FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2014
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 March 31, 2014
Commission File Number 001-14951
____________________________________________________________
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Federally chartered instrumentality of the United States | 52-1578738 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. employer identification number) | |
1999 K Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. | 20006 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(202) 872-7700 |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | x |
Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
As of May 2, 2014, the registrant had outstanding 1,030,780 shares of Class A voting common stock, 500,301 shares of Class B voting common stock and 9,392,511 shares of Class C non-voting common stock.
Table of Contents
2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
As of | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 866,585 | $ | 749,313 | |||
Investment securities: | |||||||
Available-for-sale, at fair value | 2,469,092 | 2,483,147 | |||||
Trading, at fair value | 923 | 928 | |||||
Total investment securities | 2,470,015 | 2,484,075 | |||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||
Available-for-sale, at fair value | 3,489,263 | 5,091,600 | |||||
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 1,660,270 | — | |||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 5,149,533 | 5,091,600 | |||||
USDA Securities: | |||||||
Available-for-sale, at fair value | 1,600,659 | 1,553,669 | |||||
Trading, at fair value | 51,102 | 58,344 | |||||
Total USDA Securities | 1,651,761 | 1,612,013 | |||||
Loans: | |||||||
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost | 2,641,714 | 2,570,125 | |||||
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost | 609,464 | 629,989 | |||||
Allowance for loan losses | (7,410 | ) | (6,866 | ) | |||
Total loans, net of allowance | 3,243,768 | 3,193,248 | |||||
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value | 2,503 | 2,617 | |||||
Financial derivatives, at fair value | 11,357 | 19,718 | |||||
Interest receivable (includes $3,317 and $9,276, respectively, related to consolidated trusts) | 65,223 | 107,201 | |||||
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable | 43,873 | 43,904 | |||||
Deferred tax asset, net | 32,818 | 44,045 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 16,917 | 14,046 | |||||
Total Assets | $ | 13,554,353 | $ | 13,361,780 | |||
Liabilities and Equity: | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||
Notes payable: | |||||||
Due within one year | $ | 7,354,271 | $ | 7,338,781 | |||
Due after one year | 5,036,375 | 5,001,169 | |||||
Total notes payable | 12,390,646 | 12,339,950 | |||||
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 312,643 | 261,760 | |||||
Financial derivatives, at fair value | 73,887 | 75,708 | |||||
Accrued interest payable (includes $1,852 and $2,823, respectively, related to consolidated trusts) | 37,104 | 53,772 | |||||
Guarantee and commitment obligation | 40,643 | 39,667 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 13,886 | 9,986 | |||||
Reserve for losses | 6,569 | 6,468 | |||||
Total Liabilities | 12,875,378 | 12,787,311 | |||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) | |||||||
Equity: | |||||||
Preferred stock: | |||||||
Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 58,333 | 58,333 | |||||
Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | 73,306 | — | |||||
Common stock: | |||||||
Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding | 1,031 | 1,031 | |||||
Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding | 500 | 500 | |||||
Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,354,992 shares and 9,354,804 shares outstanding, respectively | 9,355 | 9,355 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 111,477 | 110,722 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax | 14,954 | (16,202 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings | 168,166 | 168,877 | |||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 437,122 | 332,616 | |||||
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock | 241,853 | 241,853 | |||||
Total Equity | 678,975 | 574,469 | |||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 13,554,353 | $ | 13,361,780 |
3
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands except per share amounts) | |||||||
Interest income: | |||||||
Investments and cash equivalents | $ | 5,237 | $ | 5,734 | |||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | 30,112 | 31,721 | |||||
Loans | 14,369 | 24,043 | |||||
Total interest income | 49,718 | 61,498 | |||||
Total interest expense | 34,726 | 33,128 | |||||
Net interest income | 14,992 | 28,370 | |||||
Provision for loan losses | (573 | ) | (430 | ) | |||
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 14,419 | 27,940 | |||||
Non-interest (loss)/income: | |||||||
Guarantee and commitment fees | 6,518 | 6,612 | |||||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities | (7,578 | ) | 4,494 | ||||
Gains on trading assets | 655 | 210 | |||||
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities | 15 | 2 | |||||
(Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned | (3 | ) | 47 | ||||
Other income | 92 | 1,080 | |||||
Non-interest (loss)/income | (301 | ) | 12,445 | ||||
Non-interest expense: | |||||||
Compensation and employee benefits | 4,456 | 4,698 | |||||
General and administrative | 2,794 | 2,917 | |||||
Regulatory fees | 594 | 594 | |||||
Real estate owned operating costs, net | 2 | 126 | |||||
Provision for losses | 101 | 746 | |||||
Non-interest expense | 7,947 | 9,081 | |||||
Income before income taxes | 6,171 | 31,304 | |||||
Income tax (benefit)/expense | (1,141 | ) | 8,716 | ||||
Net income | 7,312 | 22,588 | |||||
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends | (5,547 | ) | (5,547 | ) | |||
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac | 1,765 | 17,041 | |||||
Preferred stock dividends | (952 | ) | (851 | ) | |||
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 813 | $ | 16,190 | |||
Earnings per common share and dividends: | |||||||
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.07 | $ | 1.51 | |||
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.07 | $ | 1.45 | |||
Common stock dividends per common share | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.12 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Net income | $ | 7,312 | $ | 22,588 | |||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | |||||||
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities (1) | 34,241 | 21,812 | |||||
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges (2) | (68 | ) | — | ||||
Less reclassification adjustments included in: | |||||||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities (3) | (3,101 | ) | (3,207 | ) | |||
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (4) | (10 | ) | (1 | ) | |||
Other income (5) | 94 | (214 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income | 31,156 | 18,390 | |||||
Comprehensive income | 38,468 | 40,978 | |||||
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest - preferred stock dividends | (5,547 | ) | (5,547 | ) | |||
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac | $ | 32,921 | $ | 35,431 |
(1) | Presented net of income tax expense of $18.4 million and $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
(2) | Presented net of income tax benefit of $37,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. |
(3) | Relates to the amortization of the unrealized gains on the hedged items prior to application of hedge accounting. Presented net of income tax benefit of $1.7 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. |
(4) | Represents realized gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. Presented net of income tax benefit of $5,000 and $1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
(5) | Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Presented net of income tax expense of $0.1 million and tax benefit of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Preferred stock: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 2,400 | $ | 58,333 | 58 | $ | 57,578 | |||||||
Issuance of Series A preferred stock | — | — | 2,400 | 58,333 | |||||||||
Issuance of Series B preferred stock | 3,000 | 73,306 | — | — | |||||||||
Redemption of Series C preferred stock | — | — | (58 | ) | (57,578 | ) | |||||||
Balance, end of period | 5,400 | $ | 131,639 | 2,400 | $ | 58,333 | |||||||
Common stock: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 10,886 | $ | 10,886 | 10,702 | $ | 10,702 | |||||||
Issuance of Class C common stock | — | — | 52 | 52 | |||||||||
Balance, end of period | 10,886 | $ | 10,886 | 10,754 | $ | 10,754 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 110,722 | $ | 106,617 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 713 | 866 | |||||||||||
Issuance of Class C common stock | 6 | 3 | |||||||||||
Tax effect of stock-based awards | 36 | 900 | |||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 111,477 | $ | 108,386 | |||||||||
Retained earnings: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 168,877 | $ | 102,243 | |||||||||
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac | 1,765 | 17,041 | |||||||||||
Cash dividends: | |||||||||||||
Preferred stock, Series A ($0.3672 per share in 2014 and $0.2978 per share in 2013) | (881 | ) | (715 | ) | |||||||||
Preferred stock, Series B ($0.105 per share) | (71 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Preferred stock, Series C ($2.36 per share ) | — | (136 | ) | ||||||||||
Common stock ($0.14 per share in 2014 and $0.12 per share in 2013) | (1,524 | ) | (1,290 | ) | |||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 168,166 | $ | 117,143 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | (16,202 | ) | $ | 73,969 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | 31,156 | 18,390 | |||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 14,954 | $ | 92,359 | |||||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | $ | 437,122 | $ | 386,975 | |||||||||
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock: | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 241,853 | $ | 241,853 | |||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 241,853 | $ | 241,853 | |||||||||
Total Equity | $ | 678,975 | $ | 628,828 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income | $ | 7,312 | $ | 22,588 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities | 13,983 | 2,712 | |||||
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs | 2,658 | 3,286 | |||||
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives | 3,029 | (8,997 | ) | ||||
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities | (15 | ) | (2 | ) | |||
Losses/(gains) on sale of real estate owned | 3 | (47 | ) | ||||
Total provision for losses | 674 | 1,176 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (6,009 | ) | 1,992 | ||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 713 | 865 | |||||
Proceeds from repayment of trading investment securities | 283 | 315 | |||||
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale | 42,713 | 66,095 | |||||
Net change in: | |||||||
Interest receivable | 41,978 | 36,879 | |||||
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable | 31 | (570 | ) | ||||
Other assets | (2,827 | ) | 27,003 | ||||
Accrued interest payable | (16,668 | ) | (16,305 | ) | |||
Other liabilities | 4,793 | 5,069 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 92,651 | 142,059 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities | (369,120 | ) | (244,819 | ) | |||
Purchases of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | (289,484 | ) | (222,187 | ) | |||
Purchases of loans held for investment | (246,310 | ) | (190,149 | ) | |||
Purchases of defaulted loans | (440 | ) | (140 | ) | |||
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities | 370,084 | 439,135 | |||||
Proceeds from repayment of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities | 244,014 | 163,508 | |||||
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment | 141,534 | 93,587 | |||||
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities | 10,015 | 15,014 | |||||
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 62,751 | 25,042 | |||||
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned | 11 | 203 | |||||
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities | (76,945 | ) | 79,194 | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes | 15,566,728 | 15,653,949 | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes | 750,354 | 703,268 | |||||
Payments to redeem discount notes | (15,582,044 | ) | (16,021,517 | ) | |||
Payments to redeem medium-term notes | (687,000 | ) | (419,000 | ) | |||
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards | 36 | 613 | |||||
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts | (11,868 | ) | (25,413 | ) | |||
Proceeds from common stock issuance | 6 | 888 | |||||
Proceeds from Series A Preferred stock issuance | — | 58,333 | |||||
Proceeds from Series B Preferred stock issuance | 73,306 | — | |||||
Retirement of Series C Preferred stock | — | (57,578 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid - Non-controlling interest - preferred stock | (5,547 | ) | (5,547 | ) | |||
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock | (2,405 | ) | (1,426 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | 101,566 | (113,430 | ) | ||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 117,272 | 107,823 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 749,313 | 785,564 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 866,585 | $ | 893,387 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2013 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2013 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. That Form 10-K describes Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies, which include its policies on Principles of Consolidation; Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Non-accrual Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Losses; Earnings Per Common Share; Income Taxes; Stock-Based Compensation; Comprehensive Income; Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments; Fair Value Measurement; and Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
8
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of securities guaranteed by Farmer Mac that represent interests in, or obligations secured by, pools of eligible loans ("Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities") and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs:
Table 1.1
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
On-Balance Sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1) | $ | 312,569 | $ | — | $ | 296,895 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 609,464 | |||||||||||
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2) | 312,643 | — | — | — | — | 312,643 | |||||||||||||||||
Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying value (3) | — | 21,608 | — | 33,098 | — | 54,706 | |||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) | — | 20,894 | — | 30,000 | — | 50,894 | |||||||||||||||||
Investment securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying value (5) | — | — | — | — | 572,345 | 572,345 | |||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5) | — | — | — | — | 579,225 | 579,225 | |||||||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6) | 731,574 | 19,562 | — | 970,000 | — | 1,721,136 |
(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to Rural Utilities of $4.4 million.
(2) Includes borrower remittances of $0.1 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of March 31, 2014.
(3) Includes unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to USDA Guarantees and Institutional Credit of $0.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(6) The Farm & Ranch amount relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
9
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
On-Balance Sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1) | $ | 259,509 | $ | — | $ | 370,480 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 629,989 | |||||||||||
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2) | 261,760 | — | — | — | — | 261,760 | |||||||||||||||||
Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying value (3) | — | 21,234 | — | 33,248 | — | 54,482 | |||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) | — | 21,088 | — | 30,000 | — | 51,088 | |||||||||||||||||
Investment securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying value (5) | — | — | — | — | 533,688 | 533,688 | |||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5) | — | — | — | — | 540,726 | 540,726 | |||||||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6) | 765,751 | 20,222 | — | 970,000 | — | 1,755,973 |
(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to Rural Utilities of $16.2 million.
(2) Includes borrower remittances of $2.3 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2013.
(3) Includes unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to USDA Guarantees and Institutional Credit of $0.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(6) The Farm & Ranch amount relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
A guarantee by Farmer Mac of timely payment of principal and interest is an explicit element of the terms of all Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. When Farmer Mac retains such securities in its portfolio, that guarantee is not extinguished. For Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities held in Farmer Mac's portfolio, Farmer Mac has entered into guarantee arrangements with FMMSC. The guarantee fee rate established between Farmer Mac and FMMSC is an element in determining the fair value of these Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and guarantee fees related to these securities are reflected in guarantee and commitment fees in the consolidated statements of operations. These guarantee fees totaled $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively. The corresponding expense of FMMSC has been eliminated against interest income in consolidation. All other inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(a) | Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows |
Farmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value. Changes in the balance of cash and cash equivalents are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
10
The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 1.2
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | |||||||
Interest | $ | 36,535 | $ | 33,068 | |||
Income taxes | — | — | |||||
Non-cash activity: | |||||||
Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation | — | 1,034 | |||||
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 62,751 | 25,042 | |||||
Purchases of investment securities traded, not yet settled | — | 325,000 | |||||
Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 62,751 | 25,042 | |||||
Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment | — | 673,991 | |||||
Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity | 1,589,775 | — |
On January 1, 2014, Farmer Mac transferred $1.6 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity because Farmer Mac determined it has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity or payoff. Farmer Mac transferred these securities at fair value which reflected an unrealized holding gain of $22.3 million. Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost.
On January 1, 2013, Farmer Mac transferred $674.0 million of loans from held for sale to held for investment because Farmer Mac either (1) no longer intends to sell these loans in the foreseeable future or (2) securitizes these loans using VIEs that are ultimately consolidated on Farmer Mac's balance sheet and reported as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." Farmer Mac transferred these loans at the lower of cost or fair value (determined on a pooled basis). Farmer Mac recorded a $5.9 million unamortized discount for loans transferred at fair value. At the time of purchase, loans are classified as either held for sale or held for investment depending upon management's intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Cash receipts from the repayment of loans are classified within the statements of cash flows based on management's intent upon purchase of the loan.
11
(b) | Earnings Per Common Share |
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 1.3
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income | Weighted-Average Shares | $ per Share | Net Income | Weighted-Average Shares | $ per Share | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Basic EPS | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 813 | 10,887 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 16,190 | 10,737 | $ | 1.51 | |||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities (1): | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock | — | 459 | — | — | 424 | (0.06 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Diluted EPS | $ | 813 | 11,346 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 16,190 | 11,161 | $ | 1.45 |
(1) | For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 32,983 and 4,000, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 31,594 and 25,300, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met. |
(c) | Reclassifications |
Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.
12
2. | INVESTMENT SECURITIES |
The following tables present the amount outstanding, amortized cost, and fair values of Farmer Mac's investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 2.1
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount Outstanding | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 74,100 | $ | — | $ | 74,100 | $ | — | $ | (9,137 | ) | $ | 64,963 | ||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 177,999 | (176 | ) | 177,823 | 385 | (13 | ) | 178,195 | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | 107,130 | 2 | 107,132 | 411 | (1 | ) | 107,542 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate corporate debt securities | 55,000 | 32 | 55,032 | 158 | — | 55,190 | |||||||||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 640,910 | 4,056 | 644,966 | 4,891 | (640 | ) | 649,217 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) | 1,123 | 3,860 | 4,983 | 3,601 | — | 8,584 | |||||||||||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | 70,000 | — | 70,000 | — | (6,615 | ) | 63,385 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE preferred stock | 78,500 | 253 | 78,753 | 2,887 | — | 81,640 | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds | 22,053 | 47 | 22,100 | 7 | — | 22,107 | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | 518,691 | 204 | 518,895 | 149 | (129 | ) | 518,915 | ||||||||||||||||
Floating rate U.S. Treasuries | 75,000 | (16 | ) | 74,984 | — | (26 | ) | 74,958 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 643,692 | 608 | 644,300 | 100 | (4 | ) | 644,396 | ||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 2,464,198 | 8,870 | 2,473,068 | 12,589 | (16,565 | ) | 2,469,092 | ||||||||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 3,270 | — | 3,270 | — | (2,347 | ) | 923 | ||||||||||||||||
Total investment securities | $ | 2,467,468 | $ | 8,870 | $ | 2,476,338 | $ | 12,589 | $ | (18,912 | ) | $ | 2,470,015 |
(1) | Fair value includes $7.4 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million. |
13
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount Outstanding | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 74,100 | $ | — | $ | 74,100 | $ | — | $ | (8,815 | ) | $ | 65,285 | ||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 166,185 | (217 | ) | 165,968 | 195 | (59 | ) | 166,104 | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | 109,345 | (3 | ) | 109,342 | 445 | (18 | ) | 109,769 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed rate corporate debt securities | 55,000 | 48 | 55,048 | 97 | (4 | ) | 55,141 | ||||||||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 612,413 | 4,336 | 616,749 | 4,955 | (435 | ) | 621,269 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) | 1,173 | 3,966 | 5,139 | 3,518 | — | 8,657 | |||||||||||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | 70,000 | — | 70,000 | — | (6,615 | ) | 63,385 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE preferred stock | 78,500 | 365 | 78,865 | 4,296 | — | 83,161 | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds | 30,595 | 84 | 30,679 | 5 | (3 | ) | 30,681 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | 523,691 | 294 | 523,985 | 107 | (30 | ) | 524,062 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 754,405 | 1,141 | 755,546 | 95 | (8 | ) | 755,633 | ||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 2,475,407 | 10,014 | 2,485,421 | 13,713 | (15,987 | ) | 2,483,147 | ||||||||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 3,553 | — | 3,553 | — | (2,625 | ) | 928 | ||||||||||||||||
Total investment securities | $ | 2,478,960 | $ | 10,014 | $ | 2,488,974 | $ | 13,713 | $ | (18,612 | ) | $ | 2,484,075 |
(1) | Fair value includes $7.4 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million. |
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $10.0 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $15,000, compared to proceeds of $15.0 million for the same period in 2013, resulting in gross realized gains of $2,000.
14
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:
Table 2.2
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-Sale Securities | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months | ||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 64,963 | $ | (9,137 | ) | ||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 21,645 | (13 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | 4,999 | (1 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 230,889 | (615 | ) | 7,337 | (25 | ) | |||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | — | — | 63,385 | (6,615 | ) | ||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | 284,512 | (129 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate U.S. Treasuries | 74,958 | (26 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 150,045 | (4 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 767,048 | $ | (788 | ) | $ | 135,685 | $ | (15,777 | ) |
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-Sale Securities | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss position for less than 12 months | Unrealized loss position for more than 12 months | ||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 65,285 | $ | (8,815 | ) | ||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | 50,129 | (59 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | 19,982 | (18 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Fixed rate corporate debt securities | 10,058 | (4 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 161,960 | (435 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | — | — | 63,385 | (6,615 | ) | ||||||||||
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds | 8,041 | (3 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | 316,273 | (30 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 118,056 | (8 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 684,499 | $ | (557 | ) | $ | 128,670 | $ | (15,430 | ) |
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of credit spreads from the dates of acquisition to March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflect an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of March 31, 2014, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except one, comprising the floating rate GSE subordinated debt category, that was rated "A-". As of December 31, 2013, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except two that were rated "A-" and one that was rated "BBB+". The unrealized
15
losses were on 45 and 64 individual investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
As of March 31, 2014, 10 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $15.8 million. As of December 31, 2013, 7 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $15.4 million. Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of March 31, 2014 that is, on average, approximately 89.6 percent of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of changes in credit spreads or maturity. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities represents other-than-temporary impairment as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $3.3 million, a fair value of $0.9 million, and a weighted average yield of 4.24 percent. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $3.6 million, a fair value of $0.9 million, and a weighted average yield of 4.25 percent.
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2014 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 2.3
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||
Available-for-Sale Securities | |||||||||
Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Weighted- Average Yield | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||
Due within one year | $ | 1,246,490 | $ | 1,246,691 | 0.43% | ||||
Due after one year through five years | 288,599 | 289,722 | 0.84% | ||||||
Due after five years through ten years | 325,128 | 323,229 | 0.79% | ||||||
Due after ten years | 612,851 | 609,450 | 2.35% | ||||||
Total | $ | 2,473,068 | $ | 2,469,092 | 1.00% |
16
3. | FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES |
The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 3.1
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid Principal Balance | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Held-to-maturity: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AgVantage | $ | 1,641,150 | $ | 19,120 | $ | 1,660,270 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AgVantage | $ | 3,470,937 | $ | — | $ | 3,470,937 | $ | 35,565 | $ | (38,847 | ) | $ | 3,467,655 | ||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 20,894 | (494 | ) | 20,400 | 1,210 | (2 | ) | 21,608 | |||||||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 3,491,831 | (494 | ) | 3,491,337 | 36,775 | (38,849 | ) | 3,489,263 | |||||||||||||||
USDA Securities | 1,597,956 | 4,591 | 1,602,547 | 7,346 | (9,234 | ) | 1,600,659 | ||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | $ | 5,089,787 | $ | 4,097 | $ | 5,093,884 | $ | 44,121 | $ | (48,083 | ) | $ | 5,089,922 | ||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USDA Securities | $ | 48,283 | $ | 4,441 | $ | 52,724 | $ | 151 | $ | (1,773 | ) | $ | 51,102 |
December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid Principal Balance | Unamortized Premium/(Discount) | Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
AgVantage | $ | 5,066,855 | $ | 125 | $ | 5,066,980 | $ | 64,051 | $ | (60,665 | ) | $ | 5,070,366 | ||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 21,089 | (518 | ) | 20,571 | 669 | (6 | ) | 21,234 | |||||||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 5,087,944 | (393 | ) | 5,087,551 | 64,720 | (60,671 | ) | 5,091,600 | |||||||||||||||
USDA Securities | 1,590,433 | 4,585 | 1,595,018 | 2,753 | (44,102 | ) | 1,553,669 | ||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | $ | 6,678,377 | $ | 4,192 | $ | 6,682,569 | $ | 67,473 | $ | (104,773 | ) | $ | 6,645,269 | ||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
USDA Securities | $ | 55,373 | $ | 4,972 | $ | 60,345 | $ | 193 | $ | (2,194 | ) | $ | 58,344 |
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable. The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States. As of March 31, 2014, 13 AgVantage securities in loss positions that are secured by Farm & Ranch loans had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $27.4 million. AgVantage® is a registered trademark of Farmer Mac used to designate Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that are general obligations of lenders secured by pools of eligible loans. Each AgVantage security that is secured by Farm & Ranch loans held by the issuing institution requires some level of overcollateralization, the removal of delinquent loans from the collateral pool, and the replacement of delinquent loans with current eligible loans. Thus, Farmer Mac does not believe it will
17
realize any of those losses. None of the Rural Utilities Guaranteed Securities has been in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months. Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities represents an other-than-temporary impairment as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2014 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 3.2
March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
Available-for-Sale Securities | ||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Weighted- Average Yield | ||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
Due within one year | $ | 785,824 | $ | 788,681 | 1.93 | % | ||||
Due after one year through five years | 1,561,316 | 1,578,618 | 1.89 | % | ||||||
Due after five years through ten years | 879,210 | 874,896 | 1.79 | % | ||||||
Due after ten years | 1,867,534 | 1,847,727 | 2.59 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 5,093,884 | $ | 5,089,922 | 2.13 | % |
March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
Held-to-Maturity Securities | ||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Weighted- Average Yield | ||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
Due within one year | $ | 1,124 | $ | 1,007 | 4.34 | % | ||||
Due after one year through five years | 1,659,146 | 1,661,337 | 2.45 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,660,270 | $ | 1,662,344 | 2.45 | % |
Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or USDA Securities as of December 31, 2013. See Note 1(a) for more information about the transfer of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity as of January 1, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $52.7 million, a fair value of $51.1 million, and a weighted average yield of 5.56 percent. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $60.3 million, a fair value of $58.3 million, and a weighted average yield of 5.60 percent.
18
4. | FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES |
Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets classified as available-for-sale to protect against fair value changes in the assets related to a benchmark interest rate (i.e., LIBOR). Other financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt.
All financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges are reported in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedging relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items related to the risk being hedged are also reported in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedging relationships, the effective portion of the derivative gain/loss is recorded in other comprehensive income; amounts are disclosed as a reclassification out of other comprehensive income when the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of designated hedge transactions is recognized immediately in"(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in the consolidated statements of operations.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties, excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but including accrued interest, was $19.3 million and $25.1 million, respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $2.3 million and $3.3 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac held no cash as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $2.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Farmer Mac records cash held as collateral as an increase in the balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of accounts payable and accrued expenses.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was $81.5 million and $92.0 million, respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position at the counterparty level, was $68.6 million and $74.8 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Farmer Mac posted cash of $14.2 million and no investment securities as of March 31, 2014 and posted cash of $9.8 million and investment securities with a fair value of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2013 as collateral for its derivatives in net liability positions. Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. The investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets. If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of $54.4 million and $63.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge.
19
Effective in second quarter 2013, Farmer Mac expanded its use of centrally-cleared derivatives by clearing through a clearinghouse certain interest rate swaps. Farmer Mac posts initial and variation margin to the clearinghouses through which centrally-cleared derivatives and futures contracts are traded. These collateral postings expose Farmer Mac to institutional credit risk in the event that either the clearinghouse or the futures commission merchant that Farmer Mac uses to post collateral to the clearinghouse fails to meet its obligations. Conversely, the use of centrally-cleared derivatives mitigates Farmer Mac's credit risk to individual counterparties because clearinghouses assume the credit risk among counterparties in centrally-cleared derivatives transactions. Of Farmer Mac's $6.6 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2014, $3.1 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses.
Farmer Mac’s counterparties are required to pledge collateral for transactions involving securities purchased under agreements to resell. Farmer Mac considers the types of securities being pledged as collateral when determining how much to lend in these transactions. Additionally, Farmer Mac regularly reviews the fair values of these securities compared to amounts loaned and derivative counterparty collateral posting thresholds in an effort to minimize exposure to losses. The fair value of non-cash collateral accepted for securities purchased under agreements to resell or similar arrangements was $150.0 million, all of which could be sold or repledged; however, none of the underlying collateral was sold or repledged as of March 31, 2014. There were no securities purchased under agreements to resell as of December 31, 2013.
20
The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 4.1
March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Weighted- Average Pay Rate | Weighted- Average Receive Rate | Weighted- Average Forward Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Life (in years) | ||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount | Asset | (Liability) | ||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | $ | 900,000 | $ | — | $ | (28,789 | ) | 2.25% | 0.24% | 3.00 | ||||||||||
Cash flow hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | 10,000 | — | (36 | ) | 2.50% | 0.48% | 6.70 | |||||||||||||
No hedge designation: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | 507,820 | 3,074 | (43,448 | ) | 4.28% | 0.24% | 7.55 | |||||||||||||
Receive fixed non-callable | 4,431,663 | 8,045 | (183 | ) | 0.26% | 0.68% | 0.47 | |||||||||||||
Receive fixed callable | 195,000 | 4 | (1,081 | ) | 0.10% | 0.65% | 3.03 | |||||||||||||
Basis swaps | 565,189 | 336 | (572 | ) | 0.25% | 0.26% | 1.86 | |||||||||||||
Agency forwards | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Treasury futures | 18,400 | 15 | — | 123.58 | ||||||||||||||||
Credit valuation adjustment | (117 | ) | 222 | |||||||||||||||||
Total financial derivatives | $ | 6,628,072 | $ | 11,357 | $ | (73,887 | ) | |||||||||||||
Collateral pledged | — | 14,223 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net amount | $ | 11,357 | $ | (59,664 | ) |
21
December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Weighted- Average Pay Rate | Weighted- Average Receive Rate | Weighted- Average Forward Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Life (in years) | ||||||||||||||||
Notional Amount | Asset | (Liability) | ||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | $ | 900,000 | $ | — | $ | (28,989 | ) | 2.25% | 0.24% | 3.25 | ||||||||||
Cash flow hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | 10,000 | 68 | — | 2.50% | 0.48% | 6.95 | ||||||||||||||
No hedge designation: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pay fixed non-callable | 806,596 | 7,570 | (45,360 | ) | 4.63% | 0.24% | 4.86 | |||||||||||||
Receive fixed non-callable | 4,324,663 | 11,836 | (262 | ) | 0.27% | 0.70% | 0.53 | |||||||||||||
Receive fixed callable | 175,000 | 83 | (934 | ) | 0.10% | 0.65% | 3.30 | |||||||||||||
Basis swaps | 404,288 | 276 | (318 | ) | 0.32% | 0.29% | 1.52 | |||||||||||||
Agency forwards | 65,704 | 86 | — | 98.91 | ||||||||||||||||
Treasury futures | 5,600 | — | (1 | ) | 123.02 | |||||||||||||||
Credit valuation adjustment | (201 | ) | 156 | |||||||||||||||||
Total financial derivatives | $ | 6,691,851 | $ | 19,718 | $ | (75,708 | ) | |||||||||||||
Collateral pledged | — | 11,320 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net amount | $ | 19,718 | $ | (64,388 | ) |
Table 4.2
(Losses)/Gains on Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities | |||||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Fair value hedges: | |||||||
Interest rate swaps (1) | $ | 200 | $ | 5,791 | |||
Hedged items | 2,750 | (3,138 | ) | ||||
Gains on hedging activities | 2,950 | 2,653 | |||||
No hedge designation: | |||||||
Interest rate swaps | (9,548 | ) | 2,846 | ||||
Agency forwards | (852 | ) | (984 | ) | |||
Treasury futures | (128 | ) | (21 | ) | |||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships | (10,528 | ) | 1,841 | ||||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities | $ | (7,578 | ) | $ | 4,494 |
(1) | Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness at March 31, 2014, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were gains of $29,000. The comparable amounts at March 31, 2013 were losses of $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 attributable to hedge ineffectiveness. |
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had outstanding basis swaps with Zions First National Bank, a related party, with a total notional amount of $22.1 million and a fair value of $(0.2) million, compared to $29.3
22
million and $(0.2) million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. Under the terms of those basis swaps, Farmer Mac pays Constant Maturity Treasury-based rates and receives LIBOR. Those swaps hedge most of the interest rate basis risk related to loans Farmer Mac purchases that pay a Constant Maturity Treasury-based rate and the discount notes Farmer Mac issues to fund the loan purchases. The pricing of discount notes is closely correlated to LIBOR rates. Farmer Mac recorded unrealized gains on those outstanding basis swaps for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
5. | LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES |
Loans
Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.1
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unsecuritized | In Consolidated Trusts | Total | Unsecuritized | In Consolidated Trusts | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | $ | 1,910,389 | $ | 312,569 | $ | 2,222,958 | $ | 1,875,958 | $ | 259,509 | $ | 2,135,467 | |||||||||||
Rural Utilities | 734,717 | 292,529 | 1,027,246 | 698,010 | 354,241 | 1,052,251 | |||||||||||||||||
Total unpaid principal balance (1) | 2,645,106 | 605,098 | 3,250,204 | 2,573,968 | 613,750 | 3,187,718 | |||||||||||||||||
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments | (3,392 | ) | 4,366 | 974 | (3,843 | ) | 16,239 | 12,396 | |||||||||||||||
Total loans | 2,641,714 | 609,464 | 3,251,178 | 2,570,125 | 629,989 | 3,200,114 | |||||||||||||||||
Allowance for loan losses | (6,959 | ) | (451 | ) | (7,410 | ) | (6,587 | ) | (279 | ) | (6,866 | ) | |||||||||||
Total loans, net of allowance | $ | 2,634,755 | $ | 609,013 | $ | 3,243,768 | $ | 2,563,538 | $ | 629,710 | $ | 3,193,248 |
(1) | Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business. |
23
Allowances for Losses
Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for loan losses to cover estimated probable losses on loans held and a reserve for losses to cover estimated probable losses on loans underlying long-term standby purchase commitments ("LTSPCs") and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac recorded allowances for losses of $14.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively. See Note 3 and Note 6 for more information about Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities do not include AgVantage securities with regard to the allowance for losses discussion.
Farmer Mac's allowance for losses is presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets:
• | an "Allowance for loan losses" on loans held; and |
• | a "Reserve for losses" on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. |
The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 5.2
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for Loan Losses | Reserve for Losses | Total Allowance for Losses | Allowance for Loan Losses | Reserve for Losses | Total Allowance for Losses | ||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended: | (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 6,866 | $ | 6,468 | $ | 13,334 | $ | 11,351 | $ | 5,539 | $ | 16,890 | |||||||||||
Provision for losses | 573 | 101 | 674 | 430 | 746 | 1,176 | |||||||||||||||||
Charge-offs | (29 | ) | — | (29 | ) | (3,814 | ) | — | (3,814 | ) | |||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 7,410 | $ | 6,569 | $ | 13,979 | $ | 7,967 | $ | 6,285 | $ | 14,252 |
During first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.6 million and provisions to its reserve for losses of $0.1 million. Farmer Mac also recorded $29,000 of charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2014. During first quarter 2013, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.4 million and provisions to its reserve for losses of $0.7 million. Farmer Mac also recorded charge-offs of $3.8 million to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2013, which included a $3.6 million charge-off related to one ethanol loan that transitioned to real estate owned ("REO") during first quarter 2013 and for which Farmer Mac had previously provided a specific allowance.
24
The following tables present the changes in the allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 by commodity type:
Table 5.3
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 2,124 | $ | 2,186 | $ | 1,271 | $ | 454 | $ | 7,292 | $ | 7 | $ | 13,334 | |||||||||||||
Provision for/(release of) losses | 154 | (55 | ) | 116 | 39 | 423 | (3 | ) | 674 | ||||||||||||||||||
Charge-offs | — | — | — | (29 | ) | — | — | (29 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 2,278 | $ | 2,131 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 464 | $ | 7,715 | $ | 4 | $ | 13,979 |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 2,589 | $ | 2,316 | $ | 1,534 | $ | 784 | $ | 9,661 | $ | 6 | $ | 16,890 | |||||||||||||
Provision for/(release of) losses | 28 | 199 | 53 | (51 | ) | 935 | 12 | 1,176 | |||||||||||||||||||
Charge-offs | — | (189 | ) | — | — | (3,625 | ) | — | (3,814 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 2,617 | $ | 2,326 | $ | 1,587 | $ | 733 | $ | 6,971 | $ | 18 | $ | 14,252 |
25
The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and the related allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.4
As of March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending Balance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collectively evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,395,277 | $ | 306,566 | $ | 359,633 | $ | 38,605 | $ | 41,717 | $ | 1,325 | $ | 2,143,123 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 1,343,148 | 558,241 | 908,732 | 106,983 | 133,808 | 7,863 | 3,058,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,738,425 | $ | 864,807 | $ | 1,268,365 | $ | 145,588 | $ | 175,525 | $ | 9,188 | $ | 5,201,898 | |||||||||||||
Individually evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 19,854 | $ | 39,864 | $ | 9,193 | $ | 10,924 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 79,835 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 3,316 | 3,375 | 4,269 | 1,282 | — | — | 12,242 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 23,170 | $ | 43,239 | $ | 13,462 | $ | 12,206 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 92,077 | |||||||||||||
Total Farm & Ranch loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,415,131 | $ | 346,430 | $ | 368,826 | $ | 49,529 | $ | 41,717 | $ | 1,325 | $ | 2,222,958 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 1,346,464 | 561,616 | 913,001 | 108,265 | 133,808 | 7,863 | 3,071,017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,761,595 | $ | 908,046 | $ | 1,281,827 | $ | 157,794 | $ | 175,525 | $ | 9,188 | $ | 5,293,975 | |||||||||||||
Allowance for Losses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collectively evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,469 | $ | 301 | $ | 582 | $ | 24 | $ | 2,606 | $ | — | $ | 4,982 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 363 | 155 | 626 | 48 | 5,109 | 4 | 6,305 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,832 | $ | 456 | $ | 1,208 | $ | 72 | $ | 7,715 | $ | 4 | $ | 11,287 | |||||||||||||
Individually evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 361 | $ | 1,608 | $ | 100 | $ | 359 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,428 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 85 | 67 | 79 | 33 | — | — | 264 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 446 | $ | 1,675 | $ | 179 | $ | 392 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,692 | |||||||||||||
Total Farm & Ranch loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,830 | $ | 1,909 | $ | 682 | $ | 383 | $ | 2,606 | $ | — | $ | 7,410 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 448 | 222 | 705 | 81 | 5,109 | 4 | 6,569 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,278 | $ | 2,131 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 464 | $ | 7,715 | $ | 4 | $ | 13,979 |
26
As of December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending Balance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collectively evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,363,861 | $ | 295,037 | $ | 319,665 | $ | 39,940 | $ | 32,636 | $ | 359 | $ | 2,051,498 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 1,279,887 | 567,932 | 912,397 | 109,884 | 138,282 | 8,159 | 3,016,541 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,643,748 | $ | 862,969 | $ | 1,232,062 | $ | 149,824 | $ | 170,918 | $ | 8,518 | $ | 5,068,039 | |||||||||||||
Individually evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 21,147 | $ | 41,441 | $ | 10,844 | $ | 10,422 | $ | — | $ | 115 | $ | 83,969 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 1,962 | 3,414 | 3,199 | 2,497 | — | — | 11,072 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 23,109 | $ | 44,855 | $ | 14,043 | $ | 12,919 | $ | — | $ | 115 | $ | 95,041 | |||||||||||||
Total Farm & Ranch loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,385,008 | $ | 336,478 | $ | 330,509 | $ | 50,362 | $ | 32,636 | $ | 474 | $ | 2,135,467 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 1,281,849 | 571,346 | 915,596 | 112,381 | 138,282 | 8,159 | 3,027,613 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,666,857 | $ | 907,824 | $ | 1,246,105 | $ | 162,743 | $ | 170,918 | $ | 8,633 | $ | 5,163,080 | |||||||||||||
Allowance for Losses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collectively evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,321 | $ | 325 | $ | 436 | $ | 20 | $ | 2,290 | $ | — | $ | 4,392 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 397 | 159 | 642 | 42 | 5,002 | 4 | 6,246 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,718 | $ | 484 | $ | 1,078 | $ | 62 | $ | 7,292 | $ | 4 | $ | 10,638 | |||||||||||||
Individually evaluated for impairment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 362 | $ | 1,641 | $ | 140 | $ | 331 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,474 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 44 | 61 | 53 | 61 | — | 3 | 222 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 406 | $ | 1,702 | $ | 193 | $ | 392 | $ | — | $ | 3 | $ | 2,696 | |||||||||||||
Total Farm & Ranch loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 1,683 | $ | 1,966 | $ | 576 | $ | 351 | $ | 2,290 | $ | — | $ | 6,866 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 441 | 220 | 695 | 103 | 5,002 | 7 | 6,468 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,124 | $ | 2,186 | $ | 1,271 | $ | 454 | $ | 7,292 | $ | 7 | $ | 13,334 |
27
The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.5
As of March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impaired Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With no specific allowance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment | $ | 6,989 | $ | 9,913 | $ | 6,733 | $ | 1,442 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 25,077 | |||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 6,875 | 10,010 | 6,914 | 1,458 | — | — | 25,257 | ||||||||||||||||||||
With a specific allowance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment (1) | 16,902 | 34,077 | 6,548 | 10,636 | — | — | 68,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 16,295 | 33,229 | 6,548 | 10,748 | — | — | 66,820 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Associated allowance | 446 | 1,675 | 179 | 392 | — | — | 2,692 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment | 23,891 | 43,990 | 13,281 | 12,078 | — | — | 93,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 23,170 | 43,239 | 13,462 | 12,206 | — | — | 92,077 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Associated allowance | 446 | 1,675 | 179 | 392 | — | — | 2,692 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) | $ | 10,926 | $ | 15,198 | $ | 5,280 | $ | 6,103 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 37,507 |
(1) | Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $60.7 million (65 percent) of impaired loans as of March 31, 2014, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.3 million. |
(2) | Includes $9.1 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. |
28
As of December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impaired Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With no specific allowance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment | $ | 6,956 | $ | 9,880 | $ | 6,671 | $ | 1,444 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 24,951 | |||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 6,825 | 9,877 | 6,588 | 1,443 | — | — | 24,733 | ||||||||||||||||||||
With a specific allowance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment (1) | 16,697 | 36,146 | 7,600 | 11,554 | — | 119 | 72,116 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 16,284 | 34,978 | 7,455 | 11,476 | — | 115 | 70,308 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Associated allowance | 406 | 1,702 | 193 | 392 | — | 3 | 2,696 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment | 23,653 | 46,026 | 14,271 | 12,998 | — | 119 | 97,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance | 23,109 | 44,855 | 14,043 | 12,919 | — | 115 | 95,041 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Associated allowance | 406 | 1,702 | 193 | 392 | — | 3 | 2,696 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) | $ | 10,812 | $ | 15,237 | $ | 5,344 | $ | 5,835 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 37,228 |
(1) | Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $65.1 million (67 percent) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2012, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.3 million. |
(2) | Includes $9.6 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. |
The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 5.6
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average recorded investment in impaired loans | $ | 23,772 | $ | 45,008 | $ | 13,776 | $ | 12,538 | $ | — | $ | 60 | $ | 95,154 | |||||||||||||
Income recognized on impaired loans | 170 | 194 | 76 | 122 | — | — | 562 |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average recorded investment in impaired loans | $ | 31,830 | $ | 46,743 | $ | 17,906 | $ | 14,197 | $ | 2,169 | $ | 1,023 | $ | 113,868 | |||||||||||||
Income recognized on impaired loans | 342 | 374 | 154 | 194 | — | — | 1,064 |
29
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the recorded investment of loans determined to be troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") was $0.6 million, both before and after restructuring. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the recorded investment of loans determined to be TDRs was $0.2 million before restructuring and $0.3 million after restructuring. As of March 31, 2014, there were no TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms. As of March 31, 2013, there were three TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms, with a recorded investment of $1.3 million. The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial in both first quarter 2014 and 2013.
During first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac purchased one defaulted loan having an unpaid principal balance of $0.4 million from a pool underlying an LTSPC. During first quarter 2013, Farmer Mac purchased two defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $0.1 million from pools underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.
The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.7
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: | |||||||
Loans underlying LTSPCs | $ | 440 | $ | 37 | |||
Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | 103 | |||||
Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date | 440 | 140 | |||||
Contractually required payments receivable | 440 | 143 | |||||
Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition | 52 | 386 | |||||
Recovery/release of allowance for defaulted loans | 2 | 50 |
As of | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Outstanding balance | $ | 31,660 | $ | 32,838 | |||
Carrying amount | 29,435 | 29,613 |
Net credit losses and 90-day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of March 31, 2014, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac has not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans.
30
Table 5.8
90-Day Delinquencies (1) | Net Credit Losses | ||||||||||||||
As of | For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet assets: | |||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||||||||||
Loans | $ | 28,373 | $ | 27,580 | $ | 32 | $ | 3,810 | |||||||
Total on-balance sheet | $ | 28,373 | $ | 27,580 | $ | 32 | $ | 3,810 | |||||||
Off-balance sheet assets: | |||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||||||||||
LTSPCs | $ | 1,064 | $ | 716 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Total off-balance sheet | $ | 1,064 | $ | 716 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Total | $ | 29,437 | $ | 28,296 | $ | 32 | $ | 3,810 |
(1) | Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured after delinquency, and in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. |
Of the $28.4 million and $27.6 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, $1.2 million, were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Credit Quality Indicators
Farmer Mac analyzes credit risk related to loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities based on internally assigned loan scores (i.e., risk ratings) that are derived by taking into consideration such factors as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size, and loan-to-value ratio. Loans are then classified into one of the following asset categories based on their underlying risk rating: acceptable; other assets especially mentioned; and substandard. Farmer Mac believes this analysis provides meaningful information regarding the credit risk profile of its Farm & Ranch portfolio as of each quarterly reporting period end date.
Farmer Mac also uses 90-day delinquency information to evaluate its credit risk exposure on these assets because historically it has been the best measure of borrower credit quality deterioration. Most of the loans held and underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities have annual (January 1) or semi-annual (January 1 and July 1) payment dates and are supported by less frequent and less predictable revenue sources, such as the cash flows generated from the maturation of crops, sales of livestock, and government farm support programs. Taking into account the reduced frequency of payment due dates and revenue sources, Farmer Mac considers 90-day delinquency to be the most significant observation point when evaluating delinquency information.
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The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.9
As of March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 1,383,292 | $ | 302,195 | $ | 346,330 | $ | 37,198 | $ | 20,075 | $ | 1,325 | $ | 2,090,415 | |||||||||||||
Special mention (2) | 11,985 | 4,371 | 13,303 | 1,407 | 8,096 | — | 39,162 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 19,854 | 39,864 | 9,193 | 10,924 | 13,546 | — | 93,381 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total on-balance sheet | $ | 1,415,131 | $ | 346,430 | $ | 368,826 | $ | 49,529 | $ | 41,717 | $ | 1,325 | $ | 2,222,958 | |||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 1,314,751 | $ | 538,757 | $ | 841,599 | $ | 102,120 | $ | 93,880 | $ | 7,190 | $ | 2,898,297 | |||||||||||||
Special mention (2) | 12,472 | 13,501 | 37,155 | 1,052 | 18,814 | 571 | 83,565 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 19,241 | 9,358 | 34,247 | 5,093 | 21,114 | 102 | 89,155 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total off-balance sheet | $ | 1,346,464 | $ | 561,616 | $ | 913,001 | $ | 108,265 | $ | 133,808 | $ | 7,863 | $ | 3,071,017 | |||||||||||||
Total Ending Balance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 2,698,043 | $ | 840,952 | $ | 1,187,929 | $ | 139,318 | $ | 113,955 | $ | 8,515 | $ | 4,988,712 | |||||||||||||
Special mention (2) | 24,457 | 17,872 | 50,458 | 2,459 | 26,910 | 571 | 122,727 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 39,095 | 49,222 | 43,440 | 16,017 | 34,660 | 102 | 182,536 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,761,595 | $ | 908,046 | $ | 1,281,827 | $ | 157,794 | $ | 175,525 | $ | 9,188 | $ | 5,293,975 | |||||||||||||
Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 8,529 | $ | 11,415 | $ | 5,251 | $ | 3,178 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 28,373 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 189 | 405 | 470 | — | — | — | 1,064 | ||||||||||||||||||||
90-days or more past due | $ | 8,718 | $ | 11,820 | $ | 5,721 | $ | 3,178 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29,437 |
(1) | Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. |
(2) | Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. |
(3) | Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. |
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As of December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 1,348,205 | $ | 290,064 | $ | 300,308 | $ | 39,022 | $ | 10,987 | $ | 359 | $ | 1,988,945 | |||||||||||||
Special Mention (2) | 15,656 | 4,973 | 19,357 | 918 | 6,267 | — | 47,171 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 21,147 | 41,441 | 10,844 | 10,422 | 15,382 | 115 | 99,351 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total on-balance sheet | $ | 1,385,008 | $ | 336,478 | $ | 330,509 | $ | 50,362 | $ | 32,636 | $ | 474 | $ | 2,135,467 | |||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 1,251,834 | $ | 548,254 | $ | 844,130 | $ | 105,589 | $ | 99,072 | $ | 7,478 | $ | 2,856,357 | |||||||||||||
Special Mention (2) | 10,977 | 15,621 | 36,555 | 917 | 11,011 | 578 | 75,659 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 19,038 | 7,471 | 34,911 | 5,875 | 28,199 | 103 | 95,597 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total off-balance sheet | $ | 1,281,849 | $ | 571,346 | $ | 915,596 | $ | 112,381 | $ | 138,282 | $ | 8,159 | $ | 3,027,613 | |||||||||||||
Total Ending Balance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acceptable | $ | 2,600,039 | $ | 838,318 | $ | 1,144,438 | $ | 144,611 | $ | 110,059 | $ | 7,837 | $ | 4,845,302 | |||||||||||||
Special Mention (2) | 26,633 | 20,594 | 55,912 | 1,835 | 17,278 | 578 | 122,830 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Substandard (3) | 40,185 | 48,912 | 45,755 | 16,297 | 43,581 | 218 | 194,948 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,666,857 | $ | 907,824 | $ | 1,246,105 | $ | 162,743 | $ | 170,918 | $ | 8,633 | $ | 5,163,080 | |||||||||||||
Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-balance sheet | $ | 8,036 | $ | 11,841 | $ | 4,462 | $ | 3,122 | $ | — | $ | 119 | $ | 27,580 | |||||||||||||
Off-balance sheet | 220 | — | — | 496 | — | — | 716 | ||||||||||||||||||||
90-days or more past due | $ | 8,256 | $ | 11,841 | $ | 4,462 | $ | 3,618 | $ | — | $ | 119 | $ | 28,296 |
(1) | Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. |
(2) | Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured. |
(3) | Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. |
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Concentrations of Credit Risk
The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, as well as the range of original loan-to-value ratios, for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.10
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
By commodity/collateral type: | |||||||
Crops | $ | 2,761,595 | $ | 2,666,857 | |||
Permanent plantings | 908,046 | 907,824 | |||||
Livestock | 1,281,827 | 1,246,105 | |||||
Part-time farm | 157,794 | 162,743 | |||||
Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | 175,525 | 170,918 | |||||
Other | 9,188 | 8,633 | |||||
Total | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 5,163,080 | |||
By geographic region (1): | |||||||
Northwest | $ | 549,031 | $ | 524,034 | |||
Southwest | 1,726,049 | 1,752,109 | |||||
Mid-North | 1,801,279 | 1,702,668 | |||||
Mid-South | 621,137 | 601,359 | |||||
Northeast | 224,277 | 231,731 | |||||
Southeast | 372,202 | 351,179 | |||||
Total | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 5,163,080 | |||
By original loan-to-value ratio: | |||||||
0.00% to 40.00% | $ | 1,453,294 | $ | 1,375,758 | |||
40.01% to 50.00% | 1,131,827 | 1,099,033 | |||||
50.01% to 60.00% | 1,462,348 | 1,431,562 | |||||
60.01% to 70.00% | 1,101,147 | 1,113,427 | |||||
70.01% to 80.00% | 107,144 | 110,828 | |||||
80.01% to 90.00% | 38,215 | 32,472 | |||||
Total | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 5,163,080 |
(1) | Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). |
The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment. Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.
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6. | OFF-BALANCE SHEET GUARANTEES AND LONG-TERM STANDBY PURCHASE COMMITMENTS |
Farmer Mac offers two credit enhancement alternatives to direct loan purchases that allow approved lenders the ability to retain the cash flow benefits of their loans and increase their liquidity and lending capacity: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through each of the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business, and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch and the Rural Utilities lines of business.
Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:
Table 6.1
Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||
Guaranteed Securities | $ | 731,574 | $ | 765,751 | |||
USDA Guarantees: | |||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 19,562 | 20,222 | |||||
Institutional Credit: | |||||||
AgVantage Securities | 988,199 | 981,009 | |||||
Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | $ | 1,739,335 | $ | 1,766,982 |
Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors. The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:
Table 6.2
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
Proceeds from new securitizations | $ | 62,751 | $ | 25,042 | |||
Guarantee fees received | 827 | 992 | |||||
Purchases of assets from the trusts | — | (103 | ) |
Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $13.0 million as of March 31, 2014 and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014 and
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December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 12.6 years and 12.8 years, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 3.2 years and 3.4 years, respectively.
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments
An LTSPC commits Farmer Mac, subject to the terms of the applicable LTSPC agreement, to a future purchase of one or more loans from an identified pool of eligible loans that met Farmer Mac's standards at the time the transaction was entered into and Farmer Mac assumed the credit risk on the loans. As consideration for its assumption of the credit risk on loans underlying an LTSPC, Farmer Mac receives a commitment fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount approximating what would have been the guarantee fee if the transaction were structured as a swap for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
The maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, was $2.3 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 14.1 years and 13.9 years, respectively. For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheet. This liability approximated $27.7 million as of March 31, 2014 and $26.3 million as of December 31, 2013.
7. | EQUITY |
Common Stock
Farmer Mac has three classes of common stock outstanding:
• | Class A voting common stock, which may be held only by banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions or similar entities that are not institutions of the Farm Credit System ("FCS"). By federal statute, no holder of Class A voting common stock may directly or indirectly be a beneficial owner of more than 33 percent of the outstanding shares of Class A voting common stock. |
• | Class B voting common stock, which may be held only by institutions of the FCS. There are no restrictions on the maximum holdings of Class B voting common stock. |
• | Class C non-voting common stock, which has no ownership restrictions. |
During first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2013, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay a dividend could be restricted if it failed to comply with applicable capital requirements.
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Preferred Stock
On March 25, 2014, Farmer Mac issued 3.0 million shares of 6.875 percent Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). On January 17, 2013, Farmer Mac issued 2.4 million shares of 5.875 percent Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). The Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock have a par value of $25.00 per share, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, and an annual dividend rate of 5.875 percent and 6.875 percent, respectively. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock are non-cumulative, so dividends that are not declared for a payment date will not accrue. Farmer Mac incurred $1.7 million of direct costs related to the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock and direct costs of $1.7 million as of March 31, 2014 related to the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac used the proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock to redeem and retire the outstanding shares of Series C Non-Voting Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"). As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had 2.4 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding and 3.0 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.
Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on its preferred stock could be restricted if it failed to comply with applicable capital requirements. Farmer Mac's preferred stock is included as a component of core capital for regulatory and statutory capital compliance measurements.
Non-Controlling Interest in Farmer Mac II LLC
On January 25, 2010, Farmer Mac completed a private offering of $250.0 million of securities issued by a newly formed Delaware statutory trust. The trust securities represent undivided beneficial ownership interests in 250,000 shares of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the "Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock") of Farmer Mac's subsidiary, Farmer Mac II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.
Dividends on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be payable if, when, and as declared by Farmer Mac II LLC's board of directors, quarterly, on a non-cumulative basis, on March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 30 of each year. From the date of issuance to but excluding the quarterly payment date occurring on March 30, 2015, the annual dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be 8.875 percent. From March 30, 2015 to but excluding the quarterly payment date occurring on March 30, 2020, the annual dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be 10.875 percent. Beginning on March 30, 2020, the dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be an annual rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 8.211 percent. Dividends on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock are non-cumulative, so dividends that are not declared for any payment date will not accrue. Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock is permanent equity of Farmer Mac II LLC and is presented as "Non-controlling interest – preferred stock" within permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheets of Farmer Mac. The accrual of declared dividends is presented as "Net income attributable to non-controlling interest – preferred stock dividends" on the consolidated statements of operations on a pre-tax basis. The consolidated tax benefit is included in income tax expense. Farmer Mac II LLC may redeem the preferred stock on March 30 of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and on any payment date on or after March 30, 2020, in whole or in part, at a cash redemption price equal to the liquidation preference.
Statutory and Regulatory Capital Requirements
Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory and regulatory capital requirements:
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• | Statutory minimum capital requirement – Farmer Mac's statutory minimum capital level is an amount of core capital (stockholders' equity less accumulated other comprehensive income plus non-controlling interest – preferred stock) equal to the sum of 2.75 percent of Farmer Mac's aggregate on-balance sheet assets, as calculated for regulatory purposes, plus 0.75 percent of the aggregate off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac, specifically including: |
◦ | the unpaid principal balance of outstanding Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; |
◦ | instruments issued or guaranteed by Farmer Mac that are substantially equivalent to Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, including LTSPCs; and |
◦ | other off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac. |
• | Statutory critical capital requirement – Farmer Mac's critical capital level is an amount of core capital equal to 50 percent of the total minimum capital requirement at that time. |
• | Risk-based capital requirement – Farmer Mac's charter directs the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA") to establish a risk-based capital stress test for Farmer Mac, using specified stress-test parameters. |
Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's minimum and critical capital requirements were $403.0 million and $201.5 million, respectively, and its actual core capital level was $664.0 million, which was $261.0 million above the minimum capital requirement and $462.5 million above the critical capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's minimum and critical capital requirements were $398.5 million and $199.3 million, respectively, and its actual core capital level was $590.7 million, which was $192.2 million above the minimum capital requirement and $391.4 million above the critical capital requirement as of that date.
Based on the risk-based capital stress test, Farmer Mac's risk-based capital requirement as of March 31, 2014 was $90.4 million, and Farmer Mac's regulatory capital (core capital plus the allowance for losses) of $678.0 million exceeded that amount by approximately $587.6 million. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's risk-based capital requirement was $90.8 million, and Farmer Mac's regulatory capital of $604.0 million exceeded that amount by approximately $513.2 million.
In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning that became effective on January 3, 2014, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, qualifying preferred stock, and accumulated other comprehensive income allocable to investments not included in one of the four operating lines of business) and imposing restrictions on common stock dividends and employee (including officer) bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.
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8. | FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES |
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also referred to as an exit price).
In determining fair value, Farmer Mac uses various valuation approaches, including market and income based approaches. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. When available, the fair value of Farmer Mac's financial instruments is based on quoted market prices, valuation techniques that use observable market-based inputs, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Pricing information obtained from third parties is internally validated for reasonableness prior to use in the consolidated financial statements. Farmer Mac's accounting polices for fair value measurement and a description of the fair value techniques used for instruments measured at fair value is discussed in
Note 2(p) and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are reported at fair value in the consolidated financial statements each period are referred to as recurring fair value measurements. Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are not reported at fair value each period but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances are referred to as nonrecurring fair value measurements.
Fair Value Classification and Transfers
The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The following three levels are used to classify fair value measurements:
Level 1 | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. |
Level 2 | Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. |
Level 3 | Prices or valuations that require unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement. |
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $5.2 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values (i.e., level 3). These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 38 percent of total assets and 68 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.8 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values. These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 51 percent of total assets and 73 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2013.
Net transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers
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within the fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives during the first three months of 2014 and 2013. See Note 1(a) for information about the transfer of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity as of January 1, 2014.
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The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:
Table 8.1
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Recurring: | |||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||
Investment Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 64,963 | $ | 64,963 | |||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | — | 178,195 | — | 178,195 | |||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | — | 107,542 | — | 107,542 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate corporate debt securities | — | 55,190 | — | 55,190 | |||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | 649,014 | 203 | 649,217 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | 8,584 | — | 8,584 | |||||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | — | 63,385 | — | 63,385 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE preferred stock | — | 81,640 | — | 81,640 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds | — | 22,107 | — | 22,107 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | — | 518,915 | — | 518,915 | |||||||||||
Floating rate U.S. Treasuries | 74,958 | — | — | 74,958 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 644,396 | — | — | 644,396 | |||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 719,354 | 1,684,572 | 65,166 | 2,469,092 | |||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | — | — | 923 | 923 | |||||||||||
Total trading | — | — | 923 | 923 | |||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 719,354 | 1,684,572 | 66,089 | 2,470,015 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||
AgVantage | — | — | 3,467,655 | 3,467,655 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | — | — | 21,608 | 21,608 | |||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | — | 3,489,263 | 3,489,263 | |||||||||||
USDA Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale | — | — | 1,600,659 | 1,600,659 | |||||||||||
Trading | — | — | 51,102 | 51,102 | |||||||||||
Total USDA Securities | — | — | 1,651,761 | 1,651,761 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives | 15 | 11,342 | — | 11,357 | |||||||||||
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 719,369 | $ | 1,695,914 | $ | 5,207,113 | $ | 7,622,396 | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Financial derivatives | $ | — | $ | 73,726 | $ | 161 | $ | 73,887 | |||||||
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | — | $ | 73,726 | $ | 161 | $ | 73,887 | |||||||
Nonrecurring: | |||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||
Loans held for investment | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,033 | $ | 6,033 | |||||||
REO | — | — | 1,704 | 1,704 | |||||||||||
Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,737 | $ | 7,737 |
41
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Recurring: | |||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||
Investment Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 65,285 | $ | 65,285 | |||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | — | 166,104 | — | 166,104 | |||||||||||
Floating rate corporate debt securities | — | 109,769 | — | 109,769 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate corporate debt | — | 55,141 | — | 55,141 | |||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | 621,064 | 205 | 621,269 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | 8,657 | — | 8,657 | |||||||||||
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt | — | 63,385 | — | 63,385 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate GSE preferred stock | — | 83,161 | — | 83,161 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds | — | 30,681 | — | 30,681 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate senior agency debt | — | 524,062 | — | 524,062 | |||||||||||
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries | 755,633 | — | — | 755,633 | |||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 755,633 | 1,662,024 | 65,490 | 2,483,147 | |||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | — | — | 928 | 928 | |||||||||||
Total trading | — | — | 928 | 928 | |||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 755,633 | 1,662,024 | 66,418 | 2,484,075 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||
AgVantage | — | — | 5,070,366 | 5,070,366 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | — | — | 21,234 | 21,234 | |||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | — | — | 5,091,600 | 5,091,600 | |||||||||||
USDA Securities: | |||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale | — | — | 1,553,669 | 1,553,669 | |||||||||||
Trading | — | — | 58,344 | 58,344 | |||||||||||
Total USDA Securities | — | — | 1,612,013 | 1,612,013 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives | — | 19,718 | — | 19,718 | |||||||||||
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 755,633 | $ | 1,681,742 | $ | 6,770,031 | $ | 9,207,406 | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Financial derivatives | $ | 1 | $ | 75,472 | $ | 235 | $ | 75,708 | |||||||
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | 1 | $ | 75,472 | $ | 235 | $ | 75,708 | |||||||
Nonrecurring: | |||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||
Loans held for investment | — | — | 4,420 | 4,420 | |||||||||||
REO | — | — | 1,818 | 1,818 | |||||||||||
Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,238 | $ | 6,238 |
42
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period.
Table 8.2
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | Purchases | Sales | Settlements | Realized and Unrealized Gains included in Income | Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income | Transfers Out | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 65,285 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (322 | ) | $ | — | $ | 64,963 | ||||||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | 205 | — | — | (4 | ) | — | 2 | — | 203 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 65,490 | — | — | (4 | ) | — | (320 | ) | — | 65,166 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) | 928 | — | — | (283 | ) | 278 | — | — | 923 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total trading | 928 | — | — | (283 | ) | 278 | — | — | 923 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 66,418 | — | — | (287 | ) | 278 | (320 | ) | — | 66,089 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AgVantage | 5,070,366 | 170,000 | — | (176,269 | ) | 2,750 | 12,894 | (1,612,086 | ) | 3,467,655 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 21,234 | — | — | (171 | ) | — | 545 | — | 21,608 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 5,091,600 | 170,000 | — | (176,440 | ) | 2,750 | 13,439 | (1,612,086 | ) | 3,489,263 | |||||||||||||||||||||
USDA Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale | 1,553,669 | 67,984 | — | (60,455 | ) | — | 39,461 | — | 1,600,659 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Trading (2) | 58,344 | — | — | (7,619 | ) | 377 | — | — | 51,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total USDA Securities | 1,612,013 | 67,984 | — | (68,074 | ) | 377 | 39,461 | — | 1,651,761 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 6,770,031 | $ | 237,984 | $ | — | $ | (244,801 | ) | $ | 3,405 | $ | 52,580 | $ | (1,612,086 | ) | $ | 5,207,113 | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial derivatives (3) | $ | (235 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 74 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (161 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | (235 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 74 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (161 | ) |
(1) | Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains on trading assets." |
(2) | Includes unrealized gains of $0.7 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains on trading assets." |
(3) | Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of March 31, 2014 and are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities." |
43
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | Purchases | Sales | Settlements | Realized and Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) included in Income | Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income | Ending Balance | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 63,159 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,054 | $ | 65,213 | |||||||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | — | 233 | — | — | — | — | 233 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale | 63,159 | 233 | — | — | — | 2,054 | 65,446 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trading: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) | 1,247 | — | — | (314 | ) | 196 | — | 1,129 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total trading | 1,247 | — | — | (314 | ) | 196 | — | 1,129 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 64,406 | 233 | — | (314 | ) | 196 | 2,054 | 66,575 | |||||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AgVantage | 4,739,577 | 425,000 | — | (77,933 | ) | (3,138 | ) | (10,624 | ) | 5,072,882 | |||||||||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 26,681 | — | — | (383 | ) | — | 900 | 27,198 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 4,766,258 | 425,000 | — | (78,316 | ) | (3,138 | ) | (9,724 | ) | 5,100,080 | |||||||||||||||||
USDA Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale | 1,486,595 | 122,187 | — | (69,202 | ) | — | 29,580 | 1,569,160 | |||||||||||||||||||
Trading (2) | 104,188 | — | — | (16,931 | ) | 14 | — | 87,271 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total USDA Securities | 1,590,783 | 122,187 | — | (86,133 | ) | 14 | 29,580 | 1,656,431 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets at fair value | $ | 6,421,447 | $ | 547,420 | $ | — | $ | (164,763 | ) | $ | (2,928 | ) | $ | 21,910 | $ | 6,823,086 | |||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial derivatives (3) | $ | (691 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 159 | $ | — | $ | (532 | ) | |||||||||||
Total Liabilities at fair value | $ | (691 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 159 | $ | — | $ | (532 | ) |
(1) | Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains on trading assets." |
(2) | Includes unrealized losses of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains on trading assets." |
(3) | Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of March 31, 2013 and are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities." |
The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
44
Table 8.3
March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
Financial Instruments | Fair Value | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted-Average) | ||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||
Investment securities: | ||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 64,963 | Indicative bids | Range of broker quotes | 82.0% - 92.0% (87.7%) | |||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | $ | 923 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 12.2% - 20.9% (16.6%) | |||||
CPR | 10% | |||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | $ | 203 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 1.7% - 1.7% (1.7%) | |||||
CPR | 6% | |||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | ||||||||||
AgVantage | $ | 3,467,655 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.8% - 2.2% (1.5%) | |||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | $ | 21,608 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.8% - 3.2% (1.8%) | |||||
CPR | 8% - 15% (13%) | |||||||||
USDA Securities | $ | 1,651,761 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 1.1% - 5.2% (3.2%) | |||||
CPR | 0% - 15% (6%) | |||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||
Financial Derivatives: | ||||||||||
Basis swaps | $ | 161 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.6% - 2.4% (1.2%) | |||||
CPR | 10% - 11% (10%) |
December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
Financial Instruments | Fair Value | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted-Average) | ||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||
Investment securities: | ||||||||||
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | $ | 65,285 | Indicative bids | Range of broker quotes | 82.0% - 92.0% (88.1%) | |||||
Floating rate asset-backed securities | $ | 928 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 13.0% - 22.5% (17.7%) | |||||
CPR | 10% | |||||||||
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities | $ | 205 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 1.8% - 1.8% (1.8%) | |||||
CPR | 6% | |||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | ||||||||||
AgVantage | $ | 5,070,366 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.9% - 3.6% (1.8%) | |||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | $ | 21,234 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.9% - 3.2% (1.9%) | |||||
CPR | 7% - 14% (11%) | |||||||||
USDA Securities | $ | 1,612,013 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 1.2% - 5.3% (3.4%) | |||||
CPR | 0% - 23% (5%) | |||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||
Financial Derivatives: | ||||||||||
Basis swaps | $ | 235 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate | 0.7% - 2.3% (1.3%) | |||||
CPR | 10% - 11% (10%) |
45
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are prepayment rates and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities securities structured as AgVantage securities because they generally do not pay down principal based on amortization schedules but instead typically have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due.
Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 8.4
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 866,585 | $ | 866,585 | $ | 749,313 | $ | 749,313 | |||||||
Investment securities | 2,470,015 | 2,470,015 | 2,484,075 | 2,484,075 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 5,151,607 | 5,149,533 | 5,091,600 | 5,091,600 | |||||||||||
USDA Securities | 1,651,761 | 1,651,761 | 1,612,013 | 1,612,013 | |||||||||||
Loans | 3,272,039 | 3,243,768 | 3,138,932 | 3,193,248 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives | 11,357 | 11,357 | 19,718 | 19,718 | |||||||||||
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: | |||||||||||||||
LTSPCs | 33,875 | 28,631 | 33,807 | 27,244 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 16,481 | 15,242 | 18,470 | 16,660 | |||||||||||
Financial liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Notes payable: | |||||||||||||||
Due within one year | 7,362,684 | 7,354,271 | 7,353,356 | 7,338,781 | |||||||||||
Due after one year | 5,049,460 | 5,036,375 | 4,977,942 | 5,001,169 | |||||||||||
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties | 313,327 | 312,643 | 257,512 | 261,760 | |||||||||||
Financial derivatives | 73,887 | 73,887 | 75,708 | 75,708 | |||||||||||
Guarantee and commitment obligations: | |||||||||||||||
LTSPCs | 32,919 | 27,675 | 32,856 | 26,293 | |||||||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities | 14,207 | 12,968 | 15,185 | 13,374 |
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed
46
Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.
9. | BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING |
After an evaluation of Farmer Mac's overall portfolio of product offerings and reportable segments in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, Farmer Mac's management has determined that Farmer Mac's operations consist of four reportable operating segments effective January 1, 2014 – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. The Institutional Credit segment comprises Farmer Mac's guarantees of AgVantage securities related to general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of eligible loans. Prior to January 1, 2014, AgVantage securities were included under either the Farm & Ranch or Rural Utilities line of business, as applicable, depending on the type of loans pledged to secure the AgVantage securities. Because the AgVantage product is priced differently and has different credit characteristics than the loans that Farmer Mac purchases, are pooled in LTSPCs, or underlie non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac's management determined AgVantage securities should be reported in a separate business segment. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the breakout of the Institutional Credit segment from both the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities segments.
Farmer Mac uses these four segments to manage business risk, and each segment is based on distinct products and distinct business activities. In addition to these four operating segments, a corporate segment is presented. That segment represents activity in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio and other corporate activities. The segment financial results include directly attributable revenues and expenses. Corporate charges for administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment are allocated based on headcount.
Farmer Mac uses core earnings to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, core earnings is a useful alternative measure in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. Core earnings principally differs from GAAP net income by excluding the effects of fair value accounting guidance, which are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on GAAP earnings if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is generally expected. Core earnings also differs from GAAP net
47
income by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of this non-GAAP measure is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The financial information presented below reflects the accounts of Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, the core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments will differ from the stand-alone financial statements of Farmer Mac's subsidiaries. These differences will be due to various factors, including the reversal of unrealized gains and losses related to fair value changes of trading assets and financial derivatives, as well as the allocation of certain expenses such as dividends and interest expense related to the issuance of capital and the incurrence of indebtedness managed at the corporate level. The allocation of general and administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment may also result in differences. The assets of Farmer Mac's subsidiary Farmer Mac II LLC will only be available to creditors of Farmer Mac after all obligations owed to creditors of and equity holders in Farmer Mac II LLC have been satisfied. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac II LLC held assets with a fair value of $1.7 billion, had debt outstanding of $383.0 million, had preferred stock outstanding with a liquidation preference of $250.0 million, and had $1.0 billion of common stock outstanding held by Farmer Mac.
48
The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 9.1
Core Earnings by Business Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | Corporate | Reconciling Adjustments | Consolidated Net Income | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income (1) | $ | 18,339 | $ | 12,959 | $ | 7,744 | $ | 17,646 | $ | 5,235 | $ | (12,205 | ) | $ | 49,718 | ||||||||||||
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income | (531 | ) | — | — | — | — | 531 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense (2) | (10,230 | ) | (9,603 | ) | (5,543 | ) | (11,315 | ) | (999 | ) | 2,964 | (34,726 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net effective spread | 7,578 | 3,356 | 2,201 | 6,331 | 4,236 | (8,710 | ) | 14,992 | |||||||||||||||||||
Guarantee and commitment fees | 3,909 | 26 | 877 | 2,237 | — | (531 | ) | 6,518 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income/(expense) (3) | 130 | 28 | — | — | (571 | ) | (6,406 | ) | (6,819 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Non-interest income/(loss) | 4,039 | 54 | 877 | 2,237 | (571 | ) | (6,937 | ) | (301 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Provision for loan losses | (573 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | (573 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Provision for losses | (101 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | (101 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other non-interest expense | (3,552 | ) | (731 | ) | (777 | ) | (445 | ) | (2,341 | ) | — | (7,846 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Non-interest expense (4) | (3,653 | ) | (731 | ) | (777 | ) | (445 | ) | (2,341 | ) | — | (7,947 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Core earnings before income taxes | 7,391 | 2,679 | 2,301 | 8,123 | 1,324 | (15,647 | ) | (5) | 6,171 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense)/benefit | (2,587 | ) | (938 | ) | (805 | ) | (2,843 | ) | 2,839 | 5,475 | 1,141 | ||||||||||||||||
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends | 4,804 | 1,741 | 1,496 | 5,280 | 4,163 | (10,172 | ) | (5) | 7,312 | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | (952 | ) | — | (952 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | (5,547 | ) | — | (5,547 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment core earnings/(losses) | $ | 4,804 | $ | 1,741 | $ | 1,496 | $ | 5,280 | $ | (2,336 | ) | $ | (10,172 | ) | (5) | $ | 813 | ||||||||||
Total assets at carrying value | $ | 2,272,643 | $ | 1,691,056 | $ | 1,030,422 | $ | 5,157,887 | $ | 3,402,345 | $ | — | $ | 13,554,353 | |||||||||||||
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance | 5,293,975 | 1,686,696 | 1,027,246 | 6,100,286 | — | 14,108,203 |
(1) | Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. |
(2) | Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. |
(3) | Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. |
(4) | Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. |
(5) | Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively. |
49
Core Earnings by Business Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | Corporate | Reconciling Adjustments | Consolidated Net Income | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income (1) | $ | 15,416 | $ | 13,341 | $ | 8,989 | $ | 19,298 | $ | 5,734 | $ | (1,280 | ) | $ | 61,498 | ||||||||||||
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income | (180 | ) | — | — | — | — | 180 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense (2) | (7,153 | ) | (8,647 | ) | (5,806 | ) | (13,435 | ) | (1,294 | ) | 3,207 | (33,128 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net effective spread | 8,083 | 4,694 | 3,183 | 5,863 | 4,440 | 2,107 | 28,370 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Guarantee and commitment fees | 3,671 | 33 | 948 | 2,140 | — | (180 | ) | 6,612 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income/(expense) (3) | 595 | 200 | — | — | (562 | ) | 5,600 | 5,833 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest income/(loss) | 4,266 | 233 | 948 | 2,140 | (562 | ) | 5,420 | 12,445 | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision for loan losses | (430 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | (430 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Release of losses | (746 | ) | — | — | — | — | — | (746 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other non-interest expense | (3,804 | ) | (749 | ) | (802 | ) | (459 | ) | (2,521 | ) | — | (8,335 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Non-interest expense (4) | (4,550 | ) | (749 | ) | (802 | ) | (459 | ) | (2,521 | ) | — | (9,081 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Core earnings before income taxes | 7,369 | 4,178 | 3,329 | 7,544 | 1,357 | 7,527 | (5) | 31,304 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense)/benefit | (2,579 | ) | (1,462 | ) | (1,165 | ) | (2,640 | ) | 1,765 | (2,635 | ) | (8,716 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends | 4,790 | 2,716 | 2,164 | 4,904 | 3,122 | 4,892 | (5) | 22,588 | |||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | (851 | ) | — | (851 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends | — | — | — | — | (5,547 | ) | — | (5,547 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment core earnings | $ | 4,790 | $ | 2,716 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 4,904 | $ | (3,276 | ) | $ | 4,892 | (5) | $ | 16,190 | |||||||||||
Total assets at carrying value | $ | 1,762,977 | $ | 1,701,413 | $ | 1,072,494 | $ | 5,093,825 | $ | 3,261,963 | $ | — | $ | 12,892,672 | |||||||||||||
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance | 4,782,609 | 1,648,105 | 1,039,698 | 5,967,450 | — | 13,437,862 |
(1) | Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts. |
(2) | Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. |
(3) | Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities. |
(4) | Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount. |
(5) | Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively. |
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Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Financial information included in this report is consolidated to include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries – Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation and Farmer Mac II LLC. Farmer Mac II LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that operates substantially all of Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The business operations of Farmer Mac II LLC began in January 2010. Since then, Farmer Mac has operated only that part of the USDA Guarantees line of business that involves the issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by USDA Securities to investors other than Farmer Mac or Farmer Mac II LLC. Although Farmer Mac II LLC may issue securities in these transactions, Farmer Mac II LLC does not guarantee any USDA Securities it holds or any Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issued by Farmer Mac or Farmer Mac II LLC.
This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with: (1) the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report; and (2) Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements made in this report, and in particular in this Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 pertaining to management's current expectations as to Farmer Mac's future financial results, business prospects, and business developments. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. These statements typically are accompanied by, and identified with, terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "should," and similar phrases. The following management's discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements addressing Farmer Mac's:
• | prospects for earnings; |
• | prospects for growth in business volume; |
• | trends in net interest income and net effective spread; |
• | trends in portfolio credit quality, delinquencies, and provisions for losses; |
• | trends in expenses; |
• | trends in investment securities; |
• | prospects for asset impairments and allowance for losses; |
• | changes in capital position; and |
• | other business and financial matters. |
Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve a number of assumptions and estimates and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties. Various factors or events could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014 and in Part I, Item 1A of
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Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014, and uncertainties regarding:
• | the availability to Farmer Mac and Farmer Mac II LLC of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms; |
• | legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac or its sources of business, including but not limited to: |
◦ | developments related to the implementation of agricultural policies and programs resulting from the recently enacted Agricultural Act of 2014 (referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), including the elimination of direct payments to agricultural producers by the USDA and increased federal subsidies for enhanced crop insurance programs; and |
◦ | changes in policies related to renewable fuel standards and the use of ethanol as a blending agent; |
• | fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and Farmer Mac II LLC; |
• | the rate and direction of development of the secondary market for agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans, including lender interest in Farmer Mac credit products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac; |
• | the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness; |
• | the impact of economic conditions, including the effects of weather-related conditions and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values, on agricultural mortgage lending and borrower repayment capacity; |
• | developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac; |
• | changes in the level and direction of interest rates, which could, among other things, affect the value of collateral securing Farmer Mac's agricultural mortgage loan assets; and |
• | volatility in commodity prices relative to costs of production and/or export demand for U.S. agricultural products. |
In light of these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this report. Furthermore, Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise mandated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The discussion below is not necessarily indicative of future results.
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Overview
Farmer Mac increased its outstanding program volume by $157.9 million during first quarter 2014 and continued to maintain high asset quality. Farmer Mac also increased the quarterly dividend paid on its common stock and strengthened its capital position through the issuance of $75.0 million of fixed-rate, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock during first quarter 2014. Farmer Mac is prepared to build on the positive results it has achieved and remains committed to delivering stockholder value and fulfilling its mission. Spread compression in first quarter 2014 contributed to a reduction in net income attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP core earnings compared to first quarter 2013. Farmer Mac experienced lower net interest income in first quarter 2014 attributable to several factors, including repayments of Farm & Ranch loans that had higher historical spreads, the effect of spread compression associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of certain Rural Utilities loans into longer-term loan products, and the acceleration of amortization of premiums associated with the recast loans. However, some of the drivers of these decreases are not expected to affect net interest income in future periods, and some of the transactions that contributed to lower net interest income should better position Farmer Mac for the long term.
During first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac added $728.6 million of new business volume, which included increases in Farm & Ranch loan purchases, LTSPC volume, and Rural Utilities loan purchases compared to first quarter 2013, with the amount of Farm & Ranch loan purchases 20 percent higher than the amount purchased in first quarter 2013. Although the amount of AgVantage securities purchased in first quarter 2014 was 46 percent lower than the amount purchased in first quarter 2013, new business volume in AgVantage securities tends to fluctuate because of the generally larger transaction sizes for that product and the fluctuating funding and liquidity needs of Farmer Mac's customer network. Farmer Mac retained most of the existing business that was eligible to be refinanced with other credit providers during first quarter 2014 by refinancing maturing AgVantage securities and recasting certain Rural Utilities loans into new longer-term loans. Taking into account maturities and paydowns on existing assets, the new business added in first quarter 2014 increased the aggregate outstanding amount of business volume to $14.1 billion as of March 31, 2014, an increase of $157.9 million compared to December 31, 2013, and an increase of $670.3 million compared to March 31, 2013.
Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter 2014 was $0.8 million, compared to net income of $16.2 million for first quarter 2013. This decrease compared to the previous year quarter was mostly due to effects of fair value changes on financial derivatives and hedged assets, which was a $2.4 million after-tax loss in first quarter 2014, compared to a $5.7 million after-tax gain in first quarter 2013. Acceleration of the amortization of premiums ($7.5 million after-tax expense) for certain Rural Utilities loans that were recast into longer-term loans in first quarter 2014 and the effect of spread compression associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of Rural Utilities loans also contributed to the decrease in net income in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013.
Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for first quarter 2014 were $11.0 million, compared to $11.3 million in first quarter 2013 and $15.3 million in fourth quarter 2013. The spread compression discussed above associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of Rural Utilities loans into longer-term loans in first quarter 2014, which was approximately $1.3 million in aggregate ($0.8 million after-tax), and general contraction in asset spreads contributed to the reduction in core earnings compared to first quarter 2013. The reduction in net effective spread during first quarter 2014 was offset by tax benefits of $0.9 million associated with gains on investment portfolio assets
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realized in first quarter 2014, as well as a decrease in credit and operating expenses of $0.6 million after-tax. The decrease in core earnings compared to fourth quarter 2013 was driven by a reduction in loan buyout interest and yield maintenance interest of $1.1 million after-tax, the dilution of $0.3 million after-tax associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of Rural Utilities loans, a reduction in the tax benefits associated with gains on investment portfolio assets of $1.2 million, and an increase in credit and operating expenses of $0.5 million after-tax. For more information about Farmer Mac's use of core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, see "— Results of Operations."
Farmer Mac's net effective spread was $23.7 million (75 basis points) in first quarter 2014, compared to $26.3 million (90 basis points) in first quarter 2013. This decrease in net effective spread was in part attributable to the early refinancing of AgVantage securities at lower market spreads and the recasting of certain Rural Utilities loans in first quarter 2014, as the original funding on the refinanced and recast assets remained in place through the end of first quarter 2014. Although the refinancing and recasting of the existing business resulted in a near-term decrease in net effective spread, these new assets are generally expected to produce greater spreads for Farmer Mac for a longer term because the funding that was in place for the recast assets expired at the end of first quarter 2014, and Farmer Mac earns higher spreads from the Rural Utilities loans that were recast into longer-term loans.
Farmer Mac's management has determined that Farmer Mac's operations are most easily analyzed and managed as four reportable operating segments effective January 1, 2014 – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. The Institutional Credit business segment is comprised of all of Farmer Mac's AgVantage securities, which were previously included as components of other segments. For more information on the change in Farmer Mac's reportable business segments, see "—Segment Reporting" and Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of Farmer Mac's consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The critical accounting policies that are both important to the portrayal of Farmer Mac's financial condition and results of operations and require complex, subjective judgments are the accounting policies for: (1) the allowance for losses, (2) fair value measurement, and (3) other-than-temporary impairment. For a discussion of these critical accounting policies and the related use of estimates and assumptions, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Segment Reporting
After an evaluation of Farmer Mac's overall portfolio of product offerings and reportable segments in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, Farmer Mac's management has determined that Farmer Mac's operations consist of four reportable operating segments effective January 1, 2014 – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. The Institutional Credit segment comprises Farmer Mac's guarantees of AgVantage securities related to general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of eligible loans. Prior to January 1, 2014, AgVantage securities were included under either the Farm & Ranch or Rural Utilities line of business, as applicable, depending on the type of loans pledged to secure the AgVantage securities. Because the AgVantage product is priced differently and has different
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credit characteristics than the loans that Farmer Mac purchases or that underlie LTSPCs or non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac's management determined that AgVantage securities should be reported in a separate business segment. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the breakout of the Institutional Credit segment from both the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities segments.
Results of Operations
Farmer Mac's GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter 2014 was $0.8 million or $0.07 per diluted common share, compared to $16.2 million or $1.45 per diluted common share for first quarter 2013. Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings were $11.0 million or $0.97 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $11.3 million or $1.01 per diluted share for the same period in 2013.
Farmer Mac uses core earnings to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, core earnings is a useful alternative measure in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. Core earnings principally differs from GAAP net income by excluding the effects of fair value accounting guidance, which are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on GAAP earnings if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is generally expected. Core earnings also differs from GAAP net income by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of this non-GAAP measure is intended to be supplemental in nature, and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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A reconciliation of Farmer Mac's GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings is presented in the following table:
Table 1
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings | |||||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||
GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 813 | $ | 16,190 | |||
Less the after-tax effects of: | |||||||
Unrealized (losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities | (2,395 | ) | 5,712 | ||||
Unrealized gains on trading assets | 426 | 136 | |||||
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value (1) | (8,027 | ) | (618 | ) | |||
Net effects of settlements on agency forward contracts | (176 | ) | (338 | ) | |||
Sub-total | (10,172 | ) | 4,892 | ||||
Core earnings | $ | 10,985 | $ | 11,298 | |||
Composition of Core Earnings: | |||||||
Revenues: | |||||||
Net effective spread | $ | 23,702 | $ | 26,263 | |||
Guarantee and commitment fees | 7,049 | 6,792 | |||||
Other | (410 | ) | 186 | ||||
Total revenues | 30,341 | 33,241 | |||||
Credit related expenses: | |||||||
Provisions for losses | 674 | 1,176 | |||||
REO operating expenses | 2 | 126 | |||||
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO | 3 | (47 | ) | ||||
Total credit related expenses | 679 | 1,255 | |||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||
Compensation & employee benefits | 4,456 | 4,698 | |||||
General & Administrative | 2,794 | 2,917 | |||||
Regulatory fees | 594 | 594 | |||||
Total operating expenses | 7,844 | 8,209 | |||||
Net earnings | 21,818 | 23,777 | |||||
Income taxes | 4,334 | 6,081 | |||||
Non-controlling interest | 5,547 | 5,547 | |||||
Preferred stock dividends | 952 | 851 | |||||
Core earnings | $ | 10,985 | $ | 11,298 | |||
Core earnings per share: | |||||||
Basic | $ | 1.01 | $ | 1.05 | |||
Diluted | 0.97 | 1.01 | |||||
Weighted-average shares: | |||||||
Basic | 10,887 | 10,737 | |||||
Diluted | 11,346 | 11,611 |
(1) | Includes $7.5 million related to the acceleration of premium amortization in first quarter 2014 due to significant refinancing activity in the Rural Utilities line of business. |
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The following sections provide more detail regarding specific components of Farmer Mac's results of operations.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $28.4 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease in net interest income in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 was primarily attributable to lower net effective spread that resulted from repayments of Farm & Ranch loans that had higher historical spreads, the effect of spread compression associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of certain Rural Utilities loans, and the acceleration of amortization of $11.6 million in premiums associated with certain Rural Utilities loans that were refinanced into other loan products in first quarter 2014, as well as general compression of asset spreads as compared to first quarter 2013. Farmer Mac does not expect the spread compression or acceleration of amortization in premiums associated with these Rural Utilities loans to have an effect on net interest income in future periods. The overall net interest yield was 47 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 95 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
The following table provides information regarding interest-earning assets and funding for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The average balance of non-accruing loans is included in the average balance of loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities presented, though the related income is accounted for on a cash basis. Therefore, as the average balance of non-accruing loans and the income received increases or decreases, the net interest yield will fluctuate accordingly. The average balance of loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties is disclosed in the net effect of consolidated trusts and is not included in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The interest income and expense associated with these trusts are shown in the net effect of consolidated trusts. The average rate earned on cash and investments reflects lower short-term market rates during first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013. The lower average rate on loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities during first quarter 2014 is due to the decline in market rates reflected in the rates on loans acquired or reset during the past year. The lower average rate on notes payable within one year is consistent with general trends in average short-term rates during the period presented. The downward trend in the average rate on notes payable due after one year reflects the retirement of older debt and the issuance of new debt at lower market rates.
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Table 2
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Average Balance | Income/ Expense | Average Rate | Average Balance | Income/ Expense | Average Rate | ||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-earning assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and investments | $ | 2,933,451 | $ | 5,237 | 0.71 | % | $ | 2,897,307 | $ | 5,734 | 0.79 | % | |||||||||
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (1) | 9,672,242 | 41,624 | 1.72 | % | 8,826,984 | 53,913 | 2.44 | % | |||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets | 12,605,693 | 46,861 | 1.49 | % | 11,724,291 | 59,647 | 2.03 | % | |||||||||||||
Funding: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Notes payable due within one year | 4,804,573 | 1,903 | 0.16 | % | 4,580,356 | 2,195 | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||
Notes payable due after one year (2) | 7,236,469 | 30,497 | 1.69 | % | 6,653,596 | 29,262 | 1.76 | % | |||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities (3) | 12,041,042 | 32,400 | 1.08 | % | 11,233,952 | 31,457 | 1.12 | % | |||||||||||||
Net non-interest-bearing funding | 564,651 | — | 490,339 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Total funding | 12,605,693 | 32,400 | 1.03 | % | 11,724,291 | 31,457 | 1.07 | % | |||||||||||||
Net interest income/yield prior to consolidation of certain trusts | 12,605,693 | 14,461 | 0.46 | % | 11,724,291 | 28,190 | 0.96 | % | |||||||||||||
Net effect of consolidated trusts (4) | 276,641 | 531 | 0.77 | % | 159,269 | 180 | 0.45 | % | |||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income/yield | $ | 12,882,334 | $ | 14,992 | 0.47 | % | $ | 11,883,560 | $ | 28,370 | 0.95 | % |
(1) | Included $11.6 million related to the acceleration of premium amortization in first quarter 2014 due to significant refinancing activity in the Rural Utilities line of business. Excludes interest income of $2.9 million and $1.9 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties. |
(2) | Includes current portion of long-term notes. |
(3) | Excludes interest expense of $2.3 million and $1.7 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties. |
(4) | Includes the effect of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties. |
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The following table sets forth information regarding changes in the components of Farmer Mac's net interest income for the periods indicated. For each category, information is provided on changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate) and changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume). Combined rate/volume variances, the third element of the calculation, are allocated based on their relative size. The decreases in income due to changes in rate reflect the reset of variable rate investments and adjustable rate mortgages to lower rates, the acceleration of premium amortization in first quarter 2014 due to significant refinancing activity in the Rural Utilities line of business, and the acquisition of new lower-yielding investments, loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities, as described above. The decrease in expense due to changes in rate reflects the decreased cost of funding due to lower interest rates in the debt markets. The increases due to changes in volume reflect the increase in on-balance sheet assets during first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013.
Table 3
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Same Period 2013 | |||||||||||
Increase/(Decrease) Due to | |||||||||||
Rate | Volume | Total | |||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||
Income from interest-earning assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and investments | $ | (568 | ) | $ | 71 | $ | (497 | ) | |||
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (1) | (17,079 | ) | 4,790 | (12,289 | ) | ||||||
Total | (17,647 | ) | 4,861 | (12,786 | ) | ||||||
Expense from interest-bearing liabilities | (1,260 | ) | 2,203 | 943 | |||||||
Change in net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts (2) | $ | (16,387 | ) | $ | 2,658 | $ | (13,729 | ) |
(1) | Includes $11.6 million related to the acceleration of premium amortization in first quarter 2014 due to significant refinancing activity in the Rural Utilities line of business. |
(2) | Excludes the effect of debt in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties. |
The net interest yield includes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value and excludes the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives that are not designated in hedging relationships. The following paragraphs describe the effects of these items on the net interest yield and the table below presents them as adjustments to reconcile to the net effective spread Farmer Mac earns on the difference between its interest-earning assets and its net funding costs, including payments for income and expense related to derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments in a hedge accounting relationship ("undesignated financial derivatives").
Farmer Mac uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk exposure by synthetically modifying the interest rate reset or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities. Beginning in third quarter 2012, Farmer Mac designated certain interest rate swaps in fair value hedge accounting relationships. The accrual of the contractual amounts due on these interest rate swaps is included as an adjustment to the yield of the hedged item and is included in interest income. For interest rate swaps not designated in hedge accounting relationships, Farmer Mac records the income or expense related to the accrual of the contractual amounts due in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated statements of operations. Farmer Mac includes the accrual of the contractual amounts due for undesignated financial derivatives in its calculation of net effective spread.
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Farmer Mac's net interest income and net interest yield include net expenses related to the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value. These premiums and discounts are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets. Farmer Mac excludes these amounts from net effective spread because they are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance if the assets are held to maturity, as is generally expected.
The following table presents the net effective spread between Farmer Mac's interest-earning assets and its net funding costs. This spread is measured by including income or expense related to undesignated financial derivatives and excluding the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value. Farmer Mac's net effective spread was $23.7 million for first quarter 2014, compared to $26.3 million for first quarter 2013. In percentage terms, net effective spread for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 0.75 percent compared to 0.90 percent for the same period in 2013. The contraction in net effective spread is primarily attributable to the general contraction of asset spreads compared to first quarter 2013 combined with the effect of refinancing existing floating rate assets at higher costs during first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding net effective spread from Farmer Mac's individual business segments.
Table 4
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | ||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Net interest income/yield prior to consolidation of certain trusts | $ | 14,461 | 0.46 | % | $ | 28,190 | 0.96 | % | |||||
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives | (2,965 | ) | (0.10 | )% | (3,207 | ) | (0.11 | )% | |||||
Amortization of premiums on assets consolidated at fair value (1) | 12,206 | 0.39 | % | 1,280 | 0.05 | % | |||||||
Net effective spread | $ | 23,702 | 0.75 | % | $ | 26,263 | 0.90 | % |
(1) | Includes $11.6 million related to the acceleration of premium amortization in first quarter 2014 due to significant refinancing activity in the Rural Utilities line of business. |
Provisions for Allowance for Loan Losses. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.6 million and charge-offs of $29,000, compared to provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.4 million and charge-offs of $3.8 million, for the same period in 2013. The provisions recorded during first quarter 2014 were primarily related to an increase in the general allowance for loan losses due to net volume growth, particularly non-ethanol related Ag. Storage and Processing loans (e.g., grain elevators and cold storage). The charge-offs recorded in 2013 included a $3.6 million charge-off related to one ethanol loan that was foreclosed during first quarter 2013 and for which Farmer Mac recorded a partial recovery of $1.1 million upon sale of the REO property in second quarter 2013. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's total allowance for loan losses was $7.4 million, compared to $6.9 million as of December 31, 2013. See "—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
Provision for Reserve for Losses. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its reserve for losses of $0.1 million, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2013. The provisions recorded in first quarter 2014 and 2013 were primarily attributable to increased estimated probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's non-ethanol related Ag. Storage and Processing loans.
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As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's reserve for losses was $6.6 million, compared to $6.5 million as of December 31, 2013. See "—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
Guarantee and Commitment Fees. Guarantee and commitment fees, which compensate Farmer Mac for assuming the credit risk on loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, were
$6.5 million for first quarter 2014, compared to $6.6 million for first quarter 2013. The decrease in guarantee and commitment fees was primarily attributable to decreased guarantee fees on AgVantage and Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities for first quarter 2014 as compared to first quarter 2013.
Losses and Gains on Financial Derivatives and Hedging Activities. The effect of unrealized and realized gains and losses on Farmer Mac's financial derivatives and hedging activities was net losses of $7.6 million for first quarter 2014, compared to net gains of $4.5 million for first quarter 2013. Farmer Mac has designated certain interest rate swaps in fair value hedge relationships.
The components of gains and losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized in the following table:
Table 5
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Fair value hedges: | |||||||
Unrealized gains/(losses) due to fair value changes: | |||||||
Financial derivatives | $ | 200 | $ | 5,791 | |||
Hedged items | 2,750 | (3,138 | ) | ||||
Gains on hedging activities | 2,950 | 2,653 | |||||
No hedge designation: | |||||||
Unrealized (losses)/gains due to fair value changes | (6,634 | ) | 6,134 | ||||
Realized: | |||||||
Expense related to financial derivatives | (2,965 | ) | (3,207 | ) | |||
Losses due to terminations or net settlements | (929 | ) | (1,086 | ) | |||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships | (10,528 | ) | 1,841 | ||||
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities | $ | (7,578 | ) | $ | 4,494 |
(1) | Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness at March 31, 2014, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were gains of $29,000. The comparable amounts at March 31, 2013 were losses of $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, lossesof $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 attributable to hedge ineffectiveness. |
Changes in the fair values of Farmer Mac's open derivative positions for both designated and undesignated hedges are captured in the table above in unrealized (losses)/gains due to fair value changes and are primarily the result of fluctuations in long-term interest rates. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedges, changes in the fair values of the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk are also included in the table above in unrealized (losses)/gains due to fair value changes. The accrual of periodic cash settlements for interest paid or received from Farmer Mac's interest rate swaps that are not designated in hedging relationships is shown as expense related to financial derivatives. Payments or receipts to terminate derivative positions or net cash settled forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury futures that are not designated in hedging relationships are included in losses due to terminations or net settlements.
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For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Farmer Mac was a party to interest rate swaps with one related party, Zions First National Bank. Farmer Mac realized expenses of $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to these interest rate swaps with Zions. Farmer Mac recognized unrealized gains of $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, due to changes in the fair values of these interest rate swaps with Zions.
Gains on Trading Assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac recorded unrealized gains on trading assets of $0.7 million, compared to unrealized gains of $0.2 million during the same period in 2013. Of the total unrealized gains recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014, $0.4 million related to assets selected for the fair value option, compared to an immaterial amount of gains related to assets selected for the fair value option for the same period in 2013. Farmer Mac has not made any fair value option elections since 2008.
Other Income. Other income totaled $0.1 million in first quarter 2014, compared to $1.1 million in first quarter 2013. The decrease in other income in first quarter 2014 was primarily attributable to the collection of $0.4 million in late fees upon final payoff of a defaulted loan and the recognition of $0.3 million of gains previously deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income related to fair value changes of certain available-for-sale securities contributed to Farmer Mac II LLC in 2010 in first quarter 2013, and other miscellaneous items.
Compensation and Employee Benefits. Compensation and employee benefits were $4.5 million in first quarter 2014 compared to $4.7 million in first quarter 2013. The decrease in compensation and employee benefits during first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 was due primarily to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses, including legal, audit, and consulting fees, were $2.8 million in first quarter 2014, compared to $2.9 million in first quarter 2013. The decrease in general and administrative expenses in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 was primarily attributable to increased fees paid to executive search and recruiting firms in first quarter 2013 upon the hiring of new employees.
Regulatory Fees. Regulatory fees (which consist of the fees paid to FCA) were $0.6 million for first quarter 2014 and 2013. FCA has advised Farmer Mac that its estimated fees for the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2014 will be $2.4 million ($0.6 million per federal fiscal quarter), which will not be a material increase from the prior federal fiscal year. After the end of a federal government fiscal year, FCA may revise its prior year estimated assessments to reflect actual costs incurred, and has issued both additional assessments and refunds in the past.
Income Tax Benefit/Expense. Income tax benefit totaled $1.1 million in first quarter 2014, compared to income tax expense of $8.7 million for first quarter 2013. The income tax benefit recorded in first quarter 2014 was primarily due to a pre-tax book loss resulting from the effects of fair value changes on financial derivatives and hedged assets and the acceleration of amortization of premiums for certain Rural Utilities loans that were consolidated at fair value and that were refinanced into new loan products. The consolidated tax benefit of the dividends declared on Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock, which is presented as "Net income attributable to non-controlling interest – preferred stock dividends" on the consolidated statements of operations on a pre-tax basis and the reduction of $0.8 million of valuation
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allowance against deferred tax assets resulting from implementation of tax planning strategies in first quarter 2014, were the primary reasons Farmer Mac's effective tax rate was lower than the statutory federal rate of 35 percent.
Farmer Mac carried a valuation allowance of $37.1 million as of March 31, 2014 and $37.9 million as of December 31, 2013 against the deferred tax assets arising primarily from capital loss carryforwards related to capital losses incurred during 2009 on Farmer Mac's investments in Fannie Mae preferred stock, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. senior debt securities, and other GSE preferred stock. Because these losses were capital in nature, tax benefits can only be realized to the extent Farmer Mac would have offsetting capital gains. For more information about income taxes see "Note 10 Income Taxes" in the consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Business Volume. During first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac added $728.6 million of new business volume. Specifically, Farmer Mac:
• | purchased $192.4 million of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans; |
• | added $185.6 million of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs; |
• | purchased $68.0 million of USDA Securities; |
• | purchased $53.9 million of Rural Utilities loans; and |
• | purchased $228.7 million of AgVantage securities. |
Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume was $14.1 billion as of March 31, 2014, an increase of $157.9 million from December 31, 2013, as new volume exceeded maturities and principal paydowns on existing eligible loan assets during the quarter. In Farmer Mac's experience, the largest paydowns on the loans in its lines of business usually occur during the first quarter of each year because almost all loans have a required January 1 payment date, including most loans that pay on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
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The following table sets forth purchases of non-delinquent eligible loans, new LTSPCs, and new guarantees during the periods indicated in the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, and Rural Utilities lines of business, as well as purchases of AgVantage securities in the Institutional Credit line of business:
Table 6
Farmer Mac New Purchases, Guarantees, and LTSPCs | |||||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||
Loans | $ | 192,407 | $ | 159,887 | |||
LTSPCs | 185,594 | 166,780 | |||||
USDA Guarantees: | |||||||
USDA Securities | 67,984 | 122,187 | |||||
Rural Utilities: | |||||||
Loans | 53,903 | 30,262 | |||||
Institutional Credit: | |||||||
AgVantage | 228,690 | 425,000 | |||||
Total purchases, guarantees, and LTSPCs | $ | 728,578 | $ | 904,116 |
The increase in Farm & Ranch loan purchase volume for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 primarily resulted from borrowers seeking longer-term financing at fixed rates or longer-term adjustable rate mortgages, and the increase in Farm & Ranch LTSPC volume primarily resulted from increased participation in the LTSPC product among Farmer Mac's existing customer base. The decrease in USDA Securities volume was the result of more lenders retaining these guaranteed assets in their portfolio in first quarter 2014 as compared with the higher than expected purchases experienced in first quarter 2013. The increase in Rural Utilities loan volume resulted primarily from higher demand for financing in the rural utilities industry, driven by borrowers taking advantage of continuing low interest rates. The uneven distribution in quarterly AgVantage securities volume is primarily driven by the generally larger transaction sizes for that product and the fluctuating funding and liquidity needs of Farmer Mac's customer network. First quarter 2014 new business volume included $170.0 million of AgVantage securities that replaced existing AgVantage securities scheduled to mature in first quarter 2014. This new business was accomplished through a series of agreements whereby Farmer Mac in October 2013 committed to purchase the new AgVantage securities from the issuer of the maturing securities in transactions that closed in January 2014 and February 2014.
The purchase price of non-delinquent eligible loans and portfolios is the fair value based on current market interest rates and Farmer Mac's target net yield. The purchase price includes an amount to compensate Farmer Mac for credit risk that is similar to the guarantee or commitment fees it receives for assuming credit risk on loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. Based on market conditions, Farmer Mac either retains the loans it purchases or securitizes them and retains or sells Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by those loans. Historically, Farmer Mac has retained the vast majority of loans it has purchased. The weighted-average age of the Farm & Ranch non-delinquent eligible loans purchased and retained (excluding the purchases of defaulted loans) during both first quarter 2014 and 2013 was less than one year. Of those loans, 70 percent and 82 percent had principal amortization periods longer than the maturity date, resulting in balloon payments at maturity, with a weighted-average remaining term to maturity of 15.2 years and 16.6 years, respectively.
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During first quarter 2014 and 2013, Farmer Mac securitized loans it had purchased and sold the resulting Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities in the amount of $62.8 million and $25.0 million, respectively. Farmer Mac consolidates these loans and presents them as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" on the consolidated balance sheet. In first quarter 2014 and 2013, $55.4 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of securities were sold to Zions First National Bank ("Zions"), which is a related party to Farmer Mac.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issued during the periods indicated:
Table 7
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Loans securitized and sold as Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities | $ | 62,751 | $ | 25,042 | |||
AgVantage Securities | 228,690 | 425,000 | |||||
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities Issuances | $ | 291,441 | $ | 450,042 |
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The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:
Table 8
Outstanding Balances of Loans Held, Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed | |||||||
Securities and LTSPCs, AgVantage Securities, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||
Loans | $ | 1,910,389 | $ | 1,875,958 | |||
Loans held in trusts: | |||||||
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors | 312,569 | 259,509 | |||||
USDA Guarantees: | |||||||
USDA Securities | 1,646,240 | 1,645,806 | |||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 20,894 | 21,089 | |||||
Rural Utilities: | |||||||
Loans | 734,717 | 698,010 | |||||
Loans held in trusts: | |||||||
Beneficial interests owned by Farmer Mac | 292,529 | 354,241 | |||||
Institutional Credit: | |||||||
AgVantage Securities | 5,112,087 | 5,066,855 | |||||
Total on-balance sheet | $ | 10,029,425 | $ | 9,921,468 | |||
Off-balance sheet: | |||||||
Farm & Ranch: | |||||||
LTSPCs | $ | 2,339,443 | $ | 2,261,862 | |||
Guaranteed Securities | 731,574 | 765,751 | |||||
USDA Guarantees: | |||||||
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | 19,562 | 20,222 | |||||
Institutional Credit: | |||||||
AgVantage Securities | 988,199 | 981,009 | |||||
Total off-balance sheet | $ | 4,078,778 | $ | 4,028,844 | |||
Total | $ | 14,108,203 | $ | 13,950,312 |
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The following table summarizes by maturity date the scheduled principal amortization of loans held, loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities as of March 31, 2014:
Table 9
Schedule of Principal Amortization of Loans Held, Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac | |||||||||||||||
Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | |||||||||||||||
Loans Held | Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs | USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities | Total | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 141,805 | $ | 211,281 | $ | 146,502 | $ | 499,588 | |||||||
2015 | 172,453 | 249,996 | 121,652 | 544,101 | |||||||||||
2016 | 164,775 | 234,848 | 145,917 | 545,540 | |||||||||||
2017 | 164,688 | 217,892 | 113,328 | 495,908 | |||||||||||
2018 | 166,333 | 206,397 | 123,637 | 496,367 | |||||||||||
Thereafter | 2,440,150 | 1,950,603 | 1,035,660 | 5,426,413 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,250,204 | $ | 3,071,017 | $ | 1,686,696 | $ | 8,007,917 |
Of the $14.1 billion outstanding principal balance of volume included in Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of March 31, 2014, $6.1 billion were AgVantage securities included in the Institutional Credit line of business. Each AgVantage security is a general obligation of an issuing institution approved by Farmer Mac and is secured by eligible loans in an amount at least equal to the outstanding principal amount of the security. Unlike business volume in the form of purchased loans, USDA Securities, and loans underlying LTSPCs and non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, most AgVantage securities do not require periodic payments of principal based on amortization schedules and instead have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligation is due.
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The following table summarizes by maturity date the outstanding principal amount of both on- and off-balance sheet AgVantage securities as of March 31, 2014:
Table 10
AgVantage Balances by Year of Maturity | |||
As of | |||
March 31, 2014 | |||
(in thousands) | |||
2014 | $ | 745,111 | |
2015 | 676,459 | ||
2016 | 1,329,067 | ||
2017 | 1,379,956 | ||
2018 | 784,774 | ||
Thereafter (1) | 1,184,919 | ||
Total | $ | 6,100,286 |
(1) Includes various maturities ranging from 2019 to 2024.
The weighted-average remaining maturity of the outstanding $6.1 billion of AgVantage securities shown in the table above was 3.4 years as of March 31, 2014. As a general matter, if maturing AgVantage securities are not replaced by new AgVantage securities, either from the same issuer or from new business, or if the net interest margin earned by Farmer Mac on new AgVantage securities that replace maturing AgVantage securities is lower than the margin earned on the maturing securities, Farmer Mac's income could be adversely affected.
As part of fulfilling its guarantee obligations for Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and commitments to purchase eligible loans underlying LTSPCs, Farmer Mac purchases defaulted loans, all of which are at least 90-days delinquent or in material non-monetary default at the time of purchase, out of the loan pools underlying those securities and LTSPCs, and records the purchased loans as such on its balance sheet. The purchase price for a defaulted loan purchased out of a pool of loans backing Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities is the current outstanding principal balance of the loan plus accrued and unpaid interest. The purchase price for a defaulted loan purchased under an LTSPC is the then-current outstanding principal balance of the loan, with accrued and unpaid interest on the defaulted loans payable out of any future loan payments or liquidation proceeds as received. The purchase price of a defaulted loan is not an indicator of the expected loss on that loan; many other factors affect expected loss, if any, on any loan so purchased. The weighted-average age of delinquent loans purchased during first quarter 2014 out of securitized pools and LTSPCs was 7.0 years and 14.6 years during first quarter 2013. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
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The following table presents Farmer Mac's purchases of defaulted loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs for the periods indicated:
Table 11
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Defaulted loans purchased underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities owned by third party investors | $ | — | $ | 103 | |||
Defaulted loans purchased underlying LTSPCs | 440 | 37 | |||||
Total loan purchases | $ | 440 | $ | 140 |
Farmer Mac II LLC. In January 2010, Farmer Mac contributed substantially all of the assets comprising the USDA Guarantees line of business (in excess of $1.1 billion) to Farmer Mac's subsidiary, Farmer Mac II LLC. The assets that Farmer Mac contributed to Farmer Mac II LLC consisted primarily of USDA Securities that had not been securitized by Farmer Mac but also included $35.0 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac did not and will not guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on the $1.1 billion of contributed USDA Securities. The financial information presented in this report reflects the accounts of Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments presented in this report will differ from the stand-alone financial statements of Farmer Mac II LLC. Those separate financial statements are available on the website of Farmer Mac II LLC and are not incorporated by reference into this report.
The assets of Farmer Mac II LLC will only be available to creditors of Farmer Mac after all obligations owed to creditors of and equity holders in Farmer Mac II LLC have been satisfied. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac II LLC held assets with a fair value of $1.7 billion, had debt outstanding to Farmer Mac of $383.0 million, had preferred stock outstanding with a liquidation preference of $250.0 million, and had $1.0 billion of common stock outstanding held by Farmer Mac. For more information about the formation and operations of Farmer Mac II LLC and the features of the preferred stock issued by Farmer Mac II LLC in January 2010, see Notes 7 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
Outlook
Farmer Mac continues to provide a stable source of liquidity, capital, and risk management tools to help rural lenders meet the financing needs of their customers. While the pace of Farmer Mac's growth will depend on the capital and liquidity needs of lenders, as well as Farmer Mac's ability to continue to increase its lender network, Farmer Mac foresees opportunities for continued growth. More specifically, Farmer Mac believes that its Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business all have opportunities for growth, driven by several key factors:
• | As agricultural lenders face increased equity capital requirements under new regulatory frameworks, or seek to reduce exposure due to lending limits or concentration limits, Farmer Mac can provide relief for those institutions through loan purchases, guarantees, or LTSPCs. |
• | As the overall economy recovers, rural utilities generally may experience an increase in demand for power, which can lead to more investment and borrowing needs in that industry. |
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• | As interest rates increase, Farmer Mac often can provide lenders additional options to present to their borrowers for long-term, fixed rate loans or, for lenders that prefer to retain their agricultural loan assets, lower-cost funding alternatives through the AgVantage product. |
Farmer Mac believes that these growth opportunities will be important in replacing income earned on the loans and other assets that are scheduled to mature or pay down or that are likely to be reinvested at lower spreads over the next several years. Maturing AgVantage securities and the scheduled principal amortization of other loan assets are discussed in "—Results of Operations—Business Volume." Farmer Mac also currently owns in its liquidity investment portfolio $78.5 million par amount of preferred stock issued by CoBank that currently pays an 11 percent annual dividend, from which Farmer Mac earns approximately $7.7 million ($0.69 per diluted share in 2013) annually in after-tax income. CoBank has the option to call these securities beginning in October 2014, and Farmer Mac believes that CoBank will do so. Farmer Mac expects to hold these securities until they are called.
Agricultural Sector. The agricultural sector includes many diverse industries that respond in different ways to changes in economic conditions. Those individual industries often are affected differently, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively, by prevailing domestic and global economic factors and regional weather conditions. This results in cycles where one or more industries may be under stress at the same time that others are not. In addition, borrowers that rely on non-farm sources of income as a significant percentage of overall income may experience stress associated with weakness in the general economy. The profitability of agricultural industries is also affected by commodity inventories and their associated market prices, which can vary largely as a result of weather patterns, access to water supply, and harvest conditions that may affect supply.
While agricultural land values have increased over the past several years, recent market activity suggests that land values may have moderated, most notably in those areas that have experienced the greatest increase, such as the Midwestern region. While the increase in land values has varied by geographic region, it appears to have been primarily spurred by the combination of high commodity prices, particularly for corn, soybeans, and wheat, and (to a lesser degree) low interest rates. Increases in interest rates could also put downward pressure on the discounted cash flow values of farmland, which could negatively affect the values of farmland. Farmer Mac's overall portfolio remains diverse both geographically and by commodity, and Farmer Mac continues to closely monitor sector profitability, economic conditions, and agricultural land value and geographic trends to tailor underwriting practices to changing conditions. For a discussion of the average outstanding loan volume and weighted average original loan-to-value ratios for Farm & Ranch loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio as of March 31, 2014, please see "—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."
The western part of the United States, including California, continues to experience drought conditions, with the water level in many California reservoirs at only half of their average year-to-date water storage levels and the snowpack in the higher elevations, the runoff from which would typically replenish low reservoir levels, at a third or less than normal levels. Though many farm irrigation districts will receive little or no water from the governing water authorities, the impact on individual farmers will vary due to alternative water sources the farmer may have in place. These alternative water sources include underground sources (well water) and any water that may have been “banked” by the farmer in years where water was more plentiful. Farmer Mac has not observed any material effect on its portfolio due to these drought conditions as of March 31, 2014, but any continuation of extreme or exceptional drought conditions beyond the 2014 water year could have an adverse effect on Farmer Mac’s delinquency rates or loss experience. This is particularly true in the permanent plantings sector, where the value of the related
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collateral is closely tied to the production value and capability of the permanent plantings, and in the dairy sector, which may experience increased feed costs as water is diverted away from hay acreage commonly relied upon by dairy producers and toward land supporting other agricultural commodities. Farmer Mac believes that it remains well-collateralized on loans in its Farm & Ranch line of business, including its permanent planting and dairy portfolios.
Farmer Mac also continues to monitor the establishment and evolution of legislation and regulations that affect farmers, ranchers, and rural lenders. Many federal agricultural policies previously in effect have been altered with the recent enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, including those affecting crop subsidies, crop insurance, and other aspects of agricultural production. Farmer Mac will continue to monitor the effects of these altered federal agricultural policies as the USDA engages in the process of promulgating regulations intended to implement the Agricultural Act of 2014.
Farmer Mac's marketing efforts directed towards the Farm & Ranch line of business focus on lenders that have demonstrated a commitment to agricultural lending based on their lending history. Farmer Mac directs its outreach efforts to these lenders through direct personal contact, which is facilitated through Farmer Mac's frequent participation in state and national banking conferences, its alliances with the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America, and its business relationships with members of the Farm Credit System. In connection with lenders' evolving financing needs in the Farm & Ranch line of business, Farmer Mac has experienced continuing stable demand for its longer-term fixed rate loan products, as well as recent demand for certain of its shorter-term floating rate loan products driven by a rise in interest rates. Demand for Farmer Mac's secondary market tools could also increase as rural lenders adapt to new and changing regulations, which may require lenders to obtain more liquidity and capital to continue their lending practices.
Farmer Mac continues to monitor developments in the ethanol industry and evaluate their potential impact on the overall performance of Farmer Mac's portfolio. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates the renewable fuel standard that mandates targeted use of fuel from renewable sources such as ethanol, is currently reviewing whether to modify the standard's 2014 targets. If the blended ethanol requirement in the renewable fuel standard is adjusted downward, ethanol producers could be negatively affected. The ethanol loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio have decreased in recent years both in dollar amount ($72.4 million as of March 31, 2014) and as a percentage of portfolio volume (1.4 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio as of March 31, 2014). As of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, the dollar amount of Farmer Mac's ethanol portfolio was $88.4 million (1.7 percent) and $137.1 million (2.9 percent), respectively. Farmer Mac has $26.4 million of undisbursed commitments on existing ethanol loans.
Rural Utilities Industry. Historically, the demands of the rural utilities industry for capital and financing tend to follow the state of the general economy and applicable environmental regulations. Continued weakness in the general economy has reduced the demand for rural electric power and, consequently, the need for rural utilities cooperatives to expand. This lower demand within the industry has increased competition for Farmer Mac's customer base from lenders that are not eligible to, or for other reasons do not participate in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities line of business, and is the primary reason for the slower rate of growth in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities line of business compared to its other lines of business over the past few years. Domestic economic indicators continue to show modest growth, and Farmer Mac and industry sources expect that demand for rural utilities loans will increase as the economy eventually strengthens.
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Farmer Mac believes that the rural utilities industry will have significant needs for financing over the course of the next decade, as capital will be needed for growth and modernization, including generation and transmission ("G&T") and distribution system improvements and demand-side management. In addition, the industry will also require capital to comply with any future public policy initiatives such as environmental regulations and clean energy initiatives. For example, in response to low natural gas fuel costs, many power generators are building environmentally cleaner natural gas-fired generating plants to replace their aging coal-fired plants. Farmer Mac's business volume in either or both of its Rural Utilities and Institutional Credit lines of business could be affected by the level of federal financing for G&T systems and rural utilities cooperatives' demand for G&T loans.
Balance Sheet Review
Assets. Farmer Mac's total assets as of March 31, 2014 were $13.6 billion, compared to $13.4 billion as of December 31, 2013. The increase in total assets was driven primarily by net new purchases of AgVantage securities and loans and an increase in cash and cash equivalents.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had $866.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of investment securities, compared to $749.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of investment securities as of December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had $5.1 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, $1.7 billion of USDA Securities, and $3.2 billion of loans, net of allowance. This compares to $5.1 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, $1.6 billion of USDA Securities, and $3.2 billion of loans, net of allowance, as of December 31, 2013.
Liabilities. Farmer Mac's total liabilities increased to $12.9 billion as of March 31, 2014 from $12.8 billion as of December 31, 2013. The increase in liabilities was primarily due to an increase in notes payable used to purchase eligible loan assets.
Equity. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had total equity of $679.0 million comprised of stockholders' equity of $437.1 million and non-controlling interest – preferred stock of $241.9 million. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac had total equity of $574.5 million comprised of stockholders' equity of $332.6 million and non-controlling interest – preferred stock of $241.9 million. The increase in total equity during first quarter 2014 was the result of the issuance of $75.0 million of Series B Preferred Stock in March 2014 and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income due to increases in the fair value of available-for-sale securities. These increases in the fair value of available-for-sale securities were driven primarily by lower U.S. Treasury rates.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Farmer Mac offers approved lenders two credit enhancement alternatives to increase their liquidity or lending capacity while retaining the cash flow benefits of their loans: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through each of the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business; and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities lines of business. For securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary, the trust assets and liabilities are included on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheet. For the remainder of these transactions, and in the event of deconsolidation, both of these alternatives result in the creation of off-balance sheet obligations for Farmer Mac. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding consolidation and Farmer Mac's off-balance sheet business activities.
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Risk Management
Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees. Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk resulting from the inability of borrowers to repay their loans in conjunction with a deficiency in the value of the collateral relative to the outstanding balance of the loan and the costs of liquidation. Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk on:
• | loans held; |
• | loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and |
• | loans underlying LTSPCs. |
Farmer Mac generally assumes 100 percent of the credit risk on loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities, LTSPCs, and Rural Utilities Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac has direct credit exposure to loans in non-AgVantage transactions and indirect credit exposure to loans that secure AgVantage transactions, since they represent a general obligation of a lender secured by qualified loans. The credit exposure of Farmer Mac and Farmer Mac II LLC on USDA Securities, including those underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities, is covered by the full faith and credit of the United States. Farmer Mac believes that Farmer Mac and Farmer Mac II LLC have little or no credit risk exposure in the USDA Guarantees line of business because of the USDA guarantee. As of March 31, 2014, neither Farmer Mac nor Farmer Mac II LLC had experienced any credit losses on any business under the USDA Guarantees line of business and does not expect that Farmer Mac or Farmer Mac II LLC will incur any such losses in the future.
Farmer Mac has established underwriting, collateral valuation, and documentation standards for agricultural real estate mortgage loans and rural utilities loans. Farmer Mac believes that these standards mitigate the risk of loss from borrower defaults and provide guidance about the management, administration, and conduct of underwriting and appraisals to all participating and potential lenders. These standards were developed on the basis of industry norms for agricultural real estate mortgage loans and rural utilities loans and are designed to assess the creditworthiness of the borrower, as well as the value of the collateral securing the loan. Farmer Mac evaluates and adjusts these standards on an ongoing basis based on current and anticipated market conditions. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Underwriting and Collateral Valuation (Appraisal) Standards" and "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Underwriting" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Farmer Mac requires approved lenders to make representations and warranties regarding the conformity of eligible agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans to Farmer Mac's standards, the accuracy of loan data provided to Farmer Mac, and other requirements related to the loans. Sellers are responsible to Farmer Mac for breaches of those representations and warranties, and Farmer Mac has the ability to require a seller to cure, replace, or repurchase a loan sold or transferred to Farmer Mac if any breach of a representation or warranty is discovered that was material to Farmer Mac's decision to purchase the loan or that directly or indirectly causes a default or potential loss on a loan sold or transferred by the seller to Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac has not required a seller to cure or repurchase a loan purchased by Farmer Mac for breach of a representation or warranty in the last three years. In addition to relying on the representations and warranties of lenders, Farmer Mac also underwrites all of the agricultural mortgage loans (other than rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans) and rural utilities loans that it holds in its portfolio. For rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans, Farmer Mac relies on representations and warranties from the seller that those loans conform to Farmer Mac's specified underwriting criteria
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without exception. For more information about Farmer Mac's lender eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Approved Lenders" and "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Approved Lenders" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Under contracts with Farmer Mac and in consideration for servicing fees, Farmer Mac-approved central servicers service loans in accordance with Farmer Mac's requirements. Central servicers are responsible to Farmer Mac for serious errors in the servicing of those loans. If a central servicer materially breaches the terms of its servicing agreement with Farmer Mac, such as failing to forward payments received or releasing collateral without Farmer Mac's consent, or experiences insolvency or bankruptcy, Farmer Mac has the right to terminate the servicing relationship for a particular loan or the entire portfolio serviced by the central servicer. In addition, Farmer Mac can proceed against the central servicer in arbitration or exercise any remedies available to it under law. In the last three years, Farmer Mac has not exercised any remedies or taken any formal action against any central servicers. For more information about Farmer Mac's servicing requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Servicing" and "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Servicing" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Farmer Mac's AgVantage securities are general obligations of institutions approved by Farmer Mac and are secured by eligible loans in an amount at least equal to the outstanding principal amount of the security. Farmer Mac excludes the loans that secure AgVantage securities from the credit risk metrics it discloses because of the credit quality of the issuing institutions, the collateralization level for the securities, and because delinquent loans are required to be removed from the pool of pledged loans and replaced with current eligible loans. As such, all AgVantage securities are secured by current loans representing at least 100 percent of the outstanding amount of these securities. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had not experienced any credit losses on any AgVantage securities and does not expect to incur any such losses in the future. See "—Credit Risk – Institutional" for more information about Farmer Mac's credit risk on AgVantage securities.
Farmer Mac has developed different underwriting standards for rural utilities loans that depend on whether direct or indirect credit exposure is assumed on a loan and whether the borrower is an electric distribution cooperative or a G&T cooperative. As of March 31, 2014, there were no delinquencies in Farmer Mac's portfolio of rural utilities loans, which includes rural utilities loans held and rural utilities loans underlying or securing Rural Utilities Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to rural utilities loans as of March 31, 2014 was $1.03 billion, of which $1.0 billion were loans to electric distribution cooperatives and $33.9 million were loans to G&T cooperatives. Farmer Mac also had indirect credit exposure to the rural utilities loans securing Rural Utilities Guaranteed Securities structured as AgVantage securities and included in the Institutional Credit line of business, some of which were secured by loans to G&T cooperatives. For more information, see "—Credit Risk – Institutional."
Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for loan losses to cover estimated probable losses on loans held and a reserve for losses to cover estimated probable losses on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. The methodology that Farmer Mac uses to determine the level of its allowance for losses is described in Note 2(j) to the consolidated financial statements included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Management believes that this methodology produces a reasonable estimate of probable losses, as of the balance sheet date, for all loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.
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The following table summarizes the components of Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Table 12
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for Loan Losses | Reserve for Losses | Total Allowance for Losses | Allowance for Loan Losses | Reserve for Losses | Total Allowance for Losses | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | 6,866 | $ | 6,468 | $ | 13,334 | $ | 11,351 | $ | 5,539 | $ | 16,890 | |||||||||||
Provision for losses | 573 | 101 | 674 | 430 | 746 | 1,176 | |||||||||||||||||
Charge-offs | (29 | ) | — | (29 | ) | (3,814 | ) | — | (3,814 | ) | |||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | 7,410 | $ | 6,569 | $ | 13,979 | $ | 7,967 | $ | 6,285 | $ | 14,252 |
Activity affecting the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses is discussed in "—Results of Operations—Provisions for Allowance for Loan Losses" and "—Results of Operations—Provision for Reserve for Losses." As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's allowances for losses totaled $14.0 million, or 26 basis points, of the outstanding principal balance of loans held for investment and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities, compared to $13.3 million, or 26 basis points, as of December 31, 2013 and $14.3 million, or 30 basis points as of March 31, 2013.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were $29.4 million (0.56 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $28.3 million (0.55 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2013 and $39.7 million (0.83 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of March 31, 2013. When analyzing the overall risk profile of its program business, Farmer Mac takes into account more than the Farm & Ranch loan delinquency percentages provided above. The total program business includes AgVantage securities and rural utilities loans, neither of which have any delinquencies, and USDA Securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.21 percent of total program business as of March 31, 2014, compared to 0.20 percent of total program business as of December 31, 2013 and 0.30 percent as of March 31, 2013.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's ethanol exposure, which includes loans held and loans subject to LTSPCs, was $72.4 million (1.4 percent of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) on 16 different plants, with an additional $26.4 million of undisbursed commitments. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had no ethanol loans that were 90-days delinquent. For more information about the conditions facing ethanol producers, see "—Outlook."
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The following table presents historical information regarding Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies in the Farm & Ranch line of business compared to the principal balance of all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs:
Table 13
Outstanding Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs (1) | 90-Day Delinquencies | Percentage | ||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
As of: | ||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 29,437 | 0.56 | % | ||||
December 31, 2013 | 5,163,080 | 28,296 | 0.55 | % | ||||||
September 30, 2013 | 5,035,748 | 33,042 | 0.66 | % | ||||||
June 30, 2013 | 4,917,489 | 33,922 | 0.69 | % | ||||||
March 31, 2013 | 4,782,609 | 39,663 | 0.83 | % | ||||||
December 31, 2012 | 4,747,289 | 33,263 | 0.70 | % | ||||||
September 30, 2012 | 4,402,957 | 40,797 | 0.93 | % | ||||||
June 30, 2012 | 4,403,212 | 47,026 | 1.07 | % | ||||||
March 31, 2012 | 4,372,483 | 53,119 | 1.21 | % |
(1) | Excludes loans pledged to secure AgVantage securities. |
The 90-day delinquency measure includes loans 90 days or more past due as well as loans in foreclosure, loans restructured after delinquency, and non-performing loans where the borrower is in bankruptcy.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac individually analyzed $32.5 million of the $93.2 million of recorded investment in impaired loans for collateral shortfalls against updated appraised values, other updated collateral valuations, or discounted values. For the remaining $60.7 million of impaired assets for which updated valuations were not available, Farmer Mac evaluated them in the aggregate in consideration of their similar risk characteristics and historical statistics. Farmer Mac recorded specific allowances of $2.7 million for undercollateralized assets as of March 31, 2014. Farmer Mac's non-specific or general allowances were $11.3 million as of March 31, 2014.
Loans in the Farm & Ranch line of business are all secured by first liens on agricultural real estate. Accordingly, Farmer Mac's exposure on a loan is limited to the difference between (1) the total of the accrued interest, advances, and the principal balance of a loan and (2) the value of the property less the cost to sell. Measurement of that excess or shortfall is the best predictor and determinant of loss, compared to other measures that evaluate the efficiency of a particular farm operator. Debt service ratios depend upon farm operator efficiency and leverage, which can vary widely within a geographic region, commodity type, or an operator's business and farming skills. A loan's original loan-to-value ratio is one of many factors Farmer Mac considers in evaluating loss severity and is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment. Other factors include, but are not limited to, other underwriting standards, commodity and farming forecasts, and regional economic and agricultural conditions.
Loan-to-value ratios depend upon the market value of a property, as determined in accordance with Farmer Mac's collateral valuation standards. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the average
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unpaid loan balance for loans outstanding in the Farm & Ranch line of business (excluding loans that secured AgVantage securities) was $449,000 and $426,000, respectively. For Farm & Ranch loan purchases made in first quarter 2014, the weighted average original loan-to-value ratio was 39 percent, compared to 42 percent in first quarter 2013. The weighted average original loan-to-value ratio (based on original appraised value that has not been indexed to provide a current market value or reflect amortization of loans) for Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately 48 percent as of March 31, 2014 and 49 percent as of December 31, 2013. The weighted average current loan-to-value ratio (based on original appraised value but which reflects loan amortization since purchase) for Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately 41 percent as of March 31, 2014, and 38 percent as of December 31, 2013. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all 90-day delinquencies was 47 percent as of March 31, 2014, and 45 percent as of December 31, 2013.
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The following table presents outstanding Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2014 by year of origination, geographic region, commodity/collateral type, and original loan-to-value ratio:
Table 14
Farm & Ranch 90-Day Delinquencies as of March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
Distribution of Outstanding Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs | Outstanding Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs (1) | 90-Day Delinquencies (2) | Percentage | ||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
By year of origination: | |||||||||||||
Before 2001 | 6 | % | $ | 308,276 | $ | 2,241 | 0.73 | % | |||||
2001 | 2 | % | 119,119 | 1,360 | 1.14 | % | |||||||
2002 | 3 | % | 145,807 | 678 | 0.46 | % | |||||||
2003 | 3 | % | 169,795 | 3,287 | 1.94 | % | |||||||
2004 | 4 | % | 194,620 | 875 | 0.45 | % | |||||||
2005 | 5 | % | 270,914 | 916 | 0.34 | % | |||||||
2006 | 5 | % | 276,632 | 4,676 | 1.69 | % | |||||||
2007 | 5 | % | 245,210 | 10,647 | 4.34 | % | |||||||
2008 | 6 | % | 314,099 | 2,344 | 0.75 | % | |||||||
2009 | 4 | % | 222,767 | 324 | 0.15 | % | |||||||
2010 | 6 | % | 336,229 | 934 | 0.28 | % | |||||||
2011 | 9 | % | 461,025 | — | — | % | |||||||
2012 | 16 | % | 846,797 | — | — | % | |||||||
2013 | 22 | % | 1,169,783 | 1,155 | 0.10 | % | |||||||
2014 | 4 | % | 212,902 | — | — | % | |||||||
Total | 100 | % | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 29,437 | 0.56 | % | |||||
By geographic region (3): | |||||||||||||
Northwest | 10 | % | $ | 549,031 | $ | 2,417 | 0.44 | % | |||||
Southwest | 33 | % | 1,726,049 | 9,096 | 0.53 | % | |||||||
Mid-North | 34 | % | 1,801,279 | 2,700 | 0.15 | % | |||||||
Mid-South | 12 | % | 621,137 | 2,452 | 0.39 | % | |||||||
Northeast | 4 | % | 224,277 | 1,471 | 0.66 | % | |||||||
Southeast | 7 | % | 372,202 | 11,301 | 3.04 | % | |||||||
Total | 100 | % | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 29,437 | 0.56 | % | |||||
By commodity/collateral type: | |||||||||||||
Crops | 52 | % | $ | 2,761,595 | $ | 8,718 | 0.32 | % | |||||
Permanent plantings | 17 | % | 908,046 | 11,820 | 1.30 | % | |||||||
Livestock | 25 | % | 1,281,827 | 5,721 | 0.45 | % | |||||||
Part-time farm | 3 | % | 157,794 | 3,178 | 2.01 | % | |||||||
Ag. Storage and processing (including ethanol facilities) | 3 | % | 175,525 | — | — | % | |||||||
Other | — | 9,188 | — | — | % | ||||||||
Total | 100 | % | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 29,437 | 0.56 | % | |||||
By original loan-to-value ratio: | |||||||||||||
0.00% to 40.00% | 28 | % | $ | 1,453,294 | $ | 7,917 | 0.54 | % | |||||
40.01% to 50.00% | 21 | % | 1,131,827 | 15,735 | 1.39 | % | |||||||
50.01% to 60.00% | 28 | % | 1,462,348 | 2,114 | 0.14 | % | |||||||
60.01% to 70.00% | 20 | % | 1,101,147 | 2,531 | 0.23 | % | |||||||
70.01% to 80.00% | 2 | % | 107,144 | (4) | 1,140 | 1.06 | % | ||||||
80.01% to 90.00% | 1 | % | 38,215 | (4) | — | — | % | ||||||
Total | 100 | % | $ | 5,293,975 | $ | 29,437 | 0.56 | % |
(1) | Excludes loans pledged to secure AgVantage securities. |
(2) | Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured after delinquency, and in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. |
(3) | Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). |
(4) | Primarily part-time farm loans. |
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The following table presents Farmer Mac's cumulative net credit losses relative to the cumulative original balance for all Farm & Ranch loans purchased and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2014 by year of origination, geographic region, and commodity/collateral type. The purpose of this information is to present information regarding losses relative to original Farm & Ranch purchases, guarantees, and commitments.
Table 15
Farm & Ranch Credit Losses Relative to Cumulative | ||||||||||
Original Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
Cumulative Original Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs (1) | Cumulative Net Credit Losses | Cumulative Loss Rate | ||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
By year of origination: | ||||||||||
Before 2001 | $ | 7,341,929 | $ | 11,032 | 0.15 | % | ||||
2001 | 1,151,579 | 178 | 0.02 | % | ||||||
2002 | 1,173,619 | 89 | 0.01 | % | ||||||
2003 | 1,013,719 | 404 | 0.04 | % | ||||||
2004 | 745,854 | 264 | 0.04 | % | ||||||
2005 | 899,437 | (184 | ) | (0.02 | )% | |||||
2006 | 927,944 | 9,602 | 1.03 | % | ||||||
2007 | 713,075 | 4,456 | 0.62 | % | ||||||
2008 | 801,412 | 3,247 | 0.41 | % | ||||||
2009 | 521,279 | 1,508 | 0.29 | % | ||||||
2010 | 625,592 | — | — | % | ||||||
2011 | 712,075 | — | — | % | ||||||
2012 | 1,031,389 | — | — | % | ||||||
2013 | 1,271,408 | — | — | % | ||||||
2014 | 240,363 | — | — | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 19,170,674 | $ | 30,596 | 0.16 | % | ||||
By geographic region (2): | ||||||||||
Northwest | $ | 2,609,483 | $ | 7,402 | 0.28 | % | ||||
Southwest | 6,807,282 | 9,048 | 0.13 | % | ||||||
Mid-North | 4,591,139 | 12,984 | 0.28 | % | ||||||
Mid-South | 2,093,663 | (282 | ) | (0.01 | )% | |||||
Northeast | 1,506,398 | 112 | 0.01 | % | ||||||
Southeast | 1,562,709 | 1,332 | 0.09 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 19,170,674 | $ | 30,596 | 0.16 | % | ||||
By commodity/collateral type: | ||||||||||
Crops | $ | 8,466,393 | $ | 4,406 | 0.05 | % | ||||
Permanent plantings | 3,923,057 | 9,377 | 0.24 | % | ||||||
Livestock | 4,858,986 | 3,859 | 0.08 | % | ||||||
Part-time farm | 1,073,391 | 942 | 0.09 | % | ||||||
Ag. Storage and processing (including ethanol facilities) (3) | 700,397 | 12,012 | 1.72 | % | ||||||
Other | 148,450 | — | — | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 19,170,674 | $ | 30,596 | 0.16 | % |
(1) | Excludes loans pledged to secure AgVantage securities. |
(2) | Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). |
(3) | Several of the loans underlying agricultural storage and processing LTSPCs are for facilities under construction and, as of March 31, 2014, approximately $26.4 million of the loans were not yet disbursed by the lender. |
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Analysis of portfolio performance indicates that commodity type is the primary determinant of Farmer Mac's exposure to loss on a given loan. Within most commodity groups, certain geographic areas allow greater economies of scale or proximity to markets than others and, consequently, may result in more successful operations within the commodity group. Certain geographic areas also offer better growing conditions and agricultural infrastructure than others and, consequently, may result in more versatile and more successful operators within a given commodity group. Farmer Mac's board of directors has established policies regarding geographic and commodity concentration to maintain adequate diversification and measure concentration risk.
The following tables present concentrations of Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities by commodity type within geographic region and cumulative credit losses by origination year and commodity type:
Table 16
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch Concentrations by Commodity Type within Geographic Region | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By geographic region (1): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northwest | $ | 276,710 | $ | 84,920 | $ | 160,047 | $ | 12,120 | $ | 15,000 | $ | 234 | $ | 549,031 | |||||||||||||
5.2 | % | 1.7 | % | 3.0 | % | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | 10.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
Southwest | 508,449 | 646,940 | 518,873 | 33,938 | 16,352 | 1,497 | 1,726,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||
9.6 | % | 12.2 | % | 9.9 | % | 0.6 | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | 32.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
Mid-North | 1,456,158 | 29,014 | 190,049 | 11,951 | 108,191 | 5,916 | 1,801,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||
27.4 | % | 0.5 | % | 3.7 | % | 0.2 | % | 2.1 | % | 0.1 | % | 34.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Mid-South | 369,499 | 11,573 | 199,588 | 24,175 | 15,738 | 564 | 621,137 | ||||||||||||||||||||
7.0 | % | 0.1 | % | 3.9 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.2 | % | — | % | 11.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
Northeast | 67,149 | 25,707 | 65,559 | 54,514 | 11,168 | 180 | 224,277 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1.3 | % | 0.5 | % | 1.2 | % | 1.0 | % | 0.2 | % | — | % | 4.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
Southeast | 83,630 | 109,892 | 147,711 | 21,096 | 9,076 | 797 | 372,202 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1.6 | % | 2.1 | % | 2.8 | % | 0.4 | % | 0.2 | % | — | % | 7.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,761,595 | $ | 908,046 | $ | 1,281,827 | $ | 157,794 | $ | 175,525 | $ | 9,188 | $ | 5,293,975 | |||||||||||||
52.1 | % | 17.1 | % | 24.5 | % | 2.9 | % | 3.3 | % | 0.1 | % | 100.0 | % |
(1) | Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN). |
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Table 17
March 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative Credit Losses/(Recoveries) by Origination Year and Commodity Type | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Crops | Permanent Plantings | Livestock | Part-time Farm | Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
By year of origination: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1995 and Prior | $ | 277 | $ | (79 | ) | $ | (107 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 91 | |||||||||
1996 | (721 | ) | 2,296 | (73 | ) | — | — | 1,502 | |||||||||||||||
1997 | (397 | ) | 2,785 | (131 | ) | — | — | 2,257 | |||||||||||||||
1998 | (438 | ) | 1,848 | 1,781 | — | — | 3,191 | ||||||||||||||||
1999 | (108 | ) | 723 | 158 | 296 | — | 1,069 | ||||||||||||||||
2000 | 7 | 1,907 | 1,049 | (41 | ) | — | 2,922 | ||||||||||||||||
2001 | 45 | 1 | 132 | — | — | 178 | |||||||||||||||||
2002 | — | — | — | 89 | — | 89 | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 363 | — | — | 41 | — | 404 | |||||||||||||||||
2004 | — | — | 162 | 102 | — | 264 | |||||||||||||||||
2005 | (87 | ) | (263 | ) | — | 166 | — | (184 | ) | ||||||||||||||
2006 | 1,729 | — | 40 | 145 | 7,688 | 9,602 | |||||||||||||||||
2007 | 1,012 | 11 | 779 | 144 | 2,510 | 4,456 | |||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2,626 | — | — | — | 621 | 3,247 | |||||||||||||||||
2009 | 98 | 148 | 69 | — | 1,193 | 1,508 | |||||||||||||||||
2010 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,406 | $ | 9,377 | $ | 3,859 | $ | 942 | $ | 12,012 | $ | 30,596 |
In Farmer Mac's experience, the degree to which the collateral is specialized or highly improved, such as permanent plantings and facilities, is a more significant determinant of the probability of ultimate losses on a given loan than geographic location. The versatility of a borrower's operation (and in the case of persisting adverse economic conditions, the borrower's ability to switch commodity groups) will more likely result in profitability for the borrower and, consequently, a lower risk of decreased value for the underlying collateral. However, producers of agricultural commodities that require specialized or highly improved property are less able to adapt their operations when faced with adverse economic conditions. If adverse economic conditions persist for these commodities, not only might the borrower face a higher risk of default, but also the prospective sale value of the collateral is more likely to decrease and the related loan may become undercollateralized. This analysis is consistent with corresponding commodity analyses, which indicate that Farmer Mac has experienced higher loss and collateral deficiency rates in permanent planting loans and Ag. Storage and Processing loans (including Farmer Mac's exposure to loans on ethanol plants) for which the collateral is typically highly improved and specialized. See "—Outlook."
Farmer Mac's methodologies for pricing its guarantee and commitment fees, managing credit risk, and providing adequate allowances for losses consider all of the foregoing factors and information.
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Credit Risk – Institutional. Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk arising from its business relationships with other institutions including:
• | issuers of AgVantage securities and investments held by Farmer Mac; |
• | approved lenders and servicers; and |
• | interest rate swap counterparties. |
Each AgVantage security is a general obligation of an issuing institution that is secured by eligible loans in an amount at least equal to the outstanding principal amount of the security, with some level of overcollateralization also required for AgVantage securities secured by Farm & Ranch loans. Farmer Mac approves AgVantage counterparties and manages institutional credit risk related to those AgVantage counterparties by requiring them to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness. The required collateralization level is established at the time of issuance and does not change during the life of the security. In AgVantage transactions, the corporate obligor is required to remove from the pool of pledged collateral any loan that becomes more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of principal or interest and to substitute an eligible loan that is current in payment to maintain the minimum required collateralization level. In the event of a default on the general obligation, Farmer Mac would have recourse to the pledged collateral and have rights to the ongoing borrower payments of principal and interest. For a more detailed description of AgVantage securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—AgVantage Securities" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
The unpaid principal balance of outstanding on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by Farm & Ranch loans totaled $3.6 billion as of March 31, 2014 and $3.5 billion as of December 31, 2013. The unpaid principal balance of on-balance sheet AgVantage securities issued by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("CFC") and secured by Rural Utilities loans totaled $1.5 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. In addition, the unpaid principal balance of outstanding off-balance sheet AgVantage transactions totaled $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
The following table provides information about the issuers of AgVantage securities, as well as the required collateralization levels for those transactions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 18
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Counterparty | Balance | Credit Rating | Required Collateralization | Balance | Credit Rating | Required Collateralization | ||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
MetLife(1) | $ | 2,750,000 | AA- | 103% | $ | 2,750,000 | AA- | 103% | ||||||||
CFC | 1,539,136 | A | 100% | 1,538,214 | A | 100% | ||||||||||
Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. | 1,750,000 | N/A | 106% | 1,700,000 | N/A | 106% | ||||||||||
Rabobank N.A. | 50,000 | N/A | 106% | 50,000 | N/A | 106% | ||||||||||
Other(2) | 11,150 | N/A | 111% to 120% | 9,650 | N/A | 111% to 120% | ||||||||||
Total outstanding | $ | 6,100,286 | $ | 6,047,864 |
(1) | Includes securities issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut. |
(2) | Consists of AgVantage securities issued by 3 different issuers as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. |
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Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to lenders and servicers by requiring those institutions to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness. Farmer Mac monitors the financial condition of those institutions by evaluating financial statements and bank credit rating agency reports. For more information on Farmer Mac's approval of lenders, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Approved Lenders" and "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Servicers" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to its interest rate swap counterparties through collateralization provisions contained in each of its swap agreements that varies based on the market value of its swaps portfolio with each counterparty. In addition, Farmer Mac transacts interest rate swaps with multiple counterparties to ensure a more even distribution of institutional credit risk related to its swap transactions. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), mandatory clearing of certain interest rate derivative transactions became effective for Farmer Mac during second quarter 2013, and Farmer Mac has been able to use the clearing process for cleared swap transactions as another mechanism for managing its derivative counterparty risk. Credit risk related to interest rate swap contracts is discussed in "—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Credit Risk – Other Investments. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had $866.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of investment securities. The management of the credit risk inherent in these investments is governed by Farmer Mac's internal policies as well as FCA regulations, which establish limitations on dollar amount, issuer concentration, and credit quality. Those regulations can be found at 12 C.F.R. §§ 652.1-652.45 (the "Liquidity and Investment Regulations"). In addition to establishing a portfolio of highly liquid investments as an available source of cash, the goals of Farmer Mac's investment policies are designed to minimize Farmer Mac's exposure to financial market volatility, preserve capital, and support Farmer Mac's access to the debt markets.
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's policies generally require each investment or issuer of an investment to be highly rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"). Investments in mortgage securities and asset-backed securities are required to have a rating in the highest NRSRO category. Corporate debt securities with maturities of no more than five years but more than three years are required to be rated in one of the two highest categories; corporate debt securities with maturities of three years or less are required to be rated in one of the three highest categories. Some investments do not require a rating, such as U.S. Treasury securities and other obligations fully insured by the United States government or a government agency or diversified investment funds regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Investments in diversified investment funds are further limited to those funds that are holding only instruments approved for direct investment by Farmer Mac.
The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's policies also establish concentration limits, which are intended to limit exposure to any one counterparty. The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac board policy limit Farmer Mac's total credit exposure to any single issuer of securities and uncollateralized financial derivatives to 25 percent of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital (as of March 31, 2014, 25 percent of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital was $169.5 million). This limitation is not applied to the obligations of the United States or to qualified investment funds. The limitation applied to the obligations of any GSE is 100 percent of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital. Farmer Mac's policy applicable to new investments limits Farmer Mac's total exposure to any single issuer of securities (other
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than GSEs and government agencies) and uncollateralized financial derivatives to 5 percent of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital. See "—Regulatory Matters" for more information on recent changes to the Liquidity and Investment Regulations.
Interest Rate Risk. Farmer Mac is subject to interest rate risk on all assets retained on its balance sheet because of possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities. This risk is primarily related to loans held, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities due to the ability of borrowers to prepay their loans before the scheduled maturities, thereby increasing the risk of asset and liability cash flow mismatches. Cash flow mismatches in a changing interest rate environment can reduce the earnings of Farmer Mac if assets repay sooner than expected and the resulting cash flows must be reinvested in lower-yielding investments when Farmer Mac's funding costs cannot be correspondingly reduced, or if assets repay more slowly than expected and the associated debt must be replaced by higher-cost debt. As discussed below, Farmer Mac manages this interest rate risk by funding assets purchased with liabilities matching the duration and cash flow characteristics of the assets purchased.
The goal of interest rate risk management at Farmer Mac is to create and maintain a portfolio that generates stable earnings and value across a variety of interest rate environments. Farmer Mac's primary strategy for managing interest rate risk is to fund asset purchases with liabilities that have similar duration and cash flow characteristics so that they will perform similarly as interest rates change. To match these characteristics, Farmer Mac issues discount notes and both callable and non-callable medium-term notes across a spectrum of maturities. Farmer Mac issues callable debt to offset the prepayment risk associated with some loans. By using a blend of liabilities that includes callable debt, the interest rate sensitivities of the liabilities tend to increase or decrease as interest rates change in a manner similar to changes in the interest rate sensitivities of the assets. Farmer Mac also uses financial derivatives to better match the durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities, thereby reducing overall interest rate sensitivity.
Taking into consideration the prepayment provisions and the default probabilities associated with its loan assets, Farmer Mac uses prepayment models to project and value cash flows associated with these assets. Because borrowers' behaviors in various interest rate environments may change over time, Farmer Mac periodically evaluates the effectiveness of these models compared to actual prepayment experience and adjusts and refines the models as necessary to improve the precision of subsequent prepayment forecasts.
In certain cases, yield maintenance provisions and other prepayment penalties contained in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans reduce, but do not eliminate, prepayment risk. Those provisions require borrowers to make an additional payment when they prepay their loans, thus compensating Farmer Mac for the shortened duration of the prepaid loan. As of March 31, 2014, 2 percent of the total outstanding balance of loans in the Farm & Ranch line of business where Farmer Mac either owned the loan or the beneficial interest in the underlying loan had yield maintenance provisions and 2 percent had other forms of prepayment protection (together covering 5 percent of all loans with fixed interest rates). Of the Farm & Ranch loans purchased in first quarter 2014, none had yield maintenance or another form of prepayment protection. As of March 31, 2014, none of the USDA Securities had yield maintenance provisions; however, 7 percent contained prepayment penalties. Of the USDA Securities purchased in first quarter 2014, 6 percent contained various forms of prepayment penalties. As of March 31, 2014, 63 percent of the rural utilities loans owned by Farmer Mac had yield maintenance provisions. Of the rural utilities loans purchased in first quarter 2014, 33 percent had yield maintenance provisions. As of March 31, 2014, substantially all of the rural utilities loans held in trusts where Farmer Mac owned the beneficial interest in the underlying loan had yield maintenance provisions.
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Farmer Mac's purchases of eligible loan assets expose Farmer Mac to interest rate risk arising primarily from uncertainty as to when the borrowers will repay the outstanding principal balance on the related loans. Generally, the values of Farmer Mac's eligible loan assets, and the debt issued to fund these assets, increase when interest rates decline, and their values decrease as interest rates rise. Furthermore, changes in interest rates may affect loan prepayment rates which may, in turn, affect durations and values of the loans. Declining interest rates generally increase prepayment rates, which shortens the duration of these assets, while rising interest rates tend to slow loan prepayments, thereby extending the duration of the loans.
Farmer Mac is also subject to interest rate risk on loans that Farmer Mac has committed to acquire (other than delinquent loans through LTSPCs) but has not yet purchased. When Farmer Mac commits to purchase those loans, it is exposed to interest rate risk between the time it commits to purchase the loans and the time it either:
• | sells Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by the loans; or |
• | issues debt to retain the loans in its portfolio. |
Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk related to these loans, and any related Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or debt issuance, through the use of forward sale contracts on the debt of other GSEs and futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities. Farmer Mac uses forward sale contracts on GSE securities to reduce its interest rate exposure to changes in both U.S. Treasury rates and spreads on Farmer Mac debt and certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Issuing debt to fund the loans as investments does not fully eliminate interest rate risk due to the possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities, as discussed above.
Farmer Mac's $866.6 million of cash and cash equivalents mature within three months and are funded with discount notes having similar maturities. As of March 31, 2014, $2.3 billion of the $2.5 billion of investment securities (95 percent) were floating rate securities with rates that adjust within one year or fixed rate securities with original maturities between three months and one year. Those securities are funded with effectively floating rate debt that closely matches the rate adjustment dates of the associated investments. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had outstanding discount notes of $4.9 billion, medium-term notes that mature within one year of $2.5 billion, and medium-term notes that mature after one year of $5.0 billion.
Recognizing that interest rate sensitivity may change with the passage of time and as interest rates change, Farmer Mac assesses this exposure on a regular basis and, if necessary, readjusts its portfolio of assets and liabilities by:
• | purchasing assets in the ordinary course of business; |
• | refunding existing liabilities; or |
• | using financial derivatives to alter the characteristics of existing assets or liabilities. |
Farmer Mac uses a variety of metrics to quantify and manage its interest rate risk. These metrics include sensitivity to interest rate movements of market value of equity ("MVE") and net interest income ("NII") as well as duration gap analysis. MVE represents management's estimate of the present value of all future cash flows from on- and off-balance sheet assets, liabilities, and financial derivatives, discounted at current interest rates and appropriate spreads. However, MVE is not indicative of the market value of
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Farmer Mac as a going concern because these market values are theoretical and do not reflect future business activities. MVE sensitivity analysis is used to measure the degree to which the market values of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities change for a given change in interest rates. Because this analysis evaluates the impact of interest rate movements on the value of all future cash flows, this measure provides an evaluation of Farmer Mac's long-term interest rate risk.
Farmer Mac's NII is the difference between the yield on its interest-earning assets and its funding costs. Farmer Mac's NII may be affected by changes in market interest rates resulting from timing differences between maturities and re-pricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. The direction and magnitude of any such effect depends on the direction and magnitude of the change in interest rates as well as the composition of Farmer Mac's portfolio. The NII forecast represents an estimate of the net interest income that Farmer Mac's current portfolio is expected to produce over a twelve-month horizon. As a result, NII sensitivity statistics provide a shorter-term view of Farmer Mac's interest rate sensitivity.
Duration is a measure of a financial instrument's sensitivity to small changes in interest rates. Duration gap is the difference between the estimated durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities. Because duration is a measure of market value sensitivity, duration gap summarizes the extent to which estimated market value sensitivities for assets and liabilities are matched. Duration gap provides a relatively concise measure of the interest rate risk inherent in Farmer Mac's outstanding book of business.
A positive duration gap denotes that the duration of Farmer Mac's assets is greater than the duration of its liabilities. A positive duration gap indicates that the market value of Farmer Mac's assets is more sensitive to small interest rate movements than is the market value of its liabilities. Conversely, a negative duration gap indicates that Farmer Mac's assets are less sensitive to small interest rate movements than are its liabilities.
Each of the metrics is produced using asset/liability models and is derived based on management's best estimates of such factors as projected interest rates, interest rate volatility, and prepayment speeds. Accordingly, these metrics should be understood as estimates rather than precise measurements. In addition, actual results may differ to the extent there are material changes to Farmer Mac's portfolio or changes in strategies undertaken to mitigate unfavorable sensitivities to interest rate changes.
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The following schedule summarizes the results of Farmer Mac's MVE and NII sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 to an immediate and instantaneous uniform or "parallel" shift in the yield curve:
Table 19
Percentage Change in MVE from Base Case | ||||||
Interest Rate Scenario | March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||
+100 basis points | (1.1 | )% | (2.2 | )% | ||
-25 basis points | (0.2 | )% | 0.1 | % |
Percentage Change in NII from Base Case | ||||||
Interest Rate Scenario | March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||
+100 basis points | 4.0 | % | 2.2 | % | ||
-25 basis points | (10.9 | )% | (8.1 | )% |
Farmer Mac's board of directors has established policies and procedures regarding MVE and NII sensitivity. These policies include the measurement of MVE and NII sensitivity to more severe decreasing interest rate scenarios that are consistent in magnitude with the increasing interest rate scenarios. However, given the low interest rate environment, such rate scenarios produce negative interest rates, and, as a result, do not produce results that are meaningful. Consequently, Farmer Mac measures and reports MVE and NII sensitivity to a down 25 basis point interest rate shock.
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's effective duration gap was minus 0.2 months, compared to 0.3 months as of December 31, 2013. The Series B Preferred Stock issued by Farmer Mac during first quarter 2014 lengthened the duration of Farmer Mac's liabilities relative to that of its assets. As a result, Farmer Mac's duration gap moved from being slightly positive to being slightly negative. Farmer Mac's interest rate risk profile was largely unchanged during first quarter 2014, and interest rate sensitivity remains relatively low and at manageable levels.
The economic effects of financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's MVE, NII, and duration gap analyses. Farmer Mac enters into the following financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of assets, future cash flows, credit exposure, and debt issuance, not for trading or speculative purposes:
• | "pay-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac pays fixed rates of interest to, and receives floating rates of interest from, counterparties; |
• | "receive-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac receives fixed rates of interest from, and pays floating rates of interest to, counterparties; and |
• | "basis swaps," in which Farmer Mac pays variable rates of interest based on one index to, and receives variable rates of interest based on another index from, counterparties. |
As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had $6.6 billion combined notional amount of interest rate swaps, with terms ranging from less than one year to twenty-five years, of which $1.4 billion were pay-fixed interest rate swaps, $4.6 billion were receive-fixed interest rate swaps, and $0.6 billion were basis swaps.
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Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the characteristics of its debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its loans and other assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and often times deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market. Specifically, interest rate swaps synthetically convert the variable cash flows related to the forecasted issuance of short-term debt into effectively fixed rate medium-term notes that match the anticipated duration and interest rate characteristics of the corresponding assets. Farmer Mac evaluates the overall cost of using the swap market as a funding alternative and uses interest rate swaps to manage specific interest rate risks for specific transactions. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets classified as available-for-sale to protect against fair value changes in the assets related to a benchmark interest rate (i.e., LIBOR).
Farmer Mac has used callable interest rate swaps (in conjunction with the issuance of short-term debt) as an alternative to callable medium-term notes with equivalently structured maturities and call options. The call options on the swaps are designed to match the prepayment options on those assets without prepayment protection. The blended durations of the swaps are also designed to match the duration of the related assets over their estimated lives. If the assets prepay, the swaps can be called and the short-term debt repaid; if the assets do not prepay, the swaps remain outstanding and the short-term debt is rolled over, effectively providing fixed rate callable funding over the lives of the related assets. Thus, the economics of the assets are closely matched to the economics of the interest rate swap and funding combination.
As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, all financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives are reported in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedging relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items related to the risk being hedged are also reported in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedging relationships, changes in fair value of the hedged items related to the risk being hedged are reported in "Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax" in the consolidated balance sheets. All of Farmer Mac's financial derivative transactions are conducted under standard collateralized agreements that limit Farmer Mac's potential credit exposure to any counterparty. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac had uncollateralized net exposures of $2.3 million to two counterparties. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac had uncollateralized net exposures of $3.0 million to three counterparties.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Farmer Mac regularly accesses the capital markets for liquidity, and Farmer Mac has maintained access to the capital markets at favorable rates throughout 2013 and during first quarter 2014. Assuming continued access to the capital markets, Farmer Mac believes it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources to support its operations for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Farmer Mac also has a liquidity contingency plan to manage unanticipated disruptions in its access to the capital markets. That plan involves borrowing through repurchase agreement arrangements and the sale of liquid assets. In accordance with the calculation prescribed by the Liquidity and Investment Regulations during first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac was required to maintain a minimum of 60 days of liquidity and targeted 90 days of liquidity. In accordance with the methodology prescribed by those regulations, Farmer Mac maintained an average of 138 days of liquidity during first quarter 2014 and had 127 days of liquidity as of March 31, 2014. FCA recently adopted a final rule (that became effective on April 30, 2014) to revise its regulations governing the management of liquidity risk at Farmer Mac, requiring that Farmer Mac maintain a minimum of 90 days of liquidity and use a different methodology for calculating the available days of liquidity. Farmer Mac does not expect that this change in regulation will have a material effect on its operations or financial condition. For more information about this final rule, see "—Regulatory Matters."
Debt Issuance. Farmer Mac funds its purchases of eligible loan assets and investment assets primarily by issuing debt obligations of various maturities through a network of dealers in the public capital markets. Farmer Mac works to enhance its funding operations by undertaking extensive debt investor relations initiatives, including conducting non-deal roadshows with institutional investors, making periodic dealer sales force presentations, and speaking at fixed income investor conferences throughout the United States. Debt obligations issued by Farmer Mac include discount notes and fixed and floating rate medium-term notes, including callable notes. Farmer Mac also issues discount notes and medium-term notes to obtain funds to finance investment activities, transaction costs, guarantee payments, and LTSPC purchase obligations.
Farmer Mac's board of directors has authorized the issuance of up to $15.0 billion of discount notes and medium-term notes (of which $12.4 billion was outstanding as of March 31, 2014), subject to periodic review of the adequacy of that level relative to Farmer Mac's borrowing requirements. Farmer Mac invests the proceeds of its debt issuances in purchases of loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and investment assets in accordance with policies established by its board of directors and subject to regulations established by FCA.
Liquidity. The funding and liquidity needs of Farmer Mac's lines of business are driven by the purchase and retention of eligible loans, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (including AgVantage securities); the maturities of Farmer Mac's discount notes and medium-term notes; and payment of principal and interest on Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac's primary sources of funds to meet these needs are the proceeds of its debt issuances, fees for its guarantees and commitments, net effective spread, loan repayments, and maturities of AgVantage securities.
Farmer Mac may use a combination of pay-fixed interest rate swaps and receive-fixed interest rate swaps to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk and monitors the effects of actual and potential fair value changes on its regulatory capital surplus. From time to time, Farmer Mac uses pay-fixed interest rate swaps, combined with a planned series of discount note or short-term floating rate medium term note issuances, as an alternative source of effectively fixed rate funding. While the swap market may provide
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favorable effectively fixed rates, interest rate swap transactions expose Farmer Mac to the risk of future variability of its own issuance spreads versus corresponding LIBOR rates. If the spreads on the Farmer Mac discount notes or short-term floating rate medium term notes were to deteriorate relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would be exposed to a commensurate reduction on its net interest yield on the notional amount of its pay-fixed interest rate swaps and its LIBOR-based floating rate assets. Conversely, if the rates on the Farmer Mac discount notes or short-term floating rate medium term notes were to improve relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase on its net interest yield on the notional amount of its pay-fixed interest rate swaps and its LIBOR-based floating rate assets.
Farmer Mac maintains cash, cash equivalents (including U.S. Treasury securities and other short-term money market instruments), and other investment securities that can be drawn upon for liquidity needs. The following table presents these assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 20
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 866,585 | $ | 749,313 | |||
Investment securities: | |||||||
Guaranteed by U.S. Government and its agencies | 1,048,891 | 1,084,187 | |||||
Guaranteed by GSEs | 965,410 | 946,737 | |||||
Preferred stock issued by GSEs | 81,640 | 83,161 | |||||
Corporate debt securities | 184,839 | 195,591 | |||||
Asset-backed securities | 189,235 | 174,399 | |||||
Total | $ | 3,336,600 | $ | 3,233,388 |
Farmer Mac's asset-backed investment securities include callable, highly rated auction-rate certificates ("ARCs"), the interest rates on which are reset through an auction process, most commonly at intervals of 28 days, or at formula-based floating rates as set forth in the related transaction documents in the event of a failed auction. These formula-based floating rates, which may at times reset to zero, are intended to preserve the underlying principal balance of the securities and avoid overall cash shortfalls. Accordingly, payments of accrued interest may be delayed and are ultimately subject to cash availability. Beginning in mid-February 2008, there were widespread failures of the auction mechanism designed to provide regular liquidity to these types of securities. Consequently, Farmer Mac has not sold any of its ARCs into the auctions since that time. All ARCs held by Farmer Mac are collateralized entirely by pools of Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFELP") guaranteed student loans that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Farmer Mac continues to believe that the credit quality of these securities is high, based on the underlying collateralization and the securities' ratings. To date, Farmer Mac has received all interest due on ARCs it holds and expects to continue to do so. Farmer Mac does not believe that the auction failures will affect Farmer Mac's liquidity or its ability to fund its operations or make dividend payments. All ARCs held by Farmer Mac are callable by the issuers at par at any time.
The carrying value of Farmer Mac's ARCs investments was $65.0 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $65.3 million as of December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac's carrying value of its ARCs was 88 percent of par. The discounted carrying value reflects uncertainty regarding the ability to
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obtain par in the absence of any active market trading. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the carrying value of ARCs.
Capital Requirements. Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory and regulatory capital requirements – minimum, critical, and risk-based. Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. The minimum capital requirement is expressed as a percentage of on-balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet obligations. The critical capital requirement is equal to one-half of the minimum capital amount. Farmer Mac's statutory charter does not specify the required level of risk-based capital but directs FCA to establish a risk-based capital stress test for Farmer Mac, using specified stress-test parameters. Certain enforcement powers are given to FCA depending on Farmer Mac's compliance with these capital standards. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about Farmer Mac's capital position and see "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Regulation—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014 for more information on the statutory and regulatory capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac.
In first quarter 2014, Farmer Mac submitted to the FCA's Office of Secondary Market Oversight Farmer Mac's capital plan in compliance with FCA's rule on capital planning that became effective on January 3, 2014. See "—Regulatory Matters" for more information on FCA's rule on capital planning. In accordance with this new rule and as part of its capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of "Tier 1" capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, qualifying preferred stock, and accumulated other comprehensive income allocable to investments not included in one of the four operating lines of business) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and employee (including officer) bonus payments in the event that Tier 1 capital falls below specified thresholds. For more information on Farmer Mac's capital adequacy policy, see "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Regulation—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its capital adequacy policy.
Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock is permanent equity of Farmer Mac II LLC, though it does not constitute a Tier 1 capital-eligible security. In an effort to increase Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital, as defined under Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac II LLC will likely redeem some or all of the outstanding Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock on March 30, 2015 or a subsequent redemption date, at a cash redemption price equal to the liquidation preference if Farmer Mac is able to replace the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock with other securities issued by Farmer Mac constituting Tier 1 capital-eligible securities. In addition, prior to the initial redemption date on March 30, 2015 or between subsequent redemption dates, Farmer Mac or an affiliated third party may purchase the trust securities, called Farm Asset-Linked Capital Securities or "FALConS," representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in 250,000 shares of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock, from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or through a public tender offer, and, subject to favorable market conditions, may seek to do so. For more information on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock, see "Business—Farmer Mac Lines of Business—Financing—Equity Issuance—Non-Controlling Interest in Farmer Mac II LLC." For more information on Farmer Mac's capital plan, see "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Regulation—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
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Regulatory Matters
The Dodd-Frank Act contains a variety of provisions designed to regulate financial markets. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including those regarding derivatives, corporate governance, and executive compensation, apply to Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac does not expect that any of the final rules that have been passed or that are anticipated to be passed under the Dodd-Frank Act will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's business activities and operations or financial condition. Farmer Mac will continue to monitor all applicable developments in the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act and expects to be able to adapt successfully to any new applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
On September 12, 2013, FCA adopted a final rule to revise its regulations governing business and capital planning at Farmer Mac, requiring Farmer Mac to submit, on an annual basis, a capital plan to FCA and to notify FCA before making a capital distribution (other than quarterly dividends that are the same as the previous quarter and other capital distributions that are consistent with Farmer Mac's capital plan). The rule also requires Farmer Mac to maintain sufficient capital to meet its policy goals under both expected and stressful scenarios, and sets forth various items that must be included in Farmer Mac's annual capital plan and capital adequacy goals. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2013 and became effective on January 3, 2014. In accordance with the requirements under the final rule, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and employee (including officer) bonus payments in the event that Tier 1 capital falls below specified thresholds. For more information on Farmer Mac's capital adequacy policy, see "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Regulation—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Farmer Mac does not expect its compliance with the final rule on capital planning, including Farmer Mac's policy on Tier 1 capital established under the final rule, to materially affect Farmer Mac's operations or financial condition.
On October 10, 2013, FCA adopted a final rule to revise the Liquidity and Investment Regulations governing the management of liquidity risk at Farmer Mac. The final rule adopted by FCA increases the minimum days-of-liquidity requirement for Farmer Mac's liquidity reserve from 60 to 90 days of maturing obligations, and also requires progressively higher-quality liquid assets to meet progressively shorter time intervals of obligations within the new 90-day minimum period. This rule was published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2013 and became effective on April 30, 2014. Farmer Mac does not expect its compliance with the final rule on liquidity management to materially affect Farmer Mac's operations or financial condition. The final rule adopted on October 10, 2013 complements the final rule published by FCA on November 5, 2012 amending the Liquidity and Investment Regulations to address investment eligibility and management. FCA also has sought public comment regarding the use of credit ratings in the Liquidity and Investment Regulations, in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act, for purposes of a final rule to be published at a later date.
On February 25, 2014, FCA published in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (the "ANPRM") seeking public comment on Farmer Mac's board governance and standards of conduct, including director election procedures, director fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and risk governance. Farmer Mac submitted comments on the ANPRM to FCA on April 28, 2014.
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Other Matters
Common Stock Dividends. For the first quarter in 2014, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2013, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on common stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. See "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Regulation—Capital Standards—Enforcement Levels" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014.
Preferred Stock Dividends. For first quarter 2014 and the last three quarters of 2013, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.3672 per share on its Series A Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac's Series B Preferred Stock was issued on March 25, 2014 and a dividend of $0.105 was paid on the regularly scheduled payment date of April 17, 2014. For first quarter 2013, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $2.36 per share on its Series C Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac's Series C Preferred Stock was retired and redeemed on January 17, 2013 with the proceeds from the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on preferred stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements.
Non-controlling Interest-Preferred Stock Dividends. For first quarter 2014 and for each quarter during 2013, Farmer Mac II LLC paid a quarterly dividend of $22.1875 per share on the Farmer Mac II Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac's net income attributable to non-controlling interest totaled $5.5 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. These amounts represent the dividends paid on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock held by third parties. Farmer Mac's income tax expense is determined based on income before income taxes less the amount of these dividends.
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Supplemental Information
The following tables present quarterly and annual information regarding purchases and repayments of loans, guarantees, and LTSPCs and outstanding loans, guarantees, and LTSPCs:
Table 21
Farmer Mac New Purchases, Guarantees, and LTSPCs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | LTSPCs | USDA Securities | Loans | AgVantage | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
For the quarter ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 192,407 | $ | 185,594 | $ | 67,984 | $ | 53,903 | $ | 228,690 | $ | 728,578 | |||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | 245,770 | 75,731 | 58,438 | 41,374 | 295,000 | 716,313 | |||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | 193,089 | 198,783 | 70,372 | 5,107 | 353,500 | 820,851 | |||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2013 | 226,135 | 99,504 | 110,897 | 10,222 | 200,000 | 646,758 | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | 159,887 | 166,780 | 122,187 | 30,262 | 425,000 | 904,116 | |||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | 181,555 | 378,258 | 102,339 | 56,638 | 133,406 | 852,196 | |||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | 132,882 | 115,757 | 114,974 | 26,843 | 451,000 | 841,456 | |||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2012 | 145,423 | 70,458 | 165,613 | 58,286 | 200,000 | 639,780 | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | 110,486 | 179,637 | 101,725 | 24,350 | 200,000 | 616,198 | |||||||||||||||||
For the year ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | 824,881 | 540,798 | 361,894 | 86,965 | 1,273,500 | 3,088,038 | |||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | 570,346 | 744,110 | 484,651 | 166,117 | 984,406 | 2,949,630 |
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Table 22
Farmer Mac Repayments of Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs, and USDA Guarantees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | Guaranteed Securities | LTSPCs | USDA Securities | Loans | AgVantage | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the quarter ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 43,045 | $ | 24,430 | $ | 48,157 | $ | 29,319 | $ | 23,744 | $ | 176,268 | $ | 344,963 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 61,871 | 9,747 | 59,856 | 39,086 | 55,164 | — | 225,724 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 104,916 | $ | 34,177 | $ | 108,013 | $ | 68,405 | $ | 78,908 | $ | 176,268 | $ | 570,687 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 6,729 | $ | 24,367 | $ | 36,063 | $ | 17,463 | $ | 6,897 | $ | 303,087 | $ | 394,606 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 54,277 | 11,586 | 61,147 | 30,651 | — | — | 157,661 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | $ | 61,006 | $ | 35,953 | $ | 97,210 | $ | 48,114 | $ | 6,897 | $ | 303,087 | $ | 552,267 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 34,455 | $ | 13,133 | $ | 47,143 | $ | 21,235 | $ | 31,994 | $ | 258,488 | $ | 406,448 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 84,889 | 12,232 | 81,761 | 39,514 | 5,259 | — | 223,655 | ||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | $ | 119,344 | $ | 25,365 | $ | 128,904 | $ | 60,749 | $ | 37,253 | $ | 258,488 | $ | 630,103 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 7,242 | $ | 11,749 | $ | 50,222 | $ | 26,056 | $ | — | $ | 206,511 | $ | 301,780 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 46,479 | 17,682 | 57,385 | 65,776 | — | — | 187,322 | ||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2013 | $ | 53,721 | $ | 29,431 | $ | 107,607 | $ | 91,832 | $ | — | $ | 206,511 | $ | 489,102 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 34,014 | $ | 28,453 | $ | 37,262 | $ | 29,918 | $ | 22,509 | $ | 77,925 | $ | 230,081 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 101,180 | 26,417 | 64,021 | 59,743 | — | — | 251,361 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | $ | 135,194 | $ | 54,870 | $ | 101,283 | $ | 89,661 | $ | 22,509 | $ | 77,925 | $ | 481,442 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 3,691 | $ | 28,695 | $ | 12,347 | $ | 17,299 | $ | — | $ | 3,600 | $ | 65,632 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 43,414 | 35,655 | 91,679 | 68,687 | — | — | 239,435 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | $ | 47,105 | $ | 64,350 | $ | 104,026 | $ | 85,986 | $ | — | $ | 3,600 | $ | 305,067 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 25,076 | $ | 13,918 | $ | 22,173 | $ | 21,357 | $ | 24,260 | $ | 251,801 | $ | 358,585 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 97,030 | 20,869 | 69,828 | 73,578 | 3,927 | — | 265,232 | ||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | $ | 122,106 | $ | 34,787 | $ | 92,001 | $ | 94,935 | $ | 28,187 | $ | 251,801 | $ | 623,817 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 10,252 | $ | 13,624 | $ | 18,501 | $ | 23,587 | $ | 3,564 | $ | 151,001 | $ | 220,529 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 85,241 | 13,295 | 44,239 | 92,481 | — | — | 235,256 | ||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2012 | $ | 95,493 | $ | 26,919 | $ | 62,740 | $ | 116,068 | $ | 3,564 | $ | 151,001 | $ | 455,785 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 36,956 | $ | 20,760 | $ | 39,628 | $ | 26,561 | $ | 18,448 | $ | 95,700 | $ | 238,053 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 76,679 | 23,946 | 65,698 | 58,699 | — | — | 225,022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | $ | 113,635 | $ | 44,706 | $ | 105,326 | $ | 85,260 | $ | 18,448 | $ | 95,700 | $ | 463,075 | |||||||||||||
For the year ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 82,440 | $ | 77,702 | $ | 170,690 | $ | 94,672 | $ | 61,400 | $ | 846,011 | $ | 1,332,915 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 286,825 | 67,917 | 264,314 | 195,684 | 5,259 | — | 819,999 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | $ | 369,265 | $ | 145,619 | $ | 435,004 | $ | 290,356 | $ | 66,659 | $ | 846,011 | $ | 2,152,914 | |||||||||||||
Scheduled | $ | 75,975 | $ | 76,997 | $ | 92,649 | $ | 88,804 | $ | 46,272 | $ | 502,102 | $ | 882,799 | |||||||||||||
Unscheduled | 302,364 | 93,765 | 271,444 | 293,445 | 3,927 | — | 964,945 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | $ | 378,339 | $ | 170,762 | $ | 364,093 | $ | 382,249 | $ | 50,199 | $ | 502,102 | $ | 1,847,744 |
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Table 23
Outstanding Balance of Farmer Mac Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs, and USDA Guarantees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | Guaranteed Securities | LTSPCs | USDA Securities | Loans | AgVantage | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 2,222,958 | $ | 731,574 | $ | 2,339,443 | $ | 1,686,696 | $ | 1,027,246 | $ | 6,100,286 | $ | 14,108,203 | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | 2,135,467 | 765,751 | 2,261,862 | 1,687,117 | 1,052,251 | 6,047,864 | 13,950,312 | ||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | 1,950,704 | 801,703 | 2,283,341 | 1,676,793 | 1,017,774 | 6,055,951 | 13,786,266 | ||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2013 | 1,876,958 | 827,069 | 2,213,462 | 1,667,170 | 1,049,920 | 5,960,939 | 13,595,518 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | 1,704,544 | 856,500 | 2,221,565 | 1,648,105 | 1,039,698 | 5,967,450 | 13,437,862 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | 1,679,851 | 911,370 | 2,156,068 | 1,615,579 | 1,031,945 | 5,620,375 | 13,015,188 | ||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | 1,545,401 | 975,720 | 1,881,836 | 1,599,226 | 975,307 | 5,490,569 | 12,468,059 | ||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2012 | 1,534,625 | 1,010,507 | 1,858,080 | 1,579,187 | 976,651 | 5,291,370 | 12,250,420 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | 1,944,956 | 577,165 | 1,850,362 | 1,529,642 | 921,929 | 5,242,371 | 12,066,425 |
Table 24
Outstanding Balance of Loans Held, On-Balance Sheet AgVantage Securities, and USDA Securities | |||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate | 5- to 10-Year ARMs & Resets | 1-Month to 3-Year ARMs | Total Held in Portfolio | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
As of: | |||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 4,890,979 | $ | 1,834,352 | $ | 3,304,094 | $ | 10,029,425 | |||||||
December 31, 2013 | 4,980,500 | 1,827,744 | 3,113,224 | 9,921,468 | |||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | 4,970,420 | 1,802,255 | 2,924,785 | 9,697,460 | |||||||||||
June 30, 2013 | 4,714,119 | 1,871,225 | 2,964,004 | 9,549,348 | |||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | 4,670,617 | 1,797,456 | 2,883,474 | 9,351,547 | |||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | 4,483,454 | 1,803,866 | 2,648,103 | 8,935,423 | |||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | 4,904,265 | 1,213,588 | 2,473,086 | 8,590,939 | |||||||||||
June 30, 2012 | 5,035,743 | 1,259,568 | 2,063,490 | 8,358,801 | |||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | 4,993,233 | 1,210,405 | 2,410,310 | 8,613,948 |
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The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread by business segment:
Table 25
Net Effective Spread by Business Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farm & Ranch | USDA Guarantees | Rural Utilities | Institutional Credit | Corporate | Net Effective Spread | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | Dollars | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the quarter ended: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 (1) | $ | 7,578 | 1.63 | % | $ | 3,356 | 0.81 | % | $ | 2,201 | 0.81 | % | $ | 6,331 | 0.50 | % | $ | 4,236 | 0.58 | % | $ | 23,702 | 0.75 | % | |||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 (1) | 10,113 | 2.20 | % | 4,022 | 0.97 | % | 2,379 | 0.89 | % | 6,210 | 0.49 | % | 4,420 | 0.58 | % | 27,144 | 0.85 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2013 | 7,980 | 1.86 | % | 4,505 | 1.09 | % | 2,974 | 1.12 | % | 6,205 | 0.49 | % | 4,117 | 0.57 | % | 25,781 | 0.83 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2013 | 8,228 | 2.08 | % | 4,508 | 1.12 | % | 3,056 | 1.14 | % | 5,977 | 0.48 | % | 4,294 | 0.63 | % | 26,063 | 0.87 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | 8,083 | 2.20 | % | 4,694 | 1.17 | % | 3,183 | 1.20 | % | 5,863 | 0.50 | % | 4,440 | 0.61 | % | 26,263 | 0.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2012 | 7,936 | 2.24 | % | 4,718 | 1.21 | % | 3,154 | 1.22 | % | 5,970 | 0.52 | % | 4,682 | 0.61 | % | 26,460 | 0.91 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2012 | 8,317 | 2.49 | % | 4,375 | 1.13 | % | 3,260 | 1.29 | % | 6,096 | 0.55 | % | 5,208 | 0.66 | % | 27,256 | 0.95 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2012 | 8,980 | 2.78 | % | 4,398 | 1.16 | % | 2,995 | 1.22 | % | 5,954 | 0.56 | % | 4,881 | 0.67 | % | 27,208 | 0.99 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | 7,307 | 2.36 | % | 4,563 | 1.23 | % | 2,857 | 1.19 | % | 5,840 | 0.55 | % | 5,066 | 0.69 | % | 25,633 | 0.94 | % |
(1) | First quarter 2014 includes the impact in Rural Utilities of spread compression from the early refinancing of loans (41 basis points). Fourth quarter 2013 includes the impact in Farm & Ranch net effective spread of one-time adjustments for recovered buyout interest and yield maintenance (40 basis points in aggregate) and the impact in Rural Utilities of spread compression from the early refinancing of loans (26 basis points). |
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The following table presents quarterly core earnings reconciled to GAAP net income available to common stockholders:
Table 26
Core Earnings by Quarter Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 2014 | December 2013 | September 2013 | June 2013 | March 2013 | December 2012 | September 2012 | June 2012 | March 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net effective spread (1) | $ | 23,702 | $ | 27,144 | $ | 25,781 | $ | 26,063 | $ | 26,263 | $ | 26,460 | $ | 27,256 | $ | 27,209 | $ | 25,632 | |||||||||||||||||
Guarantee and commitment fees | 7,049 | 7,130 | 7,046 | 6,954 | 6,792 | 6,764 | 6,591 | 6,607 | 6,660 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (2) | (410 | ) | 427 | (466 | ) | 3,274 | 186 | 393 | 384 | (294 | ) | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 30,341 | 34,701 | 32,361 | 36,291 | 33,241 | 33,617 | 34,231 | 33,522 | 32,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit related expenses/(income): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provisions for/(release of) losses | 674 | 12 | (36 | ) | (704 | ) | 1,176 | 1,157 | 94 | 174 | 450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
REO operating expenses | 2 | 3 | 35 | 259 | 126 | 47 | 66 | 15 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Losses/(gains) on sale of REO | 3 | (26 | ) | (39 | ) | (1,124 | ) | (47 | ) | (629 | ) | 13 | (262 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total credit related expenses/(income) | 679 | (11 | ) | (40 | ) | (1,569 | ) | 1,255 | 575 | 173 | (73 | ) | 456 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation & employee benefits | 4,456 | 4,025 | 4,523 | 4,571 | 4,698 | 5,752 | 4,375 | 4,574 | 4,485 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General & Administrative | 2,794 | 3,104 | 2,827 | 2,715 | 2,917 | 2,913 | 2,788 | 2,664 | 2,758 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory fees | 594 | 594 | 593 | 594 | 594 | 594 | 562 | 562 | 563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 7,844 | 7,723 | 7,943 | 7,880 | 8,209 | 9,259 | 7,725 | 7,800 | 7,806 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 21,818 | 26,989 | 24,458 | 29,980 | 23,777 | 23,783 | 26,333 | 25,795 | 24,048 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes (3) | 4,334 | 5,279 | 6,263 | 7,007 | 6,081 | 5,914 | 6,682 | 6,627 | 6,028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest | 5,547 | 5,546 | 5,547 | 5,547 | 5,547 | 5,546 | 5,547 | 5,547 | 5,547 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends | 952 | 882 | 881 | 881 | 851 | 720 | 719 | 720 | 720 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Core earnings | $ | 10,985 | $ | 15,282 | $ | 11,767 | $ | 16,545 | $ | 11,298 | $ | 11,603 | $ | 13,385 | $ | 12,901 | $ | 11,753 | |||||||||||||||||
Reconciling items (after-tax effects): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized (losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities | (2,395 | ) | 8,003 | 4,632 | 11,021 | 5,712 | 4,719 | 3,456 | (14,035 | ) | 10,185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets | 426 | (50 | ) | (407 | ) | (212 | ) | 136 | 1,778 | (286 | ) | (2,006 | ) | 714 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value | (8,027 | ) | (10,864 | ) | (421 | ) | (564 | ) | (618 | ) | (4,534 | ) | (873 | ) | (901 | ) | (958 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net effects of settlements on agency forwards | (176 | ) | 114 | (158 | ) | 955 | (338 | ) | (102 | ) | 699 | (250 | ) | 509 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Lower of cost or fair value adjustments on loans held for sale | — | — | — | — | — | (3,863 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP net income/(loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | 813 | $ | 12,485 | $ | 15,413 | $ | 27,745 | $ | 16,190 | $ | 9,601 | $ | 16,381 | $ | (4,291 | ) | $ | 22,203 |
(1) | The difference between first quarter 2014 and fourth quarter 2013 net effective spread was due to the impact of one-time adjustments for recovered buyout interest and yield maintenance of $1.8 million in fourth quarter 2013, $0.4 million associated with the early refinancing of AgVantage securities and the recasting of certain Rural Utilities loans, and a lower day count in first quarter 2014. |
(2) | First quarter 2014 includes additional hedging costs of $0.6 million. Fourth quarter 2013 includes gains on the repurchase of debt of $1.5 million, |
partially offset by realized losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities of $0.9 million and additional hedging costs of $0.2 million.
(3) | First quarter 2014 reflects a reduction in tax valuation allowance of $0.9 million associated with certain gains on investment portfolio assets. Fourth quarter 2014 reflects a reduction in tax valuation allowance of $2.1 million associated with certain gains on investment portfolio assets. |
98
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Farmer Mac is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Farmer Mac manages this market risk by entering into various financial transactions, including financial derivatives, and by monitoring and measuring its exposure to changes in interest rates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" for more information about Farmer Mac's exposure to interest rate risk and its strategies to manage such risk. For information regarding Farmer Mac's use of financial derivatives and related accounting policies, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
(a) Management's Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Farmer Mac maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Farmer Mac's management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, including Farmer Mac's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2014.
Farmer Mac carried out the evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2014.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014, other than as stated below:
Any failure, interruption, or breach in Farmer Mac's information systems or technology, including the occurrence of successful cyber incidents or a deficiency in Farmer Mac's cyber security, could result in a loss of business, damage to Farmer Mac's reputation, the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, or increased costs or liability to Farmer Mac, which could adversely affect Farmer Mac's business, operating results, or financial condition.
Farmer Mac relies heavily on information systems and other technology, including from third parties, to conduct and manage its business operations. As Farmer Mac's reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to its systems, including the effect of events that would threaten the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of Farmer Mac's information resources, known as cyber incidents. Farmer Mac has undertaken remedial measures and devotes significant resources to regularly implement, maintain, and upgrade its information systems and network with backup systems and other safeguards (including a business continuity plan) to diminish these risks and risks that Farmer Mac's information system and network assets could be used to unlawfully gain access to third-party network systems. However, Farmer Mac may not be able to prevent, address on a timely and adequate basis, or fully mitigate the negative effects of any failure or interruption of Farmer Mac's information systems or network, including these backup systems and safeguards, on Farmer Mac's business, operating results, or financial condition. A failure or interruption in any of Farmer Mac's information systems, backup infrastructure, or other technology could result in a disruption or malfunction of its operations, which could adversely affect Farmer Mac's ability to do business with its approved lenders or other counterparties, result in financial loss, or cause damage to Farmer Mac's reputation.
The secure transmission, processing, and storage of Farmer Mac's approved lenders' and other counterparties' confidential, proprietary, and other information through online and network systems and applications is instrumental to Farmer Mac's operations. Any action that results in unauthorized access to Farmer Mac's information systems and networks by third parties, including through computer viruses, malicious code, cyber attacks, or other information security breaches, could disrupt Farmer Mac's operations, corrupt its data, or result in the misappropriation, unauthorized release, loss, or destruction of the confidential, proprietary, or other information of its approved lenders and other counterparties. Similar to many other financial institutions, Farmer Mac faces regular attempts by third parties to gain unauthorized access to its systems. Farmer Mac has experienced at least one cyber incident in which a relatively small number of its computing devices were exposed to malware through email. In that instance, the operational interruption and remediation costs were immaterial to Farmer Mac's business operations and, to Farmer Mac's knowledge, no unauthorized access to Farmer Mac's or its customers' confidential, proprietary, or other information was obtained. However, any future instance in which unauthorized access to Farmer Mac's networks, accounts, or sensitive information is obtained could cause Farmer Mac to experience prolonged operational interruption, damage to its reputation, material loss of
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business, legal liability, or increased costs from private data exposure, which could adversely affect Farmer Mac's business, operating results, or financial condition.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a)Farmer Mac is a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and its debt and equity securities are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
During first quarter 2014, the following sales of Farmer Mac's equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 occurred:
Class C non-voting common stock. Under Farmer Mac's policy that permits directors of Farmer Mac to elect to receive shares of Class C non-voting common stock in lieu of their cash retainers, Farmer Mac issued an aggregate of 188 shares of its Class C non-voting common stock on January 3, 2014 to the five directors who elected to receive stock in lieu of their cash retainers. Farmer Mac calculated the number of shares issued to the directors based on a price of $34.25 per share, which was the closing price of the Class C non-voting common stock on December 31, 2013 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
Series B Preferred Stock. On March 25, 2014, Farmer Mac issued $75.0 million (3,000,000 shares) of its Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, for net cash proceeds to Farmer Mac of $73,305,750 ($75.0 million in gross proceeds less underwriting discount). BofA Merrill Lynch served as sole book-running manager for this transaction, and Compass Point served as co-manager. The Series B Preferred Stock was offered in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. The Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible or exchangeable into any other class or series of equity of Farmer Mac.
(b) | Not applicable. |
(c) | None. |
Item 3. Defaults Upon senior Securities
(a) None.
(b) None.
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
(a) None.
(b) None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
* | 3.1 | — | Title VIII of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as most recently amended by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Previously filed as Exhibit to Form 10-Q filed August 12, 2008). | |||
* | 3.2 | — | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed December 12, 2012). | |||
* | 4.1 | — | Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class A Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003). | |||
* | 4.2 | — | Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class B Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003). | |||
* | 4.3 | — | Specimen Certificate for Farmer Mac Class C Non-Voting Common Stock (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2003). | |||
* | 4.4 | — | Specimen Certificate for 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.4.1 to Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2013). | |||
* | 4.4.1 | — | Certificate of Designation of Terms and Conditions of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-A filed January 17, 2013). | |||
** | 4.5 | — | Specimen Certificate for 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B. | |||
* | 4.5.1 | — | Certificate of Designation of Terms and Conditions of 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-A filed March 25, 2014). | |||
**† | 10.1 | — | Description of compensation arrangement between Farmer Mac and its directors. | |||
* | 21 | — | List of the Registrant's subsidiaries (Previously filed as Exhibit 21 to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2010). | |||
** | 31.1 | — | Certification of Registrant's principal executive officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
** | 31.2 | — | Certification of Registrant's principal financial officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
** | 32 | — | Certification of Registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer relating to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
** | 101.INS | — | XBRL Instance Document. | |||
** | 101.SCH | — | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||
** | 101.CAL | — | XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||
** | 101.DEF | — | XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document. | |||
** | 101.LAB | — | XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document. | |||
** | 101.PRE | — | XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. |
* | Incorporated by reference to the indicated prior filing. |
** | Filed with this report. |
† | Management contract or compensatory plan |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
/s/ Timothy L. Buzby | May 12, 2014 | ||
By: | Timothy L. Buzby | Date | |
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
/s/ R. Dale Lynch | May 12, 2014 | ||
By: | R. Dale Lynch | Date | |
Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer | |||
(Principal Financial Officer) |
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