on lifetime expected prepayment rates using an industry prepayment model for the Agency MBS portfolio and the Company’s prepayment assumptions for the Non-Agency RMBS. The prepayment model

18



considers current yield, forward yield, steepness of the interest rate curve, current mortgage rates, mortgage rates of the outstanding loan, loan age, margin, and volatility.
 
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands) 
 
Weighted Average Life
 
Less than one year
Greater than one year and less
than five years
Greater than five years and less
than ten years
Greater than ten years
Total
Fair value
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$

$
363,282

$
514,141

$
464,391

$
1,341,814

Subordinated

37,567

118,921

366,167

522,655

Interest-only
234

149,778

167,634

2,055

319,701

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through





Interest-only

1,176

106,087


107,263

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
14,862


3,547

2,553,920

2,572,329

Interest-only
1,530

34,627

3,858


40,015

Total fair value
$
16,626

$
586,430

$
914,188

$
3,386,533

$
4,903,777

Amortized cost
 

 

 

 

 

Non-Agency RMBS
 
 

 

 

 

Senior
$

$
260,682

$
313,117

$
305,632

$
879,431

Subordinated

23,158

119,819

419,029

562,006

Interest-only
979

150,770

120,614

2,662

275,025

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through





Interest-only

2,067

128,543


130,610

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
14,877


3,175

2,318,639

2,336,691

Interest-only
1,702

35,129

3,673


40,504

Total amortized cost
$
17,558

$
471,806

$
688,941

$
3,045,962

$
4,224,267


19



 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted Average Life
 
Less than one year
Greater than one year and less
than five years
Greater than five years and less
than ten years
Greater than ten years
Total
Fair value
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
16,343

$
450,185

$
676,382

$
558,001

$
1,700,911

Subordinated

43,796

95,973

484,829

624,598

Interest-only

126,631

159,057

3,211

288,899

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through

5,939,408

421,539

1,679

6,362,626

Interest-only

1,614

126,053


127,667

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
15,065


29,385

2,757,242

2,801,692

Interest-only

20,528

28,497


49,025

Total fair value
$
31,408

$
6,582,162

$
1,536,886

$
3,804,962

$
11,955,418

Amortized cost
 

 

 

 

 

Non-Agency RMBS
 
 

 

 

 

Senior
$
15,206

$
304,850

$
409,958

$
342,672

$
1,072,686

Subordinated

29,085

86,033

438,476

553,594

Interest-only

150,221

148,889

2,060

301,170

Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

Pass-through

5,796,044

414,482

1,044

6,211,570

Interest-only

2,260

137,276


139,536

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
15,084


28,954

2,625,620

2,669,658

Interest-only

22,950

28,190


51,140

Total amortized cost
$
30,290

$
6,305,410

$
1,253,782

$
3,409,872

$
10,999,354



The Non-Agency RMBS portfolio is subject to credit risk. The Non-Agency RMBS portfolio is primarily collateralized by Alt-A first lien mortgages. An Alt-A mortgage is a type of U.S. mortgage that, for various reasons, is considered riskier than A-paper, or prime, and less risky than subprime, the riskiest category. Alt-A interest rates, which are determined by credit risk, therefore tend to be between those of prime and subprime home loans. Typically, Alt-A mortgages are characterized by borrowers with less than full documentation, lower credit scores and higher loan-to-value ratios. At origination of the loan, Alt-A mortgage securities are defined as Non-Agency RMBS where (i) the underlying collateral has weighted average FICO scores between 680 and 720 or (ii) the FICO scores are greater than 720 and RMBS have 30% or less of the underlying collateral composed of full documentation loans. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 53% and 58% of the Non-Agency RMBS collateral was classified as Alt-A, based on fair value. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 11% and 12% of the Non-Agency RMBS collateral was classified as prime, respectively, based on fair value. The remaining Non-Agency RMBS collateral is classified as subprime.

The Non-Agency RMBS in the Portfolio have the following collateral characteristics at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Weighted average maturity (years)
 
23.0

 
23.6

Weighted average amortized loan to value (1)
 
62.4
%
 
63.2
%
Weighted average FICO (2)
 
717

 
719

Weighted average loan balance (in thousands)
 
$
302

 
$
313

Weighted average percentage owner occupied
 
81.1
%
 
80.6
%
Weighted average percentage single family residence
 
60.7
%
 
60.0
%
Weighted average current credit enhancement
 
0.9
%
 
1.1
%
Weighted average geographic concentration of top four states
CA
33.0
%
CA
32.5
%
 
FL
7.2
%
FL
6.6
%
 
NY
7.0
%
NY
6.3
%
 
TX
2.2
%
TX
2.0
%

20



(1) Value represents appraised value of the collateral at the time of loan origination.
(2) FICO as determined at the time of loan origination.

The table below presents the origination year of the underlying loans related to the Company’s portfolio of Non-Agency RMBS at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Origination Year
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019

2003 and prior
1.9
%
1.3
%
2004
1.6
%
1.5
%
2005
11.2
%
10.7
%
2006
52.0
%
52.9
%
2007
26.9
%
26.6
%
2008 and later
6.4
%
7.0
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%


Gross realized gains and losses are recorded in “Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The proceeds and gross realized gains and gross realized losses from sales of investments for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 
For the Quarters Ended
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
(dollars in thousands)
Proceeds from sales:
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
108,163

792

141,960

5,221

Agency RMBS

425,396

5,710,134

1,907,766

Agency CMBS
221,651


326,668

22,482

 
 
 
 
 
Gross realized gains:
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
20,017

115

21,274

400

Agency RMBS

13

74,264

27,025

Agency CMBS
12,542


18,691


Gross realized losses:
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
(6,179
)
(108
)
(6,179
)
(1,429
)
Agency RMBS

(7,546
)
(5,816
)
(22,694
)
Agency CMBS



(2,225
)
Net realized gain (loss)
$
26,380

$
(7,526
)
$
102,234

$
1,077



During the first quarter of 2020, the Company transferred Non-Agency RMBS investments with a market value of $135 million to a third party. As part of the transfer, the Company purchased an option to re-acquire these assets for a fixed price at a future date. This transfer was accounted for as a secured borrowing within the Secured financing agreements on the Statement of Financial Condition.

4. Loans Held for Investment

The Loans held for investment are comprised primarily of loans collateralized by seasoned subprime residential mortgages. Additionally, it includes non-conforming, single family, owner occupied, jumbo, prime residential mortgages.

At June 30, 2020, all Loans held for investment are carried at fair value. See Note 5 for a discussion on how the Company determines the fair values of the Loans held for investment. As changes in the fair value of these loans are reflected in earnings, the Company does not estimate or record a loan loss provision. The total amortized cost of our Loans held for investment was $13.0 billion and $13.7 billion as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying value of Loans held for investment at fair value at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

21



 
For the Six Months Ended
For the Year Ended
 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
14,292,815

$
12,572,581

Purchases
177,857

5,086,491

Principal paydowns
(895,764
)
(1,717,745
)
Sales and settlements
6,662

(1,812,760
)
Net periodic accretion (amortization)
(49,064
)
(77,491
)
Realized gains (losses) on sales and settlements

1,590

Change in fair value
(495,673
)
240,149

Balance, end of period
$
13,036,833

$
14,292,815



The primary cause of the change in fair value is due to market demand and changes in credit risk of mortgage loans. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company sold $1.8 billion of loans, with the Company retaining $124 million of beneficial interests. There were no sales of loans during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020.

Residential mortgage loans

The loan portfolio for all residential mortgages were originated during the following periods:

Origination Year
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019 (1)
2002 and prior
6.7
%
6.8
%
2003
5.9
%
6.0
%
2004
12.3
%
12.6
%
2005
18.6
%
18.6
%
2006
23.1
%
22.5
%
2007
21.8
%
20.7
%
2008
6.3
%
6.4
%
2009
1.2
%
1.5
%
2010 and later
4.1
%
4.9
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%

(1) The table above excludes approximately $754 million of Loans held for investments for December 31, 2019, which were purchased prior to that reporting date and settled subsequent to that reporting period.

The following table presents a summary of key characteristics of the residential loan portfolio at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019 (1)
Number of loans
 
135,836

 
139,194

Weighted average maturity (years)
 
19.6

 
19.3

Weighted average loan to value (2)
 
86.3
%
 
87.4
%
Weighted average FICO (2)
 
632

 
627

Weighted average loan balance (in thousands)
 
$
97

 
$
95

Weighted average percentage owner occupied
 
86.6
%
 
88.0
%
Weighted average percentage single family residence
 
83.6
%
 
84.4
%
Weighted average geographic concentration of top five states
CA
12.5
%
CA
11.6
%
 
FL
7.8
%
FL
7.4
%
 
NY
7.1
%
NY
6.9
%
 
PA
5.1
%
OH
5.3
%
 
VA
5.0
%
PA
5.3
%

22



(1) The table above excludes approximately $754 million of Loans held for investments for December 31, 2019, which were purchased prior to that reporting date and settled subsequent to that reporting period.
(2) As provided by the Trustee.

The following table summarizes the outstanding principal balance of the residential loan portfolio which are 30 days delinquent and greater as reported by the servicer at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 
30 Days Delinquent
60 Days Delinquent
90+ Days Delinquent
Bankruptcy
Foreclosure
REO
Total
Unpaid Principal Balance
(dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2020
$1,058,059
$485,036
$540,755
$297,249
$266,443
$42,771
$2,690,313
$
13,129,822

% of Unpaid Principal Balance
8.1
%
3.7
%
4.1
%
2.3
%
2.0
%
0.3
%
20.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2019(1)
$1,070,173
$336,950
$291,866
$322,288
$298,526
$59,389
$2,379,192
$
13,169,843

% of Unpaid Principal Balance
8.1
%
2.6
%
2.2
%
2.4
%
2.3
%
0.5
%
18.1
%
 
(1) The table above excludes approximately $754 million of Loans held for investments for December 31, 2019, which were purchased prior to that reporting date and settled subsequent to that reporting period.

The fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due was $706 million and $597 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value guidance in accordance with GAAP to account for its financial instruments. The Company categorizes its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition or disclosed in the related notes are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

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

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

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

Fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 are sensitive to changes in the assumptions or methodology used to determine fair value and such changes could result in a significant increase or decrease in the fair value. Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products evolve and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company will continue to refine its valuation methodologies. The methodology utilized by the Company for the periods presented is unchanged. The methods used to produce a fair value calculation may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants. Using different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.

During times of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs can be difficult for certain investments. If third-party pricing service is unable to provide a price for an asset, or if the price provided by them is deemed unreliable by the Company, then the asset will be valued at its fair value as determined by the Company without validation to third-party pricing. Illiquid investments typically experience greater price volatility as an active market does not exist. Observability of prices and inputs

23



can vary significantly from period to period and may cause instruments to change classifications within the three level hierarchy.

A description of the methodologies utilized by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments by instrument class follows:
Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS

The Company determines the fair value of all of its investment securities based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model that incorporates factors such as coupon, prepayment speeds, loan size, collateral composition, borrower characteristics, expected interest rates, life caps, periodic caps, reset dates, collateral seasoning, delinquency, expected losses, expected default severity, credit enhancement, and other pertinent factors. To corroborate that the estimates of fair values generated by these internal models are reflective of current market prices, the Company compares the fair values generated by the model to non-binding independent prices provided by an independent third-party pricing service. For certain highly liquid asset classes, such as Agency fixed-rate pass-through bonds, the Company’s valuations are also compared to quoted prices for To-Be-Announced, or TBA, securities.

Each quarter the Company develops thresholds which are determined utilizing current bid/ask spreads, liquidity, price volatility and other factors as appropriate. If internally developed model prices differ from the independent prices provided by greater than a market derived predetermined threshold for the period, the Company highlights these differences for further review, both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company obtains the inputs used by the third-party pricing service and compares them to the Company’s inputs. The Company updates its own inputs if the Company determines the third-party pricing inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment. If the Company believes that its internally developed inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment, it will request that the third-party pricing service review market factors that may not have been considered by the third-party pricing service and provide updated prices. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the predetermined thresholds before a final price is established. At June 30, 2020, 40 investment holdings with an internally developed fair value of $1.1 billion had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $58 million lower than the third-party prices provided of $1.2 billion. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investments at the lower internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at June 30, 2020 in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. At December 31, 2019 six investment holdings with an internally developed fair value of $22 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $3 million higher than the third-party prices provided of $19 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investments at the lower internally developed prices. No other differences were noted at December 31, 2019 in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period.

The Company’s estimate of prepayment, default and severity curves all involve judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process. This subjective estimation process renders the majority of the Non-Agency RMBS fair value estimates as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. As the fair values of Agency MBS are more observable, these investments are classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Loans Held for Investment
Loans consisting of seasoned subprime residential mortgage loans:
The Company estimates the fair value of its Loans held for investment consisting of seasoned subprime residential mortgage loans on a loan by loan basis using an internally developed model which compares the loan held by the Company with a loan currently offered in the market. The loan price is adjusted in the model by considering the loan factors which would impact the value of a loan. These loan factors include loan coupon as compared to coupon currently available in the market, FICO, loan-to-value ratios, delinquency history, owner occupancy, and property type, among other factors. A baseline is developed for each significant loan factor and adjusts the price up or down depending on how that factor for each specific loan compares to the baseline rate. Generally, the most significant impact on loan value is the loan interest rate as compared to interest rates currently available in the market and delinquency history.

The Company also monitors market activity to identify trades which may be used to compare internally developed prices; however, as the portfolio of loans held at fair value is a seasoned subprime pool of mortgage loans, comparable loan pools are not common or directly comparable. There are limited transactions in the marketplace to develop a comprehensive direct range of values.


24



The Company reviews the fair values generated by the model to determine whether prices are reflective of the current market by corroborating its estimates of fair value by comparing the results to non-binding independent prices provided by an independent third-party pricing service for the loan portfolio. Each quarter the Company develops thresholds which are determined utilizing the securitization market.

If the internally developed fair values of the loan pools differ from the independent prices provided by greater than a predetermined threshold for the period, the Company highlights these differences for further review, both internally and with the third-party pricing service. The Company obtains certain inputs used by the third-party pricing service and evaluates them for reasonableness. The Company updates its own model if the Company determines the third-party pricing inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment or observed information from the third-party vendor. If the Company believes that its internally developed inputs more accurately reflect the current market environment, it will request that the third-party pricing service review market factors that may not have been considered by the third-party pricing service. The Company reconciles and resolves all pricing differences in excess of the predetermined thresholds before a final price is established.

At June 30, 2020, the internally developed fair value of three loan pools of $64 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $12 million higher than the third-party price provided of $52 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investment at the higher internally developed price. At December 31, 2019, the internally developed fair value of one loan pool of $147 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. The internally developed price was $20 million higher than the third-party price provided of $127 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued the investment at the higher internally developed price.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of Loans held for investment involve management judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Loans collateralized by jumbo, prime residential mortgages:

The loans collateralized by jumbo, prime residential mortgages are carried at fair value. The loans are held as part of a consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity, or a CFE. A CFE is a variable interest entity that holds financial assets, issues beneficial interests in those assets and has no more than nominal equity and the beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the CFE. Accounting guidance for CFEs allow the Company to elect to measure the CFE’s financial assets using the fair value of the CFE’s financial liabilities as the fair values of the financial liabilities of the CFE are more observable. Therefore, the fair value of the loans collateralized by jumbo, prime residential mortgages is based on the fair value of the financial liabilities. See discussion of the fair value of Securitized Debt, collateralized by Loans Held for Investment at fair value below.

As the more observable financial liabilities are considered level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, the Loans collateralized by jumbo, prime residential mortgages are also level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Securitized Debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS

The Company carries securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS at the principal balance outstanding plus unamortized premiums, less unaccreted discounts recorded in connection with the financing of the loans or RMBS with third parties. For disclosure purposes, the Company estimates the fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS by estimating the future cash flows associated with the underlying assets collateralizing the secured debt outstanding. The Company models the fair value of each underlying asset by considering, among other items, the structure of the underlying security, coupon, servicer, delinquency, actual and expected defaults, actual and expected default severities, reset indices, and prepayment speeds in conjunction with market research for similar collateral performance and management’s expectations of general economic conditions in the sector and other economic factors. This process, including the review process, is consistent with the process used for Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS using internal models. For further discussion of the valuation process and benchmarking process, see Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS discussion herein.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS involve management’s judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Securitized Debt, collateralized by Loans Held for Investment


25



The process for determining the fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by loans held for investment is based on discounted cash flows utilizing an internal pricing model that incorporates factors such as coupon, prepayment speeds, loan size, collateral composition, borrower characteristics, expected interest rates, life caps, periodic caps, reset dates, collateral seasoning, expected losses, expected default severity, credit enhancement, and other pertinent factors. This process, including the review process, is consistent with the process used for Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS using internal models. For further discussion of the valuation process and benchmarking process, see Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS discussion herein. The primary cause of the change in fair value is due to market demand and changes in credit risk of mortgage loans.

At June 30, 2020, the internally developed fair value of three securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment securities of $240 million had a difference between the model generated prices and third-party prices provided in excess of the derived predetermined threshold for the period. The internally developed prices were $22 million lower than the third-party price provided of $262 million. After review and discussion, the Company affirmed and valued those securities at the lower internally developed price. At December 31, 2019, there were no pricing differences in excess of the predetermined thresholds between the model generated prices and third party prices.

The Company’s estimates of fair value of securitized debt, collateralized by loans held for investment involve management’s judgment and assumptions that are deemed to be significant to the fair value measurement process, which renders the resulting fair value estimates level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value option

The table below shows the unpaid principal and fair value of the financial instruments carried with fair value option as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively:
 
June 30, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Unpaid
Principal/
Notional
Fair Value
 
Unpaid
Principal/
Notional
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Non-agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinated
609,672

352,402

 
580,761

422,826

Interest-only
6,380,154

319,701

 
7,458,653

288,899

Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Pass-through


 
6,080,549

6,362,628

Interest-only
1,425,919

107,263

 
1,539,941

127,667

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
1,777,609

2,002,571

 
1,753,755

1,889,923

Interest-only
1,690,539

40,015

 
1,817,246

49,025

Loans held for investment, at fair value
13,129,822

13,036,833

 
13,924,291

14,292,815

Liabilities:
 

 

 
 
 
Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
8,747,000

8,530,111

 
8,184,369

8,179,608


The table below shows the impact of change in fair value on each of the financial instruments carried with fair value option in statement of operations as of June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively:


26



 
For the Quarter Ended
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Gain/(Loss) on Change in Fair Value
Gain/(Loss) on Change in Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Non-agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
Senior

392


620

Subordinated
(7,157
)
5,780

(87,960
)
7,099

Interest-only
105,772

12,455

56,946

36,591

Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
Pass-through

55,585

(151,056
)
107,597

Interest-only
6,187

(4,515
)
(11,478
)
(2,188
)
Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
Project loans
12,348

84,286

88,011

125,448

Interest-only
484

390

1,627

2,304

Loans held for investment, at fair value
185,842

119,839

(495,673
)
226,384

Liabilities:
 

 
 
 
Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
(475,397
)
(83,464
)
166,774

(112,294
)

Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps and Swaptions

The Company uses clearing exchange market prices to determine the fair value of its exchange cleared interest rate swaps. For bi-lateral swaps, the Company determines the fair value based on the net present value of expected future cash flows on the swap. The Company uses option pricing model to determine the fair value of its swaptions. For bi-lateral swaps and swaptions, the Company compares its own estimate of fair value with counterparty prices to evaluate for reasonableness. Both the clearing exchange and counter-party pricing quotes, incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury yield curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular contract. Interest rate swaps and swaptions are modeled by the Company by incorporating such factors as the term to maturity, swap curve, overnight index swap rates, and the payment rates on the fixed portion of the interest rate swaps. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of interest rate swaps and swaptions as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Treasury Futures

The fair value of Treasury futures is determined by quoted market prices in an active market. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of Treasury futures as Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Secured Financing Agreements

Secured financing agreements are collateralized financing transactions utilized by the Company to acquire investment securities. For the short term secured financing agreements the Company estimates the fair value using the contractual obligation plus accrued interest payable. The longer term secured financings have either floating rates that resets within 60 days or are negotiated close to the reporting period. For these longer term secured financing agreements the carrying value approximates the fair value. The fair value of asset transfer accounted for as secured borrowing is determined using the call price. The Company has classified the characteristics used to determine the fair value of Secured Financing Agreements as Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Long Term Debt

Convertible Senior Notes


27



Convertible notes include unsecured convertible senior notes that are carried at their unpaid principal balance net of any unamortized deferred issuance costs. The fair value of the convertible notes is determined using quoted prices in generally active markets and classified as Level 2.

Short-term Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable, dividends payable, payable for investments purchased, receivable for investments sold and accrued interest payable are considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short term nature and low credit risk of these short-term financial instruments.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including the level in the fair value hierarchy, at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are presented below.

 
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)  
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Counterparty and Cash Collateral, netting
Total
Assets:
 

 

 

 

 

Non-Agency RMBS, at fair value
$

$

$
2,184,170

$

$
2,184,170

Agency RMBS, at fair value

107,263



107,263

Agency CMBS, at fair value

2,612,344



2,612,344

Loans held for investment, at fair value


13,036,833


13,036,833

Derivatives





 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment


8,530,111


8,530,111

Derivatives






 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Counterparty and Cash Collateral, netting
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS, at fair value
$

$

2,614,408

$

$
2,614,408

Agency RMBS, at fair value

6,490,293



6,490,293

Agency CMBS, at fair value

2,850,717



2,850,717

Loans held for investment, at fair value


14,292,815


14,292,815

Derivatives
3,611

1,092


(1,092
)
3,611

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment


8,179,608


8,179,608

Derivatives

205,703


(205,703
)



The table below provides a summary of the changes in the fair value of financial instruments classified as Level 3 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

28



Fair Value Reconciliation, Level 3

For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020

(dollars in thousands)
 
Non-Agency RMBS
Loans held for investment
Securitized Debt
Beginning balance Level 3
$
2,614,408

$
14,292,815

$
8,179,608

Transfers into Level 3
135,118



Transfers out of Level 3
(135,118
)


Purchases of assets/ issuance of debt
19,512

177,857

1,462,493

Principal payments
(124,351
)
(895,764
)
(773,422
)
Sales and Settlements
(141,912
)
6,662

(146,663
)
Net accretion (amortization)
20,667

(49,064
)
(24,677
)
Gains (losses) included in net income
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in provision for credit losses
(1,817
)


Realized gains (losses) on sales and settlements
15,096


(459
)
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in income
(31,013
)
(495,673
)
(166,769
)
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
 
 
 
   Total unrealized gains (losses) for the period
(186,420
)


Ending balance Level 3
$
2,184,170

$
13,036,833

$
8,530,111


Fair Value Reconciliation, Level 3
 
For the Year Ended
 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Non-Agency RMBS
Loans held for investment
Securitized Debt
Beginning balance Level 3
$
2,486,130

$
12,572,581

$
8,455,376

Transfers into Level 3



Transfers out of Level 3



Purchases of assets/ issuance of debt
497,848

5,086,491

1,487,286

Principal payments
(415,518
)
(1,717,745
)
(1,530,818
)
Sales and Settlements
(38,605
)
(1,812,760
)
(314,454
)
Net accretion (amortization)
95,562

(77,491
)
(26,758
)
Gains (losses) included in net income
 

 

 

Other than temporary credit impairment losses
(4,853
)


Realized gains (losses) on sales and settlements
(1,088
)
1,590

(9,925
)
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in income
28,577

240,149

118,901

Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
 
 
 
   Total unrealized gains (losses) for the period
(33,645
)


Ending balance Level 3
$
2,614,408

$
14,292,815

$
8,179,608



During the first quarter of 2020 there were transfers out of Level 3 of $135 million, as prices were based on unadjusted quoted prices on these assets. These investments were transferred into Level 3 during the second quarter of 2020 as unadjusted quoted prices were unavailable and the Company used internal pricing model to value them. There were no transfers in or out from Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company determines when transfers have occurred between levels of the fair value hierarchy based on the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS and securitized debt are the weighted average discount rates, prepayment rate, constant default rate, and the loss severity.

Discount Rate


29



The discount rate refers to the interest rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis to determine the present value of future cash flows. The discount rate takes into account not just the time value of money, but also the risk or uncertainty of future cash flows. An increased uncertainty of future cash flows results in a higher discount rate. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the discount rate implicit in the security as of the last measurement date. As discount rates move up, the values of the discounted cash flows are reduced.

The discount rates applied to the expected cash flows to determine fair value are derived from a range of observable prices on securities backed by similar collateral. As the market becomes more or less liquid, the availability of these observable inputs will change.

Prepayment Rate

The prepayment rate specifies the percentage of the collateral balance that is expected to prepay at each point in the future. The prepayment rate is based on factors such as collateral FICO score, loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, and vintage on a loan level basis and is scaled up or down to reflect recent collateral-specific prepayment experience as obtained from remittance reports and market data services.

For securitized debt carried at fair value issued at a premium, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of interest expense the Company recognizes decreases as the issued premium on the debt amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in increased expense and can extend the period over which the Company amortizes the premium.

For debt issued at a discount, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of interest the Company expenses increases from the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest expense. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in decreased expense as the accretion of the discount into interest expense occurs over a longer period.

Constant Default Rate

Constant default rate represents an annualized rate of default on a group of mortgages. The constant default rate, or CDR, represents the percentage of outstanding principal balances in the pool that are in default, which typically equates to the home being past 60-day and 90-day notices and in the foreclosure process. When default rates increase, expected cash flows on the underlying collateral decreases. When default rates decrease, expected cash flows on the underlying collateral increases.

Default vectors are determined from the current “pipeline” of loans that are more than 30 days delinquent, in foreclosure, bankruptcy, or are REO. These delinquent loans determine the first 30 months of the default curve. Beyond month 30, the default curve transitions to a value that is reflective of a portion of the current delinquency pipeline.

Loss Severity

Loss severity rates reflect the amount of loss expected from a foreclosure and liquidation of the underlying collateral in the mortgage loan pool. When a mortgage loan is foreclosed the collateral is sold and the resulting proceeds are used to settle the outstanding obligation. In many circumstances, the proceeds from the sale do not fully repay the outstanding obligation. In these cases, a loss is incurred by the lender. Loss severity is used to predict how costly future losses are likely to be. An increase in loss severity results in a decrease in expected future cash flows. A decrease in loss severity results in an increase in expected future cash flows.

The curve generated to reflect the Company’s expected loss severity is based on collateral-specific experience with consideration given to other mitigating collateral characteristics. Collateral characteristics such as loan size, loan-to-value, seasoning or loan age and geographic location of collateral also effect loss severity.

Sensitivity of Significant Inputs – Non-Agency RMBS and securitized debt, collateralized by loans held for investment

Prepayment rates vary according to interest rates, the type of financial instrument, conditions in financial markets, and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, prepayment speeds tend to increase. For RMBS investments purchased at a premium, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of income the Company earns decreases as the purchase premium on the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment rates result in increased income and can extend the period over which the Company amortizes the purchase premium. For RMBS investments purchased at a discount, as prepayment rates increase, the amount of income the Company earns increases from the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in

30



prepayment rates result in decreased income as the accretion of the purchase discount into interest income occurs over a longer period.

A summary of the significant inputs used to estimate the fair value of Level 3 Non-Agency RMBS held for investment at fair value as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 follows. The weighted average discount rates were based on fair value. Previously issued financial statement filings were based on amortized cost. We believe fair value provides an improved presentation of weighted average discount rates.

June 30, 2020

Significant Inputs
  
Discount Rate
Prepay Rate
CDR
Loss Severity
  
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
3%-10%
4.2%
1%-23%
7.4%
0%-8%
2.0%
27%-81%
45.3%
Subordinated
4%-13%
7.5%
2%-35%
9.4%
0%-5%
1.4%
10%-58%
37.2%
Interest-only
0%-100%
10.1%
5%-45%
21.7%
0%-10%
1.3%
0%-85%
36.1%
 
December 31, 2019
 
Significant Inputs
  
Discount Rate
Prepay Rate
CDR
Loss Severity
  
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Non-Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
3% -8%
3.8%
6% -20%
9.4%
0% -9%
1.8%
26% -82%
42.0%
Subordinated
0% -13%
5.3%
6% -35%
9.6%
0% -6%
1.3%
27% -55%
36.7%
Interest-only
0% -100%
11.4%
6% -43%
18.5%
0% -6%
1.0%
26% -83%
35.3%

A summary of the significant inputs used to estimate the fair value of securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment, as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 follows:
 
June 30, 2020
 
Significant Inputs
 
Discount Rate
Prepay Rate
CDR
Loss Severity
 
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
0%-10%
3.5%
5%-20%
8.6%
0%-3%
1.5%
30%-75%
60.2%


 
December 31, 2019
 
Significant Inputs
 
Discount Rate
Prepay Rate
CDR
Loss Severity
 
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Range
Weighted Average
Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
0% -10%
3.3%
6% - 20%
9.1%
0% - 3%
1.4%
30% - 75%
59.9%


All of the significant inputs listed have some degree of market observability based on the Company’s knowledge of the market, information available to market participants, and use of common market data sources. Collateral default and loss severity projections are in the form of “curves” that are updated quarterly to reflect the Company’s collateral cash flow projections. Methods used to develop these projections conform to industry conventions. The Company uses assumptions it considers its best estimate of future cash flows for each security.

Sensitivity of Significant Inputs – Loans held for investment


31



The Loans held for investment are comprised primarily of loans collateralized by seasoned subprime residential mortgages. Additionally, it includes non-conforming, single family, owner occupied, jumbo, prime residential mortgages. The significant unobservable inputs used to estimate the fair value of the Loans held for investment collateralized by seasoned subprime residential mortgage loans, as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include coupon, FICO score at origination, loan-to-value ratios (LTV), owner occupancy status, and property type. A summary of the significant inputs used to estimate the fair value of Loans held for investment collateralized primarily by seasoned subprime mortgages at fair value as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 follows:
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
Factor:
 
 
 
Coupon
 
 
 
Base Rate
4.6%
 
4.3%
Actual
6.4%
 
6.6%
 
 
 
 
FICO
 
 
 
Base Rate
638
 
636
Actual
629
 
624
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-value (LTV)
 
 
 
Base Rate
90%
 
86%
Actual
86%
 
88%
 
 
 
 
Loan Characteristics:
 
 
 
Occupancy
 
 
 
Owner Occupied
88%
 
89%
Investor
2%
 
2%
Secondary
10%
 
9%
Property Type
 
 
 
Single family
85%
 
85%
Manufactured housing
3%
 
4%
Multi-family/mixed use/other
12%
 
11%


The loan factors are generally not observable for the individual loans and the base rates developed by the Company’s internal model are subjective and change as market conditions change. The impact of the loan coupon on the value of the loan is dependent on whether the loan is clean or reperforming. A clean loan, with no history of delinquent payments and a relatively high loan interest rate would result in a higher overall value than a reperforming loan which has a history of delinquency. Similarly, a higher FICO score and a lower LTV ratio results in increases in the fair market value of the loan and a lower FICO score and a higher LTV ratio results in a lower value.

Property types also affect the overall loan values. Property types include single family, manufactured housing and multi-family/mixed use and other types of properties. Single family homes represent properties which house one to four family units. Manufactured homes include mobile homes and modular homes. Loan value for properties that are investor or secondary homes have a reduced value as compared to the baseline loan value. Additionally, single family homes will result in an increase to the loan value where manufactured and multi-family/mixed use and other properties will result in a decrease to the loan value, as compared to the baseline.

Financial instruments not carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value, as described above, of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

32



 
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Level in Fair Value Hierarchy
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Secured financing agreements (1)
2
5,944,201

6,012,236

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
3
124,414

103,506

Long Term Debt
2
71,600

105,440

(1) The fair value of secured financing agreements includes one secured financing agreement with a non-detachable Warrant.
 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Level in Fair Value Hierarchy
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Secured financing agreements
2
13,427,545

13,450,193

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
3
133,557

117,552




6. Secured Financing Agreements

Secured financing agreements include short term repurchase agreements with original maturity dates of less than one-year, long-term financing agreements with original maturity dates of more than one year and loan warehouse credit facilities collateralized by loans acquired by the Company.
The repurchase agreements are collateralized by Agency and non-agency mortgage backed securities with interest rates generally indexed to the one-month and three-month LIBOR rates and re-price accordingly. The maturity dates on the repurchase agreements are all less than one year and generally are less than 180 days. The collateral pledged as security on the repurchase agreements may include the Company’s investments in consolidated VIEs, which are eliminated in consolidation.
The long-term financing agreements include long-term repurchase agreements and secured financing arrangements with an original term of greater than one year which are secured by non-agency RMBS pledged as collateral. Maturity dates on these long-term financing agreements range from April 2021 through April 2025. The collateral pledged as security on the long-term financing agreements may include the Company’s investments in consolidated VIEs, which are eliminated in consolidation. $400 million of the long-term financing agreements has a fixed interest rate of 7% and include an attached equity warrant. See footnote 11 for details of the equity warrants issued. Maturity dates on these long-term financing agreements range from April 2021 through April 2025. The interest rates on the remaining long-term financing agreements are generally indexed to one-month and three-month LIBOR rates. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company has significantly increased its long-term financing agreements.
The warehouse credit facilities collateralized by loans are repurchase agreements intended to hold loans acquired by the Company. These loans are generally held in the warehouse credit facilities until they can be sold into a longer-term securitization structure. The maturity dates on the warehouse credit facilities range from 30 days to one year with interest rates indexed to the one-month and three-month LIBOR rates.
The Secured financing agreements require the Company to post collateral at a specific rate in excess of the unpaid principal balance of the Agreement. For certain Secured financing agreements, this may require the Company to post additional margin if the fair value of the assets were to drop. To mitigate this risk, during the first half of 2020, the Company has negotiated several long-term financing agreements which are not subject to additional margin requirements upon a drop in the fair value of the collateral pledged. At June 30, 2020, the Company has $1.3 billion of Secured financing agreements which are not subject to additional margin requirements upon a change in the fair value of the collateral pledged. Repurchase agreements may allow the credit counterparty to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, in the event of a bankruptcy of the Company, and take possession of, and liquidate, the collateral under such repurchase agreements without delay. $860 million of the long-term financing agreements are secured borrowing arrangements which are subject to the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.
The Secured financing agreements outstanding, weighted average borrowing rates, weighted average remaining maturities, average balances and the fair value of the collateral pledged as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were:


33



 
June 30, 2020 (1)
December 31, 2019
Secured financing agreements outstanding secured by:
 
 
Agency RMBS (in thousands)
$
77,008

$
6,247,275

Agency CMBS (in thousands)
2,046,782

2,013,515

Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
3,619,627

5,166,755

Total:
$
5,743,417

$
13,427,545

 
 
 
MBS pledged as collateral at fair value on Secured financing agreements:
 

 

Agency RMBS (in thousands)
$
99,938

$
6,602,039

Agency CMBS (in thousands)
2,158,413

2,102,520

Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
5,181,023

6,694,685

Total:
$
7,439,374

$
15,399,244

 
 
 
Average balance of Secured financing agreements secured by:
 

 

Agency RMBS (in thousands)
$
2,551,002

$
8,062,881

Agency CMBS (in thousands)
2,142,221

1,993,372

Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
4,737,808

4,436,133

Total:
$
9,431,031

$
14,492,386

 
 
 
Average borrowing rate of Secured financing agreements secured by:
 

 

Agency RMBS (in thousands)
1.15
%
2.10
%
Agency CMBS (in thousands)
0.28
%
2.10
%
Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
4.47
%
3.19
%
 
 
 
Average remaining maturity of Secured financing agreements secured by:
 

 

Agency RMBS (in thousands)
6 Days

14 Days

Agency CMBS (in thousands)
15 Days

13 Days

Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
606 Days

255 Days

 
 
 
Average original maturity of Secured financing agreements secured by:




Agency RMBS (in thousands)
12 Days

38 Days

Agency CMBS (in thousands)
30 Days

34 Days

Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
628 Days

279 Days

(1) June 30, 2020 balance excludes $201 million principal related to a secured borrowing which will terminate during third quarter of 2020. The fair value of the collateral on this secured borrowing was $330 million and the interest rate was 18.7%.

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we pledged $60 million and $20 million, respectively, of margin cash collateral to our secured financing agreement counterparties. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the secured financing agreements collateralized by MBS and Loans held for investment had the following remaining maturities and borrowing rates.

34



 
June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)

Principal
Weighted Average Borrowing Rates
Range of Borrowing Rates

Principal
Weighted Average Borrowing Rates
Range of Borrowing Rates
Overnight
$

 NA
 NA

$

 NA
 NA
1 to 29 days
2,311,122

0.48%
 0.21% - 2.74%

9,709,387

2.26%
1.90% - 3.62%
30 to 59 days
296,041

2.55%
 1.97% - 2.67%

800,648

2.96%
2.15% - 3.52%
60 to 89 days (1)
65,390

2.37%
 2.15% - 2.43%

608,520

3.00%
 2.59% - 3.35%
90 to 119 days

NA
 NA


 NA
 NA
120 to 180 days
191,904

1.96%
 1.66% - 2.93%

809,077

3.38%
3.06% - 3.46%
180 days to 1 year
1,497,192

5.34%
 1.68% - 8.74%

580,886

3.42%
3.26% - 3.51%
1 to 2 years
187,187

2.92%
 1.68% - 4.50 %

427,981

3.28%
3.19% - 3.30%
2 to 3 years
400,000

7.00%
7.00% - 7.00%


 NA
 NA
Greater than 3 years
794,581

3.91%
 1.58% - 5.56 %

491,046

3.20%
3.19% - 3.20%
Total
$
5,743,417

2.93%


$
13,427,545

2.52%


(1) June 30, 2020 balance excludes $201 million principal related to a secured borrowing which will terminate during third quarter of 2020. The fair value of the collateral on this secured borrowing was $330 million and the interest rate was 18.7%.

Certain of the long-term financing agreements and warehouse credit facilities are subject to certain covenants. These covenants include that the Company maintain its REIT status as well as maintain a net asset value or GAAP equity greater than $1.6 billion to $1.75 billion. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants at any time, the financing may become immediately due in full. Additionally, certain financing agreements become immediately due if the total stockholders' equity of the Company drops by 50% from the most recent year end. Currently, the Company is in compliance with all covenants and does not expect to fail to comply with any of these covenants within the next twelve months. The Company has a total of $1.1 billion unused warehouse credit facilities.

At June 30, 2020 the Company had an amount at risk with Goldman Sachs of 16% of its equity related to the collateral posted on secured financing agreements, the weighted average maturity of the secured financing agreements with Goldman Sachs was 1128 days and the amount at risk was $535 million. There were no other amounts at risk with any other counterparties greater than 10% of the Company’s equity as of June 30, 2020. At December 31, 2019, there was no amount at risk with any counterparty greater than 10% of the Company's equity.

7. Securitized Debt

All of the Company’s securitized debt is collateralized by residential mortgage loans or Non-Agency RMBS. For financial reporting purposes, the Company’s securitized debt is accounted for as secured borrowings. Thus, the residential mortgage loans or RMBS held as collateral are recorded in the assets of the Company as Loans held for investment or Non-Agency RMBS and the securitized debt is recorded as a non-recourse liability in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Securitized Debt Collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS is carried at amortized cost and had a principal balance of $143 million and $152 million, respectively. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the debt carried a weighted average coupon of 6.5%. As of June 30, 2020, the maturities of the debt range between the years 2035 and 2037. None of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS is callable.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company acquired securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS with an amortized cost balance of $2.9 million for $3.5 million. This transaction resulted in net loss on extinguishment of debt of $608 thousand.

The following table presents the estimated principal repayment schedule of the securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, based on expected cash flows of the residential mortgage loans or RMBS, as adjusted for projected losses on the underlying collateral of the debt. All of the securitized debt recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition is non-recourse to the Company.

35




 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Within One Year
$
15,541

$
18,826

One to Three Years
15,522

18,332

Three to Five Years
3,032

4,453

Greater Than Five Years
451

665

Total
$
34,546

$
42,276


 
Maturities of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS are dependent upon cash flows received from the underlying collateral. The estimate of their repayment is based on scheduled principal payments on the underlying collateral. This estimate will differ from actual amounts to the extent prepayments or losses are experienced. See Note 3 for a more detailed discussion of the securities collateralizing the securitized debt.

Securitized Debt Collateralized by Loans Held for Investment

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment had a principal balance of $8.7 billion and $8.2 million, respectively. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment carried a weighted average coupon equal to 3.5% and 3.3%, respectively. As of June 30, 2020, the maturities of the debt range between the years 2023 and 2067.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company acquired securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment with an amortized cost balance of $147 million. This transaction resulted in net gain on extinguishment of debt of $459 thousand. The Company did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investments during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2019.

The following table presents the estimated principal repayment schedule of the securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, based on expected cash flows of the residential mortgage loans or RMBS, as adjusted for projected losses on the underlying collateral of the debt. All of the securitized debt recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition is non-recourse to the Company.

 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Within One Year
$
1,647,991

$
1,582,646

One to Three Years
2,688,204

2,563,699

Three to Five Years
1,856,959

1,791,756

Greater Than Five Years
2,451,374

2,129,460

Total
$
8,644,528

$
8,067,561



Maturities of the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment are dependent upon cash flows received from the underlying loans. The estimate of their repayment is based on scheduled principal payments on the underlying loans. This estimate will differ from actual amounts to the extent prepayments or loan losses are experienced. See Note 4 for a more detailed discussion of the loans collateralizing the securitized debt.

Certain of the securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment contain call provisions at the option of the Company. The following table presents the par value of the callable debt by year at June 30, 2020
June 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)
Year
Principal
2020
3,201,993

2021
2,559,613

2022
1,510,154

2023
403,236

Total
$
7,674,996



36




8. Long Term Debt

Convertible Senior Notes

In April 2020, the Company completed its registered underwritten public offering of $374 million (including exercise of the underwriters' overallotment option) aggregate principal amount of 7.00% convertible senior notes due 2023 (the “Notes” or “Note Offering”). These Notes require semi-annual interest payments at a fixed coupon rate of 7% until maturity or conversion, which will be no later than April 1, 2023. After deducting the underwriting discount and offering costs, the Company received $362 million. At completion of the offering, these notes were convertible at the option of the holder at a conversion rate of 153.8461 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of convertible senior notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $6.50 per common share). Upon conversion of these notes by a holder, the holder will receive shares of our common stock.

As of June 30, 2020, approximately $299 million of senior notes were converted into approximately 46 million common stock of the Company. At June 30, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of these notes was $74 million and the accrued interest payable on this debt was $1 million. At June 30, 2020, the unamortized deferred debt issuance cost was $2 million, and the net interest expense was $4 million. The unamortized deferred debt issuance costs will be amortized until maturity or conversion, which will be no later than April 1, 2023.
 
In April 2020, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes, the Company entered into call option transactions with respect to the Common Stock (the “Capped Call Transactions”) with affiliates of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (the “Counterparty”). The Capped Call Transactions have an initial strike price of approximately $6.50 per share and cover approximately $250 million of the offering. The Capped Call Transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes, if not earlier exercised or terminated. The Capped Call Transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Company’s common stock upon any conversion of the Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap initially equal to approximately $8.45 (which represents a premium of approximately 30% over the last reported sale price of the common stock on April 7, 2020). The Capped Call Transactions are separate transactions, entered into by the Company with the Counterparty, and are not part of the terms of the Notes. The Company used approximately $33.75 million of the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes to pay the cost of the Capped Call Transactions which is recorded within additional paid in capital on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. The Capped Call Transactions can be settled in cash or shares at the Company's election. The fair value of this Capped Call Transaction at June 30, 2020 was approximately $45 million.

9. Consolidated Securitization Vehicles and Other Variable Interest Entities

Since its inception, the Company has utilized VIEs for the purpose of securitizing whole mortgage loans or re-securitizing RMBS and obtaining long-term, non-recourse financing. The Company evaluated its interest in each VIE to determine if it is the primary beneficiary.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition includes assets of consolidated VIEs with a carrying value of $12.6 billion and liabilities with a carrying value of $8.4 billion. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition includes assets of consolidated VIEs with a carrying value of $12.5 billion and liabilities with a carrying value of $8.1 billion.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company securitized and consolidated approximately $715 million and $1.6 billion unpaid principal balance of seasoned residential subprime mortgage loans, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company securitized and consolidated approximately $1.5 billion unpaid principal balance of seasoned residential subprime mortgage loans.

VIEs for Which the Company is the Primary Beneficiary

The retained beneficial interests in VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary are typically the subordinated tranches of these securitizations and in some cases the Company may hold interests in additional tranches. The table below reflects the assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to the consolidated VIEs as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

37



 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS, at fair value (1)
$
524,205

$
598,080

Loans held for investment, at fair value
11,973,418

11,853,659

Accrued interest receivable
60,717

63,218

Other assets
20,495

29,787

Liabilities:
 

 

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
$
124,414

$
133,557

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
8,277,843

7,899,259

Accrued interest payable
26,029

28,775

Other liabilities
2,791

2,644


(1) June 30, 2020 balance includes allowance for credit losses of $216 thousand.

Income and expense amounts related to consolidated VIEs recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the tables below.
 
For the Quarters ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income, Assets of consolidated VIEs
$
169,127

$
200,703

Interest expense, Non-recourse liabilities of VIEs
70,816

87,529

Net interest income
$
98,311

$
113,174

 


 
(Increase) decrease in provision for credit losses
$
(75
)
$

 


 
Servicing fees
$
8,145

$
8,861



 
For the Six Months ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income, Assets of consolidated VIEs
$
343,809

$
407,814

Interest expense, Non-recourse liabilities of VIEs
135,445

178,556

Net interest income
$
208,364

$
229,258

 


 
(Increase) decrease in provision for credit losses
$
(216
)
$

 


 
Servicing fees
$
16,382

$
17,600



VIEs for Which the Company is Not the Primary Beneficiary

The Company is not required to consolidate VIEs in which it has concluded it does not have a controlling financial interest, and thus is not the primary beneficiary. In such cases, the Company does not have both the power to direct the entities’ most significant activities and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. The Company’s investments in these unconsolidated VIEs are carried in Non-Agency RMBS on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and include senior and subordinated bonds issued by the VIEs. The fair value of the Company’s investments in each unconsolidated VIEs at June 30, 2020, ranged from less than $1 million to $159 million, with an aggregate amount of $1.7 billion. The fair value of the Company’s investments in each unconsolidated VIEs at December 31, 2019, ranged from less than $1 million to $191 million, with an aggregate amount of $2.0 billion. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these unconsolidated VIEs was $1.4 billion, and $1.6 billion at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019,

38



respectively. The maximum exposure to loss was determined as the amortized cost of the unconsolidated VIE, which represents the purchase price of the investment adjusted by any unamortized premiums or discounts as of the reporting date.

10. Derivative Instruments

In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, the Company economically hedges a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts in the form of interest rate swaps, swaptions, and Treasury futures. The Company’s swaps are used to lock in a fixed rate related to a portion of its current and anticipated payments on its secured financing agreements. The Company typically agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest, or pay rate, in exchange for the right to receive a floating rate of interest, or receive rate, over a specified period of time. Treasury futures are derivatives which track the prices of specific Treasury securities and are traded on an active exchange. It is generally the Company’s policy to close out any Treasury futures positions prior to delivering the underlying security. The Company uses Treasury futures to lock in a fixed rate related to a portion of its current and anticipated payments on its secured financing agreements.

The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Company could have difficulty obtaining its RMBS or cash pledged as collateral for these derivative instruments. The Company periodically monitors the credit profiles of its counterparties to determine if it is exposed to counterparty credit risk. See Note 14 for further discussion of counterparty credit risk.

The table below summarizes the location and fair value of the derivatives reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition after counterparty netting and posting of cash collateral as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company did not have any derivative instruments as of June 30, 2020.

 
 
 
 
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Instruments
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition
Net Estimated Fair Value/Carrying Value
 
Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition
Net Estimated Fair Value/Carrying Value
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands) 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
$

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net
$

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net
$

Treasury Futures
 

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net

Total
 
$

 
 
$

 
 
$


 
 
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Instruments
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition
Net Estimated Fair Value/Carrying Value
 
Location on Consolidated Statements of Financial
Condition
Net Estimated Fair Value/Carrying Value
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)  
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
$
4,111,300

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net
$

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net
$

Treasury Futures
 
619,700

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net
3,611

 
Derivatives, at fair value, net

Total
 
$
4,731,000

 
 
$
3,611

 
 
$


 
The effect of the Company’s derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented below.


39



 
 
Net gains (losses) on derivatives
for the quarters ended
Derivative Instruments
Location on Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
Interest Rate Swaps
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$

$
(130,639
)
Interest Rate Swaps
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives (1)

(91,288
)
Treasury Futures
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

(1,197
)
Treasury Futures
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives

(13,544
)
Swaptions
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

(335
)
Swaptions
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives

(76
)
Total
 
$

$
(237,079
)

(1) Includes loss on termination of interest rate swaps of $95 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2019. There were no swap terminations during the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

 
 
Net gains (losses) on derivatives
for the six months ended
Derivative Instruments
Location on Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
Interest Rate Swaps
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
204,611

$
(224,714
)
Interest Rate Swaps
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives (1)
(470,352
)
(193,873
)
Treasury Futures
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
(3,611
)
4,128

Treasury Futures
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives
(34,700
)
(26,123
)
Swaptions
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

(900
)
Swaptions
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives

(235
)
Total
 
$
(304,052
)
$
(441,717
)
(1) Includes loss on termination of interest rate swaps of $464 million and $203 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

There were no swap terminations during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The company paid $464 million to terminate interest rate swaps with a notional value of $4.1 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The terminated swaps had original maturities from 2023 to 2048. The company paid $95 million and $203 million to terminate interest rate swaps with a notional value of $1.3 billion and $2.8 billion during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

The Company did not have any interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2020. The weighted average pay rate on the Company’s interest rate swaps at December 31, 2019 was 2.62% and the weighted average receive rate was 1.94%. The weighted average maturity on the Company’s interest rate swaps at December 31, 2019 was 6 years.

When the Company enters into derivative contracts, they are typically subject to International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements or other similar agreements which may contain provisions that grant counterparties certain rights with respect to the applicable agreement upon the occurrence of certain events such as (i) a decline in stockholders’ equity in excess of specified thresholds or dollar amounts over set periods of time, (ii) the Company’s failure to maintain its REIT status, (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with limits on the amount of leverage, and (iv) the Company’s stock being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Upon the occurrence of any one of items (i) through (iv), or another default under the agreement, the counterparty to the applicable agreement has a right to terminate the agreement in accordance with its provisions. Certain of the Company’s interest rate swaps are cleared through a registered commodities exchange. Each of the Company’s International Swaps and Derivative Association, or ISDA, and clearing exchange agreements contains provisions under which the Company is required to fully collateralize its obligations under the interest rate swap agreements if at any point the fair value of the swap represents a liability greater than the minimum transfer amount contained within the agreements. The Company is also required to post initial collateral upon execution of certain of its swap transactions. If the Company breaches any of these provisions, it will be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination values, which approximates fair value. The Company uses clearing exchange market prices to determine the fair value of its interest rate swaps.

11. Capital Stock

Preferred Stock

40




The Company declared dividends to Series A preferred stockholders of $3 million and $6 million, or $0.50 and $1.00 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company declared dividends to Series B preferred stockholders of $7 million and $13 million, or $0.50 and $1.00 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company declared dividends to Series C preferred stockholders of $5 million and $10 million, or $0.48 and $0.97 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $4 million and $8 million, or $0.50 and $1.00, per preferred share during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The Company declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $7 million, or $0.87 per preferred share during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 (long first dividend period).

Common Stock

In March 2020, our Board of Directors reauthorized $150 million under our share repurchase program, or the Repurchase Program. Such authorization does not have an expiration date, and at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization. Shares of our common stock may be purchased in the open market, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined at our discretion and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. Among other factors, the Company intends to only consider repurchasing shares of our common stock when the purchase price is less than the last publicly reported book value per common share. In addition, the Company does not intend to repurchase any shares from directors, officers or other affiliates. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares, and all repurchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of stock repurchases.

The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The Company repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $15.34 per share for a total of $22 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019. The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Repurchase Program is $128 million as of June 30, 2020.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders of $70 million and $164 million, or $0.30 and $0.80, per share, respectively. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders of $95 million and $188 million, or $0.50 and $1.00, per share, respectively.

Warrants

On June 8, 2020, the Company and certain lenders entered into a $400 million senior secured, non-mark-to-market Credit Agreement. In connection with the Credit Agreement, on June 8, 2020, the Company issued non-detachable Warrants to affiliates of each of the Lenders, which provides the Lenders the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 20,300,000 shares (the “Warrant Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, at a price of $0.01 per share, representing approximately 7.7% of the Company’s common stock after giving effect to the issuance of the Warrant Shares. The number of Warrant Shares may be proportionally adjusted for stock distributions, stock splits, cash distributions above specified threshold amounts, mergers, reorganizations, spin-offs and other customary events, as well as issuances by the Company of common stock below specified levels (subject to certain exceptions). The Warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and are exercisable generally on the earlier of (i) June 8, 2023; (ii) the date on which the amounts financed under the Credit Agreement are discharged in full, and (iii) an event of default is declared under the Credit Agreement and all amounts are then due, and are exercisable for one year. The Company is permitted to settle any exercise of the Warrants in cash at a price of 90% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of exercise.

Earnings per share for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively, are computed as follows:

41



 
For the Quarters Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Numerator:
 
 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(73,393
)
$
40,322

Effect of dilutive securities:


Dilutive net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(73,393
)
$
40,322

 
 
 
Denominator:
 

 

Weighted average basic shares
199,282,790

187,153,007

Effect of dilutive securities

1,118,476

Weighted average dilutive shares
199,282,790

188,271,483

 
 
 
Net income (loss) per average share attributable to common stockholders - Basic
$
(0.37
)
$
0.22

Net income (loss) per average share attributable to common stockholders - Diluted
$
(0.37
)
$
0.21



 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Numerator:
 
 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(462,585
)
$
141,078

Effect of dilutive securities:


Dilutive net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(462,585
)
$
141,078

 
 
 
Denominator:
 

 

Weighted average basic shares
193,150,696

187,132,842

Effect of dilutive securities

1,121,424

Weighted average dilutive shares
193,150,696

188,254,266

 
 
 
Net income (loss) per average share attributable to common stockholders - Basic
$
(2.39
)
$
0.75

Net income (loss) per average share attributable to common stockholders - Diluted
$
(2.39
)
$
0.75


For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 potentially dilutive shares of 42.9 million and 22.5 million, respectively, were excluded from the computation of fully diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive shares for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 comprised of restricted stock units and performance stock units, warrants and shares from the assumed conversion of convertible debt.

12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the changes in the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, or the AOCI, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

42



 
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net
Total Accumulated OCI Balance
Balance as of December 31, 2019
$
708,336

$
708,336

OCI before reclassifications
(137,805
)
(137,805
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(33,021
)
(33,021
)
Net current period OCI
(170,826
)
(170,826
)
Balance as of June 30, 2020
$
537,510

$
537,510

 
 
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net
Total Accumulated OCI Balance
Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
626,832

$
626,832

OCI before reclassifications
85,218

85,218

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
27,040

27,040

Net current period OCI
112,258

112,258

Balance as of June 30, 2019
$
739,090

$
739,090


 
The following table presents the details of the reclassifications from AOCI for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
Details about Accumulated OCI Components
Amounts Reclassified
from Accumulated OCI
Amounts Reclassified
from Accumulated OCI
Affected Line on the Consolidated Statements Of Operations
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
$
33,021

$
(22,187
)
Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
 

(4,853
)
Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses
 
$
33,021

$
(27,040
)
Income before income taxes
 


Income taxes
 
$
33,021

$
(27,040
)
Net of tax


13. Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and other Benefit Plans

In accordance with the terms of the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated on December 10, 2015), or the Incentive Plan, directors, officers and employees of the Company are eligible to receive restricted stock grants. These awards generally have a vesting period lasting three years. During the vesting period, these shares may not be sold. There were approximately 4 million shares available for future grants under the Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2020.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has approved a Stock Award Deferral Program, or the Deferral Program. Under the Deferral Program, non-employee directors and certain executive officers can elect to defer payment of certain stock awards made pursuant to the Equity Plan. Deferred awards are treated as deferred stock units and paid at the earlier of separation from service or a date elected by the participant who is separating. Payments are generally made in a lump sum or, if elected by the participant, in five annual installments. Deferred awards receive dividend equivalents during the deferral period in the form of additional deferred stock units. Amounts are paid at the end of the deferral period by delivery of shares from the Incentive Plan (plus cash for any fractional deferred stock units), less any applicable tax withholdings. Deferral elections do not alter any vesting requirements applicable to the underlying stock award.

Grants of Restricted Stock Units or, RSUs

43



During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted RSU awards to senior management. These RSU awards are designed to reward senior management of the Company for services provided to the Company. Generally, the RSU awards vest equally over a three-year period beginning from the grant date and will fully vest after three years. For employees whose years of service to the Company plus age is equal to or greater than 65, the service period is considered to be fulfilled and all grants are expensed immediately. The RSU awards are valued at the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date and generally the employees must be employed by the Company on the vesting dates to receive the RSU awards. The Company granted 171 thousand and 306 thousand RSU awards during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, with a grant date fair value of $1 million and $4 million, respectively, for the 2020 performance year. The Company granted 48 thousand and 447 thousand RSU awards during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019 with a grant date fair value of $1 million and $8 million, respectively, for the 2019 performance year.
Grants of Performance Share Units or, PSUs
PSU awards are designed to align compensation with the Company’s future performance. The PSU awards granted during the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 include a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The final number of shares awarded will be between 0% and 200% of the PSUs granted based on the Company Economic Return compared to a peer group. The Company’s three-year Company Economic Return is equal to the Company’s change in book value per common share plus common stock dividends. Compensation expense will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period based on an estimate of the Company Economic Return in relation to the entities in the peer group and will be adjusted each period based on the Company’s best estimate of the actual number of shares which will vest. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company granted 135 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $3 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company granted 152 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $3 million.
The Company recognized stock based compensation expenses of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, and $5 million and $8 million, respectively, for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

The Company also maintains a qualified 401(k) plan.  The plan is a retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to contribute a portion of their wages on a tax-deferred basis under Section 401(k) of the Code. For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, employees may contribute, through payroll deductions, up to $19,500 if under the age of 50 years and an additional $6,500 “catch-up” contribution for employees 50 years or older. The Company matches 100% of the first 6% of the eligible compensation deferred by employee contributions. The employer funds the 401(k) matching contributions in the form of cash, and participants may direct the Company match to an investment of their choice. The benefit of the Company’s contributions vests immediately. Generally, a participating employee is entitled to distributions from the plans upon termination of employment, retirement, death or disability. The 401(k) expenses related to the Company’s qualified plan for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, were $118 thousand and $126 thousand, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the 401(k) expenses were $266 thousand and $268 thousand, respectively.

14. Income Taxes

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under Code Sections 856 through 860. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it makes qualifying distributions of taxable income to its stockholders. To maintain qualification as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to its shareholders and meet certain other requirements such as assets it may hold, income it may generate and its shareholder composition. It is generally the Company’s policy to distribute to its shareholders all of the Company’s taxable income.

The state and local tax jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax-filing obligations recognize the Company’s status as a REIT and therefore the Company generally does not pay income tax in such jurisdictions. The Company may, however, be subject to certain minimum state and local tax filing fees and its TRSs are subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes. There were no significant income tax expenses for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from its combined U.S. federal, state and city corporate statutory tax rate primarily due to the deduction of dividend distributions required to be paid under Code Section 857(a).

The Company’s 2018, 2017 and 2016 U.S. federal, state and local tax returns remain open for examination.

15. Credit Risk and Interest Rate Risk


44



The Company’s primary components of market risk are credit risk and interest rate risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk in connection with its investments in Agency MBS and Non-Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans, borrowings under secured financing agreements and securitized debt. When the Company assumes interest rate risk, it attempts to minimize interest rate risk through asset selection, hedging and matching the income earned on mortgage assets with the cost of related financing.

The Company attempts to minimize credit risk through due diligence, asset selection and portfolio monitoring. The Company has established a whole loan target market including prime and subprime borrowers, Alt-A documentation, geographic diversification, owner-occupied property, and moderate loan-to-value ratios. These factors are considered to be important indicators of credit risk.

By using derivative instruments and secured financing agreements, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk if counterparties to the contracts do not perform as expected. If a counterparty fails to perform on a derivative hedging instrument, the Company’s counterparty credit risk is equal to the amount reported as a derivative asset on its balance sheet to the extent that amount exceeds collateral obtained from the counterparty or, if in a net liability position, the extent to which collateral posted exceeds the liability to the counterparty. The amounts reported as a derivative asset/(liability) are derivative contracts in a gain/(loss) position, and to the extent subject to master netting arrangements, net of derivatives in a loss/(gain) position with the same counterparty and collateral received/(pledged). If the counterparty fails to perform on a secured financing agreement, the Company is exposed to a loss to the extent that the fair value of collateral pledged exceeds the liability to the counterparty. The Company attempts to minimize counterparty credit risk by evaluating and monitoring the counterparty’s credit, executing master netting arrangements and obtaining collateral, and executing contracts and agreements with multiple counterparties to reduce exposure to a single counterparty.

Our secured financing agreements and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff under master netting arrangements, including in the event of default or in the event of bankruptcy of either party to the transactions. The Company presents its assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a net basis in our consolidated statements of financial condition. The following table presents information about our liabilities that are subject to such arrangements and can potentially be offset on our consolidated statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 
June 30, 2020
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets (Liabilities)
 Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Net Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Not Offset with Financial Assets (Liabilities) in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position  
 
 
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (1)
Net Amount
Secured Financing Agreements
$
(5,944,201
)
$

$
(5,944,201
)
$
7,769,369

$
59,755

$
1,884,923

Total
$
(5,944,201
)
$

$
(5,944,201
)
$
7,769,369

$
59,755

$
1,884,923

(1) Included in other assets
 
December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets (Liabilities)
 Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Net Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Not Offset with Financial Assets (Liabilities) in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position  
 
 
Financial
Instruments
Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (1)
Net Amount
Secured Financing Agreements
$
(13,427,545
)
$

$
(13,427,545
)
$
15,399,244

$
20,211

$
1,991,910

Interest Rate Swaps - Gross Assets
1,092

(1,092
)


119,469

119,469

Interest Rate Swaps - Gross Liabilities
(205,703
)
205,703





Treasury Futures - Gross Assets
3,611


3,611


1,514

5,125

Treasury Futures - Gross Liabilities






Total
$
(13,628,545
)
$
204,611

$
(13,423,934
)
$
15,399,244

$
141,194

$
2,116,504

(1) Included in other assets

16. Commitments and Contingencies


45



From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In connection with certain re-securitization transactions engaged in by the Company, it has the obligation under certain circumstances to repurchase assets from the VIE upon breach of certain representations and warranties.

The Company has made a $150 million capital commitment to Hains Point, LLC (Hains Point), a fund which is consolidated by the Company as the sole investor in the fund. As of June 30, 2020, the Company has funded $140 million towards that commitment. Capital calls for investments made in Hains Point are subject to our consent and approval.

The Company issued Warrants to purchase 20.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock. See Note 11 for further discussion. At exercise, the Company will deliver 20.3 million common shares or cash at a price per share equal to 90% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of exercise. This commitment is not reflected in the Company’s issued and outstanding shares.

17. Subsequent Events

None.


46



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

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements included in Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make forward-looking statements in this report that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about, among other things, possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When we use the words ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘would,’’ ‘‘will’’ or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, are forward-looking by their nature:

our business and investment strategy;
our ability to accurately forecast the payment of future dividends on our common and preferred stock, and the amount of such dividends;
our ability to determine accurately the fair market value of our assets;
availability of investment opportunities in real estate-related and other securities, including our valuation of potential opportunities that may arise as a result of current and future market dislocations;
effect of the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic on real estate market, financial markets and our Company, including the impact on the value, availability, financing and liquidity of mortgage assets;
how COVID-19 may affect us, our operations and our personnel;
our expected investments;
changes in the value of our investments, including negative changes resulting in margin calls related to the financing of our assets;
changes in interest rates and mortgage prepayment rates;
prepayments of the mortgage and other loans underlying our mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, or other asset-backed securities, or ABS;
rates of default, delinquencies or decreased recovery rates on our investments;
general volatility of the securities markets in which we invest;
our ability to maintain existing financing arrangements and our ability to obtain future financing arrangements;
our ability to effect our strategy to securitize residential mortgage loans;
interest rate mismatches between our investments and our borrowings used to finance such purchases;
effects of interest rate caps on our adjustable-rate investments;
the degree to which our hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility;
the impact of and changes to various government programs, including in response to COVID-19;
impact of and changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates, accounting guidance, and similar matters;
market trends in our industry, interest rates, the debt securities markets or the general economy;
estimates relating to our ability to make distributions to our stockholders in the future;
our understanding of our competition;
availability of qualified personnel;
our ability to maintain our classification as a real estate investment trust, or, REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or 1940 Act;
our expectations regarding materiality or significance; and
the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.

Special Note Regarding COVID-19 pandemic

Because there have been no comparable recent global pandemics that resulted in similar impact, we do not yet know the full extent of COVID-19’s effects on our business, operations, personnel, or the U.S. economy as a whole. Any future developments in this regard will be highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with any certainty, including the scope and duration of the

47



pandemic, the effectiveness of our work from home arrangements, third-party providers’ ability to support our operation, and any actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic, and the other factors discussed above and throughout this Quarter Report on Form 10-Q. The uncertain future development of this crisis could materially and adversely affect our business, operations, operating results, financial condition, liquidity or capital levels.

These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Some of these factors are described under the caption ‘‘Risk Factors’’ in both our Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

48




Executive Summary

We are a publicly traded REIT that is primarily engaged in the business of investing in a diversified portfolio of mortgage assets, including residential mortgage loans, Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, Agency CMBS, and other real estate-related securities. We use leverage to increase returns while managing the difference or spread between longer duration assets and shorter duration financing. Our principal business objective is to deliver shareholder value through the generation of distributable income and through asset performance linked to residential mortgage credit fundamentals. We selectively invest in residential mortgage assets with a focus on credit analysis, projected prepayment rates, interest rate sensitivity and expected return.

We currently focus our investment activities primarily on acquiring residential mortgage loans and Non-Agency and Agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, or MBS. At June 30, 2020, based on the amortized cost balance of our interest earning assets, approximately 75% of our investment portfolio was residential mortgage loans, 14% of our investment portfolio was Agency CMBS, 10% of our investment portfolio was Non-Agency RMBS and 1% of our investment portfolio was Agency IOs. At December 31, 2019, based on the amortized cost balance of our interest earning assets, approximately 55% of our investment portfolio was residential mortgage loans, 26% of our investment portfolio was Agency RMBS, 11% of our investment portfolio was Agency CMBS, and 8% of our investment portfolio was Non-Agency RMBS. The significant change in the composition of our portfolio at June 30, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2019 was driven by the sale of our Agency RMBS portfolio during the first quarter of 2020, as discussed below, as we sought to raise liquidity during the severe market conditions created by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

We use leverage to increase returns and to finance the acquisition of our assets. We expect to finance our investments using a variety of financing sources including, when available, securitizations, warehouse facilities, repurchase agreements, structured asset financing and offerings of our securities. We may manage our debt and interest rate risk by utilizing interest rate hedges, such as interest rate swaps, caps, options, swaptions and futures to reduce the effect of interest rate fluctuations related to our financing sources. As of June 30, 2020, we did not own any interest rate hedges.

Our investment strategy is intended to take advantage of opportunities in the current interest rate and credit environment. We expect to adjust our strategy to changing market conditions by shifting our asset allocations across these various asset classes as interest rate and credit cycles change over time. We expect to take a long-term view of assets and liabilities.

Market Conditions and our Strategy
Conditions Related to COVID-19 Pandemic

Beginning in the middle of the first quarter of 2020 and continuing into the second quarter, financial and mortgage-related asset markets have experienced significant volatility as a result of the spread of COVID-19. We expect this volatility may continue in the near term due to the heightened uncertainty relating to COVID-19's duration and potential impact. During the first quarter, the significant dislocation in the financial markets caused, among other things, credit spread widening, a sharp decrease in interest rates and unprecedented illiquidity in secured financing agreements and MBS markets. These conditions have put significant pressure on the mortgage REIT industry, including financing operations, mortgage asset pricing and liquidity demands.

In response to the current market conditions, the Federal Reserve took a number of proactive measures, including cutting its target benchmark interest rate to 0%-0.25%, instituting a quantitative easing program, including the purchase of an unconstrained amount of Agency RMBS, and putting in place a commercial paper funding facility and term and overnight repurchase agreement financing facilities, all to bolster liquidity. These measures are intended to promote price stability and the smooth functioning of the mortgage backed securities market. In addition, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), enacted on March 27, 2020, is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We continue to evaluate the potential impact of the CARES Act, and other governmental actions and initiatives on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Many states started reopening businesses and reducing COVID-19 imposed restrictions during the second quarter of 2020. However, after reopening, certain states experienced significant increases in COVID-10 cases, prompting states to roll back or delay reopening plans. These delays are expected to have a negative impact on employment and the broader economy. The US Government continues to monitor conditions related to COVID-19 and consider various stimulus and similar programs.

Despite the measures discussed above, market conditions continue to be challenging and very uncertain. Consistent with market conditions experienced in the mortgage REIT industry during the first quarter of 2020, we observed an increase in “haircuts,”

49



which is the difference expressed in percentage terms between the fair value of the collateral and the amount the counterparty will lend to us, along with a mark-down of our mortgage assets held as collateral by our financing counterparties. As a result, we have been required to provide additional cash or securities to satisfy higher than historical levels of margin calls. We believe that these mark-downs are primarily a result of the severe market dislocations discussed above related to COVID-19. Although these conditions have moderately stabilized to date in the second quarter of 2020, we continue to monitor our assets closely, as the credit risk profile of our assets may be more pronounced during severe market disruption in the mortgage, housing or related sectors, such as those being experienced now as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See “Part II. Other Information - Item 1A Risk Factors” below. In particular, our residential mortgage loans and Non-Agency MBS are subject to significant credit risk, and it is unclear how the conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the credit quality of these assets over time.

We have the technology in place for all employees to work remotely with limited change in normal working patterns, which we put in place in during the first quarter as conditions related to COVID-19 worsened, particularly in New York City where we are based. We have exercised our business continuity plans effectively to date, with limited operational impact.

Portfolio and Financing

Consistent with current market conditions and our intention to enhance our liquidity and strengthen our cash position, we de-levered during the first quarter of 2020 and took steps to manage our portfolio through the unprecedented market volatility and preserve long-term stockholder value, including completing various transactions to reposition our portfolio. Consistent with our business strategy of using our Agency MBS portfolio as a source of liquidity, we sold our Agency RMBS portfolio during the first quarter. The proceeds from the sale were used to pay off related financing indebtedness and to strengthen our balance sheet. Following this sale and giving effect to our operations in the second quarter, approximately 75% of our investment portfolio was residential mortgage loans of which 92%, or $12.0 billion, are in securitization trusts which are consolidated on our balance sheet under GAAP.  Those securitizations trusts have issued $8.3 billion in securitized debt to third parties and we have retained the first loss subordinate debt in those securitizations trusts. See note 8 for further detail.

While market conditions are challenging, we have continued our business strategy of buying residential mortgage loans and securitizing them. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we closed on $905 million of residential mortgage loans. We sponsored two securitizations of $883 million during first quarter, two securitizations of $715 million during second quarter of 2020 and one of $338 million in early July 2020. These securitizations reduced our warehouse financing risk and put in place longer term financing by selling senior securities from the securitization trusts.

We have also taken action to limit our exposure to repurchase agreement financing to reduce margin call risk. As of June 30, 2020, our outstanding secured financing agreements which includes repurchase agreements were approximately $5.9 billion, compared to $13.4 billion at December 31, 2019, representing a reduction of approximately 56%. In addition, thus far during 2020 we have obtained and aggregate of $1.3 billion of Non-Agency and Loan financing on a non-mark-to-market basis and an additional $1.1 billion on longer term credit financing facilities that mature in 2021 or later. We believe these actions provide more stability and certainty to our credit financing strategy. Non-mark-to-market and Longer term Non-Agency and Loan financing represents approximately 78% of our credit repurchase facilities as of June 30, 2020. Financing for our Agency CMBS portfolio continues to be available at relatively attractive terms, given the current rate environment.

In April 2020, we completed the issuance of $374 million aggregate principal amount of 7.00% convertible senior notes due 2023. After deducting the underwriting discount and offering costs, we received $362 million. At completion of the offering, these notes were convertible at the option of the holder at a conversion rate of 153.8461 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of convertible senior notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $6.50 per common share). Upon conversion of these notes by a holder, the holder will receive shares of our common stock. As of June 30, 2020, approximately $299 million of senior notes have been converted into approximately 46 million shares of our common stock.

On June 8, 2020, we entered into a $400 million senior secured, non-mark-to-market credit agreement with certain lenders. Pursuant to the credit agreement, we pledged approximately $550 million of existing assets, including approximately $482 million of securities from our sponsored mortgage loan securitizations, related risk retention securities, and resecuritizations. The net funds, after paying off any related financing facilities, are expected to be used by us to finance the acquisition of mortgage assets, including residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities within our targeted asset classes. In connection with the credit agreement, we issued warrants to each of the lenders, which provides the lenders the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 20,300,000 shares of our common stock, at a price of $0.01 per share, representing approximately 7.7% of our common stock after giving effect to the issuance of the warrant shares. We are permitted to settle any exercise of the warrants in cash at a price of 90% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of exercise.


50



We continue to seek attractive financing terms for the portfolio; however, no assurance can be given as to whether, when or what may be the terms of any such financing.

Our book value per common share was $10.63 as of June 30, 2020, down from $16.15 as of December 31, 2019. Our book value is based on June 30, 2020 issued and outstanding common shares and excludes the warrant shares discussed above. The decline in book value was a result of the market conditions discussed above.

Common Stock Buyback

On March 13, 2020, we announced a reauthorization of $150 million common stock buyback program. We did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the second quarter of 2020. As of June 30, 2020, we had repurchased approximately $22 million of common stock under the program.

2020 Common Stock Dividends

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, we declared dividends to common shareholders of $70 million and $164 million, or $0.30 and $0.80, per share, respectively.

We will continue to monitor market conditions and the potential impact the ongoing volatility and uncertainty may have on our business. Our board of directors will continue to evaluate the payment of dividends as market conditions evolve, and no definitive determination has been made at this time. While the terms and timing of the approval and declaration of cash dividends, if any, on shares of our capital stock is at the sole discretion of our board of directors and we cannot predict how market conditions may evolve, we intend to distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income determined before applying the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding net capital gains consistent with our intention to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code.

Business Operations

Net Income Summary

The table below presents our net income on a GAAP basis for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.




51



Net Income
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

For the Quarters Ended
For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
Net interest income:




Interest income (1)
$
245,922

$
339,914

$
546,189

$
690,303

Interest expense (2)
129,256

198,110

271,339

401,060

Net interest income
116,666

141,804

274,850

289,243

 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in provision for credit losses
(4,497
)

1,817


 
 
 
 
 
Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses



(4,853
)
 
 
 
 
 
Other investment gains (losses):
 

 

 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

(132,171
)
201,000

(221,486
)
Realized gains (losses) on terminations of interest rate swaps

(95,211
)
(463,966
)
(203,257
)
Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives

(9,697
)
(41,086
)
(16,974
)
Net gains (losses) on derivatives

(237,079
)
(304,052
)
(441,717
)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value
(171,921
)
190,748

(432,809
)
391,561

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
26,380

(7,526
)
102,234

1,077

Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt
459

(608
)
459

(608
)
Total other gains (losses)
(145,082
)
(54,465
)
(634,168
)
(49,687
)
 
 
 
 
 
Other expenses:
 

 





Compensation and benefits
10,255

12,114

23,190

26,484

General and administrative expenses
6,562

6,217

12,239

12,019

Servicing fees
9,473

9,280

19,462

18,243

Transaction expenses
4,710

813

9,616

895

Total other expenses
31,000

28,424

64,507

57,641

Income (loss) before income taxes
(54,919
)
58,915

(425,642
)
177,062

Income taxes
36

155

68

155

Net income (loss)
$
(54,955
)
$
58,760

$
(425,710
)
$
176,907










Dividends on preferred stock
18,438

18,438

36,875

35,829










Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
$
(73,393
)
$
40,322

$
(462,585
)
$
141,078










Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders:








Basic
$
(0.37
)
$
0.22

$
(2.39
)
$
0.75

Diluted
$
(0.37
)
$
0.21

$
(2.39
)
$
0.75










Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 

 





Basic
199,282,790

187,153,007

193,150,696

187,132,842

Diluted
199,282,790

188,271,483

193,150,696

188,254,266

 
 
 
 
 





Dividends declared per share of common stock
$
0.30

$
0.50

$
0.80

$
1.00


(1) Includes interest income of consolidated VIEs of $169,127 and $200,703 for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $343,809 and $407,814 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

(2) Includes interest expense of consolidated VIEs of $70,816 and $87,529 for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $135,445 and $178,556 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 8 to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.





52



Results of Operations for the Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Beginning in March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the U.S. and global economies including the mortgage REIT industry and impacted our business and our results of operations. Because of the size and breadth of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 are not yet known and may not emerge for some time. As discussed above, the significant dislocation in the financial markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a sharp decrease in interest rates, credit spread widening and an unprecedented illiquidity in secured financing agreements and MBS markets which in turn has negatively affected asset pricing on our portfolio.

We have taken steps to respond to current market conditions, enhance our liquidity and strengthen our cash position by, among other things, selling our Agency RMBS portfolio and using the proceeds to pay off related financing indebtedness and hedging, closing five securitizations and reducing short term repurchase agreement financing risk and establishing longer term financing. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions in the real estate and financial markets have negatively affected and is expected to continue to negatively affect our business. We have also adopted current expected credit losses (or CECL) accounting guidance beginning January 1, 2020. The factors described above and throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (particularly as related to COVID-19) have driven the majority of our results of operations for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 and are expected to continue to impact our results of operations in future periods. Thus, our results of operations should be read and viewed in the context of these unprecedented conditions and related future uncertainty.

Our primary source of income is interest income earned on our assets, net of interest expense paid on our financing liabilities.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, our net loss available to common shareholders was $73 million, or $0.37 per average basic common share, compared to net income of $40 million, or $0.22 per average basic common share for the same period in 2019. The net loss available to common shareholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to the same period gain in 2019, was primarily due to a net unrealized loss of $172 million on financial instruments at fair value as compared to net unrealized gains of $191 million in 2019. Additionally, there were no gains or losses on derivatives for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a $237 million net loss on derivatives in 2019, which offset the 2019 unrealized gains on financial instruments at fair value.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, our net loss available to common shareholders was $463 million, or $2.39 per average basic common share, compared to a net income of $141 million, or $0.75 per average basic common share for the same period in 2019. The net loss available to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to portfolio repositioning efforts and downward asset pricing of our portfolio because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had net unrealized losses on financial instruments at fair value of $433 million and net losses on derivatives of $304 million, partially offset by net interest income of $275 million and gains on sales of investments of $102 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Interest Income

The changes in our interest income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019, are primarily driven by selling of our Agency RMBS portfolio and adoption of CECL guidance.

Interest income decreased by $94 million, or 28%, to $246 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $340 million for the same period in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, interest income decreased by $144 million, or 21%, to $546 million, as compared to $690 million for the same period in 2019. The decline in interest income for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily due to the sale of the Agency RMBS portfolio to respond to current market conditions driven by COVID-19 disruptions. The sale of the Agency RMBS portfolio reduced our interest income earned on Agency RMBS by $73 million and $115 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019. Additionally, the adoption of CECL guidance resulted in a reduction of yields on certain Non-Agency RMBS investments causing a decrease in interest income earned of approximately $17 million and $28 million, respectively for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019 in the Non-Agency RMBS portfolio.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $69 million, or 35%, to $129 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $198 million for the same period in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, interest expense decreased by $130 million, or 32%, to $271 million, as compared to $401 million for the same period in 2019. The decline in interest expense for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019, were primarily driven by Federal Funds rate cuts, a reduction on secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency MBS and lower borrowing rates on our Securitized Debt collateralized by Loans held for investments for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same periods in 2019.

53




Interest expense for GAAP reporting does not include the periodic costs of our derivatives, which are reported separately in our GAAP financial statements.

Economic Net Interest Income

Our “Economic net interest income” is a non-GAAP financial measure that equals GAAP net interest income excluding net realized gains or losses on interest rate swaps, interest expense on long term debt and any interest earned on cash. Realized gains or losses on our interest rate swaps are the periodic net settlement payments made or received. For the purpose of computing Economic net interest income and ratios relating to cost of funds measures throughout this section, interest expense includes net payments on our interest rate swaps, which is presented as a part of Net realized gains (losses) on derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest rate swaps are used to manage the increase in interest paid on secured financing agreements in a rising rate environment. Presenting the net contractual interest payments on interest rate swaps with the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities reflects our total contractual interest payments. We believe this presentation is useful to investors because it depicts the economic value of our investment strategy by showing actual interest expense and net interest income. However, Economic net interest income should not be viewed in isolation and is not a substitute for net interest income computed in accordance with GAAP. Where indicated, interest expense, including interest payments on interest rate swaps, is referred to as Economic interest expense. Where indicated, net interest income reflecting interest payments on interest rate swaps, is referred to as Economic net interest income.

The following table reconciles the Economic net interest income to GAAP Net interest income for the periods presented.
 
GAAP
Interest
Income

GAAP
Interest
Expense
Net Realized (Gains)
Losses on Interest Rate Swaps
Interest Expense on Long Term Debt
Economic Interest
Expense

GAAP Net Interest
Income
Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on Interest Rate Swaps
Other (1)
Economic
Net
Interest
Income
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
$
245,922


$
129,256

$

$
(4,391
)
$
124,865


$
116,666

$

$
4,358

$
121,024

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
$
300,266


$
142,083

$
6,385

$

$
148,468


$
158,183

$
(6,385
)
$
(1,266
)
$
150,532

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
$
340,662


$
169,203

$
5,409

$

$
174,612


$
171,459

$
(5,409
)
$
(1,664
)
$
164,386

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
$
330,144


$
188,551

$
963

$

$
189,514


$
141,593

$
(963
)
$
(2,465
)
$
138,165

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
$
339,914


$
198,110

$
(3,923
)
$

$
194,187


$
141,804

$
3,923

$
(2,237
)
$
143,490

(1) Primarily interest expense on Long term debt and interest income on cash and cash equivalents.

Net Interest Rate Spread

The following table shows our average earning assets held, interest earned on assets, yield on average interest earning assets, average debt balance, economic interest expense, economic average cost of funds, economic net interest income and net interest rate spread for the periods presented.

54



 
For the Quarter Ended

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

(dollars in thousands)

(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Yield/Cost

Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Yield/Cost
Assets:
 
 
 

 
 
 
Interest-earning assets (1):
 
 
 

 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
132,915

$
682

2.1
%

$
8,866,523

$
73,652

3.3
%
Agency CMBS
2,223,629

20,161

3.6
%

2,138,240

19,573

3.7
%
Non-Agency RMBS
1,758,255

57,515

13.1
%

1,918,451

74,618

15.6
%
Loans held for investment
13,202,723

167,531

5.1
%

11,906,654

169,834

5.7
%
Total
$
17,317,522

$
245,889

5.7
%

$
24,829,868

$
337,677

5.4
%










Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
 
 
 


 
 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities: 
 
 
 


 
 
 

Secured financing agreements collateralized by:













Agency RMBS
$
77,114

$
228

1.2
%

$
8,566,949

$
55,147

2.6
%
Agency CMBS
2,188,202

2,346

0.4
%

1,896,296

11,601

2.4
%
Non-Agency RMBS
1,292,934

22,408

6.9
%

1,284,996

13,155

4.1
%
Loans held for investment
2,978,013

27,338

3.7
%

2,892,756

26,755

3.7
%
Securitized debt
8,459,641

72,545

3.4
%

7,943,504

87,529

4.4
%
Total
$
14,995,904

$
124,865

3.3
%

$
22,584,501

$
194,187

3.4
%














Economic net interest income/net interest rate spread
 

$
121,024

2.4
%

 

$
143,490

2.0
%














Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin
$
2,321,618

 

2.8
%

$
2,245,367

 

2.3
%














Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest bearing liabilities
1.15

 

 


1.10

 

 















(1) Interest-earning assets at amortized cost













(2) Interest includes net cash paid/received on swaps















55



 
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Yield/Cost
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Yield/Cost
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
2,715,407

$
43,345

3.2
%
 
$
9,198,082

$
158,297

3.4
%
Agency CMBS
2,213,342

40,860

3.7
%
 
2,052,818

38,523

3.8
%
Non-Agency RMBS
1,816,723

118,529

13.0
%
 
1,866,132

146,145

15.7
%
Loans held for investment
13,430,616

342,157

5.1
%
 
12,010,129

343,530

5.7
%
Total
$
20,176,088

$
544,891

5.4
%
 
$
25,127,161

$
686,495

5.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities: 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Secured financing agreements collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
2,551,002

$
27,342

2.1
%
 
$
8,683,452

$
109,183

2.5
%
Agency CMBS
$
2,142,221

$
14,706

1.4
%
 
1,792,056

26,877

3.0
%
Non-Agency RMBS
1,320,438

32,073

4.9
%
 
1,237,309

25,345

4.1
%
Loans held for investment
3,417,370

60,229

3.5
%
 
2,803,420

51,715

3.7
%
Securitized debt
8,251,762

138,984

3.4
%
 
8,124,730

178,556

4.4
%
Total
$
17,682,793

$
273,334

3.1
%
 
$
22,640,967

$
391,676

3.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic net interest income/net interest rate spread
 
$
271,557

2.3
%
 
 

$
294,819

2.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin
$
2,493,295

 
2.7
%
 
$
2,486,193

 

2.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest bearing liabilities
1.14

 
 
 
1.11

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Interest-earning assets at amortized cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) Interest includes net cash paid/received on swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Economic Net Interest Income and the Average Earning Assets

Our Economic net interest income (which is a non-GAAP measure, see “Economic net interest income” discussion earlier for details) decreased by $22 million to $121 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 from $143 million for the same period of 2019. Our Economic net interest income decreased by $23 million to $272 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $295 million for the same period of 2019. Our net interest rate spread, which equals the yield on our average interest-earning assets less the economic average cost of funds, increased by 40 and 30 basis points for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2019. The net interest margin, which equals the Economic net interest income as a percentage of the net average balance of our interest-earning assets less our interest-bearing liabilities, increased by 50 and 40 basis points for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2019. Our Average net interest-earning assets increased by $76 million to $2.3 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $2.2 billion for the same period of 2019. Our Average net interest-earning assets remained relatively unchanged at $2.5 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The increase in our net interest rate spread and net interest margin is primarily due to the decline in interest rates on our financing arrangements. Following the sale of our Agency RMBS portfolio in the first quarter of 2020, we expect that our total Economic net interest income will decline over the near term as our interest earnings asset balances will be lower and financing expenses are expected to be higher.

Economic Interest Expense and the Cost of Funds

The borrowing rate at which we are able to finance our assets using secured financing agreements and securitized debt is typically correlated to LIBOR and the term of the financing. The table below shows our average borrowed funds, Economic interest expense, average cost of funds (inclusive of realized losses on interest rate swaps), average one-month LIBOR, average three-month LIBOR and average one-month LIBOR relative to average three-month LIBOR.

56



 
Average Debt Balance
Economic Interest Expense (1)
Average Cost of Funds
Average One-Month LIBOR
Average Three-Month LIBOR
Average One-Month LIBOR Relative to Average Three-Month LIBOR
 
(Ratios have been annualized, dollars in thousands)
For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
$
14,995,904

$
124,865

3.33
%
0.35
%
0.60
%
(0.25
)%
For The Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
$
19,834,389

$
148,468

2.99
%
1.40
%
1.53
%
(0.13
)%
For The Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
$
22,237,809

$
174,612

3.14
%
1.79
%
1.93
%
(0.14
)%
For The Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
$
22,415,775

$
189,514

3.38
%
2.18
%
2.20
%
(0.02
)%
For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
$
22,584,501

$
194,187

3.44
%
2.44
%
2.51
%
(0.07
)%
(1) Includes effect of realized losses on interest rate swaps.

Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $8 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same period of 2019. Economic interest expense decreased by $69 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same period of 2019. The decrease in average interest-bearing liabilities and Economic interest expense is a result of the decrease in the amount of our secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency MBS, the decrease in average one-month and three-month LIBOR and the sale of our Agency RMBS portfolio during first quarter of 2020. While we may use interest rate hedges to mitigate changes in interest rate risks, the hedges may not fully offset interest expense movements.

Provision for Credit Losses

On January 1, 2020 we adopted accounting standards update (or ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which replaced incurred credit loss model to a current expected credit loss (or CECL) model for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and required us to record reserves for available-for-sale (or AFS) debt securities for all expected (rather than incurred) credit losses of the asset rather than reduce the carrying amount, as we did under the old other than temporary impairment (or OTTI) model. This update also revised the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities. The changes in the loss reserves created in accordance with this update have been recorded in earnings. Expected credit losses were limited to the amount of the unrealized loss on the debt securities impacted by the update. We did not record expected credit losses where the debt security was in an unrealized gain position.

The update did not have any impact on financial instruments which were carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. The update required us to record a cumulative-effect adjustment related to the financial instruments under the scope of this update to the statement of financial position at the effective date. As all financial instruments impacted by the update were in an unrealized gain position as of the transition date, there was no impact on the financial statements on transition date and no cumulative-effect adjustment was required. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded a decrease in provision for credit losses of $4.5 million and an increase in provision for credit losses of $1.8 million, respectively. The increases and decreases in provision for credit losses were primarily driven by changes in expected losses and delinquencies during the reported periods.

Net Gains (losses) on derivatives

As discussed earlier, we removed all of our derivative positions during the first quarter of 2020 in response to market disruptions driven by COVID-19. Our interest rate swaps are primarily used to economically hedge the effects of changes in interest rates on our portfolio, specifically our secured financing agreements. Therefore, we included the periodic interest costs of the interest rate swaps for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 on these economic hedges in our presentation of economic net interest income and our net interest spreads. As we do not account for these as hedges for GAAP presentation, we present these gains and losses separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The increase in the net periodic interest cost of the interest rate swaps during the six ended June 30, 2020 are primarily due to lower floating receive rates driven by lower LIBOR rates, compared to fixed higher pay rates on our swap portfolio as compared to the same period of 2019.

The table below shows a summary of our net gains (losses) on derivative instruments, for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

57



 
For the Quarters Ended
For the Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)
Periodic interest income (expense) on interest rate swaps, net
$

$
3,923

$
(6,386
)
$
9,384

Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net:
 

 

 



Swaps Terminations

(95,211
)
(463,966
)
(203,257
)
Treasury Futures

(13,544
)
(34,700
)
(26,123
)
Swaptions

(76
)

(235
)
Total realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net

(108,831
)
(498,666
)
(229,615
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net:
 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps

(130,639
)
204,611

(224,714
)
Treasury Futures

(1,197
)
(3,611
)
4,128

Swaptions

(335
)

(900
)
Total unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net:

(132,171
)
201,000

(221,486
)
Total gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net
$

$
(237,079
)
$
(304,052
)
$
(441,717
)

The net gains and losses on our derivatives include both unrealized and realized gains and losses. Realized gains and losses include the net cash paid and received on our interest rate swaps during the period as well as sales and settlements of our Treasury Futures and swaptions. All of our interest rate swaps pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a floating rate of interest. Therefore, as the floating rate leg of the swap declines, the fair value of the interest rate swaps also declines.

Unrealized gains and losses include the change in market value, period over period, on our derivatives portfolio, including any reversals of any mark-to-market losses taken on derivatives in prior periods upon settlement. We did not have any derivatives during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. We recognized total net losses on derivatives of $237 million during quarter ended June 30, 2019, driven by swap terminations and unrealized losses. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized total net losses on derivatives of $304 million, compared to net losses on derivatives of $442 million during the same period of 2019.

We paid $464 million to terminate interest rate swaps with a notional value of $4.1 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The terminated swaps had original maturities of 2023 to 2048. We paid $203 million to terminate interest rate swaps with a notional value of $2.8 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

We closed our short Treasury futures positions during the first quarter of 2020. We had net realized losses of $14 million on our short Treasury futures positions for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. We had net realized losses of $35 million and $26 million on our short Treasury futures positions for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. The realized losses on Treasury futures were driven by the declines in interest rates which reduces the value of our short Treasury futures. Treasury futures are not included in our economic interest expense and economic net interest income. We closed our swaption position during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments at Fair Value

The disruptions of the financial markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused credit spread widening, a sharp decrease in interest rates and unprecedented illiquidity in secured financing agreements and MBS markets. These conditions have put significant downward pressure on our portfolio's market pricing. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, our MBS and loan assets in aggregate experienced mark to market losses of $600 million which were offset partially by reduction in mark to market of liabilities of $167 million. We recorded Net unrealized losses on financial instruments at fair value for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 of $172 million and $433 million, respectively, as compared to the Net unrealized gains on financial instruments at fair value for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019 of $191 million and $392 million, respectively.

Gains and Losses on Sales of Assets and Extinguishment of Securitized Debt

We do not forecast sales of investments as we generally expect to invest for long term gains. However, from time to time, we may sell assets to create liquidity necessary to pursue new opportunities, achieve targeted leverage ratios as well as for gains when prices indicate a sale is most beneficial to us, or is the most prudent course of action to maintain a targeted risk adjusted yield for our investors.

58




In response to the current disruptions in the financial market and to strengthen our liquidity position, we sold all of our Agency RMBS portfolio during the first quarter of 2020. Additionally, we sold some of our Agency CMBS and Non-Agency RMBS investments during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. We had net realized gains on sales of investments of $26 million and $102 million during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, we had net realized losses of $8 million and net realized gains of $1 million on sales of investments.

When we acquire our outstanding securitized debt, we extinguish the outstanding debt and recognize a gain or loss based on the difference between the carrying value of the debt and the cost to acquire the debt which is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a gain or loss on extinguishment of debt. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, the we did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, we acquired securitized debt collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS with an amortized cost balance of $2.9 million for $3.5 million. This transaction resulted in a net loss on extinguishment of debt of $608 thousand.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, we acquired securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investment with an amortized cost balance of $147.1 million for $146.7 million. This transaction resulted in net gain on extinguishment of debt of $459 thousand. We did not acquire any securitized debt collateralized by loans held for investments during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Long Term Debt Expense

During second quarter of 2020, we issued $374 million aggregate principal amount of 7.00% convertible senior notes due 2023 that pays semi-annual interest. As of June 30, 2020, approximately $299 million of senior notes were converted into approximately 46 million shares of our common stock. At June 30, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of these notes was $74 million and the accrued interest payable on this debt was $1 million. At June 30, 2020, the unamortized deferred debt issuance cost was $2 million, and the net interest expense was $4 million.

Compensation, General and Administrative Expenses and Transaction Expenses

The table below shows our total compensation and benefit expense, general and administrative, or G&A expenses, and transaction expenses as compared to average total assets and average equity for the periods presented.
 
Total Compensation, G&A and Transaction Expenses
Total Compensation, G&A and Transaction Expenses/Average Assets
Total Compensation, G&A and Transaction Expenses/Average Equity
 
(Ratios have been annualized, dollars in thousands)
For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
$
21,527

0.46
%
2.59
%
For The Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
$
23,518

0.41
%
2.61
%
For The Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
$
24,831

0.36
%
2.50
%
For The Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
$
22,134

0.32
%
2.22
%
For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
$
19,144

0.27
%
1.93
%

Compensation and benefit costs were $10 million and $12 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $23 million and $26 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in Compensation and benefit costs were primarily driven by lower bonus accruals and stock based compensation.

G&A expenses were $7 million and $6 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The G&A expenses are primarily comprised of legal, market data and research, auditing, consulting, information technology, and independent investment consulting expenses.

We incurred transaction expenses in relation to securitizations of $5 million and $813 thousand for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $10 million and $895 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is driven by higher securitization activity during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019.

Servicing Fees

Servicing fees expenses were $9 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, servicing fees were $19 million and $18 million. These servicing fees are primarily related to the servicing

59



costs of the whole loans held in consolidated securitization vehicles and are paid from interest income earned by the VIEs. The servicing fees generally range from 20 to 50 basis points of unpaid principal balances of our consolidated VIEs.

Core earnings

Core earnings is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as GAAP net income excluding unrealized gains on the aggregate portfolio, provision for credit losses, interest expense on long term debt, impairment losses, realized gains on sales of investments, realized gains or losses on futures, realized gains or losses on swap terminations, gain on deconsolidation, extinguishment of debt and expenses incurred in relation to securitizations. In addition, stock compensation expense charges incurred on awards to retirement eligible employees is reflected as an expense over a vesting period (36 months) rather than reported as an immediate expense.

As defined, core earnings include interest income and expense, as well as periodic cash settlements on interest rate swaps used to hedge interest rate risk and other expenses. Core earnings is inclusive of preferred dividend charges, compensation and benefits (adjusted for awards to retirement eligible employees), general and administrative expenses, servicing fees, as well as income tax expenses incurred during the period. Management believes that the presentation of core earnings provides investors with a useful measure but has important limitations. We believe core earnings as described above helps us evaluate our financial performance period over period without the impact of certain transactions but is of limited usefulness as an analytical tool. Therefore, core earnings should not be viewed in isolation and is not a substitute for net income or net income per basic share computed in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our methodology for calculating core earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and accordingly, our reported core earnings may not be comparable to the core earnings reported by other REITs.

The following table provides GAAP measures of net income and net income per diluted share available to common stockholders for the periods presented and details with respect to reconciling the line items to core earnings and related per average diluted common share amounts. The Core earnings is presented on an adjusted dilutive shares basis. The adjusted dilutive shares used for core earnings is a non-GAAP measure which includes the GAAP dilutive shares of 199 million, adjusted for potentially dilutive shares of 43 million less the dilutive effect of approximately 5 million shares on warrants issued in second quarter of 2020.  We exclude the dilutive effect of the warrants as the warrant holders do not participate in dividends. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.
 
For the Quarters Ended
 
June 30, 2020
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
September 30, 2019
June 30, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
GAAP Net income available to common stockholders
$
(73,393
)
$
(389,193
)
$
111,881

$
87,888

$
40,322

Adjustments:
 









Interest expense on long term debt
4,391





Increase (decrease) in provision for credit losses
(4,497
)
6,314




Net unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives

(201,000
)
(83,656
)
(31,620
)
132,171

Net unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value
171,921

260,887

112,751

(130,825
)
(190,748
)
Net realized (gains) losses on sales of investments
(26,380
)
(75,854
)
(17,687
)
(1,596
)
7,526

(Gains) losses on extinguishment of debt
(459
)

(9,926
)

608

Realized (gains) losses on terminations of interest rate swaps

463,966

8,353

148,114

95,211

Net realized (gains) losses on Futures (1)

34,700

(8,229
)
19,138

13,544

Transaction expenses
4,710

4,906

6,639

3,415

812

Stock Compensation expense for retirement eligible awards
(273
)
1,189

(45
)
(145
)
(144
)
Core Earnings
$
76,020

$
105,915

$
120,081

$
94,369

$
99,302












GAAP net income per diluted common share
$
(0.37
)
$
(2.08
)
$
0.59

$
0.47

$
0.21

Core earnings per adjusted diluted common share (2)
$
0.32

$
0.56

$
0.64

$
0.50

$
0.53












(1) Included in net realized gains (losses) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) We note that core and taxable earnings will typically differ, and may materially differ, due to differences on realized gains and losses on investments and related hedges, credit loss recognition,
      timing differences in premium amortization, accretion of discounts, equity compensation and other items.


60



Our core earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 were $76 million, or $0.32 per average diluted common share and declined by $23 million, or $0.21, as compared to $99 million, or $0.53 per average diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The decline in core earnings were driven by decline in interest income driven by sale of our Agency RMBS portfolio and higher diluted common shares denominator due to conversions of convertible debt into common shares.

Net Income (Loss) and Return on Total Stockholders' Equity

The table below shows our Net Income and Economic Net Interest Income as a percentage of average stockholders' equity and Core Earnings as a percentage of average common stockholders' equity. Return on average equity is defined as our GAAP net income (loss) as a percentage of average equity.  Average equity is defined as the average of our beginning and ending stockholders' equity balance for the period reported. Economic Net Interest Income and Core Earnings are non-GAAP measures as defined in previous sections.

 
Return on Average Equity
Economic Net Interest Income/Average Equity *
Core Earnings/Average Common Equity
 
(Ratios have been annualized)
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020
(6.62
)%
14.58
%
12.72
%
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
(41.21
)%
16.73
%
15.88
%
For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
13.12
 %
16.55
%
15.78
%
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2019
10.68
 %
13.88
%
12.37
%
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
5.93
 %
14.49
%
13.10
%
* Includes effect of realized losses on interest rate swaps and excludes long term debt expense.

Return on average equity decreased for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the same period of 2019, driven by lower net interest income due to sale of Agency RMBS portfolio and higher unrealized mark to market losses on our financial instruments due to COVID-19 related market disruptions. Economic net interest income as a percentage of average equity increased slightly by 9 basis points for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019. Our Economic Net Interest Income declined by $22 million to $121 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 from $143 million for the same period of 2019. Core earnings as a percentage of average common equity decreased by 38 basis points for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by decline in interest income due to the sale of our Agency RMBS portfolio.

Financial Condition

Portfolio Review

In a response to current disruptions in financial markets caused by COVID-19, we have taken steps to enhance our liquidity and strengthen our cash position. We have sold our Agency RMBS portfolio to bolster liquidity and de-lever our balance sheet. We used the proceeds from our Agency MBS sales to pay off related secured financing agreements and derivatives. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, on an aggregate basis, we purchased $1.2 billion of investments, sold $6.6 billion of investments and received $1.6 billion in principal payments related to our Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investments portfolio.

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our portfolio at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

61




June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Interest earning assets at period-end (1)
$
17,940,610

$
26,248,233

Interest bearing liabilities at period-end
$
14,670,326

$
21,740,710

GAAP Leverage at period-end
 4.3:1

5.5:1

GAAP Leverage at period-end (recourse)
 1.8:1

3.4:1

Portfolio Composition, at amortized cost
 

 

Non-Agency RMBS
10.0
%
7.9
%
Senior
5.1
%
4.5
%
Subordinated
3.3
%
2.2
%
Interest-only
1.6
%
1.2
%
Agency RMBS
0.8
%
25.7
%
Pass-through
%
25.1
%
Interest-only
0.8
%
0.6
%
Agency CMBS
13.8
%
11.0
%
Project loans
13.6
%
10.8
%
Interest-only
0.2
%
0.2
%
Loans held for investment
75.4
%
55.4
%
Fixed-rate percentage of portfolio
94.9
%
95.9
%
Adjustable-rate percentage of portfolio
5.1
%
4.1
%
(1) Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

GAAP leverage at period-end is calculated as a ratio of our secured financing agreements and securitized debt liabilities over GAAP book value. GAAP recourse leverage is calculated as a ratio of our secured financing agreements over stockholders equity.

The following table presents details of each asset class in our portfolio at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The principal or notional value represents the interest income earning balance of each class. The weighted average figures are weighted by each investment’s respective principal/notional value in the asset class.
  
June 30, 2020
  
Principal or Notional Value at Period-End
 (dollars in thousands)
Weighted Average Amortized Cost Basis
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Coupon
Weighted Average Yield at Period-End (1)

Weighted Average 3 Month Prepay Rate at Period-End
Weighted Average 12 Month Prepay Rate at Period-End
Weighted Average 3 Month CDR at Period-End
Weighted Average 12 Month CDR at Period-End
Weighted Average Loss Severity(2)
Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior
$
1,697,252

$
51.81

$
79.06

4.6
%
16.8
%
9.3
%
9.5
%
2.3
%
3.5
%
52.0
%
2.8
%
Subordinated
$
893,311

$
62.91

$
58.51

3.6
%
6.4
%
10.7
%
10.2
%
0.4
%
1.0
%
26.7
%
3.8
%
Interest-only
$
6,380,154

$
4.31

$
5.01

1.5
%
15.5
%
22.6
%
16.9
%
1.2
%
1.9
%
51.9
%
%
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Pass-through
$

$

$

%
%
%
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest-only
$
1,425,919

$
9.16

$
7.52

1.4
%
2.1
%
17.6
%
14.5
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
$
2,297,301

$
101.71

$
111.97

3.8
%
3.7
%
%
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest-only
$
1,690,539

$
2.40

$
2.37

0.7
%
5.0
%
9.5
%
3.8
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Loans held for investment
$
13,129,822

$
98.74

$
99.43

5.8
%
5.1
%
8.2
%
8.6
%
1.2
%
1.7
%
51.1
%
N/A

(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end. Weighted Average Yield is calculated using each investment's respective amortized cost.
(2) Calculated based on reported losses to date, utilizing widest data set available (i.e., life-time losses, 12-month loss, etc.)

62



  
December 31, 2019
  
Principal or Notional Value at Period-End
 (dollars in thousands)
Weighted Average Amortized Cost Basis
Weighted Average Fair Value
Weighted Average Coupon
Weighted Average Yield at Period-End (1)

Weighted Average 3 Month Prepay Rate at Period-End
Weighted Average 12 Month Prepay Rate at Period-End
Weighted Average 3 Month CDR at Period-End
Weighted Average 12 Month CDR at Period-End
Weighted Average Loss Severity(2)
Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Senior
$
2,024,567

$
52.98

$
84.01

5.0
%
20.8
%
9.6
%
9.3
%
4.5
%
4.5
%
48.7
%
3.8
%
Subordinated
$
876,592

$
63.15

$
71.25

3.7
%
6.9
%
10.1
%
11.3
%
1.0
%
2.8
%
42.6
%
3.9
%
Interest-only
$
7,458,653

$
4.04

$
3.87

1.1
%
8.4
%
18.3
%
11.0
%
1.6
%
2.4
%
56.0
%
%
Agency RMBS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Pass-through
$
6,080,547

$
102.15

$
104.64

4.0
%
3.4
%
37.4
%
21.9
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest-only
$
1,539,941

$
9.06

$
8.29

1.6
%
4.0
%
14.9
%
9.9
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Agency CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project loans
$
2,621,938

$
101.82

$
106.86

3.7
%
3.6
%
%
0.1
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest-only
$
1,817,246

$
2.81

$
2.70

0.7
%
4.7
%
5.3
%
2.5
%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Loans held for investment
$
13,924,291

$
98.61

$
102.83

5.7
%
5.2
%
8.6
%
8.5
%
1.6
%
1.7
%
52.0
%
N/A

(1) Bond Equivalent Yield at period end. Weighted Average Yield is calculated using each investment's respective amortized cost.
(2) Calculated based on reported losses to date, utilizing widest data set available (i.e., life-time losses, 12-month loss, etc.)

Based on the projected cash flows for our Non-Agency RMBS that are not of high credit quality, a portion of the original purchase discount is designated as Accretable Discount, which reflects the purchase discount expected to be accreted into interest income, and a portion is designated as Non-Accretable Difference, which represents the contractual principal on the security that is not expected to be collected. The amount designated as Non-Accretable Difference 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 is more favorable than previously estimated, a portion of the amount designated as Non-Accretable Difference may be transferred to accretable discount and accreted into interest income over time. Conversely, if the performance of a security is less favorable than previously estimated, a provision for credit loss may be recognized resulting in an increase in the amounts designated as Non-Accretable Difference.

The following table presents changes to Accretable Discount (net of premiums) as it pertains to our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, excluding premiums on IOs, during the previous five quarters.
 
For the Quarters Ended
Accretable Discount (Net of Premiums)
June 30, 2020

March 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

September 30, 2019

June 30, 2019


(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
$
438,232

$
494,255

$
494,780

$
514,095

$
485,040

Accretion of discount
(22,508
)
(24,784
)
(44,342
)
(33,256
)
(35,964
)
Purchases

(4,336
)
(12,541
)
(13,772
)
48,736

Sales and deconsolidation
(23,425
)
438

(786
)
1,536

409

Transfers from/(to) credit reserve, net
18,148

(27,341
)
57,144

26,177

15,874

Balance, end of period
$
410,447

$
438,232

$
494,255

$
494,780

$
514,095


Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Liquidity measures our ability to meet cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay our borrowings, purchase RMBS, residential mortgage loans and other assets for our portfolio, pay dividends and other general business needs. Our principal sources of capital and funds for additional investments primarily include earnings, principal paydowns and sales from our investments, borrowings under securitizations and re-securitizations, secured financing agreements and other financing facilities including warehouse facilities, and proceeds from equity or other securities offerings. 

As discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the COVID-19 pandemic driven disruptions in the real estate and financial markets have negatively affected and is expected to continue to negatively affect our liquidity. During the six months

63



ended June 30, 2020, we have observed a mark-down of a portion of our mortgage assets by the counterparties to our financing arrangements, resulting in us having to pay cash or securities to satisfy higher than historical levels of margin calls. Significant margin calls could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, business, liquidity and ability to make distributions to our stockholders, and could cause the value of our common stock to decline. In addition, we have also experienced an increase in haircuts on financings we have rolled. As haircuts are increased, we will be required to post additional collateral. We may also be forced to sell assets at significantly depressed prices to meet such margin calls and to maintain adequate liquidity. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced margins calls above historical norms. These trends, if continued, will have a negative adverse impact on our liquidity. See the “Market Conditions and our Strategy” section of this “Part I. Item 2. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and related “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for more information on how COVID-19 may impact our liquidity and capital resources. As discussed in greater detail above in “Part I. Item 2. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Conditions and our Strategy,” we have sought longer-term, more durable financing during the second quarter to reduce our risk to margin calls related to shorter-term repurchase financing.

Our ability to fund our operations, meet financial obligations and finance target asset acquisitions may be impacted by our ability to secure and maintain our master secured financing agreements, warehouse facilities and secured financing agreements facilities with our counterparties. Because secured financing agreements and warehouse facilities are short-term commitments of capital, lenders may respond to market conditions making it more difficult for us to renew or replace on a continuous basis our maturing short-term borrowings and have and may continue to impose more onerous conditions when rolling such financings. If we are not able to renew our existing facilities or arrange for new financing on terms acceptable to us, or if we default on our covenants or are otherwise unable to access funds under our financing facilities or if we are required to post more collateral or face larger haircuts, we may have to curtail our asset acquisition activities and/or dispose of assets.

To meet our short term (one year or less) liquidity needs, we expect to continue to borrow funds in the form of secured financing agreements and, subject to market conditions, other types of financing. The terms of the secured financing transaction borrowings under our master secured financing agreement generally conform to the terms in the standard master secured financing agreement as published by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, or SIFMA, or similar market accepted agreements, as to repayment and margin requirements. In addition, each lender typically requires that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the standard master secured financing agreement. Typical supplemental terms and conditions include changes to the margin maintenance requirements, net asset value, required haircuts or the percentage that is subtracted from the value of MBS that collateralizes the financing, purchase price maintenance requirements, and requirements that all disputes related to the secured financing agreement be litigated or arbitrated in a particular jurisdiction. These provisions may differ for each of our lenders. We expect these terms to be more restrictive and onerous in future as a result of current market disruptions.

Based on our current portfolio, leverage ratio and available borrowing arrangements, we believe our assets will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term liquidity requirements. If our cash resources are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may have to sell additional investments, potentially at a loss, issue debt or additional common or preferred equity securities.

To meet our longer-term liquidity needs (greater than one year), we expect our principal sources of capital and funds to continue to be provided by earnings, principal paydowns and sales from our investments, borrowings under securitizations and re-securitizations, secured financing agreements and other financing facilities, as well as proceeds from equity or other securities offerings. If the current market disruptions due to COVID-19 continues for a longer time period it will adversely affect our ability to generate earnings, borrowing under various financing facilities or raise capital by issuing common or preferred equity securities.

In addition to the principal sources of capital described above, we may enter into warehouse facilities and use longer dated structured secured financing agreements. The use of any particular source of capital and funds will depend on market conditions, availability of these facilities, and the investment opportunities available to us.

Current Period

We held cash and cash equivalents of approximately $303 million and $110 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. In our response to COVID-19 pandemic related disruptions we made efforts to increase our liquidity and cash position by $193 million from December 31, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

Our operating activities provided net cash of approximately $18 million and used net cash of approximately $147 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The cash flows from operations were primarily driven by interest

64



received in excess of interest paid during the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 interest received net of interest paid was $305 million and $280 million, respectively. In addition, we used cash of $464 million for payments on swap terminations, which was offset by cash received for realized gains on securities of $102 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The cash used for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was also driven by payments on swap terminations of $203 million and derivative margin of $157 million.

Our investing activities provided cash of $7.0 billion and used cash of $462 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we received cash from sale of Agency RMBS investments of $6.5 billion, and principal repayments on our Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS, and Loans held for investments of $1.6 billion. This cash provided was offset in part by cash used on investment purchases of $1.2 billion, consisting of $885 million in purchases of Loans held for investments, $292 million in Agency CMBS fundings, and $20 million in Non-Agency RMBS purchases. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we received cash for sale of investments of $2.6 billion, and principal repayments on our Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS, and Loans held for investments of $1.6 billion. This cash provided was offset in part by cash used on investment purchases of $3.8 billion, consisting of $2.4 billion in Agency MBS purchases, $1.1 billion in purchases of Loans held for investments and $265 million in Non-Agency RMBS purchases. The $265 million in Non-Agency RMBS purchases comprised primarily of subordinate interest of $188 million in a Freddi Mac seasoned loan pool held in the Hains Point fund. This subordinate interest is not guaranteed by Freddie Mac for interest or principal.

Our financing activities used cash of $6.9 billion and $308 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively which was due to de-levering of our financial position by reducing our secured financing agreements obligations. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we used cash for net payments on our secured financing agreements of $7.5 billion, repayment of principal on our securitized debt of $929 million, and paid common and preferred dividends of $223 million. This cash paid was offset in part by cash received for securitized debt collateralized by loans issuance of $1.5 billion and convertible debt issuance of $361 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we used cash for repayment of principal on our securitized debt of $763 million and for common and preferred dividend paid of $223 million. This cash used was offset in part by cash received from net proceeds on our secured financing agreements of $484 million and Series D preferred stock offering of $193 million.

Our recourse leverage was 1.8:1 and 3.4:1at June 30, 2020 and at December 31, 2019, respectively. The reduction in recourse leverage was a result of reduction in our secured financing agreements liability. Our recourse leverage excludes the securitized debt which can only be repaid from the proceeds on the assets securing this debt in their respective VIEs. Our recourse leverage is presented as a ratio of our secured financing agreements, which are recourse to our assets and our equity.

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the remaining maturities and borrowing rates on our RMBS and loan secured financing agreements were as follows.
 
June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019
 
(dollars in thousands)

Principal
Weighted Average Borrowing Rates
Range of Borrowing Rates

Principal
Weighted Average Borrowing Rates
Range of Borrowing Rates
Overnight
$

 NA
 NA

$

 NA
 NA
1 to 29 days
2,311,122

0.48%
 0.21% - 2.74%

9,709,387

2.26%
1.90% - 3.62%
30 to 59 days
296,041

2.55%
 1.97% - 2.67%

800,648

2.96%
2.15% - 3.52%
60 to 89 days (1)
65,390

2.37%
 2.15% - 2.43%

608,520

3.00%
 2.59% - 3.35%
90 to 119 days

NA
 NA


 NA
 NA
120 to 180 days
191,904

1.96%
 1.66% - 2.93%

809,077

3.38%
3.06% - 3.46%
180 days to 1 year
1,497,192

5.34%
 1.68% - 8.74%

580,886

3.42%
3.26% - 3.51%
1 to 2 years
187,187

2.92%
 1.68% - 4.50 %

427,981

3.28%
3.19% - 3.30%
2 to 3 years
400,000

7.00%
7.00% - 7.00%


 NA
 NA
Greater than 3 years
794,581

3.91%
 1.58% - 5.56 %

491,046

3.20%
3.19% - 3.20%
Total
$
5,743,417

2.93%


$
13,427,545

2.52%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) June 30, 2020 balance excludes $201 million principal related to a secured borrowing which will terminate during third quarter of 2020. The fair value of the collateral on this secured borrowing was $330 million and the interest rate was 18.7%.


65



Average remaining maturity of Secured financing agreements secured by:
 
June 30, 2020
December 31, 2019
Agency RMBS (in thousands)
6 days
14 days
Agency CMBS (in thousands)
15 days
13 days
Non-agency RMBS and Loans held for investment (in thousands)
606 days
255 days

We collateralize the secured financing agreements we use to finance our operations with our MBS investments. Our counterparties negotiate a ‘haircut’, which is the difference expressed in percentage terms between the fair value of the collateral and the amount the counterparty will lend to us, when we enter into a financing transaction. The size of the haircut reflects the perceived risk associated with holding the MBS by the lender. The haircut provides lenders with a cushion for daily market value movements that reduce the need for a margin call to be issued or margin to be returned as normal daily increases or decreases in MBS market values occur. Due to the market disruptions and downward market pricing trends driven by COVID-19, our counterparties have negotiated higher haircuts. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average haircut on our remaining secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency IO investments was 30.8%, Agency CMBS was 5.0% and Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investments was 28.9%. At December 31, 2019, the weighted average haircut on secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency RMBS was 5.0%, Agency CMBS was 5.0% and Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investments was 22.9%. At June 30, 2020, the weighted average borrowing rates for our secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency RMBS was 1.2%, Agency CMBS was 0.3% and Non-Agency MBS and Loans held for investment was 4.5%. At December 31, 2019, the weighted average borrowing rates for our secured financing agreements collateralized by Agency RMBS was 2.1%, Agency CMBS was 2.1% and Non-Agency MBS and Loans held for investment was 3.2%, respectively.

As the fair value of the Non-Agency MBS is more difficult to determine in current financial conditions, as well as more volatile period to period than Agency MBS, the Non-Agency MBS typically requires a larger haircut. In addition, when financing assets using standard form of SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreements, the counterparty to the agreement typically nets its exposure to us on all outstanding repurchase agreements and issues margin calls if movement of the fair values of the assets in the aggregate exceeds their allowable exposure to us. A decline in asset fair values could create a margin call or may create no margin call depending on the counterparty’s specific policy. In addition, counterparties consider a number of factors, including their aggregate exposure to us as a whole and the number of days remaining before the repurchase transaction closes prior to issuing a margin call. See Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion on how we determine the fair values of the RMBS collateralizing our secured financing agreements.

The table below presents our average daily repurchase balance and the repurchase balance at each period end for the periods presented. Our balance at period-end tends to fluctuate from the average daily balances due to the adjusting of the size of our portfolio by using leverage.
Period
Average Repurchase Balance
Repurchase Balance at Period End
 
(dollars in thousands)
Quarter End June 30, 2020
$
6,536,264

$
5,944,201

Quarter End March 31, 2020
$
11,754,793

$
7,146,996

Quarter End December 31, 2019
$
14,479,405

$
13,427,545

Quarter End September 30, 2019
$
14,596,640

$
15,002,106

Quarter End June 30, 2019
$
14,640,997

$
14,514,719


We are not required to maintain any specific leverage ratio. We believe the appropriate leverage for the particular assets we are financing depends on the credit quality and risk of those assets. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the carrying value of our total interest-bearing debt was approximately $14.7 billion and $21.7 billion, respectively, which represented a leverage ratio for both periods of approximately 4.3:1 and 5.5:1. We include our secured financing agreements and securitized debt in the numerator of our leverage ratio and stockholders’ equity as the denominator.

At June 30, 2020, we reduced our exposure to counterparties and had secured financing agreements with 16 counterparties as compared to 31 counterparties at year ended December 31, 2019. All of our secured financing agreements are secured by Agency, Non-Agency RMBS and Loans held for investments and cash. Under these secured financing agreements, we may not be able to reclaim our collateral but will still be obligated to pay our repurchase obligations. We mitigate this risk by ensuring our counterparties are highly rated. As the disruptions due to COVID-19 continues and deteriorate liquidity conditions for our

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counterparties we believe our risk of loss to our collateral posted increases. As of June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, we had $7.4 billion and $15.4 billion, respectively, of securities pledged against our secured financing agreements obligations.

We expect to renew our secured financing agreements at maturity but due to current financial markets disruptions there is a risk that we will not be able to renew them or obtain favorable interest rates and haircuts.

Exposure to Financial Counterparties

We actively manage the number of secured financing agreements counterparties to reduce counterparty risk and manage our liquidity needs. The following table summarizes our exposure to our secured financing agreements counterparties at June 30, 2020:
June 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
Country
Number of Counterparties
Secured Financing Agreement
Interest Rate Swaps at Fair Value
Exposure (1)
(dollars in thousands)
United States
11
$
3,737,104

$

$
1,109,394

Japan
1
949,588


323,571

Switzerland
1
220,796


76,855

Canada
1
517,826


202,560

Netherlands
1
148,269


7,886

South Korea
1
169,834


5,967

Total
16
$
5,743,417

$

$
1,726,233

(1) Represents the amount of securities and/or cash pledged as collateral to each counterparty less the aggregate of secured financing agreement and unrealized loss on swaps for each counterparty.

At June 30, 2020, we did not use credit default swaps or other forms of credit protection to hedge the exposures summarized in the table above.

Stockholders’ Equity

In March 2020, our Board of Directors reauthorized $150 million under our share repurchase program, or the Repurchase Program. Such authorization does not have an expiration date, and at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization. Shares of our common stock may be purchased in the open market, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined at our discretion and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. Among other factors, we intend to only consider repurchasing shares of our common stock when the purchase price is less than the last publicly reported book value per common share. In addition, we do not intend to repurchase any shares from directors, officers or other affiliates. The program does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares, and all repurchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of stock repurchases.

Pursuant to our Repurchase Program, during the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $15.34 per share for a total of $22 million. We did not repurchase any share of common stock during the second quarter of 2020, and there were no stock repurchases during the year ended December 31, 2019. During the second quarter of 2020 we issued approximately 46 million shares of our common stock upon conversion of the $299 million convertible senior notes. Additionally, we issued shares of our common stock as discussed below under “Restricted Stock Grants,” and a de minimis amount under our Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, we declared dividends to common shareholders of $70 million and $164 million, or $0.30 and $0.80, per share, respectively. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, we declared dividends to common shareholders of $95 million and $188 million, or $0.50 and $1.00, per share, respectively.

We declared dividends to Series A preferred stockholders of $3 million and $6 million, or $0.50 and $1.00 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 

67



We declared dividends to Series B preferred stockholders of $7 million and $13 million, or $0.50 and $1.00 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We declared dividends to Series C preferred stockholders of $5 million and $10,075,000, or $0.48 and $0.97 per preferred share during the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $4 million and $8 million, or $0.50 and $1.00, per preferred share during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. We did not declared dividends to Series D preferred stockholders of $7 million, or $0.87 per preferred share during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 (long first dividend period).

Warrants

On June 8, 2020, we entered into a $400 million senior secured, non-mark-to-market credit agreement with certain lenders. Pursuant to the credit agreement, we pledged approximately $550 million of existing assets, including approximately $482 million of securities from our sponsored mortgage loan securitizations, related risk retention securities, and resecuritizations. In connection with the credit agreement, we issued warrants to each of the lenders, which provides the lenders the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 20,300,000 shares of our common stock, at a price of $0.01 per share, representing approximately 7.7% of our common stock after giving effect to the issuance of the warrant shares. We are permitted to settle any exercise of the warrants in cash at a price of 90% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of exercise.

Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Share Unit Grants

Grants of Restricted Stock Units or RSUs
During the six months ended of June 30, 2020 and 2019, we granted RSU awards to senior management. These RSU awards are designed to reward our senior management for services provided to us. Generally, the RSU awards vest equally over a three-year period beginning from the grant date and will fully vest after three years. For employees whose years of service to us plus age is equal to or greater than 65, the service period is considered to be fulfilled and all grants are expensed immediately. The RSU awards are valued at the market price of our common stock on the grant date and generally the employees must be employed by us on the vesting dates to receive the RSU awards. We granted 171 thousand and 306 thousand RSU awards during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2020, with a grant date fair value of $1 million and $4 million, respectively, for the 2020 performance year. We granted 48 thousand and 447 thousand RSU awards during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019, with a grant date fair value of $1 million and $8 million, respectively, for the 2019 performance year.
Grants of Performance Share Units or PSUs
PSU awards are designed to align compensation with our future performance. The PSU awards granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2019 include a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The final number of shares awarded will be between 0% and 200% of the PSUs granted based on our Economic Return compared to a peer group. Our three-year Economic Return is equal to our change in book value per common share plus common stock dividends. Compensation expense will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period based on an estimate of our Economic Return in relation to the entities in the peer group and will be adjusted each period based on our best estimate of the actual number of shares which will vest. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we granted 135 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $3 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we granted 152 thousand PSU awards to senior management with a grant date fair value of $3 million.
At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were approximately 1.9 million and 1.7 million unvested shares of restricted and performance stock units issued to our employees, respectively.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The estimated principal repayment schedule of the securitized debt is based on expected cash flows of the residential mortgage loans or RMBS, as adjusted for expected principal write-downs on the underlying collateral of the debt.

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June 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)
Contractual Obligations
Within One Year
One to Three Years
Three to Five Years
Greater Than or Equal to Five Years
Total
Secured financing agreements
$
4,562,432

$
587,187

$
794,582

$

$
5,944,201

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
15,541

15,522

3,032

451

34,546

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
1,647,991

2,688,204

1,856,959

2,451,374

8,644,528

Interest expense on MBS secured financing agreements (1)
41,057

2,681

4,938


48,676

Interest expense on securitized debt (1)
282,812

403,740

243,563

340,225

1,270,340

Total
$
6,549,833

$
3,697,334

$
2,903,074

$
2,792,050

$
15,942,291

(1) Interest is based on variable rates in effect as of June 30, 2020.
December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Contractual Obligations
Within One Year
One to Three Years
Three to Five Years
Greater Than or Equal to Five Years
Total
Secured financing agreements
$
12,508,518

$
427,981

$
491,046

$

$
13,427,545

Securitized debt, collateralized by Non-Agency RMBS
18,826

18,332

4,453

665

42,276

Securitized debt at fair value, collateralized by loans held for investment
1,582,646

2,563,699

1,791,756

2,129,460

8,067,561

Interest expense on MBS secured financing agreements (1)
36,789

1,249

1,340


39,378

Interest expense on securitized debt (1)
311,848

435,462

259,004

361,241

1,367,555

Total
$
14,458,627

$
3,446,723

$
2,547,599

$
2,491,366

$
22,944,315

(1) Interest is based on variable rates in effect as of December 31, 2019.

Not included in the table above are the unfunded construction loan commitments of $247 million and $540 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, which will primarily be paid within one year of reported periods and are reported under Payable for investments purchased in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

We have made a $150 million capital commitment to Hains Point, LLC (Hains Point), a fund which is consolidated by us as the sole investor in the fund. As of June 30, 2020, we have funded $140 million towards that commitment. Capital calls for investments made in Hains Point are subject to our consent and approval.

We have issued Warrants to purchase 20.3 million shares of our common stock.  See Note 11 for further discussion. At exercise, we will deliver 20.3 million common shares or cash at a price per share equal to 90% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of exercise.  This commitment is not reflected in our issued and outstanding shares and is not included in the calculation of book value per common share or core earnings per adjusted diluted common shares.  We expect a reduction in book value per common share when the warrants are exercised.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, 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 nor do we have any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.

Capital Expenditure Requirements


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At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Dividends

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must pay annual dividends to our stockholders of at least 90% of our taxable income (subject to certain adjustments). We currently do not expect to have any taxable income for 2020 and it is unclear if we will have any taxable income in 2021 or future years. Before we pay any dividend, we must first meet any operating requirements and scheduled debt service on our financing facilities and other debt payable.

Inflation

A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and our distributions will be determined by our Board of Directors consistent with our obligation to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) on an annual basis in order to maintain our REIT qualification; in each case, our activities and financial condition are measured with reference to historical cost or fair market value without considering inflation.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, which requires the use of estimates and assumptions. Management has discussed and reviewed the development, selection, and disclosure of critical accounting estimates with the Company’s Audit Committee. Management believes that the most critical accounting policies and estimates, since these estimates require significant judgment, are interest income, provision for credit losses on Agency MBS, Non-Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans, the determination of the appropriate accounting model for Non-Agency RMBS and the impact of default and prepayment assumptions on RMBS, fair value measurements. Financial results could be materially different if other methodologies were used or if management modified its assumptions.

For a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of accounting guidance recently adopted by the Company or expected to be adopted by the Company in the future.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The primary components of our market risk are related to credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk, extension risk, basis risk and market risk. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe the risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to actively manage that risk and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

Additionally, refer to Item 1A Risk Factors for additional information on effect of COVID-19 pandemic risk.

Credit Risk

Concern about the spread of COVID-19 has caused and is likely to continue to cause business shutdowns, limitations on commercial activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, increased unemployment and commercial property vacancy rates, reduced profitability and ability for property owners to make mortgage payments, and overall economic and financial market instability, all of which may cause an increase in credit risk of our underlying MBS investments. If the effects of COVID-19result in widespread and sustained principal and interest shortfalls on MBS investments in our portfolio, we could incur significant delinquencies, foreclosures and credit losses, particularly if the available collateral is insufficient to cover our exposure. The future effects of COVID-19 on economic activity could negatively affect the collateral values associated with our existing investments, the ability to liquidate the collateral, our ability to obtain additional financing, the future profitability of our investments. Further, in the event of delinquencies, regulatory changes and policies designed to protect borrowers may slow or prevent us from making our business decisions or may result in a delay in our taking remediation actions. See the “Market Conditions and our Strategy” section of this “Part I. Item 2. - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and related “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking

70



Statements,” as well as “Part II. Other Information - Item 1A. Risk Factors” for more information on how COVID-19 may impact the credit quality of our mortgage-related assets.

We are subject to credit risk in connection with our investments in Non-Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans and face more credit risk on assets we own which are rated below ‘‘AAA’’. The credit risk related to these investments pertains to the ability and willingness of the borrowers to pay, which is assessed before credit is granted or renewed and periodically reviewed throughout the loan or security term. We believe that residual loan credit quality, and thus the quality of our assets, is primarily determined by the borrowers’ credit profiles and loan characteristics.

In connection with loan acquisitions, we or a third-party performs an independent review of the mortgage file to assess the origination and servicing of the mortgage loan as well as our ability to enforce the contractual rights in the mortgage. Depending on the size of the loans, we may not review all of the loans in a pool, but rather a sample of loans for diligence review based upon specific risk-based criteria such as property location, loan size, effective loan-to-value ratio, borrower’s credit score and other criteria we believe to be important indicators of credit risk. Additionally, we obtain representations and warranties from each seller with respect to the residential mortgage loans, including the origination and servicing of the mortgage loan as well as the enforceability of the lien on the mortgaged property.  A seller who breaches these representations and warranties in making a loan that we purchase may be obligated to repurchase the loan from us. Our resources include a portfolio management system, as well as third-party software systems. We utilize third-party due diligence firms to perform an independent mortgage loan file review to ensure compliance with existing guidelines. In addition to statistical sampling techniques, we create adverse credit and valuation samples, which we individually review.

Additionally, the Non-Agency RMBS which we acquire for our portfolio are reviewed by us to ensure that they satisfy our risk-based criteria. Our review of Non-Agency RMBS includes utilizing a portfolio management system. Our review of Non-Agency RMBS and other ABS is based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of the risk-adjusted returns on Non-Agency RMBS and other ABS. This analysis includes an evaluation of the collateral characteristics supporting the RMBS such as borrower payment history, credit profiles, geographic concentrations, credit enhancement, seasoning, and other pertinent factors.

Interest Rate Risk

Our net interest income, borrowing activities and profitability could be negatively affected by volatility in interest rates caused by uncertainties stemming from COVID-19. In March 2020, the Federal Reserve lowered the target range for the federal funds rate to a range from 0 to 0.25 percent, citing concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on markets and stress in the energy sector. A prolonged period of extremely volatile and unstable market conditions would likely increase our funding costs and negatively affect market risk mitigation strategies. Higher income volatility from changes in interest rates and spreads to benchmark indices could cause a loss of future net interest income and a decrease in current fair market values of our assets. Fluctuations in interest rates will impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our net income, operating results, or financial condition.

Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our investments and our related debt obligations, which are generally secured financing agreements, warehouse facilities and securitization/re-securitization trusts. Our secured financing agreements and warehouse facilities may be of limited duration that is periodically refinanced at current market rates. We typically mitigate this risk through utilization of derivative contracts, primarily interest rate swap agreements, swaptions, futures and mortgage options.

Given current market volatility and historically low interest rates, we do not currently have any hedges in place to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates.

Interest Rate Effects on Net Interest Income

Our operating results depend, in large part, on differences between the income from our investments and our borrowing costs. Most of our warehouse facilities and secured financing agreements provide financing based on a floating rate of interest calculated on a fixed spread over LIBOR. The fixed spread varies depending on the type of underlying asset which collateralizes the financing. During periods of rising interest rates, the borrowing costs associated with our investments tend to increase while the income earned on our investments may remain substantially unchanged or decrease. This will result in a narrowing of the net interest spread between the related assets and borrowings and may even result in losses. Further, defaults could increase and result in credit losses to us, which could adversely affect our liquidity and operating results. Such delinquencies or defaults could also have an adverse effect on the spread between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing

71



liabilities. We generally do not hedge against credit losses. Hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans and RMBS. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the residential mortgage loans and RMBS will be longer or shorter, which would reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions.

Economic impacts related to COVID-19 have caused fixed income patterns to move away from their historical trends. While benchmark treasury interest rates have fallen, investors and underwriters are hesitant to issue new corporate or consumer loans which has increased rates on new loans. We have experienced historically larger spreads to benchmark rates in the repurchase markets and in some cases availability of repurchase financing has been limited or not available.

Interest Rate Effects on Fair Value

Another component of interest rate risk is the effect changes in interest rates will have on the fair value of the assets we acquire. We face the risk that the fair value of our assets will increase or decrease at different rates than that of our liabilities, including our hedging instruments, if any. We primarily assess our interest rate risk by estimating the duration of our assets compared to the duration of our liabilities and hedges. Duration essentially measures the market price volatility of financial instruments as interest rates change. We generally calculate duration using various financial models and empirical data. Different models and methodologies can produce different duration numbers for the same securities.

It is important to note that the impact of changing interest rates on fair value can change significantly when interest rates change beyond 100 basis points from current levels. Therefore, the volatility in the fair value of our assets could increase significantly when interest rates change beyond 100 basis points. In addition, other factors impact the fair value of our interest rate-sensitive investments and hedging instruments, such as the shape of the yield curve, market expectations as to future interest rate changes and other market conditions. Accordingly, in the event of changes in actual interest rates, the change in the fair value of our assets would likely differ from that shown below and such difference might be material and adverse to our stockholders.

Significant government programs, stimulus plans as well as government purchase and finance programs have had and will continue to have an impact on rates and fair values of fixed income assets. It is unclear the impacts of these actions and how long they will continue to drive the interest rate environment.

Interest Rate Cap Risk

We may also invest in adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans and RMBS. These are mortgages or RMBS in which the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which 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 will not be subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation by caps, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans and RMBS would effectively be limited. This problem will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate RMBS that are not based on mortgages which are fully indexed. In addition, the mortgages or the underlying mortgages in an RMBS may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. This could result in our receipt of less cash income on our adjustable-rate mortgages or RMBS than we need in order to pay the interest cost 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 a substantial portion of our acquisitions of RMBS with borrowings that have interest rates based on indices and re-pricing terms similar to, but of somewhat shorter maturities than, the interest rate indices and re-pricing terms of the mortgages and RMBS. In most cases the interest rate indices and re-pricing terms of our mortgage assets and our funding sources will not be identical, thereby creating an interest rate mismatch between assets and liabilities. Our cost of funds would likely rise or fall more quickly than would our earnings rate on assets. During periods of changing interest rates, such interest rate mismatches could negatively impact our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we may utilize the hedging strategies discussed above. Our analysis of risks is based on our experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of investment decisions by our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results.

We may enter into agreements for long term, non mark-to-market financing facilities at rates that are higher than short term secured financing agreements. Having non-mark-to-market facilities may be useful in this market to prevent significant margin

72



calls or collateral liquidation in a volatile market. If the market normalizes and repurchase rates fall, we may be locked into long term and higher interest expenses than are otherwise available in the market to finance our portfolio.

Our profitability and the value of our portfolio (including derivatives) may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates. The following table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value for our Agency MBS portfolio, if interest rates go up or down 50 and 100 basis points, assuming parallel movements in the yield curves. All changes in income and value are measured as percentage changes from the projected net interest income and portfolio value at the base interest rate scenario. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at June 30, 2020 and various estimates regarding prepayment and all activities are made at each level of rate change. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.
 
 
June 30, 2020
Change in Interest Rate
Projected Percentage Change in Net Interest Income (1)
Projected Percentage Change in Portfolio Value with Effect of Interest Rate Swaps and Other Hedging Transactions (2)
-100 Basis Points
4.44
 %
5.21
 %
-50 Basis Points
4.44
 %
3.93
 %
Base Interest Rate


+50 Basis Points
(16.98
)%
(3.98
)%
+100 Basis Points
(33.92
)%
(7.77
)%
(1) Change in annual economic net interest income. Includes interest expense on interest rate swaps.
(2) Projected Percentage Change in Portfolio Value is based on instantaneous moves in interest rates.

Prepayment Risk

As we receive prepayments of principal on these investments, premiums and discounts on such investments will be amortized or accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in actual or expected prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the investments. Conversely, discounts on such investments are accelerated and accreted into interest income increasing interest income when prepayments increase.

Given the combination of low interest rates, government stimulus and high unemployment, and other disruptions related to COVID-19, it has become more difficult to predict prepayment level for the securities in our portfolio. Actual prepayment results may be materially different than the assumptions we use.

Extension Risk

Management computes the projected weighted-average life of our investments based on assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgages. In general, when fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans or RMBS are acquired via borrowings, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap agreement or other hedging instrument that attempts to fix our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates as the borrowing costs are managed to maintain a net interest spread for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument while the income earned on the fixed and hybrid adjustable-rate assets would remain fixed. In extreme situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

Given the combination of low interest rates, government stimulus and high unemployment, and other disruptions related to COVID-19, it has become more difficult to predict prepayment level for the securities in our portfolio. Actual prepayment results may be materially different than the assumptions we use.


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Basis Risk

We may seek to limit our interest rate risk by hedging portions of our portfolio through interest rate swaps and other types of hedging instruments. Interest rate swaps are generally tied to underlying Treasury benchmark interest rates. Basis risk relates to the risk of the spread between our MBS and underlying hedges widening. Such a widening may cause a decline in the fair value of our MBS that is greater than the increase in fair value of our hedges resulting in a net decline in book value. The widening of mortgage-backed securities yields and Treasury benchmark interest rates may result from a variety of factors such as anticipated or actual monetary policy actions or other market factors.

Given recent market uncertainty, the spread between MBS, hedges and benchmark rates widened significantly. Normal correlations between hedges and portfolio assets did not follow typical patterns and as a result we removed all of the Company’s hedges. It is uncertain when normal market correlations will resume in the fixed income markets.

Market Risk

Market Value Risk

Certain of our available-for-sale securities are reflected at their estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, prepayment speeds, market liquidity, credit quality, and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of these securities would be expected to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of these securities would be expected to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our investments may be adversely impacted.

The uncertainties stemming from COVID-19 has created unprecedented illiquidity and volatility in the financial markets. Our market value risk has significantly increased. The market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have decreased. If this uncertainty continues, we could have a material adverse effect on our net income, operating results, and financial condition.

Real Estate Market Risk

We own assets secured by real property and may own real property directly. Residential property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions and unemployment (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); 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; natural disasters and other acts of God; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay our loans, which could also cause us to incur losses.

Economic impacts related to COVID-19 have caused fixed income patterns to move away from their historical trends. While benchmark treasury interest rates have fallen, investors and underwriters are hesitant to issue new corporate or consumer loans which has increased rates on new loans. Mortgage availability will be a significant deterrent to people seeking to buy a home. Further, given social distancing, sellers and buyers are hesitant to leave their homes or allow strangers to enter their home. Further normal home inspections and appraisals done by third parties visiting the homes for sale may curtail or delay the sales process.

Unemployment levels are rising which may continue for a prolonged period of time which will reduce the number of buyers qualified to apply for a mortgage and to buy a home. Home sales are declining which may continue. It is unclear the impact on home values, but it is reasonable to believe home values will decline as a result of COVID-19. It is unclear when or if the residential real estate market will return to normal levels, which significantly increases real estate market risk for the Company.

Risk Management

Subject to maintaining our REIT status, we seek to manage risk exposure to protect our portfolio of residential mortgage loans, RMBS, and other assets and related debt against the effects of major interest rate changes. We generally seek to manage risk by:

monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the reset index and interest rate related to our RMBS and our financings;
attempting to structure our financing agreements to have a range of different maturities, terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods, rights to post both cash and collateral for margin calls and provisions for non mark-to-market facilities;

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using derivatives, financial futures, swaps, options, caps, floors and forward sales to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of our investments and our borrowings;
using securitization financing to receive the benefit of attractive financing terms for an extended period of time in contrast to short term financing and maturity dates of the investments not included in the securitization; and
actively managing, through assets selection, on an aggregate basis, the interest rate indices, interest rate adjustment periods, and gross reset margins of our investments and the interest rate indices and adjustment periods of our financings.

Our efforts to manage our assets and liabilities are focused on the timing and magnitude of the re-pricing of assets and liabilities. We attempt to control risks associated with interest rate movements. Methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of our interest rate sensitivity “gap,” which is the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities maturing or re-pricing within a given time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities. A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities exceeds interest-rate sensitive assets. During a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to affect net interest income adversely. Because different types of assets and liabilities with the same or similar maturities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or conditions, changes in interest rates may affect net interest income positively or negatively even if an institution were perfectly matched in each maturity category.

The following table sets forth the estimated maturity or re-pricing of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at June 30, 2020. The amounts of assets and liabilities shown within a particular period were determined in accordance with the contractual terms of the assets and liabilities, except adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans, and securities are included in the period in which their interest rates are first scheduled to adjust and not in the period in which they mature and includes the effect of the interest rate swaps. The interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities in the table could vary substantially based on actual prepayments.
June 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)
 
Within 3 Months
3-12 Months
1 Year to 3 Years
Greater than
3 Years
Total
Rate sensitive assets
$
236,727

$
672,310

$
106,089

$
16,943,708

$
17,958,834

Cash equivalents
302,553




302,553

Total rate sensitive assets
$
539,280

$
672,310

$
106,089

$
16,943,708

$
18,261,387

 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate sensitive liabilities
7,582,793

6,340,387

350,343


14,273,523

Interest rate sensitivity gap
$
(7,043,513
)
$
(5,668,077
)
$
(244,254
)
$
16,943,708

$
3,987,864

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative rate sensitivity gap
$
(7,043,513
)
$
(12,711,590
)
$
(12,955,844
)
$
3,987,864

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total rate sensitive assets
(39
)%
(70
)%
(71
)%
22
%
 


Our analysis of risks is based on our management’s experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of investment decisions by our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results shown in the above tables and in the 2019 Form 10-K. These analyses contain certain forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor statement set forth under the heading, “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Cybersecurity Risk           

We have a suite of controls including technology hardware and software solutions as well as regular training sessions on cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies. We have established an incident response team to take steps it determines are appropriate to contain, mitigate and remediate a cybersecurity incident and to respond to the associated business, legal and

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reputational risks. There is no assurance that these efforts will fully mitigate cybersecurity risk and mitigation efforts are not an assurance that no cybersecurity incidents will occur.

The company has been operating remotely since the middle of March 2020. While we feel our remote work environment is secure, cybersecurity attacks may increase to attempt to breach our system and take advantage of employees working from home. Although, technology in employees’ homes may not be as robust as in our offices and could cause the networks, information systems, applications, and other tools available to employees to be more limited or less reliable than in our offices. We have experienced higher than normal phishing and other attempts to access our systems. We have not had a cybersecurity breach and maintain vigilant about our technology platforms, but there is no assurance that all cybersecurity risks will be mitigated.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the second quarter of 2020.

PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Under “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” of our 2019 Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we set forth risk factors related to our business and operations. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in our 2019 Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. As of the date hereof, there have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

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

In March 2020, our Board of Directors reauthorized $150 million under our share repurchase program, or the Repurchase Program. Such authorization does not have an expiration date, and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.

Pursuant to our Repurchase Program, we repurchased in open market transaction approximately 1.4 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $15.34 per share for a total of $22 million during the first quarter of 2020. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the second quarter of 2020. The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Repurchase Program is $128 million as of June 30, 2020.

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Total Number of Common Shares Repurchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of the Purchase
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
3/1/2020 - 3/31/2020
1,437,996

$
15.34

1,437,996

$
22,065,953

$
127,934,047

 
1,437,996

$
15.34

1,437,996

$
22,065,953

$
127,934,047


Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Exhibit
Number
Description
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8

77



3.9
3.10
3.11
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

78



101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
*
This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Matthew Lambiase
 
 
Matthew Lambiase
 
 
(Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
and duly authorized officer of the registrant)
Date: August 6, 2020
 
 


 
By:
/s/ Rob Colligan
 
 
Rob Colligan
 
 
(Chief Financial Officer
 
 
and principal financial officer of the registrant)
Date: August 6, 2020
 
 




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