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Lument Finance Trust, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

  

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from         to

 

Commission File No. 001-35845

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 45-4966519
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)

 

540 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10022

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 257-5073

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class Outstanding at November 14, 2014
Common stock, $0.01 par value 14,718,750

 

 
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

 

INDEX

 

PART I - Financial Information   3
     
Item 1. Financial Statements   4
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013   5
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited)   6
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited), and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited)   7
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited)   8
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited), and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited)   9
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   10
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   42
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks   58
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   65
       
PART II - Other Information   66
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   66
Item 1A. Risk Factors   66
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   71
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities   71
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures   71
Item 5. Other Information   71
Item 6. Exhibits   71
       
Signatures   72

 

2
 

 

Financial Statements

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

September 30, 2014

(unaudited)

 

3
 

Contents

  

   Page
    
Financial Statements   
    
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013 
    
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited) 
    
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited) 
    
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) 
    
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited) 
    
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)  10 - 41
    

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                   

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
   (unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (includes pledged securities of $506,275,939 and $444,984,955 for          
     September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)  $506,974,444   $444,984,955 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value   226,997,450    - 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value   1,368,692,410      
Linked transactions, net, at fair value   75,804,679    33,352,562 
Cash and cash equivalents   21,056,526    33,062,931 
Restricted cash   37,103,295    13,343,173 
Deferred offering costs   666,329    - 
Accrued interest receivable   5,005,439    1,045,191 
Investment related receivable   980,953    506,892 
Derivative assets, at fair value   325,918    1,839,154 
Other assets   153,481    66,547 
           
Total assets (1)  $2,243,760,924   $528,201,405 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
LIABILITIES:          
Repurchase agreements:          
Available-for-sale securities  $499,462,000   $412,172,000 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   205,161,626    - 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   1,312,890,841    - 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value   669,304    839,413 
Accrued interest payable   2,935,156    274,615 
Dividends payable   29,349    42,501 
Fees and expenses payable to Manager   855,000    330,000 
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses   503,935    617,514 
Deferred tax liability   179,136    - 
           
Total liabilities (1)   2,022,686,347    414,276,043 
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:          
Preferred Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 8.75% Series A cumulative          
     redeemable, $25 liquidation preference, 1,610,000 and 800,000 issued and outstanding at September 30,          
     2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively   37,156,972    18,060,898 
Common Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized, 14,718,750 and 7,389,250          
     shares issued and outstanding, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively   146,953    73,563 
Additional paid-in capital   189,378,368    110,129,489 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   5,425,904    (11,094,954)
Cumulative distributions to stockholders   (25,996,718)   (11,289,370)
Accumulated earnings   14,963,098    8,045,736 
           
Total stockholders' equity   221,074,577    113,925,362 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $2,243,760,924   $528,201,405 

 

(1)Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabililties of consolidated variable initerest entities ("VIEs") as the Company is primary beneficiary of these VIEs.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,371,125,728 and $0, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,315,249,444 and $0, respectively.

 

        See Note 6 for further discussion        

 

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

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Three   Three   Nine   Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Revenues:                
Interest income:                    
Available-for-sale securities  $4,513,999   $4,338,448   $12,904,238   $14,924,426 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   1,310,068    -    1,317,585    - 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts,
   at fair value
   2,433,318    -    2,433,318    - 
Cash and cash equivalents   9,802    3,154    18,395    9,929 
Interest expense:                    
Repurchase agreements - available-for-sale
   securities
   (635,062)   (793,142)   (1,797,322)   (4,121,579)
Repurchase agreements - mortgage loans
   held-for-sale
   (721,239)   -    (727,005)   - 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   (2,239,797)   -    (2,239,797)   - 
                    
Net interest income   4,671,089    3,548,460    11,909,412    10,812,776 
                    
Other income:                    
Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net   1,024,168    (17,080,871)   (2,433,071)   (31,358,766)
Unrealized gain (loss) and net interest income from
   Linked Transactions
   754,189    (154,913)   15,458,922    111,905 
Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   (9,079,091)   8,401,396    (10,771,684)   19,466,902 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   10,009,742    (10,274,003)   (1,091,127)   (3,174,076)
Realized loss on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (73,132)   -    (73,132)   - 
Unrealized gain on mortgage loans held-for-sale   474,095    -    567,337    - 
Unrealized gain on multi-family loans held in securitization
   trusts
   285,328    -    285,328    - 
                    
Total other income (loss)   3,395,299    (19,108,391)   1,942,573    (14,954,035)
                    
Expenses:                    
Management fee   790,188    413,164    1,880,566    941,166 
General and administrative expenses   728,488    229,324    1,361,290    529,436 
Operating expenses reimbursable to Manager   843,943    634,001    2,383,413    1,542,099 
Other operating expenses   439,198    103,919    944,328    202,921 
Compensation expense   51,408    74,229    185,890    159,193 
                    
Total expenses   2,853,225    1,454,637    6,755,487    3,374,815 
                    
Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes   5,213,163    (17,014,568)   7,096,498    (7,516,074)
(Provision for) benefit fron income taxes   (179,136)   -    (179,136)   - 
Net income (loss)   5,034,027   $(17,014,568)  $6,917,362   $(7,516,074)
                    
Dividends to preferred stockholders   (880,509)   -    (1,997,004)   (2,326)
                    
Net income (loss) attributable to common
stockholders
  $4,153,518   $(17,014,568)  $4,920,358   $(7,518,400)
                    
Earnings (loss) per share:                    
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
   (basic and diluted)
  $4,153,518   $(17,014,568)  $4,920,358   $(7,518,400)
Weighted average number of shares of common
   stock outstanding
   14,640,065    7,360,350    11,564,737    5,695,881 
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share  $0.28   $(2.31)  $0.43   $(1.32)
Dividends declared per share of common stock  $0.38   $0.48   $1.10   $1.28 

 

 

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

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

   Three   Three   Nine   Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Net income (loss)  $5,034,027   $(17,014,568)  $6,917,362   $(7,516,074)
                    
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Increase (decrease) in net unrealized gain on
   available-for-sale securities, net
   (7,074,861)   16,495,823    10,956,876    (9,939,532)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain (loss)
   included in net income
   5,563,982    -    5,563,982    - 
                    
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,510,879)   16,495,823    16,520,858    (9,939,532)
                    
Less: Dividends to preferred stockholders   (880,509)   -    (1,997,004)   (2,326)
                    
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
   common stockholders
  $2,642,639   $(518,745)  $21,441,216   $(17,457,932)

 

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

 

7
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)

 

                       Accumulated   Cumulative         
                   Additional   Other   Distributions   Accumulated   Total 
   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Paid in   Comprehensive   to   Earnings   Stockholders' 
   Shares   Par Value   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Income (Loss)   Stockholders   (Deficit)   Equity 
                                     
Balance at January 1, 2014   800,000   $18,060,898    7,389,250   $73,563   $110,129,489   $(11,094,954)  $(11,289,370)  $8,045,736   $113,925,362 
                                              
Issuance of common stock, net   -    -    7,325,000    73,390    79,268,167    -    -    -    79,341,557 
                                              
Issuance of preferred stock, net   810,000    19,096,074    -    -    -    -    -    -    19,096,074 
                                              
Restricted stock compensation
   expense
   -    -    4,500   -    (19,288)   -    -    -    (19,288)
                                              
Net income   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    6,917,362    6,917,362 
                                              
Other comprehensive income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    16,520,858    -    -    16,520,858 
                                              
Common dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    -    (12,710,344)   -    (12,710,344)
                                              
Preferred dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    -    (1,997,004)   -    (1,997,004)
                                              
Balance at September 30, 2014   1,610,000   $37,156,972    14,718,750   $146,953   $189,378,368   $5,425,904   $(25,996,718)  $14,963,098   $221,074,577 

 

 

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

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Nine   Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $6,917,362   $(7,516,074)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Amortization/accretion of available-for-sale securities premiums and discounts, net   (3,568,134)   (907,795)
Realized loss on sale of investments, net   4,496,755    33,708,977 
Unrealized (gain) loss on Linked Transactions, net   (6,138,628)   1,940,336 
Realized (gain) loss on derivative contracts   10,771,684    (19,466,902)
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts   1,091,127    3,174,076 
Realized loss on mortgage loans held-for-sale   73,132    - 
Unrealized (gain) on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (567,337)   - 
Unrealized (gain) on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   (285,328)     
Restricted stock compensation expense   (19,288)   89,193 
Net change in:          
Accrued interest receivable   (3,960,248)   (820,324)
Other assets   (86,934)   (143,978)
Accrued interest payable   2,660,541    42,347 
Fees and expenses payable to Manager   525,000    305,000 
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses   (113,579)   235,316 
Deferred tax liability   179,136    - 
          
Net cash provided by operating activities   11,975,261    10,640,172 
          
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of available-for-sale securities   (270,132,411)   (1,084,963,739)
Purchase of mortgage loans held-for-sale   (228,849,013)   - 
Proceeds from mortgage loans held-for-sale   2,345,768    - 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities   134,252,756    678,644,658 
Purchase of derivative contracts   -    (50,816,532)
Proceeds from derivative contracts   (10,218,903)   - 
Payments for sales of derivative contracts and interest expense   -    69,806,101 
Proceeds from derivative contracts sold short   24,902,344    - 
Payments to cover derivative contracts sold short   (25,203,125)   - 
Principal payments from available-for-sale securities   33,966,162    27,053,462 
Investment related receivable   (474,061)   (238,679)
Restricted cash   (23,760,122)   (11,758,268)
          
Net cash used in investing activities   (363,170,605)   (372,272,997)
          
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock   79,341,557    84,000,000 
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock   19,096,074    10,041 
Redemption of preferred stock   -    (110,000)
Change in deferred offering costs   (666,329)   915,512 
Dividends paid on common stock   (12,710,344)   (7,532,736)
Dividends paid on preferred stock   (2,010,156)   (2,326)
Proceeds from repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   3,301,467,286    3,332,278,000 
Proceeds from repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   205,913,210    - 
Principal repayments of repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (3,214,177,286)   (3,018,657,000)
Principal repayments of repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   (751,584)   - 
Net cash received (paid) on securities underlying Linked Transactions   (161,329,489)   (45,091,937)
Net cash received from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions   125,016,000    28,559,000 
          
Net cash provided by financing activities   339,188,939    374,368,554 
          
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (12,006,405)   12,735,729 
          
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   33,062,931    3,608,759 
          
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $21,056,526   $16,344,488 
          
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Cash paid for interest  $2,222,389   $4,079,232 
          
Non-cash investing and financing activities information          
Restricted stock compensation expense  $(19,288)  $89,193 
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period  $29,349   $- 
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities  $16,520,858   $(9,939,532)

 

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

 

9
 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  
September 30, 2014 (unaudited)  

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

Five Oaks Investment Corp. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation focused on investing primarily in residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), multi-family mortgage backed securities (“Multi-Family MBS”, and together with RMBS, “MBS”), residential mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights and other mortgage-related investments. The Company is externally managed by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC (the “Manager”), an asset management firm incorporated in Delaware. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “OAKS.”

 

The Company was incorporated on March 28, 2012 and commenced operations on May 16, 2012. The Company began trading as a publicly traded company on March 22, 2013.

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and to comply with Sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the ("Code"). Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. The Company invests in Agency RMBS, which are RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The Company also invests in Non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. Additionally, the Company invests in Multi-Family MBS, which are MBS for which the principal and interest may be sponsored by a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association or a U.S, Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or may not be sponsored by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. The Company also invests in residential mortgage loans, and may also invest in other mortgage-related investments.

 

On June 10, 2013, the Company established Five Oaks Acquisition Corp. (“FOAC”) as a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), for the acquisition and disposition of residential mortgage loans. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

On April 30, 2014, the Company established Five Oaks Insurance LLC (“FOI”) as a wholly owned subsidiary. There has been limited activity within FOI since its inception, primarily focused on licensing and related matters. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under U.S. GAAP.

 

On September 16, 2014, the Company acquired 85% of the first loss principal only tranche issued by a Freddie Mac-sponsored Multi-Family K series securitization (the “FREMF 2011-K13 Trust” or the “Trust”). The Company determined that the Trust was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the Company was the primary beneficiary, and accordingly consolidated the assets and liabilities of this Trust into the Company’s financial statements. Based on these determinations, the Company consolidated the Trust in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from audited financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014, the condensed consolidated statements of operations, the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are unaudited.

 

10
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’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 the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 12, 2014.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a variable interest entity where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

VIEs

 

An entity is referred to as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if it lacks one or more of the following characteristics: (1) sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by any parties, including the equity holders; (2) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk have (a) the power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of a legal entity that most significantly impacts the entity's economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity and (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the legal entity; and (3) the voting rights of these investors are proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected returns of their equity, or both, and whether substantially all of the entity's activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately fewer voting rights. An investment that lacks one or more of the above three characteristics is considered to be a VIE. The Company reassesses its initial evaluation of an entity as a VIE based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

 

VIEs are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This determination may involve complex and subjective analyses. In general, the obligation to absorb losses is a function of holding a majority of the first loss tranche, while the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance will be determined based upon the rights associated with acting as the directing certificate holder, or equivalent, in a given transaction. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

 

The Company has evaluated its Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS investments to determine if each represents a variable interest in a VIE. The Company monitors these investments and analyzes them for potential consolidation. The Company's real estate securities investments represent variable interests in VIEs. At September 30, 2014, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, based on its power to direct the Trust’s activities and its obligations to absorb losses derived from the ownership of 85% of the first-loss principal-only tranche. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the Trust, and has elected the fair value option in respect of these assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2013, no VIEs required consolidation as the Company was not the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs at that time. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, with the exception of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, the maximum exposure of the Company to VIEs was limited to the fair value of its investment in Non-Agency RMBS as disclosed in Note 4 (Non-Agency RMBS $61,159,796 and $62,684,335, respectively).

 

11
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Use of Estimates

 

The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company’s estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in bank accounts on an overnight basis. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in highly rated financial institutions, and at times these balances exceed insurable amounts.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by counterparties as collateral against the Company’s securities, derivatives and/or repurchase agreements, together with cash invested in FOAC to support a minimum capital requirement in connection with certain state licensing requirements. Cash held by counterparties as collateral is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to securities, derivatives or repurchase counterparties or returned to the Company when the collateral requirements are exceeded or, at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 505-10, the direct costs incurred to issue shares classified as equity, such as legal and accounting fees, should be deducted from the related proceeds and the net amount recorded as stockholders’ equity. Accordingly, payments made by the Company in respect of such costs related to the issuance of shares will be recorded as an asset in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Deferred offering costs”, for subsequent deduction from the related proceeds upon closing of the offering.

 

To the extent that certain costs, in particular legal fees, are known to have been accrued but have not yet been invoiced and paid, they are included in “Other accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

On April 25, 2014, the Company filed an S-3 registration statement allowing the Company to issue common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $750,000,000. This registration statement is valid for a three-year period, and accordingly, the Company is amortizing the direct costs incurred in connection with this registration statement on a straight-line basis during this period.

 

12
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value

 

Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization, and Discount Accretion

 

Interest income on the Company’s portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company recognizes interest income using the effective interest method for all securities. As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs”, ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” or ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, as applicable. Total interest income will flow though the “Interest Income” line item on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes such securities. If actual and anticipated cash flows differ from previous estimates; the Company recognizes a “catch-up” adjustment in the current period to the amortization of premiums for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date.

 

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts (including assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass-through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans have to be judgmentally estimated. Differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.

  

For investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance.

 

Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment.

 

The Company’s accrual of interest, discount and premium for U.S. federal and other tax purposes is likely to differ from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

 

Gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities (“AFS”) are recorded as realized gains (losses) within realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations. Upon the sale of a security, the Company will determine the cost of the security and the amount of unrealized gains or losses to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings based on the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).

 

13
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Impairment

 

The Company evaluates its MBS, on a quarterly basis, to assess whether a decline in the fair value of an AFS security below the Company's amortized cost basis is an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). The presence of OTTI is based upon a fair value decline below a security's amortized cost basis and a corresponding adverse change in expected cash flows due to credit related factors as well as non-credit factors, such as changes in interest rates and market spreads. Impairment is considered other-than-temporary if an entity (i) intends to sell the security, (ii) will more likely than not be required to sell the security before it recovers in value or (iii) does not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the entity does not intend to sell the security. Under these scenarios, the impairment is other-than-temporary and the full amount of impairment should be recognized currently in earnings and the cost basis of the investment security is adjusted. However, if an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery, the OTTI should be separated into (i) the estimated amount relating to credit loss (“credit” component) and (ii) the amount relating to all other factors (“non-credit” component). Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized currently in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income. The difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income in accordance with the effective interest method.

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, at Fair Value

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements for details on fair value measurement. Mortgage loans are currently classified as held-for-sale based upon the Company’s intent to sell them either in the secondary whole loan market or to include them in a securitization, including transfers to securitization entities that the Company plans to sponsor and expect to be accounted for as sales for financial reporting purposes.

 

Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-sale is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Interest income recognition is suspended when mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is considered non-collectible, and in all cases when payment becomes greater than 90 days past due. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

  

Multi-Family Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts

 

Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust as of September 30, 2014. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIE underlying the trust, met the criteria for consolidation and , accordingly, has consolidated the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses in its financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within the Trust. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurement below for additional detail.

 

Interest income on Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Interest income recognition is suspended when mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is considered non-collectible, and in all cases when payment becomes greater than 90 days past due. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

 

14
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain of its mortgage-backed securities through the use of repurchase agreements. The repurchase agreements are generally short-term debt, which expire within one year. Borrowings under repurchase agreements generally bear interest rates at a specified margin over LIBOR and are generally uncommitted. In accordance with ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing” the Company accounts for the repurchase agreements, other than those treated as Linked Transactions (see Note 3 – Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments – Non-Hedging Activity/Linked Transactions below), as collateralized financing transactions and they are carried at their contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements. The contractual amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

Residential Loan Warehouse Facilities

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain of its residential mortgage loans through the use of short-term, uncommitted residential loan warehouse facilities, which may be structured as repurchase agreements or secured loan facilities. Currently, the Company has two residential loan warehouse facilities in place with financial institution counterparties, structured as a repurchase agreement and one residential loan warehouse facility in place with a financial institution counterparty, structured as a loan and security agreement. Under these warehouse facilities the Company has an aggregate borrowing limit of $375 million, of which $205.2 million has been drawn at September 30, 2014. The Company accounts for outstandings under these facilities as a collateralized financing transaction which is carried at its contractual amount, and approximates fair value due to its short-term nature.

 

Multi-Family Securitized Debt Obligations

 

Multi-Family securitized debt obligations represent third-party liabilities of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, and excludes liabilities of the Trust acquired by the Company that are eliminated on consolidation. The third-party obligations of the Trust do not have any recourse to the Company as the consolidator of the Trust.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the Company’s short taxable period ended December 31, 2012. So long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes at least 90% of its net taxable income to shareholders and maintains its qualification as a REIT.

 

In addition to the Company’s election to be taxed as a REIT, the Company complies with Sections 856 through 859 of the Code. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain other requirements. The Company may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, federal income and excise taxes may be due on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which could have a material adverse impact on its results of operations and amounts available for distributions to its stockholders. The Company believes it will meet all of the criteria to maintain the Company's REIT qualification for the applicable periods, but there can be no assurance that these criteria will continue to be met in subsequent periods.

 

The Company does not have any material uncertain tax positions at this time. The Company's accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties is to classify these amounts as interest expense. The Company has not recognized any such amounts related to uncertain tax positions as of the balance sheet date.

 

 Certain activities of the Company are conducted through a TRS and therefore will be taxed as a standalone U.S. C-Corporation.

 

If a TRS generates net income, the TRS can declare dividends to the Company which will be included in its taxable income and necessitate a distribution to its shareholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at a TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity.

  

15
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Earnings per Share

 

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as warrants, stock options, and unvested restricted stock, but use the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. See Note 12 for details of the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company is required to recognize compensation costs relating to stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements. The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to its Manager and non-management directors using the fair value based methodology prescribed by ASC 718, Share-Based Payment (“ASC 718”). Compensation cost related to restricted common stock issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Additionally, compensation cost related to restricted common stock issued to the non-management directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date and amortized and expensed over the vesting period. See Note 10 for details of stock-based awards issuable under the Manager Equity Plan.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income, as presented in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss), adjusted for changes in unrealized gain or loss on AFS securities.

 

Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2013-11, which requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than a liability when (1) the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction and (2) the entity intends to use the deferred tax asset for that purpose. The ASU does not require any new recurring disclosures. It is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. Adopting this ASU did not have any material impact on the Company’s condensed financial condition or results of operations.

 

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11 “Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures”, which amends ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing”. The amendments in this ASU change current accounting and disclosures for repurchase agreements and similar transactions under U.S. GAAP. In particular, ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements under ASC 860.

 

ASU 2014-11 also requires two new disclosures for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings (1) disaggregating the related gross obligation by class of collateral pledged, and to disclose the remaining contractual maturity of the agreements, and 2) discussing the potential risks of these agreements and related collateral pledged, including the risks stemming from a decline in the value of the pledged collateral and how such risks are managed. ASU 2014-11 requires enhanced disclosures by entities for transactions that involve a transfer of a financial asset reported as a sale and accompanied by an agreement that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic returns of the transferred asset during the transaction’s term. In these circumstances, the entity is required to provide by type of transaction 1) the carrying amount of the assets derecognized and the gross amount of proceeds received at the transfer date, 2) any related amounts reported on the balance sheet, such as those represented by derivative contracts, and 3) information about its ongoing exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets.

 

16
 

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

ASU 2014-11 is effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. The entity must report changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The new disclosures are not required for comparative periods prior to the effective date. Adopting this ASU will have a material impact on the Company's presentation of its statement of financial condition and results of operations as it relates to the Company’s linked transactions (See Note 8). Currently, linked transactions are reported on the balance sheet as derivative transactions, as a result of this ASU the assets and repurchase agreements that encompass linked transactions will be bifurcated and the gross amounts will be reported in available-for-sale securities and repurchase agreements respectively. In addition, unrealized gain (loss) and interest income on assets that are deemed to be linked are currently reflected in the income statement in other income unrealized gain (loss) and net interest income from Linked Transaction line item, as a result of this ASU the interest income will be recognized in revenue interest income and unrealized gain (loss) will be reflected in other comprehensive income.

 

In August 2014 FASB issued ASU No. 2014-13 “Consolidation (Topic 810) Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity”. A collateralized financing entity is a VIE such as a securitization trust with no more than nominal equity that holds financial assets and issues beneficial interests in those financial assets; the beneficial interests have contractual recourse only to the related assets of the collateralized financing entity and are classified as financial liabilities. The amendments in this ASU address differences in measurement practice between the fair value of the collateralized financing entity’s assets and liabilities, and apply to a reporting entity that is required to consolidate such an entity when the reporting entity measures all of the financial assets and the financial liabilities of that consolidated collateralized financing entity at fair value in its financial statements, and that changes in such values are reflected in earnings.

 

When a reporting entity elects the measurement alternative included in ASU 2014-13 for a collateralized financing entity, the reporting entity should measure both the financial assets and the financial liabilities of that collateralized financing entity in its consolidated financial statements using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. Since the Company has not previously been required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of a collateralized financing entity, it has elected to early adopt this ASU in respect of the consolidated financial statements with effect from September 30, 2014. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements for further information.

  

17
 

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company discloses the fair value of its financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Levels 1, 2 and 3, as defined). In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to provide enhanced disclosures regarding instruments in the Level 3 category (which require significant management judgment), including a separate reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for each major category of assets and liabilities.

 

Additionally, U.S. GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value (the “fair value option”), and the election of such choice is irrevocable. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are irrevocably recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.

 

Available-for-sale Securities

 

The Company currently invests in Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS.

 

Designation

 

The Company classifies its MBS securities as AFS investments. Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its investment securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its investment securities as part of the overall management of its portfolio. All assets classified as AFS are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, excluding other than temporary impairments, included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity.

 

Determination of MBS Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair values for the Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS in its portfolio based on obtaining a valuation for each Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS from third-party pricing services, and may also obtain dealer quotes, as described below. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps and credit enhancement, as applicable. The dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security, including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security, as applicable. 

 

The Company obtains pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service for each Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. If other available market data indicates that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the primary third-party pricing service, the Company shall undertake a review of other available prices and shall take additional steps to determine fair value. In all cases, the Company validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used. The Company will determine that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate if it is not materially representative of where a specific security can be traded in the normal course of business. In making such determination, the Company will follow a series of steps, including review of collateral marks from margin departments of repo counterparties, utilization of bid list, inventory list and extensive unofficial market color, review of other third-party pricing service data and a yield analysis of each Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS based on the pricing data from the primary third-party service data, and a yield analysis of each Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS based on the pricing data from the primary third-party service and the Company’s cashflow assumptions.

 

18
 

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The Company reviews all pricing of Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing service for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 securities if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but dealer quotes are, the Company classifies the security as a Level 2 security. If neither is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the security that are received from the issuer and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 3 security.

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-sale

 

Designation

 

The Company currently classifies its residential mortgage loans as held-for-sale (“HFS”) investments. Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale include loans that the Company is marketing for sale to third parties, including transfers to securitization entities that the Company plans to sponsor and expect to be accounted for as sales for financial reporting purposes.

 

The Company elected the fair value option for residential mortgage loans it has acquired and classifies as held-for-sale. The fair value option was elected to help mitigate earnings volatility by better matching the asset accounting with any related hedges. The Company’s policy is to record separately interest income on these fair value elected loans. Additionally, upfront and costs related to these loans are not deferred or capitalized. Fair value adjustments are reported in (loss) gain on mortgage loans held-for-sale on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The fair value option is irrevocable once the loan is acquired.

 

Determination of Mortgage Loan Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair values of the mortgage loans in its portfolio from third-party pricing services. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps, as applicable. In addition, the third-party pricing services benchmark their pricing models against observable pricing levels being quoted by a range of market participants active in the purchase and sale of residential mortgage loans.

 

The Company obtains pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service for each mortgage loan. If other available market data indicates that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the primary third-party pricing service, the Company undertakes a review of other available prices and takes additional steps to determine fair value. In all cases, the Company validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used. The Company will determine that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate if it is not materially representative of where a specific loan can be traded in the normal course of business, and/or is materially divergent from the price at which the Company would be willing to purchase such a loan in the normal course of its business.

 

19
 

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The Company reviews all pricing of mortgage loans used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing service for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 assets if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a loan are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but alternative quotes are, the Company classifies the loan as a Level 2 asset. If neither is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the loan and based on other available market information and classifies it as a Level 3 asset.

 

Multi-Family Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts and Multi-Family Securitized Debt Obligations

 

Designation

 

Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust as of September 30, 2014. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIE underlying the trust, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, has consolidated the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses in its financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within the Trust.

 

Determination of Fair Value

 

As noted earlier, the Company has early adopted ASU 2014-13, and has elected the fair value option in respect of the assets and liabilities of the FREMF 2011-13 Trust. The Trust is “static”, that is no reinvestment is permitted and there is very limited active management of the underlying assets. Under the ASU, the Company is required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of the Trust is more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the assets of the Trust being equal to the fair value of its liabilities.. The Company has determined that the fair value of the liabilities of the Trust are more observable, since in all cases prices for the liabilities are available from the primary third party pricing service utilized for Multi-Family MBS, while the individual assets of the Trust are inherently challenging to obtain precise measurements for given their illiquid nature and the limitations on available information related to these assets. Given that our methodology for valuing the assets of the Trust is an aggregate value derived from the fair value of the Trust’s liabilities, the Company has determined that the valuation of the Trust’s assets in their entirety should be classified as Level 2 valuations.

 

Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In accordance with FASB guidance ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, all derivative financial instruments, whether designated for hedging relationships or not, are recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company obtains valuation information for each derivative financial instrument from the related derivative counterparty. If other available market data indicates that the valuation information from the counterparty is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the counterparty, the Company shall undertake a review of other available valuation information, including third party pricing services and/or dealers, and shall take additional steps to determine fair value. The Company reviews all valuations of derivative financial instruments used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the derivative counterparty, the third-party pricing service or dealers, as appropriate, for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 valuations if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If none of these sources is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the instrument and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 2 valuation.

 

20
 

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company determines whether or not the instrument will be part of a qualifying hedge accounting relationship. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has elected to treat all current derivative contracts as trading instruments. The changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as trading instruments are reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net.

 

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

 

Non-Hedging Activity – Linked Transactions

 

It is presumed that the initial transfer of a financial asset (i.e. the purchase of an MBS by the Company) and contemporaneous repurchase financing of such MBS with the same counterparty are considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction”, unless certain criteria are met. The two components of a linked transaction (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) are accounted for on a net basis and recorded as a forward purchase (derivative) contract (each a Linked Transaction) at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Linked Transactions, net, at fair value”. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying linked transactions and associated interest income and expense are reported as “Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions”, on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. When or if a transaction is no longer considered to be linked, the MBS and repurchase financing will be reported on a gross basis.  In this case, the fair value of the MBS at the time the transactions are no longer considered linked will become the cost basis of the MBS, and the income recognition yield for such MBS will be calculated prospectively using this new cost basis. (See Notes 8 and 9).

 

See Note 8 for specific disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in the financial statements and the accounting for derivative instruments and related hedged items.

 

Other Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of short term instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and repurchase agreements whose term is less than twelve months, generally approximates fair value due to the short term nature of the instruments.

 

21
 

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES

 

Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS that are accounted for as components of Linked Transactions are not reflected in the tables set forth in this Note, as they are accounted for as derivatives. (See Notes 8 and 9).

 

The following table presents the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

  

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Mortgage-backed securities:          
Agency          
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation  $226,557,748   $237,143,864 
Federal National Mortgage Association   219,256,900    145,156,756 
Non-Agency   61,159,796    62,684,335 
Total mortgage-backed securities  $506,974,444   $444,984,955 

 

The following tables present the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Agency   Non-Agency   Multi-Family   Total 
Face Value  $441,676,113   $86,204,336   $-   $527,880,449 
Unamortized premium   8,552,245    -    -    8,552,245 
Unamortized discount                    
Designated credit reserve   -    (14,518,427)   -    (14,518,427)
Net, unamortized   (2,556,439)   (17,809,288)   -    (20,365,727)
Amortized Cost   447,671,919    53,876,621    -    501,548,540 
Gross unrealized gain   2,664,397    7,283,175    -    9,947,572 
Gross unrealized (loss)   (4,521,668)   -    -    (4,521,668)
Fair Value  $445,814,648   $61,159,796   $-   $506,974,444 

 

   December 31, 2013 
    Agency    Non-Agency     Total  
Face Value  $386,672,123   $95,390,328   $482,062,451 
Unamortized premium   12,544,193    -    12,544,193 
Unamortized discount               
Designated credit reserve   -    (16,126,355)   (16,126,355)
Net, unamortized   (1,489,132)   (20,911,248)   (22,400,380)
Amortized Cost   397,727,184    58,352,725    456,079,909 
Gross unrealized gain   -    4,331,610    4,331,610 
Gross unrealized (loss)   (15,426,564)   -    (15,426,564)
Fair Value  $382,300,620   $62,684,335   $444,984,955 

 

22
 

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued) 

 

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s net realized gain (loss) from the sale of AFS securities for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013: 

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
AFS securities sold, at cost  $80,162,958   $348,566,209 
Proceeds from AFS securities sold   81,394,245    331,913,127 
Net realized gain (loss) on sale of AFS securities  $1,231,287   $(16,653,082)

 

   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
AFS securities sold, at cost  $186,909,115   $717,350,126 
Proceeds from AFS securities sold   184,929,385    687,252,011 
Net realized gain (loss) on sale of AFS securities  $(1,979,730)  $(30,098,115)

  

The following tables present the fair value of AFS investment securities by rate type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Agency   Non-Agency   Total 
Adjustable rate  $322,171,225   $61,159,796   $383,331,021 
Fixed rate   123,643,423    -    123,643,423 
Total  $445,814,648   $61,159,796   $506,974,444 

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Agency   Non-Agency   Total 
Adjustable rate  $170,587,649   $62,684,335   $233,271,984 
Fixed rate   211,712,971    -    211,712,971 
Total  $382,300,620   $62,684,335   $444,984,955 

 

The following tables present the fair value of AFS investment securities by maturity date as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Less than one year  $-   $- 
Greater than one year and less than five years   52,337,669    - 
Greater than or equal to five years   454,636,775    444,984,955 
Total  $506,974,444   $444,984,955 

 

23
 

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued)

 

As described in Note 3, when the Company purchases a credit-sensitive AFS security at a significant discount to its face value, the Company generally does not amortize into income a significant portion of this discount that the Company is entitled to earn because it does not expect to collect it due to the inherent credit risk of the security. The Company may also record an OTTI for a portion of its investment in the security to the extent the Company believes that the amortized cost will exceed the present value of expected future cash flows. The amount of principal that the Company does not amortize into income is designated as an off balance sheet credit reserve on the security, with unamortized net discounts or premiums amortized into income over time to the extent realizable.

 

Actual maturities of AFS securities are affected by the contractual lives of the associated mortgage collateral, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal. Therefore actual maturities of available-for-sale securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Stated contractual maturities are generally greater than ten years.

 

The following tables present the changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on the Company’s MBS.  

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2014  $(16,126,355)  $(22,400,380)  $(38,526,735)
Acquisitions   -    (2,361,186)   (2,361,186)
Dispositions   -    625,719    625,719 
Accretion of net discount   -    3,622,539    3,622,539 
Realized gain on paydowns   -    147,581    147,581 
Realized credit losses   1,607,928    -    1,607,928 
Release of credit reserves   -    -    - 
Ending balance at September 30, 2014  $(14,518,427)  $(20,365,727)  $(34,884,154)

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Acquisitions  $(19,145,414)  $(24,606,107)  $(43,751,521)
Accretion of net discount   -    2,836,240    2,836,240 
Realized gain on paydowns   -    25,262    25,262 
Realized credit losses   2,363,284    -    2,363,284 
Release of credit reserves   655,775    (655,775)   - 
Ending balance at December 31, 2013  $(16,126,355)  $(22,400,380)  $(38,526,735)

 

Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded within realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

24
 

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued) 

 

Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company had unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities of $(1,510,879) and $16,520,858, respectively.

 

The following tables present components of interest income on the Company’s AFS securities for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013:

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2014   Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 
       Net (premium           Net (premium     
   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest 
   interest   discount accretion   income   interest   discount accretion   income 
Agency  $3,161,200   $229,475   $3,390,675   $3,472,373   $(58,281)  $3,414,092 
Non-Agency   45,468    1,017,574    1,063,042    45,010    879,346    924,356 
Multi-Family   56,099    4,183    60,282    -    -    - 
Total  $3,262,767   $1,251,232   $4,513,999   $3,517,383   $821,065   $4,338,448 

  

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 
       Net (premium           Net (premium     
   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest 
   interest   discount accretion   income   interest   discount accretion   income 
Agency  $8,931,583   $441,482   $9,373,065   $13,878,581   $(713,094)  $13,165,487 
Non-Agency   219,928    3,102,041    3,321,969    138,050    1,620,889    1,758,939 
Multi-Family   184,594    24,610    209,204    -    -    - 
Total  $9,336,105   $3,568,133   $12,904,238   $14,016,631   $907,795   $14,924,426 

 

NOTE 5 – MORTGAGE LOANS HELD-FOR-SALE, at FAIR VALUE

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale consists of residential mortgage loans carried at fair value as a result of the fair value option. The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-sale as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Unpaid principal balance  $226,430,113   $- 
Fair value adjustment   567,337    - 
Carrying value  $226,997,450   $- 

 

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company pledged mortgage loans with a fair value of $227.0 million and $0, respectively, as collateral for repurchase agreements. See Note 7 – Repurchase Agreements.

 

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to the mortgage loans held-for-sale as of September 30, 2014 are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2014 
California          36.7%
Massachussetts        19.6%
Texas          7.1%
Washington        5.7%

 

25
 

 

NOTE 6 – THE FREMF 2011-K13 TRUST

 

The Company has elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, which requires that changes in valuations of the Trust be reflected in the Company’s statements of operations. The Company’s net investment in the Trust is limited to the Multi-Family MBS comprised of a first loss PO security and an IO security acquired by the Company on September 16, 2014 with an aggregate net carrying value of $ 55,801,569 at September 30, 2014.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust at September 30, 2014.:

 

Balance Sheet  September 30, 2014 
Assets     
Multi-family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts  $1,368,692,410 
Receivables   2,433,318 
Total assets  $1,371,125,728 
Liabilities and Equity     
Multi-family securitized debt obligations  $1,312,890,841 
Payables   2,358,603 
Total liabilities  $1,315,249,444 
Equity   55,876,284 
Total liabilities and equity  $1,371,125,728 

 

The Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts had an unpaid principal balance of $ 1,205,478,140 at September 30, 2014. The Multi-Family securitized debt obligations had an unpaid principal balance of $ 1,205,478,140 at September 30, 2014.

 

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust at September 30, 2014 are as follows: 

 

Statement of Operations  For the period from
September 16, 2014 to
September 30, 2014
 
Interest income  $2,433,318 
Interest expense   2,239,797 
Net interest income  $193,521 
General and administrative fees   118,806 
Net Income  $74,715 

  

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust as of September 30, 2014:

 

  September 30, 2014 
Texas   16.0%
New York   15.0%
Washington   8.3%
Colorado   7.4%
Georgia   5.7%

 

NOTE 7 – USE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE ENTITIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited purpose of the company that organized it, and an SPE is frequently used for the purpose of securitizing, or re-securitizing, financial assets. They are typically structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to certificate holders. As a consequence of their purpose and design, SPEs are typically VIEs.

 

As further discussed in Note 2 and Note 6, the Company has evaluated its investments in Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS and has determined that they are VIEs. The Company has then undertaken an analysis of whether it is the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs, and has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the Trust in its financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2014. However, the assets of the Trust are restricted, and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the entity. Additionally, the obligations of the Trust do not have any recourse to the Company as the consolidator of the Trust.

 

For the Company’s remaining Non-Agency and Multi-Family MBS investments that are VIEs, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary, and accordingly these investments are accounted for as further described in Note 2 and Note 4.

 

26
 

 

NOTE 8 – RESTRICTED CASH

 

As of September 30, 2014, the Company is required to maintain certain cash balances with counterparties for broker activity and collateral for the Company's repurchase agreements in non-interest bearing accounts.

 

The following table presents the Company's restricted cash balances as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Restricted cash balance held by:          
Broker counterparties for derivatives trading  $28,044,210   $7,297,667 
Repurchase counterparties as restricted collateral   9,048,251    6,015,490 
FOI restricted cash   249,951    - 
FOAC as minimum required capital   -    30,016 
Incorrect receipt of principal paydown   (239,117)     
Total  $37,103,295   $13,343,173 

  

NOTE 9 – REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

 

The Company has entered into repurchase agreements (including two residential loan warehouse facilities and one loan and security agreement) to finance its portfolio of investments. The repurchase agreements bear interest at a contractually agreed rate. The repurchase obligations mature and typically reinvest every thirty days to one year and have a weighted average aggregate interest rate of 1.14% at September 30, 2014. Repurchase agreements are being accounted for as secured borrowings since the Company maintains effective control of the financed assets. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
       Weighted       Weighted 
   Amount   average   Amount   average 
   outstanding   interest rate   outstanding   interest rate 
Agency  $426,095,000    0.34%  $370,901,000    0.40%
Non-Agency(1)   42,789,000    1.94%   41,271,000    2.09%
Multi-Family(2)   30,578,000    1.85%   -    0.00%
Mortgage loans   205,161,626    2.55%   -    0.00%
Total  $704,623,626    1.14%  $412,172,000    0.57%

 

(1)At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had repurchase agreements of $103,438,000 and $61,181,000, respectively, that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).
(2)At September 30, 2014, the Company had repurchase agreements of $82,759,000 that were linked to Multi-Family MBS purchases and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

27
 

 

NOTE 9 – REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Continued)

 

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities: 

 

   September 30, 2014   December 31, 2013 
< 30 days  $429,696,000   $373,422,000 
31 to 60 days   37,936,000    38,750,000 
61 to 90 days   -    - 
> 90 days   236,991,626    - 
Total  $704,623,626   $412,172,000 

 

Under the repurchase agreements (including the residential loan warehouse facility), the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral or fund margin calls. In addition, the repurchase agreements are subject to certain financial covenants. The Company is in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2014.

 

The following tables summarize certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

    September 30, 2014  
    Amount     Percent of total
amount
    Weighted average     Market Value  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding(1)     outstanding     days to maturity     of collateral held  
North America   $ 436,759,667       61.98 %     42     $ 490,997,398  
Europe (2)     139,286,959       19.77 %     259       164,696,799  
Asia (2)     128,577,000       18.25 %     18       133,380,760  
Total   $ 704,623,626       100.00 %     79     $ 789,074,957  

 

  (1) At September 30, 2014, the Company had repurchase agreements of $103,438,000 and $82,759,000 that were linked to Non- Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS purchases, respectively, and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table. (See Note 3).

 

  (2) Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

 

    December 31, 2013  
    Amount     Percent of total
amount
    Weighted average     Market Value  
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties   Outstanding(1)     outstanding     days to maturity     of collateral held  
North America   $ 261,289,000       63.39 %     20     $ 277,808,885  
Asia (2)     97,491,000       23.65 %     12       106,949,627  
Europe (2)     53,392,000       12.96 %     21       60,226,443  
Total   $ 412,172,000       100.00 %     18     $ 444,984,955  

 

  (1) At December 31, 2013, the Company had repurchase agreements of $61,181,000 that were linked to Non-Agency RMBS purchases  and were accounted for as Linked Transactions, and as such, the linked repurchase agreements are not included in the above table.  (See Note 3).

 

  (2) Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

  

28
 

 

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

The Company enters into a variety of derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. The Company's primary objective for executing these derivatives and non-derivative instruments is to mitigate the Company's economic exposure to future events that are outside its control. The Company's derivative financial instruments are utilized principally to manage market risk and cash flow volatility associated with interest rate risk (including associated prepayment risk) related to certain assets and liabilities. As part of its risk management activities, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps and caps. In executing on the Company's current risk management strategy, the Company has entered into interest rate swap, swaption agreements, TBA’s and futures contracts. Amounts receivable and payable under interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Premiums on swaptions are amortized on a straight line basis between trade date and expiration date and are recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as a realized loss on derivative contracts. In addition, as set out in Note 3, the Company records Linked Transactions as a forward purchase (derivative) contract at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Although Linked Transactions are accounted for as derivative instruments, they are not entered into as part of the Company’s risk management activities and are not designated as hedging instruments.

 

The following summarizes the Company's significant asset and liability derivatives, the risk exposure for these derivatives and the Company's risk management activities used to mitigate certain of these risks. While the Company uses derivative instruments to achieve the Company's risk management activities, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of the Company's market rate risk. In addition, the Company might elect, at times, not to enter into certain hedging arrangements in order to maintain compliance with REIT requirements.

 

Balance Sheet Presentation

 

The following tables present the gross fair value and notional amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company’s Linked Transactions are evaluated on a combined basis. 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities 
   Fair value   Notional   Fair value   Notional 
Interest rate swaps  $142,644    43,000,000   $(972,403)   183,000,000 
Swaptions   325,918    25,000,000    -    - 
Futures   790,156    249,000,000    (629,694)   130,000,000 
Linked transactions   75,804,679    -    -    - 
Total  $77,063,397    317,000,000   $(1,602,097)   313,000,000 

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities 
   Fair value   Notional   Fair value   Notional 
Interest rate swaps  $237,989    57,000,000   $(1,231,667)   281,000,000 
Swaptions   1,770,795    25,000,000    -    - 
Futures   154,265    10,000,000    -    - 
TBAs   68,359    25,000,000    -    - 
Linked transactions   33,352,562    -    -    - 
Total  $35,583,970    117,000,000   $(1,231,667)   281,000,000 

 

29
 

  

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The following tables present the average fixed pay rate and average maturity for the Company’s interest rate swaps (excludes interest rate swaptions) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Notional   Fair   Fixed Pay   Maturity   Forward 
Current Maturity Date  Amount   Value   Rate   Years   Starting 
3 years or less  $35,000,000   $(109,480)   0.66%   1.4    0.0%
Greater than 3 years and
   less than 5 years
   191,000,000    (720,279)   1.66%   4.0    0.0%
Total  $226,000,000   $(829,759)   1.51%   3.6    0.0%

 

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Notional   Fair   Fixed Pay   Maturity   Forward 
Current Maturity Date  Amount   Value   Rate   Years   Starting 
3 years or less  $35,000,000   $(166,619)   0.66%   2.1    0.0%
Greater than 3 years and
   less than 5 years
   151,000,000    (764,807)   1.66%   4.6    0.0%
Greater than 7 years and
   less than 10 years
   95,000,000    (300,242)   2.85%   7.6    100.0%
Greater than 10 years   57,000,000    237,990    3.29%   10.7    100.0%
Total  $338,000,000   $(993,678)   2.17%   6.2    45.0%

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

The Company’s repurchase agreements are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff in the event of default of either counterparty to the agreement. The Company also has in place with its counterparties ISDA Master Agreements (“Master Agreements”) for its derivative contracts. In accordance with the Master Agreements to each counterparty, if on any date amounts would otherwise be payable in the same currency and in respect of the same transaction by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount. The Company has pledged financial collateral as restricted cash to its counterparties for its derivative contracts and repurchase agreements. See Note 2 for specific details on the terms of restricted cash with counterparties and Note 6 for the amounts of restricted cash outstanding.

 

Under GAAP, if the Company has a valid right of setoff, it may offset the related asset and liability and report the net amount. The Company presents repurchase agreements subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements on a gross basis, and derivative assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on derivative type and counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Separately, the company presents cash collateral subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not offset financial assets and liabilities with the associated cash collateral on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

30
 

 

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The below tables provide a reconciliation of these assets and liabilities that are subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements and can be potentially offset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

    September 30, 2014 
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts   in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of assets       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  assets   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged  amount 
Linked transactions(2)  $262,339,150   $(186,534,471)  $75,804,679   $(75,804,679)  $-   $- 
Swaptions   325,918    -    325,918    -    -    325,918 
Interest rate swaps   142,644    (142,644)   -    -    -    - 
Futures   790,149    (629,694)   160,455    -    (160,455)   - 
Total  $263,597,861   $(187,306,809)  $76,291,052   $(75,804,679)  $(160,455)  $325,918 

 

    September 30, 2014 
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts   in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of liabilities       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  liabilities   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged  amount 
Repurchase agreements  $(704,623,626)  $-   $(704,623,626)  $704,623,626   $-   $- 
Linked transactions(2)   (186,534,471)   186,534,471    -    -    -    - 
Interest rate swaps   (972,403)   142,644    (829,759)   -    829,759    - 
Futures   (629,694)   629,694    -    -    -    - 
Total  $(892,760,194)  $187,306,809   $(705,453,385)  $704,623,626   $829,759   $- 

 

     December 31, 2013  
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts   in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of assets       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  assets   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged  amount 
Linked transactions(2)  $94,645,860   $(61,293,298)  $33,352,562   $(33,352,562)  $-   $- 
TBAs   68,359    -    68,359    -    -    68,359 
Swaptions   1,770,795    -    1,770,795    -    -    1,770,795 
Interest rate swaps   237,989    (237,989)   -    -    -    - 
Futures   154,265    (154,265)   -    -    -    - 
Total  $96,877,268   $(61,685,552)  $35,191,716   $(33,352,562)  $-   $1,839,154 

 

31
 

  

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued) 

 

    December 31, 2013  
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts   in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of liabilities       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  liabilities   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged  amount 
Repurchase agreements  $(412,172,000)  $-   $(412,172,000)  $412,172,000   $-   $- 
Linked transactions(2)   (61,293,298)   61,293,298    -    -    -    - 
Interest rate swaps   (1,231,667)   237,989    (993,678)   -    993,678    - 
Futures   -    154,265    154,265    -    (154,265)   - 
Total  $(474,696,965)  $61,685,552   $(413,011,413)  $412,172,000   $839,413   $- 

 

(1)Amounts presented are limited in total to the net amount of assets or liabilities presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets by instrument. Excess cash collateral or financial assets that are pledged to counterparties may exceed the financial liabilities subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements, or counterparties may have pledged excess cash collateral to the Company that exceed the corresponding  financial assets. These excess amounts are excluded from the tables above.

 

(2)Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS securities within a linked transaction serve as collateral for the linked transaction. See Note 3 “Non-Hedging Activity – Linked Transactions” for information on linked transaction arrangements.

 

Linked Transactions

 

The Company’s Linked Transactions are accounted for on a net basis and recorded as forward purchase (derivative) contracts at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of Linked Transactions reflects the value of the underlying Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS, the linked repurchase borrowings and accrued interest receivable/payable on such instruments. The Company’s Linked Transactions are not designated as hedging instruments and, as a result, the change in fair value and net interest income is reported as “Unrealized gain (loss) and net interest income from Linked Transactions” in other income on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

The following tables present certain information concerning the Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and repurchase financings underlying the Company’s Linked Transactions as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Non-Agency   Multi-Family   Total 
Face Value  $223,660,878   $133,042,940   $356,703,818 
Unamortized premium   -    -    - 
Unamortized discount               
Designated credit reserve   (42,982,300)   -    (42,982,300)
Net, unamortized   (38,385,342)   (25,769,847)   (64,155,189)
Amortized Cost   142,293,236    107,273,093    249,566,329 
Gross unrealized gain   10,476,332    2,982,784    13,459,116 
Gross unrealized loss   (650,734)   (213,809)   (864,543)
Fair Value  $152,118,834   $110,042,068   $262,160,902 

 

32
 

 

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued) 

 

   December 31, 2013 
    Non-Agency    Multi-Family     Total  
Face Value  $148,864,823   $-   $148,864,823 
Unamortized premium   -    -    - 
Unamortized discount               
Designated credit reserve   (29,857,597)   -    (29,857,597)
Net, unamortized   (30,770,386)   -    (30,770,386)
Amortized Cost   88,236,840    -    88,236,840 
Gross unrealized gain   6,859,625    -    6,859,625 
Gross unrealized loss   (473,672)   -    (473,672)
Fair Value  $94,622,793   $-   $94,622,793 

 

The following tables present the changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions: 

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Beginning Balance as at January 1, 2014  $(29,857,597)  $(30,770,386)  $(60,627,983)
Acquisitions   (19,384,832)   (47,651,730)   (67,036,562)
Dispositions   4,092,204    5,532,778    9,624,982 
Accretion of net discount   -    8,734,149    8,734,149 
Realized credit losses   2,167,925    -    2,167,925 
Release of credit reserves   -    -    - 
Ending balance at September 30, 2014  $(42,982,300)  $(64,155,189)  $(107,137,489)

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Acquisitions  $(37,793,143)  $(29,569,939)  $(67,363,082)
Accretion of net discount   -    3,647,915    3,647,915 
Realized credit losses   3,087,184    -    3,087,184 
Release of credit reserves   4,848,362    (4,848,362)   - 
Ending balance at December 31, 2013  $(29,857,597)  $(30,770,386)  $(60,627,983)

 

Linked Repurchase Agreements

 

   September 30, 2014 
   Amount   Percent of total
amount
   Weighted average   Company RMBS 
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties  Outstanding   outstanding   days to maturity   held as collateral 
North America   102,797,000    55.21%   37    147,780,169 
Europe (1)   62,807,000    33.73%   16    83,756,262 
Asia (1)   20,593,000    11.06%   9    30,624,471 
Total  $186,197,000    100.00%   27   $262,160,902 

 

(1)Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

 

33
 

 

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued) 

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Amount   Percent of total   Weighted average   Company RMBS 
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties  Outstanding   amount outstanding   days to maturity   held as collateral 
North America   52,871,000    86.42%   21    79,528,540 
Asia (1)   4,987,000    8.15%   7    8,790,416 
Europe (1)   3,323,000    5.43%   43    6,303,837 
Total  $61,181,000    100.00%   21   $94,622,793 

 

(1)Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

 

At September 30, 2014, Linked Transactions also included $178,248 of associated accrued interest receivable and $337,471 of accrued interest payable. 

 

Income Statement Presentation

 

The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its current derivative portfolio held to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with its debt portfolio. As a result, the Company is subject to volatility in its earnings due to movement in the unrealized gains and losses associated with its interest rate swaps, swaptions and any other derivative instruments.

 

The following table summarizes the underlying hedged risks and the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013: 

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps  $(7,637,172)  $9,200,876   $1,563,704 
Swaptions   (84,000)   (44,874)   (128,874)
Futures   (1,248,544)   853,740    (394,804)
TBAs   (109,375)   -    (109,375)
Total  $(9,079,091)  $10,009,742   $930,651 

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps  $8,874,459   $(10,401,243)  $(1,526,784)
Swaptions   (84,000)   6,927    (77,073)
Futures   (84,375)   120,313    35,938 
TBAs   (304,688)   -    (304,688)
Total  $8,401,396   $(10,274,003)  $(1,872,607)

 

(1) In the three month period ended September 30, 2014, net swap interest expense totaled $1,457,602 comprised of $1,260,546 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss) and $197,056 in accrued interest expense (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). In the three month period ended September 30, 2013 net swap interest expense totaled $494,714 comprised of $63,658 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss) and $431,056 in accrued interest expense (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

34
 

 

NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

  

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps  $(8,779,313)  $163,919   $(8,615,394)
Swaptions   (252,000)   (1,192,877)   (1,444,877)
Futures   (1,439,590)   6,190    (1,433,400)
TBAs   (300,781)   (68,359)   (369,140)
Total  $(10,771,684)  $(1,091,127)  $(11,862,811)

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps  $20,050,632   $(4,346,488)  $15,704,144 
Swaptions   (194,667)   1,052,099    857,432 
Futures   (84,375)   120,313    35,938 
TBAs   (304,688)   -    (304,688)
Total  $19,466,902   $(3,174,076)  $16,292,826 

 

(1)In the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, net swap interest expense totaled $2,774,394 comprised of $2,402,685 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss) and $371,709 in accrued interest expense (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). In the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 net swap interest expense totaled $1,154,853 comprised of $647,656 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss) and $507,197 in accrued interest expense (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

The following table presents certain information about the components of the unrealized net gain (loss) and net interest income from Linked Transactions included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013: 

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
Interest income attributable to AFS underlying Linked Transactions  $4,747,015   $1,343,494 
Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings          
underlying Linked Transactions   (897,044)   (204,940)
Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings   (3,095,782)   (1,293,467)
Unrealized gain (loss) and net interest income from Linked Transactions  $754,189   $(154,913)

 

   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2014   September 30, 2013 
Interest income attributable to AFS underlying Linked Transactions  $11,377,450   $2,408,250 
Interest expense attributable to linked repurchase agreement borrowings          
underlying Linked Transactions   (2,127,148)   (388,995)
Change in fair value of Linked Transactions included in earnings   6,208,620    (1,907,350)
Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions  $15,458,922   $111,905 

 

35
 

 

NOTE 11 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

U.S. GAAP defines fair value and provides a consistent framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP. ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” expands fair value financial statement disclosure requirements. ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements and only applies to accounting pronouncements that already require or permit fair value measures, except for standards that relate to share-based payments.

 

Valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

    Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

    Level 2 Inputs – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

    Level 3 Inputs – Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s assets and liabilities at fair value within the fair value hierarchy levels as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

                 
   Quoted prices in             
   active markets   Significant         
   for identical   other observable   Unobservable   Balance as of 
   assets   inputs   inputs   September 30, 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   2014 
Assets:                    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)  $-   $506,974,444   $-   $506,974,444 
Residential mortgage loans   -    226,997,450    -    226,997,450 
Mortgage loans held in securitization trusts   -    1,368,692,410    -    1,368,692,410 
Linked transactions (b)   -    75,804,679    -    75,804,679 
Interest rate swaps   -    142,644    -    142,644 
Futures   790,156    -    -    790,156 
Swaptions   -    325,918    -    325,918 
Total  $790,156   $2,178,937,545   $-   $2,179,727,701 
Liabilities:                    
Interest rate swaps  $-   $(972,403)  $-   $(972,403)
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   -    (1,312,890,841)   -    (1,312,890,841)
Futures   (629,694)   -    -    (629,694)
Total  $(629,694)  $(1,313,863,244)  $-   $(1,314,492,938)

  

   Quoted prices in             
   active markets   Significant         
   for identical   other observable   Unobservable   Balance as of 
   assets   inputs   inputs   December 31 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   2013 
Assets:                    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)  $-   $444,984,955   $-   $444,984,955 
Linked transactions (b)   -    33,352,562    -    33,352,562 
TBAs   -    68,359    -    68,359 
Interest rate swaps   -    237,989    -    237,989 
Swaptions   -    1,770,795    -    1,770,795 
Futures   154,265    -    -    154,265 
Total  $154,265   $480,414,660   $-   $480,568,925 
Liabilities:                    
Interest rate swaps  $-   $(1,231,667)  $-   $(1,231,667)
Total  $-   $(1,231,667)  $-   $(1,231,667)

 

(a)For more detail about the fair value of the Company’s MBS and type of securities, see Note 3 and Note 4.
(b)For more detail about the fair value of the Company’s Linked Transactions, see Note 3 and Note 8.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the last day of the reporting period in which the transfer takes place.

 

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any Level 3 securities.

 

36
 

  

NOTE 12 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Management Fee

 

The Company is externally managed and advised by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, the Company pays the Manager a management fee equal to 1.5% per annum, calculated and payable monthly in arrears. For purposes of calculating the management fee, the Company’s shareholders’ equity means the sum of the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of the Company’s common stock since inception, and excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income). This amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash items after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. To the extent asset impairment reduces the Company’s retained earnings at the end of any completed calendar quarter, it will reduce the management fee for such quarter. The Company’s shareholders’ equity for the purposes of calculating the management fee could be greater than the amount of shareholders’ equity shown on the financial statements. The term of the management agreement expires on May 16, 2015, with automatic, one-year renewals each year thereafter.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred management fees of $790,188, included in Management Fee in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $525,000 was accrued but had not been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred management fees of $1,880,566, included in Management Fee in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $525,000 was accrued but had not been paid, included in fees and expenses to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Expense Reimbursement

 

Pursuant to the management agreement, the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company incurred by the Manager, including accounting services, auditing and tax services, technology and office facilities, operations, compliance, legal and filing fees, and miscellaneous general and administrative costs, including the cost of non-investment management personnel of the Manager who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred reimbursable expenses of $843,943, included in operating expenses reimbursable to Manager in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $330,000 was accrued but had not yet been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred reimbursable expenses of $2,383,413, included in operating expenses reimbursable to Manager in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $330,000 was accrued but had not yet been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Manager Equity Plan

 

The Company has adopted a Manager Equity Plan under which the Company may compensate the Manager and the Company’s independent directors, consultants or officers who it may employ in the future. In turn, the Manager, in its sole discretion, will grant such awards to its directors, officers, employees or consultants. The Company will be able to issue under the Manager Equity Plan up to 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award.

 

37
 

 

NOTE 12 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued)

 

Stock based compensation arrangements may include incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards and other awards based on the Company’s common stock.

 

Under the Manager Equity Plan, the Company’s independent directors, as part of their compensation for serving as independent directors, are eligible to receive 1,500 shares of restricted stock annually vesting in full on the anniversary of each grant date. As of the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”), the Company’s board of directors granted to each of the three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which vested in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $65,250 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 27, 2013 of $14.50. On March 27, 2014, the 4,500 shares of restricted stock granted to the independent directors fully vested. On August 19, 2014 the Company’s board of directors granted each of the three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $50,715 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 19, 2014 of $11.27.

 

As of the closing of the IPO on March 27, 2013, the Company’s board of directors granted the Manager 28,500 shares of restricted common stock. One-third of these restricted common stock shares vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of these restricted shares was $199,500 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2014 of $10.50. The Company accounts for the restricted common stock shares based on their aggregate fair value at the measurement dates and as this value subsequently changes, a cumulative adjustment is made in the current period for prior compensation cost expenses recorded to date. On March 27, 2014, 9,500 shares of restricted stock granted to the Manager fully vested for net proceeds of $34,928.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted common stock of $51,408 and $185,890, respectively, included in compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company has unrecognized compensation expense of $63,912 as of September 30, 2014 for unvested shares of restricted common stock. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average period for which the unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized is 11.5 months.

 

NOTE 13 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Ownership and Warrants

 

As a result of the May 2012 and March 2013 private offerings of common stock to XL Investments Ltd, an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of XL Group plc, owns a significant minority investment in the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the May 2012 private offering, the Company agreed to issue to XL Investments Ltd warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The warrants were subsequently issued, effective as of September 29, 2012, and entitle XL Investments Ltd, commencing on July 25, 2013 (120 days following the closing of our IPO) to purchase an aggregate of 3,125,000 shares of our common stock at a per share exercise price equal to 105% of the $15.00 IPO price, or $15.75. XL Global, Inc., a subsidiary of XL Group plc, holds a minority stake in the Manager.

 

Common Stock

 

The Company has 450,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 14,718,750 and 7,389,250 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

On February 19, 2014, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of common stock for $11.30 per share. Net proceeds to the Company were $31,927,377, net of issuance costs of $1,972,623.

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares of common stock from the Company at the offering price of $11.30 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of the common stock. The underwriters exercised their right and purchased 300,000 shares of common stock at the offering price of $11.30 per share on March 7, 2014, resulting in net proceeds of $3,214,325, after deducting underwriting costs of $175,675.

 

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NOTE 13 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

 

On June 19, 2014, the Company issued 3,500,000 shares of common stock for $11.00 per share. Net proceeds to the Company were $38,442,925, net of issuance costs of $57,075, inclusive of $40,487 in amortized deferred offering costs.

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 525,000 shares of common stock from the Company at the offering price of $11.00 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of the common stock. The underwriters exercised their right and purchased 525,000 shares of common stock at the offering price of $11.00 per share on July 14, 2014, resulting in net proceeds of $5,769,750.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has 50,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 1,610,000 and 800,000 shares of 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), par value of $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend rate of 8.75% per year on the $25 liquidation preference and is senior to the common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Company declares quarterly and pays monthly dividends on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, in arrears, on the 27th day of each month to holders of record at the close of business on the 15th day of each month.

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 120,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Company at the offering price of $25.00 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of Series A Preferred Stock. The underwriters fully exercised their right and purchased 120,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at $25.00 per share on January 24, 2014, resulting in net proceeds of $2,778,201, after deducting underwriting costs of $221,799.

 

On May 21, 2014, the Company closed an offering of 690,000 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, including the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. The net proceeds to the Company from this issuance were $16,325,373 after the deduction of initial set-up, funding and administration fees.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

Pursuant to the April 25, 2014 S-3 registration statement, the Company has incurred $775,547 in deferred offering expenses. These expenses will amortized on a straight-line basis over the three year period that the statement is valid. To date the Company has amortized $109,218 in deferred offering cost, of which $68,731 was expensed during the quarter, resulting in a balance of $666,329.

 

Distributions to stockholders

 

For the 2014 taxable year, the Company has declared dividends to common stockholders totaling $12,710,344, or $1.10 per share. The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

 

Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Amount   Cash Dividend Per Share 
December 30, 2013  January 15, 2014  January 30, 2014  $923,656   $0.09235 
December 30, 2013  February 14, 2014  February 27, 2014  $923,656   $0.09235 
December 30, 2013  March 17, 2014  March 28, 2014  $1,336,156   $0.13359 
March 25, 2014  April 15, 2014  April 29, 2014  $1,336,156   $0.13359 
March 25, 2014  May 15, 2014  May 29, 2014  $1,336,156   $0.13359 
March 25, 2014  June 16, 2014  June 27, 2014  $1,336,156   $0.13359 
June 17, 2014  July 15, 2014  July 30, 2014  $1,839,281   $0.15904 
June 17, 2014  August 15, 2014  August 27, 2014  $1,839,281   $0.15904 
June 17, 2014  September 15, 2014  September 29, 2014  $1,839,844   $0.15909 

 

The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series A Preferred Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

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NOTE 13 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

 

Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Amount   Cash Dividend Per Share 
December 23, 2013  January 15, 2014  January 27, 2014  $165,280   $0.20660 
December 23, 2013  February 14, 2014  February 27, 2014  $167,716   $0.18230 
December 23, 2013  March 17, 2014  March 27, 2014  $167,716   $0.18230 
March 25, 2014  April 15, 2014  April 28, 2014  $167,716   $0.18230 
March 25, 2014  May 15, 2014  May 27, 2014  $167,716   $0.18230 
March 25, 2014  June 16, 2014  June 27, 2014  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2014  July 15, 2014  July 28, 2014  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2014  August 15, 2014  August 27, 2014  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2014  September 15, 2014  September 29, 2014  $293,503   $0.18230 

 

NOTE 14 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

In accordance with ASC 260, outstanding instruments that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities. The Company is required to apply the two-class method or the treasury stock method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share when there are participating securities outstanding. The Company has determined that outstanding unvested restricted shares issued under the Manager Equity Plan are participating securities, and they are therefore included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The following tables provide additional disclosure regarding the computation for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013: 

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Net income (loss)       $5,034,027        $(17,014,568)
                     
Less dividends paid:                    
Common stock  $5,518,406        $3,546,840      
Unvested share-based                    
payment awards   880,509         -      
         6,398,915         3,546,840 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)       $(1,364,888)       $(20,561,408)
                     
     Unvested Share-Based           Unvested Share-Based       
     Payment Awards     Common Stock     Payment Awards     Common Stock 
                     
Distributed earnings  $0.37   $0.37   $-   $0.48 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)   (0.09)   (0.09)   (2.79)   (2.79)
Total  $0.28   $0.28   $(2.79)  $(2.31)

 

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NOTE 14 – EARNINGS PER SHARE (Continued)

 

   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Net income (loss)       $6,917,362        $(7,516,074)
                     
Less dividends paid:                    
Common stock  $12,710,344        $7,311,903      
Unvested share-based                    
payment awards   1,997,004         2,326      
         14,707,348         7,314,229 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)       $(7,789,986)       $(14,830,303)
                     
     Unvested Share-Based           Unvested Share-Based       
     Payment Awards     Common Stock     Payment Awards     Common Stock 
                     
Distributed earnings  $1.10   $1.10   $-   $1.28 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)   (0.67)   (0.67)   (2.60)   (2.60)
Total  $0.43   $0.43   $(2.60)  $(1.32)

 

No adjustment was required for the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the warrants described in Note 9 because the warrants’ exercise price is greater than the average market price of the common shares for the period, and thereby anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE 15 – SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company invests in a portfolio comprised of mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage loans, and other mortgage-related investments, and operates as a single reporting segment. 

 

NOTE 16 – INCOME TAXES

 

Pursuant to ASC 740, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company is currently in a net deferred tax liability position, federal $160,448 and state $18,688, and has no income tax expense or tax provision as at September 30, 2014.

 

   As of September 30, 2014 
Non-current Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)     
Unrealized Gain (Security)   (430,782)
Net Operating Losses   251,646 
Non-current Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)   (179,136)
Valuation Allowance   - 
Net Non-current Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)   (179,136)

 

NOTE 17 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On October 14, 2014, the Company reported that FOAC had sold a portfolio of loans to JP Morgan Acquisition Corp., which then sold these loans to JP Morgan Acceptance Corp., which in turn sold the same loans to J.P. Morgan Mortgage Trust 2014-OAK4 (“JPMMT 2014-OAK4”). JPMMT 2014-OAK4 then sold certificates backed by the mortgage loans sold by FOAC and mortgage loans sold by others, and the Company purchased all of the subordinated Class B Certificates issued by the Trust. As a result, the Company expects to determine that it is the primary beneficiary of JPMMT 2014-OAK4, and accordingly expects to consolidate the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of JPMMT 2014-OAK4. In connection with this transaction, and in accordance with Section 8 of the management agreement between the Company and the Manager and after approval in accordance with the Company's Related Party Transactions Policies and Procedures, the Company paid to the Manager an aggregate amount of $0.8 million in respect of due diligence, securitization and mortgage banking services.

 

On October 21, 2014, the Company purchased its second equity tranche of a Multi-Family MBS transaction for approximately $22.9 million. As a result, the Company expects to determine that it is the primary beneficiary of the related trust, and accordingly expects to consolidate the trusts assets, liabilities, income and expense as of and for the period ending December 31, 2014.

 

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

  

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or this “report,” we refer to Five Oaks Investment Corp. as “we,” “us,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our external manager, Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC, as our “Manager” or “Oak Circle”.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes to our financial statements, which are included in Item 1 of this report, as well as the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013,or our 2013 Annual Report, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 12, 2014.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We make forward-looking statements in this report that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, on March 12, 2014, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements that we make, or that are attributable to us, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Overview

 

We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a leveraged portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, or MBS, including Non-Agency and Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, Multi-Family MBS, residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related investments, which we collectively refer to as our target assets.

 

Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our investors, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. To achieve this objective, we currently, or expect to, invest in the following assets:

 

· Non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity;

 

· Residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related investments, including securitizations backed by multi-family mortgage loans, or Multi-Family MBS, and mortgage servicing rights, or MSRs; and

 

· Agency RMBS, which are residential mortgage-backed securities, for which a U.S. Government agency such as Ginnie Mae or a federally chartered corporation such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, guarantees payments of principal and interest on the securities;

 

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We finance our current investments in Non-Agency RMBS (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions), Multi-Family MBS and Agency RMBS primarily through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. We finance our investments in residential mortgage loans primarily through short-term borrowings structured as either repurchase agreements or secured loan facilities.

 

We are externally managed and advised by Oak Circle pursuant to a management agreement between us and Oak Circle. Oak Circle, which was formed for the purpose of becoming our Manager, manages us exclusively and, unless and until Oak Circle agrees to manage any additional investment vehicle, it will not have to allocate investment opportunities in our target assets with any other REIT, investment pool or other entity. As our Manager, Oak Circle implements our business strategy, performs investment advisory services and activities with respect to our assets and is responsible for performing all of our day-to-day operations. Oak Circle is an investment adviser registered with the SEC.

  

We elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2012, and comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, we are generally not subject to federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we currently distribute to our stockholders so long as we maintain our qualification as a REIT. Our continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to, among other things, the source of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. Even if we maintain our qualification as a REIT, we expect to be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income generated in our wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp., or FOAC.

 

Third Quarter 2014 Highlights and Subsequent Events

 

·We delivered a positive economic return on common equity of 0.9% for the quarter, or 3.6% annualized, comprised of $0.38 dividend per common share more than offsetting a $0.26 decrease in net book value per share.
  
·

On September 16, 2014, we acquired in the secondary market our first investment in the first loss tranche of a Freddie Mac K-Series Multi-Family MBS transaction, together with a related interest-only tranche, for a combined investment amount of $55.5 million, and consolidated the assets and liabilities of the Trust in our third quarter financial statements. The consolidated liabilities of the Trust only have recourse to the Trust’s assets, and are therefore non-recourse to us as the consolidator.

  
·On October 21, 2014, we acquired also in the secondary market a similar such equity tranche for approximately $22.9 million, and expect to consolidate the trust’s assets and liabilities as of and for the period ending December 31, 2014.
  
·On October 9, 2014, we completed our inaugural participation in a prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization transaction, continuing the implementation of our securitization strategy that we began implementing approximately 18 months ago. FOAC was the largest single contributor of loans to the securitization, J.P. Morgan Mortgage Trust 2014-OAK4; and we purchased all of the subordinated Class B certificates in the transaction. Accordingly, we expect to consolidate all of this trust’s assets and liabilities as of and for the period ending December 31, 2014.

 

Factors Impacting Our Operating Results

 

The results of our operations will be affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, our target assets in the marketplace. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts, will vary primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates and prepayment speeds, as measured by the constant prepayment rate, or CPR, on our MBS and mortgage loans. Interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results may also be impacted by unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans are included in our MBS, or whose loans we own directly. Our operating results will also be affected by general U.S. residential real estate fundamentals and the overall U.S. economic environment. In particular, our strategy is influenced by the specific characteristics of the residential real estate markets, including prepayment rates, credit and interest rate levels.

 

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 Market conditions.    Due to the significant repricing of real estate assets after the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the continuing uncertainty in the direction of the real estate markets, we believe there remains an ongoing shortage of debt and equity capital available for investing in real estate has been created as many financial institutions, insurance companies, finance companies and fund managers have determined to reduce or discontinue investment in debt or equity related to real estate. Although housing prices in many markets have since recovered, there remain opportunities for us to capitalize on market dislocations and the increasing need for private capital in the U.S. mortgage market.

 

During the third quarter of 2014, financial markets remained relatively sanguine about the Federal Reserve’s policy of tapering, as the Federal Reserve continued its policy of consistent reduction in the pace of asset purchases. On July 30, 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it would further reduce its monthly purchases of Agency RMBS and Treasury securities to $10 billion and $15 billion, respectively, and on September 17, 2014, an additional reduction of monthly purchases was announced to $5 billion and $10 billion for Agency RMBS and Treasury securities, respectively. The Federal Reserve officially announced the final reduction in its Quantitative Easing or QE, asset purchases at its October 2014 meeting; however, even with the end of QE, it appears the Federal Reserve will continue to reinvest in mortgage-backed security principal repayments for the foreseeable future. Starting the quarter at 2.56%, the 10-year Treasury yield traded in a 2.30%-2.69% range, before ending the quarter at 2.49%. While this would suggest that markets have largely come to terms with the conclusion of tapering, and while we continue to believe that mortgage-related assets offer attractive investment opportunities for us, the potential for renewed fixed income and mortgage market volatility remains. We expect that market conditions will continue to impact our operating results and will cause us to continue adjusting our investment and financing strategies over time as new opportunities emerge and risk profiles of our business change.

 

Changes in market interest rates.    With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) the value of our MBS and loan portfolio to decline; (2) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to higher interest rates; (3) prepayments on our MBS and loan portfolio to slow, thereby slowing the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to increase; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to increase. Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) prepayments on our MBS and loan portfolio to increase, thereby accelerating the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (2) the value of our MBS and loan portfolio to increase; (3) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to lower interest rates; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to decrease; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to decrease.

 

Prepayment speeds.    Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the CPR, vary according to interest rates, the type of residential mortgage loan, conditions in financial markets and housing markets, availability of residential mortgages, borrowers' credit profiles, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. CPR, expressed as a percentage over a pool of residential mortgages, is the rate at which principal is expected to prepay in the given year (usually the next one). For example, if a certain residential mortgage loan pool has a CPR of 9%, then 9% of the existing pool principal outstanding is expected to prepay over the next year. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their residential mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, however, prepayment speeds tend to increase. When house price appreciation is positive, prepayment rates may increase, and when house prices depreciate in value, prepayment rates may decline. For RMBS and loans purchased at a premium, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn on these investments will be less than expected because the purchase premium we will pay for the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income greater than expected and can extend the period over which we amortize the purchase premium. For RMBS and loans purchased at a discount, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn will be greater than expected because of the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income less than expected and can extend the period over which we accrete the purchase discount into interest income. Generally, our Multi-Family MBS investments are not subject to prepayment risk, because scheduled repayments on the underlying multi-family mortgage loans are allocated to the most senior security in each transaction, and unscheduled repayments are held in the trust until the maturity date of the MBS securities. As a result, our Multi-Family MBS investments are scheduled to be repaid in full on a bullet maturity date.

 

Changes in market value of our assets.    Other than our residential mortgage loans, as discussed below, it is our business strategy to hold our target assets as long-term investments. As such, we expect that our securities will be carried at their fair value, as available-for-sale, or AFS, when applicable, in accordance with ASC 320-10 "Investments-Debt and Equity Securities," with changes in fair value recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), a component of stockholders' equity, rather than through earnings. As a result, we do not expect that changes in the market value of the assets will normally impact our operating results. However, at least on a quarterly basis, we monitor our target assets for other-than-temporary impairment, which could result in our recognizing a charge through earnings. See "-Critical Accounting Policies" for further details. The primary exception to this accounting policy relates to residential mortgage loans, which we intend to sell, either into a securitization transaction, or into the secondary market. Accordingly, we have elected the fair value option for mortgage loan assets, and as such, changes in the market value of these assets will directly impact our earnings.

 

 

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Credit risk.    We expect to be subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS investments and residential mortgage loans. Our Manager seeks to mitigate this credit risk by estimating expected losses on these assets and either (i) purchasing such assets at appropriate discounted prices, e.g. for Non-Agency RMBS; or (ii) reviewing credit risk on a loan-by-loan basis and rejecting individual loans when deemed appropriate. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur, which could adversely impact our operating results.

 

Governmental actions. Since 2008, when both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under the conservatorship of the U.S. government, there have been a number of proposals to reform the U.S. housing finance system in general, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in particular. GSE reform efforts appeared to lose momentum in the third quarter of 2014, with the Johnson-Crapo Bill failing to secure enough support to be brought to a vote in the Senate. It remains unclear whether any proposal will become law or, should such proposal become law, how it would impact housing finance, and what impact, if any, it would have on mortgage REITs.

 

In August 2014, the Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a request for comment on a proposal to establish a “Single Security” for Agency RMBS, with the intention of leveraging the GSEs’ existing security structures and attempting to combine the best features of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac MBS to simplify and standardize structures, terms and disclosures for investors.

 

For a discussion of additional risks relating to our business see “Risk Factors” in our 2013 Annual Report and in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

  

Multi-Family Loan Consolidation Reporting Requirement for the 2011-K13 Trust

 

As of September 30, 2014, we determined that we were the primary beneficiary of one Multi-Family MBS securitization trust, based on our ownership of 85% of, the first-loss, principal-only tranche, the Class C Certificates, issued by the 2011-K13 Trust, and accordingly we consolidated the assets and liabilities of this Trust into our financial statements.

 

We acquired the equity of the Trust and a related interest-only tranche, on September 16, 2014 in the secondary market for $55.5 million. This investment represents our first Multi-Family mortgage loan K-Series.

 

We have elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the 2011-K13 Trust. We have also adopted early (see Note 2 to our Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at and for the period ended September 30, 2014) ASU 2014-13, pursuant to which we are required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of the Trust is more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the assets of the Trust being equal to the fair value of its liabilities.

 

Securitization trusts are structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders. Although our consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014 includes the gross assets and liabilities of the 2011-K13 Trust, the assets of the trust are restricted and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the entity. Additionally, the obligations of the Trust do not have any recourse to us as the consolidator of the Trust. Accordingly, we are only exposed to the risk of loss on our net investment in the Trust. As of September 30, 2014 the Trust was composed of a portfolio of 81 multi-family mortgage loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $1,205,478,140. Since the consolidation occurred late in the third quarter, it has had no meaningful impact on our statement of operations for the quarter.

 

We do not have any claims to the assets (other than the security represented by our first loss piece) or obligations for the liabilities of the Trust. Our maximum exposure to loss from our consolidation is our carrying value of $55.8 million as of September 30, 2014 which represents our net investment in the Trust as set out below. As a result, for the purpose of describing our investment activities, we may present them on a net investment basis.

 

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As of September 30, 2014, we had $2,243,760,924 of total assets, as compared to $528,201,405 as of December 31, 2013. A substantial portion of the increase is attributable to the consolidation of the 2011-K13 Trust for the first time. A reconciliation of our net investment in the Trust with our financial statements as of September 30, 2014 follows:

 

Multi-family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value  $1,368,692,410 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations  $1,312,890,841 
Net carrying value of investment of Multi-Family MBS held by us  $55,801,569 

  

Investment Activities

 

As of September 30, 2014, on a GAAP basis we had decreased our overall investments in MBS to $507.0 million, compared to $570.8 million as of June 30, 2014. Within this total, we had decreased our Agency RMBS from $501.0 million to $445.8 million, decreased our Non-Agency RMBS from $62.5 million to $61.2 million, and decreased our Multi-Family MBS from $7.2 million to $0.0 million, from quarter-end to quarter-end. As of September 30, 2014, we owned $824.9 million of MBS on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transaction, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust), of which $445.8 million was in Agency RMBS, $213.3 million was in Non-Agency RMBS and $165.8 million was in Multi-Family MBS. Of the $213.3 million, $152.1 million was in Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions and of the $165.8 million; $110.0 million was in Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions and $55.8 million represented our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust. As of September 30, 2014, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis we had increased our investment in residential mortgage loans from $4.5 million to $227.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, for our available-for-sale securities we had entered into master repurchase agreements with 27 counterparties, and we had borrowed $499.5 million, on a GAAP basis, and $685.7 million, on a non-GAAP basis (including the repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) under 17 of these agreements. This compares to $508.3 million, on a GAAP basis, and $706.0 million, on a non-GAAP basis, respectively, as of June 30, 2014. For our mortgage loans held-for-sale we had entered into two master repurchase agreements and one loan and security agreement, and we had borrowed $205.2 million, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis under these agreements, as of September 30, 2014. The increase in borrowings between periods is a result of the continued deployment of the net proceeds from our June 2014 common stock offering and subsequent exercise of the “green shoe” in July. We have also entered into interest rate swap and swaption agreements designed to mitigate the effects of increases in interest rates under a portion of our repurchase agreements. During the third quarter we decreased the notional amount of swap agreements to $226.0 million, compared to $378.0 million as of June 30, 2014. We maintained the notional amount of our swaption agreements at $25.0 million as of September 30, 2014, while increasing the range of other derivative instruments used during the quarter to help mitigate interest rate and other market risks, including Agency to be announced securities, or TBAs, and U.S. Treasury futures. We used futures during the period, and there were 3,790 futures contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2014, representing a notional amount of $379.0 million.

 

We use leverage to increase potential returns to our stockholders. To that end, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act, we use borrowings to fund the origination or acquisition of our target assets. We accomplish this by borrowing against existing assets through repurchase agreements. Neither our organizational documents nor our investment guidelines places any limit on the maximum amount of leverage that we may use, and we are not required to maintain any particular debt-to-equity leverage ratio. We may also change our financing strategy and leverage without the consent of our stockholders.

 

As of September 30, 2014, we consolidated the assets and liabilities of the 2011-K13 Trust. The assets of the Trust are restricted and can only be used to fulfill its obligations. Accordingly, the obligations of the Trust, which we classify as Multi-Family securitized debt obligations, do not have any recourse to us as the consolidator of the Trust. As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of these non-recourse liabilities was $1,312,890,841, and they are excluded from discussion and analysis of our leverage.

 

As of September 30, 2014, we borrowed 3.2 times our stockholders' equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP); 4.0 times after including repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions (calculated on a non-GAAP basis), representing an increase from 2.3 times and 3.3 times, respectively, as of June 30, 2014. We expect our leverage (on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis) will range between three and six times the amount of our stockholders' equity, depending upon the relative allocation to Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loans. We expect to borrow between six and nine times the amount of our stockholders' equity in acquiring Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans, between one and two times when acquiring Legacy Non-Agency RMBS, between one and three times when acquiring Multi-Family MBS, and between one and three times when acquiring New Issue Non-Agency RMBS. The leverage our Manager is comfortable applying to each asset class at any point in time is a function of the yield profile across housing environments and also a function of price or market values in environments of excessive volatility. The increase in our leverage during the period was principally due to deployment of capital raised during the previous quarter. Depending on the different cost of borrowing funds at different maturities, we vary the maturities of our borrowed funds to attempt to produce lower borrowing costs and reduce interest rate risk. Generally, we enter into collateralized borrowings only with institutions that are rated investment grade by at least one nationally-recognized statistical rating organization. Going forward, as we seek to continue expanding the range of available financing sources, we may borrow from institutions that, although not rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, in the assessment of our management team represent an acceptable counterparty credit risk in providing collateralized financing for our portfolio. Nonetheless, we expect that the preponderance of our sources of collateralized borrowings (84.5% as of September 30, 2014) will continue to either have an investment grade rating directly or be part of a group of companies which includes an institution that has such a rating.

 

46
 

 

The leverage that we employ is specific to each asset class in which we invest and will be determined based on several factors, including potential asset price volatility, margin requirements, the current cycle for interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, credit, security price, the outlook for interest rates and our ability to use and the effectiveness of interest rate hedges. We analyze both historical interest rate and credit volatility and market-driven implied volatility for each asset class in order to determine potential asset price volatility. Our leverage targets attempt to risk-adjust asset classes based on each asset class's potential price volatility. The goal of our leverage strategy is to ensure that, at all times, our investment portfolio's leverage ratio is appropriate for the level of risk inherent in the investment portfolio and that each asset class has individual leverage targets that are appropriate for its potential price volatility.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Agency RMBS portfolio had a weighted average nominal coupon of 2.72% at a weighted average amortized cost of $101.4 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $447.7 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Agency portfolio was $100.9 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $445.8 million in the aggregate. All of our Agency securities represent whole pool securities.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, on a GAAP basis, had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.38% at a weighted average amortized cost of $62.5 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $53.9 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, on a GAAP basis, was $70.9 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $61.2 million in the aggregate. 

 

As of September 30, 2014, we did not own any Multi-Family MBS on a GAAP basis.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.39% at a weighted average amortized cost of $63.6 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $142.3 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions) was $68.0 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $152.1 million in the aggregate.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Multi-Family MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) had a weighted average nominal coupon of 5.35% at a weighted average amortized cost of $99.8 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $34.2 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Multi-Family MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) was $100.6 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $34.5 million in aggregate.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Multi-Family IO MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust) had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.18% at a weighted average amortized cost of $0.8 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $7.8 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Multi-Family MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) was $0.8 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $7.8 million in aggregate.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our Multi-Family PO MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust) had a weighted average nominal coupon of 0.00% at a weighted average amortized cost of $67.6 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $120.7 million total cost. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our Multi-Family MBS portfolio on a non-GAAP basis (including Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) was $69.2 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $123.5 million in aggregate.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our residential mortgage loan portfolio on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, had a weighted average nominal coupon 4.27% at a weighted average amortized cost $102.9 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $226.4 million in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average market price of our residential mortgage loan portfolio was $103.1 per $100 of nominal, or face, value, or $227.0 million in the aggregate. All of our residential mortgage loans are secured by first priority mortgages on the underlying properties.

 

 

47
 

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2014: (1) as reported in accordance with GAAP, which excludes the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust; (2) to show separately the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and out net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust; and (3) on a non-GAAP combined basis (which reflects the inclusion of the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust combined with our GAAP-reported MBS):     

 

GAAP Basis           

 

$ in thousands  Principal
Balance
  

Unamortized

Premium
(Discount)

   Designated 
Credit
Reserve
   Amortized
Cost
  

Unrealized 

Gain/
(Loss)

   Fair
Value
  

Net 

Weighted 

Average
Coupon(1)

  

Average
Yield(2)

 
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $2,616   $64   $-   $2,679   $(37)  $2,642    2.50%   1.97%
30 year fixed-rate   118,304    6,672    -    124,976    (3,975)   121,001    3.50%   2.69%
Hybrid ARMS   320,757    (740)   -    320,016    2,155    322,171    2.44%   2.68%
Total Agency RMBS   441,676    5,996    -    447,672    (1,857)   445,815    2.72%   2.68%

Non-Agency RMBS

   86,204    (17,809)   (14,518)   53,877    7,283    61,160    0.38%   7.86%

Multi-Family MBS

   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Multi-Family MBS PO   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Total Multi-Family MBS

   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Multi-Family MBS IO,
   fair value option

   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Multi-Family MBS PO,
   fair value option
   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Total Multi-Family MBS,
   fair value option

   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Residential Mortgage Loans   226,430    -    -    226,430    567    226,997    4.27%   4.27%

Total/Weighted Average (GAAP) 

  $754,311   $(11,813)  $(14,518)  $727,979   $5,993   $733,972    2.92    3.56 

 

Non-GAAP Adjustments

 

$ in thousands  Principal
Balance
  

Unamortized

Premium
(Discount)

   Designated 
Credit
Reserve
   Amortized
Cost
  

Unrealized 

Gain/
(Loss)

   Fair
Value
  

Net 

Weighted 

Average
Coupon(1)

  

Average
Yield(2)

 
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-    -    - 
30 year fixed-rate   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Hybrid ARMS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                         
Total Agency RMBS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Non-Agency RMBS

   223,661    (38,385)   (42,982)   142,293    9,826    152,119    0.39%   7.70%

Multi-Family MBS

   34,283    (78)   -    34,204    282    34,486    5.35%   5.39%
Multi-Family MBS PO   98,760    (25,692)   -    73,069    2,487    75,556    0.00%   6.36%

Total Multi-Family MBS

   133,043    (25,770)   -    107,273    2,769    110,042    1.38%   6.05%

Multi-Family MBS IO,
   fair value option

   1,024,656    -    -    7,845    (35)   7,810    0.18%   N/A 
Multi-Family MBS PO,
   fair value option
   79,746    -    -    47,671    320    47,992    0.00%   N/A 

Total Multi-Family MBS,
   fair value option

   1,104,403    -    -    55,516    285    55,802    0.16%   N/A 
Residential Mortgage Loans   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

Total/Weighted Average (GAAP) 

  $1,461,106   $(64,155)  $(42,982)  $305,083   $12,880   $317,962    0.76%   6.99%

 

48
 

 

Non-GAAP Basis 

 

$ in thousands  Principal
Balance
  

Unamortized

Premium
(Discount)

   Designated 
Credit
Reserve
   Amortized
Cost
  

Unrealized 

Gain/
(Loss)

   Fair
Value
  

Net 

Weighted 

Average
Coupon(1)

  

Average
Yield(2)

 
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $2,616   $64   $-   $2,679    (37)  $2,642    2.50%   1.97%
30 year fixed-rate   118,304    6,672    -    124,976    (3,975)   121,001    3.50%   2.69%
Hybrid ARMS   320,757    (740)   -    320,016    2,155    322,171    2.44%   2.68%
                                         
Total Agency RMBS   441,676    5,996    -    447,672    (1,857)   445,815    2.72%   2.68%
 Non-Agency RMBS   309,865    (56,195)   (57,501)   196,170    17,109    213,279    0.39%   7.74%
Multi-Family MBS   34,283    (78)   -    34,204    282    34,486    5.35%   5.39%
Multi-Family MBS PO   98,760    (25,692)   -    73,069    2,487    75,556    0.00%   6.36%
 Total Multi-Family MBS   133,043    (25,770)   -    107,273    2,769    110,042    1.38%   6.05%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair
   value option
   1,024,656    -    -    7,845    (35)   7,810    0.18%   N/A 
Multi-Family MBS PO,
   fair value option
   79,746    -    -    47,671    320    47,992    0.00%   N/A 
Total Multi-Family MBS,
   fair value option
   1,104,403    -    -    55,516    285    55,802    0.16%   N/A 
Residential Mortgage Loans   226,430    -    -    226,430    567    226,997    4.27%   4.27%
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)
  $2,215,417   $(75,969)  $(57,501)  $1,033,061   $18,873   $1,051,934    1.20%   4.44%

   

(1)Weighted average coupon is presented net of servicing and other fees.
  
(2)Average yield incorporates future prepayment assumptions.

 

The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our investment portfolio on a non-GAAP combined basis (including Non-Agency RMBS underlying Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust), at fair value, according to their estimated weighted average life classifications as of September 30, 2014:

 

   September 30, 2014
Fair Value
 
Less than one year  $- 
Greater than one year and less than five years   106,412,075 
Greater than or equal to five years   945,522,145 
Total  $1,051,934,221 

  

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The following table presents certain information about the carrying value of our investment portfolio, MBS, residential mortgage loans and the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust, as of September 30, 2014:

 

   GAAP 
Basis
   Non-GAAP 
Adjustments
   Non-GAAP 
Basis 
(Combined)
 
Principal balance  $754,310,561   $1,461,106,396   $2,215,416,957 
Unamortized premium   8,552,246    -    8,552,246 
Unamortized discount               
Designated credit reserve   (14,518,427)   (42,982,300)   (57,500,728)
Net, unamortized   (20,365,728)   (64,155,188)   (84,520,916)
Amortized cost   727,978,652    305,082,571    1,033,061,223 
Gross unrealized gains   10,780,379    13,744,444    24,524,823 
Gross unrealized losses   (4,787,282)   (864,543)   (5,651,825)
Carrying value/estimated fair values  $733,971,749   $317,962,472   $1,051,934,221 

 

For financial statement reporting purposes, GAAP requires us to account for certain of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS and the associated repurchase agreement financing as Linked Transactions, and requires us to consolidate the assets and liabilitied of the 2011-K13 Trust. Accordingly, the measures in the foregoing tables and charts prepared on a GAAP basis do not include Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust. However, in managing and evaluating the composition and performance of our MBS portfolio, we do not view the purchase of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS and the associated repurchase agreement financing as transactions that are linked, and our maximum exposure to loss from consolidation of the Trust is $55.8 million (our net investment) as of September 30, 2014. We therefore have also presented certain information that includes the Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, and Multi-Family MBS underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust. This information constitutes non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G, as promulgated by the SEC. We believe that this non-GAAP information enhances the ability of investors to analyze our MBS portfolio and the performance of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS in the same way that we assess our MBS portfolio and such assets. While we believe the non-GAAP information included in this report provides supplemental information to assist investors in analyzing that portion of our portfolio composed of Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, these measures are not in accordance with GAAP, and they should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, our financial information calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

 

Variances between GAAP and Tax Income.    Due to the potential timing differences in the recognition of GAAP net income compared to REIT taxable income on our investments, our net income and the unamortized amount of purchase discounts and premiums calculated in accordance with GAAP may differ significantly from such amounts calculated for purposes of determining our REIT taxable income. In accordance with GAAP, a portion of the purchase discounts on our Non-Agency RMBS are allocated to a Credit Reserve and, as such, are not expected to be accreted into interest income. In addition, under GAAP, certain Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying our Linked Transactions are not reported as MBS; however, for purposes of determining our REIT taxable income, all Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including those underlying Linked Transactions, are treated as being owned and the purchase discounts associated with these securities are accreted into taxable income over the life of the applicable security. Our total MBS portfolio for tax purposes differs from our portfolio reported for GAAP. These differences are primarily due to the fact that for tax purposes Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions are included in our tax portfolio. In addition, for bonds common to both tax and GAAP-reported portfolios, potential timing differences arise with respect to the accretion of market discount into income for tax purposes as compared to GAAP. 

 

Financing and other liabilities.    We have entered into repurchase agreements to finance the majority of our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. These agreements are secured by our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS and bear interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR. As of September 30, 2014, we had entered into repurchase agreements totaling $499.5 million, on a GAAP basis, and $685.7 million, on a non-GAAP basis, of which $186.2 million are repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions. As addressed under “Investment Activities” above, we are expanding the range of counterparties we will utilize for our master repurchase agreements to include certain institutions our management team identifies as credit-worthy but which may not have an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  

 

The following table summarizes the average balance, the end of period balance and the maximum balance at month-end of our repurchase agreements for the period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 on both a GAAP basis (which excludes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) and non-GAAP basis (which includes repurchase agreement financing associated with Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions):  

 

50
 

  

   Repurchase Agreements 
GAAP  Period  
Average  
Balance
   End of Period  
Balance
   Maximum Balance 
at Month-End 
During the Period
 
Period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014  $548,185,228   $499,462,000   $513,985,000 

 

   Repurchase Agreements 
Non-GAAP (Includes repurchase 
agreements underlying Linked Transactions)
  Period 
Average 
Balance
   End of Period 
Balance
   Maximum Balance 
at Month-End
During the Period
 
Period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014  $577,999,070   $685,659,000   $731,118,000 

 

As of September 30, 2014, we had entered into two warehouse facilities structured as repurchase agreements and one warehouse facility structured as a loan and security agreement to finance our residential mortgage loans. These agreements are secured by our prime jumbo mortgage loans and bears interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR. As of September 30, 2014, we had borrowings totaling $205.2 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis under this agreement. As addressed under “Investment Activities” above, we are expanding the range of counterparties we will utilize for our master repurchase agreements to include certain institutions our management team identifies as credit-worthy but which may not have an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  

 

The following table summarized the average balance, the end of period balance and the maximum balance at month-end of our repurchase agreements for the period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis.

 

   Repurchase Agreements 
GAAP and non-GAAP  Period  
Average  
Balance
   End of Period  
Balance
   Maximum Balance 
at Month-End 
During the Period
 
Period from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014  $38,197,011   $205,161,626   $205,161,626 

 

Hedging instruments.    Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we generally hedge as much of our interest rate risk as we deem prudent in light of market conditions. No assurance can be given that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition. Our investment policies do not contain specific requirements as to the percentages or amount of interest rate risk that we are required to hedge. 

 

Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things: 

 

·available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;
  
·the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;
  
·the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay;
  
·the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and
  
·the value of derivatives used for hedging may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with accounting rules to reflect changes in fair value. Downward adjustments or mark-to-market losses would reduce our stockholders' equity.

 

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As of September 30, 2014, we had entered into eight interest rate swap agreements designed to mitigate the effects of increases in interest rates under a portion of our repurchase agreements. These swap agreements generally provide for us to pay fixed interest rates and to receive floating payments indexed off of one-month and three-month LIBOR, effectively fixing the floating interest rates on $226 million of borrowings under our repurchase agreements. We had also entered into one interest rate swaption agreement designed to mitigate the effects of sudden large increases in interest rates, and in addition, during the period we also employed U.S. Treasury futures for interest rate hedging purposes. Our investment guidelines do not place any limit on the percentage of assets that we may invest in interest rate or other derivative agreements. The mark-to-market value of an interest rate derivative agreement under any reasonable interest rate scenario is likely to be a fraction of the notional amount of the asset or liability being hedged.

   

The following table summarizes our hedging activity as of September 30, 2014:

  

Current Maturity Date for Interest Rate Swaps  Notional
Amount
   Fair Value   Fixed 
Rate Pay
   Receive 
Rate
   Maturity 
Years
3 years or less   35,000,000    (109,480)   0.66%   0.19%   1.4
Greater than 3 years and less than 5 years   191,000,000    (720,280)   1.66%   0.23%   4.0
Total   226,000,000    (829,759)   1.51%*   0. 23%   3.6

  

   Option   Underlying Swap 
Current Option 
Expiration Date for 
Interest Rate 
Swaptions
  Cost   Fair  Value   Weighted 
Average 
Years to 
Expiration
   Notional
Amount
   Pay Rate   Weighted  
Average Term
(Years)
 
2 years or less   168,000    325,880    0.5    25,000,000    3.00%   10.0 

 

Stockholders’ Equity and Book Value Per Share  

 

As of September 30, 2014, our stockholders’ equity was $221.1 million, and our book value per common share was $12.50 on a basic and fully diluted basis. Our stockholders’ equity increased by $2.8 million over our stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2014 due to the exercise of the “green shoe” from the June 2014 common stock offering, while book value per common share declined by 2.0% from the previous quarter-end level of $12.76, primarily due to the issuance of the additional 525,000 shares pursuant to the exercise of the green shoe.  

 

Critical Accounting Policies  

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles may require us to make some complex and subjective decisions and assessments. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions, assessments and estimates that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All of our estimates upon which our financial statements are based are based upon information available to us at the time of making the estimate. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, in particular our early adoption of ASU 2014-13, see “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” beginning on page 8 of this report.   

 

Capital Allocation

 

The following table sets forth our allocated capital by investment type at September 30, 2014:

 

  

Capital
Allocation(1)

  

% Capital
Allocation(1)

 
Security Type          
Agency RMBS  $30,293,079    13.70%
Cash and other, net  $20,417,059    9.24%
Multi-Family MBS(2)  $53,101,504    24.20%
Non-Agency RMBS  $71,531,798    32.36%
Residential Mortgage Loans  $45,731,137    20.69%
Net  $221,074,577    100.00%

 

(1)Capital allocation and percentages reflect the fair value of investments, net of associated assets and liabilities, including the fair value of interest rate derivatives. Cash and other, net, represents cash and other assets and liabilities not specifically allocable to individual investments.
(2)Includes the fair value of our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust.

  

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Results of Operations 

 

The table below presents certain information from our Statement of Operations for the period January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and the period January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013: 

  

   Period from
January 1, 2014 to
September 30, 2014
   Period from
January 1, 2013 to
September 30, 2013
 
Revenues:          
Interest income          
Available-for-sale securities  $12,904,238   $12,476,342 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   1,317,585    - 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value   2,433,318      
Cash and cash equivalents   18,395    9,929 
Interest expense          
Repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (1,797,322)   (1,673,495)
Repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (727,005)   - 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   (2,239,797)   - 
Net interest income   11,909,412    10,812,776 
Other income:          
Realized loss on sale of investments, net   (2,433,071)   (31,358,766)
Unrealized gain and net interest income from Linked Transactions   15,458,922    111,905 
Realized loss on interest rate swap agreements   (10,771,684)   19,466,902 
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements   (1,091,127)   (3,174,076)
Realized loss on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (73,132)   - 
Unrealized gain on mortgage loans held-for-sale   567,337    - 
Unrealized gain on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   285,328      
Total other income   1,942,573    (14,954,035)
Expenses:          
Management fee   1,880,566    941,166 
General and administrative expenses   1,361,290    529,436 
Operating expenses reimbursable to our Manager   2,383,413    1,542,099 
Other operating expenses   944,328    202,921 
Compensation Expense   185,890    159,193 
Total expenses   6,755,487    3,374,815 
Net income before provision for income taxes   7,096,498    (7,516,074)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes   (179,139)   - 
Net income  $6,917,362    (7,516,074)
Dividends to preferred stockholders   (1,997,004)   (2,326)
Net income attributable to common stockholders  $4,920,358   $(7,518,400)
Earnings per share          
Net income attributable to common stockholders (basic and diluted)  $4,920,358   $(7,518,400)
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding   11,564,737    5,695,881 
Basic and diluted income per share  $0.43   $(1.32)
Dividends declared per share of common stock  $1.10   $1.28 

 

Net Income Summary         

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our net income attributable to common stockholders was $4,920,358 or $0.43, basic and diluted net income per average share, compared with a net loss of $7,518,400 or ($1.32), basic and diluted net income per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  We did not complete our IPO and concurrent private placement until March 27, 2013, which materially affects the comparability of information between the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The main driver of the higher net income for the current year period, as further described below, was a net other gain of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to net other loss of $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, our net income attributable to common stockholders was $4,153,518 or $0.28, basic and diluted net income per average share, compared with net loss of $17,014,568, or ($2.31), basic and diluted net income per average share, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The primary driver of the higher net income was higher other income, as further described below.

 

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Interest Income and Interest Expense  

 

An important source of income is net interest income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our interest income (including purchased accrued interest) was $16,673,536 and $12,486,271, respectively. Our interest expense (including derivative payments made) was $7,166,809 and $2,321,151, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, and the three months ended September 30, 2013, our interest income (including purchased accrued interest) was $8,267,187 and $4,102,781, respectively. Our interest expense (including derivative payments made) was $4,856,644 and $617,979, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. The year-over-year increase in interest income and interest expense was primarily a result of an increase in portfolio size largely due to the full deployment of net proceeds from our second quarter common and preferred equity offerings.

 

Net Interest Income 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net interest income was $11,909,412 and $10,812,776, respectively.  

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, and the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net interest income was $4,671,089 and $3,548,460, respectively, with the increase reflecting the investment activity noted above.  

 

Other Income  

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our other income represented a gain of $1,942,573, which primarily reflects the impact of net unrealized gain and net interest income on our Linked Transactions of $15,458,922, unrealized gain on multi-family loans held in the 2011-K13 Trust of $285,328 and unrealized gain on residential mortgage loans of $567,337 which in aggregate offset net realized losses on sales of investments of $2,433,071, net unrealized losses on interest rate hedges of $1,091,127, net realized losses of $10,771,684 on interest rate hedges and net realized loss on mortgage loans of $73,132 . It is worth noting that unrealized gains on AFS securities, which typically offset unrealized losses on interest rate hedges, are a component of other comprehensive income, or OCI, and as such are reflected in stockholders’ equity rather than in our statement of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, other net loss totaled $14,954,035, which primarily reflects the impact of net realized losses of $31,358,766 on sales of investments and net unrealized losses on interest rate hedges of $3,174,076, which in aggregate more than offset net realized gains of $19,466,902 on interest rate hedges and unrealized gain and net interest income on our Linked Transactions of $111,905 .  

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, our other income represented a gain of $3,395,299, which primarily reflects the impact of net realized gain on sales of investments of $1,024,168, unrealized gain and net interest income on our Linked Transactions of $754,189, net unrealized gains on interest rate hedges of $10,009,742, unrealized gain on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts of $285,328 and unrealized gain on residential mortgage loans of $474,095, which in aggregate offset net realized losses on interest rate hedges of $9,079,091 and net realized losses on mortgage loans of $73,132. It is worth noting that unrealized gains on AFS securities, which typically offset unrealized losses on interest rate hedges, are a component of OCI, and as such are reflected in stockholders’ equity rather than in our statement of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, other net loss totaled $19,108,391, which primarily reflects the impact of net realized losses of $17,080,871 on sales of investments, unrealized loss and net interest income on our Linked Transactions of $154,913 and net unrealized losses on interest rate hedges of $10,274,003, which in aggregate more than offset net realized gains on interest rate hedges of $8,401,396.

 

Expenses  

 

We incurred management fees of $1,880,566 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred other operating expense of $4,874,921, of which $2,383,413 was payable to our Manager and $2,491,508 was payable directly by us.  Our general and administrative expenses of $1,361,290 for the period ended September 30, 2014 represent the cost of legal, accounting, auditing and consulting services provided to us by third-party service providers.  

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred management fees and other operating expenses of $941,166, and $2,433,649, respectively. Both management fees and other operating expenses generally increase in line with average stockholders’ equity, and this accounts for the increase in period over period expenses. 

 

We incurred management fees of $790,188 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred other operating expense of $2,063,037, of which $843,943 was payable to our Manager and $1,219,094 was payable directly by us.  Our general and administrative expenses of $728,488 for the period ended September 30, 2014 represent the cost of legal, accounting, auditing and consulting services provided to us by third-party service providers.  

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred management fees and other operating expenses of $413,164, and $1,041,473, respectively.

 

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Net Income and Return on Equity  

 

Our net income attributable to common stockholders was $4,920,358 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $1,997,004, representing an annualized return of 4.23% on average stockholders' equity of $155,377,408.  As noted earlier, unrealized net gains or losses on AFS securities are not reflected in our statement of operations, but are instead a component of OCI. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders was $21,441,216, which included $16,520,858 in total other comprehensive income. This represents an annualized return of 18.45% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $7,518,400 after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $2,326 representing an annualized loss of 11.96% on average stockholders' equity of $83,995,770. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders was $17,457,932, which included $9,939,532 in total other comprehensive loss. This represents an annualized loss of 27.78% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

Our net income attributable to common stockholders was $4,153,518 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $880,509, representing an annualized return of 8.72% on average stockholders' equity of $188,901,672.  As noted earlier, unrealized net gains or losses on AFS securities are not reflected in our statement of operations, but are instead a component of OCI. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, our comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders was $2,642,639, which included $1,510,879 in total other comprehensive loss. This represents an annualized return of 5.55% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $17,014,568 representing an annualized loss of 61.27% on average stockholders' equity of $110,177,089. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders was $518,746, which included $16,495,823 in total other comprehensive gain. This represents an annualized loss of 1.87% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

 

As of September 30, 2014, we consolidated the assets and liabilities of the 2011-K13 Trust. The assets of the Trust are restricted and can only be used to fulfill its obligations. Accordingly, the obligations of the Trust, which we classify as Multi-Family securitized debt obligations, do not have any recourse to us as the consolidator of the Trust. As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of these non-recourse liabilities was $1,312,890,841, and they are excluded from discussion and analysis of our liquidity and capital resources.

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to pay dividends, fund investments, repay borrowings and other general business needs. Our primary sources of funds for liquidity consist of the net proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock, or Equity Sales, net cash provided by operating activities, cash from repurchase agreements and other financing arrangements and future issuances of common equity, preferred equity, convertible securities, trust preferred and/or debt securities. We currently finance Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS primarily through the use of repurchase agreements.  

 

As of September 30, 2014, our source of funds, apart from our Equity Sales consisted of net proceeds from repurchase agreements related to available-for-sale securities totaling $499.5 million, on a GAAP basis, and $685.7 million, on a non-GAAP basis, including $186.2 million from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions, with a weighted-average borrowing rate of 0.57%, on a GAAP basis, and 0.89%, on a non-GAAP basis, which we used to finance the acquisition of Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions and repurchase agreements related to held-for-sale mortgage loans totaling $205.2 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, with a weighted-average borrowing rate of 2.55% which we used to finance the acquisition of prime jumbo mortgage loans. We generally target a debt-to-equity ratio with respect to our Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans of six to nine times, between one and two times when acquiring Legacy Non-Agency RMBS, between one and three times when acquiring Multi-Family MBS, and between one and three times when acquiring New Issue Non-Agency RMBS. As of September 30, 2014, we had an overall debt-to-equity ratio of 3.2:1 (calculated using balances determined under GAAP), or 4.0:1 when including repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions (calculated on a non-GAAP basis). The repurchase obligations mature and reinvest every 30 to 360 days. See "-Contractual Obligations and Commitments" below. We expect to continue to borrow funds in the form of repurchase agreements. As of September 30, 2014, for our available-for-sale securities we had established 27 repurchase borrowing arrangements with various investment banking firms and other lenders, and as of September 30, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings with 17 of these lenders totaling $499.5 million, on a GAAP basis, and $685.7 million, on a non-GAAP basis, including $186.2 million from repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2014, for our held-for-sale mortgage loans we had established 2 master repurchase agreements and one loan and security agreement with various investment banking firms, and as of September 30, 2014 we had $205.2 million outstanding under these agreements.

 

Under repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to our repurchase agreement counterparties (lenders) in the event that the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral, which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Generally, repurchase agreements contain a financing rate, term and trigger levels for margin calls and haircuts depending on the types of collateral and the counterparties involved. If the estimated fair value of the investment securities increases due to changes in market interest rates or market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us. Specifically, margin calls may result from a decline in the value of the investments securing our repurchase agreements, prepayments on the residential mortgages securing our MBS investments and from changes in the estimated fair value of such investments generally due to principal reduction of such investments from scheduled amortization and resulting from changes in market interest rates and other market factors. Counterparties also may choose to increase haircuts based on credit evaluations of us and/or the performance of the bonds in question. Across all of our repurchase facilities, the haircuts range from a low of 3% to a high of 40%, and the weighted average haircut was 13.1% as of September 30, 2014. Declines in the value of our securities portfolio can trigger margin calls by our lenders under our repurchase agreements. Should prepayment speeds on the residential mortgages underlying our MBS investments or market interest rates increase, margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. 

 

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As of September 30, 2014, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $21.1 million and unpledged securities of $0.7 million available to meet margin calls on our repurchase agreements (including those repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions) and derivative instruments, compared to $55.8 million as of June 30, 2014. Accordingly, based on our leverage level and liquidity position as of September 30, 2014, if the decline in market value of our securities collateralizing our repurchase facilities, or the combination of declining market value of our pledged securities and increasing haircuts, were to exceed the amount of our available liquidity, then we would have to sell assets and may not realize sufficient proceeds to repay the amounts we owe to our lenders. However, as our liquidity decreased, we would attempt to de-leverage in an effort to avoid such a situation. In the period ended September 30, 2014, we did experience certain margin calls, generally the result of either principal paydowns on, or decreased market prices of, our MBS investments, and all such margin calls were promptly met. In general, periods of heightened market volatility will result in more frequent changes in the prices of MBS investments, and thus increased frequency of margin calls.   

 

Upon repayment of each borrowing under a repurchase agreement, we may use the collateral immediately for borrowing under a new repurchase agreement. We have not at the present time entered into any other commitment agreements under which the lender would be required to enter into new repurchase agreements during a specified period of time.  

 

We intend to maintain a level of liquidity in relation to our assets that enables us to meet reasonably anticipated margin calls but that also allows us to be substantially invested in Agency and Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loans. We may misjudge the appropriate amount of our liquidity by maintaining excessive liquidity, which would lower our investment returns, or by maintaining insufficient liquidity, which would force us to liquidate assets into unfavorable market conditions and harm our operating results.  

 

Forward-Looking Statements Regarding Liquidity  

 

Based upon our current portfolio, leverage rate and available borrowing arrangements, we believe that the net proceeds of our Equity Sales combined with cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term (one year or less) liquidity requirements to fund our investment activities, pay fees under our management agreement, fund our distributions to stockholders and for other general corporate expenses.  

 

Our ability to meet our long-term (greater than one year) liquidity and capital resource requirements will be subject to obtaining additional debt financing and equity capital. We may increase our capital resources by obtaining long-term credit facilities or making additional public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, possibly including classes of preferred stock, common stock and senior or subordinated notes. Such financing will depend on market conditions for capital raises and for the investment of any proceeds. If we are unable to renew, replace or expand our sources of financing on substantially similar terms, it may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.  

 

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain). These distribution requirements limit our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital for operations.  

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments  

 

We entered into a contractual arrangement with our Manager when we commenced operations on May 16, 2012. Our Manager is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses. Because our management agreement provides that our Manager is responsible for managing our affairs, our executive officers, who are employees of our Manager and not our employees, will not receive cash compensation from us for serving as our executive officers. We have no employees.  

   

The Five Oaks Investment Corp. Manager Equity Plan, or the Manager Equity Plan, includes provisions for grants of restricted common stock and other equity based awards to our Manager and to our independent directors, consultants or officers whom we may directly employ in the future. In turn, our Manager will grant such awards to its employees, officers (including our current officers), members, directors or consultants. Grants to our Manager will be allocated firstly to non-member employees and officers of our Manager, and then the balance of the grants to members (including our officers) proportionally based on each member's respective ownership of our Manager. The grants to be made to our Manager and then by our Manager pursuant to such are intended to provide customary incentive compensation to those persons employed by our Manager on whose performance we rely (including our officers). The total number of shares that may be granted subject to awards under the Manager Equity Plan will be equal to an aggregate of 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award (other than any shares issued or subject to awards made pursuant to the Manager Equity Plan). On August 19, 2014 our independent directors were granted a net of 4,500 shares. 

 

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We had the following contractual borrowing under repurchase agreements related to available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2014 (dollar amounts in thousands) on both a GAAP basis (which excludes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions) and non-GAAP basis (which includes repurchase agreement financing associated with the Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions):  

 

GAAP  

 

   Payments Due by Period 
$ in thousands  Total   Less Than 
1 Year
   1 - 3 
Years
   3 - 5 
Years
   More Than 
5 Years
 
Repurchase agreements  $499,462   $499,462    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations  $499,462   $499,462    -    -    - 

   

Non-GAAP

 

   Payments Due by Period 
$ in thousands  Total   Less Than 
1 Year *
   1 - 3 
Years
   3 - 5 
Years
   More Than 
5 Years
 
Repurchase agreements  $685,659   $685,659    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations  $685,659   $685,659    -    -    - 

   

*Includes$186,197 of repurchase agreements underlying Linked Transactions.

 

We had the following contractual borrowing under repurchase agreements related to held-for-sale mortgage loans as of September 30, 2014 on both a GAAP basis and non-GAAP basis:

 

GAAP and Non-GAAP

 

   Payments Due by Period 
$ in thousands  Total   Less Than 
1 Year
   1 - 3 
Years
   3 - 5 
Years
   More Than 
5 Years
 
Repurchase agreements  $205,162   $205,162    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations  $205,162   $205,162    -    -    - 

  

In addition, we enter into certain contracts that contain a variety of indemnification obligations, principally with our Manager, brokers and counterparties to repurchase agreements. The maximum potential future payment amount we could be required to pay under these indemnification obligations is unlimited. We have not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification obligations. As a result, the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we recorded no liabilities for these agreements as of September 30, 2014.  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  

 

Our Linked Transactions are comprised of Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, associated repurchase agreement financing and interest receivable/payable on such accounts. To the extent these transactions become unlinked in the future, the underlying Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, the associated repurchase agreement financing and the associated interest income and expense will be presented on a gross basis on our balance sheet and statement of operations, prospectively. 

 

As of September 30, 2014, we did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, as of September 30, 2014, we had not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.   

 

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Distributions  

 

We intend to continue to make regular monthly distributions to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its "REIT taxable income." We generally intend to make regular monthly distributions to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or substantially all of our taxable income. Before we make any distribution, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our repurchase agreements and other debt payable. If cash available for distribution to our stockholders is less than our taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions, or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.  

 

We intend to announce in advance monthly dividends to be paid during each calendar quarter. If substantially all of our taxable income has not been paid by the close of any calendar year, we intend to declare a special dividend prior to the end of such calendar year, to achieve this result. On September 15, 2014, we announced that our board of directors declared monthly cash dividend rates for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.125 per share of common stock.  

  

Inflation  

 

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities will be interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our distributions will be determined by our board of directors consistent with our obligation to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) on an annual basis in order to maintain our REIT qualification; in each case, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation.  

 

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 speeds and market value while providing an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our common stock. Although we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe that risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to manage our risk levels in order to earn sufficient compensation to justify the risks we undertake and to maintain capital levels consistent with taking such risks.  

 

To reduce the risks to our portfolio, we employ portfolio-wide and security-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations. Our Manager's risk management tools include software and services licensed or purchased from third parties, in addition to proprietary software and analytical methods developed by our Manager. There can be no guarantee that these tools will protect us from market risks.  

 

While changes in the fair value of our Agency RMBS are generally not credit-related, changes in the fair value of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including MBS underlying Linked Transactions, may reflect both market and interest rate conditions as well as credit risk. In evaluating our asset/liability management and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS credit performance, our Manager considers the credit characteristics underlying our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including MBS that are a component of our Linked Transactions. The following table presents certain information about our Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS (including MBS underlying our Linked Transactions) as of September 30, 2014 on a combined non-GAAP basis. Information presented with respect to weighted average loan to value, weighted average FICO scores and other information is aggregated based on information reported at the time of mortgage origination and therefore does not reflect changes to home values or borrower characteristics since the mortgage origination.

 

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   September 30, 2014 
    

Non-Agency
RMBS(1)

    

Multi-Family
MBS(2)

    Agency 
RMBS
 
Portfolio Characteristics:               
Number of securities   25    9    20 
Carrying value/ estimated fair value  $213,278,630   $165,843,637   $445,814,648 
Amortized cost  $196,169,857   $162,904,930   $447,671,919 
Current par value  $309,865,214   $158,918,564   $441,676,113 
Ratio of carrying value to current par value   68.8%   74.3%   100.9%
Ratio of amortized cost to current par value   63.3%   72.9%   101.4%
Net weighted average coupon   0.39%   0.86%   2.72%
One month CPR(i)   11.4%   NA    7.7%

     

Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics

 

   September 30, 2014 (1) 
     
Collateral Attributes:     
Weighted average loan age (months)   98 
Weighted average original loan-to-value   76.3%
Weighted average original FICO(ii)   683 
Weighted average loan size   322 
Current Performance:     
60+ day delinquencies   27.0%
Average credit enhancement(iii)   2.4%

  

   September 30, 2014(1) 
   Fair Value   % of 
Non-Agency
RMBS
 
Coupon Type:          
Fixed rate  $-    0.0%
Hybrid or floating  $213,278,629    100.0%
Collateral Type:          
Prime  $-    0.0%
Alt-A  $157,503,266    73.8%
Subprime  $55,775,363    26.2%
New Issue  $-    0.0%
Loan Origination Year:          
2007  $56,374,122    26.4%
2006  $135,880,607    63.7%
Pre-2006  $21,023,900    9.9%

 

  (1) Includes Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions at September 30, 2014 on a combined, non-GAAP basis.
  (2) Includes Multi-Family MBS underlying our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust at September 30, 2014 on a combined, non-GAAP basis.  

 

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The following table presents the rating of our Non-Agency RMBS at September 30, 2014, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, on a combined non-GAAP basis. The rating indicates the opinion of the rating agency as to the creditworthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor's ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation. A rating of "NR" is assigned when major rating agencies do not provide any rating for such security.    

  

   Fair Value   % of 
Non-Agency
RMBS
 
Current Rating(iv)          
CCC  $44,940,492    21.1%
CC  $25,382,050    11.9%
C  $24,044,569    11.3%
D  $3,070,501    1.4%
Not Rated  $115,841,017    54.3%

 

The mortgages securing our Non-Agency RMBS are collateralized by properties located within many geographic regions across the United States. The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations of the mortgages collateralizing our Non-Agency RMBS, including Non-Agency RMBS underlying our Linked Transactions, at September 30, 2014 on a combined, non-GAAP basis: 

 

   Fair Value   % of 
Non-Agency
RMBS
 
Property Location          
California  $76,567,028    35.9%
Florida  $24,143,141    11.3%
New Jersey  $12,498,128    5.9%
Virginia  $8,680,440    4.1%
New York  $8,317,867    3.9%

 

(i) One-month CPR is reflective of the prepayment speed on the underlying securitization; however, CPR is not necessarily indicative of the proceeds received on our investments. Proceeds received on our RMBS depend on the location of our RMBS within the payment structure of each underlying security. 

 

(ii) FICO represents a mortgage industry accepted credit score of a borrower, which was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. 

 

(iii) Average credit enhancement remaining on our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio, which is the average amount of protection available to absorb future credit losses due to defaults on the underlying collateral. 

 

(iv) Reported based on the lowest rating issued by a rating agency, if more than one rating is issued on the security, at the date presented.

 

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company expanded its investments in Multi-Family MBS based on the favorable risk-return profile of these investments. Our Multi-Family MBS investments consist principally of securities rated BBB or higher and are primarily Freddie Mac Multifamily K Certificates backed by pools of multifamily mortgage loans or re-REMICs of Freddie Mac Multifamily K Certificates. These certificates are not guaranteed by Freddie Mac and therefore, repayment is based solely on the performance of the underlying pool of loans. These loans have prepayment lock-out provisions which reduce the risk of early repayment of our investment.

 

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The following table presents the rating of our Multi-Family MBS at September 30, 2014, including Multi-Family underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust, on a combined non-GAAP basis. The rating indicates the opinion of the rating agency as to the creditworthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor’s ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation.

 

   Fair Value   % of 
Multi-Family
MBS
 
Current Rating(iv)          
AAA  $7,809,931    4.7%
BBB  $69,570,923    41.9%
BB  $40,471,145    24.4%
Not Rated  $47,991,638    28.9%

  

Interest rate risk 

 

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of interest rate management techniques that seek to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on the values of our assets. 

 

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we utilize derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, swaptions, TBAs and futures, to hedge the interest rate and related market risks associated with our portfolio. We seek to hedge interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our assets and the financing of our portfolio. In hedging interest rates with respect to our fixed income assets, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets. In utilizing interest rate hedges with respect to our financing, we seek to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. We rely on our Manager's expertise to manage these risks on our behalf. 

  

Interest rate effect on net interest income 

 

Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of leveraged fixed-rate MBS will remain static. Moreover, interest rates may rise at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS. Both of these factors could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target assets. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations. 

 

Our hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our target assets. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the investment will be longer or shorter, which would reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions. Hedging strategies involving the use of derivative securities are highly complex and may produce volatile returns. 

 

We acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS. These are assets in which some of the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which may limit the amount by which the security's interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements are not subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS could effectively be limited by caps. This issue will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS that are not based on mortgages that are fully indexed. In addition, adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. If this happens, we could receive less cash income on such assets than we would need to pay for interest costs on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

 

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 Interest rate mismatch risk 

 

We fund the majority of our adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS assets with borrowings that are based on LIBOR, while the interest rates on these assets may be indexed to other index rates, such as the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury index, the Monthly Treasury Average index or the 11th District Cost of Funds Index. Accordingly, any increase in LIBOR relative to these indices may result in an increase in our borrowing costs that is not matched by a corresponding increase in the interest earnings on these assets. Any such interest rate index mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we utilize the hedging strategies discussed above. 

 

Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager's experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models that utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models. 

 

We use a variety of recognized industry models, as well as proprietary models, to perform sensitivity analyses, which are derived from primary assumptions for prepayment rates, discount rates and credit losses. The primary assumption used in this model is implied market volatility of interest rates. The information presented in the following interest sensitivity tables projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our financial results and financial condition over the next 12 months, based on our interest sensitive financial instruments at September 30, 2014 including Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS underlying Linked Transactions. Such MBS may not be linked in future periods. 

 

September 30, 2014 
Change in Interest 
rates
   Percentage Change in 
Projected Net Interest 
Income(1)
   Percentage Change in 
Projected Portfolio 
Value(2)
 +1.00%   -9.99%  -1.28 %
 +0.50%   -4.99%  -0.64 %
 -0.50%   6.86%  0.60 %
 -1.00%   15.51%  0.96 %

   

(1) Includes underlying interest income and interest expense associated with MBS and repurchase agreement borrowings underlying both our Linked Transactions and our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust. Such MBS and repurchase agreements may not be linked in future periods. 

 

(2) Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS only. Includes the fair value of our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust.

 

The interest rate sensitivity table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of swaps and our other derivatives, should interest rates immediately change. The interest rate sensitivity table presents the estimated impact of interest rates instantaneously rising 50 and 100 basis points and falling 50 and 100 basis points. The cash flows associated with our portfolio of MBS for each rate change are calculated based on assumptions, including prepayment speeds, yield on future acquisitions, slope of the yield curve and size of the portfolio. Assumptions made on the interest rate sensitive liabilities, which are assumed to relate to repurchase agreements, including anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of the repurchase agreement, amount and term of borrowing. 

 

The AFS securities, at fair value, included in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table under "Percentage Change in Projected Portfolio Value" were limited to Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including the fair value of our net investment in the 2011-K13 Trust.

 

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Due to the significantly discounted prices and underlying credit risks of our Non-Agency RMBS, including those underlying Linked Transactions, we believe our Non-Agency RMBS's valuation is inherently de-sensitized to changes in interest rates. As such, we cannot project the impact to these financial instruments and have excluded these RMBS from the interest rate sensitivity analysis. However, these Non-Agency RMBS have been included in the "Percentage Change in Projected Net Interest Income" analysis. 

 

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at September 30, 2014. The analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team. Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain such assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile. 

 

The change in annualized net interest income does not include any benefit or detriment from faster or slower prepayment rates on our Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. We anticipate that faster prepayment speeds in lower interest rate scenarios will generate lower realized yields on premium Agency RMBS and higher realized yields on discount Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. Similarly, we anticipate that slower prepayment speeds in higher interest rate scenarios will generate higher realized yields on premium Agency RMBS and lower realized yields on discount Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. Although we have sought to construct our portfolio to limit the effect of changes in prepayment speeds, there can be no assurance this will actually occur, and the realized yield of our portfolio may be significantly different than we anticipate in changing interest rate scenarios. 

  

Given the low interest rates at September 30, 2014, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions. Because of this floor, we anticipate that any hypothetical interest rate shock decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs; however, because prepayments speeds are unaffected by this floor, we expect that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of our premium amortization on Agency RMBS and accretion of discount on our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS purchased at a discount. As a result, because this floor limits the positive impact of any interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate decreases could cause the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income to decline. 

 

The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table and all related disclosures constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table. 

 

Prepayment risk 

 

Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, premiums paid on such assets will be amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets. 

 

Normally, we believe that we will be able to reinvest proceeds from scheduled principal payments and prepayments at acceptable yields; however, no assurances can be given that, should significant prepayments occur, market conditions would be such that acceptable investments could be identified and the proceeds timely reinvested.

 

Extension risk 

 

We compute the projected weighted-average life of our investments based upon assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgages. In general, when a fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate security is acquired with borrowings, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap agreement or other hedging instrument that effectively fixes our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates, because the borrowing costs are fixed for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related target asset. 

 

However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, then the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument, while the income earned on the fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets would remain fixed. This situation could also cause the market value of our fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets to decline, with little or no offsetting gain from the related hedging transactions. In extreme situations, we could be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

 

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Market risk 

 

Market value risk.    Our AFS securities are reflected at their estimated fair value, with the difference between amortized cost and estimated fair value reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, market valuation of credit risks and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets may be adversely impacted. 

 

The sensitivity analysis table presented in "-Interest rate mismatch risk" sets forth the estimated impact of an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve, up and down 50 and 100 basis points, on the market value of our interest rate-sensitive investments and net interest income, at September 30, 2014, assuming a static portfolio. When evaluating the impact of changes in interest rates, prepayment assumptions and principal reinvestment rates are adjusted based on our Manager's expectations. The analysis presented utilized assumptions, models and estimates of our Manager based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team.   

 

Real estate risk.    MBS, residential and multi-family property values are subject to volatility and may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including national, regional and local economic conditions; local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral for mortgage loans and the potential proceeds available to borrowers to repay the loans, which could cause us to suffer losses on our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS investments. 

 

Liquidity risk 

 

Our liquidity risk is principally associated with our financing of long-maturity assets with short-term borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements. Although the interest rate adjustments of these assets and liabilities fall within the guidelines established by our operating policies, maturities are not required to be nor are they, matched. 

 

Should the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chose not to provide on-going funding, our ability to finance would decline or exist at possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreements. See "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management. 

 

Credit risk 

 

We believe that our investment strategy will generally keep our risk of credit losses low to moderate. However, we retain the risk of potential credit losses on all of the loans underlying our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, as well as residential mortgage loans that we own. With respect to our Non-Agency RMBS that are senior in the credit structure, credit support contained in RMBS deal structures provides a level of protection from losses. We seek to manage the remaining credit risk through our pre-acquisition due diligence process and by factoring assumed credit losses into the purchase prices we pay for Non-Agency RMBS. In addition, with respect to any particular target asset, our Manager's investment team evaluates relative valuation, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. In particular, the evaluation process involves modeling under various different scenarios the future cashflows expected to be generated by a specific security based on the current and projected delinquency and default status of the portfolio, and expected recoveries derived primarily from LTV metrics, relative to the purchase price of the RMBS. At purchase, our Manager estimates the proportion of the discount that we do not expect to recover and incorporates it into our Manager's expected yield and accretion calculations. As part of our Non-Agency RMBS surveillance process, our Manager tracks and compares each security's actual performance over time to the performance expected at the time of purchase or, if our Manager has modified its original purchase assumptions, to its revised performance expectations. To the extent that actual performance of our Non-Agency RMBS deviates materially from our Manager's expected performance parameters, our Manager may revise its performance expectations, such that the amount of purchase discount designated as credit discount may be increased or decreased over time. At times, we may enter into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments in an attempt to manage our credit risk. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could adversely affect our operating results. With respect to our Multi-Family MBS, to date we have purchased subordinated tranches in, or backed by, multi-family securitizations sponsored by Freddie Mac that do not represent the most junior tranche in the capital structure. Our pre-acquisition due diligence process involves an analysis of the multi-family loan portfolio underlying the relevant security, in order to determine the adequacy of available credit enhancement to absorb potential credit losses on the portfolio.

 

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Risk Management 

 

To the extent consistent with maintaining our REIT qualification, we will seek to manage risk exposure to protect our investment portfolio against the effects of major interest rate changes. We may generally seek to manage this risk by:

 

·relying on our Manager's investment selection process;
   
·monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the reset index and interest rate related to Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our financings;
   
·attempting to structure our financing agreements to have a range of different maturities, terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods;
   
·using hedging instruments, primarily interest rate swap agreements but also financial futures, options, interest rate cap agreements, floors and forward sales to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our borrowings; and
   
·actively managing, on an aggregate basis, the interest rate indices, interest rate adjustment periods and gross reset margins of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and the interest rate indices and adjustment periods of our financings.

 

In executing on our current risk management strategy, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements, a swaption and futures transactions.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We have evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2014. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the period from January 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.  

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

  From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this report, neither we nor, to our knowledge, our Manager are subject to any legal proceedings that we or our Manager considers to be material.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The following risk factor supplements our risk factor set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”), entitled “Our adoption of fair value option accounting could result in income statement volatility, which in turn, could cause significant market price and trading volume fluctuations for our securities.”. This supplemental risk factor specifically provides an update to reflect our acquisition during September 2014 in the secondary markets of the controlling class of mortgage pass-through certificates in a multifamily FreddieMac K-Series transaction and our consolidation of all of the assets and the liabilities of the trust as of September 30, 2014 not directly owned by us.

 

Our adoption of fair value option accounting could result in income statement volatility, which in turn, could cause significant market price and trading volume fluctuations for our securities.

 

We have determined that the securitization trust that has issued certain of our Multi-Family MBS is a variable interest entity, or VIE, of which we are the primary beneficiary, and elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within that securitization trust. As a result, we are required to consolidate the underlying multi-family loan or securities, as applicable, related debt, interest income and interest expense of the securitization trust in our financial statements, although our actual investment in that securitization trust generally represents a small percentage of the total assets of the trust. We historically accounted for the Multi-Family MBS in our investment portfolio through other comprehensive income, pursuant to which unrealized gains and losses on those Multi-Family MBS were reflected as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. The fair value option, however, requires that changes in valuations in the assets and liabilities of those VIEs of which we are the primary beneficiary, such as the Freddie Mac’s K-Series securitizations, or K-Series, be reflected through our consolidated earnings. As we acquire subordinate Non-Agency RMBS and additional Multi-Family MBS assets in the future that are similar in structure and form to the K-Series’ assets or securitize investment securities or prime jumbo residential whole loans owned by us, we may be required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the issuing or securitization trust and would expect to elect the fair value option for those assets. Because of this, our earnings may experience greater volatility in the future as a decline in the fair value of the assets of any VIE that we consolidate in our financial statements could reduce both our earnings and stockholders’ equity, which in turn, could cause significant market price and trading volume fluctuations for our securities.

 

 

 

 

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As noted in Item 2 under “Third Quarter 2014 Highlights and Subsequent Events”, on October 9, 2014 we completed our inaugural participation in a prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization transaction, continuing the implementation of our securitization strategy that we began implementing approximately 18 months ago. We expect to continue to participate in such securitizations. Accordingly, the following risk factors supplement our risk factors set forth in the 2013 Form 10-K. 

 

We have limited experience acquiring and securitizing mortgage loans.

 

Our plans to acquire and securitize residential mortgage loans are subject to many of the same risks as those related to our other target assets, including risks related to changes in interest rates, economic factors in general, prepayment speeds, default risks and risks related to hedging strategies. However, we have limited experience in acquiring mortgage loans in the secondary market and completing securitization transactions. Our Manager has hired individuals with experience building mortgage loan conduit and securitization businesses and, in combination with the use of experienced outside advisors, we believe that we have sufficient experience to conduct our securitization programs. Nonetheless, these are new business activities for us and there can be no assurance that we will be able to implement our securitization program successfully, or at all.

 

We may finance the residential mortgage loans we acquire, which subjects us to additional risk under short-term financing agreements with lenders.

 

We may finance the residential mortgage loans that we acquire prior to any planned securitization and, as a result, we will be subject to additional risks under short-term financing agreements, such as repurchase agreements, with third party lenders. Repurchase agreements typically specify in detail the characteristics of eligible mortgages which may be financed under the repurchase agreements, and those specified characteristics are different than those contained in the repurchase facilities we use to finance our other target assets. Many of the events which could cause the mortgage loans to become ineligible are not within our sole control. If the mortgage loans we acquire become ineligible to be financed under these facilities, we may be subject to less favorable advance rates, or haircuts, under the repurchase facilities, or we may be required to repurchase the ineligible mortgages on short notice. Additionally, similar to the repurchase agreements we use to finance our RMBS, if the fair value of the mortgage loans we pledge as collateral declines, we would be required to increase the amount of collateral pledged to secure the debt or repay all of a portion of the debt.

 

The short-term financing agreements we intend to use to finance our residential mortgage loans may not be available to us when needed, including in circumstances where a line of credit had previously been committed to us. In addition, the terms and conditions of any such agreements may be unfavorable to us or impose restrictive covenants that could limit our business and operations or the violation of which could lead to losses and inhibit our ability to borrow in the future. If we are unable to finance the mortgage loans we acquire, we will have to use our capital to hold these mortgage loans, which will reduce the capital available to invest in our other target assets such as Agency RMBS and Non-Agency RMBS.

 

We may not be able to acquire residential mortgage loans.

 

The success of our securitization program will depend upon sourcing a large volume of desirable residential mortgage loans. We may be unable to do so for many reasons. We may be unable to locate originators that are able or willing to originate mortgage loans that meet our standards and we may not be able to source acquisitions of bulk pools of mortgage loans from originators, banks and other sellers, in either case, on terms and conditions favorable to us. Additionally, competition for mortgage loans may drive down supply or drive up prices, making it uneconomical to purchase the loans. General economic factors, such as recession, declining home values, unemployment and high interest rates, may limit the supply of available loans. As a result, we may incur additional costs to acquire a sufficient volume of mortgage loans or be unable to acquire mortgage loans at a reasonable price. If we cannot source an adequate volume of desirable loans, our securitization program may be unprofitable, and we may hold individual loans for long periods, increasing our exposure to the credit of the borrowers and requiring capital that might be better used elsewhere in our business.

 

We will be exposed to credit risk on the residential mortgage loans we acquire and securitize and we may not be able to successfully manage those risks and mitigate our losses.

 

Despite our efforts to manage credit risk related to the residential mortgage loans we acquire and securitize, there are many aspects of credit risk that we cannot control. Our due diligence, underwriting, quality control and loss mitigation policies and procedures may not be effective at preventing or limiting borrower delinquencies and defaults, and the loan servicing companies that service the mortgages loans may not cooperate with our loss mitigation policies or their efforts may be ineffective. Additionally, the third party service providers to the securitizations (i.e., trustees, servicers, custodians and others) may not perform in a manner that is consistent with our interests. As a result, we could incur losses that would have an adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We may be subject to repurchase risk in connection with our plans to securitize residential mortgage loans and this could adversely affect our ability to operate a profitable securitization program.

 

When engaging in securitization transactions, we may be required to make representations and warranties to the securitization entities that purchase the residential mortgage loans from us regarding, among other things, certain characteristics of those mortgage loans. If our representations and warranties are inaccurate, we may be obligated to repurchase certain mortgage loans, which may result in a loss. Even if we obtain representations and warranties from the loan originator or other parties from whom we acquired the mortgage loans, they may not correspond with the representations and warranties we make or may otherwise not protect us from losses. For example, if representations and warranties we obtain from those parties do not exactly align with the representations and warranties we make, or if the representations and warranties made to us are not enforceable or if we cannot collect damages for a breach (e.g., due to the financial condition of the party that made the representation or warranty to us), we may incur losses. 

 

The purchase of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market requires us, in some circumstances, to maintain certain licenses and failure to maintain those licenses may adversely affect our ability to acquire mortgage loans and successfully operate our securitization program.

 

The purchase of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market, in some circumstances, requires us to maintain certain licenses. We are required to comply with various information reporting and other regulatory requirements to maintain those licenses, and there is no assurance that we will be able to satisfy those requirements on an ongoing basis. Our failure to maintain required licenses may expose us to penalties or other claims and may affect our ability to acquire an adequate and desirable supply of mortgage loans to conduct our securitization program and, as a result, could harm our business.

 

Market conditions and other factors may affect our ability to securitize residential mortgage loans.

 

Our ability to securitize residential mortgage loans will be affected by a number of factors, including:

 

·conditions in the securities markets, generally;
·conditions in the asset-backed securities markets, specifically;
oyields of our portfolio of mortgage loans;
othe credit quality of our portfolio of mortgage loans; and
oour ability to obtain any necessary credit enhancement.

 

In recent years, the asset-backed securitization markets have experienced unprecedented disruptions, and securitization volumes have decreased sharply. Recent conditions in the securitization markets have included reduced liquidity, increased risk premiums for issuers, reduced investor demand, financial distress among financial guaranty insurance providers, and a general tightening of credit. These conditions, which may increase our cost of funding, and may reduce or even eliminate our access to the securitization market, may continue or worsen in the future. As a result, these conditions may result in our inability to sell securities in the asset-backed securities market. Further, our repurchase facilities may not be adequate to fund our mortgage purchasing activities until such disruptions in the securitization markets subside. Further or continued disruptions in this market or any adverse change or delay in our ability to access the market could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity and results of operations. Low investor demand for asset-backed securities could force us to hold mortgage loans until investor demand improves, but our capacity to hold such mortgage loans is not unlimited. Continuing adverse market conditions could also result in increased costs and reduced margins earned in connection with our planned securitization transactions.

 

Our ability to execute securitizations of residential mortgage loans could be delayed, limited, or precluded by legislative and regulatory reforms applicable to asset-backed securities and the institutions that sponsor, service, rate, or otherwise participate in, or contribute to, the successful execution of a securitization transaction. Other factors could also limit, delay, or preclude our ability to execute securitization transactions. These legislative, regulatory, and other factors could also reduce the returns we would otherwise expect to earn in connection with securitization transactions.

 

Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act require significant revisions to the legal and regulatory framework which apply to the asset-backed securities markets and securitizations. Some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have become effective or been implemented, while others are in the process of being implemented or will become effective in the future.

 

 

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We cannot predict how the Dodd-Frank Act and the other regulations that have been proposed or recently adopted will affect our ability to execute securitizations of residential mortgage loans. For example, in October 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Board and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency adopting final rules (the “Risk Retention Rules”) implementing the credit risk retention requirements of section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act relating to asset-backed securities. Under the Risk Retention Rules, both public and private securitizers are required to retain not less than 5% of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing any asset-backed security issuance. Securitization of qualified residential mortgage loans (“QRMs”) are exempt from the Risk Retention Rules. The definition of a QRM in the Risk Retention Rules is effectively the same as the definition of “qualified mortgage” under Regulation Z , as amended by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which implements the Truth in Lending Act. If securitizers combine QRMs and non-QRM loans in the same pool, the Risk Retention Rules will apply. The Risk Retention Rules will become effective one year after the date of publication in the Federal Register.

 

In August 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted comprehensive amendments to Regulation AB and the other rule affecting the offering process for asset-backed securities (“Regulation AB II”). Regulation AB II will require a significant increase in the amount of disclosure, including asset level disclosure, provided to investors. Regulation AB II will become effective 60 days after the final rules are published in the Federal Register. All of the rules, other than the asset disclosure rules, must be complied with within one year from the Regulation AB II effective date. The asset level disclosure rules must be complied with no later than two years from the Regulation AB II effective date.

 

There can be no assurance that the full implementation of the proposed rules and regulations or the recently adopted rules such as the Risk Retention Rules and Regulation AB II will not have an adverse effect on our ability to perform securitizations of mortgage loans or resecuritizations of our existing RMBS. In addition to the Dodd-Frank Act, its related rules, the Risk Retention Rules and Regulation AB II, other federal or state laws and regulations that could affect our ability to execute securitization transactions may be proposed, enacted, or implemented. These laws and regulations could effectively preclude us from executing securitization transactions, could delay our execution of these types of transactions, or could reduce the returns we would otherwise expect to earn from executing securitization transactions.

 

 Other matters, such as (i) accounting standards applicable to securitization transactions and (ii) capital and leverage requirements applicable to banks and other regulated financial institutions that traditionally purchase and hold asset-backed securities, could result in less investor demand for securities issued through securitization transactions we plan to execute or increased competition from other institutions that execute securitization transactions.

 

Our ability to profitably participate in (or execute) future securitizations of residential mortgage loans is dependent on numerous factors, and if we are not able to achieve our desired level of profitability or if we incur losses in connection with participating in (or executing) future securitizations, it could materially and adversely impact our business and financial condition.

 

There are a number of factors that can have a significant impact on whether a securitization transaction that we participate in (or execute) is profitable to us or results in a loss. One of these factors is the price we pay for the mortgage loans that we securitize, which in the case of residential mortgage loans, is impacted by the level of competition in the marketplace for acquiring residential mortgage loans and the relative desirability to originators of retaining residential mortgage loans as investments or selling them to third parties such as us. Another factor that impacts the profitability of a securitization transaction is the cost to us of the short-term debt that we use to finance our holdings of mortgage loans prior to securitization, which cost is affected by a number of factors including the availability of this type of financing to us, the interest rate on this type of financing, the duration of the financing we incur, and the percentage of our mortgage loans for which third parties are willing to provide short-term financing.

 

After we acquire mortgage loans that we intend to securitize, we can also suffer losses if the value of those loans declines prior to securitization. For example, declines in the value of a residential mortgage loan can be due to, among other things, changes in interest rates and changes in the credit quality of the loan. To the extent we seek to hedge against a decline in loan value due to changes in interest rates, there is a cost of hedging that also affects whether a securitization is profitable. Other factors that can significantly affect whether a securitization transaction is profitable to us include the criteria and conditions applied by the rating agencies when they assign ratings to the mortgage-backed securities issued in our securitization transactions, including the percentage of mortgage-backed securities issued in a securitization transaction that are assigned a triple-A rating, which is also referred to as a rating agency subordination level. Rating agency subordination levels can be impacted by numerous factors, including, without limitation, the credit quality of the loans securitized, and the structure of the securitization transaction and other applicable rating agency criteria. Generally, the greater the percentage of the mortgage-backed securities issued in a securitization transaction that the rating agencies will assign a triple-A rating to, the more profitable the transaction will be to us.

 

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The price that investors in mortgage-backed securities will pay for securities issued in our securitization transactions also has a significant impact on the profitability of the transactions to us, and these prices are impacted by numerous market forces and factors. In addition, transaction costs incurred in executing transactions impact the profitability of our securitization transactions and any liability that we may incur, or may be required to reserve for, in connection with executing a transaction can cause a loss to us. To the extent that were are not able to profitably execute future securitizations of residential mortgage loans, including for the reasons described above or for other reasons, it could materially and adversely impact our business and financial condition.

 

Rating agencies may affect our ability to execute securitization transactions, or may reduce the returns we would otherwise expect to earn from securitization transactions.

 

Rating agencies have historically played a central role in the securitization markets. Many purchasers of asset-backed securities require that a security be rated by the agencies at or above a specific grade before they will consider purchasing it. The rating agencies could adversely affect our ability to execute securitization transactions by deciding not to publish ratings for our securitization transaction, deciding not to consent to the inclusion of those ratings in any prospectuses we may file with the SEC relating to securitization transactions, or by assigning ratings that are below the thresholds investors require. Further, rating agencies could alter their ratings processes or criteria after we have accumulated loans for securitization in a manner that reduces the value of previously acquired loans or that requires us to incur additional costs to comply with those processes and criteria.

 

We will be exposed to credit risk on the residential mortgage loans we acquire and securitize and we may not be able to successfully manage those risks and mitigate our losses.

 

Despite our efforts to manage credit risk related to the residential mortgage loans we acquire and securitize, there are many aspects of credit risk that we cannot control. Our due diligence, underwriting, quality control and loss mitigation policies and procedures may not be effective at preventing or limiting borrower delinquencies and defaults, and the loan servicing companies that service the mortgages loans may not cooperate with our loss mitigation policies or their efforts may be ineffective. Prior to acquiring loans, we perform due diligence, including re-underwriting and compliance with applicable laws, and we rely on resources and data available to us from the seller, which may be limited. Our underwriting and due diligence efforts may not reveal matters that could lead to losses. If our underwriting process is not adequate, and we fail to detect certain loan defects or compliance issues related to origination or servicing, we may incur losses. We could also incur losses if a counterparty that sold us a loan is unwilling or unable (e.g., due to its financial condition) to repurchase that loan or asset or pay damages to us if we determine subsequent to purchase that one or more of the representations or warranties made to us in connection with the sale was inaccurate. As a result, we could incur losses that would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our securitization activities expose us to an increased risk of litigation, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

Through FOAC, our wholly owned subsidiary, we engage in securitization transactions relating to residential mortgage loans. In the future, we expect to continue to engage in securitization transactions involving residential mortgage loans.

 

When engaging in securitization transactions, we participate in (and may in the future prepare) disclosure documentation, including term sheets and offering memorandums, which include disclosures regarding the securitization transactions and the assets being securitized. If our disclosure documentation is alleged or found to contain inaccuracies or omissions, we may be liable under federal securities laws, state securities laws or other applicable laws for damages to third parties that invest in these securitization transactions, including in circumstances in which we relied on a third party in preparing accurate disclosures, or we may incur other expenses and costs in connection with disputing these allegations or settling claims. We may also sell or contribute residential mortgage loans to third parties which, in turn, securitize those loans, and including liability for disclosures prepared by third parties or with respect to loans that we did not sell or contribute to the securitization.

 

In recent years, there has also been debate as to whether there are defects in the legal process and legal documents governing transactions in which securitization trusts and other secondary purchasers take legal ownership of residential mortgage loans and establish their rights as first priority lien holders on underlying mortgaged property. To the extent there are problems with the manner in which title and lien priority rights were established or transferred, securitization transactions that are third-party sponsored securitizations (or that we sponsor) that we hold investments in, we may experience losses.

 

Defending a lawsuit can consume significant resources and may divert management’s attention from our operations. We may be required to establish reserves for potential losses from litigation, which could be material. To the extent we are unsuccessful in our defense of any lawsuit, we could suffer losses which could be in excess of any reserves established relating to that lawsuit and these losses could be material.

 

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We may be subject to counterparty exposure risk in connection with our plans to securitize residential mortgage loans including MSR and this risk could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.

 

When engaging in securitization transactions which include MSR acquisitions, we may be required to make representations and warranties to the purchasers of the underlying residential mortgage loans regarding, among other things, certain characteristics of those mortgage loans. If our representations and warranties are inaccurate, we may be obligated to repurchase certain mortgage loans, which may result in a loss. Even if we obtain representations and warranties from the loan originator or other parties from whom we acquired the mortgage loans which include MSR, as applicable, they may not correspond with the representations and warranties we make or may otherwise not protect us from losses. For example, if representations and warranties we obtain from those parties do not exactly align with the representations and warranties we make, or if the representations and warranties made to us are not enforceable or if we cannot collect damages for a breach (e.g., due to the financial condition of the party that made the representation or warranty to us), we may incur losses.

 

We may be subject to fines or other penalties based on the conduct of the mortgage loan originators and brokers that originated the residential mortgage loans that we subsequently acquire, and the third-party servicers which service the loans we acquire.

 

 Mortgage loan originators and brokers are subject to strict and evolving consumer protection laws and other legal obligations with respect to the origination of residential mortgage loans. These laws and regulations include the CFPB’s “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations, which became effective on January 10, 2014. In addition, there are various other federal, state and local laws and regulations that are intended to discourage predatory lending practices by residential mortgage loan originators. For example, the federal Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, or HOEPA, requires lenders to make certain disclosures and comply with certain limitations with respect to loans that are considered to be “high cost” loans. These requirements, as well as certain standards set forth in the “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations, may be highly subjective and open to interpretation. As a result, a court may determine that a residential mortgage loan did not meet an applicable standard or test even if the mortgage loan originator reasonably believed such standard or test had been satisfied. Failure or alleged failure of residential mortgage loan originators to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us, as an assignee or purchaser of these loans or securities backed by these loans, to delays in foreclosure proceedings, increased litigation expenses, monetary penalties and defenses to foreclosure, including by recoupment or setoff of finance charges and fees collected, and in some cases could also result in rescission of the affected residential mortgage loans, which could adversely impact our business and financial results.

 

We may be required to make servicing advances and may be exposed to a risk of loss if such advances become non-recoverable and such advances and risk could adversely affect our liquidity or cash flow.

 

In connection with most (as currently anticipated) securitization transactions wherein FOAC sells mortgage loans to the securitization trust and holds the mortgage servicing rights with respect to those mortgage loans, FOAC has entered into and expects to continue to enter into sub-servicing agreements with one or more sub-servicers.  Pursuant to the terms of the sub-servicing agreements, FOAC will be required to refund or to fund any servicing advances that are obligated to be made by the sub-servicers.  FOAC will therefore be exposed to the potential loss of any servicing advance that becomes a non-recoverable.  It is expected that the aggregate amount of servicing advances, and FOAC’s exposure to the risk of loss related to such servicing advances, will increase as FOAC enters into additional securitization transactions.   Such advances and exposure going forward  could adversely affect our liquidity  or cash flow during a financial period.

 

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

 

 None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report. Such Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.
     

Dated: November 14, 2014

By   /s/ David C. Carroll  
    David C. Carroll
    Chief Executive Officer, President and
    Chairman of the Board (Principal
    Executive Officer)
     

Dated: November 14, 2014

By   /s/ David Oston  
    David Oston
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
    Secretary and Director (Principal
    Financial Officer and Principal
    Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit
Number

  Exhibit Description
10.1   Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 18, 2014, between Bank of America, N.A. as lender, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp. as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Five Oaks Investment Corp. current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35845), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2014 (the “August 8-K”)).
     
10.2   Guaranty, dated as of July 18, 2014, by Five Oaks Investment Corp. in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the August 8-K).
     
10.3   Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of July 29, 2014, by and among Barclays Bank PLC as purchaser and agent, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp. as seller and Five Oaks Investment Corp. as guarantor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the August 8-K).
     
10.4   Guaranty, dated as of July 29, 2014, by Five Oaks Investment Corp. in favor of Barclays Bank PLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the August 8-K).
     
10.5   Mortgage Loan Purchase and Servicing Agreement dated as of September 26, 2014, between Five Oaks Acquisition Corp., as seller and servicing administrator, and J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp., as purchaser. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Five Oaks Investment Corp. current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35845), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2014 (the “October 8-K”)).
     
10.6*   Form of Mortgage Loan Purchase and Interim Servicing Agreement between Aggregator 1, as purchaser, and originator, as seller, with corresponding Form of Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement among Aggregator 1, as assignor, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp, as assignee, and originator.
     
10.7*   Form of Flow Sale and Interim Servicing Agreement between Aggregator 2, as purchaser, and originator, as seller and interim servicer, with corresponding Form of Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement (Whole Loan Transfer), among Aggregator 2, as assignor, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp., as assignee, originator and servicer.
     
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

*       Filed herewith

 

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