Annual Statements Open main menu

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission File Number: 001-38082
kreflogoa23.jpg
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland47-2009094
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
30 Hudson Yards,Suite 7500New York,NY10001
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(212) 750-8300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per shareKREFNew York Stock Exchange
6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per shareKREF PRANew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ☒ Yes    ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    ☒ Yes    ☐ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
    Large accelerated filer    ☒    Accelerated filer    ☐
    Non-accelerated filer     ☐    Smaller reporting company    ☐
            Emerging growth company    ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ☐ Yes    ☒ No

The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of October 19, 2023 was 69,313,860.




KKR REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
INDEX

PAGE



Table of Contents
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believe," "expect," "potential," "continue," "may," "should," "seek," "approximately," "predict," "intend," "will," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," the negative version of these words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate strictly to historical or factual matters. By their nature, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not statements of historical fact or guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Form 10-K"). Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

the general political, economic and competitive conditions in the United States and in any foreign jurisdictions in which we invest and their impact on our loan portfolio, financial condition and business operations;

accelerating inflationary trends, spurred by multiple factors including high commodity prices, a tight labor market, and low residential vacancy rates, may result further in interest rate increases and lead to increased market volatility;

higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve may lead to a decrease in prepayment speeds and an increase in the number of our borrowers who exercise extension options, which could extend beyond the term of certain secured financing agreements we use to finance our loan investments;

the economic impact of escalating global trade tensions, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the adoption or expansion of economic sanctions or trade restrictions;

reduced demand for office, multifamily or retail space, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or hybrid work schedules which allow work from remote locations other than the employer's office premises;

the impact of, and market dislocations that may result from, governmental intervention in the economic and financial system or from regulatory reform of the oversight of financial markets;

the failure of any banks with which we and/or our borrowers have a commercial relationship could adversely affect, among other things, our or our borrower’s ability to access deposits or borrow from financial institutions on favorable terms;

interest rate mismatches between our target assets and any borrowings used to fund such assets;

adverse developments in the availability of desirable investment opportunities whether they are due to competition, regulation or otherwise, could adversely affect our results of operations;

the level and volatility of prevailing interest rates and credit spreads;

adverse changes in the real estate and real estate capital markets;

difficulty or delays in redeploying the proceeds from repayments of our existing investments;

general volatility of the securities markets in which we participate;


Table of Contents
changes in our business, investment strategies or target assets;

deterioration in the performance of the properties securing our investments that may cause deterioration in the performance of our investments, risks in collection of contractual interest payments, and potentially, principal losses to us;

acts of God such as hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters, pandemics such as COVID-19, acts of war and/or terrorism and other events that may cause unanticipated and uninsured performance declines and/or losses to us or the owners and operators of the real estate securing our investments;

the adequacy of collateral securing our investments and declines in the fair value of our investments;

difficulty in obtaining financing or raising capital;

difficulty in successfully managing our growth, including integrating new assets into our existing systems;

reductions in the yield on our investments and increases in the cost of our financing;

defaults by borrowers in paying debt service on outstanding indebtedness;

the availability of qualified personnel and our relationship with KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC ("Manager");

subsidiaries of KKR & Co. Inc. have significant influence over us and KKR's interests may conflict with those of our stockholders in the future;

the cost of operating our platform, including, but not limited to, the cost of operating a real estate investment platform;

adverse legislative or regulatory developments;

our qualification as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"); and

authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") or policy changes from such standard-setting bodies such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Internal Revenue Service, the New York Stock Exchange and other authorities that we are subject to, as well as their counterparts in any foreign jurisdictions where we might do business.

There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and Part I, Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Form 10-Q, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the investor relations section of our website at www.kkrreit.com. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q apply only as of the date made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this Form 10-Q and in other filings we make with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Except where the context requires otherwise, the terms "Company," "we," "us," "our" and "KREF" refer to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries; "Manager" refers to KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, our external manager; and "KKR" refers to KKR & Co. Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.


Table of Contents
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents(A)
$108,038 $239,791 
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment7,528,451 7,494,138 
Less: Allowance for credit losses(218,992)(106,974)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net7,309,459 7,387,164 
Real estate owned, net81,618 80,231 
Accrued interest receivable39,930 39,005 
Equity method investments35,540 36,849 
Other assets(B)
50,857 19,281 
Total Assets$7,625,442 $7,802,321 
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net$3,827,399 $3,748,691 
Collateralized loan obligations, net1,941,114 1,935,592 
Secured term loan, net335,680 336,828 
Convertible notes, net— 143,237 
Dividends payable29,716 29,711 
Accrued interest payable19,388 17,859 
Other liabilities10,535 10,245 
Due to affiliates8,313 8,722 
Total Liabilities6,172,145 6,230,885 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)  
Equity
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized
Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock, (13,110,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022); liquidation preference of $25.00 per share
131 131 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000,000 authorized (75,091,757 and 75,080,707 shares issued; 69,106,061 and 69,095,011 shares outstanding; as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
691 691 
Additional paid-in capital1,815,493 1,808,983 
Accumulated deficit(265,827)(141,503)
Repurchased stock (5,985,696 shares repurchased as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)
(96,764)(96,764)
Total KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Stockholders’ Equity1,453,724 1,571,538 
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated joint venture
(427)(102)
Total Equity1,453,297 1,571,436 
Total Liabilities and Equity$7,625,442 $7,802,321 

(A)    Includes $10.0 million and $151.0 million held in collateralized loan obligation as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(B)    Includes $30.0 million of loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by KREF as of September 30, 2023.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5


KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
Net Interest Income
Interest income$163,229 $114,627 $475,388 $278,460 
Interest expense118,617 67,311 340,270 144,503 
Total net interest income44,612 47,316 135,118 133,957 
Other Income
Revenue from real estate owned operations1,795 2,092 6,025 6,554 
Income (loss) from equity method investments839 914 1,043 3,835 
Other income2,809 840 9,957 3,992 
Total other income5,443 3,846 17,025 14,381 
Operating Expenses
General and administrative4,788 4,286 14,188 13,040 
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net8,814 80,604 125,616 91,184 
Management fee to affiliate6,566 6,589 19,648 19,102 
Incentive compensation to affiliate69 — 2,491 — 
Expenses from real estate owned operations2,819 2,598 8,233 7,520 
Total operating expenses23,056 94,077 170,176 130,846 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interests, Preferred Dividends and Participating Securities' Share in Earnings26,999 (42,915)(18,033)17,492 
Income tax expense165 — 511 — 
Net Income (Loss)26,834 (42,915)(18,544)17,492 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(307)(161)(580)(283)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries
27,141 (42,754)(17,964)17,775 
Preferred stock dividends5,326 5,326 15,978 15,978 
Participating securities' share in earnings414 341 1,239 1,028 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders$21,401 $(48,421)$(35,181)$769 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic$0.31 $(0.70)$(0.51)$0.01 
Diluted$0.31 $(0.70)$(0.51)$0.01 
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic69,122,636 69,382,730 69,111,201 67,029,140 
Diluted69,122,636 69,382,730 69,111,201 67,029,140 
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock$0.43 $0.43 $1.29 $1.29 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6


KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
Series A Preferred StockCommon Stock
SharesPar ValueSharesPar ValueAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitRepurchased StockTotal KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Stockholders' EquityNoncontrolling Interests in Equity of Consolidated Joint VentureTotal Equity
Balance at December 31, 202213,110,000 $131 69,095,011 $691 $1,808,983 $(141,503)$(96,764)$1,571,538 $(102)$1,571,436 
Contribution by noncontrolling interest— — — — — — — — 255 255 
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
— — — — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (29,711)— (29,711)— (29,711)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (407)— (407)— (407)
Stock-based compensation , net— — — — 2,152 — — 2,152 — 2,152 
Net income (loss)— — — — — (25,077)— (25,077)(177)(25,254)
Balance at March 31, 202313,110,000 $131 69,095,011 $691 $1,811,135 $(202,024)$(96,764)$1,513,169 $(24)$1,513,145 
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
— — — — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (29,716)— (29,716)— (29,716)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (418)— (418)— (418)
Stock-based compensation , net— — 11,050 *2,174 — — 2,174 — 2,174 
Net income (loss)— — — — — (20,028)— (20,028)(96)(20,124)
Balance at June 30, 202313,110,000 $131 69,106,061 $691 $1,813,309 $(257,512)$(96,764)$1,459,855 $(120)$1,459,735 
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
   — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
   — — (29,716)— (29,716)— (29,716)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
   — — (414)— (414)— (414)
Stock-based compensation, net   — 2,184 — — 2,184 — 2,184 
Net income (loss)   — — 27,141 — 27,141 (307)26,834 
Balance at September 30, 202313,110,000 $131 69,106,061 $691 $1,815,493 $(265,827)$(96,764)$1,453,724 $(427)$1,453,297 
* Rounds to zero.

7



Series A Preferred StockCommon Stock
SharesPar ValueSharesPar ValueAdditional Paid-In CapitalAccumulated DeficitRepurchased StockTotal KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Stockholders' EquityNoncontrolling Interests in Equity of Consolidated Joint VentureTotal Equity
Balance at December 31, 20216,900,000 $69 61,370,732 $613 $1,459,959 $(38,208)$(60,999)$1,361,434 $147 $1,361,581 
Issuance of common stock— — 6,562,972 66 135,205 — — 135,271 — 135,271 
Issuance of preferred stock6,210,000 62 — — 151,105 — — 151,167 — 151,167 
Offering costs— — — — (1,055)— — (1,055)— (1,055)
Contribution by noncontrolling interest— — — — — — — — 94 94 
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
— — — — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (29,211)— (29,211)— (29,211)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (339)— (339)— (339)
Stock-based compensation , net— — — — 2,126 — — 2,126 — 2,126 
Net income (loss)— — — — — 35,468 — 35,468 (56)35,412 
Balance at March 31, 202213,110,000 $131 67,933,704 $679 $1,747,340 $(37,616)$(60,999)$1,649,535 $185 $1,649,720 
Issuance of common stock— — 2,750,000 28 53,625 — — 53,653 — 53,653 
Offering costs— — — — (280)— — (280)— (280)
Repurchase of common stock— — (1,044,692)(10)— — (18,071)(18,081)— (18,081)
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
— — — — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (29,951)— (29,951)— (29,951)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (326)— (326)— (326)
Stock-based compensation , net— — 15,520 *2,040 — — 2,040 — 2,040 
Net income (loss)— — — — — 25,061 — 25,061 (66)24,995 
Balance at June 30, 202213,110,000 $131 69,654,532 $697 $1,802,725 $(48,158)$(79,070)$1,676,325 $119 $1,676,444 
Issuance of common stock— — 271,641 5,298 — — 5,301 — 5,301 
Offering costs— — — — (49)— — (49)— (49)
Repurchase of common stock— — (587,890)(6)— — (10,253)(10,259)— (10,259)
Series A preferred dividends declared, $0.41 per share
— — — — — (5,326)— (5,326)— (5,326)
Common dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (29,815)— (29,815)— (29,815)
Participating security dividends declared, $0.43 per share
— — — — — (341)— (341)— (341)
Stock-based compensation , net— — — — 2,175 — — 2,175 — 2,175 
Net income (loss)— — — — — (42,754)— (42,754)(162)(42,916)
Balance at September 30, 202213,110,000 $131 69,338,283 $694 $1,810,149 $(126,394)$(89,323)$1,595,257 $(43)$1,595,214 
* Rounds to zero.
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
8


KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)$(18,544)$17,492 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and discounts20,448 17,070 
Accretion of deferred loan fees and discounts(17,714)(18,942)
Payment-in-kind interest— (1,413)
(Income) loss from equity method investments1,309 (1,319)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net125,616 91,184 
Stock-based compensation expense6,510 6,341 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable, net(925)(15,333)
Other assets313 1,642 
Accrued interest payable1,530 8,195 
Other liabilities443 (1,596)
Due to affiliates(112)632 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities118,874 103,953 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from principal repayments of commercial real estate loans477,890 1,035,110 
Originations and fundings of commercial real estate loans(539,489)(2,004,587)
Capital expenditures on real estate owned(1,387)(1,119)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(62,986)(970,596)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from borrowings under secured financing agreements656,554 1,901,607 
Proceeds from issuance of collateralized loan obligations— 847,500 
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest contributions255 — 
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock— 194,225 
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock— 151,167 
Payments of common stock dividends(89,138)(85,551)
Payments of preferred stock dividends(15,978)(16,214)
Principal repayments on borrowings under secured financing agreements(588,475)(2,153,944)
Principal repayments on borrowings under convertible notes(143,750)— 
Payments of debt and collateralized debt obligation issuance costs(4,349)(26,004)
Payments of stock issuance costs— (936)
Payments to repurchase common stock— (28,340)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(184,881)783,510 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash(128,993)(83,133)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period250,621 273,770 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period$121,628 $190,637 
9


Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents$108,038 $183,341 
Restricted cash13,590 7,296 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows$121,628 $190,637 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for interest$318,292 $119,240 
Cash paid during the period for income taxes296 — 
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Loan principal payments held by a servicer30,000 — 
Modifications accounted for as repayments and new loans, net of write-offs199,439 — 
Dividend declared, not yet paid29,716 29,815 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
10

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 1. Business and Organization

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to throughout this report as the "Company" or "KREF") is a Maryland corporation that was formed and commenced operations on October 2, 2014 as a mortgage real estate investment trust ("REIT") that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring transitional senior loans secured by commercial real estate ("CRE") assets.

KREF has elected and intends to maintain its qualification to be taxed as a REIT under the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, KREF will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion of its income that it distributes to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. See Note 16 regarding taxes applicable to KREF.

KREF is externally managed by KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC ("Manager"), an indirect subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "KKR"), through a management agreement ("Management Agreement") pursuant to which the Manager provides a management team and other professionals who are responsible for implementing KREF’s business strategy, subject to the supervision of KREF’s board of directors. For its services, the Manager is entitled to management fees and incentive compensation, both defined in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Management Agreement (Note 14).

As of September 30, 2023, KKR beneficially owned 10,000,001 shares, or 14.5% of KREF's outstanding common stock.

KREF's principal business activities are related to the origination and purchase of credit investments related to CRE. Management assesses the performance of KREF's current portfolio of leveraged and unleveraged commercial real estate loans and makes operating decisions accordingly. As a result, management presents KREF's operations within a single reporting segment.

11

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of KREF are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and instructions to Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in annual financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KREF and its consolidated subsidiaries, and all intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of KREF’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with KREF's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risks and Uncertainties — The coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. Since its onset in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has created disruption in global supply chains, increased rates of unemployment and adversely impacted many industries, including industries related to the collateral underlying certain of our loans. In response to the pandemic, several countries took drastic measures to limit the spread of the virus by instituting quarantines or lockdowns, imposing travel restrictions and limiting operations of non-essential offices and retail centers.

While the global economy has re-opened, the longer-term macro-economic effects of the pandemic continue to impact many industries, including those of certain of KREF’s borrowers. In particular, the increase in remote working arrangements in response to the pandemic has contributed to a decline in commercial real estate values and reduced demand for commercial real estate compared to pre-pandemic levels, which have adversely impacted and may continue to adversely impact certain of KREF's borrowers and has persisted even as the pandemic continues to subside. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to global supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and has broad inflationary pressures, each of which has a potential negative impact on KREF's borrowers’ ability to execute on their business plans and potentially their ability to perform under the terms of their loan obligations. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates eleven times since January 2022, and has signaled that further interest rate increases may be forthcoming. Higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to address inflation may adversely impact real estate asset values and increase our interest expense, which expense may not be fully offset by any resulting increase in interest income, and may lead to decreased prepayments from KREF's borrowers and an increase in the number of KREF's borrowers who exercise extension options.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management makes subjective estimates to project cash flows KREF expects to receive on its investments in loans and securities as well as the related market discount rates, which significantly impact the interest income, impairments, allowance for loan loss and fair values recorded or disclosed. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Consolidation — KREF consolidates those entities that (i) it controls through either majority ownership or voting rights or (ii) management determines that KREF is the primary beneficiary of entities deemed to be variable interest entities ("VIEs").

Variable Interest Entities — VIEs are entities (i) in which equity investors do not have an interest with the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, (ii) that do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or (iii) established with non-substantive voting rights. A VIE is required to be consolidated only by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party that has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and that has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE (Note 9).

To assess whether KREF has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, KREF considers all the facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes, first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power to direct those activities. To assess whether KREF has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE,
12

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
KREF considers all of its economic interests and applies judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE.

Collateralized Loan Obligations — KREF consolidates collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) when it determines that the CLO issuers are VIEs and that KREF is the primary beneficiary of such VIEs.

The collateral assets of KREF's CLOs, comprised of a pool of loan participations, are included in “Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liabilities of KREF's consolidated CLOs consist solely of obligations to the senior CLO noteholders, excluding subordinated CLO tranches held by KREF as such interests are eliminated in consolidation, and are presented in “Collateralized loan obligations, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The collateral assets of the CLOs can only be used to settle the obligations of the consolidated CLOs. The interest income from the CLOs’ collateral assets and the interest expense on the CLOs’ liabilities are presented on a gross basis in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Real Estate Owned Joint Venture — KREF consolidates a joint venture that holds the majority of KREF’s sole investment in real estate owned (“REO”) property that was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2021, in which a third party owns a 10% noncontrolling interest (Note 9). Management determined the joint venture to be a VIE as the joint venture had insufficient equity at risk. KREF owns 90% of the equity interest in the joint venture and participates in the profits and losses. Management concluded that KREF is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture as KREF holds decision-making power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the joint venture and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the joint venture that could be potentially significant to the joint venture.

Noncontrolling Interests — Noncontrolling interests represent the ownership interests in certain consolidated subsidiaries held by entities or persons other than KREF. These noncontrolling interests do not include redemption features and are presented as "Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated joint venture" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity Method Investments — Investments are accounted for under the equity method when KREF has significant influence over the operations of an investee but does not consolidate that investment. Equity method investments, for which management has not elected a fair value option, are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for KREF's share of net income or loss and cash contributions and distributions each period.

Management determined that KREF's investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside KKR Real Estate Credit Opportunity Partners L.P. ("RECOP I ") is an interest in a VIE, however KREF is not the primary beneficiary and does not have substantive participating or kick-out rights. KREF records its share of net asset value in RECOP I in “Equity method investments” on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and its share of unrealized gains or losses in “Income (loss) from equity method investments” in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Management elected the fair value option for KREF's investment in RECOP I.

KREF classifies distributions received from equity method investees using the cumulative earnings approach. Distributions received up to the cumulative earnings from each equity method investee are considered returns on investment and presented within “Cash Flows from Operating Activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; excess distributions received are considered returns of investment and presented within “Cash Flows From Investing Activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Fair Value — GAAP requires the categorization of the fair value of financial instruments into three broad levels that form a hierarchy based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation.

Level 1 —    Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 —    Inputs are other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3 —    Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
13

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
KREF follows this hierarchy for its financial instruments. The classifications are based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Valuation Process — The Manager reviews the valuation of Level 3 financial instruments as part of KKR's quarterly process. As of September 30, 2023, KKR’s valuation process for Level 3 measurements, as described below, subjected valuations to the review and oversight of various committees. KKR has a global valuation committee assisted by the asset class-specific valuation committees, including a real estate valuation committee that reviews and approves all preliminary Level 3 valuations for real estate assets, including the financial instruments held by KREF. The global valuation committee is responsible for coordinating and implementing KKR’s valuation process to ensure consistency in the application of valuation principles across portfolio investments and between periods. All Level 3 valuations are also subject to approval by the global valuation committee.

Valuation of Commercial Real Estate Loans — Management considers KREF's commercial real estate loans to be Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy as such assets are illiquid, structured investments that are specific to the sponsor, underlying property and its operating performance (Note 15). For financial statement disclosure purposes, on a quarterly basis, management generally engages an independent valuation firm to estimate the fair value of each loan categorized as a Level 3 asset. These loans are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model based on assumptions regarding the collection of principal and interest and estimated market rates. Management reviews the quarterly loan valuation estimates provided by the independent valuation firm. For collateral dependent loans, KREF may apply alternative valuation methods based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Determination of collateral value involves significant judgement, including assumptions regarding capitalization rates, discount rates, leasing, occupancy rates, and other factors.

Valuation of CLO Consolidated VIEs — Management estimates the fair value of the CLO liabilities using prices obtained from an independent valuation firm. If prices received from the independent valuation firm are inconsistent with values determined in connection with management’s independent review, management makes inquiries to the independent valuation firm about the prices received and related methods. In the event management determines the price obtained from an independent valuation firm to be unreliable or an inaccurate representation of the fair value of the CLO liabilities (based on considerations given to observable market data), management then compiles evidence independently and presents the independent valuation firm with such evidence supporting a different value. As a result, the independent valuation firm may revise their price after evaluating any additional evidence.

However, if management continues to disagree with the price from the independent valuation firm, in light of evidence that management compiled independently and believes to be compelling, valuations are then prepared using inputs based on non-binding broker quotes obtained from independent, well-known, major financial brokers that are CLO market makers. In validating any non-binding broker quote used in this circumstance, management compares the non-binding quote to the observable market data points in addition to understanding the valuation methodologies used by the market makers. These market participants may utilize a similar methodology as the independent valuation firm to value the CLO liabilities, with the key input of expected yield determined independently based on both observable and unobservable factors. To avoid reliance on any single broker-dealer, management receives a minimum of two non-binding quotes, of which the average is used.

Other Valuation Matters — For Level 3 financial assets originated, or otherwise acquired, and financial liabilities assumed during the current calendar quarter that were conducted in an orderly transaction with an unrelated party, management generally believes that the transaction price provides the most observable indication of fair value given the illiquid nature of these financial instruments, unless management is aware of any circumstances that may cause a material change in the fair value through the remainder of the reporting period. For instance, significant changes to the underlying property or its planned operations may cause material changes in the fair value of commercial real estate loans acquired, or originated, by KREF.

KREF’s determination of fair value is based upon the best information available for a given circumstance and may incorporate assumptions that are management’s best estimates after consideration of a variety of internal and external factors. When an independent valuation firm expresses an opinion on the fair value of a financial instrument in the form of a range, management selects a value within the range provided by the independent valuation firm, generally the midpoint, to assess the reasonableness of management’s estimated fair value for that financial instrument.

See Note 15 for additional information regarding the valuation of KREF's financial assets and liabilities.

14

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Sales of Financial Assets and Financing Agreements — KREF will, from time to time, transfer loans, securities and other assets as well as finance assets in the form of secured borrowings. In each case, management evaluates whether the transaction constitutes a sale through legal isolation of the transferred financial asset from KREF, the ability of the transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred asset without constraint and the transfer of control of the transferred asset. For transfers that constitute sales, KREF (i) recognizes the financial assets it retains and liabilities it has incurred, if any, (ii) derecognizes the financial assets it has sold, and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished and (iii) recognizes a realized gain, or loss, based upon the excess, or deficient, proceeds received over the carrying value of the transferred asset. KREF does not recognize a gain, or loss, on interests retained, if any, where management elected the fair value option prior to sale.

Balance Sheet Measurement

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — KREF considers cash equivalents as highly liquid short-term investments with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. KREF maintains its cash deposits with major financial institutions. Substantially all such amounts on deposit exceed insured limits.

KREF must maintain sufficient cash and cash equivalents to satisfy liquidity covenants related to its secured financing agreements. However, such amounts are not restricted from use in KREF's current operations, and KREF does not present these cash and cash equivalents as restricted. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, KREF was required to maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of at least $59.3 million and $54.4 million, respectively, to satisfy its liquidity covenants (Note 5).

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, KREF had $13.6 million and $10.8 million of restricted cash held in lender-controlled bank accounts, respectively. Such amounts are presented within "Other Assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Commercial Real Estate Loans Held-For-Investment and Allowance for Credit Losses — KREF recognizes its investments in commercial real estate loans based on management's intent, and KREF's ability, to hold those investments through their contractual maturity. Management classifies those loans that management does not intend to sell in the foreseeable future, and KREF is able to hold until maturity, as held-for-investment. Loans that are held-for-investment are carried at their aggregate outstanding principal, net of applicable (i) unamortized origination or acquisition premiums and discounts, (ii) unamortized deferred nonrefundable fees and other direct loan origination costs, and (iii) allowance for credit losses, net of write-offs of impaired loans. If a loan is determined to be impaired, management writes off the loan through a charge to the "Allowance for credit losses" and to the respective loan balance. KREF applies the interest method to amortize origination or acquisition premiums and discounts and deferred nonrefundable fees or other direct loan origination costs, or on a straight-line basis when it approximates the interest method. Loans for which management elects the fair value option at the time of origination, or acquisition, are carried at fair value on a recurring basis (Note 3).

KREF recognizes and measures the allowance for credit losses under the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model which amended the previous credit loss model to reflect a reporting entity's current estimate of all expected credit losses, not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for credit losses required under ASU 2016-13 is deducted from the respective loans’ amortized cost basis on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowance for credit losses attributed to unfunded loan commitments is included in “Other liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

KREF has implemented loan loss forecasting models for estimating expected life-time credit losses, at the individual loan level, for its commercial real estate loan portfolio. The CECL forecasting methods used by KREF include (i) a probability of default and loss given default method using an underlying third-party CMBS/CRE loan database with historical loan losses from 1998 through 2023 and (ii) a probability weighted expected cash flow method, depending on the type of loan and the availability of relevant historical market loan loss data. KREF might use other acceptable alternative approaches in the future depending on, among other factors, the type of loan, underlying collateral and availability of relevant historical market loan loss data.

KREF estimates the CECL allowance for its loan portfolio, including unfunded loan commitments, at the individual loan level. Significant inputs to KREF’s forecasting methods include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as vintage year, loan term, underlying property type, geographic location, most recent appraisal, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings,
15

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
(ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and KREF's internal loan risk rating and (iii) a macro-economic forecast. These estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in KREF’s future estimates of expected credit losses for its loan portfolio. KREF considers the individual loan internal risk rating as the key credit quality indicator in assessing the CECL allowance. KREF may also consider relevant loan-specific qualitative factors for certain loans.

For collateral dependent loans for which KREF determines foreclosure of the collateral is probable, KREF measures the expected losses based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral dependent loans for which KREF determines foreclosure is not probable, KREF applies a practical expedient to estimate expected losses using the difference between the collateral’s fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan. A loan is determined to be collateral dependent if (i) a borrower or sponsor is experiencing financial difficulty, and (ii) the loan is expected to be substantially repaid through the sale of the underlying collateral. Such determination requires the use of significant judgment and can be based on several factors subject to uncertainty. Considerations used in determination of financial difficulty may include, but are not limited to, whether the borrower's operating cash flow is sufficient to cover the current and future debt service requirements, the borrower’s ability to refinance the loan, market liquidity and other circumstances that can affect the borrower’s ability to satisfy its contractual obligations under the loan agreement.

See "Expense Recognition — Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Investment" for additional discussion regarding management’s determination for loan losses.

Commercial Real Estate Loans Held-For-Sale — Loans that KREF originates or acquires, which KREF is unable to hold, or management intends to sell or otherwise dispose of, in the foreseeable future are classified as held-for-sale and are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

Real Estate Owned — To maximize recovery from a defaulted loan, KREF may assume legal title or physical possession of the underlying collateral through foreclosure or the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Foreclosed properties are generally recognized at fair value in accordance with ASC 805 on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Real Estate Owned" (“REO”) when KREF assumes either legal title or physical possession. KREF’s cost basis in REO equals the estimated fair value on the acquisition date.

REO assets, except for land, are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Renovations and/or replacements that improve or extend the life of the REO asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The cost of ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

REO assets are evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis. KREF considers the following factors when performing the impairment analysis: (i) significant underperformance relative to anticipated operating results; (ii) significant negative industry and economic outlook or trends; (iii) expected material costs necessary to extend the life or operate the REO asset; and (4) KREF’s ability to hold and dispose of the REO asset in the ordinary course of business. A REO asset is considered for impairment when the sum of estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the REO asset over the estimated remaining holding period is less than the carrying value of such REO asset. An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying value of the REO exceeds the fair value. When determining the fair value of a REO asset, KREF makes certain assumptions including, but not limited to, projected operating cash flows, comparable selling prices and projected cash flows from the eventual disposition of the REO asset.

Secured Financing Agreements — KREF's secured financing agreements, including uncommitted repurchase facilities, term lending agreements, warehouse facility, asset specific financings and term loan facility, are treated as floating-rate collateralized financing arrangements carried at their contractual amounts, net of unamortized debt issuance costs (Note 5). Included within KREF's secured financing agreements is KREF's corporate revolving credit agreement ("Revolver"), which is full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF.

Secured Term Loan, Net — KREF records its secured term loan at its contractual amount, net of unamortized original issuance discount and deferred financing costs (Note 7) on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any original issuance discount or deferred financing costs are amortized through the maturity date of the secured term loan as additional non-cash interest expense.

16

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Convertible Notes, Net — KREF accounted for its convertible debt with a cash conversion feature in accordance with ASC 470-20, which requires the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The initial proceeds from the sale of convertible notes were allocated between a liability component and an equity component in a manner that reflects interest expense at the rate of similar nonconvertible debt that could have been issued at such time. The equity component represents the excess initial proceeds received over the fair value of the liability component of the notes as of the date of issuance. KREF measured the estimated fair value of the debt component of the 6.125% convertible senior notes due May 15, 2023 (“Convertible Notes”) as of the issuance date based on KREF’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The equity component of the Convertible Notes was reflected within "Additional paid-in capital" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the resulting debt discount was amortized over the period during which such Convertible Notes were expected to be outstanding (through the maturity date) as additional non-cash interest expense using the interest method, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. The additional non-cash interest expense attributable to such convertible notes increased in subsequent periods through the maturity date as the notes accrete to their par value over the same period (Note 8). The entire $143.75 million principal balance of the Convertible Notes matured and was repaid in cash on May 15, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, there were no convertible notes outstanding.

Other Assets and Other Liabilities — As of September 30, 2023, other assets included $30.0 million of loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by KREF, $13.6 million of restricted cash and $4.0 million of deferred financing costs related to KREF's Revolver (Note 5). As of December 31, 2022, other assets included $10.8 million of restricted cash, $4.9 million of deferred financing costs related to KREF's Revolver and $1.1 million of prepaid expenses.

As of September 30, 2023, other liabilities included $2.7 million of allowance for credit losses related to KREF's unfunded loan commitments, $5.8 million of REO liabilities and $1.9 million of accrued expenses. As of December 31, 2022, other liabilities included $4.1 million of allowance for credit losses related to KREF's unfunded loan commitments, $3.7 million of REO liabilities and $2.1 million of accrued expenses.

Dividends Payable — KREF records dividends payable on its common stock and preferred stock upon declaration of such dividends. In September 2023, KREF's board of directors declared a dividend of $0.43 per share of common stock to stockholders of record as of September 29, 2023, which was accrued in “Dividends payable” on KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and was subsequently paid on October 13, 2023. In July 2023, KREF's board of directors declared a dividend of $0.41 per each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which represents an annual dividend of $1.625 per share. The dividend was paid on September 15, 2023 to KREF’s preferred stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023.

Repurchased Stock — KREF accounts for repurchases of its common stock based on the settlement date and presents repurchased stock in “Repurchased stock” on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Note 10). Payments for stock repurchases that are not yet settled as of the reporting date are presented within “Other assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2023, KREF had not retired any repurchased stock.

Income Recognition

Interest Income — KREF accrues interest income on loans based on the outstanding principal amount and contractual terms of the loan. Interest income also includes origination fees, direct loan origination costs and related exit fees for loans that KREF originates, but where management did not elect the fair value option, as a yield adjustment using the interest method over the loan term, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. KREF expenses origination fees and direct loan origination costs for loans acquired, but not originated, by KREF as well as loans for which management elected the fair value option, as incurred.

Revenue from Real Estate Owned Operations — Revenue from REO operations is primarily comprised of rental income, including base rent and reimbursements of property operating expenses. For leases that have fixed and measurable base rent escalations, KREF recognizes base rent on a straight-line basis over the non-cancelable lease terms. The difference between such rental income earned and the cash rent amount is recorded as straight-line rent receivable and presented within "Other assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reimbursement of property operating expenses arises from tenant leases which provide for the recovery of certain operating expenses and real estate taxes of the respective property. This revenue is accrued in the same periods as the expenses are incurred. Rental income is presented within Revenue from real estate owned operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
17

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Other Income — KREF recognizes interest income earned on its cash balances and miscellaneous fee income in “Other income” on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments — KREF recognizes the excess, or deficiency, of net proceeds received, less the net carrying value of such investments, as realized gains or losses, respectively. KREF reverses cumulative, unrealized gains or losses previously reported in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income with respect to the investment sold at the time of sale.

Expense Recognition

Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Investment — For each loan in KREF's portfolio, management performs an evaluation, at least quarterly, of credit quality indicators of loans classified as held-for-investment using applicable loan, property, market and sponsor information obtained from borrowers, loan servicers and local market participants. Such indicators may include the net present value of the underlying collateral, property operating cash flows, the sponsor’s financial wherewithal and competency in managing the property, macroeconomic trends, and property submarket—specific economic factors. The evaluation of these credit quality indicators requires significant judgment by management to determine whether failure to collect contractual amounts is probable.

If management deems that it is probable that KREF will be unable to collect all amounts owed according to the contractual terms of a loan, deterioration in credit quality of that loan is indicated. Management evaluates all available facts and circumstances that might impact KREF’s ability to collect outstanding loan balances when determining loan write-offs. These facts and circumstances may vary and may include, but are not limited to, (i) the underlying collateral performance and/or value, (ii) communications with the borrower, (iii) compliance with debt covenants, (iv) events of default by the borrower, or (v) other facts that impact the borrower’s ability to pay the contractual amounts due under the terms of the loan.

If management considers a loan to be impaired, management writes off the loan through a charge to "Allowance for credit losses" based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s contractual effective rate or the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Significant judgment is required in determining impairment and in estimating the resulting credit loss allowance, and actual losses, if any, could materially differ from those estimates.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is 90 days or more past due unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection, or when repayment of interest and principal is, in management's judgment, in doubt. Interest received on loans placed on nonaccrual status may be accounted for under the cost-recovery method under certain circumstances, whereby interest collected on a loan is a reduction to its amortized cost. Management may return a loan to accrual status when repayment of principal and interest is reasonably assured.

In certain circumstances, KREF may also modify terms of a loan agreement to accommodate a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. Such modifications typically include interest rate reductions, payment extension and modification of loan covenants.

In conjunction with reviewing commercial real estate loans held-for-investment for impairment, the Manager evaluates KREF's commercial real estate loans at least once per quarter, assesses the risk factors of each loan, and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, underlying real estate performance and asset value, values of comparable properties, durability and quality of property cash flows, sponsor experience and financial wherewithal, and the existence of a risk-mitigating loan structure. Additional key considerations include loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios, debt service coverage ratios, loan structure, real estate and credit market dynamics, and risk of default or principal loss. Based on a five-point scale, KREF's loans are rated "1" through "5," from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows: 1 (Very Low Risk); 2 (Low Risk); 3 (Medium Risk); 4 (High Risk/Potential for Loss); and 5 (Impaired/Loss Likely).

Commercial Real Estate Loans, Held-For-Sale — For commercial real estate loans held-for-sale, KREF applies the lower of cost or fair value accounting and may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment.

Accrued Interest Receivables — KREF elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivables. KREF generally writes off an accrued interest receivable balance when interest is 90 days or more past due unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Write-offs of accrued interest receivable are recognized as “Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
18

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Tenant Receivables — KREF periodically reviews its REO tenant receivables for collectability, taking into consideration changes in factors such as the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area where the property is located. Tenant receivables, including receivables arising from the straight-lining of rents, are written-off directly when management deems that the collectability of substantially all future lease payments from a specified lease is not probable, at which point, KREF will begin recognizing revenue on a cash basis, based on actual amounts received. Any receivables that are deemed to be uncollectible are recognized as a reduction to Revenue from real estate owned operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Interest Expense — KREF expenses contractual interest due in accordance with KREF's financing agreements as incurred.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs — KREF capitalizes and amortizes deferred financing costs incurred in connection with financing arrangements over their respective expected term using the interest method, or on a straight line basis when it approximates the interest method. KREF presents such expensed amounts, as well as deferred amounts written off, as additional interest expense in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

General and Administrative Expenses — KREF expenses general and administrative costs, including legal and audit fees, insurance premiums, and other costs as incurred.

Management and Incentive Compensation to Affiliate — KREF expenses management fees and incentive compensation earned by the Manager on a quarterly basis in accordance with the Management Agreement (Note 14).

Income Taxes — Certain activities of KREF are conducted through joint ventures that are formed as limited liability companies, taxed as partnerships, and consolidated by KREF. Some of these joint ventures are subject to state and local income taxes, based on the tax jurisdictions in which they operate. In addition, certain activities of KREF are conducted through taxable REIT subsidiaries consolidated by KREF. Taxable REIT subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local income taxes (Note 16).

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, KREF did not have any material deferred tax assets or liabilities arising from future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities in accordance with GAAP and their respective tax bases.

KREF recognizes tax benefits for uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. Interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included as a component of the provision for income taxes in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2023, KREF did not have any material uncertain tax positions.

Stock-Based Compensation

KREF's stock-based compensation consists of awards issued to employees of the Manager or its affiliates that vest over the life of the awards, as well as restricted stock units issued to certain members of KREF's board of directors. KREF recognizes the compensation cost of stock-based awards to its directors and employees of the Manager or its affiliates on a straight-line basis over the awards’ term at their grant date fair value. Certain stock-based awards are entitled to nonforfeitable dividends, at the same rate as those declared on the common stock, during the vesting period. Such nonforteitable dividends are deducted from "Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)" in the condensed consolidated financial statements. KREF accounts for forfeitures as they occur. Refer to Note 11 for additional information.

Earnings per Share

KREF calculates basic earnings per share ("EPS") using the two-class method, which defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities. The two-class method is an allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights. Basic EPS, is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period.

On January 1, 2022, KREF adopted ASU No. 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments
19

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which requires KREF to include convertible instruments in the diluted EPS calculation, regardless of a company's intent and ability to settle such debt in cash. As of September 30, 2023, KREF had no outstanding convertible instruments and, as a result, no potentially issuable shares related to convertible instruments have been included in the dilutive EPS calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, 6,316,174 potentially issuable shares related to the Convertible Notes were excluded from the calculation of dilutive EPS as the effect was anti-dilutive.

KREF presents diluted EPS under the more dilutive of the treasury stock and if-converted methods or the two-class method. Under the treasury stock and if-converted methods, the denominator includes weighted average common stock outstanding plus the incremental dilutive shares issuable from restricted stock units and an assumed conversion of convertible instruments. The numerator includes any changes in income (loss) attributable to common stockholders that would result from the assumed conversion of these potential shares of common stock. Refer to Note 12 for additional discussion of earnings per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is effective upon issuance and generally may be elected over time through December 31, 2024, as extended under ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. KREF has not adopted any of the optional expedients or exceptions through September 30, 2023, but will continue to evaluate the possible adoption of any such expedients or exceptions during the effective period as circumstances evolve.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, which eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance for a troubled debt restructuring for creditors that have adopted CECL and requires public business entities to present gross write-offs by year of origination in their vintage disclosures. On January 1, 2023, KREF adopted ASU 2022-02 on a prospective basis and the adoption had no significant impact on KREF's condensed consolidated financial statements.

20

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 3. Commercial Real Estate Loans

The following table summarizes KREF's investments in commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Weighted Average(C)
Loan TypeOutstanding Principal
Amortized Cost(A)
Carrying Value(B)
Loan CountFloating Rate Loan %
Coupon(D)
Life (Years)(E)
September 30, 2023
Loans held-for-investment(F)
Senior loans(G)
$7,520,591 $7,483,946 $7,266,050 69 99.0 %8.6 %2.9
Mezzanine loans44,470 44,505 43,409 100.0 14.1 2.3
Total/Weighted Average$7,565,061 $7,528,451 $7,309,459 71 99.0 %8.7 %2.8
December 31, 2022
Loans held-for-investment(F)
Senior loans(G)
$7,463,459 $7,395,463 $7,288,635 73 100.0 %7.7 %3.3
Mezzanine and other loans(H)
98,933 98,675 98,529 100.0 15.0 3.0
Total/Weighted Average$7,562,392 $7,494,138 $7,387,164 76 100.0 %7.8 %3.3

(A)    Amortized cost represents the outstanding principal of loan, net of applicable unamortized discounts, loan origination fees, cost recovery interest and write-off on uncollectible loan balances.
(B)    Carrying value represents the amortized cost of loan, net of applicable allowance for credit losses.
(C)    Average weighted by outstanding loan principal.
(D)    Weighted average coupon assumes the greater of applicable index rate, including one-month Term SOFR and LIBOR, or the applicable contractual rate floor. Excludes loans accounted for under the cost recovery method.
(E)    The weighted average life assumes all extension options are exercised by the borrowers.
(F)    Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million as of September 30, 2023. Excludes one fully written off risk-rated 5 mezzanine loan with an outstanding principal balance of $5.5 million as of December 31, 2022.
(G)    Senior loans may include accommodation mezzanine loans in connection with the senior mortgage financing.
(H)    Includes one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with a principal and a carrying value of $40.4 million and $40.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2022. This loan was fully repaid during the first quarter of 2023.

Activity — For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the loan portfolio activity was as follows:

Amortized CostAllowance for
Credit Losses
Carrying Value
Balance at December 31, 2022
$7,494,138 $(106,974)$7,387,164 
Originations and future fundings, net(A)(B)
738,928  738,928 
Proceeds from loan repayments and cost recovery interest(B)(C)
(707,329) (707,329)
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization, net17,714  17,714 
(Provision for) Reversal of credit losses— (127,018)(127,018)
Write-off charged(D)
(15,000)15,000 — 
Balance at September 30, 2023
$7,528,451 $(218,992)$7,309,459 

(A)    Net of applicable premiums, discounts and deferred loan origination costs. Includes fundings on previously originated loans.
(B)    Includes $199.4 million of amortized cost for loan modifications accounted for as new loans for GAAP purposes.
(C)    Includes $9.8 million of cost recovery interest collections applied as a reduction to loan amortized cost.
(D)    Includes a $15.0 million write-off of a subordinated loan during the period ended September 30, 2023.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was $26.8 million and $43.3 million, respectively, of unamortized origination discounts and deferred fees included in "Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. KREF recognized prepayment fee income of zero and $1.1 million, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. KREF recognized net accelerated fee income of zero and $1.2 million, respectively, relating to loan repayments, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, KREF recognized prepayment fee income of $1.5 million and $6.8 million, respectively, and recognized net accelerated fee income of $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

KREF may enter into loan modifications that include, among other changes, incremental capital contributions or partial repayments from certain borrowers, repurposing of reserves, and a temporary partial deferral for a portion of the coupon as
21

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
payment-in-kind interest (“PIK Interest”) due, which is capitalized, compounded, and added to the outstanding principal balance of the respective loans.

In January 2023, KREF completed the modification of a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Philadelphia, PA, with an outstanding principal balance of $161.0 million. The terms of the modification included, among others, a $25.0 million principal repayment and a restructure of the $136.0 million senior loan (after the $25.0 million repayment) into (i) a $116.5 million committed senior mortgage loan (with $5.5 million in unfunded commitment) and (ii) a $25.0 million junior mezzanine note. The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+3.25% and has a new term of up to four years, assuming all extension options are exercised. The $25.0 million junior mezzanine note is subordinate to a new $41.5 million committed senior mezzanine note held by the sponsor (with $16.5 million in unfunded commitment). As of December 31, 2022, $25.0 million of the loan was deemed uncollectible and written off, which was applied to the junior mezzanine note upon completion of the modification. This loan modification was accounted for as a new loan for GAAP purposes. The restructured senior loan with an outstanding principal balance of $112.6 million was risk-rated 3 as of September 30, 2023.

In June 2023, KREF completed the modification of a risk-rated 4 senior multifamily loan located in West Hollywood, CA, with an outstanding principal balance of $102.0 million as of March 31, 2023. The terms of the modification included, among others, an additional borrower deposit in escrow in exchange for an upsize in the loan commitment structured as (i) an accompanying senior mezzanine note with a commitment of $4.2 million, at a fixed interest rate of 10.0%, and (ii) an accompanying junior mezzanine note with a commitment of $0.8 million, at a fixed interest rate of 10.0% with certain profit share provisions, as defined in the loan agreement. As of September 30, 2023, the senior mezzanine note had an outstanding principal balance of $0.8 million, while the junior mezzanine note was fully funded. The restructured whole loan with an outstanding principal balance of $103.5 million was risk-rated 4 as of September 30, 2023.

In June 2023, KREF completed the modification of a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Minneapolis, MN, with an outstanding principal balance of $194.4 million as of March 31, 2023. The terms of the modification included, among others, a restructure of the $194.4 million senior loan into (i) a $120.0 million senior mortgage loan (fully funded) and (ii) a $79.4 million mezzanine note (with $5.0 million in unfunded commitment). The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+2.25% and the mezzanine note earns a fixed 4.5% PIK interest rate. Post modification, the whole loan’s maximum maturity is July 2025, assuming all extension options are exercised. The restructured whole loan with an outstanding principal balance of $194.4 million was risk-rated 5 as of September 30, 2023.

In September 2023, KREF completed the modification of a risk-rated 4 senior office loan located in Chicago, IL, with an outstanding principal balance of $118.4 million. The terms of the modification included, among others, a $15.0 million principal repayment, a $15.0 million reduction in unfunded loan commitment, and a restructure of the $103.4 million senior loan (after the $15.0 million repayment) into (i) a $105.0 million committed senior mortgage loan (with $16.6 million in unfunded commitment) and (ii) a $15.0 million subordinated note. The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+2.25% and has a new term of five years. The $15.0 million subordinated note is subordinate to a new $18.5 million sponsor interest and was deemed uncollectible and written off. This loan modification was accounted for as a new loan for GAAP purposes. The restructured senior loan with an outstanding principal balance of $88.4 million was risk-rated 3 as of September 30, 2023.

Loan Risk Ratings — As further described in Note 2, our Manager evaluates KREF's commercial real estate loan portfolio at least once per quarter. In conjunction with its commercial real estate loan portfolio review, KREF's Manager assesses the risk factors of each loan and assigns a risk rating based on a variety of factors. Loans are rated “1” (Very Low Risk) through “5” Impaired/Loss Likely), which ratings are defined in Note 2.

22

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following tables summarize the carrying value of the loan portfolio based on KREF's internal risk ratings:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Risk Rating
Number of Loans(A)
Carrying Value
Total Loan Exposure(B)
Total Loan Exposure %*
Number of Loans(A)
Carrying Value
Total Loan Exposure(B)
Total Loan Exposure %*
1— $— $— — %— $— $— — %
217,788 55,312 — — — — 
362 6,485,837 6,510,433 84 70 6,560,166 6,864,941 88 
4484,653 635,773 443,957 446,322 
5540,173 551,098 490,015 489,214 
Total loan receivable71 $7,528,451 $7,752,616 100 %76 $7,494,138 $7,800,477 100 %
Allowance for credit losses(218,992)(106,974)
Loan receivable, net$7,309,459 $7,387,164 
*Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.

(A)    Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million as of September 30, 2023. Excludes one fully written off risk-rated 5 loan with an outstanding principal balance of $5.5 million as of December 31, 2022.
(B)    In certain instances, KREF finances its loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan KREF originated and financed, including $187.6 million and $263.1 million of such non-consolidated interests as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

As of September 30, 2023, the average risk rating of KREF's portfolio was 3.2, weighted by total loan exposure, consistent with that as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Loan Vintage — The following tables present the amortized cost of the loan portfolio by KREF's internal risk rating and year of origination. The risk ratings are updated as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 in the corresponding table.

September 30, 2023
Amortized Cost by Year of Origination(A)
Risk Rating
Number of Loans(B)
Outstanding Principal(B)
20232022202120202019PriorTotal
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
217,757 — — — 17,788 — — 17,788 
362 6,510,433 201,913 2,045,304 3,391,890 217,245 344,008 285,477 6,485,837 
4485,773 — 103,177 212,370 — 169,105 — 484,653 
5551,098 — — 198,916 — 151,128 190,129 540,173 
71 $7,565,061 $201,913 $2,148,481 $3,803,176 $235,033 $664,241 $475,606 $7,528,451 
Current period gross write-off$— $— $— $— $15,000 $— $15,000 
(A)    Represents the date a loan was originated or acquired. Origination dates are subsequently updated to reflect material loan modifications.
(B)    Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million.

December 31, 2022
Amortized Cost by Year of Origination
Risk Rating
Number of Loans(A)
Outstanding Principal(A)
20222021202020192018PriorTotal
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
2— — — — — — — — — 
370 6,601,856 1,812,576 3,594,235 353,506 472,125 307,582 20,142 6,560,166 
4446,322 101,469 193,883 — 148,605 — — 443,957 
5514,214 — — — 158,698 136,825 194,492 490,015 
76 $7,562,392 $1,914,045 $3,788,118 $353,506 $779,428 $444,407 $214,634 $7,494,138 
Current period gross write-off$— $— $— $— $25,000 $— $25,000 
(A)     Excludes one fully written off risk-rated 5 loan with an outstanding principal balance of $5.5 million.

23

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Allowance for Credit Losses The following tables present the changes to the allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
Commercial
Real Estate Loans
Unfunded Loan CommitmentsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2022$106,974 $4,138 $111,112 
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net127,018 (1,402)125,616 
Write-off charged(15,000)— (15,000)
Balance at September 30, 2023$218,992 $2,736 $221,728 

Commercial
Real Estate Loans
Unfunded Loan CommitmentsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2021$22,244 $1,495 $23,739 
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net88,554 2,630 91,184 
Balance at September 30, 2022$110,798 $4,125 $114,923 

As of September 30, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $221.7 million. The CECL provision of $125.6 million was primarily due to additional reserves on risk-rated 5 senior office loans, as well as macroeconomic conditions.

KREF had a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Mountain View, CA, originated in July 2021, with an outstanding principal balance of $200.9 million and an unfunded commitment of $49.1 million as of September 30, 2023. The loan had an amortized cost of $198.9 million as of September 30, 2023. The property is located in a challenged leasing market. In June 2023, this loan was placed on nonaccrual status and subsequent interest collections are accounted for under the cost recovery method. This loan's maximum maturity is August 2026, assuming all extension options are exercised. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, KREF recognized zero and $7.3 million, respectively, of interest income on this loan. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, an additional $0.8 million of contractual interest payments was received and applied as a reduction to the loan amortized cost under the cost recovery method of accounting.

KREF had a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Minneapolis, MN, originated in November 2017, with an outstanding principal balance of $194.4 million and an unfunded commitment of $5.0 million as of September 30, 2023. The loan had an amortized cost of $190.1 million as of September 30, 2023. The property is located in a challenged leasing market. In June 2023, KREF restructured the $194.4 million senior loan into (i) a $120.0 million senior mortgage loan (fully funded) and (ii) a $79.4 million mezzanine note (with $5.0 million in unfunded commitment). The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+2.25% and the mezzanine note earns a fixed 4.5% PIK interest rate. Post modification, the whole loan’s maximum maturity is July 2025, assuming all extension options are exercised. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, KREF recognized $2.9 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of interest income on this loan. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, an additional zero and $4.3 million of contractual interest payments was received and applied as a reduction to the loan amortized cost under the cost recovery method of accounting. Beginning in June 2023, the senior loan was solely on nonaccrual status.

KREF had a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Philadelphia, PA, originated in April 2019, with an outstanding principal balance of $155.8 million and an unfunded commitment of $20.9 million as of September 30, 2023. The loan had an amortized cost of $151.1 million as of September 30, 2023. The property is located in a challenged leasing market. This loan's maturity is November 2023. In December 2022, this loan was placed on nonaccrual status and subsequent interest collections are accounted for under the cost recovery method. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, zero and $4.7 million of contractual interest payments were received and applied as a reduction to the loan amortized cost.

The 5-rated loans were determined to be collateral dependent as of September 30, 2023. KREF estimated expected losses based on each loan’s collateral fair value, which was determined by applying a capitalization rate between 6.6% and 8.7% and a discount rate between 9.0% and 10.1%, respectively.

The CECL provision of $91.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was impacted by increased uncertainty in the macro-economic outlook, as well as volatility and reduced liquidity in the office sector.

24

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Concentration of Credit Risk — The following tables present the geographies and property types of collateral underlying KREF's commercial real estate loans as a percentage of the loans' principal amounts:

September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022(A)
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
GeographyCollateral Property Type
California16.9 %16.9 %Multifamily42.3 %46.8 %
Texas14.9 16.1 Office23.5 23.0 
Florida9.8 11.1 Industrial14.3 12.7 
Massachusetts9.7 8.3 Life Science9.3 7.7 
Virginia7.5 8.4 Hospitality4.9 4.8 
Washington D.C.6.2 5.9 Condo (Residential)2.0 2.6 
New York5.9 5.6 Student Housing1.5 1.5 
Pennsylvania5.4 5.7 Self-Storage1.3 0.5 
North Carolina4.1 4.0 Single Family Rental0.8 0.3 
Washington3.8 2.9 Retail0.1 0.1 
Arizona3.1 2.6 Total100.0 %100.0 %
Minnesota2.7 2.7 
Georgia2.6 2.5 
Nevada2.0 2.0 
Illinois1.4 1.6 
Colorado1.1 1.0 
Other U.S.2.9 2.7 
Total100.0 %100.0 %

(A)    Excludes one real estate corporate loan to a multifamily operator with an outstanding principal amount of $40.4 million, representing 0.5% of KREF’s commercial real estate loans, as of December 31, 2022. This loan was fully repaid during the first quarter of 2023.
25

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 4. Real Estate Owned

In 2015, KREF originated a $177.0 million senior loan secured by a retail property in Portland, OR. In December 2021, KREF took title to the retail property. Such acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition under ASC 805. Accordingly, KREF recognized the property on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as REO with a carrying value of $78.6 million, which included the estimated fair value of the property and capitalized transaction costs. In addition, KREF assumed $2.0 million in other net assets of the REO.

Concurrently with taking title to the REO, KREF contributed a portion of the REO asset with a carrying value of $68.9 million to a joint venture (the "REO JV") with a third party local developer operator (“JV Partner”), whereby KREF has a 90% interest and the JV Partner has a 10% interest. In September 2023, the REO JV submitted a conceptual master plan to the City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services in an application for a Design Advice Request (DAR) meeting with the City's Design Commission.

KREF assumed certain legacy lease arrangements upon the acquisition of the REO and has entered into short-term lease arrangements during the redevelopment process. These arrangements entitle KREF to receive contractual rent payments during the lease periods and tenant reimbursements for certain property operating expenses, including common area costs, insurance, utilities and real estate taxes. KREF elects the practical expedient to not separate the lease and non-lease components of the rent payments and accounts for these lease arrangements as operating leases.

The following table presents the REO assets and liabilities included on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Assets
Real estate owned - land$78,569 $78,569 
Real estate owned - land improvements3,049 1,662 
Real estate owned, net81,618 80,231 
Cash3,564 781 
In-place lease intangibles(A)
217268
Tenant receivables(A)
557 541 
Other assets(A)
518 1,304 
Total$86,474 $83,125 
Liabilities
Below-market lease intangibles(B)
$1,187 $1,460 
Other liabilities(B)
4,589 2,254 
Total$5,776 $3,714 

(A)     Included in “Other assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(B)    Included in “Other liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table presents the REO operations and related income (loss) included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2023September 30, 2022September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Rental income(A)
$1,651 $1,908 $5,103 $5,773 
Other operating income(A)
144 185 922 781 
Revenue from rest estate owned operations1,795 2,093 6,025 6,554 
Expenses from real estate owned operations(2,819)(2,598)(8,233)(7,520)
Other income(B)
43 45 1,709 1,382 
Total$(981)$(461)$(499)$417 

(A)    Included in “Revenue from real estate owned operations” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(B)    Represents bank interest and nonrecurring proceeds from insurance claims and local tax and energy credits.


26

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following table presents the amortization of lease intangibles included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
Income Statement LocationSeptember 30, 2023September 30, 2022September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Asset
In-place lease intangiblesExpenses from real estate owned operations$17 $17 $51 $50 
Liability
Below-market lease intangibles
Revenue from real estate owned operations91 91 274 273 

The following table presents the amortization of lease intangibles for each of the succeeding fiscal years:

YearIn-place Lease Intangible AssetsBelow-market Lease Intangible Liabilities
2023$17 $91 
202467 365 
202567 365 
202667 365 

Future Minimum Lease Payments — The following table presents the future minimum lease payments to be collected under non-cancelable operating leases, excluding tenant reimbursements of expenses:

YearContractual
Lease Payments
2023$942 
20241,943 
2025837 
2026443 
202722 
Thereafter
— 
27

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 5. Debt Obligations

The following table summarizes KREF's secured master repurchase agreements and other financing arrangements in place as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
FacilityCollateralFacility
Month IssuedMaximum Facility SizeOutstanding Principal
Carrying Value(A)
Final Stated Maturity
Weighted Average Funding Cost(B)
Weighted Average Life (Years)(B)
Outstanding PrincipalAmortized Cost BasisCarrying Value
Weighted Average Life (Years)(C)
Carrying Value(A)
Master Repurchase Agreements(D)
Wells Fargo(E)
Oct 2015$1,000,000 $674,076 $672,255 Sep 20267.0 %1.7$989,053 $982,179 $926,923 3.1$670,824 
Morgan Stanley(F)
Dec 2016600,000 506,232 505,554 Mar 20267.3 1.2757,964 755,838 742,057 2.3593,136 
Goldman Sachs(G)
Sep 2016400,000 340,200 339,978 Oct 20258.7 0.9609,137 602,120 528,877 2.2168,369 
Term Lending Agreements
KREF Lending IX(H)
Jul 20211,000,000 767,105 762,618 n.a7.7 1.4960,518 955,687 949,987 3.4719,000 
KREF Lending V(I)
Jun 2019333,522 333,522 333,278 Jun 20267.4 1.0465,578 450,464 444,247 1.9502,539 
KREF Lending XII(J)
Jun 2022350,000 166,771 166,080 n.a7.1 2.1224,674 223,547 222,454 3.5159,784 
BMO Facility(K)
Aug 2018300,000 138,615 137,591 n.a7.2 1.7179,601 178,838 178,455 3.7137,170 
Warehouse Facility
HSBC Facility(L)
Mar 2020500,000 — — Mar 2026— 2.4— — — n.a— 
Asset Specific Financing
KREF Lending XIII(M)
Aug 2022265,625 139,136 136,683 n.a8.6 2.9163,692 161,472 161,287 3.969,777 
KREF Lending XIV(N)
Oct 2022125,000 — (1,327)n.a— 3.0— (1,090)(1,090)4.0(1,655)
KREF Lending XI(O)
Apr 2022100,000 100,000 99,418 n.a8.7 0.9125,000 124,672 123,770 2.998,990 
Revolving Credit Agreement
Revolver(P)
Dec 2018610,000 110,000 110,000 Mar 20277.5 3.5n.an.an.an.a— 
Total / Weighted Average$5,584,147 $3,275,657 $3,262,128 7.6 %1.5$3,117,934 

(A)    Net of $13.5 million and $21.2 million unamortized deferred financing costs as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(B)    Funding cost includes deferred financing costs. Weighted average life represents the earlier of the next loan maturity date and final stated facility maturity date, weighted by the outstanding principal of borrowings.
(C)    Average based on the fully extended loan maturity, weighted by the outstanding principal of the collateral.
(D)    Borrowings under these repurchase agreements are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment, and bear interest equal to the sum of (i) Term SOFR, and (ii) a financing spread. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the percentage of the outstanding principal of the collateral sold and not borrowed under these repurchase agreements, or average "haircut" weighted by outstanding principal of collateral, was 35.5% and 31.5%, respectively (or 32.3% and 25.6%, respectively, if KREF had borrowed the maximum amount approved by its repurchase agreement counterparties as of such dates).
(E)    The current stated maturity date is September 2024, which does not reflect two twelve-month facility term extension options available to KREF, which are subject to certain covenants and thresholds. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was between 1.41% and 1.65%.
(F)    In August 2023, KREF extended the current stated maturity to March 2026. Following the maturity date, KREF has two one-year extension periods subject to approval by Morgan Stanley. In addition, KREF has the option to increase the facility amount to $750.0 million. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was between 1.70% and 2.40%.
(G)    The current stated maturity date is October 2023, with two one-year extension options available to KREF. In May 2023, KREF increased the borrowing capacity to $400 million. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was between 1.75% and 3.40%.
(H)    KREF, through its wholly–owned subsidiary KREF Lending IX LLC, entered into a $500.0 million Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement with a financial institution ("KREF Lending IX Facility"). In March 2022, KREF increased the borrowing capacity to $750.0 million. In August 2022, KREF further increased the borrowing capacity to $1,000.0 million. The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF, has a three-year draw period and match-term to the underlying loans. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was between 1.65% and 2.50%.
(I)    KREF, through its wholly–owned subsidiary KREF Lending V LLC, entered into a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement ("KREF Lending V Facility") with Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC ("Administrative Agent"), as administrative agent on behalf of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Initial Buyer"), which provides non-mark-to-market financing. The Initial Buyer subsequently syndicated a portion of the facility to multiple financial institutions. As of September 30, 2023, the Initial Buyer held 23% of the total commitment under the facility. The current stated maturity is June 2024, subject to two additional one-year extension options, which may be exercised by KREF upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was 2.00%.
(J)    KREF, through its wholly–owned subsidiary KREF Lending XII LLC, entered into a $350.0 million Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XII Facility"). The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF, has a two-year draw period and match-term to the underlying loans. In addition, KREF has the option to increase the facility amount to $500.0 million. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was between 1.35% and 1.45%.
(K)    KREF entered into a $200.0 million loan financing facility with BMO Harris Bank ("BMO Facility") and subsequently increased the borrowing capacity to $300.0 million. The facility provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with match-term up to five years with partial recourse to KREF. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was 1.85%.
28

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
(L)    KREF entered into a $500.0 million Loan and Security Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC Facility”). In March 2023, KREF extended the facility maturity date to March 2026. The facility provides warehouse financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF.
(M)    KREF, through its wholly-owned subsidiary KREF Lending XIII LLC, entered into a $265.6 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XIII Facility"). The facility provides match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was 3.00%.
(N)    KREF, through its wholly-owned subsidiary KREF Lending XIV LLC, entered into a $125.0 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XIV Facility"). The facility provides match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was 2.75%.
(O)    KREF, through its wholly-owned subsidiary KREF Lending XI LLC, entered into a $100.0 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XI Facility"). The facility provides match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. As of September 30, 2023, the financing spread was 2.76%.    
(P)    KREF entered into a $100.0 million corporate revolving credit agreement (“Revolver”) administered by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. Additional lenders were added subsequently, further increasing the Revolver borrowing capacity to $610.0 million as of September 30, 2023. The current stated maturity of the facility is March 2027. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index and (ii) a fixed margin. Borrowings under this facility are full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF. As of September 30, 2023, the carrying value excluded $4.0 million unamortized debt issuance costs presented within "Other assets" on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, KREF had outstanding repurchase agreements and term lending agreements where the amount at risk with any individual counterparty, or group of related counterparties, exceeded 10.0% of KREF’s stockholders' equity. The amount at risk under these agreements is the net counterparty exposure, defined as the excess of the carrying amount (or market value, if higher than the carrying amount, for repurchase agreements) of the assets sold under agreement to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or other assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, over the amount of the repurchase liability, adjusted for accrued interest.

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of KREF's repurchase agreements where the amount at risk with any individual counterparty, or group of related counterparties, exceeded 10.0% of KREF’s stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Outstanding PrincipalNet Counterparty ExposurePercent of Stockholders' Equity
Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)
September 30, 2023
Wells Fargo$674,076 $260,880 17.9 %1.7
Morgan Stanley506,232 242,839 16.7 1.2
Goldman Sachs340,200 192,663 13.3 0.9
KREF Lending IX767,105 188,552 13.0 1.4
Total / Weighted Average$2,287,613 $884,934 60.9 %1.4
December 31, 2022
Wells Fargo$672,556 $240,897 15.3 %2.5
Morgan Stanley594,537 199,485 12.7 0.8
Goldman Sachs169,073 190,917 12.1 2.1
KREF Lending V(B)
502,878 182,774 11.6 0.3
KREF Lending IX727,472 177,358 11.3 2.2
Total / Weighted Average$2,666,516 $991,431 63.0 %1.6

(A)    Average weighted by the outstanding principal of borrowings under the secured financing agreement.
(B)    There were multiple counterparties to the KREF Lending V Facility. Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. represented 2.8% of the net counterparty exposure as a percent of stockholders' equity December 31, 2022.

Debt obligations included in the tables above are obligations of KREF’s consolidated subsidiaries, which own the related collateral, and such collateral is generally not available to other creditors of KREF.

While KREF is generally not required to post margin under certain repurchase agreement terms for changes in general capital market conditions such as changes in credit spreads or interest rates, KREF may be required to post margin for changes in conditions to specific loans that serve as collateral for those repurchase agreements. Such changes may include declines in the appraised value of property that secures a loan or a negative change in the borrower's ability or willingness to repay a loan. To the extent that KREF is required to post margin, KREF's liquidity could be significantly impacted. Both KREF and its lenders work cooperatively to monitor the performance of the properties and operations related to KREF's loan investments to mitigate
29

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
investment-specific credit risks. Additionally, KREF incorporates terms in the loans it originates to further mitigate risks related to loan nonperformance.

Term Loan Facility

In April 2018, KREF, through its consolidated subsidiaries, entered into a term loan financing agreement (“Term Loan Facility”) with third party lenders for an initial borrowing capacity of $200.0 million that was subsequently increased to $1.0 billion in October 2018. The facility provides asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with match-term up to five years and is non-recourse to KREF. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment, and bear interest equal to one-month Term SOFR plus a margin. The weighted average margin on the facility was 1.9% and 1.8% as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The following tables summarize our borrowings under the Term Loan Facility:
September 30, 2023
Term Loan FacilityCountOutstanding PrincipalAmortized CostCarrying Value
Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)
Guarantee(B)
Wtd. Avg. Term(C)
Collateral assets11$709,109 $706,155 $701,607 
S + 3.6%
n.a.September 2026
Financing providedn.a.565,748 565,272 565,272 
S + 2.0%
n.a.September 2026
December 31, 2022
Term Loan FacilityCountOutstanding PrincipalAmortized CostCarrying Value
Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)
Guarantee(B)
Wtd. Avg. Term(C)
Collateral assets12$785,076 $780,526 $751,579 
+ 3.4%
n.a.April 2026
Financing providedn.a.631,557 630,757 630,757 
+ 1.9%
n.a.April 2026

(A)    Collateral assets are indexed to one-month Term SOFR and/or LIBOR. In addition to cash coupon, yield/cost includes the amortization of deferred origination/financing costs.
(B)    Financing under the Term Loan Facility is non-recourse to KREF.
(C)    The weighted-average term is weighted by outstanding principal, using the maximum maturity date of the underlying loans assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrower.

Activity — For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the activity related to the carrying value of KREF’s secured financing agreements were as follows:
Secured Financing Agreements, Net
Balance as of December 31, 2022$3,748,691 
Principal borrowings656,554 
Principal repayments/sales(585,850)
Deferred debt issuance costs(3,535)
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs11,539 
Balance as of September 30, 2023$3,827,399 

30

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Maturities — KREF’s secured financing agreements, term loan facility and other consolidated debt obligations in place as of September 30, 2023 had contractual maturities(A) as follows:

YearNonrecourse
Recourse(B)
Total
2023$110,300 $12,500 $122,800 
20241,376,326 315,586 1,691,912 
2025860,709 275,761 1,136,470 
2026601,484 127,783 729,267 
Thereafter50,956 110,000 160,956 
$2,999,775 $841,630 $3,841,405 

(A)    Represents earlier of the next maturity of the underlying loans and the maximum maturity of the secured financing agreements.
(B)    Except for the Revolver, which is full recourse, amounts borrowed are subject to a maximum 25.0% recourse limit. The Revolver matures in March 2027.

Covenants — KREF is required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions related to its secured financing agreements and Revolver, including, but not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to KREF’s status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include a trailing four quarter interest income to interest expense ratio covenant (1.4 to 1.0); a consolidated tangible net worth covenant (75.0% of the aggregate cash proceeds of any equity issuances made and any capital contributions received by KREF and certain subsidiaries, or up to approximately $1,353.4 million depending upon the facility); a cash liquidity covenant (the greater of $10.0 million or 5.0% of KREF's recourse indebtedness); and a total indebtedness covenant (83.3% of KREF's Total Assets, as defined in the applicable financing agreements). As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, KREF was in compliance with its financial debt covenants.

31

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 6. Collateralized Loan Obligations

In August 2021, KREF financed a pool of loan participations from its existing loan portfolio through a managed CLO ("KREF 2021-FL2"). KREF 2021-FL2 provides KREF with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. KREF 2021-FL2 has a two-year reinvestment feature that allows principal proceeds of the collateral assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement assets, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the indenture. Upon the execution of the KREF 2021-FL2, KREF recorded $8.9 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $0.9 million in structuring and placement agent fees paid to KKR Capital Markets LLC ("KCM"), an affiliate of KREF.

In February 2022, KREF financed a pool of loan participations from its existing multifamily loan portfolio through a managed CLO ("KREF 2022-FL3"). KREF 2022-FL3 provides KREF with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis and has a two-year reinvestment feature. Upon the execution of the KREF 2022-FL3, KREF recorded $7.4 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $0.5 million in structuring and placement agent fees paid to KCM.

The CLO issuance costs are netted against the outstanding principal balance of the CLO notes in "Collateralized loan obligations, net" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following tables outline CLO collateral assets and respective borrowing as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

September 30, 2023
 Count Outstanding Principal Amortized Cost Carrying Value
Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)
Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
KREF 2021-FL2
Collateral assets(C)(D)
19$1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,289,629 
S + 3.2%
June 2026
Financing provided11,095,250 1,095,097 1,095,097 
S + 1.5%
February 2039
KREF 2022-FL3
Collateral assets(C)(D)
16$1,000,000 $1,000,000 $989,101 
S + 3.0%
September 2026
Financing provided1847,500 846,017 846,017 
S + 2.2%
February 2039

December 31, 2022
 Count Outstanding Principal Amortized Cost Carrying Value
Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)
Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
KREF 2021-FL2
Collateral assets(C)(D)
17$1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,283,162 
+ 3.3%
April 2026
Financing provided11,095,250 1,092,332 1,092,332 
L + 1.7%
February 2039
KREF 2022-FL3
Collateral assets(C)
16$1,000,000 $1,000,000 $991,452 
+ 3.1%
October 2026
Financing provided1847,500 843,260 843,260 
S + 2.2%
February 2039

(A)    Expressed as a spread over the relevant benchmark rates, which include one-month Term SOFR and LIBOR, as applicable to each loan. As of September 30, 2023, 100.0% of the CLO collateral loan assets by principal balance earned a floating rate of interest indexed to Term SOFR. As of December 31, 2022, 64.1% and 35.9% of the CLO collateral loan assets by principal balance earned a floating rate of interest indexed to one-month Term SOFR and LIBOR, respectively. In addition to cash coupon, yield/cost includes the amortization of deferred origination/financing costs.
(B)    Loan term represents weighted-average final maturity, assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrowers, weighted by outstanding principal. Repayments of CLO notes are dependent on timing of underlying collateral loan asset repayments post reinvestment period. The term of the CLO notes represents the rated final distribution date.
(C)    Collateral loan assets represent 29.7% and 28.4% of the principal of KREF's commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 100% of KREF loans financed through the CLOs are floating rate loans.
(D)    Including $10.0 million and $151.0 million cash held in CLO 2021-FL2 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Including $14.4 million and $14.4 million of loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by KREF 2021-FL2 and KREF 2022-FL3, respectively, as of September 30, 2023.

32

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following table presents the CLO assets and liabilities included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

AssetsSeptember 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Cash$10,000 $151,000 
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment2,261,200 2,149,000 
Less: Allowance for credit losses(21,270)(25,387)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net2,239,930 2,123,613 
Accrued interest receivable11,969 10,693 
Other assets(A)
28,955 155 
Total$2,290,854 $2,285,461 
Liabilities
Collateralized loan obligations$1,942,750 $1,942,750 
Deferred financing costs(1,636)(7,158)
Collateralized loan obligations, net$1,941,114 $1,935,592 
Accrued interest payable5,271 4,442 
Other liabilities87 — 
Total$1,946,472 $1,940,034 

(A)    Including $28.8 million and zero of loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by the CLOs as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The following table presents the components of net interest income of CLOs included in KREF’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
Interest income$48,753 $31,403 $134,741 $72,289 
Interest expense(A)
35,378 20,325 100,463 41,152 
Net interest income$13,375 $11,078 $34,278 $31,137 

(A)    Includes $1.7 million and $6.0 million of deferred financing costs amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Includes $2.0 million and $5.7 million of deferred financing costs amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

33

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 7. Secured Term Loan, Net

In September 2020, KREF entered into a $300.0 million secured term loan at a price of 97.5%, which initially bore interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus a 4.75% margin, subject to a 1.0% LIBOR floor, payable quarterly beginning in December 2020. The secured term loan is partially amortizing, with an amount equal to 1.0% per annum of the principal balance due in quarterly installments starting March 31, 2021. The secured term loan matures on September 1, 2027 and contains restrictions relating to liens, asset sales, indebtedness, investments and transactions with affiliates. The secured term loan is secured by KREF level guarantees and does not include asset-based collateral. Upon the execution of the secured term loan, KREF recorded a $7.5 million issuance discount and $5.1 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $1.1 million in arrangement and structuring fees paid to KCM.

In November 2021, KREF completed the repricing of a $297.8 million then-existing secured term loan and a $52.2 million add-on, for an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million due September 2027, which was issued at par. The upsize of the secured term loan was accounted for as partial debt extinguishment under GAAP, accordingly, KREF recognized an accelerated deferred loan financing cost of $0.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. The new secured term loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 3.5%, subject to a 0.5% LIBOR floor. KREF recorded $2.0 million in issuance costs, inclusive of $0.8 million in arrangement and structuring fees paid to KCM.

In June 2023, KREF transitioned the secured term loan from LIBOR to Term SOFR. Inclusive of the amortization of the discount and issuance costs, KREF’s total cost of the secured term loan is Adjusted Term SOFR, as defined in the secured term loan agreements, plus a 4.1% margin per annum, subject to the applicable SOFR floor, as of September 30, 2023.

The following table summarizes KREF’s secured term loan at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Principal$343,875 $346,500 
Deferred financing costs(4,285)(5,016)
Unamortized discount(3,910)(4,656)
Carrying value$335,680 $336,828 

Covenants — KREF is required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions related to its secured term loan that include, but are not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to KREF’s status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $650.0 million and a maximum Total Debt to Total Assets ratio, as defined in the secured term loan agreements, of 83.3% (the “Leverage Covenant”). KREF was in compliance with such covenants as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
34

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 8. Convertible Notes, Net

In May 2018, KREF issued $143.75 million of the Convertible Notes at a fixed interest rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes matured on May 15, 2023. The Convertible Notes’ issuance costs of $5.1 million was amortized through interest expense over the life of the Convertible Notes.

The entire $143.75 million principal balance of the Convertible Notes matured and was repaid in cash on May 15, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, there were no Convertible Notes outstanding.

The following table details the carrying value of the Convertible Notes on KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Principal$— $143,750 
Deferred financing costs— (380)
Unamortized discount— (133)
Carrying value$— $143,237 

The following table details the interest expense related to the Convertible Notes:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
Cash coupon$— $2,201 $3,276 $6,604 
Discount and issuance cost amortization— 349 513 1,037 
Total interest expense$— $2,550 $3,789 $7,641 

Accrued interest payable for the Convertible Notes was zero and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Refer to Note 2 for additional discussion of accounting policies for the Convertible Notes.
35

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 9. Variable Interest Entities

Collateralized Loan Obligations — KREF consolidates CLOs when it determines that the CLO issuers, wholly-owned subsidiaries of KREF, are VIEs and that KREF is the primary beneficiary of such VIEs (Note 6). Management considers KREF to be the primary beneficiary of the CLO issuers as KREF has the ability to control the most significant activities of the CLO issuers, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits of the CLOs through the subordinate interests the CLO issuers own.

Real Estate Owned Joint Venture — Concurrently with taking title to an REO asset in December 2021, KREF contributed a portion of the REO asset to a REO JV with a JV Partner, whereby KREF has a 90% interest and the JV Partner has a 10% interest. Management determined the REO JV to be a VIE as the REO JV has insufficient equity-at-risk and concluded that KREF is the primary beneficiary of the REO JV as KREF holds decision-making power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the REO JV and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the REO JV that could be potentially significant to the REO JV.

As of September 30, 2023, the REO JV held REO assets with a net carrying value of $71.9 million. KREF has priority of distributions up to $76.4 million before the JV Partner can participate in the economics of the REO JV.

Equity Method Investments

As of September 30, 2023, KREF held a 3.5% interest in RECOP I, an unconsolidated VIE of which KREF is not the primary beneficiary, at its fair value of $35.5 million. The aggregator vehicle in which KREF invests is controlled and advised by affiliates of the Manager. RECOP I primarily acquired junior tranches of CMBS newly issued by third parties. KREF will not pay any fees to RECOP I, but KREF bears its pro rata share of RECOP I's expenses. KREF reported its share of the net asset value of RECOP I in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, presented as “Equity method investments” and its share of net income, presented as “Income (loss) from equity method investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
36

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 10. Equity

Authorized Capital — On October 2, 2014, KREF's board of directors authorized KREF to issue up to 350,000,000 shares of stock, at $0.01 par value per share, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, subject to certain restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares. Restrictions placed on the transfer and ownership of shares relate to KREF's REIT qualification requirements.

Common Stock — As further described below, since December 31, 2019, KREF issued the following shares of common stock:

Pricing Date
Shares Issued(A)
Net Proceeds
As of December 31, 201959,211,838 $1,162,023 
November 20215,000,000 108,800 
November 2021(B)
— 
November 2021547,361 11,911 
As of December 31, 202164,759,200 $1,282,734 
February 2022(C)
68,817 1,426 
March 20226,494,155 133,845 
June 20222,750,000 53,653 
August 2022(C)
271,641 5,300 
As of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 202374,343,813 $1,476,958 
(A)    Excludes 747,944 net shares of common stock issued to-date in connection with vested restricted stock units.
(B)    KREF did not receive any proceeds with respect to one share of common stock issued to KKR in connection with the conversion of the special voting preferred stock, in accordance with KREF’s Articles of Restatement dated as of May 10, 2017.
(C)    Represents shares issued under the ATM.

In March and June of 2022, KREF issued 6,494,155 and 2,750,000 shares of common stock, respectively, in separate underwritten offerings each of which included the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock, and received net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions of $133.8 million and $53.7 million, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 11,050 and 15,520 shares of common stock were issued related to the vesting of restricted stock units. Upon any payment of shares as a result of restricted stock unit vesting, the related tax withholding obligation will generally be satisfied by KREF, reducing the number of shares to be delivered by a number of shares necessary to satisfy the related applicable tax withholding obligation. Refer to Note 11 for further detail.

Of the 75,091,757 common shares KREF issued, there were 69,106,061 common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2023, which included 747,944 net shares of common stock issued in connection with vested restricted stock units and was net of 5,985,696 common shares repurchased.

In May 2021 and June 2022, KKR issued and sold 5,750,000 and 4,250,000 shares of KREF common stock, respectively, through secondary offerings, including the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares, and received $100.4 million and $82.9 million of net proceeds from the offerings, respectively. On November 1, 2021, KKR converted its special voting preferred stock into one share of KREF common stock when KREF issued 5,000,000 shares of common stock, resulting in KKR’s ownership to decrease below 25.0% of KREF’s outstanding common stock.

KKR and affiliates beneficially owned 10,000,001 shares, or 14.5% of KREF's outstanding common stock as of each of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Share Repurchase Program — Under KREF's current share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, KREF may repurchase up to an aggregate of $100.0 million of its common stock effective as of February 3, 2023, of which up to $50.0 million may be repurchased under a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and provide for repurchases of common stock when the market price per share is below book value per share (calculated in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent quarterly period for which financial statements are available), and the remaining $50.0 million may be used for repurchases in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, manner, price and amount of any common stock repurchases will be determined by KREF in its discretion and will depend on a variety
37

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
of factors, including legal requirements, price, liquidity and economic considerations, and market conditions. The program does not require KREF to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, KREF did not repurchase any of its common stock under the repurchase program. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, KREF repurchased 587,890 shares of common stock under the repurchase program at an average price per share of $17.42 for a total of $10.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, KREF repurchased 1,632,582 shares of common stock under the repurchase program at an average price per share of $17.33, for a total of $28.3 million. As of September 30, 2023, KREF had $100.0 million of remaining capacity to repurchase shares under the program.

At the Market Stock Offering Program — On February 22, 2019, KREF entered into an equity distribution agreement with certain sales agents, pursuant to which KREF may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $100.0 million of its common stock pursuant to a continuous offering program (the “ATM”). Sales of KREF’s common stock made pursuant to the ATM may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The timing and amount of actual sales will depend on a variety of factors including market conditions, the trading price of KREF’s common stock, KREF’s capital needs, and KREF’s determination of the appropriate sources of funding to meet such needs.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, KREF did not issue or sell any shares of common stock under the ATM. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, KREF issued and sold 271,641 and 340,458 shares of common stock under the ATM, generating net proceeds totaling $5.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, $93.2 million remained available for issuance under the ATM.

Special Voting Preferred Stock — In March 2016, KREF issued one share of special voting preferred stock to KKR Fund Holdings L.P. ("KKR Fund Holdings") for $20.00 per share, which KKR Fund Holdings transferred to its subsidiary, KKR REFT Asset Holdings LLC. The holder of the special voting preferred stock had special voting rights related to the election of members to KREF's board of directors until KKR and its affiliates ceased to own at least 25.0% of KREF's issued and outstanding common stock.

On November 1, 2021, KREF issued 5,000,000 shares of common stock, which resulted in KKR’s ownership decreasing below 25.0% of KREF’s outstanding common stock. Accordingly, KKR converted its special voting preferred share into one share of KREF common stock and ceased to possess its special voting rights related to the election of members to KREF's board of directors.
6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — In April 2021 and January 2022, KREF issued, respectively, 6,900,000 and 6,210,000 shares of 6.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), which included the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and received net proceeds after underwriting discount and commission of $167.1 million and $151.2 million, respectively.

The perpetual Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable, at KREF's option, at a liquidation price of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends commencing in April 2026. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly at a rate of 6.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to $1.625 per annum per share. With respect to dividend rights and liquidation, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to KREF's common stock.

Noncontrolling Interests — Noncontrolling interests represent a third party’s 10.0% interest in a joint venture, a consolidated VIE, that holds portion of KREF’s sole REO investment. KREF and the noncontrolling interest holder contribute to the joint venture’s ongoing operating shortfalls and capital expenditures on a pari passu basis. Distributions from the joint venture are allocated between KREF and the noncontrolling interest holder based on contractual terms and waterfalls as outlined in the joint venture agreement.

38

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Dividends — During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF's board of directors declared the following dividends on shares of its common stock:
Amount
Declaration DateRecord DatePayment DatePer ShareTotal
2023
March 17, 2023March 31, 2023April 14, 2023$0.43 $29,711 
June 15, 2023June 30, 2023July 14, 20230.43 29,716 
September 15, 2023September 29, 2023October 13, 20230.43 29,716 
$89,143 
2022
March 15, 2022March 31, 2022April 15, 2022$0.43 $29,211 
June 15, 2022June 30, 2022July 15, 20220.43 29,951 
September 13, 2022September 30, 2022October 14, 20220.43 29,815 
$88,977 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF's board of directors declared the following dividends on shares of its Series A Preferred Stock:

Amount
Declaration DateRecord DatePayment DatePer ShareTotal
2023
February 3, 2023February 28, 2023March 15, 2023$0.41 $5,326 
April 21, 2023May 31, 2023June 15, 20230.41 5,326 
July 21, 2023August 31, 2023September 15, 20230.41 5,326 
$15,978 
2022
February 1, 2022February 28, 2022March 15, 2022$0.41 $5,326 
April 22, 2022May 31, 2022June 15, 20220.41 5,326 
July 19, 2022August 31, 2022September 15, 20220.41 5,326 
$15,978 
39

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 11. Stock-based Compensation

KREF is externally managed by the Manager and does not currently have any employees. However, as of September 30, 2023, certain individuals employed by the Manager and affiliates of the Manager and certain members of KREF's board of directors were compensated, in part, through the issuance of stock-based awards.

As of September 30, 2023, KREF had 953,579 restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards outstanding under the KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan that was adopted on February 12, 2016 and amended and restated on November 17, 2016 (the "Incentive Plan") to certain members of KREF’s board of directors and employees of the Manager or its affiliates, none of whom are KREF employees. RSUs awarded to employees of the Manager or its affiliates, generally vest over three consecutive one-year periods and awards to certain members of KREF's board of directors generally vest over a one-year period, pursuant to the terms of the respective award agreements and the terms of the Incentive Plan.

In December 2021, KREF's board of directors granted 400,000 shares of RSU awards that are entitled to nonforfeitable dividends during the vesting periods, at the same rate as those declared on the common stock. In February 2022, KREF's board of directors approved a modification that entitled the unvested RSU awards granted prior to December 2021 to dividends during the vesting periods, at the same rate as those declared on the common stock, starting with the first quarter of 2022.

The following table summarizes the activity in KREF’s outstanding RSUs and the weighted-average grant date fair value per RSU:

Restricted Stock Units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU(A)
Unvested as of December 31, 2022
935,218 $16.80 
Granted48,370 11.37 
Vested(27,625)19.91 
Forfeited / cancelled(2,384)17.31 
Unvested as of September 30, 2023
953,579 $16.43 
(A)    The grant-date fair value is based upon the closing price of KREF’s common stock at the date of grant.

KREF expects the unvested RSUs outstanding to vest during the following years:

YearRestricted Stock Units
2023430,652 
2024349,985 
2025172,942 
Total953,579 

KREF recognizes the compensation cost of RSUs awarded to employees of the Manager, or one or more of its affiliates, on a straight-line basis over the awards’ term at their grant date fair value, consistent with the RSUs awarded to certain members of KREF's board of directors.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, KREF recognized $2.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense included in “General and administrative” expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, KREF recognized $2.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively, of stock based compensation expense included in “General and administrative” expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2023, there was $8.0 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF declared $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of nonforfeitable dividends on unvested RSUs. Such nonforfeitable dividends were deducted from “Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

40

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Directors and Officers Deferral Plan — In March 2022, KREF's board of directors adopted the KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. Directors and Officers Deferral Plan (the “ Deferral Plan”). Pursuant to the Deferral Plan, participants may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of any shares of KREF’s common stock issuable upon vesting of any RSU granted to such participant in 25% increments. Deferred stock units (“DSU”) credited to a participant are non-voting but shall be entitled to dividend equivalent payments upon payment of dividends on shares of KREF’s common stock in the same form and amount equal to the amount of such dividends and are not subject to deferral under the Deferral Plan. In April 2023, 16,575 vested RSUs were deferred under the Deferral Plan. As of September 30, 2023, there were 16,575 DSUs outstanding.

Upon any payment of shares as a result of restricted stock unit vesting, the related tax withholding obligation will generally be satisfied by KREF, reducing the number of shares to be delivered by a number of shares necessary to satisfy the related applicable tax withholding obligation. The amount results in a cash payment related to this tax liability and a corresponding reduction to additional paid-in capital in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. 11,050 shares of common stock were delivered for vested RSUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Refer to Note 14 for additional information regarding the Incentive Plan.

41

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 12. Earnings (Loss) per Share

Earnings (Loss) per Share KREF calculates its basic EPS using the two-class method, which defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities. Under the two-class method earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights. Basic EPS, is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common stock outstanding for the period.

KREF presents diluted EPS under the more dilutive of the treasury stock and if-converted methods or the two-class method. Under the treasury stock and if-converted methods, the denominator includes weighted average common stock outstanding plus the incremental dilutive shares issuable from restricted stock units and an assumed conversion of the Convertible Notes (for the periods in which such notes were outstanding). The numerator includes any changes in income (loss) that would result from the assumed conversion of these potential shares of common stock.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, 215,518 and 48,513 weighted average unvested RSUs, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, 285,834 and 222,369 weighted average unvested RSUs, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive.

Since May 15, 2023, there were no convertible instruments outstanding. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, 6,316,174 potentially issuable shares related to the Convertible Notes were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because the effect was anti-dilutive.

The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
Earnings
Net Income (Loss) $27,141 $(42,754)$(17,964)$17,775 
Less: Preferred stock dividends
5,326 5,326 15,978 15,978 
Less: Participating securities' share in earnings
414 341 1,239 1,028 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted$21,401 $(48,421)$(35,181)$769 
Shares
Weighted average common shares outstanding69,106,061 69,382,730 69,101,487 67,029,140 
Add: Deferred stock units16,575 — 9,714 — 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted69,122,636 69,382,730 69,111,201 67,029,140 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, per:
Basic common share$0.31 $(0.70)$(0.51)$0.01 
Diluted common share$0.31 $(0.70)$(0.51)$0.01 

42

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies

As of September 30, 2023, KREF was subject to the following commitments and contingencies:

Litigation — From time to time, KREF may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. KREF establishes an accrued liability for legal proceedings only when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable.

As of September 30, 2023, KREF was not involved in any material legal proceedings regarding claims or legal actions against KREF.

Indemnifications — In the normal course of business, KREF enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide general indemnifications and other indemnities relating to contractual performance. In addition, certain of KREF’s subsidiaries have provided certain indemnities relating to environmental and other matters and has provided nonrecourse carve-out guarantees for fraud, willful misconduct and other customary wrongful acts, each in connection with the financing of certain real estate investments that KREF has made. KREF’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against KREF that have not yet occurred. However, KREF expects the risk of material loss to be low.

Capital Commitments — As of September 30, 2023, KREF had future funding commitments of $1,007.6 million related to its investments in commercial real estate loans. These future funding commitments primarily relate to construction projects, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Generally, funding commitments are subject to certain conditions that must be met, such as customary construction draw certifications, minimum credit metrics or executions of new leases before advances are made to the borrower.

In January 2017, KREF committed $40.0 million to invest in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I. The two-year investment period for RECOP I ended in April 2019. As of September 30, 2023, KREF had a remaining commitment of $4.3 million to RECOP I.

Macroeconomic Environment — The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates eleven times since January 2022, and has signaled that further increases may be forthcoming. Higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to address inflation may adversely impact real estate asset values and increase our interest expense, which expense may not be fully offset by any resulting increase in interest income, and may lead to decreased prepayments from KREF's borrowers and an increase in the number of KREF's borrowers who exercise extension options.

43

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 14. Related Party Transactions

Management Agreement — The Management Agreement between KREF and the Manager is a three-year agreement that provides for automatic one-year renewal periods starting October 8, 2017, subject to certain termination and nonrenewal rights, which in the case of KREF are exercisable by a two-thirds vote by the independent directors of KREF's board of directors. If the independent directors of KREF's board of directors decline to renew the Management Agreement other than for cause, KREF is required to pay the Manager a termination fee equal to three times the total 24-month trailing average annual management fee and incentive compensation earned by the Manager through the most recently completed calendar quarter. For administrative efficiency purposes, the Management Agreement was amended in August 2019 to change the expiration date of each automatic renewal period from October 7th to December 31st.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager, as agent to KREF and under the supervision of KREF's board of directors, manages the investments, subject to investment guidelines approved by KREF's board of directors; financing activities; and day-to-day business and affairs of KREF and its subsidiaries.

For its services to KREF, the Manager is entitled to a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $62,500 or 0.375% of weighted average adjusted equity and quarterly incentive compensation equal to 20.0% of the excess of (a) the trailing 12-month distributable earnings (before incentive compensation payable to the Manager) over (b) 7.0% of the trailing 12-month weighted average adjusted equity (“Hurdle Rate”), less incentive compensation KREF already paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such trailing 12-month period. The quarterly incentive compensation is calculated and paid in arrears with a one-quarter lag.

Adjusted equity generally represents the proceeds received by KREF and its subsidiaries from equity issuances, without duplication and net of offering costs, and distributable earnings, reduced by distributions, equity repurchases, and incentive compensation paid. Distributable earnings generally represent the net income, or loss, attributable to equity interests in KREF and its subsidiaries, without duplication, as well as realized losses not otherwise included in such net income, or loss, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, incentive compensation, depreciation and amortization and unrealized gains or losses, from and after the effective date to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter. KREF's board of directors, after majority approval by independent directors, may also exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain material non-cash income or expense items from distributable earnings. For purposes of calculating incentive compensation, adjusted equity excludes: (i) the effects of equity issued by KREF and its subsidiaries that provides for fixed distributions or other debt characteristics and (ii) unrealized provision for (reversal of) credit losses.

KREF is also required to reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for documented costs and expenses incurred by it and its affiliates on behalf of KREF, except those specifically required to be borne by the Manager under the Management Agreement. The Manager is responsible for, and KREF does not reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for, the expenses related to investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who provide services to KREF. However, KREF does reimburse the Manager for KREF's allocable share of compensation paid to certain of the Manager’s non-investment personnel, based on the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to KREF's affairs.

Incentive Plan — KREF's compensation committee or board of directors may administer the Incentive Plan, which provides for awards of stock options; stock appreciation rights; restricted stock; RSUs; limited partnership interests of KKR Real Estate Finance Holdings L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), a wholly owned subsidiary of KREF, that are directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable or redeemable for shares of KREF's common stock pursuant to the limited partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership (“OP Interests”); awards payable by (i) delivery of KREF's common stock or other equity interests, or (ii) reference to the value of KREF's common stock or other equity interests, including OP Interests; cash-based awards; or performance compensation awards.

No more than 7.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis, assuming the exercise of all outstanding stock options granted under the Incentive Plan and the conversion of all warrants and convertible securities into shares of common stock, or a total of 4,028,387 shares of common stock, will be available for awards under the Incentive Plan. In addition, (i) the maximum number of shares of common stock subject to awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director (as defined in the Incentive Plan), taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, may not exceed $1.0 million and (ii) the maximum amount that can be paid to any participant for a single fiscal year during a performance period (or with respect to each single fiscal year if a performance period extends beyond a single fiscal year) pursuant to a performance compensation award denominated in cash may not exceed $10.0 million.
44

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
No awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan on and after February 12, 2026. The Incentive Plan will continue to apply to awards granted prior to such date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, zero and 48,370 awards were granted to KREF's directors. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, zero and 27,625 awards were granted to KREF's directors. As of September 30, 2023, 2,310,289 shares of common stock remained available for awards under the Incentive Plan.

Due to Affiliates — The following table contains the amounts presented in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that it owes to affiliates:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Management fees$6,566 $6,578 
Expense reimbursements— 100 
KCM fees1,747 2,044 
$8,313 $8,722 

Affiliates Expenses — The following table contains the amounts included in KREF's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income that arose from transactions with the Manager:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023202220232022
Management fees$6,566 $6,589 $19,648 $19,102 
Incentive compensation69 — 2,491 — 
Expense reimbursements and other(A)
1,234 904 3,680 3,412 
$7,869 $7,493 $25,819 $22,514 

(A)    Presented within "General and administrative" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

In connection with the ATM, KCM, in its capacity as one of the sales agents, will receive commissions for the shares of KREF’s common stock it sells. This amount is not to exceed, but may be less than, 2.0% of the gross sales price per share. KREF did not sell shares under the ATM through a third-party broker and did not incur or pay any commissions to KCM during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

In connection with the BMO Facility, and in consideration for its services as the structuring agent, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.35% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the draw period of the facility. KREF did not incur or pay any KCM structuring fees in connection with the facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

In connection with the HSBC Facility entered into in March 2020, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.25% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the lesser of the initial term of the loan or the facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF did not incur or pay any KCM structuring fees in connection with the facility.

In connection with the Series A Preferred Stock issuance in April 2021 and January 2022, and in consideration for its services as joint bookrunner, KREF incurred and paid KCM $1.6 million and $1.3 million in underwriting discount and commission, respectively. The underwriting discount and commission was settled net of the preferred stock issuance proceeds and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital in KREF's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the KREF Lending IX Facility entered into in July 2021, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.75% of the respective committed loan advances under the agreement. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the draw period of the facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF paid KCM $0.3 million and $1.7 million in structuring fees in connection with the facility, respectively.
In connection with the KREF 2021-FL2 and KREF 2022-FL3 CLO issuances in August 2021 and February 2022, and in consideration for its services as the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner, KREF paid KCM $0.9 million and $0.5 million,
45

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
respectively, in structuring and placement agent fees in the third quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2022. These fees were capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the CLOs.

In connection with the extension and upsize of the Revolver in March 2022, and in consideration for its services as the arranger, KREF is obligated to pay KCM an arrangement fee equal to 0.375% of the aggregate amount of existing commitments plus 0.75% of the aggregate amount of new commitments. KREF paid $3.3 million of arrangement fees in connection with the Revolver in the second quarter of 2022. Such fees were capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the Revolver.

In connection with the KREF Lending XI Facility entered into in April 2022, and in consideration for its services as the structuring agent, KREF paid KCM $0.5 million in structuring fees in the second quarter of 2022. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the facility.

In connection with the KREF Lending XII Facility entered into in June 2022, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.35% of the respective loan advances under the agreement. KREF paid $0.6 million in KCM structuring fees in connection with the facility in the third quarter of 2022. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the draw period of the facility.

In connection with the KREF Lending XIII Facility entered into in August 2022, and in consideration for structuring and sourcing this arrangement, KREF is obligated to pay KCM a structuring fee equal to 0.5% of the facility amount under the agreement. KREF paid $1.3 million in KCM structuring fees in connection with the facility in the third quarter of 2022. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the draw period of the facility.

In connection with the KREF Lending XIV Facility entered into in October 2022, and in consideration for its services as the structuring agent, KREF paid KCM $0.6 million in structuring fees in the fourth quarter of 2022. Such fees are capitalized as deferred financing cost and amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the facility.
46

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values and fair values of KREF’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as other financial instruments not carried at fair value, as of September 30, 2023, were as follows:

Fair Value
Principal Balance
Amortized Cost(A)
Carrying Value(B)
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$108,038 $108,038 $108,038 $108,038 $— $— $108,038 
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net(C)
7,565,061 7,528,451 7,309,459 — — 7,326,031 7,326,031 
Equity method investments35,540 35,540 35,540 — — 35,540 35,540 
$7,708,639 $7,672,029 $7,453,037 $108,038 $— $7,361,571 $7,469,609 
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net$3,841,405 $3,827,399 $3,827,399 $— $— $3,827,399 $3,827,399 
Collateralized loan obligations, net1,942,750 1,941,114 1,941,114 — — 1,888,916 1,888,916 
Secured term loan, net343,875 335,680 335,680 — 345,594 — 345,594 
$6,128,030 $6,104,193 $6,104,193 $— $345,594 $5,716,315 $6,061,909 

(A)    The amortized cost of commercial real estate loans is net of $26.8 million of unamortized origination discounts, cost recovery interest and deferred fees. The amortized cost of secured financing agreements is net of $14.0 million unamortized debt issuance costs. The amortized cost of collateralized loan obligations is net of $1.6 million unamortized debt issuance costs.
(B)    The carrying value of commercial mortgage loans is net of $219.0 million allowance for credit losses.
(C)    Includes $2,261.2 million of CLO loan participations as of September 30, 2023. Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million as of September 30, 2023.

The carrying values and fair values of KREF’s financial assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as other financial instruments for which fair value is disclosed, as of December 31, 2022, were as follows:

Fair Value
Principal Balance
Amortized Cost(A)
Carrying Value(B)
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$239,791 $239,791 $239,791 $239,791 $— $— $239,791 
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment, net(C)
7,562,392 7,494,138 7,387,164 — — 7,393,279 7,393,279 
Equity method investments36,849 36,849 36,849 — — 36,849 36,849 
$7,839,032 $7,770,778 $7,663,804 $239,791 $— $7,430,128 $7,669,919 
Liabilities
Secured financing agreements, net$3,770,701 $3,748,691 $3,748,691 $— $— $3,748,691 $3,748,691 
Collateralized loan obligations, net1,942,750 1,935,592 1,935,592 — — 1,857,042 1,857,042 
Secured term loan, net346,500 336,828 336,828 — 339,137 — 339,137 
Convertible notes, net143,750 143,237 143,237 — 141,617 — 141,617 
$6,203,701 $6,164,348 $6,164,348 $— $480,754 $5,605,733 $6,086,487 

(A)    The amortized cost of commercial real estate loans is net of $43.3 million of unamortized origination discounts and deferred fees, a $25.0 million write-off on a defaulted senior office loan. The amortized cost of secured financing agreements is net of $22.0 million unamortized debt issuance costs. The amortized cost of collateralized loan obligations is net of $7.2 million unamortized debt issuance costs.
(B)    The carrying value of commercial mortgage loans is net of $107.0 million allowance for credit losses.
(C)    Includes $2,149.0 million of CLO loan participations as of December 31, 2022. Excludes one fully written off risk-rated 5 loan with an outstanding principal balance of $5.5 million as of December 31, 2022.

47

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following table contains the Level 3 inputs used to value assets and liabilities on a recurring and nonrecurring basis or where KREF discloses fair value as of September 30, 2023:

Fair ValueValuation Methodologies
Unobservable Inputs(A)
Weighted Average(B)
Range
Assets and Liabilities(C)
Commercial real estate loans, held-for-investment(D)
$7,326,031 Discounted cash flowDiscount margin4.3%
3.2% - 16.2%
Discount rate9.6%
9.0% - 10.1%
Capitalization rate7.7%
6.6% - 8.7%
$7,326,031 

(A)    An increase (decrease) in the valuation input results in a decrease (increase) in value.
(B)    Represents the average of the input value, weighted by the unpaid principal balance of the financial instrument.
(C)    KREF carries a $35.5 million investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I (Note 9) at its pro rata share of the aggregator's net asset value, which management believes approximates fair value.
(D)    Commercial real estate loans are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model using a discount rate derived from relevant market indices and/or estimates of the underlying property's value.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. KREF measures commercial real estate loans held-for-sale at the lower of cost or fair value and may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment. KREF measures commercial real estate loans held-for-investment at amortized cost, but may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment in the form of a valuation provision or impairment.

Assets and Liabilities for Which Fair Value is Only Disclosed

KREF does not carry its secured financing agreements at fair value as management did not elect the fair value option for these liabilities. As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of KREF's financing facilities approximated their respective carrying value.

48

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 16. Income Taxes

KREF has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal and state income tax on that portion of its income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. A REIT will also be subject to a nondeductible excise tax to the extent certain percentages of its taxable income are not distributed within specified dates. While KREF expects to distribute at least 90% of its net taxable income for the foreseeable future, KREF will continue to evaluate its capital and liquidity needs in light of existing economic and market conditions.

KREF consolidates subsidiaries that incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes, based on the tax jurisdiction in which each subsidiary operates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, KREF recorded an income tax provision of $0.5 million and zero, respectively, related to the operations of its taxable REIT subsidiaries and various other state and local taxes. There were no material deferred tax assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
49

Table of Contents
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(amount in tables in thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 17. Subsequent Events

The following events occurred subsequent to September 30, 2023:

Corporate Activities

Dividends

In October 2023, KREF paid $29.7 million in dividends on its common stock, or $0.43 per share, with respect to the third quarter of 2023, to stockholders of record on September 29, 2023.

50

Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The historical consolidated financial data below reflects the historical results and financial position of KREF. In addition, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-K and under "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

Our Company and Our Investment Strategy

We are a real estate finance company that focuses primarily on originating and acquiring transitional senior loans secured by commercial real estate ("CRE") assets. We are a Maryland corporation that was formed and commenced operations on October 2, 2014, and we have elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our investment strategy is to originate or acquire transitional senior loans collateralized by institutional-quality CRE assets that are owned and operated by experienced and well-capitalized sponsors and located in top markets with strong underlying fundamentals. The assets in which we invest include senior loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") and other real estate-related securities. Our investment allocation strategy is influenced by prevailing market conditions at the time we invest, including interest rate, economic and credit market conditions. In addition, we may invest in assets other than our target assets in the future, in each case subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act. Our investment objective is capital preservation and generating attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividends.

Our Manager

We are externally managed by our Manager, KKR Real Estate Finance Manager LLC, an indirect subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc. KKR is a leading global investment firm with an over 45-year history of leadership, innovation, and investment excellence. KKR manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, real estate, energy, infrastructure and credit, with strategic manager partnerships that manage hedge funds. Our Manager manages our investments and our day-to-day business and affairs in conformity with our investment guidelines and other policies that are approved and monitored by our board of directors. Our Manager is responsible for, among other matters, (i) the selection, origination or purchase and sale of our portfolio investments, (ii) our financing activities and (iii) providing us with investment advisory services. Our Manager is also responsible for our day-to-day operations and performs (or causes to be performed) such services and activities relating to our investments and business and affairs as may be appropriate. Our investment decisions are approved by an investment committee of our Manager that is comprised of senior investment professionals of KKR, including senior investment professionals of KKR's global real estate group. For a summary of certain terms of the management agreement, see Note 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

Macroeconomic Environment

The year ended December 31, 2022 and period ended September 30, 2023 were impacted by significant volatility in global markets, largely driven by rising inflation, rising interest rates, slowing economic growth, geopolitical uncertainty and instability in the banking sector following multiple bank failures. Central banks have responded to rapidly rising inflation with monetary policy tightening actions that are likely to create headwinds to economic growth. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates eleven times since January 2022, and has signaled that further interest rate increases may be forthcoming. Although our business model is such that rising interest rates will generally correlate to increases in our net income, increases in interest rates may adversely affect our existing borrowers. Higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to address inflation may adversely impact real estate asset values and increase our interest expense, which expense may not be fully offset by any resulting increase in interest income, and may lead to decreased prepayments from our borrowers and an increase in the number of our borrowers who exercise extension options.

With respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the global economy has re-opened, the longer-term macro-economic effects of the pandemic continue to impact many industries, including those of certain of our borrowers. In particular, the increase in
51

Table of Contents
remote working arrangements in response to the pandemic has contributed to a decline in commercial real estate values and reduced demand for commercial real estate compared to pre-pandemic levels, which have adversely impacted and may continue to adversely impact certain of our borrowers and has persisted even as the pandemic continues to subside.
52

Table of Contents
Key Financial Measures and Indicators

As a real estate finance company, we believe the key financial measures and indicators for our business are earnings per share, dividends declared, Distributable Earnings and book value per share.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Dividends Declared

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share and dividends declared per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended,
September 30, 2023June 30, 2023
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders$21,401 $(25,772)
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted69,122,63669,115,654
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted$0.31 $(0.37)
Dividends declared per share$0.43 $0.43 

Distributable Earnings

Distributable Earnings, a measure that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, is a key indicator of our ability to generate sufficient income to pay our quarterly dividends and in determining the amount of such dividends, which is the primary focus of yield/income investors who comprise a significant portion of our investor base. Accordingly, we believe providing Distributable Earnings on a supplemental basis to our net income as determined in accordance with GAAP is helpful to our stockholders in assessing the overall performance of our business.

We define Distributable Earnings as net income (loss) attributable to our stockholders or, without duplication, owners of our subsidiaries, computed in accordance with GAAP, including realized losses not otherwise included in GAAP net income (loss) and excluding (i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) any unrealized gains or losses or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the applicable reporting period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and (iv) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain material non-cash income or expense items agreed upon after discussions between our Manager and our board of directors and after approval by a majority of our independent directors. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization from the calculation of Distributable Earnings only applies to debt investments related to real estate to the extent we foreclose upon the property or properties underlying such debt investments.

While Distributable Earnings excludes the impact of our unrealized current provision for (reversal of) credit losses, any loan losses are charged off and realized through Distributable Earnings when deemed non-recoverable. Non-recoverability is generally determined (i) upon the resolution of a loan (i.e. when the loan is repaid, fully or partially, or, in the case of foreclosure, when the underlying asset is sold), or (ii) if, in our determination, it is nearly certain that all amounts due under a loan will not be collected.

Distributable Earnings should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP net income or taxable income. We caution readers that our methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other REITs to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and as a result, our reported Distributable Earnings may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other REITs.

We also use Distributable Earnings (before incentive compensation payable to our Manager) to determine the management and incentive compensation we pay our Manager. For its services to KREF, our Manager is entitled to a quarterly management fee equal to the greater of $62,500 or 0.375% of weighted average adjusted equity and quarterly incentive compensation equal to 20.0% of the excess of (a) the trailing 12-month Distributable Earnings (before incentive compensation payable to our Manager) over (b) 7.0% of the trailing 12-month weighted average adjusted equity(1) (“Hurdle Rate”), less incentive compensation KREF already paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such trailing 12-month period. The quarterly incentive compensation is calculated and paid in arrears with a three-month lag.

(1)    For purposes of calculating incentive compensation under our Management Agreement, adjusted equity excludes: (i) the effects of equity issued that provides for fixed distributions or other debt characteristics and (ii) the unrealized provision for (reversal of) credit losses.

53

Table of Contents
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders to Distributable Earnings (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
Three Months Ended,
September 30, 2023June 30, 2023
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders$21,401 $(25,772)
Adjustments
Non-cash equity compensation expense2,184 2,174 
Unrealized (gains) or losses, net(25)292 
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses, net8,814 56,335 
Non-cash convertible notes discount amortization— 44 
Loan write-off(A)
(15,000)— 
Distributable Earnings
$17,374 $33,073 
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
  Basic69,122,63669,115,654
  Diluted69,122,63669,115,654
Distributable Earnings per Diluted Weighted Average Share
$0.25 $0.48 

(A) Includes a $15.0 million write-off of a subordinated loan during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Book Value per Share

We believe that book value per share is helpful to stockholders in evaluating the growth of our company as we have scaled our equity capital base and continue to invest in our target assets. The following table calculates our book value per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. stockholders' equity$1,453,724 $1,571,538 
Series A preferred stock (liquidation preference of $25.00 per share)
(327,750)(327,750)
Common stockholders' equity$1,125,974 $1,243,788 
Shares of common stock issued and outstanding at period end69,106,061 69,095,011 
Add: Deferred stock units16,575 — 
Total shares outstanding at period end69,122,636 69,095,011 
Book value per share$16.29 $18.00 

Book value as of September 30, 2023 included the impact of an estimated CECL credit loss allowance of $221.7 million, or ($3.21) per share. See Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for detailed discussion of allowance for credit losses.

54

Table of Contents
Our Portfolio

We have established a $7,869.9 million portfolio of diversified investments, consisting primarily of senior commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2023.

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we collected 96.0% of interest payments due on our loan portfolio. As of September 30, 2023, the average risk rating of our loan portfolio was 3.2, weighted by total loan exposure. As of September 30, 2023, the average loan commitment in our portfolio was $123.6 million and multifamily and industrial loans comprised 55% of our loan portfolio.

In addition, as a result of taking title to the collateral of one defaulted senior retail loan, we owned one REO asset with a net carrying value of $81.6 million, comprised of the fair value of the acquired retail property and capitalized transaction and redevelopment costs, as of September 30, 2023. This property is held for investment and reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Since our IPO, we have continued to execute on our primary investment strategy of originating floating-rate transitional senior loans and, as we continue to scale our loan portfolio, we expect that our originations will continue to be heavily weighted toward floating-rate loans. As of September 30, 2023, 99% of our loans by total loan exposure earned a floating rate of interest. We expect the majority of our future investment activity to focus on originating floating-rate senior loans that we finance with our repurchase and other financing facilities, with a secondary focus on originating floating-rate loans for which we syndicate a senior position and retain a subordinated interest for our portfolio. As of September 30, 2023, all of our investments were located in the United States.

The following charts illustrate the diversification and composition of our loan portfolio(A), based on type of investment, interest rate, underlying property type, geographic location, vintage and LTV as of September 30, 2023:
chart v1.jpg
The charts above are based on total loan exposure of our commercial real estate loans.
(A)    Excludes: (i) one REO retail asset with net carrying value of $81.6 million as of September 30, 2023, (ii) CMBS B-Piece investments held through RECOP I, an equity method investment and (iii) three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million.
(B)    Senior loans include senior mortgages and similar credit quality loans, including related contiguous junior participations in senior loans where we have financed a loan with structural leverage through the non-recourse sale of a corresponding first mortgage.
(C)    We classify a loan as life science if more than 50% of the gross leasable area is leased to, or will be converted to, life science-related space.
(D)    Other property type includes Condo (Residential) (2%), Student Housing (2%), Single Family Rental (1%) and Self-Storage (1%).
(E)    LTV is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value. Weighted average LTV excludes risk-rated 5 loans.

55

Table of Contents
The following table details our quarterly loan activity (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023June 30, 2023March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Loan originations$— $— $— $370,400 
Loan fundings(A)
$164,882 $177,162 $203,612 $423,330 
Loan repayments(152,301)(339,288)(86,928)(209,152)
Net fundings12,581 (162,126)116,684 214,178 
PIK interest— — — 457 
Write-off(B)
(15,000)— — (25,000)
Total activity$(2,419)$(162,126)$116,684 $189,635 

(A)    Includes initial funding of new loans and additional fundings made under existing loans.
(B)     Includes a $15.0 million write-off on a subordinated loan during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Includes a $25.0 million write-off on a portion of a loan during the three months ended December 31, 2022.

The following table details overall statistics for our loan portfolio(A) as of September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Total Loan Exposure(B)
Balance Sheet PortfolioTotal Loan PortfolioFloating Rate Loans
Fixed Rate Loans(C)
Number of loans717171
Principal balance$7,565,061$7,752,616$7,676,697$75,919
Amortized cost$7,528,451$7,716,005$7,644,374$71,631
Unfunded loan commitments(D)
$1,007,626$1,007,626$999,145$8,481
Weighted average cash coupon(E)
8.7 %8.7 %S + 3.4 %*
Weighted average all-in yield(E)
9.0 %8.9 %S + 3.6 %*
Weighted average maximum maturity (years)(F)
2.82.82.81.8
LTV(G)
65 %65 %65 %n/a

*    Rounds to zero
(A)     Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million.
(B)    In certain instances, we finance our loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan we originated and financed.
(C)    Represents mezzanine notes with commitments of $79.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, accompanying two senior loans. $75.9 million of loan principal was funded, of which $74.4 million was placed on nonaccrual status, as of September 30, 2023. The remaining $1.5 million funded principal earned a fixed interest rate of 10.0% as of September 30, 2023. Refer to Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
(D)     Unfunded commitments will primarily be funded to finance property improvements and renovations or lease-related expenditures by the borrowers. These future commitments will be funded over the term of each loan, subject in certain cases to an expiration date.
(E)     In addition to cash coupon, all-in yield includes the amortization of deferred origination fees, loan origination costs and purchase discounts. The calculations of weighted average cash coupon and all-in yield excludes loans accounted for under the cost recovery method.
(F)     Maximum maturity assumes all extension options are exercised by the borrower; however, our loans may be repaid prior to such date. As of September 30, 2023, based on total loan exposure, 14.6% of our loans were subject to yield maintenance or other prepayment restrictions and 85.4% were open to repayment by the borrower without penalty.
(G)     LTV is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value. Weighted average LTV excludes risk-rated 5 loans.



56

Table of Contents
The table below sets forth additional information relating to our portfolio as of September 30, 2023 (dollars in millions):
Investment(A)
LocationProperty TypeInvestment Date
Total Whole Loan(B)
Committed Principal Amount(B)
Current Principal Amount
Net Equity(C)
Coupon(D)(E)
Max Remaining Term (Years)(D)(F)
Loan Per SF / Unit / Key(G)
LTV(D)(H)
Risk Rating
Senior Loans(I)
1Senior LoanArlington, VAMultifamily9/30/2021$381.0 $381.0 $368.7 $73.7 +3.3%3.0 $332,167 / unit69 %3
2Senior LoanBoston, MALife Science8/3/2022312.5 312.5 163.7 22.3 +4.23.9 $747 / SF56 3
3Senior LoanBellevue, WAOffice9/13/2021520.8 260.4 172.9 53.4 +3.73.5 $855 / SF63 3
4Senior LoanVariousIndustrial4/28/2022504.5 252.3 252.3 50.2 +2.73.6 $98 / SF64 3
5Senior LoanMountain View, CAOffice7/14/2021362.8 250.0 200.9 82.3 +3.42.9 $654 / SFn.a.5
6Senior LoanBronx, NYIndustrial8/27/2021381.2 228.7 193.5 51.2 +4.22.9 $277 / SF523
7Senior LoanLos Angeles, CAMultifamily2/19/2021220.0 220.0 220.0 40.7 +2.92.4 $410,430 / unit68 3
8Senior LoanVariousMultifamily5/31/2019206.5 206.5 206.5 41.9 +4.01.7 $192,991 / unit74 3
9Senior LoanMinneapolis, MNOffice11/13/2017199.4 199.4 194.4 89.0 +2.31.8 $182 / SFn.a.5
10Senior LoanVariousSelf Storage12/21/2022376.9 188.5 100.2 21.4 +3.84.3 $21,710 / unit69 3
11Senior LoanVariousIndustrial6/15/2022375.5 187.8 169.5 33.7 +2.93.8 $122 / SF50 3
12Senior LoanWashington, D.C.Office11/9/2021187.7 187.7 175.5 52.8 +3.43.2 $492 / SF55 4
13Senior LoanBoston, MAOffice2/4/2021375.0 187.5 187.5 37.5 +3.42.4 $506 / SF71 4
14Senior LoanThe Woodlands, TXHospitality9/15/2021183.3 183.3 179.2 33.3 +4.33.0 $197,162 / key643
15Senior LoanPhiladelphia, PAOffice4/11/2019176.7 176.7 155.8 101.1 +2.60.1 $218 / SFn.a.5
16Senior LoanWashington, D.C.Office12/20/2019175.5 175.5 169.2 79.1 +3.51.3 $828 / SF58 4
17Senior LoanWest Palm Beach, FLMultifamily12/29/2021171.5 171.5 170.9 26.0 +2.83.3 $210,456 / unit73 3
18Senior LoanBoston, MALife Science4/27/2021332.3 166.2 157.3 31.5 +3.72.6 $653 / SF66 3
19Senior LoanNew York, NYCondo (Residential)12/20/2018157.4 157.4 155.6 57.4 +3.70.3 $2,593,978 / unit69 3
20Senior LoanPlano, TXOffice2/6/2020150.7 150.7 150.7 23.2 +2.81.4 $208 / SF63 3
21Senior LoanRedwood City, CALife Science9/30/2022580.7 145.2 — (1.1)+4.54.0 $885 / SF53 3
22Senior LoanSeattle, WALife Science10/1/2021188.0 140.3 116.1 34.8 +3.23.0 $741 / SF69 3
23Senior LoanDallas, TXOffice12/10/2021138.0 138.0 138.0 25.7 +3.73.2 $439 / SF68 3
24Senior LoanBoston, MAMultifamily3/29/2019137.0 137.0 137.0 28.2 +3.40.5 $351,282 / unit59 3
25Senior LoanArlington, VAMultifamily1/20/2022135.3 135.3 132.6 31.2 +2.93.4 $441,963 / unit78 3
26Senior LoanFontana, CAIndustrial5/11/2021132.0 132.0 106.1 39.5 +4.72.7 $113 / SF64 3
27Senior LoanFort Lauderdale, FLHospitality11/9/2018130.0 130.0 130.0 24.3 +3.50.2 $375,723 / key66 3
28Senior LoanSan Carlos, CALife Science2/1/2022195.9 125.0 98.1 31.8 +3.63.4 $670 / SF68 3
29
Senior Loan(J)
VariousIndustrial6/30/2021242.0 121.0 96.5 39.2 +5.52.8 $75 / SF62 3
30
Senior Loan(K)
Philadelphia, PAOffice6/19/2018116.5 116.5 112.6 19.5 +3.33.4 $115 / SF53 3
31Senior LoanCambridge, MALife Science12/22/2021401.3 115.7 83.5 23.9 +4.03.3 $1,072 / SF51 3
32Senior LoanPittsburgh, PAStudent Housing6/8/2021112.5 112.5 112.5 17.2 +3.02.7 $155,602 / unit74 3
33Senior LoanMiami, FLMultifamily10/28/2022110.4 110.4 94.0 22.7 +3.84.1 $333,333 / unit51 3
34Senior LoanWest Hollywood, CAMultifamily1/26/2022107.0 107.0 103.5 17.0 +3.13.4 $2,797,812 / unit65 4
35Senior LoanLas Vegas, NVMultifamily12/28/2021106.3 106.3 102.0 17.4 +2.83.3 $193,182 / unit75 3
36
Senior Loan(L)
Chicago, ILOffice7/15/2019105.0 105.0 88.4 17.7 +2.34.9 $85 / SF57 3
37Senior LoanSan Diego, CAMultifamily10/20/2021103.5 103.5 103.5 18.8 +2.93.1 $448,052 / unit71 3
57

Table of Contents
Investment(A)
LocationProperty TypeInvestment Date
Total Whole Loan(B)
Committed Principal Amount(B)
Current Principal Amount
Net Equity(C)
Coupon(D)(E)
Max Remaining Term (Years)(D)(F)
Loan Per SF / Unit / Key(G)
LTV(D)(H)
Risk Rating
38Senior LoanOrlando, FLMultifamily12/14/2021102.4 102.4 93.6 23.6 +3.13.3 $246,959 / unit74 3
39Senior LoanBoston, MAIndustrial6/28/2022285.5 100.0 99.3 20.4 +3.03.8 $198 / SF52 3
40Senior LoanWashington, D.C.Office1/13/2022228.5 100.0 61.5 10.5 +3.34.4 $225 / SF55 3
41Senior LoanPhoenix, AZIndustrial1/13/2022195.3 100.0 56.5 20.1 +4.03.4 $57 / SF57 3
42Senior LoanCary, NCMultifamily11/21/2022100.0 100.0 95.0 18.5 +3.44.2 $243,656 / unit63 3
43Senior LoanBrisbane, CALife Science7/22/202195.0 95.0 90.8 17.9 +3.12.9 $784 / SF71 3
44Senior LoanBrandon, FLMultifamily1/13/202290.3 90.3 66.8 9.5 +3.13.4 $194,102 / unit75 3
45Senior LoanDallas, TXMultifamily12/23/202190.0 90.0 79.1 16.2 +2.93.3 $243,477 / unit67 3
46Senior LoanMiami, FLMultifamily10/14/202189.5 89.5 89.5 17.4 +2.93.1 $304,422 / unit76 3
47Senior LoanDallas, TXOffice1/22/202187.0 87.0 87.0 19.5 +3.42.4 $294 / SF63 3
48Senior LoanCharlotte, NCMultifamily12/14/202186.8 86.8 82.1 17.3 +3.13.3 $223,100 / unit74 3
49Senior LoanSan Antonio, TXMultifamily6/1/2022246.5 86.3 80.3 19.8 +2.83.7 $103,007 / unit68 3
50Senior LoanScottsdale, AZMultifamily5/9/2022169.0 84.5 84.5 13.0 +2.93.7 $457,995 / unit64 3
51Senior LoanRaleigh, NCMultifamily4/27/202282.9 82.9 78.9 15.4 +3.03.6 $246,448 / unit68 3
52Senior LoanHollywood, FLMultifamily12/20/202181.0 81.0 81.0 15.0 +3.13.3 $327,935 / unit74 3
53Senior LoanPhoenix, AZSingle Family Rental4/22/202172.1 72.1 64.0 20.3 +4.92.6 $157,092 / unit50 3
54Senior LoanDenver, COMultifamily9/14/202170.3 70.3 70.2 12.3 +2.83.0 $290,216 / unit78 3
55Senior LoanWashington, D.C.Multifamily12/4/202069.0 69.0 66.8 10.7 +3.62.2 $267,000 / unit63 3
56Senior LoanDallas, TXMultifamily8/18/202168.2 68.2 68.2 10.1 +3.92.9 $189,444 / unit70 3
57Senior LoanManassas Park, VAMultifamily2/25/202268.0 68.0 68.0 13.3 +2.73.4 $223,684 / unit73 3
58Senior LoanPlano, TXMultifamily3/31/202267.8 67.8 67.4 19.0 +2.83.5 $253,226 / unit75 3
59Senior LoanNashville, TNHospitality12/9/202166.0 66.0 64.7 10.1 +3.73.3 $281,237 / key68 3
60Senior LoanOakland, CAOffice10/23/2020205.5 64.4 44.5 7.0 +4.42.1 $137 / SF55 2
61Senior LoanAtlanta, GAMultifamily12/10/202161.5 61.5 59.1 14.9 +3.03.3 $195,696 / unit67 3
62Senior LoanDurham, NCMultifamily12/15/202160.0 60.0 56.0 12.2 +3.03.3 $162,183 / unit67 3
63Senior LoanSan Antonio, TXMultifamily4/20/202257.6 57.6 56.3 10.4 +2.73.6 $164,611 / unit79 3
64Senior LoanSharon, MAMultifamily12/1/202156.9 56.9 56.9 8.4 +2.93.2 $296,484 / unit70 3
65Senior LoanQueens, NYIndustrial2/22/202255.3 55.3 53.9 14.9 +4.00.9 $87 / SF68 3
66Senior LoanReno, NVIndustrial4/28/2022140.4 50.5 50.5 11.3 +2.73.6 $117 / SF74 3
67Senior LoanCarrollton, TXMultifamily4/1/202248.5 48.5 47.2 13.4 +2.93.5 $147,371 / unit74 3
68Senior LoanDallas, TXMultifamily4/1/202243.9 43.9 42.2 11.1 +2.93.5 $118,419 / unit73 3
69Senior LoanGeorgetown, TXMultifamily12/16/202141.8 41.8 41.8 10.3 +3.43.3 $199,048 / unit68 3
70Senior LoanSan Diego, CAMultifamily4/29/2022203.0 40.0 39.7 6.6 +2.63.6 $455,485 / unit63 3
71Senior LoanDenver, COIndustrial12/11/202015.4 15.4 10.8 6.9 +3.82.3 $47 / SF61 2
Total/Weighted Average
Senior Loans Unlevered
$12,293.8 $8,777.0 $7,752.6 $1,887.1 +3.3%2.8 65 %3.2
Non-Senior Loans
CMBS B-Pieces
1
RECOP I(M)
VariousVarious2/13/2017n.a.40.0 35.7 35.7 4.85.7 n.a.58 n.a.
Total/Weighted Average
CMBS B-Pieces Unlevered
$40.0 $35.7 $35.7 4.8%5.7 58 %
58

Table of Contents
Investment(A)
LocationProperty TypeInvestment Date
Total Whole Loan(B)
Committed Principal Amount(B)
Current Principal Amount
Net Equity(C)
Coupon(D)(E)
Max Remaining Term (Years)(D)(F)
Loan Per SF / Unit / Key(G)
LTV(D)(H)
Risk Rating
Real Estate Owned
1Real Estate AssetPortland, ORRetail12/16/2021n.a.n.a.81.6 81.6 n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Total/Weighted Average
Real Estate Owned
$81.6 $81.6 
Grand Total / Weighted Average$8,817.0 $7,869.9 $2,004.4 8.7%2.8 65 %3.2
*    Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.

(A)    Our total portfolio represents the current principal amount on senior and mezzanine loans, net equity in RECOP I, which holds CMBS B-Piece investments, and net carrying value of our sole REO investment. Excludes one mezzanine loan with an outstanding principal of $5.5 million that was fully written off.
For Senior Loan 9, the total whole loan is $199.4 million, including (i) a fully funded senior mortgage loan of $120.0 million, at an interest rate of S+2.25% and (ii) a mezzanine note with a commitment of $79.4 million, of which $74.4 million was funded as of September 30, 2023, at a fixed interest rate of 4.5%. The mezzanine note interest is payment-in-kind (“PIK Interest”), which is capitalized, compounded, and added to the outstanding principal balance of the respective loans.
For Senior Loan 13, the total whole loan is $375.0 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest is 50% of the loan or $187.5 million, of which $150.0 million in senior notes were syndicated to a third party. Post syndication, we retained a mezzanine loan with a commitment of $37.5 million, fully funded as of September 30, 2023, at an interest rate of S+7.96%.
For Senior Loan 34, the total whole loan is $107.0 million, including (i) a fully funded senior mortgage loan of $102.0 million, at an interest rate of S+3.06%, (ii) a senior mezzanine note with $0.8 million funded as of September 30, 2023, at a fixed interest rate of 10.0% and (iii) a fully funded junior mezzanine note of $0.8 million, at a fixed interest rate 10.0% with certain profit share provisions, as defined in the loan agreement.
For Senior Loan 60, the total whole loan is $205.5 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest is 31% of the loan or $64.4 million, of which $54.3 million in senior notes were syndicated to third party lenders. Post syndication, we retained a mezzanine loan with a commitment of $10.1 million, of which $7.0 million was funded as of September 30, 2023, at an interest rate of S+13.02%.
(B)    Total Whole Loan represents total commitment of the entire whole loan originated. Committed Principal Amount includes participations by KKR affiliated entities and third parties that are syndicated/sold.
(C)    Net equity reflects (i) the amortized cost basis of our loans, net of borrowings; and (ii) the cost basis of our investments in RECOP I and REO.
(D)    Weighted average is weighted by the current principal amount for our senior and mezzanine loans and by net equity for our RECOP I CMBS B-Pieces. Risk-rated 5 loans are excluded from the weighted average LTV.
(E)    Coupon expressed as spread over Term SOFR.
(F)    Max remaining term (years) assumes all extension options are exercised, if applicable.
(G)    Loan Per SF / Unit / Key is based on the current principal amount divided by the current SF / Unit / Key. For Senior Loans 2, 3, 6, 21, 26, 29, 31, 41, 53, and 71, Loan Per SF / Unit / Key is calculated as the total commitment amount of the loan divided by the proposed SF / Unit / Key.
(H)    For senior loans, LTV is generally based on the initial loan amount divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated or by the current principal amount as of the date of the most recent as-is appraised value; for mezzanine loans, LTV is based on the current balance of the whole loan divided by the as-is appraised value as of the date the loan was originated; for RECOP I CMBS B-Pieces, LTV is based on the weighted average LTV of the underlying loan pool at issuance. Weighted Average LTV excludes risk rated-5 loans.
For Senior Loan 19, LTV is based on the current principal amount divided by the adjusted appraised gross sellout value net of sales cost.
For Senior Loans 2, 3, 6, 21, 26, 29, 31, 41, 53, and 71, LTV is calculated as the total commitment amount of the loan divided by the as-stabilized value as of the date the loan was originated.
(I)    Senior loans include senior mortgages and similar credit quality investments, including junior participations in our originated senior loans for which we have syndicated the senior participations and retained the junior participations for our portfolio and excludes vertical loan participations.
(J)    For Senior Loan 29, the total whole loan facility is $242.0 million, co-originated and co-funded by us and a KKR affiliate. Our interest was 50% of the facility or $121.0 million. The facility is comprised of individual cross-collateralized whole loans. As of September 30, 2023, there were eight underlying senior loans in the facility with a commitment of $121.0 million and outstanding principal of $96.5 million.
(K)    For Senior Loan 30, Total Whole Loan, Committed Principal Amount, and Current Principal Amount excludes junior mezzanine notes with a total outstanding principal of $25.0 million that was fully written off.
(L)    For Senior Loan 36, Total Whole Loan, Committed Principal Amount, and Current Principal Amount excludes a subordinated note with a total outstanding principal of $15.0 million that was fully written off.
(M)     Represents our investment in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I that invests in CMBS B-Pieces. Committed principal represents our total commitment to the aggregator vehicle whereas current principal represents the current funded amount.
59

Table of Contents
Portfolio Surveillance and Credit Quality

Our Manager actively manages our portfolio and assesses the risk of any deterioration in credit quality by quarterly evaluating the performance of the underlying property, the valuation of comparable assets as well as the financial wherewithal of the associated borrower. Our loan documents generally give us the right to receive regular property, borrower and guarantor financial statements; approve annual budgets and tenant leases; and enforce loan covenants and remedies. In addition, our Manager evaluates the macroeconomic environment, prevailing real estate fundamentals and micro-market dynamics where the underlying property is located. Through site inspections, local market experts and various data sources, as part of its risk assessment, our Manager monitors criteria such as new supply and tenant demand, market occupancy and rental rate trends, and capitalization rates and valuation trends.

We maintain a robust asset management relationship with our borrowers and have utilized these relationships to maximize the performance of our portfolio, including during periods of volatility.

We believe our loan sponsors are generally committed to supporting assets collateralizing our loans through additional equity investments, and that we will benefit from our long-standing core business model of originating senior loans collateralized by large assets in major markets with experienced, well-capitalized institutional sponsors. While we believe the principal amounts of our loans are generally adequately protected by underlying collateral value, there is a risk that we will not realize the entire principal value of certain investments.

In addition to ongoing asset management, our Manager performs a quarterly review of our portfolio whereby each loan is assigned a risk rating of 1 through 5, from lowest risk to highest risk. Our Manager is responsible for reviewing, assigning and updating the risk ratings for each loan at least once per quarter. The risk ratings are based on many factors, including, but not limited to, underlying real estate performance and asset value, values of comparable properties, durability and quality of property cash flows, sponsor experience and financial wherewithal, and the existence of a risk-mitigating loan structure. Additional key considerations include LTVs, debt service coverage ratios, real estate and credit market dynamics, and risk of default or principal loss. Based on a five-point scale, our loans are rated "1" through "5," from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows: 1 (Very Low Risk); 2 (Low Risk); 3 (Medium Risk); 4 (High Risk/Potential for Loss); and 5 (Impaired/Loss Likely).

As of September 30, 2023, the average risk rating of our loan portfolio was 3.2, weighted by total loan exposure, consistent with that as of December 31, 2022.

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Risk Rating
Number of Loans(A)
Carrying Value
Total Loan Exposure(A)
Total Loan Exposure %*
Number of Loans(A)
Carrying Value
Total Loan Exposure(B)
Total Loan Exposure %*
1— $— $— — %— $— $— — %
217,788 55,312 — — — — 
362 6,485,837 6,510,433 84 70 6,560,166 6,864,941 88 
4484,653 635,773 443,957 446,322 
5540,173 551,098 490,015 489,214 
Total loan receivable71 $7,528,451 $7,752,616 100 %76 $7,494,138 $7,800,477 100 %
Allowance for credit losses(218,992)(106,974)
Loan receivable, net$7,309,459 $7,387,164 
*Numbers presented may not foot due to rounding.

(A)    Excludes three fully written off risk-rated 5 loans with a combined outstanding principal balance of $45.5 million as of September 30, 2023.
Excludes one fully written off risk-rated 5 loan with an outstanding principal balance of $5.5 million as of December 31, 2022.
(B)    In certain instances, KREF finances its loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior interest that is not included in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Total loan exposure includes the entire loan KREF originated and financed, including $187.6 million and $263.1 million of such non-consolidated interests as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.


60

Table of Contents
In January 2023, we completed the modification of a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Philadelphia, PA, with an outstanding principal balance of $161.0 million. The terms of the modification included, among others, a $25.0 million principal repayment and a restructure of the $136.0 million senior loan (after the $25.0 million repayment) into (i) a $116.5 million committed senior mortgage loan (with $5.5 million in unfunded commitment) and (ii) a $25.0 million junior mezzanine note. The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+3.25% and has a new term of up to four years, assuming all extension options are exercised. The $25.0 million junior mezzanine note is subordinate to a new $41.5 million committed senior mezzanine note held by the sponsor (with $16.5 million in unfunded commitment). As of December 31, 2022, $25.0 million of the loan was deemed uncollectible and written off, which was applied to the junior mezzanine note upon completion of the modification. The restructured senior loan with an outstanding principal balance of $112.6 million was risk-rated 3 as of September 30, 2023.

In June 2023, we completed the modification of a risk-rated 4 senior multifamily loan located in West Hollywood, CA, with an outstanding principal balance of $102.0 million as of March 31, 2023. The terms of the modification included, among others, an additional borrower deposit in escrow in exchange for an upsize in the loan commitment structured as (i) an accompanying senior mezzanine note with a commitment of $4.2 million, at a fixed interest rate of 10.0%, and (ii) an accompanying junior mezzanine note with a commitment of $0.8 million, at a fixed interest rate of 10.0% with certain profit share provisions, as defined in the loan agreement. As of September 30, 2023, the senior mezzanine note had an outstanding principal balance of $0.8 million, while the junior mezzanine note was fully funded. The restructured whole loan with an outstanding principal balance of $103.5 million was risk-rated 4 as of September 30, 2023.

In June 2023, we completed the modification of a risk-rated 5 senior office loan located in Minneapolis, MN, with an outstanding principal balance of $194.4 million as of March 31, 2023. The terms of the modification included, among others, a restructure of the $194.4 million senior loan into (i) a $120.0 million senior mortgage loan (fully funded) and (ii) a $79.4 million mezzanine note (with $5.0 million in unfunded commitment). The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+2.25% and the mezzanine note earns a fixed 4.5% PIK interest rate. Post modification, the whole loan’s maximum maturity is July 2025, assuming all extension options are exercised. The restructured whole loan with an outstanding principal balance of $194.4 million was risk-rated 5 as of September 30, 2023.

In September 2023, we completed the modification of a risk-rated 4 senior office loan located in Chicago, IL, with an outstanding principal balance of $118.4 million. The terms of the modification included, among others, a $15.0 million principal repayment, a $15.0 million reduction in unfunded loan commitment, and a restructure of the $103.4 million senior loan (after the $15.0 million repayment) into (i) a $105.0 million committed senior mortgage loan (with $16.6 million in unfunded commitment) and (ii) a $15.0 million subordinated note. The restructured senior loan earns a coupon rate of S+2.25% and has a new term of five years. The $15.0 million subordinated note is subordinate to a new $18.5 million sponsor interest and was deemed uncollectible and written off. The restructured senior loan with an outstanding principal balance of $88.4 million was risk-rated 3 as of September 30, 2023.

CMBS B-Piece Investments

Our current CMBS exposure is through RECOP I, an equity method investment. Our Manager has processes and procedures in place to monitor and assess the credit quality of our CMBS B-Piece investments and promote the regular and active management of these investments. This includes reviewing the performance of the real estate assets underlying the loans that collateralize the investments and determining the impact of such performance on the credit and return profile of the investments. Our Manager holds monthly surveillance calls with the special servicer of our CMBS B-Piece investments to monitor the performance of our portfolio and discuss issues associated with the loans underlying our CMBS B-Piece investments. At each meeting, our Manager is provided with a due diligence submission for each loan underlying our CMBS B-Piece investments, which includes both property- and loan-level information. These meetings assist our Manager in monitoring our portfolio, identifying any potential loan issues, determining if a re-underwriting of any loan is warranted and examining the timing and severity of any potential losses or impairments.

Valuations for our CMBS B-Piece investments are prepared using inputs from an independent valuation firm and confirmed by our Manager via quotes from two or more broker-dealers that actively make markets in CMBS. As part of the quarterly valuation process, our Manager also reviews pricing indications for comparable CMBS and monitors the credit metrics of the loans that collateralize our CMBS B-Piece investments.

61

Table of Contents
Total Financing

Our financing arrangements include our term loan facility, term lending agreements, collateralized loan obligations, secured term loan, warehouse facility, asset specific financing, corporate revolving credit agreement ("Revolver"), non-consolidated senior interest (collectively “Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources”) and master repurchase agreements.

Our Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources, which accounted for 76% of our total financing as of September 30, 2023, are not subject to credit or capital markets mark-to-market provisions. The remaining 24% of our total financing, which is primarily comprised of three master repurchase agreements, are only subject to credit marks.

We continue to expand and diversify our financing sources, especially those sources that provide non-mark-to-market financing, reducing our exposure to market volatility.

The following table summarizes our financing (dollars in thousands):
Financing Outstanding Principal Balance
Non-/Mark-to-MarketSeptember 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Master repurchase agreementsMark-to-Credit$1,520,508 $1,436,166 
Collateralized loan obligationsNon-Mark-to-Market1,942,750 1,942,750 
Term lending agreementsNon-Mark-to-Market1,406,013 1,530,105 
Term loan facilityNon-Mark-to-Market565,748 631,557 
Secured term loanNon-Mark-to-Market343,875 346,500 
Asset specific financingNon-Mark-to-Market239,136 172,873 
Warehouse facilityNon-Mark-to-Market— — 
RevolverNon-Mark-to-Market110,000 — 
Non-consolidated senior interestsNon-Mark-to-Market187,554 263,086 
Total financing$6,315,584 $6,323,037 

Financing Agreements

The following table details our financing agreements (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2023
MaximumCollateralBorrowings
Facility Size(A)
Assets(B)
Potential(C)
OutstandingAvailable
Master Repurchase Agreements
Wells Fargo$1,000,000 $989,053 $691,590 $674,076 $17,514 
Morgan Stanley600,000 757,964 522,531 506,232 16,299 
Goldman Sachs400,000 609,137 381,107 340,200 40,907 
Term Loan Facility1,000,000 709,109 565,748 565,748 — 
Term Lending Agreements
KREF Lending IX1,000,000 960,518 767,316 767,105 211 
KREF Lending V333,522 465,578 333,522 333,522 — 
KREF Lending XII350,000 224,674 169,042 166,771 2,271 
BMO Facility300,000 179,601 139,109 138,615 494 
Warehouse Facility
HSBC500,000 — — — — 
Asset Specific Financing
KREF Lending XIII265,625 163,692 139,136 139,136 — 
KREF Lending XIV125,000 — — — — 
KREF Lending XI100,000 125,000 100,000 100,000 — 
Revolver610,000 — 610,000 110,000 500,000 
$6,584,147 $5,184,326 $4,419,101 $3,841,405 $577,696 
62

Table of Contents

(A)    Maximum facility size represents the largest amount of borrowings available under a given facility once sufficient collateral assets have been approved by the lender and pledged by us.
(B)     Represents the principal balance of the collateral assets.
(C)    Potential borrowings represents the total amount we could draw under each facility based on collateral already approved and pledged. When undrawn, these amounts are available to us under the terms of each credit facility.

Master Repurchase Agreements

We utilize master repurchase facilities to finance the origination of senior loans. After a mortgage asset is identified by us, the lender agrees to advance a certain percentage of the principal of the mortgage to us in exchange for a secured interest in the mortgage. We have not received any margin calls on any of our master repurchase facilities to date.

Repurchase agreements effectively allow us to borrow against loans and participations that we own in an amount generally equal to (i) the market value of such loans and/or participations multiplied by (ii) the applicable advance rate. Under these agreements, we sell our loans and participations to a counterparty and agree to repurchase the same loans and participations from the counterparty at a price equal to the original sales price plus an interest factor. The transaction is treated as a secured loan from the financial institution for GAAP purposes. During the term of a repurchase agreement, we receive the principal and interest on the related loans and participations and pay interest to the lender under the master repurchase agreement. At any point in time, the amounts and the cost of our repurchase borrowings will be based upon the assets being financed—higher risk assets will result in lower advance rates (i.e., levels of leverage) at higher borrowing costs and vice versa. In addition, these facilities include various financial covenants and limited recourse guarantees, including those described below.

Each of our existing master repurchase facilities includes "credit mark-to-market" features. "Credit mark-to-market" provisions in repurchase facilities are designed to keep the lenders' credit exposure generally constant as a percentage of the underlying collateral value of the assets pledged as security to them. If the credit underlying collateral value decreases, the gross amount of leverage available to us will be reduced as our assets are marked-to-market, which would reduce our liquidity. The lender under the applicable repurchase facility sets the valuation and any revaluation of the collateral assets in its sole, good faith discretion. As a contractual matter, the lender has the right to reset the value of the assets at any time based on then-current market conditions, but the market convention is to reassess valuations on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis using the financial information delivered pursuant to the facility documentation regarding the real property, borrower and guarantor under such underlying loans. Generally, if the lender determines (subject to certain conditions) that the market value of the collateral in a repurchase transaction has decreased by more than a defined minimum amount, the lender may require us to provide additional collateral or lead to margin calls that may require us to repay all or a portion of the funds advanced. We closely monitor our liquidity and intend to maintain sufficient liquidity on our balance sheet in order to meet any margin calls in the event of any significant decreases in asset values. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the weighted average haircut under our repurchase agreements was 35.5% and 31.5%, respectively (or 32.3% and 25.6%, respectively, if we had borrowed the maximum amount approved by its repurchase agreement counterparties as of such dates). In addition, our existing master repurchase facilities are not entirely term-matched financings and may mature before our CRE debt investments that represent underlying collateral to those financings. As we negotiate renewals and extensions of these liabilities, we may experience lower advance rates and higher pricing under the renewed or extended agreements.

Term Loan Facility

In April 2018, we entered into a term loan financing agreement with third party lenders for an initial borrowing capacity of $200.0 million that was increased to $1.0 billion in October 2018 (“Term Loan Facility”). The facility provides us with asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with match-term up to five years and is non-recourse to us. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by senior loans, held-for-investment.

Term Lending Agreements

In August 2018, we entered into a $200.0 million loan financing facility with BMO Harris Bank (the "BMO Facility”). In May 2019, we increased the borrowing capacity to $300.0 million. The facility provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with match-term up to five years with partial recourse to us.

In June 2019, we entered into a Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement ("KREF Lending V Facility") with Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC ("Administrative Agent"), as administrative agent on behalf of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. ("Initial Buyer"), which provides non-mark-to-market financing. In June 2023, the current stated maturity
63

Table of Contents
was extended to June 2024, subject to two additional one-year extension options, which we may exercise upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds. The Initial Buyer subsequently syndicated a portion of the facility to multiple financial institutions. As of September 30, 2023, the Initial Buyer held 23% of the total commitment under the facility.

In July 2021, we entered into a $500.0 million Master Repurchase and Securities Contract Agreement with a financial institution (“KREF Lending IX Facility”). In March 2022, we increased the borrowing capacity to $750.0 million. In August 2022, we further increased the borrowing capacity to $1,000.0 million. The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to us, has a three-year draw period and match- term to the underlying loans.

In June 2022, we entered into a $350.0 million Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract with a financial institution (“KREF Lending XII Facility”). The facility, which provides financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to KREF, has a two-year draw period and match-term to the underlying loans. In addition, we have the option to increase the facility amount to $500.0 million.

Warehouse Facility

In March 2020, we entered into a $500.0 million Loan and Security Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC Facility”). In March 2023, we extended the facility maturity date to March 2026. The facility provides warehouse financing on a non-mark-to-market basis with partial recourse to us.

Asset Specific Financing

In April 2022, we entered into a $100.0 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XI Facility"). The facility provides non-recourse match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis.

In August 2022, we entered into a $265.6 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XIII Facility"). The facility provides non-recourse match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis.

In October 2022, we entered into a $125.0 million loan financing facility with a financial institution ("KREF Lending XIV Facility"). The facility provides non-recourse match-term asset-based financing on a non-mark-to-market basis.

Revolving Credit Agreement

In March 2022, we upsized our corporate revolving credit agreement (“Revolver”), administered by Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., to $520.0 million and extended the maturity date to March 2027. In April 2022, we further upsized our Revolver to $610.0 million. We may use our Revolver as a source of financing, which is designed to provide short-term liquidity to originate or de-lever loans, pay operating expenses and borrow amounts for general corporate purposes. Our Revolver is secured by corporate level guarantees and includes net equity interests in the investment portfolio.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

In August 2021, we financed a pool of loan participations from our existing loan portfolio through a managed collateralized loan obligation ("CLO" or "KREF 2021-FL2") and, in February 2022, we financed a pool of loan participations from our existing multifamily loan portfolio through a managed CLO ("KREF 2022-FL3"). The CLOs provide us with match-term financing on a non-mark-to-market and non-recourse basis. The CLOs have a two-year reinvestment feature that allows principal proceeds of the collateral assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement assets, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the indentures.

64

Table of Contents
The following table outlines the CLO collateral assets and respective borrowing (dollars in thousands):

September 30, 2023
 Count Outstanding Principal Amortized Cost Carrying Value
Wtd. Avg. Yield/Cost(A)
 
Wtd. Avg. Term(B)
KREF 2021-FL2
Collateral assets(C)(D)
19$1,300,000 $1,300,000 $1,289,629 S + 3.2%June 2026
Financing provided11,095,250 1,095,097 1,095,097 S + 1.5%February 2039
KREF 2022-FL3
Collateral assets(C)(D)
16$1,000,000 $1,000,000 $989,101 S + 3.0%September 2026
Financing provided1847,500 846,017 846,017 S + 2.2%February 2039

(A)In addition to cash coupon, yield/cost includes the amortization of deferred origination/financing costs.
(B)Loan term represents weighted-average final maturity, assuming all extension options are exercised by the borrower, weighted by outstanding principal. Repayments of CLO notes are dependent on timing of underlying collateral loan asset repayments post reinvestment period. The term of the CLO notes represents the rated final distribution date.
(C)Collateral assets represent 29.7% of the principal of our commercial real estate loans as of September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, 100% of our loans financed through the CLOs are floating rate loans.
(D)Including $10.0 million cash held in the KREF 2021-FL2 as of September 30, 2023. Including $14.4 million and $14.4 million of loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by KREF 2021-FL2 and KREF 2022-FL3, respectively, as of September 30, 2023.

Non-Consolidated Senior Interests

In certain instances, we finance our loans through the non-recourse sale of a senior loan interest that is not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. These non-consolidated senior interests provide structural leverage on a non-mark-to-market, match-term basis for our net investments, which are typically reflected in the form of mezzanine loans or other subordinate interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and in our condensed consolidated statement of income.

The following table details the subordinate interests retained on our balance sheet and the related non-consolidated senior interests (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2023
Non-Consolidated Senior InterestsCountPrincipal BalanceCarrying ValueWtd. Avg. Yield/CostGuarantee
Wtd. Avg.
Term
Total loan2$232,024 n.a
S + 3.6%
n.a.January 2026
Senior participation2187,554 n.a
 S + 2.3%
n.a.January 2026
Interests retained44,470 
 S + 8.8%
January 2026

Secured Term Loan

In September 2020, we entered into a $300.0 million secured term loan at a price of 97.5%. The secured term loan is partially amortizing, with an amount equal to 1.0% per annum of the principal balance due in quarterly installments. In November 2021, we completed a repricing of a $297.8 million existing secured term loan and a $52.2 million add-on, for an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, which was issued at par. In June 2023, the secured term loan was amended to transition the benchmark rate from LIBOR to SOFR. The new secured term loan bears interest at Adjusted Term SOFR, as defined in the secured term loan agreements, plus a 3.50% margin, and is subject to a 0.50% SOFR floor.

The secured term loan matures on September 1, 2027 and contains restrictions relating to liens, asset sales, indebtedness, investments and transactions with affiliates. Our secured term loan is secured by corporate level guarantees and does not include asset-based collateral. Refer to Notes 2 and 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of our secured term loan.

65

Table of Contents
Borrowing Activities

The following tables provide additional information regarding our borrowings (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Outstanding Principal as of September 30, 2023
Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)
Maximum Amount OutstandingWeighted Average Daily Interest Rate
Master Repurchase Agreements
Wells Fargo$674,076 $679,914 $714,666 6.5 %
Morgan Stanley506,232 550,500 594,537 6.9 
Goldman Sachs340,200 280,220 362,250 7.5 
Term Loan Facility565,748 598,311 644,378 6.8 
Term Lending Agreements
KREF Lending IX767,105 749,582 767,105 6.7 
KREF Lending V333,522 439,945 502,878 6.9 
KREF Lending XII166,771 164,936 166,771 6.3 
BMO Facility138,615 138,615 138,615 6.8 
Asset Specific Financing
KREF Lending XIII139,136 104,847 139,136 8.0 
KREF Lending XIV— — — — 
KREF Lending XI100,000 100,000 100,000 7.7 
Revolver110,000 31,099 150,000 7.2 
Total/Weighted Average$3,841,405 6.8 %

(A)    Represents the average for the period the facility was outstanding.

Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2023June 30, 2023
Master Repurchase Agreements
Wells Fargo$681,406 $682,498 
Morgan Stanley506,232 552,152 
Goldman Sachs357,696 302,828 
Term Loan Facility565,748 595,071 
Term Lending Facility
KREF Lending IX763,514 752,850 
KREF Lending V355,493 472,936 
KREF Lending XII166,771 166,771 
BMO Facility138,615 138,615 
Asset Specific Financing
KREF Lending XIII129,726 104,383 
KREF Lending XIV— — 
KREF Lending XI100,000 100,000 
Revolver52,609 40,110 

(A)    Represents the average for the period the debt was outstanding.

Covenants—Each of our repurchase facilities, term lending agreements, warehouse facility and our Revolver contain customary terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on our operations with respect to our status as a REIT, and financial covenants, such as:

a trailing four quarter interest income to interest expense ratio covenant (1.4 to 1.0);
a consolidated tangible net worth covenant (75.0% of the aggregate net cash proceeds of any equity issuances made and any capital contributions received by us and KKR Real Estate Finance Holdings L.P. (our "Operating Partnership") or up to approximately $1,353.4 million, depending on the agreement; 
66

Table of Contents
a cash liquidity covenant (the greater of $10.0 million or 5.0% of our recourse indebtedness);
a total indebtedness covenant (83.3% of our Total Assets, as defined in the applicable financing agreements);

With respect to our secured term loan, we are required to comply with customary loan covenants and event of default provisions that include, but are not limited to, negative covenants relating to restrictions on operations with respect to our status as a REIT, and financial covenants. Such financial covenants include a minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $650.0 million and a maximum total debt to total assets ratio of 83.3% (the “Leverage Covenant”).

As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants of our financing facilities.

Guarantees—In connection with our financing arrangements including; master repurchase agreements, our term lending agreements, and our asset specific financing, our Operating Partnership has entered into a limited guarantee in favor of each lender, under which our Operating Partnership guarantees the obligations of the borrower under the respective financing agreement (i) in the case of certain defaults, up to a maximum liability of 25.0% of the then-outstanding repurchase price of the eligible loans, participations or securities, as applicable, or (ii) up to a maximum liability of 100.0% in the case of certain "bad boy" defaults. The borrower in each case is a special purpose subsidiary of ours. In addition, some guarantees include certain full recourse insolvency-related trigger events.

With respect to our Revolver, amounts borrowed are full recourse to certain guarantor wholly-owned subsidiaries of ours.

Real Estate Owned and Joint Venture

In 2015, we originated a $177.0 million senior loan secured by a retail property in Portland, Oregon. In December 2021, we took title to the retail property; such acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition under ASC 805. Accordingly, we recognized the property on our balance sheet as REO with a carrying value of $78.6 million, which included the estimated fair value of the property and capitalized transaction costs. In addition, we assumed $2.0 million in other net assets of the REO.

Concurrently with taking the title to the REO asset, we contributed a portion of the REO asset to a joint venture (the "REO JV") with a third party local development operator (“JV Partner”), whereby we have a 90% interest and the JV Partner has a 10% interest. As of September 30, 2023, the REO JV held REO assets with a net carrying value of $71.9 million. We have priority of distributions up to $76.4 million before the JV Partner can participate in the economics of the REO JV.
67

Table of Contents
Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

The following table summarizes the changes in our results of operations for three months ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

Three Months EndedIncrease (Decrease)
September 30, 2023June 30, 2023DollarsPercentage
Net Interest Income
Interest income$163,229 $159,629 $3,600 %
Interest expense118,617 115,677 2,940 
Total net interest income44,612 43,952 660 
Other Income
Revenue from real estate owned operations1,795 1,984 (189)(10)
Income (loss) from equity method investments839 551 288 52 
Other income2,809 4,437 (1,628)(37)
Total other income5,443 6,972 (1,529)(22)
Operating Expenses
General and administrative4,788 4,710 78 
Provision for (reversal of ) credit losses, net8,814 56,335 (47,521)(84)
Management fee to affiliate6,566 6,559 — 
Incentive compensation to affiliate69 611 (542)(89)
Expenses from real estate owned operations
2,819 2,656 163 
Total operating expenses23,056 70,871 (47,815)(67)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interests, Preferred Dividends and Participating Securities' Share in Earnings26,999 (19,947)46,946 235 
Income tax expense165 177 (12)(7)
Net Income (Loss)26,834 (20,124)46,958 233 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(307)(96)(211)220 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries27,141 (20,028)47,169 236 
Preferred stock dividends5,326 5,326 — — 
Participating securities' share in earnings414 418 (4)(1)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders$21,401 $(25,772)$47,173 183 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic$0.31 $(0.37)$0.68 184 
Diluted$0.31 $(0.37)$0.68 184 
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic69,122,636 69,115,654 6,982 — 
Diluted69,122,636 69,115,654 6,982 — 
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock$0.43 $0.43 $— — 
    
68

Table of Contents
Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $0.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the preceding three-month period. This increase was primarily due to an increase in index rates. We recognized $5.4 million of deferred loan fees and origination discounts accreted into interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $6.5 million for the preceding period. We recorded $6.6 million of deferred financing costs amortization into interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $7.1 million for the preceding period.

Other Income

Total other income decreased by $1.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the preceding period. This decrease was primarily due to $1.3 million of nonrecurring REO insurance proceeds received in the preceding period.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased by $47.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the preceding period. This decrease was primarily due to a net decrease of $47.5 million in the provision for credit losses.

69

Table of Contents
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine months ended September 30, 2022

The following table summarizes the changes in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

Nine Months Ended September 30,Increase (Decrease)
20232022DollarsPercentage
Net Interest Income
Interest income$475,388 $278,460 $196,928 71 %
Interest expense340,270 144,503 195,767 135 
Total net interest income135,118 133,957 1,161 
Other Income
Revenue from real estate owned operations6,025 6,554 (529)(8)
Income (loss) from equity method investments1,043 3,835 (2,792)(73)
Other income9,957 3,992 5,965 149 
Total other income (loss)17,025 14,381 2,644 18 
Operating Expenses
General and administrative14,188 13,040 1,148 
Provision for (reversal of ) credit losses, net125,616 91,184 34,432 38 
Management fee to affiliate19,648 19,102 546 
Incentive compensation to affiliate2,491 — 2,491 n.m.
Expenses from real estate owned operations
8,233 7,520 713 
Total operating expenses170,176 130,846 39,330 30 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interests, Preferred Dividends and Participating Securities' Share in Earnings(18,033)17,492 (35,525)(203)
Income tax expense511 — 511 n.m.
Net Income (Loss)(18,544)17,492 (36,036)(206)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(580)(283)(297)105 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries(17,964)17,775 (35,739)(201)
Preferred stock dividends15,978 15,978 — — 
Participating securities' share in earnings1,239 1,028 211 21 
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders$(35,181)$769 $(35,950)(4,675)
Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic$(0.51)$0.01 $(0.52)(5,200)
Diluted$(0.51)$0.01 $(0.52)(5,200)
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic69,111,201 67,029,140 2,082,061 
Diluted69,111,201 67,029,140 2,082,061 
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock$1.29 $1.29 $— — 
70

Table of Contents
Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $1.2 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Interest income and interest expense both increased primarily due to higher index rates. The increases were further due to increases in the weighted average principal of our loan portfolio and financing facilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year period. The increase was partially offset by the suspension of interest income accrual on loans accounted for under the cost recovery method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $9.8 million of interest collections on nonaccrual loans were applied as a cost reduction to the loan amortized cost.

We recognized $17.8 million of deferred loan fees and origination discounts accreted into interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $18.9 million during the prior year period. We recorded $20.4 million of deferred financing costs amortization into interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $17.1 million during the prior year period.

Other Income

Total other income increased by $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to a $7.0 million increase in interest income earned on our cash balances, as compared to the prior year period, resulting from higher market rates. The increase was partially offset by (i) a $2.8 million change in an unrealized mark-to-market adjustment on our RECOP I's underlying CMBS investments, as compared to the prior year period, and (ii) a nonrecurring $1.3 million of profit sharing income in connection with the repayment of an industrial senior loan during the prior year period.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased by $39.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to a net increase of $34.4 million in the provision for credit losses and a $2.5 million increase in Manager incentive compensation.

COVID-19 Impact

Since its onset in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant disruption in global supply chains, increased rates of unemployment and adversely impacted many industries, including industries related to the collateral underlying certain of our loans. Moreover, the increase in remote working arrangements in response to the pandemic has contributed to and may further contribute to a decline in commercial real estate values and reduce demand for commercial real estate compared to pre-pandemic levels, which may adversely impact certain of our borrowers and may persist even as the pandemic continues to subside.

While the global economy has largely re-opened, the longer-term macro-economic effects of the pandemic continue to impact many industries, including those of certain of our borrowers. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to global supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and has broad inflationary pressures, each of which has a potential negative impact on our borrowers’ ability to execute on their business plans and potentially their ability to perform under the terms of their loan obligations. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates eleven times since January 2022, and has signaled that further increases may be forthcoming. Higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to address inflation may adversely impact real estate asset values and increase our interest expense, which expense may not be fully offset by any resulting increase in interest income, and may lead to decreased prepayments from our borrowers and an increase in the number of our borrowers who exercise extension options.
71

Table of Contents
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We have capitalized our business to date primarily through the issuance and sale of our common stock and preferred stock, borrowings from our Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources(1), and borrowings from three master repurchase agreements. Our Non-Mark-to-Market Financing Sources, which accounted for 76% of our total financing as of September 30, 2023, are not subject to credit or capital markets mark-to-market provisions. The remaining 24% of our total financing, which are comprised of three master repurchase agreements, are only subject to credit marks. We have not received any margin calls on our master repurchase agreements to date.

Our primary sources of liquidity include $108.0 million of cash on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, $500.0 million of available capacity on our corporate Revolver, $77.7 million of available borrowings under our financing arrangements based on existing collateral, $30.0 million net loan repayment proceeds held by a servicer and receivable by us, and cash flows from operations. In addition, we had $22.9 million of unencumbered senior loans that can be financed, as of September 30, 2023. Our corporate Revolver and secured term loan are secured by corporate level guarantees and include net equity interests in the investment portfolio. We may seek additional sources of liquidity from syndicated financing, other borrowings (including borrowings not related to a specific investment) and future offerings of equity and debt securities.

Our primary liquidity needs include our ongoing commitments to repay the principal and interest on our borrowings and to pay other financing costs, financing our assets, meeting future funding obligations, making distributions to our stockholders, funding our operations that includes making payments to our Manager in accordance with the management agreement, and other general business needs. We believe that our cash position and sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet anticipated requirements for financing, operating and other expenditures in both the short- and long-term, based on current conditions.

As described in Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we have off-balance sheet arrangements related to VIEs that we account for using the equity method of accounting and in which we hold an economic interest or have a capital commitment. Our maximum risk of loss associated with our interests in these VIEs is limited to the carrying value of our investment in the entity and any unfunded capital commitments. As of September 30, 2023, we held $35.5 million of interests in such entities, which does not include a remaining commitment of $4.3 million to RECOP I that we are required to fund if called.

The nine months ended September 30, 2023 witnessed significant volatility in the banking sector as a result of disruptions to the banking system and financial market volatility resulting from multiple bank failures. While we maintained no accounts at these failed banks, substantially all of our cash currently on deposit with other major financial institutions exceeds insured limits. We limit exposure relating to our short-term financial instruments by diversifying these financial instruments among various counterparties. Generally, deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore we believe bear minimal credit risk.

To facilitate future offerings of equity, debt and other securities, we have in place an effective shelf registration statement (the “Shelf”) with the SEC. The amount of securities to be issued pursuant to this Shelf was not specified when it was filed and there is no specific dollar limit on the amount of securities we may issue. The securities covered by this Shelf include: (i) common stock, (ii) preferred stock, (iii) depository shares, (iv) debt securities, (v) warrants, (vi) subscription rights, (vii) purchase contracts, and (viii) units. The specifics of any future offerings, along with the use of proceeds of any securities offered, will be described in detail in a prospectus supplement, or other offering material, at the time of any offering.

We have also entered into an equity distribution agreement with certain sales agents, pursuant to which we may sell, from time to time, up to an aggregate sales price of $100.0 million of our common stock, pursuant to a continuous offering program (the “ATM”), under the Shelf. Sales of our common stock made pursuant to the ATM may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we did not sell any shares of common stock under the ATM. As of September 30, 2023, $93.2 million remained available for issuance under the ATM.

(1)    Comprised of collateralized loan obligations, term lending agreements, term loan facility, secured term loan, asset specific financing, warehouse facility, corporate revolver and non-consolidated senior interests.

72

Table of Contents
See Notes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our secured financing agreements, collateralized loan obligations, secured term loan, convertible notes and stock activity.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio

The following table presents our debt-to-equity ratio and total leverage ratio:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Debt-to-equity ratio(A)
2.3x2.0x
Total leverage ratio(B)
4.1x3.8x

(A)     Represents (i) total outstanding debt agreements (excluding non-recourse facilities), secured term loan and convertible notes, less cash to (ii) total permanent equity, in each case, at period end.
(B)    Represents (i) total outstanding debt agreements, secured term loan, convertible notes, and collateralized loan obligations, less cash to (ii) total permanent equity, in each case, at period end.

Sources of Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents and available borrowings under our secured financing agreements, inclusive of our Revolver. Amounts available under these sources as of the date presented are summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents$108,038 $239,791 
Available borrowings under revolving credit agreements500,000 610,000 
Available borrowings under master repurchase agreements74,720 94,426 
Available borrowings under term lending agreements2,976 7,583 
Loan principal payments held by a servicer30,000 — 
$715,734 $951,800 

We also had $22.9 million and $179.4 million of unencumbered senior loans that can be pledged to financing facilities subject to lender approval, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In addition to our primary sources of liquidity, we have the ability to access further liquidity through our ATM program and public offerings of debt and equity securities. Our existing loan portfolio also provides us with liquidity as loans are repaid or sold, in whole or in part, and the proceeds from repayment become available for us to invest.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth changes in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Cash Flows From Operating Activities$118,874 $103,953 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities(62,986)(970,596)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities(184,881)783,510 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash$(128,993)$(83,133)
73

Table of Contents
Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operating activities were primarily driven by our net interest income, which is driven by the income generated by our investments less financing costs. The following table sets forth interest received from, and paid for, our investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Interest Received:
Commercial real estate loans$455,932 $237,915 
455,932 237,915 
Interest Paid:
Interest expense318,292 119,240 
Net interest collections$137,640 $118,675 

Our net interest collections were partially offset by cash used to pay management and incentive fees, as follows (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20232022
Management Fees to affiliate$19,660 $17,802 
Incentive Fees to affiliate2,491 — 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents$22,151 $17,802 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Our cash flows from investing activities consisted of cash outflows to fund new loan originations and our commitments under existing loan investments, partially offset by cash inflows from the principal repayments and sale/syndication of our loan investments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we funded $539.5 million of CRE loans and received $477.9 million from repayments of CRE loans.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we funded $2,004.6 million of CRE loans and received $1,035.1 million from the repayments of CRE loans.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Our cash flows from financing activities were primarily driven by proceeds from borrowings under our financing agreements of $656.6 million during nine months ended September 30, 2023, partially offset by (i) repayments of $588.5 million on borrowings under our financing agreements, (ii) repayment of $143.75 million convertible notes, and (iii) payment of $105.1 million in dividends.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, our cash flows from financing activities were primarily driven by proceeds from borrowings under our financing agreements of $1,901.6 million, proceeds from CLO KREF 2022-FL3 issuance of $847.5 million and net proceeds from Series A Preferred and Common stock issuance of $345.4 million, partially offset by (i) repayments of $2,153.9 million on borrowings under our financing agreements, (ii) payment of $101.8 million in dividends, and (iii) the payment of $28.3 million for our share repurchases.

74

Table of Contents
Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table presents our contractual obligations and commitments (including interest payments) as of September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
TotalLess than 1 year1 to 3 years3 to 5 yearsThereafter
Recourse Obligations:
Master Repurchase Facilities(A)
Wells Fargo(B)
$720,245 $720,245 $— $— $— 
Morgan Stanley(C)
597,356 37,558 559,798 — — 
Goldman Sachs(D)
397,847 27,725 370,122 — — 
Term Lending Agreements(A)
KREF Lending IX846,821 371,382 385,360 90,079 — 
KREF Lending V(E)
351,762 351,762 — — — 
KREF Lending XII190,629 11,332 179,297 — — 
BMO Facility156,087 10,103 145,984 — — 
Warehouse Facility
HSBC— — — — — 
Secured Term Loan463,789 34,613 68,104 25,151 335,921 
Future funding obligations(F)
1,007,626 543,685 448,529 15,412 — 
RECOP I commitment(G)
4,324 4,324 — — — 
Revolver(H)
118,185 118,185 — — — 
Total recourse obligations4,854,671 2,230,914 2,157,194 130,642 335,921 
Non-Recourse Obligations:
Collateralized Loan Obligations2,619,213 135,515 269,919 271,029 1,942,750 
Term Loan Facility618,220 304,215 261,715 52,290 — 
Asset Specific Financing
KREF Lending XIII172,605 11,735 160,870 — — 
KREF Lending XIV— — — — — 
KREF Lending XI107,697 107,697 — — — 
Total$8,372,406 $2,790,076 $2,849,698 $453,961 $2,278,671 

(A)    The allocation of repurchase facilities and term lending agreements is based on the current maturity date of each individual borrowing under these facilities. The amounts include the related future interest payment obligations, which are estimated by assuming the amounts outstanding under these facilities and the interest rates in effect as of September 30, 2023 will remain constant into the future. This is only an estimate, as actual amounts borrowed and rates may vary over time. Amounts borrowed are subject to a maximum 25.0% recourse limit.
(B)    The current stated maturity is September 2024, with two twelve-month facility term extension options available to us subject to certain covenants and thresholds.
(C)    The current stated maturity is March 2026, with two one-year extension periods subject to approval by Morgan Stanley.
(D)    The final maturity date is October 2025.
(E)    The current stated maturity is June 2024, with two additional one-year extension options, which we may exercise upon the satisfaction of certain customary conditions and thresholds.
(F)    We have future funding obligations related to our investments in senior loans. These future funding obligations primarily relate to construction projects, capital improvements, tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Generally, funding obligations are subject to certain conditions that must be met, such as customary construction draw certifications, minimum debt service coverage ratios, minimal debt yield tests, or executions of new leases before advances are made to the borrower. As such, the allocation of our future funding obligations is based on the earlier of the expected funding or commitment expiration date.
(G)    Amounts committed to invest in an aggregator vehicle alongside RECOP I, which had a two-year investment period which ended in April 2019.
(H)    Any amounts borrowed are full recourse to certain subsidiaries of KREF. Includes principal and assumes interest outstanding over a one-year period. Amounts are estimated based on the amount outstanding under the Revolver and the interest rate in effect as of September 30, 2023. This is only an estimate as actual amounts borrowed, the timing of repayments and interest rates may vary over time. The Revolver matures in March 2027.

We are required to pay our Manager a base management fee, an incentive fee and reimbursements for certain expenses pursuant to our management agreement. The table above does not include the amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement as they are not fixed and determinable. See Note 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for additional terms and details of the fees payable under our management agreement.

As a REIT, we generally must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, to stockholders in the form of dividends to comply with the REIT provisions
75

Table of Contents
of the Code. Our taxable income does not necessarily equal our net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP, or our Distributable Earnings as described above under "Key Financial Measures and Indicators — Distributable Earnings."

Subsequent Events

Our subsequent events are detailed in Note 17 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires our Manager to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. There have been no material changes to our Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We originate and purchase CRE debt and related instruments generally to be held as long-term investments at amortized cost. We adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, and subsequent amendments (“ASU 2016-13”), which replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model. CECL amended the previous credit loss model to reflect our current estimate of all expected credit losses, not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information.. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for credit losses required under ASU 2016-13 is deducted from the respective loans’ amortized cost basis on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowance for credit losses attributed to unfunded loan commitments is included in “Other liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We have implemented loan loss forecasting models for estimating expected life-time credit losses, at the individual loan level, for our commercial real estate loan portfolio. The CECL forecasting methods we use include (i) a probability of default and loss given default method using an underlying third-party CMBS/CRE loan database with historical loan losses from 1998 through 2023, and (ii) a probability weighted expected cash flow method, depending on the type of loan and the availability of relevant historical market loan loss data. We might use other acceptable alternative approaches in the future depending on, among other factors, the type of loan, underlying collateral, and availability of relevant historical market loan loss data.

We estimate the CECL allowance for our loan portfolio, including unfunded loan commitments, at the individual loan level. Significant inputs to our forecasting methods include (i) key loan-specific inputs such as vintage year, loan-term, underlying property type, geographic location, most recent appraisal, and expected timing and amount of future loan fundings, (ii) performance against the underwritten business plan and our internal loan risk rating and (iii) a macro-economic forecast.

These estimates may change in future periods based on available future macro-economic data and might result in a material change in our future estimates of expected credit losses for its loan portfolio. We consider the individual loan internal risk rating as the key credit quality indicator in assessing the CECL allowance. We perform a review, at least quarterly, of our loan portfolio at the individual loan level to determine the internal risk rating for each of our loans by assessing the risk factors of each loan, including, without limitation, LTV, debt yield, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, physical condition, cash flow volatility, leasing and tenant profile, loan structure and exit plan, and project sponsorship. Considering these factors, we rate our loans based on a five-point scale, "1" though "5", from less risk to greater risk.

For collateral dependent loans that we determine foreclosure of the collateral is probable, we measure the expected losses based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the loan as of the measurement date. For collateral dependent loans where we determine foreclosure is not probable, we apply a practical expedient to estimate expected losses using the difference between the collateral’s fair value (less costs to sell the asset if repayment is expected through the sale of the collateral) and the amortized cost basis of the loan. A loan is determined to be collateral dependent if (i) a borrower or sponsor is experiencing financial difficulty, and (ii) the loan is expected to be substantially repaid through the sale of the underlying collateral; such determination requires the use of significant judgment and can be based on several factors
76

Table of Contents
subject to uncertainty. Considerations used in determination of financial difficulty may include, but are not limited to, whether the borrower's operating cash flow is sufficient to cover the current and future debt service requirements, the borrower’s ability to refinance the loan, market liquidity and other circumstances that can affect the borrower’s ability to satisfy its contractual obligations under the loan agreement.

Refer to Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the description of our significant accounting policies.

Recently Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance is effective upon issuance and generally may be elected over time through December 31, 2024, as extended under ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848. We have not adopted any of the optional expedients or exceptions through September 30, 2023, but will continue to evaluate the possible adoption of any such expedients or exceptions during the effective period as circumstances evolve.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, which eliminates the recognition and measurement guidance for a troubled debt restructuring for creditors that have adopted CECL and requires public business entities to present gross write-offs by year of origination in their vintage disclosures. On January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-02 on a prospective basis and the adoption had no significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

77

Table of Contents
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment rates and market value, while at the same time seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns. While risks are inherent in any business enterprise, we seek to quantify and justify risks in light of available returns and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

Credit Risk

Our investments are subject to credit risk, including the risk of default. The performance and value of our investments depend upon the sponsors' ability to operate the properties that serve as our collateral so that they produce cash flows adequate to pay interest and principal due to us. To monitor this risk, our Manager reviews our investment portfolio and is in regular contact with the sponsors, monitoring performance of the collateral and enforcing our rights as necessary.

Credit Yield Risk

Credit yields measure the return demanded on financial instruments by the lending market based on their risk of default. Increasing supply of credit-sensitive financial instruments and reduced demand will generally cause the market to require a higher yield on such financial instruments, resulting in a lower price for the financial instruments we hold.

Interest Rate Risk

The composition of our investments is such that rising interest rates will increase our net income, while declining interest rates will generally decrease our net income. Rate floors relating to our loan portfolio may offset some of the impact from declining rates. There can be no assurance that we will continue to utilize rate floors. There can be no assurance of how our net income may be affected in future quarters, which will depend on, among other things, the interest rate environment and our then-current portfolio.

In recent years, interest rates had remained at relatively low levels on a historical basis. However, the U.S. Federal Reserve has raised interest rates eleven times since January 2022, and has also signaled that further increases may be forthcoming.

As of September 30, 2023, our accruing loan portfolio and related portfolio financing by principal amount earned or paid a floating rate of interest indexed to Term SOFR. Accordingly, our interest income and expense will generally change directionally with index rates; however, in certain circumstances, rate floors relating to our loan portfolio may partially offset the impact from changing rates. As of September 30, 2023, a 50 basis point and a 100 basis point decrease in the index rates would decrease our expected cash flows by approximately $4.7 million and $9.4 million, or ($0.07) and ($0.14) per common share, respectively, for the following twelve-month period. Conversely, a 50 basis point and a 100 basis point increase in the index rates would increase our expected cash flows by approximately $4.7 million and $9.4 million, or $0.07 and $0.14 per common share, respectively, for the same period.

LIBOR Transition

On March 5, 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority of the U.K. (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced (the “FCA Announcement”) that all relevant LIBOR tenors would cease to be published or would no longer be representative after June 30, 2023. The FCA Announcement coincided with the March 5, 2021 announcement of LIBOR’s administrator, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (the “IBA”), indicating that, as a result of not having access to input data necessary to calculate relevant LIBOR tenors on a representative basis after June 30, 2023, the IBA would have to cease publication of such LIBOR tenors immediately after the last publication on June 30, 2023. Further, on March 15, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which includes the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act, was signed into law in the United States. This legislation established a uniform benchmark replacement process for financial contracts maturing after June 30, 2023 that do not contain clearly defined or practicable fallback provisions. The legislation also created a safe harbor that shields lenders from litigation if they choose to utilize a replacement rate recommended by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

The Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, an index calculated
78

Table of Contents
by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities, as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. There are significant differences between LIBOR and SOFR, such as LIBOR being an unsecured lending rate while SOFR is a secured lending rate, and SOFR is an overnight rate while LIBOR reflects term rates at different maturities. The differences between LIBOR and SOFR, could result in higher interest costs for us, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

As of September 30, 2023, our floating rate loan portfolio and financing arrangements were all indexed to Term SOFR.

Prepayment Risk

Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at an earlier date than anticipated, potentially causing the return on certain investments to be less than expected. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, any premiums paid on such assets are amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates accelerates the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets. Additionally, we may not be able to reinvest the principal repaid at the same or higher yield of the original investment.

Higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve may lead to a decrease in prepayment speeds and an increase in the number of our borrowers who exercise extension options, which could extend beyond the term of certain secured financing agreements we use to finance our loan investments. This could have a negative impact on our results of operations, and in some situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

Financing Risk

We finance our target assets using our repurchase facilities, our term lending agreements, our Term Loan Facility, Warehouse Facility, Asset Based Financing, secured term loan, collateralized loan obligations and through syndicating senior participations in our originated senior loans. Over time, as market conditions change, we may use other forms of leverage in addition to these methods of financing. Weakness or volatility in the financial markets, the CRE and mortgage markets or the economy generally could adversely affect one or more of our lenders or potential lenders and could cause one or more of our lenders or potential lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing, or to decrease the amount of our available financing through a market to market, or to increase the costs of that financing.

Real Estate Risk

The market values of commercial real estate assets are subject to volatility and may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions; changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. In addition, decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral and the potential proceeds available to a borrower to repay the underlying loans, which could also cause us to suffer losses.

79

Table of Contents
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired controls.

As of September 30, 2023, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

80

Table of Contents
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The section entitled “Litigation” appearing in Note 13 of our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For information regarding the risk factors that could affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, see the information under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.
81

Table of Contents
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Under the Company's current share repurchase program, which was originally announced on May 9, 2018, and subsequently extended and/or increased on June 17, 2019, June 15, 2020 and February 3, 2023, we may repurchase up to an aggregate of $100.0 million of our common stock effective as of February 3, 2023, of which up to $50.0 million may be repurchased under a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and provide for repurchases of common stock when the market price per share is below book value per share (calculated in accordance with GAAP as of end of the most recent quarterly period for which financial statements are available), and the remaining $50.0 million may be used for repurchases in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, manner, price and amount of any common stock repurchases will be determined by us in our discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic considerations, and market conditions. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, we had $100.0 million of remaining capacity to repurchase shares under the program.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.


82

Table of Contents
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 Exhibit Description
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

_____________________

83

Table of Contents
SIGNATURES

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

KKR REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST INC.
Date:October 23, 2023By:
/s/ Matthew A. Salem
Name:    Matthew A. Salem
Title:    Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:October 23, 2023By:/s/ Kendra L. Decious
Name:    Kendra L. Decious
Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
84