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MFA FINANCIAL, INC. - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
_____________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 
x    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016
 
OR
 
o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                              to                             
 
Commission File Number: 1-13991
 
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________ 
Maryland
 
13-3974868
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
 
 
350 Park Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York
 
10022
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(212) 207-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
_____________________________________________
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x
 
371,148,621 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding as of October 28, 2016.
 

Table of Contents

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents



MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities:
 
 

 
 

Agency MBS, at fair value ($3,783,913 and $4,532,094 pledged as collateral, respectively)
 
$
4,021,535

 
$
4,752,244

Non-Agency MBS, at fair value ($4,882,017 and $4,874,372 pledged as collateral, respectively)
 
5,721,796

 
5,822,519

Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”), at fair value (1)
 
187,019

 
598,298

CRT securities, at fair value ($320,852 and $170,352 pledged as collateral, respectively)
 
347,640

 
183,582

Securities obtained and pledged as collateral, at fair value
 
506,182

 
507,443

Residential whole loans, at carrying value ($273,419 and $93,692 pledged as collateral, respectively)
 
550,623

 
271,845

Residential whole loans, at fair value ($618,416 and $585,971 pledged as collateral, respectively)
 
797,191

 
623,276

Cash and cash equivalents
 
288,698

 
165,007

Restricted cash
 
122,656

 
71,538

Other assets
 
208,049

 
166,799

Total Assets
 
$
12,751,389

 
$
13,162,551

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Repurchase agreements and other advances
 
$
8,697,756

 
$
9,387,622

Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value
 
506,182

 
507,443

8% Senior Notes due 2042 (“Senior Notes”)
 
96,724

 
96,697

Payable for unsettled residential whole loans purchases
 
203,960

 
—

Other liabilities (2)
 
213,329

 
203,528

Total Liabilities
 
$
9,717,951

 
$
10,195,290

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 11)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 7.50% Series B cumulative redeemable; 8,050 shares authorized;
8,000 shares issued and outstanding ($200,000 aggregate liquidation preference)
 
$
80

 
$
80

Common stock, $.01 par value; 886,950 shares authorized; 371,083 and 370,584 shares issued
and outstanding, respectively
 
3,711

 
3,706

Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par
 
3,023,033

 
3,019,956

Accumulated deficit
 
(566,917
)
 
(572,332
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
573,531

 
515,851

Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
3,033,438

 
$
2,967,261

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
12,751,389

 
$
13,162,551

 

(1)
Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs represent assets of the consolidated VIEs that can be used only to settle the obligations of each respective VIE.
(2)
Other liabilities includes $21.9 million of Securitized debt at December 31, 2015. Securitized debt represents third-party liabilities of consolidated VIEs and excludes liabilities of the VIEs acquired by the Company that eliminate on consolidation.  The third-party beneficial interest holders in the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.  (See Notes 10 and 16 for further discussion.)

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

1
Table of Contents

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest Income:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
$
18,957

 
$
23,618

 
$
64,546

 
$
81,030

Non-Agency MBS
 
80,370

 
79,276

 
241,116

 
241,440

Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
 
3,268

 
11,154

 
12,439

 
34,792

CRT securities
 
3,983

 
1,593

 
9,897

 
4,477

Residential whole loans held at carrying value
 
5,917

 
4,033

 
16,112

 
11,817

Cash and cash equivalent investments
 
221

 
32

 
531

 
88

Interest Income
 
$
112,716

 
$
119,706

 
$
344,641

 
$
373,644

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements and other advances
 
$
46,158

 
$
41,331

 
$
137,127

 
$
122,736

Senior Notes and other interest expense
 
2,009

 
2,372

 
6,360

 
7,756

Interest Expense
 
$
48,167

 
$
43,703

 
$
143,487

 
$
130,492

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Interest Income
 
$
64,549

 
$
76,003

 
$
201,154

 
$
243,152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
(525
)
Portion of loss recognized in/(reclassed from) other comprehensive income
 
770

 
—

 
770

 
(180
)
Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings
 
$
(485
)
 
$
—

 
$
(485
)
 
$
(705
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income, net:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value
 
$
18,701

 
$
5,565

 
$
45,052

 
$
10,823

Gain on sales of MBS
 
7,083

 
11,196

 
26,069

 
25,248

Other, net
 
8,117

 
(259
)
 
12,521

 
(626
)
Other Income, net
 
$
33,901

 
$
16,502

 
$
83,642

 
$
35,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Expense:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
$
7,078

 
$
6,482

 
$
21,507

 
$
19,759

Other general and administrative expense
 
3,709

 
3,538

 
12,508

 
11,673

Loan servicing and other related operating expenses
 
4,167

 
2,975

 
10,265

 
6,706

Operating and Other Expense
 
$
14,954

 
$
12,995

 
$
44,280

 
$
38,138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
83,011

 
$
79,510

 
$
240,031

 
$
239,754

Less Preferred Stock Dividends
 
3,750

 
3,750

 
11,250

 
11,250

Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities
 
$
79,261

 
$
75,760

 
$
228,781

 
$
228,504

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and Diluted
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.60

 
$
0.60


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

2
Table of Contents

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
 
$
83,011

 
$
79,510

 
$
240,031

 
$
239,754

Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss):
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss)/gain on Agency MBS, net
 
(6,941
)
 
(2,028
)
 
17,857

 
(14,393
)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, net
 
71,291

 
(42,011
)
 
106,906

 
(72,791
)
Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income
 
(6,829
)
 
(11,363
)
 
(26,795
)
 
(26,414
)
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income
 
(485
)
 
—

 
(485
)
 
(705
)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative hedging instruments, net
 
22,769

 
(40,884
)
 
(39,803
)
 
(46,393
)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,537

Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
79,805

 
(96,286
)
 
57,680

 
(156,159
)
Comprehensive income/(loss) before preferred stock dividends
 
$
162,816

 
$
(16,776
)
 
$
297,711

 
$
83,595

Dividends declared on preferred stock
 
(3,750
)
 
(3,750
)
 
(11,250
)
 
(11,250
)
Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities
 
$
159,066

 
$
(20,526
)
 
$
286,461

 
$
72,345

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

3
Table of Contents

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(In Thousands, 
Except Per Share Amounts)
 
Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference $25.00 per Share
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
8,000

 
$
80

 
370,584

 
$
3,706

 
$
3,019,956

 
$
(572,332
)
 
$
515,851

 
$
2,967,261

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
240,031

 
—

 
240,031

Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)
 
—

 
—

 
716

 
5

 
936

 
—

 
—

 
941

Repurchase of shares of common stock (1)
 
—

 
—

 
(217
)
 
—

 
(1,481
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,481
)
Equity based compensation expense
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,140

 
—

 
—

 
4,140

Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(518
)
 
—

 
—

 
(518
)
Dividends declared on common stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(222,669
)
 
—

 
(222,669
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(11,250
)
 
—

 
(11,250
)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(697
)
 
—

 
(697
)
Change in unrealized losses on MBS, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
97,483

 
97,483

Change in unrealized losses on derivative hedging instruments, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(39,803
)
 
(39,803
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
 
8,000

 
$
80

 
371,083

 
$
3,711

 
$
3,023,033

 
$
(566,917
)
 
$
573,531

 
$
3,033,438


 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(In Thousands, 
Except Per Share Amounts)
 
Preferred Stock
7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable - Liquidation Preference $25.00 per Share
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
8,000

 
$
80

 
370,084

 
$
3,701

 
$
3,013,634

 
$
(568,596
)
 
$
754,453

 
$
3,203,272

Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4,537
)
 
4,537

 
—

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
239,754

 
—

 
239,754

Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (1)
 
—

 
—

 
212

 
1

 
925

 
—

 
—

 
926

Repurchase of shares of common stock (1)
 
—

 
—

 
(42
)
 
—

 
(466
)
 
—

 
—

 
(466
)
Equity based compensation expense
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,600

 
—

 
—

 
3,600

Accrued dividends attributable to stock-based awards
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(338
)
 
—

 
—

 
(338
)
Dividends declared on common stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(222,242
)
 
—

 
(222,242
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(11,250
)
 
—

 
(11,250
)
Dividends attributable to dividend equivalents
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(778
)
 
—

 
(778
)
Change in unrealized gains on MBS, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(114,303
)
 
(114,303
)
Change in unrealized losses on derivative hedging instruments, net
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(46,393
)
 
(46,393
)
Balance at September 30, 2015
 
8,000

 
$
80

 
370,254

 
$
3,702

 
$
3,017,355

 
$
(567,649
)
 
$
598,294

 
$
3,051,782


(1)  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, includes approximately $1.5 million (217,464 shares) and $465,000 (42,357 shares), respectively surrendered for tax purposes related to equity-based compensation awards.

4
Table of Contents

MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
240,031

 
$
239,754

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Gain on sales of MBS
 
(26,069
)
 
(25,248
)
(Gain)/loss on sales of real estate owned
 
(1,840
)
 
102

Other-than-temporary impairment charges
 
485

 
705

Accretion of purchase discounts on MBS and CRT securities and residential whole loans
 
(64,093
)
 
(73,192
)
Amortization of purchase premiums on MBS
 
27,748

 
32,745

Depreciation and amortization on real estate, fixed assets and other assets
 
746

 
567

Equity-based compensation expense
 
4,143

 
3,600

Unrealized gain on residential whole loans at fair value
 
(25,529
)
 
(3,872
)
Increase in other assets
 
(47,761
)
 
(23,451
)
(Decrease)/increase in other liabilities
 
(9,025
)
 
3,609

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
98,836

 
$
155,319

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Principal payments on MBS and CRT securities
 
$
2,581,507

 
$
2,323,214

Proceeds from sales of MBS
 
65,068

 
50,700

Purchases of MBS and CRT securities
 
(1,398,606
)
 
(1,433,207
)
Purchases of residential whole loans and capitalized advances
 
(367,740
)
 
(458,146
)
Principal payments on residential whole loans
 
70,729

 
27,051

Proceeds from sales of real estate owned
 
21,833

 
3,872

Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
49,595

 
—

Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
—

 
(10,617
)
Additions to leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures
 
(380
)
 
(1,090
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
$
1,022,006

 
$
501,777

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Principal payments on repurchase agreements and other advances
 
$
(62,376,619
)
 
$
(75,970,367
)
Proceeds from borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances
 
61,685,547

 
75,659,218

Principal payments on securitized debt
 
(22,057
)
 
(78,187
)
Payments made for margin calls on repurchase agreements and interest rate swap agreements (“Swaps”)
 
(179,028
)
 
(198,824
)
Proceeds from reverse margin calls on repurchase agreements and Swaps
 
128,700

 
156,100

Proceeds from issuances of common stock
 
941

 
926

Dividends paid on preferred stock
 
(11,250
)
 
(11,250
)
Dividends paid on common stock and dividend equivalents
 
(223,385
)
 
(222,989
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
$
(997,151
)
 
$
(665,373
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
123,691

 
$
(8,277
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
$
165,007

 
$
182,437

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
288,698

 
$
174,160

 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

MBS and CRT securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
$
—

 
$
1,917,813

Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
$
—

 
$
1,519,593

Net (decrease)/increase in securities obtained as collateral/obligation to return securities obtained as collateral
 
$
(13,450
)
 
$
25,150

Transfer from residential whole loans to real estate owned
 
$
69,803

 
$
12,894

Dividends and dividend equivalents declared and unpaid
 
$
74,556

 
$
74,560

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

5
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


 
1.   Organization
 
MFA Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on July 24, 1997 and began operations on April 10, 1998.  The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law, including that it must distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders.  The Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. (See Notes 2(o) and 12)
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
(a)  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
 
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted according to these SEC rules and regulations.  Management believes that the disclosures included in these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at September 30, 2016 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made.  The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.  Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on MBS (See Note 3), valuation of MBS and CRT securities (See Notes 3 and 15), income recognition and valuation of residential whole loans (See Notes 4 and 15), valuation of derivative instruments (See Notes 5(b) and 15) and income recognition on certain Non-Agency MBS (defined below) purchased at a discount. (See Note 3)  In addition, estimates are used in the determination of taxable income used in the assessment of REIT compliance and contingent liabilities for related taxes, penalties and interest. (See Note 2(o))  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company has one reportable segment as it manages its business and analyzes and reports its results of operations on the basis of one operating segment; investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets.
 
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In addition, the Company consolidates the remaining special purpose entities created to facilitate resecuritization transactions completed in prior years and the acquisition of residential whole loans. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
 

6
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(b)  MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) and CRT Securities
 
The Company has investments in residential MBS that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency MBS”), and residential MBS that are not guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency or any federally chartered corporation (“Non-Agency MBS”). In addition, the Company has investments in CRT securities that are issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The coupon payments on CRT securities are paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the principal payments received are based on the performance of loans in a reference pool of previously securitized MBS. As the loans in the underlying reference pool are paid, the principal balance of the CRT securities is paid. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if certain defined credit events occur, including, for certain CRT securities, if the loans in the reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds.
 
Designation
 
The Company generally intends to hold its MBS until maturity; however, from time to time, it may sell any of its securities as part of the overall management of its business.  As a result, all of the Company’s MBS are designated as “available-for-sale” (“AFS”) and, accordingly, are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings (except when an OTTI is recognized, as discussed below) and reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI”), a component of Stockholders’ Equity.
 
Upon the sale of an AFS security, any unrealized gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI to earnings as a realized gain or loss using the specific identification method.

The Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its CRT securities as it considers this method of accounting to more appropriately reflect the risk sharing structure of these securities. Such securities are carried at their fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings for the period and reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
 
Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization and Discount Accretion
 
Interest income on securities is accrued based on the outstanding principal balance and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS assessed as high credit quality at the time of purchase are amortized into interest income over the life of such securities using the effective yield method. Adjustments to premium amortization are made for actual prepayment activity.
 
Interest income on the Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount to par value and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality is recognized based on the security’s effective interest rate which is the security’s internal rate of return (“IRR”). The IRR is determined using management’s estimate of the projected cash flows for each security, which are based on the Company’s observation of current information and events and include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company reviews and, if appropriate, makes adjustments to its cash flow projections based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and its judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, the timing and amount of credit losses, and other factors. Changes in cash flows from those originally projected, or from those estimated at the last evaluation, may result in a prospective change in the IRR/ interest income recognized on these securities or in the recognition of OTTIs.  (See Note 3)
 
Based on the projected cash flows from the Company’s Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par value, a portion of the purchase discount may be designated as non-accretable purchase discount (“Credit Reserve”), which effectively mitigates the Company’s risk of loss on the mortgages collateralizing such MBS and is not expected to be accreted into interest income.  The amount designated as Credit Reserve may be adjusted over time, based on the actual performance of the security, its underlying collateral, actual and projected cash flow from such collateral, economic conditions and other factors.  If the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is more favorable than forecasted, a portion of the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be reallocated to accretable discount and recognized into interest income over time.  Conversely, if the performance of a security with a Credit Reserve is less favorable than forecasted, the amount designated as Credit Reserve may be increased, or impairment charges and write-downs of such securities to a new cost basis could result.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Determination of Fair Value for MBS and CRT Securities
 
In determining the fair value of the Company’s MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services, brokers and repurchase agreement counterparties, dialogue with market participants, as well as management’s observations of market activity.  (See Note 15)
 
Impairments/OTTI

When the fair value of an AFS security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired.  The Company assesses its impaired securities on at least a quarterly basis and designates such impairments as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”  If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired security before its anticipated recovery, then the Company must recognize an OTTI through charges to earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not expect to sell an other-than-temporarily impaired security, only the portion of the OTTI related to credit losses is recognized through charges to earnings with the remainder recognized through AOCI on the consolidated balance sheets.  Impairments recognized through other comprehensive income/(loss) (“OCI”) do not impact earnings.  Following the recognition of an OTTI through earnings, a new cost basis is established for the security and may not be adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value through earnings.  However, OTTIs recognized through charges to earnings may be accreted back to the amortized cost basis of the security on a prospective basis through interest income.  The determination as to whether an OTTI exists and, if so, the amount of credit impairment recognized in earnings is subjective, as such determinations are based on factual information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimates of the future performance and cash flow projections.  As a result, the timing and amount of OTTIs constitute material estimates that are susceptible to significant change.  (See Note 3)

Non-Agency MBS that are assessed to be of less than high credit quality and on which impairments are recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes.  The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing the MBS.  The Company considers information available about the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores at loan origination, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”), geographic concentrations, as well as reports by credit rating agencies, such as Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch, Inc. (collectively with Moody’s and S&P, “Rating Agencies”), general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants.  As a result, significant judgment is used in the Company’s analysis to determine the expected cash flows for its Non-Agency MBS.  In determining the OTTI related to credit losses for securities that were purchased at significant discounts to par and/or are considered to be of less than high credit quality, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected at the purchase date (or last date previously revised) against the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected at the current financial reporting date.  The discount rate used to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows is the current yield used for income recognition purposes.  Impairment assessment for Non-Agency MBS and CRT Securities that were purchased at prices close to par and/or are otherwise considered to be of high credit quality involves comparing the present value of the remaining cash flows expected to be collected against the amortized cost of the security at the assessment date.  The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows is based on the instrument’s IRR.
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
 
The Company’s MBS and CRT Securities pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Swaps are included on the consolidated balance sheets with the fair value of the securities pledged disclosed parenthetically.  Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date. 


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(c)  Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral
 
The Company has obtained securities as collateral under collateralized financing arrangements in connection with its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS.  Securities obtained as collateral in connection with these transactions are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as an asset along with a liability representing the obligation to return the collateral obtained, at fair value.  While beneficial ownership of securities obtained remains with the counterparty, the Company has the right to transfer the collateral obtained or to pledge it as part of a subsequent collateralized financing transaction.  (See Note 2(k) for Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements)

(d)  Residential Whole Loans

Residential whole loans included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are comprised of pools of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans acquired through consolidated trusts in secondary market transactions generally at discounted purchase prices. The accounting model utilized by the Company is determined at the time each loan package is initially acquired and is generally based on the delinquency status of the majority of the underlying borrowers in the package at acquisition. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of less than 60 days at the acquisition date. The accounting model described below under “Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value” is typically utilized by the Company for loans where the underlying borrower has a delinquency status of 60 days or more at the acquisition date. The accounting model initially applied is not subsequently changed.

The Company’s residential whole loans pledged as collateral against repurchase agreements are included in the consolidated balance sheets with amounts pledged disclosed parenthetically.  Purchases and sales of residential whole loans are recorded on the trade date, with amounts recorded reflecting management’s current estimate of assets that will be acquired or disposed at the closing of the transaction. This estimate is subject to revision at the closing of the transaction, pending the outcome of due diligence performed prior to closing. Recorded amounts of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction is yet to occur are not eligible to be pledged as collateral against any repurchase agreement financing until the closing of the purchase transaction.

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value

Notwithstanding that the majority of these loans are considered to be performing substantially in accordance with their current contractual terms and conditions, the Company has elected to account for these loans as credit impaired as they were acquired at discounted prices that reflect, in part, the impaired credit history of the borrower. Substantially all of the borrowers have previously experienced payment delinquencies and the amount owed on the mortgage loan may exceed the value of the property pledged as collateral. Consequently, the Company has assessed that these loans have a higher likelihood of default than newly originated mortgage loans with LTVs of 80% or less to creditworthy borrowers. The Company believes that amounts paid to acquire these loans represent fair market value at the date of acquisition. Such loans are initially recorded at fair value with no allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to acquisition, the recorded amount reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. These loans are presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which reflects the recorded amount reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition.

Under the application of this accounting model the Company may aggregate into pools loans acquired in the same fiscal quarter that are assessed as having similar risk characteristics. For each pool established, or on an individual loans basis for loans not aggregated into pools, the Company estimates at acquisition and periodically on at least a quarterly basis, the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected. The difference between the cash flows expected to be collected and the carrying amount of the loans is referred to as the “accretable yield.” This amount is accreted as interest income over the life of the loans using an effective interest rate (level yield) methodology. Interest income recorded each period reflects the amount of accretable yield recognized and not the coupon interest payments received on the underlying loans. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the “non-accretable difference,” and includes estimates of both the effect of prepayments and expected credit losses over the life of the underlying loans.

A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate impairment at the pool and/or individual loan level thus requiring the establishment of an allowance for loan losses by a charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition, adjusted for any increases due to changes in estimated cash flows, that are subsequently no longer expected to be received at the relevant measurement date. A significant increase in

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


expected cash flows in subsequent periods first reduces any previously recognized allowance for loan losses and then will result in a recalculation in the amount of accretable yield. The adjustment of accretable yield due to a significant increase in expected cash flows is accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate and results in reclassification from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield. (See Notes 4 and 16)

Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value

Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Given the significant uncertainty associated with estimating the timing of and amount of cash flows associated with these loans that will be collected, and that the cash flows ultimately collected may be dependent on the value of the property securing the loan, the Company considers that accounting for these loans at fair value should result in a better reflection over time of the economic returns from these loans. The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Cash received reflecting coupon payments on residential whole loans held at fair value is not included in Interest Income, but rather is presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Cash outflows associated with loan related advances made by the Company on behalf of the borrower are included in the basis of the loan and are reflected in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value. (See Notes 4 and 15)

(e)  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less.  Cash and cash equivalents may also include cash pledged as collateral to the Company by its repurchase agreement and/or Swap counterparties as a result of reverse margin calls (i.e., margin calls made by the Company).  The Company did not hold any cash pledged by its counterparties at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.  The Company’s investments in overnight money market funds, which are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, were $255.6 million and $120.4 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  (See Notes 7 and 15)
 
(f)  Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by its counterparties as collateral or otherwise in connection with the Company’s Swaps and/or repurchase agreements.  Restricted cash is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to counterparties to the Company’s repurchase agreements and/or Swaps, or may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the Swap or repurchase agreement.  The Company had aggregate restricted cash held as collateral or otherwise in connection with its Swaps and repurchase agreements of $122.7 million and $71.5 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  (See Notes 5(b), 6, 7 and 15)
 
(g)  Goodwill
 
At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had goodwill of $7.2 million, which represents the unamortized portion of the excess of the fair value of its common stock issued over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with its formation in 1998.  Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently under certain circumstances, at the entity level.  Through September 30, 2016, the Company had not recognized any impairment against its goodwill. Goodwill is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

(h) Real Estate Owned (“REO”)
 
REO represents real estate acquired by the Company, including through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or purchased in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans. REO acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosures is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. REO acquired in connection with the acquisition of residential whole loans is initially recorded at its purchase price. Subsequent to acquisition, REO is reported, at each reporting date, at the lower of

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


the current carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs and for presentation purposes is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value that result in an adjustment to the reported amount of an REO property that has a fair value at or below its carrying amount are reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 5(a))

(i)  Depreciation
 
Leasehold Improvements and Other Depreciable Assets
 
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term.  Furniture, fixtures, computers and related hardware have estimated useful lives ranging from five to eight years at the time of purchase.
 
(j)  Resecuritization and Other Debt Issuance Costs
 
Resecuritization related costs are costs associated with the issuance of beneficial interests by consolidated VIEs and incurred by the Company in connection with various resecuritization transactions completed by the Company.  Other debt issuance and related costs include costs incurred by the Company in connection with issuing Senior Notes and certain other repurchase agreement financings. These costs may include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees.  Such costs, which reflect deferred charges, are included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the corresponding debt liability. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method. For resecuritization financings, amortization is based upon the actual repayments of the associated beneficial interests issued to third parties. For Senior Notes and other repurchase agreement financings, such costs are amortized over the shorter of the period to the expected or stated legal maturity of the debt instruments. The Company periodically reviews the recoverability of these deferred costs and in the event an impairment charge is required, such amount will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(k)  Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
 
Repurchase Agreements

The Company finances the holdings of a significant portion of its residential mortgage assets with repurchase agreements.  Under repurchase agreements, the Company sells securities to a lender and agrees to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sale price.  The difference between the sale price that the Company receives and the repurchase price that the Company pays represents interest paid to the lender.  Although legally structured as sale and repurchase transactions, the Company accounts for repurchase agreements as secured borrowings. Under its repurchase agreements, the Company pledges its securities as collateral to secure the borrowing, which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the fair value of the pledged collateral, while the Company retains beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral.  At the maturity of a repurchase financing, unless the repurchase financing is renewed with the same counterparty, the Company is required to repay the loan including any accrued interest and concurrently receives back its pledged collateral from the lender.  With the consent of the lender, the Company may renew a repurchase financing at the then prevailing financing terms.  Margin calls, whereby a lender requires that the Company pledge additional securities or cash as collateral to secure borrowings under its repurchase financing with such lender, are routinely experienced by the Company when the value of the MBS pledged as collateral declines as a result of principal amortization and prepayments or due to changes in market interest rates, spreads or other market conditions.  The Company also may make margin calls on counterparties when collateral values increase.
 
The Company’s repurchase financings typically have terms ranging from one month to six months at inception, but may also have longer or shorter terms.  Should a counterparty decide not to renew a repurchase financing at maturity, the Company must either refinance elsewhere or be in a position to satisfy the obligation.  If, during the term of a repurchase financing, a lender should default on its obligation, the Company might experience difficulty recovering its pledged assets which could result in an unsecured claim against the lender for the difference between the amount loaned to the Company plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by the Company to such lender, including accrued interest receivable or such collateral.  (See Notes 6, 7 and 15)
 
In addition to the repurchase agreement financing arrangements discussed above, as part of its financing strategy for Non-Agency MBS, the Company has entered into contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


counterparty.  Under a typical reverse repurchase agreement, the Company buys securities from a borrower for cash and agrees to sell the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original purchase price.  The difference between the purchase price the Company originally paid and the sale price represents interest received from the borrower.  In contrast, the contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions effectively resulted in the Company pledging Non-Agency MBS as collateral to the counterparty in connection with the repurchase agreement financing and obtaining U.S. Treasury securities as collateral from the same counterparty in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement.  No net cash was exchanged between the Company and counterparty at the inception of the transactions.  Securities obtained and pledged as collateral are recorded as an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  Interest income is recorded on the reverse repurchase agreement and interest expense is recorded on the repurchase agreement on an accrual basis.  Both the Company and the counterparty have the right to make daily margin calls based on changes in the value of the collateral obtained and/or pledged.  The Company’s liability to the counterparty in connection with this financing arrangement is recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, at fair value.”  (See Note 2(c))

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Advances

FHLB advances are secured financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts. The ability to borrow from the FHLB is subject to the Company’s continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB. The amount of collateral pledged to the FHLB to secure advances is subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in the fair value of the collateral. Accrued interest payable on FHLB advances is included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (See Notes 6, 7 and 15)

In addition, as a condition to membership in the FHLB, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, Inc. (“MFA Insurance”) is required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLB stock, which is based, in part, upon the outstanding principal balance of advances from the FHLB. FHLB stock is considered a non-marketable investment, is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards. This stock can only be redeemed or sold at its par value, and only to the FHLB. Accordingly, when evaluating FHLB stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. FHLB stock is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
 
(l)  Equity-Based Compensation
 
Compensation expense for equity-based awards that are subject to vesting conditions, is recognized ratably over the vesting period of such awards, based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date.  With respect to awards granted in 2009 and prior years, the Company applied a zero forfeiture rate for these awards, as they were granted to a limited number of employees, and historical forfeitures have been minimal.  Forfeitures, or an indication that forfeitures are expected to occur, may result in a revised forfeiture rate and would be accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate.
 
During 2010, the Company granted certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vested after either two or four years of service and provided that certain criteria were met, which were based on a formula that included changes in the Company’s closing stock price over a two- or four-year period and dividends declared on the Company’s common stock during those periods.  From 2011 through 2013, the Company granted certain RSUs that vested annually over a one or three-year period, provided that certain criteria were met, which were based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three-year period.  During 2014, 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, the Company made grants of RSUs certain of which cliff vest after a three-year period and certain of which cliff vest after a three-year period, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria based on a formula tied to the Company’s achievement of average total stockholder return during that three-year period. The features in these awards related to the attainment of total stockholder return over a specified period constitute a “market condition” which impacts the amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards.  Specifically, the uncertainty regarding the achievement of the market condition was reflected in the grant date fair valuation of the RSUs, which in addition to estimates regarding the amount of RSUs expected to be forfeited during the associated service period, determined the amount of compensation expense recognized.  The amount of compensation expense recognized was not dependent on whether the market condition was or will be achieved, while differences in actual forfeiture experience relative to estimated forfeitures results in adjustments to the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized.
 
The Company has awarded dividend equivalents that may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another equity-based award.  Compensation expense for separately awarded dividend equivalents is based on the grant date fair value of such awards and is recognized over the vesting period.  Payments pursuant to these dividend equivalents

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


are charged to Stockholders’ Equity.  Payments pursuant to dividend equivalents that are attached to equity based awards are charged to Stockholders’ Equity to the extent that the attached equity awards are expected to vest.  Compensation expense is recognized for payments made for dividend equivalents to the extent that the attached equity awards do not or are not expected to vest and grantees are not required to return payments of dividends or dividend equivalents to the Company.  (See Notes 2(m) and 14)
 
(m)  Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”)
 
Basic EPS is computed using the two-class method, which includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and other securities that participate in dividends, such as the Company’s unvested restricted stock and RSUs that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends and dividend equivalents attached to/associated with RSUs and vested stock options to arrive at total common equivalent shares.  In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both shares of common stock and securities that participate in dividends based on their respective weighted-average shares outstanding for the period.  For the diluted EPS calculation, common equivalent shares are further adjusted for the effect of dilutive unexercised stock options and RSUs outstanding that are unvested and have dividends that are subject to forfeiture using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that all dilutive common stock equivalents are exercised and the proceeds, along with future compensation expenses associated with such instruments, are used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period.  (See Note 13)
 
(n)  Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
 
The Company’s comprehensive income/(loss) available to common stock and participating securities includes net income, the change in net unrealized gains/(losses) on its AFS securities and derivative hedging instruments, (to the extent that such changes are not recorded in earnings), adjusted by realized net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI for sold AFS securities and de-designated derivative hedging instruments and is reduced by dividends declared on the Company’s preferred stock and issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.
 
(o)  U.S. Federal Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) and the corresponding provisions of state law.  The Company expects to operate in a manner that will enable it to satisfy the various requirements to maintain its status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain its status as a REIT, the Company must, among other things, distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (excluding net long-term capital gains) to stockholders in the timeframe permitted by the Code.  As long as the Company maintains its status as a REIT, the Company will not be subject to regular federal income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its REIT taxable income (including net long-term capital gains) to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe.  Should this not occur, the Company would be subject to federal taxes at prevailing corporate tax rates on the difference between its REIT taxable income and the amounts deemed to be distributed for that tax year.  As the Company’s objective is to distribute 100% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders within the permitted timeframe, no provision for current or deferred income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Should the Company incur a liability for corporate income tax, such amounts would be recorded as REIT income tax expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Furthermore, if the Company fails to distribute during each calendar year, or by the end of January following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of (i) 85% its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Company would be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed. To the extent that the Company incurs interest, penalties or related excise taxes in connection with its tax obligations, including as a result of its assessment of uncertain tax positions, such amounts will be included in Operating and Other Expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, the Company has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries as a TRS. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business. Generally, a TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. Since a portion of the Company’s business may be conducted through one or more TRS, its income earned by TRS may be subject to corporate income taxation. To maintain the Company’s REIT election, no more than 25% (or, for 2018 and subsequent taxable years, 20%) of the value of a REIT’s assets at the end of each calendar quarter may consist of stock or securities in TRS. For purposes of the

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


determination of U.S. federal and state income taxes, the Company’s subsidiaries that elected to be treated as a TRS record current or deferred income taxes based on differences (both permanent and timing) between the determination of their taxable income and net income under GAAP. No deferred tax benefit was recorded by the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, as a valuation allowance for the full amount of the associated deferred tax asset was recognized as its recovery is not considered more likely than not.

 Based on its analysis of any potential uncertain tax positions, the Company concluded that it does not have any material uncertain tax positions that meet the relevant recognition or measurement criteria as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015, or September 30, 2015. The Company filed its 2015 tax return prior to September 15, 2016. The Company’s tax returns for tax years 2010 through 2015 are open to examination.

(p)  Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company may use a variety of derivative instruments to economically hedge a portion of its exposure to market risks, including interest rate risk and prepayment risk. The objective of the Company’s risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, the Company attempts to mitigate the risk of the cost of its variable rate liabilities increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. Prior to 2015, the Company’s derivative financial instruments also included Linked Transactions, which were not designated as hedging instruments. New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. (See Note 5(b))

Swaps
 
The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities and the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability for all Swaps designated as hedging transactions.  The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on a quarterly basis thereafter, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective.”
 
Swaps are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, in Other assets, if their fair value is positive, or in Other liabilities, if their fair value is negative.  Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Swaps designated in hedging transactions are recorded in OCI provided that the hedge remains effective.  Changes in fair value for any ineffective amount of a Swap are recognized in earnings.  The Company has not recognized any change in the value of its existing Swaps designated as hedges through earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in fair value through earnings when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows of a hedged item (including forecasted transactions); (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) it is determined that designating the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate.

Although permitted under certain circumstances, the Company does not offset cash collateral receivables or payables against its net derivative positions.  (See Notes 5(b), 7 and 15)

Linked Transactions

Prior to 2015, it was 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 security with the same counterparty were considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction,” unless certain criteria were met. The two components of a linked transaction (security purchase and repurchase financing) were not reported separately but were evaluated on a combined basis and reported as a forward (derivative) contract and were presented as “Linked Transactions” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying Linked Transactions and associated interest income and expense were reported as “Unrealized net gains/(losses) and net interest income from Linked Transactions” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and were not included in OCI.  However, if certain criteria were met, the initial transfer (i.e., the purchase of a security by the Company) and repurchase financing were not treated as a Linked Transaction and would have been evaluated and reported separately as an MBS purchase and MBS repurchase financing.  When or if a transaction was no longer considered to be linked, the security and repurchase financing were reported on a gross basis.  In this case, the fair value of the MBS at the time the transactions were no

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


longer considered linked became the cost basis of the MBS, and the income recognition yield for such MBS was calculated prospectively using this new cost basis.

New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting as described above. This resulted in changes subsequent to January 1, 2015 to the presentation of assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses of Non-Agency MBS and associated repurchase agreements that had been accounted for as Linked Transactions prior to that date. The changes include the presentation of Non-Agency MBS and associated repurchase agreements as separate assets and liabilities, rather than on a combined basis on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In addition, starting in 2015, interest income related to the securities and interest expense related to the associated repurchase agreements are separately presented and included in the determination of the Company’s net interest income on its consolidated statement of operations. Further, the previous treatment of Linked Transactions as forward (derivative) instruments recorded at fair value at the end of each period, with changes in fair value included in net income, was discontinued and effective January 1, 2015, MBS that were previously accounted for as components of Linked Transactions are accounted for on a consistent basis with other MBS held by the Company as AFS securities.  (See Note 5(b))

(q)  Fair Value Measurements and the Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
 
The Company’s presentation of fair value for its financial assets and liabilities is determined within a framework that stipulates that the fair value of a financial asset or liability is an exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market in which the reporting entity would transact for the asset or liability, that is, the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability.  The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability.  This definition of fair value focuses on exit price and prioritizes the use of market-based inputs over entity-specific inputs when determining fair value.  In addition, the framework for measuring fair value establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the observability of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. 

In addition to the financial instruments that it is required to report at fair value, the Company has elected the fair value option for certain of its residential whole loans and CRT securities at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these loans and CRT securities are reported in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value and Other income, net respectively on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.  A decision to elect the fair value option for an eligible financial instrument, which may be made on an instrument by instrument basis, is irrevocable. (See Notes 2(d), 4 and 15)

 (r)  Variable Interest Entities
 
An entity is referred to as a VIE if it meets at least one of the following criteria:  (i) the entity has equity that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support of other parties; or (ii) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack (a) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses; or (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns; or (iii) have disproportional voting rights and the entity’s activities are conducted on behalf of the investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
 
The Company consolidates a VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.   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 in prior years entered into several resecuritization transactions which resulted in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritizations were transferred.  In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company concluded that the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and that they should be consolidated.  If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Prior to the completion of its initial resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”) and other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs.  (See Note 16)

The Company also includes on its consolidated balance sheets certain financial assets and liabilities that are acquired/issued by trusts and/or other special purpose entities that have been evaluated as being required to be consolidated by the Company under the applicable accounting guidance.

(s)  Offering Costs Related to Issuance and Redemption of Preferred Stock

Offering costs related to issuance of preferred stock are recorded as a reduction in Additional paid-in capital, a component of Stockholders’ Equity, at the time such preferred stock is issued. On redemption of preferred stock, any excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred to the holders of the preferred stock over the carrying amount of the preferred stock in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is included in the determination of Net Income Available to Common Stock and Participating Securities in the calculation of EPS.
 
(t)  New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
 
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2016

Interest - Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”).  The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt issued at a discount. The recognition and measurement guidance of debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2015-03 requires retrospective application and was effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. While the Company’s adoption of ASU 2015-03 beginning on January 1, 2016, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, it did result in changes, subsequent to adoption, to the presentation of assets and liabilities prior to that date. On adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2016, the Company reclassified debt issuance costs of $3.3 million related to Senior Notes, $1.3 million related to repurchase agreements and $189,000 related to its Securitized debt from Other assets and presented them as a reduction in the corresponding liability on its consolidated balance sheet.

Consolidation - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”).  The amendments in this ASU change the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a VIE, and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. It also eliminates the VIE consolidation model based on majority exposure to variability that applied to certain investment companies and similar entities. At the effective date, all previous consolidation analyses that the guidance affects must be reconsidered. ASU 2015-02 was effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  The Company’s adoption of ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


3.                   MBS and CRT Securities
 
Agency and Non-Agency MBS

The Company’s MBS are comprised of Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS which include MBS issued prior to 2008 (“Legacy Non-Agency MBS”). These MBS are secured by:  (i) hybrid mortgages (“Hybrids”), which have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period of time and, thereafter, generally adjust annually to an increment over a specified interest rate index; (ii) adjustable-rate mortgages (“ARMs”); (iii) mortgages that have interest rates that reset more frequently (collectively, “ARM-MBS”); and (iv) 15 year and longer-term fixed rate mortgages. In addition, the Company also holds MBS that are structured with a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon steps-up 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance or sooner (“3 Year Step-up securities”). The Company’s 3 Year Step-up securities are secured by re-performing and non-performing loans and the cash flows of the bond may not reflect the contractual cash flows of the underlying collateral. The Company pledges a significant portion of its MBS as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and Swaps.  (See Note 7)
 
Agency MBS:  Agency MBS are guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae.  The payment of principal and/or interest on Ginnie Mae MBS is explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.  Since the third quarter of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which significantly strengthened the backing for these government-sponsored entities.
 
Non-Agency MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs):  The Company’s Non-Agency MBS are secured by pools of residential mortgages which are not guaranteed by an agency of the U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation.  Credit risk associated with Non-Agency MBS is regularly assessed as new information regarding the underlying collateral becomes available and based on updated estimates of cash flows generated by the underlying collateral.
 
CRT Securities

CRT securities are debt obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While the coupon payments are paid by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on a monthly basis, the payment of principal is dependent on the performance of loans in a reference pool of MBS securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As principal on loans in the reference pool are paid, principal payments on the securities are made and the principal balances of the securities are reduced. Consequently, CRT securities mirror the payment and prepayment behavior of the mortgage loans in the reference pool. As an investor in a CRT security, the Company may incur a loss if certain defined credit events occur, including, for certain CRT securities, if the loans in the reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds. The Company assesses the credit risk associated with CRT securities by assessing the current and expected future performance of the associated reference pool. The Company pledges a significant portion of its CRT securities as collateral against its borrowings under repurchase agreements.  (See Note 7)



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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following tables present certain information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
September 30, 2016
(In Thousands)
 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain
Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fannie Mae
 
$
3,084,420

 
$
115,925

 
$
(53
)
 
$
—

 
$
3,200,292

 
$
3,242,427

 
$
49,871

 
$
(7,736
)
 
$
42,135

Freddie Mac
 
736,602

 
28,298

 
—

 
—

 
766,664

 
771,016

 
6,649

 
(2,297
)
 
4,352

Ginnie Mae
 
7,800

 
140

 
—

 
—

 
7,940

 
8,092

 
152

 
—

 
152

Total Agency MBS
 
3,828,822

 
144,363

 
(53
)
 
—

 
3,974,896

 
4,021,535

 
56,672

 
(10,033
)
 
46,639

Non-Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Expected to Recover Par (3)(4)
 
2,799,010

 
63

 
(37,438
)
 
—

 
2,761,635

 
2,801,189

 
41,460

 
(1,906
)
 
39,554

Expected to Recover Less than Par (3)
 
3,493,180

 
—

 
(258,343
)
 
(714,958
)
 
2,519,879

 
3,107,626

 
590,709

 
(2,962
)
 
587,747

Total Non-Agency MBS (5)
 
6,292,190

 
63

 
(295,781
)
 
(714,958
)
 
5,281,514

 
5,908,815

 
632,169

 
(4,868
)
 
627,301

Total MBS
 
10,121,012

 
144,426

 
(295,834
)
 
(714,958
)
 
9,256,410

 
9,930,350

 
688,841

 
(14,901
)
 
673,940

CRT securities (6)
 
331,728

 
—

 
(3,806
)
 
—

 
327,922

 
347,640

 
19,718

 
—

 
19,718

Total MBS and CRT securities
 
$
10,452,740

 
$
144,426

 
$
(299,640
)
 
$
(714,958
)
 
$
9,584,332

 
$
10,277,990

 
$
708,559

 
$
(14,901
)
 
$
693,658


December 31, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Principal/ Current
Face
 
Purchase
Premiums
 
Accretable
Purchase
Discounts
 
Discount
Designated
as Credit Reserve and 
OTTI (1)
 
Amortized
Cost (2)
 
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fannie Mae
 
$
3,690,020

 
$
139,243

 
$
(59
)
 
$
—

 
$
3,829,204

 
$
3,865,485

 
$
62,111

 
$
(25,830
)
 
$
36,281

Freddie Mac
 
851,087

 
32,680

 
—

 
—

 
884,798

 
877,109

 
6,906

 
(14,595
)
 
(7,689
)
Ginnie Mae
 
9,296

 
164

 
—

 
—

 
9,460

 
9,650

 
190

 
—

 
190

Total Agency MBS
 
4,550,403

 
172,087

 
(59
)
 
—

 
4,723,462

 
4,752,244

 
69,207

 
(40,425
)
 
28,782

Non-Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Expected to Recover Par (3)(4)
 
2,906,878

 
73

 
(31,576
)
 
—

 
2,875,375

 
2,878,532

 
23,300

 
(20,143
)
 
3,157

Expected to Recover Less than Par (3)
 
4,054,615

 
—

 
(280,606
)
 
(787,541
)
 
2,986,468

 
3,542,285

 
564,031

 
(8,214
)
 
555,817

Total Non-Agency MBS (5)
 
6,961,493

 
73

 
(312,182
)
 
(787,541
)
 
5,861,843

 
6,420,817

 
587,331

 
(28,357
)
 
558,974

Total MBS
 
11,511,896

 
172,160

 
(312,241
)
 
(787,541
)
 
10,585,305

 
11,173,061

 
656,538

 
(68,782
)
 
587,756

CRT securities (6)
 
192,000

 
—

 
(5,689
)
 
—

 
186,311

 
183,582

 
418

 
(3,147
)
 
(2,729
)
Total MBS and CRT securities
 
$
11,703,896

 
$
172,160

 
$
(317,930
)
 
$
(787,541
)
 
$
10,771,616

 
$
11,356,643

 
$
656,956

 
$
(71,929
)
 
$
585,027

 
(1)
Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amounts related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income.  Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2016 reflect Credit Reserve of $694.0 million and OTTI of $20.9 million.  Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2015 reflect Credit Reserve of $766.0 million and OTTI of $21.5 million.
(2)
Includes principal payments receivable of $1.8 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are not included in the Principal/Current Face.
(3)
Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received.
(4)
At September 30, 2016 3Year Step-up securities had a $2.5 billion Principal/Current face, $2.5 billion amortized cost and $2.5 billion fair value. At December 31, 2015, 3Year Step-up securities had a $2.6 billion Principal/Current face, $2.6 billion amortized cost and $2.6 billion fair value.
(5)
At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company expected to recover approximately 89% and 89%, respectively, of the then-current face amount of Non-Agency MBS.
(6)
Amounts disclosed at September 30, 2016 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $214.6 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $10.9 million at September 30, 2016. Amounts disclosed at December 31, 2015 includes CRT securities with a fair value of $62.2 million for which the fair value option has been elected. Such securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $332,000, gross unrealized losses of approximately $555,000 and net unrealized losses of approximately $223,000 at December 31, 2015.
 


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016



Unrealized Losses on MBS and CRT Securities

The following table presents information about the Company’s MBS and CRT securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016:
 
Unrealized Loss Position For:
 
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or more
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Number of Securities
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Number of Securities
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
(Dollars in Thousands)
Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fannie Mae
 
$
362,752

 
$
1,335

 
75

 
$
911,163

 
$
6,401

 
137

 
$
1,273,915

 
$
7,736

Freddie Mac
 
135,315

 
185

 
12

 
267,233

 
2,112

 
65

 
402,548

 
2,297

Total Agency MBS
 
498,067

 
1,520

 
87

 
1,178,396

 
8,513

 
202

 
1,676,463

 
10,033

Non-Agency MBS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Expected to Recover Par (1)
 
57,534

 
102

 
4

 
525,183

 
1,804

 
20

 
582,717

 
1,906

Expected to Recover Less than Par (1)
 
4,069

 
7

 
1

 
90,362

 
2,955

 
18

 
94,431

 
2,962

Total Non-Agency MBS
 
61,603

 
109

 
5

 
615,545

 
4,759

 
38

 
677,148

 
4,868

Total MBS
 
559,670

 
1,629

 
92

 
1,793,941

 
13,272

 
240

 
2,353,611

 
14,901

CRT securities
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total MBS and CRT securities
 
$
559,670

 
$
1,629

 
92

 
$
1,793,941

 
$
13,272

 
240

 
$
2,353,611

 
$
14,901


(1)
Based on management’s current estimates of future principal cash flows expected to be received.  
.

At September 30, 2016, the Company did not intend to sell any of its investments that were in an unrealized loss position, and it is “more likely than not” that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity. 
 
Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency MBS were $10.0 million at September 30, 2016.  Agency MBS are issued by Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) and enjoy either the implicit or explicit backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. While the Company’s Agency MBS are not rated by any rating agency, they are currently perceived by market participants to be of high credit quality, with risk of default limited to the unlikely event that the U.S. Government would not continue to support the GSEs. Given the credit quality inherent in Agency MBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on its Agency MBS to be credit related. In assessing whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell any impaired security before its anticipated recovery, which may be at its maturity, the Company considers for each impaired security, the significance of each investment, the amount of impairment, the projected future performance of such impaired securities, as well as the Company’s current and anticipated leverage capacity and liquidity position. Based on these analyses, the Company determined that at September 30, 2016 any unrealized losses on its Agency MBS were temporary.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS (including Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) were $4.9 million at September 30, 2016. Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of OTTI and does not believe that these unrealized losses are credit related, but are rather a reflection of current market yields and/or market place bid-ask spreads.  The Company has reviewed its Non-Agency MBS that are in an unrealized loss position to identify those securities with losses that are other-than-temporary based on an assessment of changes in expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and, where possible, expected future performance of the underlying collateral.
  
The Company recognized credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its Non-Agency MBS of $485,000 during three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and $705,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company did not recognize any credit-related OTTI losses through earnings related to its MBS during the three months ended September 30, 2015.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Non-Agency MBS on which OTTI is recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes.  The Company’s estimate of cash flows for these Non-Agency MBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing these MBS.  The Company considers information available about the structure of the securitization, including structural credit enhancement, if any, and the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, FICO scores at loan origination, year of origination, LTVs, geographic concentrations, as well as Rating Agency reports, general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants.  Changes in the Company’s evaluation of each of these factors impacts the cash flows expected to be collected at the OTTI assessment date. For Non-Agency MBS purchased at a discount to par that were assessed for and had no OTTI recorded this period, such cash flow estimates indicated that the amount of expected losses decreased compared to the previous OTTI assessment date. These positive cash flow changes are primarily driven by recent improvements in LTVs due to loan amortization and home price appreciation, which, in turn, positively impacts the Company’s estimates of default rates and loss severities for the underlying collateral. In addition, voluntary prepayments (i.e., loans that prepay in full with no loss) have generally trended higher for these MBS which also positively impacts the Company’s estimate of expected loss. Overall, the combination of higher voluntary prepayments and lower LTVs supports the Company’s assessment that such MBS are not other-than-temporarily impaired.

The following table presents the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Total OTTI losses
 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1,255
)
 
$
(525
)
OTTI recognized in/(reclassified from) OCI
 
770

 
—

 
770

 
(180
)
OTTI recognized in earnings
 
$
(485
)
 
$
—

 
$
(485
)
 
$
(705
)

The following table presents a roll-forward of the credit loss component of OTTI on the Company’s Non-Agency MBS for which a non-credit component of OTTI was previously recognized in OCI.  Changes in the credit loss component of OTTI are presented based upon whether the current period is the first time OTTI was recorded on a security or a subsequent OTTI charge was recorded.
 
(In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
Credit loss component of OTTI at beginning of period
 
$
36,820

 
$
36,820

Additions for credit related OTTI not previously recognized
 
314

 
314

Subsequent additional credit related OTTI recorded
 
171

 
171

Credit loss component of OTTI at end of period
 
$
37,305

 
$
37,305



20
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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS
 
The following tables present the changes in the components of the Company’s purchase discount on its Non-Agency MBS between purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI and accretable purchase discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1) 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(724,198
)
 
$
(325,548
)
 
$
(847,017
)
 
$
(362,946
)
Accretion of discount
 
—

 
20,236

 
—

 
22,805

Realized credit losses
 
15,629

 
—

 
21,527

 
—

Purchases
 
(15,124
)
 
9,830

 
(455
)
 
113

Sales
 
2,398

 
6,523

 
3,676

 
11,193

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(485
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Transfers/release of credit reserve
 
6,822

 
(6,822
)
 
6,872

 
(6,872
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
(714,958
)
 
$
(295,781
)
 
$
(815,397
)
 
$
(335,707
)


 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1) 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
 Accretable Discount (1)
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(787,541
)
 
$
(312,182
)
 
$
(900,557
)
 
$
(399,564
)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
(15,543
)
 
1,832

Impact of RMBS Issuer settlement (2)
 
—

 
(52,881
)
 
—

 
—

Accretion of discount
 
—

 
61,153

 
—

 
71,700

Realized credit losses
 
49,408

 
—

 
62,377

 
—

Purchases
 
(25,999
)
 
13,210

 
(1,200
)
 
(4,012
)
Sales
 
16,281

 
28,297

 
5,573

 
28,995

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(485
)
 
—

 
(705
)
 
—

Transfers/release of credit reserve
 
33,378

 
(33,378
)
 
34,658

 
(34,658
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
(714,958
)
 
$
(295,781
)
 
$
(815,397
)
 
$
(335,707
)

(1)  Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security.
(2)
Includes the impact of approximately $61.8 million of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts.

21
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Impact of AFS Securities on AOCI
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s AFS securities on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
AOCI from AFS securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized gain on AFS securities at beginning of period
 
$
625,697

 
$
759,151

 
$
585,250

 
$
813,515

Unrealized (loss)/gain on Agency MBS, net
 
(6,941
)
 
(2,028
)
 
17,857

 
(14,393
)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Non-Agency MBS, net
 
71,291

 
(42,011
)
 
106,906

 
(72,791
)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,537

Reclassification adjustment for MBS sales included in net income
 
(6,829
)
 
(11,363
)
 
(26,795
)
 
(26,414
)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI included in net income
 
(485
)
 
—

 
(485
)
 
(705
)
Change in AOCI from AFS securities
 
57,036

 
(55,402
)
 
97,483

 
(109,766
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
682,733

 
$
703,749

 
$
682,733

 
$
703,749

 
Sales of MBS
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $13.2 million and $65.1 million, realizing gross gains of $7.1 million and $26.1 million, respectively.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company sold certain Non-Agency MBS for $23.5 million and $50.7 million, realizing gross gains of $11.2 million and $25.2 million, respectively. The Company has no continuing involvement with any of the sold MBS.


22
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


 Interest Income on MBS and CRT Securities
 
The following table presents the components of interest income on the Company’s MBS and CRT securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015: 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Agency MBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon interest
 
$
29,283

 
$
35,154

 
$
92,263

 
$
113,543

Effective yield adjustment (1)
 
(10,326
)
 
(11,536
)
 
(27,717
)
 
(32,513
)
Interest income
 
$
18,957

 
$
23,618

 
$
64,546

 
$
81,030

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon interest
 
$
37,763

 
$
44,824

 
$
117,620

 
$
141,152

Effective yield adjustment (2)
 
20,055

 
21,955

 
59,270

 
69,816

Interest income
 
$
57,818

 
$
66,779

 
$
176,890

 
$
210,968

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 Year Step-up securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon interest
 
$
25,630

 
$
22,898

 
$
74,773

 
$
63,602

Effective yield adjustment (1)
 
190

 
753

 
1,892

 
1,662

Interest income
 
$
25,820

 
$
23,651

 
$
76,665

 
$
65,264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRT securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon interest
 
$
3,562

 
$
1,432

 
$
8,725

 
$
4,000

Effective yield adjustment (2)
 
421

 
161

 
1,172

 
477

Interest income
 
$
3,983

 
$
1,593

 
$
9,897

 
$
4,477

 
(1)  Includes amortization of premium paid net of accretion of purchase discount.  For Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities, interest income is recorded at an effective yield, which reflects net premium amortization/accretion based on actual prepayment activity.
(2)  The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net income calculated using the net yield, which is based on management’s estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows, less the current coupon yield.

4.    Residential Whole Loans

Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are approximately $1.3 billion and $895.1 million, respectively, of residential whole loans arising from the Company’s 100% equity interest in certificates issued by certain trusts established to acquire the loans. Based on its evaluation of these interests and other factors, the Company has determined that the trusts are required to be consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value

Residential whole loans at carrying value totaled approximately $550.6 million and $271.8 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The carrying value reflects the original investment amount, plus accretion of interest income, less principal and interest cash flows received. The carrying value is reduced by any allowance for loan losses established subsequent to acquisition.

As of September 30, 2016 the Company had established an allowance for loan losses of approximately $1.0 million on its residential whole loan pools held at carrying value. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, there was no provision for loan losses recorded. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, a net reversal of provision for loan losses of approximately $142,000 was recorded, which is included in Operating and Other expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, a net provision for loan losses of approximately $335,000 and $785,000 was recorded, respectively.


23
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses on its residential whole loan pools at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 (In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016

2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at the beginning of period
 
$
1,023

 
$
587

 
$
1,165

 
$
137

Provisions/(reversal of provisions) for loan losses
 
—

 
335

 
(142
)
 
785

Balance at the end of period
 
$
1,023

 
$
922

 
$
1,023

 
$
922


The following table presents information regarding estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the residential whole loans held at carrying value acquired by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

 (In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016 (1)
 
2015
 
2016 (1)
 
2015
Contractually required principal and interest
 
$
121,818

 
$
10,646

 
$
363,144

 
$
103,950

Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable yield)
 
(31,648
)
 
(1,313
)
 
(66,685
)
 
(18,465
)
Expected cash flows to be collected
 
90,170

 
9,333

 
296,459

 
85,485

Interest component of expected cash flows 
(accretable yield)
 
(28,801
)
 
(3,620
)
 
(98,550
)
 
(34,901
)
Fair value at the date of acquisition
 
$
61,369

 
$
5,713

 
$
197,909

 
$
50,584


(1)  Excluded from the table above are approximately $111.2 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

The following table presents accretable yield activity for the Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:

 (In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016 (1)
 
2015
 
2016 (1)
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
234,527

 
$
155,574

 
$
175,271

 
$
133,012

  Additions
 
28,801

 
3,620

 
98,550

 
34,901

  Accretion
 
(5,917
)
 
(3,972
)
 
(16,112
)
 
(11,406
)
  Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference, net
 
218

 
2,692

 
(80
)
 
1,407

Balance at end of period
 
$
257,629

 
$
157,914

 
$
257,629

 
$
157,914


(1)  Excluded from the table above are approximately $111.2 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

Accretable yield for residential whole loans is the excess of loan cash flows expected to be collected over the purchase price. The cash flows expected to be collected represent the Company’s estimate of the amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest cash flows. Additions include accretable yield estimates for purchases made during the period and reclassification to accretable yield from non-accretable yield. Accretable yield is reduced by accretion during the period. The reclassifications between accretable and non-accretable yield and the accretion of interest income are based on changes in estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. In future periods, as the Company updates estimates of cash flows expected to be collected from the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 is not necessarily indicative of future results.


24
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Residential Whole Loans at Fair Value

Certain of the Company’s residential whole loans are presented at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following table presents information regarding the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 (Dollars in Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016 (1)
 
December 31, 2015
Outstanding principal balance
 
$
840,964

 
$
786,330

Aggregate fair value
 
$
704,462

 
$
623,276

Number of loans
 
3,205

 
3,143


(1)  Excluded from the table above are approximately $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value of $18.7 million and $45.1 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded net gains on residential whole loans at fair value of $5.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively.
  
The following table presents the components of Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 (In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Coupon payments and other income received
 
$
6,253

 
$
2,772

 
$
15,987

 
$
5,665

Net unrealized gains
 
10,913

 
2,362

 
25,529

 
3,872

Net gain on payoff/liquidation of loans
 
1,535

 
431

 
3,536

 
1,286

    Total
 
$
18,701

 
$
5,565

 
$
45,052

 
$
10,823



5.    Other Assets

The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other assets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
REO
 
$
73,189

 
$
28,026

Interest receivable
 
27,842

 
29,002

Swaps, at fair value
 
121

 
1,127

Goodwill
 
7,189

 
7,189

Prepaid and other assets
 
99,708

 
101,455

Total Other Assets
 
$
208,049

 
$
166,799


(a) Real Estate Owned

At September 30, 2016, the Company had 393 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $73.2 million. At December 31, 2015, the Company had 182 REO properties with an aggregate carrying value of $28.0 million.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company reclassified 122 and 385 mortgage loans to REO at an aggregate estimated fair value less estimated selling costs of $24.8 million and $69.8 million, respectively, at the time of transfer. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company reclassified 39 and 87 mortgage loans to

25
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


REO at an aggregate estimated fair value less estimated selling costs of $5.9 million and $12.9 million, respectively, at the time of transfer. Such transfers occur when the Company takes possession of the property by foreclosing on the borrower or completes a “deed-in-lieu of foreclosure” transaction.

At September 30, 2016, $71.3 million of residential real estate property was held by the Company that was acquired either through a completed foreclosure proceeding or from completion of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. In addition, excluding loan acquisitions for which the purchase closing had not occurred as of September 30, 2016, formal foreclosure proceedings were in process with respect to $28.6 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value and $441.9 million of residential whole loans held at fair value at September 30, 2016.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 57 and 179 REO properties for consideration of $7.9 million and $24.0 million, realizing net gains of approximately $733,000 and $1.8 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company sold 17 and 36 REO properties for consideration of $1.7 million and $3.7 million, realizing net gain of approximately $129,000 and net losses of approximately $102,000, respectively. These amounts are included in Other, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, following an updated assessment of liquidation amounts expected to be realized that was performed on all REO held at the end of the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, a downward adjustment of approximately $1.7 million and $560,000 was recorded to reflect certain REO properties at the lower of cost or estimated fair value as of September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

The following table presents the activity in the Company’s REO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
(In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
56,784

 
$
8,857

 
$
28,026

 
$
5,492

Adjustments to record at lower of cost or fair value
 
(1,659
)
 
(560
)
 
(4,655
)
 
(1,939
)
Transfer from residential whole loans (1)
 
24,812

 
5,892

 
69,803

 
12,894

Purchases and capital improvements
 
415

 
2,052

 
2,204

 
2,052

Disposals
 
(7,163
)
 
(1,716
)
 
(22,189
)
 
(3,974
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
73,189

 
$
14,525

 
$
73,189

 
$
14,525


(1)  Includes net gain recorded on transfer of approximately $845,000 and $110,000, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and approximately $2.5 million and $704,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



26
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(b) Derivative Instruments
 
The Company’s derivative instruments are currently comprised of Swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges against the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. Prior to 2015, the Company had also entered into Linked Transactions, which were not designated as hedging instruments. (See Note 2(p), and below) The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Derivative Instrument
 
Designation 
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1)
 
Hedging
 
Assets
 
$
300,000

 
$
121

 
$
450,000

 
$
1,127

Non-cleared legacy Swaps (1)
 
Hedging
 
Liabilities
 
$
150,000

 
$
(27
)
 
$
50,000

 
$
(59
)
Cleared Swaps (2)
 
Hedging
 
Liabilities
 
$
2,550,000

 
$
(109,296
)
 
$
2,550,000

 
$
(70,467
)
 
(1)  Non-cleared legacy Swaps include Swaps executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house.
(2) Cleared Swaps include Swaps executed bilaterally with a counterparty in the over-the-counter market but then novated to a central clearing house, whereby the central clearing house becomes the counterparty to both of the original counterparties.
 
Swaps
 
Consistent with market practice, the Company has agreements with its Swap counterparties that provide for the posting of collateral based on the fair values of its derivative contracts.  Through this margining process, either the Company or its derivative counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral.  In addition, Swaps novated to and cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. Certain derivative contracts provide for cross collateralization with repurchase agreements with the same counterparty.
 
A number of the Company’s Swap contracts include financial covenants, which, if breached, could cause an event of default or early termination event to occur under such agreements.  Such financial covenants include minimum net worth requirements and maximum debt-to-equity ratios.  If the Company were to cause an event of default or trigger an early termination event pursuant to one of its Swap contracts, the counterparty to such agreement may have the option to terminate all of its outstanding Swap contracts with the Company and, if applicable, any close-out amount due to the counterparty upon termination of the Swap contracts would be immediately payable by the Company.  The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants through September 30, 2016.  At September 30, 2016, the aggregate fair value of assets needed to immediately settle Swap contracts that were in a liability position to the Company, if so required, was approximately $110.4 million, including accrued interest payable of approximately $1.1 million.
 
The following table presents the assets pledged as collateral against the Company’s Swap contracts at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Agency MBS, at fair value
 
$
34,469

 
$
38,569

Restricted cash
 
115,487

 
70,573

Total assets pledged against Swaps
 
$
149,956

 
$
109,142

 
The use of derivative hedging instruments exposes the Company to counterparty credit risk.  In the event of a default by a derivative counterparty, the Company may not receive payments to which it is entitled under its derivative agreements, and may have difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral against such agreements.  If, during the term of a derivative contract, a counterparty should file for bankruptcy, the Company may experience difficulty recovering its assets pledged as collateral which could result in the Company having an unsecured claim against such counterparty’s assets for the difference between the fair value of the derivative and the fair value of the collateral pledged to such counterparty.
 

27
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The Company’s derivative hedging instruments, or a portion thereof, could become ineffective in the future if the associated repurchase agreements that such derivatives hedge fail to exist or fail to have terms that match those of the derivatives that hedge such borrowings.  At September 30, 2016, all of the Company’s derivatives were deemed effective for hedging purposes and no derivatives were terminated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
The Company’s Swaps designated as hedging transactions have the effect of modifying the repricing characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements and cash flows for such liabilities.  To date, no cost has been incurred at the inception of a Swap (except for certain transaction fees related to entering into Swaps cleared though a central clearing house), pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable interest rate, generally based on one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), on the notional amount of the Swap. The Company did not recognize any change in the value of its existing Swaps designated as hedges through earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
At September 30, 2016, the Company had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $3.0 billion, which had net unrealized losses of $109.2 million, and extended 37 months on average with a maximum term of approximately 83 months. 

The following table presents certain information with respect to the Company’s Swap activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:

(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
New Swaps:
 
 
 
 
Aggregate notional amount
 
$
—

 
$
—

Weighted average fixed-pay rate
 
—
%
 
—
%
Initial maturity date
 
N/A

 
N/A

Number of new Swaps
 
—

 
—

Swaps amortized/expired:
 
 
 
 
Aggregate notional amount
 
$
—

 
$
50,000

Weighted average fixed-pay rate
 
—
%
 
2.13
%


28
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents information about the Company’s Swaps at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 Notional Amount
 
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2) 
Notional Amount 
 
Weighted Average Fixed-Pay
Interest Rate
 
 Weighted Average Variable
Interest Rate (2)
 
 
Maturity (1)
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within 30 days
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
—
%
 
$
50,000

 
2.13
%
 
0.42
%
 
Over 30 days to 3 months
 
100,000

 
0.48

 
0.53

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
Over 3 months to 6 months
 
50,000

 
0.67

 
0.52

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
Over 6 months to 12 months
 
300,000

 
0.57

 
0.52

 
100,000

 
0.48

 
0.32

 
Over 12 months to 24 months
 
550,000

 
1.49

 
0.53

 
350,000

 
0.58

 
0.27

 
Over 24 months to 36 months
 
200,000

 
1.71

 
0.54

 
550,000

 
1.49

 
0.32

 
Over 36 months to 48 months
 
1,500,000

 
2.22

 
0.53

 
200,000

 
1.71

 
0.42

 
Over 48 months to 60 months
 
200,000

 
2.20

 
0.53

 
1,500,000

 
2.22

 
0.36

 
Over 60 months to 72 months
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
200,000

 
2.20

 
0.30

 
Over 72 months to 84 months (3)
 
100,000

 
2.75

 
0.53

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
Over 84 months (3)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
100,000

 
2.75

 
0.40

 
Total Swaps
 
$
3,000,000

 
1.82
%
 
0.53
%
 
$
3,050,000

 
1.82
%
 
0.34
%

(1)  Each maturity category reflects contractual amortization and/or maturity of notional amounts.
(2)  Reflects the benchmark variable rate due from the counterparty at the date presented, which rate adjusts monthly or quarterly based on one-month or three-month LIBOR, respectively.
(3) Reflects one Swap with a maturity date of July 2023.
 
The following table presents the net impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its interest expense and the weighted average interest rate paid and received for such Swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest expense attributable to Swaps
 
$
10,170

 
$
12,711

 
$
31,279

 
$
41,266

Weighted average Swap rate paid
 
1.82
%
 
1.82
%
 
1.82
%
 
1.83
%
Weighted average Swap rate received
 
0.49
%
 
0.19
%
 
0.45
%
 
0.18
%
 
Impact of Derivative Hedging Instruments on AOCI
 
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s derivative hedging instruments on its AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
AOCI from derivative hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(131,971
)
 
$
(64,571
)
 
$
(69,399
)
 
$
(59,062
)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on Swaps, net
 
22,769

 
(40,884
)
 
(39,803
)
 
(46,393
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
(109,202
)
 
$
(105,455
)
 
$
(109,202
)
 
$
(105,455
)


29
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Counterparty Credit Risk from Use of Swaps
 
By using Swaps, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk if counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as expected.  If a counterparty fails to perform, the Company’s counterparty credit risk is equal to the amount reported as a derivative asset on its consolidated balance sheets to the extent that amount exceeds collateral obtained from the counterparty or, if in a net liability position, the extent to which collateral posted exceeds the liability to the counterparty.  The amounts reported as a derivative asset/(liability) are derivative contracts in a gain/(loss) position, and to the extent subject to master netting arrangements, net of derivatives in a loss/(gain) position with the same counterparty and collateral received/(pledged).  The Company attempts to minimize counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures, executing master netting arrangements and obtaining collateral, where appropriate.  Counterparty credit risk related to the Company’s Swaps is considered in determining the fair value of such derivatives and in its assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Linked Transactions
 
Prior to January 1, 2015, the Company’s Linked Transactions had been evaluated on a combined basis, reported as forward (derivative) instruments and presented as assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value.  The fair value of Linked Transactions reflected the value of the underlying Non-Agency MBS, linked repurchase agreement borrowings and accrued interest receivable/payable on such instruments.  The Company’s Linked Transactions were not designated as hedging instruments and, as a result, the change in the fair value and net interest income from Linked Transactions had been reported in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

New accounting guidance that was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 prospectively eliminated the use of Linked Transaction accounting. An entity is required to present 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. Accordingly, on adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2015, the Company reclassified $1.9 billion of Non-Agency MBS and $4.6 million of CRT securities that were previously reported as a component of Linked Transactions to Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, respectively on the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, liabilities of $1.5 billion that were previously presented as a component of Linked Transactions were reclassified to Repurchase agreements on the consolidated balance sheet. Furthermore, an amount of $4.5 million representing net unrealized gains on securities previously reported as a component of Linked Transactions as of December 31, 2014 was reclassified from Accumulated deficit to AOCI. These reclassification adjustments had no net impact on the Company’s overall Total Stockholders’ Equity.
 
(c) Interest Receivable
 
The following table presents the Company’s interest receivable by investment category at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
MBS interest receivable:
 
 

 
 

Fannie Mae
 
$
7,799

 
$
8,999

Freddie Mac
 
1,916

 
2,177

Ginnie Mae
 
15

 
15

Non-Agency MBS
 
14,401

 
15,438

Total MBS interest receivable
 
24,131

 
26,629

Residential whole loans
 
3,435

 
2,259

CRT securities
 
213

 
92

Money market and other investments
 
63

 
22

Total interest receivable
 
$
27,842

 
$
29,002

 

30
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


6.      Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
 
Repurchase Agreements

The Company’s repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and are collateralized by the Company’s MBS, U.S. Treasury securities (obtained as part of a reverse repurchase agreement), CRT securities, residential whole loans and cash, and bear interest that is generally LIBOR-based.  (See Notes 2(k) and 7)  At September 30, 2016, the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 20 days and an effective repricing period of 13 months, including the impact of related Swaps.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements had a weighted average remaining term-to-interest rate reset of 21 days and an effective repricing period of 18 months, including the impact of related Swaps.
 
The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Agency MBS
 
$
3,356,803

 
$
2,727,542

Fair value of Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
 
$
3,521,966

 
$
2,881,049

Weighted average haircut on Agency MBS (1)
 
4.61
%
 
4.67
%
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
$
1,786,248

 
$
1,960,222

Fair value of Legacy Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements (2)
 
$
2,545,212

 
$
2,818,968

Weighted average haircut on Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
24.18
%
 
25.84
%
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by 3 Year Step-up securities
 
$
1,963,760

 
$
2,080,163

Fair value of 3 Year Step-up securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
 
$
2,523,227

 
$
2,625,866

Weighted average haircut on 3 Year Step-up securities (1)
 
23.01
%
 
21.05
%
Repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasuries
 
$
500,930

 
$
504,760

Fair value of U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
 
$
506,182

 
$
507,443

Weighted average haircut on U.S. Treasuries (1)
 
1.59
%
 
1.60
%
Repurchase agreements secured by CRT securities 
 
$
241,606

 
$
128,465

Fair value of CRT securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
 
$
320,852

 
$
170,352

Weighted average haircut on CRT securities (1)
 
23.53
%
 
25.04
%
Repurchase agreements secured by residential whole loans (3)
 
$
633,616

 
$
487,750

Fair value of residential whole loans pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
 
$
896,946

 
$
684,136

Weighted average haircut on residential whole loans (1)
 
25.69
%
 
27.69
%
 
(1)
Haircut represents the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount.
(2) Includes $186.4 million and $570.5 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Excludes $207,000 and $1.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.



31
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents repricing information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, which does not reflect the impact of associated derivative hedging instruments, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 Balance 
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
Balance
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
Time Until Interest Rate Reset
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within 30 days
 
$
7,538,487

 
1.46
%
 
$
7,054,483

 
1.44
%
Over 30 days to 3 months
 
760,615

 
2.07

 
734,955

 
1.79

Over 3 months to 12 months
 
183,861

 
2.20

 
99,464

 
2.36

Total repurchase agreements
 
8,482,963

 
1.53
%
 
7,888,902

 
1.48
%
Less debt issuance costs
 
207

 
 
 
1,280

 
 
Total repurchase agreements less debt
  issuance costs
 
$
8,482,756

 
 
 
$
7,887,622

 
 

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements, all of which are accounted for as secured borrowings, at September 30, 2016, and does not reflect the impact of derivative contracts that hedge such repurchase agreements:

 
 
September 30, 2016
Contractual Maturity
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
 
U.S. Treasuries
 
CRT Securities
 
Residential Whole Loans
 
Total (1)
 
Weighted 
Average Interest Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overnight
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
—
%
Within 30 days
 
3,298,352

 
943,047

 
1,293,714

 
500,930

 
237,731

 
83,302

 
6,357,076

 
1.26

Over 30 days to 3 months
 
58,451

 
533,077

 
219,699

 
—

 
3,875

 
—

 
815,102

 
2.09

Over 3 months to 12 months
 
—

 
310,124

 
450,347

 
—

 
—

 
550,314

 
1,310,785

 
2.49

Over 12 months
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
 
$
3,356,803

 
$
1,786,248

 
$
1,963,760

 
$
500,930

 
$
241,606

 
$
633,616

 
$
8,482,963

 
1.53
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements in Note 8
 
$
8,482,963

 
 
Amounts related to repurchase agreements not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 8
 
$
—

 
 

(1)
Excludes $207,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs at September 30, 2016.



32
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The Company had repurchase agreements with 28 and 27 counterparties at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The following table presents information with respect to each counterparty under repurchase agreements for which the Company had greater than 5% of stockholders’ equity at risk in the aggregate at September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Counterparty
Rating (1)
 
Amount 
at Risk (2)
 
Weighted 
Average Months 
to Maturity for
Repurchase Agreements
 
Percent of
Stockholders’ Equity
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wells Fargo (3)
 
AA-/Aa2/AA
 
$
366,482

 
5
 
12.1
%
RBC (4)
 
AA-/Aa3/AA
 
266,617

 
2
 
8.8

Credit Suisse
 
BBB+/Aa2/A-
 
266,047

 
1
 
8.8

Goldman Sachs
 
BBB+/A3/A
 
211,824

 
3
 
7.0

UBS (5)
 
A+/A1/A+
 
167,084

 
11
 
5.5


(1)
As rated at September 30, 2016 by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, Inc., respectively.  The counterparty rating presented is the lowest published for these entities.
(2)
The amount at risk reflects the difference between (a) the amount loaned to the Company through repurchase agreements, including interest payable, and (b) the cash and the fair value of the securities pledged by the Company as collateral, including accrued interest receivable on such securities.
(3)
Includes $287.9 million at risk with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and $78.6 million at risk with Wells Fargo Securities LLC.
(4)
Includes $225.3 million at risk with RBC Barbados, $35.3 million at risk with Royal Bank of Canada and $6.0 million at risk with RBC Capital Markets LLC. Counterparty ratings are not published for RBC Barbados and RBC Capital Markets LLC.
(5)
Includes Non-Agency MBS pledged as collateral with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.


FHLB Advances

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, MFA Insurance had $215.0 million and $1.5 billion in outstanding long-term secured FHLB advances with a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.54% and 0.50%, respectively. At September 30, 2016, the FHLB advances had a weighted average term to maturity of 3.94 years. However, MFA Insurance is required by recent amendments to FHLB membership regulations to terminate its membership and repay the outstanding advances by February 19, 2017. Interest payable on outstanding FHLB advances at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 totaled approximately $25,000 and $508,000, respectively, and is included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

7.      Collateral Positions
 
The Company pledges securities or cash as collateral to its counterparties pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and its derivative contracts that are in an unrealized loss position, and it receives securities or cash as collateral pursuant to financing provided under reverse repurchase agreements and certain of its derivative contracts in an unrealized gain position.  The Company exchanges collateral with its counterparties based on changes in the fair value, notional amount and term of the associated repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and derivative contracts, as applicable.  Through this margining process, either the Company or its counterparty may be required to pledge cash or securities as collateral.  In addition, Swaps novated to and cleared by a central clearing house are subject to initial margin requirements. When the Company’s pledged collateral exceeds the required margin, the Company may initiate a reverse margin call, at which time the counterparty may either return the excess collateral or provide collateral to the Company in the form of cash or equivalent securities.


33
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s collateral positions, which includes collateral pledged and collateral held, with respect to its borrowings under repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, derivative hedging instruments and FHLB advances at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015: 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Assets Pledged
 
Collateral Held
 
Assets Pledged
 
Collateral Held
Derivative Hedging Instruments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
$
34,469

 
$
—

 
$
38,569

 
$
—

Cash (1)
 
115,487

 
—

 
70,573

 
—

 
 
149,956

 
—

 
109,142

 
—

Repurchase Agreement Borrowings:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
3,521,966

 
—

 
2,881,049

 
—

Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3)
 
2,545,212

 
—

 
2,818,968

 
—

3 Year Step-up securities
 
2,523,227

 
—

 
2,625,866

 
—

U.S. Treasury securities
 
506,182

 
—

 
507,443

 
—

CRT securities
 
320,852

 
—

 
170,352

 
—

Residential whole loans
 
896,946

 
—

 
684,136

 
—

Cash (1)
 
7,169

 
—

 
965

 
—

 
 
10,321,554

 
—

 
9,688,779

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB Advances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
227,478

 
—

 
1,612,476

 
—

 
 
227,478

 
—

 
1,612,476

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Treasury securities
 
—

 
506,182

 
—

 
507,443

 
 
—

 
506,182

 
—

 
507,443

Total
 
$
10,698,988

 
$
506,182

 
$
11,410,397

 
$
507,443

 
(1)  Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(2)  Includes $186.4 million and $570.5 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(3)  In addition, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, $691.1 million and $726.7 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS, respectively, are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty.


34
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s assets pledged as collateral pursuant to its borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative hedging instruments at September 30, 2016:
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Assets Pledged Under Repurchase 
Agreements and Other Advances
 
Assets Pledged Against Derivative
Hedging Instruments
 
Total Fair
Value of Assets Pledged and Accrued Interest
(In Thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Accrued 
Interest on
Pledged 
Assets
 
Fair Value/ 
Carrying 
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Accrued Interest on 
Pledged 
Assets
 
Agency MBS (1)
 
$
3,749,444

 
$
3,706,053

 
$
9,068

 
$
34,469

 
$
34,503

 
$
69

 
$
3,793,050

Legacy Non-Agency MBS (2)(3)
 
2,545,212

 
2,030,320

 
9,341

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,554,553

3 Year Step-up securities
 
2,523,227

 
2,515,488

 
1,841

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,525,068

U.S. Treasuries
 
506,182

 
506,182

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
506,182

CRT securities
 
320,852

 
301,848

 
197

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
321,049

Residential whole loans (4)
 
896,946

 
891,835

 
2,216

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
899,162

Cash (5)
 
7,169

 
7,169

 
—

 
115,487

 
115,487

 
—

 
122,656

Total
 
$
10,549,032

 
$
9,958,895

 
$
22,663

 
$
149,956

 
$
149,990

 
$
69

 
$
10,721,720


(1)
Includes Agency MBS pledged under FHLB advances with an aggregate fair value of $227.5 million, aggregate amortized cost of $224.1 million and aggregate accrued interest of approximately $590,000 at September 30, 2016.
(2)
Includes $186.4 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS acquired in connection with resecuritization transactions from consolidated VIEs at September 30, 2016, that are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
In addition, at September 30, 2016, $691.1 million of Legacy Non-Agency MBS are pledged as collateral in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements entered into with a single counterparty.
(4)
Includes residential whole loans held at carrying value with an aggregate fair value of $278.5 million and aggregate amortized cost of $273.4 million and residential whole loans held at fair value with an aggregate fair value and amortized cost of $618.4 million.
(5)
Cash pledged as collateral is reported as “Restricted cash” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

35
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016



8.    Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
 
The following tables present information about certain assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements (or similar agreements) and may potentially be offset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 Net Amount
(In Thousands) 
Financial
Instruments
 
Cash 
Collateral 
Received
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps, at fair value
 
$
121

 
$
—

 
$
121

 
$
(121
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Total
 
$
121

 
$
—

 
$
121

 
$
(121
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps, at fair value
 
$
1,127

 
$
—

 
$
1,127

 
$
(1,127
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

Total
 
$
1,127

 
$
—

 
$
1,127

 
$
(1,127
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amount 
(In Thousands)
Financial 
Instruments (1)
 
Cash 
Collateral 
Pledged (1)
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps, at fair value (2)
 
$
109,323

 
$
—

 
$
109,323

 
$
—

 
$
(109,323
)
 
$
—

Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4)
 
8,697,963

 
—

 
8,697,963

 
(8,690,794
)
 
(7,169
)
 
—

Total
 
$
8,807,286

 
$
—

 
$
8,807,286

 
$
(8,690,794
)
 
$
(116,492
)
 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps, at fair value (2)
 
$
70,526

 
$
—

 
$
70,526

 
$
—

 
$
(70,526
)
 
$
—

Repurchase agreements and other advances (3)(4)
 
9,388,902

 
—

 
9,388,902

 
(9,387,937
)
 
(965
)
 
—

Total
 
$
9,459,428

 
$
—

 
$
9,459,428

 
$
(9,387,937
)
 
$
(71,491
)
 
$
—

 
(1) Amounts disclosed in the Financial Instruments column of the table above represent collateral pledged that is available to be offset against liability balances associated with repurchase agreements and other advances, and derivative transactions.  Amounts disclosed in the Cash Collateral Pledged column of the table above represent amounts pledged as collateral against derivative transactions and repurchase agreements, and exclude excess collateral of $6.2 million and $47,000 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2) The fair value of securities pledged against the Company’s Swaps was $34.5 million and $38.6 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(3) The fair value of financial instruments pledged against the Company’s repurchase agreements and other advances was $10.5 billion and $11.3 billion at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(4) Excludes $207,000 and $1.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
 

36
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Nature of Setoff Rights
 
In the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, all balances associated with the repurchase agreement and derivative transactions are presented on a gross basis.
 
Certain of the Company’s repurchase agreement and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide for a right of setoff in the event of default or in the event of a bankruptcy of either party to the transaction.  For one repurchase agreement counterparty, the underlying agreements provide for an unconditional right of setoff.  

9.     Senior Notes
 
On April 11, 2012, the Company issued $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes in an underwritten public offering.  The total net proceeds to the Company from the offering of the Senior Notes were approximately $96.6 million, after deducting offering expenses and the underwriting discount.  The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.00% per year, paid quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year and will mature on April 15, 2042.  The Senior Notes have an effective interest rate, including the impact of amortization to interest expense of debt issuance costs, of 8.31%. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not excluding, the redemption date.

The Senior Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and are subordinate to all of the Company’s secured indebtedness, which includes the Company’s repurchase agreements, obligation to return securities obtained as collateral and other financing arrangements, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
 
10. Other Liabilities

The following table presents the components of the Company’s Other liabilities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Accrued interest payable
 
$
11,770

 
$
16,949

Swaps, at fair value
 
109,323

 
70,526

Dividends and dividend equivalents payable
 
74,556

 
74,575

Securitized debt
 
—

 
21,868

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
17,680

 
19,610

Total Other Liabilities
 
$
213,329

 
$
203,528


11.    Commitments and Contingencies
 
(a) Lease Commitments
 
The Company pays monthly rent pursuant to two operating leases.  The lease term for the Company’s headquarters in New York, New York extends through May 31, 2020.  The lease provides for aggregate cash payments ranging over time of approximately $2.5 million per year, paid on a monthly basis, exclusive of escalation charges.  In addition, as part of this lease agreement, the Company has provided the landlord a $785,000 irrevocable standby letter of credit fully collateralized by cash.  The letter of credit may be drawn upon by the landlord in the event that the Company defaults under certain terms of the lease.  In addition, the Company has a lease through December 31, 2016 for its off-site back-up facility located in Rockville Centre, New York, which provides for, among other things, lease payments totaling $30,000, annually.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(b) Residential Whole Loan Purchase Commitments

At September 30, 2016, the Company has agreed in principle, subject to completion of due diligence, to purchase residential whole loans at an aggregate estimated purchase price of $204.0 million, including $111.2 million of Residential whole loans at carrying value and $92.8 million of Residential whole loans at fair value. The expected settlement amounts are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in Residential whole loans at carrying value and Residential whole loans at fair value, with a corresponding liability included in Payable for unsettled residential whole loans purchases.


12.    Stockholders’ Equity
 
(a) Preferred Stock
 
Issuance of 7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”)

On April 15, 2013, the Company completed the issuance of 8.0 million shares of its Series B Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, in an underwritten public offering. The Company’s Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.50% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the Company’s common stock is paid any dividends and is senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) exclusively at the Company’s option commencing on April 15, 2018 (subject to the Company’s right, under limited circumstances, to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock prior to that date in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT and upon certain specified change in control transactions in which the Company’s common stock and the acquiring or surviving entity common securities would not be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE MKT or NASDAQ, or any successor exchange.
The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, subject to an exception in the event the Company fails to pay dividends on such stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive).  Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.  In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series B Preferred Stock from January 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016:

Declaration Date
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend Per Share
August 12, 2016
September 2, 2016
September 30, 2016
$
0.46875

May 18, 2016
June 3, 2016
June 30, 2016
0.46875

February 12, 2016
February 29, 2016
March 31, 2016
0.46875


(b)  Dividends on Common Stock
 
The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock from January 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016:
 
Declaration Date (1)
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend Per Share
September 15, 2016
September 28, 2016
October 31, 2016
$
0.20

(1)
June 14, 2016
June 28, 2016
July 29, 2016
0.20

 
March 11, 2016
March 28, 2016
April 29, 2016
0.20

 
 
(1)  At September 30, 2016, the Company had accrued dividends and dividend equivalents payable of $74.6 million related to the common stock dividend declared on September 15, 2016.
 
(c) Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRSPP”)
 
On September 16, 2016, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), for the purpose of registering additional common stock for sale through its DRSPP.  Pursuant to Rule 462(e) of the 1933 Act, this shelf registration statement became effective automatically upon filing with the SEC and, when combined with the unused portion of the Company’s previous DRSPP shelf registration statements, registered an aggregate of 15 million shares of common stock.  The Company’s DRSPP is designed to provide existing stockholders and new investors with a convenient and economical way to purchase shares of common stock through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and/or optional cash investments.  At September 30, 2016, 15.0 million shares of common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to the DRSPP shelf registration statement.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company issued 45,329 and 135,461 shares of common stock through the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $341,000 and $937,000, respectively.  From the inception of the DRSPP in September 2003 through September 30, 2016, the Company issued 30,864,453 shares pursuant to the DRSPP, raising net proceeds of $259.2 million.
 
(d)  Stock Repurchase Program
 
As previously disclosed, in August 2005, the Company’s Board authorized a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock.  The Board reaffirmed such authorization in May 2010.  In December 2013, the Board increased the number of shares authorized under the Repurchase Program to an aggregate of 10.0 million. Such authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.  Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program are made at times and in amounts as the Company deems appropriate, (including, in our discretion, through the use of one or more plans adopted under Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) using available cash resources.  Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program are cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, are deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  At September 30, 2016, 6,616,355 shares remained authorized for repurchase under the Repurchase Program.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(e)  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
(In Thousands)
 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Unrealized
(Loss)/Gain
on Swaps
 
Total AOCI
 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Unrealized Loss
on Swaps
 
Total AOCI
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
625,697

 
$
(131,971
)
 
$
493,726

 
$
585,250

 
$
(69,399
)
 
$
515,851

OCI before reclassifications
 
64,350

 
22,769

 
87,119

 
124,763

 
(39,803
)
 
84,960

Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)
 
(7,314
)
 
—

 
(7,314
)
 
(27,280
)
 
—

 
(27,280
)
Net OCI during the period (2)
 
57,036

 
22,769

 
79,805

 
97,483

 
(39,803
)
 
57,680

Balance at end of period
 
$
682,733

 
$
(109,202
)
 
$
573,531

 
$
682,733

 
$
(109,202
)
 
$
573,531


(1)  See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
(2)  For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
 

The following table presents changes in the balances of each component of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Unrealized Loss
on Swaps
 
Total AOCI
 
Net Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
AFS Securities
 
Net 
Unrealized
Loss
on Swaps
 
Total AOCI
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
759,151

 
$
(64,571
)
 
$
694,580

 
$
813,515

 
$
(59,062
)
 
$
754,453

OCI before reclassifications
 
(44,039
)
 
(40,884
)
 
(84,923
)
 
(87,184
)
 
(46,393
)
 
(133,577
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)
 
(11,363
)
 
—

 
(11,363
)
 
(27,119
)
 
—

 
(27,119
)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,537

 
—

 
4,537

Net OCI during the period (2)
 
(55,402
)
 
(40,884
)
 
(96,286
)
 
(109,766
)
 
(46,393
)
 
(156,159
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
703,749

 
$
(105,455
)
 
$
598,294

 
$
703,749

 
$
(105,455
)
 
$
598,294


(1)  See separate table below for details about these reclassifications.
(2)  For further information regarding changes in OCI, see the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
 
Details about AOCI Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFS Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gain on sale of securities
 
$
(6,829
)
 
$
(26,795
)
 
Gain on sales of MBS
OTTI recognized in earnings
 
(485
)
 
(485
)
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
Total AFS Securities
 
$
(7,314
)
 
$
(27,280
)
 
 
Total reclassifications for period
 
$
(7,314
)
 
$
(27,280
)
 
 
 
The following table presents information about the significant amounts reclassified out of the Company’s AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
 
Details about AOCI Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFS Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gain on sale of securities
 
$
(11,363
)
 
$
(26,414
)
 
Gain on sales of MBS
OTTI recognized in earnings
 
—

 
(705
)
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
Total AFS Securities
 
$
(11,363
)
 
$
(27,119
)
 
 
Total reclassifications for period
 
$
(11,363
)
 
$
(27,119
)
 
 

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had unrealized losses recorded in AOCI of $1.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, on securities for which OTTI had been recognized in earnings in prior periods.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


13.    EPS Calculation
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
83,011

 
$
79,510

 
$
240,031

 
$
239,754

Dividends declared on preferred stock
 
(3,750
)
 
(3,750
)
 
(11,250
)
 
(11,250
)
Dividends, dividend equivalents and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
 
(442
)
 
(396
)
 
(1,255
)
 
(1,183
)
Net income to common stockholders - basic and diluted
 
$
78,819

 
$
75,364

 
$
227,526

 
$
227,321

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares for basic and diluted earnings per share (1)
 
373,141

 
372,178

 
373,011

 
372,056

Basic and diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61


(1)
At September 30, 2016, the Company had an aggregate of 2.1 million equity instruments outstanding that were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  These equity instruments were comprised of approximately 65,280 shares of restricted common stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $7.24 and approximately 2.1 million RSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.84.  These equity instruments may have a dilutive impact on future EPS.  


14.    Equity Compensation, Employment Agreements and Other Benefit Plans
 
(a)  Equity Compensation Plan
 
In accordance with the terms of the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”), which was adopted by the Company’s stockholders on May 21, 2015 (and which amended and restated the Company’s 2010 Equity Compensation Plan), directors, officers and employees of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and other persons expected to provide significant services for the Company and any of its subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants of stock options (“Options”), restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights and other stock-based awards under the Equity Plan.
 
Subject to certain exceptions, stock-based awards relating to a maximum of 12.0 million shares of common stock may be granted under the Equity Plan; forfeitures and/or awards that expire unexercised do not count towards this limit.  At September 30, 2016, approximately 8.6 million shares of common stock remained available for grant in connection with stock-based awards under the Equity Plan.  A participant may generally not receive stock-based awards in excess of 1.5 million shares of common stock in any one year and no award may be granted to any person who, assuming exercise of all Options and payment of all awards held by such person, would own or be deemed to own more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.  Unless previously terminated by the Board, awards may be granted under the Equity Plan until May 20, 2025.
 
Dividend Equivalents
 
A dividend equivalent is a right to receive a distribution equal to the dividend distributions that would be paid on a share of the Company’s common stock.  Dividend equivalents may be granted as a separate instrument or may be a right associated with the grant of another award (e.g., an RSU) under the Equity Plan, and they are paid in cash or other consideration at such times and in accordance with such rules, as the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) shall determine in its discretion.  Payments made on the Company’s outstanding dividend equivalent rights that have been granted as a separate instrument are charged to Stockholders’ Equity when common stock dividends are declared to the extent that such equivalents are expected to vest.  The Company made payments in respect of such separate instruments of approximately $2,000 and $5,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and approximately $5,000 and $15,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At September 30, 2016, there were no dividend equivalent rights outstanding, which had been awarded separately from, but in connection with, grants of RSUs made in prior years.

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


 
Options
 
The Company did not grant any stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. At September 30, 2016, the Company had no stock options outstanding.
 
Restricted Stock
 
The Company did not award any shares of restricted common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and awarded 12,611 shares of restricted common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $349,000 and $807,000, respectively, related to the unvested shares of restricted common stock.  The Company had accrued dividends payable of approximately $98,000 and $193,000 on unvested shares of restricted stock at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The unrecognized compensation expense at September 30, 2016 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of one year.
 
Restricted Stock Units

Under the terms of the Equity Plan, RSUs are instruments that provide the holder with the right to receive, subject to the satisfaction of conditions set by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, a payment of a specified value, which may be a share of the Company’s common stock, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock, or such fair market value to the extent in excess of an established base value, on the applicable settlement date.  Although the Equity Plan permits the Company to issue RSUs that can settle in cash, all of the Company’s outstanding RSUs as of September 30, 2016 are designated to be settled in shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company did not grant any RSUs during three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and granted 728,195 and 682,054 RSUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 an aggregate of 10,000 RSUs were forfeited. There were 7,500 RSUs forfeited during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. All RSUs outstanding at September 30, 2016 may be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments depending on the terms and conditions of the award either in cash at the time dividends are paid by the Company, or for certain performance-based RSU awards, as a grant of stock at the time such awards are settled.  At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.6 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related to RSUs.  The unrecognized compensation expense at September 30, 2016 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.  A 0% forfeiture rate was assumed with respect to unvested RSUs at September 30, 2016.
 
Expense Recognized for Equity-Based Compensation Instruments
 
The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its equity-based compensation instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Restricted shares of common stock
 
$
153

 
$
247

 
$
457

 
$
841

RSUs
 
948

 
764

 
3,642

 
2,698

Dividend equivalent rights
 
—

 
20

 
44

 
61

Total
 
$
1,101

 
$
1,031

 
$
4,143

 
$
3,600


(b)  Employment Agreements
 
At September 30, 2016, the Company had employment agreements with four of its officers, with varying terms that provide for, among other things, base salary, bonus and change-in-control payments upon the occurrence of certain triggering events.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


(c)  Deferred Compensation Plans
 
The Company administers deferred compensation plans for its senior officers and non-employee directors (collectively, the “Deferred Plans”), pursuant to which participants may elect to defer up to 100% of certain cash compensation.  The Deferred Plans are designed to align participants’ interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.
 
Amounts deferred under the Deferred Plans are considered to be converted into “stock units” of the Company.  Stock units do not represent stock of the Company, but rather are a liability of the Company that changes in value as would equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock.  Deferred compensation liabilities are settled in cash at the termination of the deferral period, based on the value of the stock units at that time.  The Deferred Plans are non-qualified plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and, as such, are not funded.  Prior to the time that the deferred accounts are settled, participants are unsecured creditors of the Company.
 
The Company’s liability for stock units in the Deferred Plans is based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the measurement date.  The following table presents the Company’s expenses related to its Deferred Plans for its non-employee directors and senior officers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Non-employee directors
 
$
52

 
$
(35
)
 
$
173

 
$
(51
)
Total
 
$
52

 
$
(35
)
 
$
173

 
$
(51
)
 
The following table presents the aggregate amount of income deferred by participants of the Deferred Plans through September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 that had not been distributed and the Company’s associated liability for such deferrals at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(In Thousands)
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
 
 Liability Under Deferred Plans
Undistributed Income Deferred (1)
 
 Liability Under Deferred Plans
Non-employee directors
 
$
923

 
$
1,062

 
$
601

 
$
614

Total
 
$
923

 
$
1,062

 
$
601

 
$
614


(1)  Represents the cumulative amounts that were deferred by participants through September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, which had not been distributed through such respective date.
 
(d)  Savings Plan
 
The Company sponsors a tax-qualified employee savings plan (the “Savings Plan”) in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Code.  Subject to certain restrictions, all of the Company’s employees are eligible to make tax-deferred contributions to the Savings Plan subject to limitations under applicable law.  Participant’s accounts are self-directed and the Company bears the costs of administering the Savings Plan.  The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation deferred by employees and 50% of the next 2%, subject to a maximum as provided by the Code.  The Company has elected to operate the Savings Plan under the applicable safe harbor provisions of the Code, whereby among other things, the Company must make contributions for all participating employees and all matches contributed by the Company immediately vest 100%.  For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized expenses for matching contributions of $86,000 and $75,000, respectively, and $259,000 and $225,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


15.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The following describes the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
 
Securities Obtained and Pledged as Collateral/Obligation to Return Securities Obtained as Collateral
 
The fair value of U.S. Treasury securities obtained as collateral and the associated obligation to return securities obtained as collateral are based upon prices obtained from a third-party pricing service, which are indicative of market activity.  Securities obtained as collateral are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
MBS and CRT securities
 
The Company determines the fair value of its Agency MBS, based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity and repurchase agreement counterparties.
 
For Agency MBS, the valuation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporate commonly used market pricing methods, trading activity observed in the marketplace and other data inputs.  The methodology also considers the underlying characteristics of each security, which are also observable inputs, including: collateral vintage, coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds.  Management analyzes pricing data received from third-party pricing services and compares it to other indications of fair value including data received from repurchase agreement counterparties and its own observations of trading activity observed in the marketplace.
 
In determining the fair value of its Non-Agency MBS and CRT securities, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants.  In valuing Non-Agency MBS, the Company understands that pricing services use observable inputs that include, in addition to trading activity observed in the marketplace, loan delinquency data, credit enhancement levels and vintage, which are taken into account to assign pricing factors such as spread and prepayment assumptions.  For tranches of Legacy Non-Agency MBS that are cross-collateralized, performance of all collateral groups involved in the tranche are considered.  The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available.
 
The Company’s MBS and CRT securities are valued using various market data points as described above, which management considers directly or indirectly observable parameters.  Accordingly, the Company’s MBS and CRT securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
 
The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at fair value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. The Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
  

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


Swaps
 
The Company determines the fair value of non-centrally cleared Swaps by considering valuations obtained from a third-party pricing service. For Swaps that are cleared by a central clearing house, valuations provided by the clearing house are used. All valuations obtained are tested with internally developed models that apply readily observable market parameters.  The Company considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from the perspective of both the Company and its counterparties.  All of the Company’s Swaps are subject either to bilateral collateral arrangements, or for cleared Swaps, to the clearing house’s margin requirements.  Consequently, no credit valuation adjustment was made in determining the fair value of such instruments.  Swaps are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
The following tables present the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, on the consolidated balance sheets by the valuation hierarchy, as previously described:

Fair Value at September 30, 2016
 
(In Thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
$
—

 
$
4,021,535

 
$
—

 
$
4,021,535

Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
 
—

 
5,908,815

 
—

 
5,908,815

CRT securities
 
—

 
347,640

 
—

 
347,640

Securities obtained and pledged as collateral
 
506,182

 
—

 
—

 
506,182

Residential whole loans, at fair value
 
—

 
—

 
797,191

 
797,191

Swaps
 
—

 
121

 
—

 
121

Total assets carried at fair value
 
$
506,182

 
$
10,278,111

 
$
797,191

 
$
11,581,484

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
 
$
—

 
$
109,323

 
$
—

 
$
109,323

Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral
 
506,182

 
—

 
—

 
506,182

Total liabilities carried at fair value
 
$
506,182

 
$
109,323

 
$
—

 
$
615,505


Fair Value at December 31, 2015
 
(In Thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
$
—

 
$
4,752,244

 
$
—

 
$
4,752,244

Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
 
—

 
6,420,817

 
—

 
6,420,817

CRT securities
 
—

 
183,582

 
—

 
183,582

Securities obtained and pledged as collateral
 
507,443

 
—

 
—

 
507,443

Residential whole loans, at fair value
 
—

 
—

 
623,276

 
623,276

Swaps
 
—

 
1,127

 
—

 
1,127

Total assets carried at fair value
 
$
507,443

 
$
11,357,770

 
$
623,276

 
$
12,488,489

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaps
 
$
—

 
$
70,526

 
$
—

 
$
70,526

Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral
 
507,443

 
—

 
—

 
507,443

Total liabilities carried at fair value
 
$
507,443

 
$
70,526

 
$
—

 
$
577,969


 

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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents additional information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 about the Company’s residential whole loans, at fair value, which are classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 
 
Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value (1)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
684,582

 
$
183,861

 
$
623,276

 
$
143,472

Purchases and capitalized advances
 
50,071

 
357,258

 
169,830

 
410,981

Changes in fair value recorded in Net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value
 
10,913

 
2,362

 
25,529

 
3,872

Collection of principal, net of liquidation gains/losses
 
(18,119
)
 
(7,152
)
 
(48,909
)
 
(15,716
)
  Transfer to REO
 
(22,985
)
 
(4,792
)
 
(65,264
)
 
(11,072
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
704,462

 
$
531,537

 
$
704,462

 
$
531,537


(1) Excludes approximately $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities from one level to another during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s residential whole loans held at fair value for which it has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Fair Value Methodology for Level 3 Financial Instruments

 
 
September 30, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Weighted Average (2)
 
Range
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential whole loans, at fair value
 
$
184,140

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
6.6
%
 
5.0-7.6%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate
 
7.4
%
 
0.0-12.2%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Default rate
 
2.8
%
 
0.0-9.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
13.4
%
 
0.0-78.6%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
473,068

 
Liquidation model
 
Discount rate
 
7.6
%
 
6.8-42.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual change in home prices
 
1.8
%
 
(11.9)-7.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 
1.5

 
0.1-4.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 
$
703

 
$5-$4,900
Total
 
$
657,208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Weighted Average (2)
 
Range
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential whole loans, at fair value
 
$
113,166

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
7.0
%
 
6.0-8.7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate
 
6.6
%
 
0.3-11.1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Default rate
 
3.1
%
 
0.0-9.1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
17.0
%
 
10.0-79.4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
392,557

 
Liquidation model
 
Discount rate
 
6.9
%
 
6.8-10.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual change in home prices
 
1.3
%
 
(5.5)-6.1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidation timeline
(in years)
 
1.6

 
0.7-4.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current value of underlying properties (3)
 
$
626

 
$14-$3,500
Total
 
$
505,723

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Excludes approximately $140.0 million and $117.6 million of loans for which management considers the purchase price continues to reflect the fair value of such loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2) Amounts are weighted based on the fair value of the underlying loan.
(3) The simple average value of the properties underlying residential whole loans held at fair value valued via a liquidation model was approximately $357,000 and $305,000 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


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MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The following table presents the difference between the fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential whole loans for which the fair value option was elected, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(In Thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
 
Fair Value
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
Residential whole loans, at fair value (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans
 
$
704,462

 
$
840,964

 
$
(136,502
)
 
$
623,276

 
$
786,330

 
$
(163,054
)
Loans 90 days or more past due
 
$
504,337

 
$
613,824

 
$
(109,487
)
 
$
493,640

 
$
637,459

 
$
(143,819
)

(1) Excludes approximately $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

Changes to the valuation methodologies used with respect to the Company’s financial instruments are reviewed by management to ensure any such changes result in appropriate exit price valuations.  The Company will refine its valuation methodologies as markets and products develop and pricing methodologies evolve.  The methods described above may produce fair value estimates that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those used by market participants, the use of different methodologies, or assumptions, to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.  The Company uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which price transparency may be reduced.  The Company reviews the classification of its financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy on a quarterly basis, and management may conclude that its financial instruments should be reclassified to a different level in the future.
 
The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
(In Thousands)
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
$
4,021,535

 
$
4,021,535

 
$
4,752,244

 
$
4,752,244

Non-Agency MBS, including MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs
 
5,908,815

 
5,908,815

 
6,420,817

 
6,420,817

CRT securities
 
347,640

 
347,640

 
183,582

 
183,582

Securities obtained and pledged as collateral
 
506,182

 
506,182

 
507,443

 
507,443

Residential whole loans, at carrying value
 
550,623

 
569,798

 
271,845

 
289,696

Residential whole loans, at fair value
 
797,191

 
797,191

 
623,276

 
623,276

Cash and cash equivalents
 
288,698

 
288,698

 
165,007

 
165,007

Restricted cash
 
122,656

 
122,656

 
71,538

 
71,538

Swaps
 
121

 
121

 
1,127

 
1,127

Financial Liabilities (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
 
8,482,756

 
8,482,532

 
7,887,622

 
7,828,115

FHLB advances
 
215,000

 
215,000

 
1,500,000

 
1,500,000

Securitized debt
 
—

 
—

 
21,868

 
22,057

Obligation to return securities obtained as collateral
 
506,182

 
506,182

 
507,443

 
507,443

Senior Notes
 
96,724

 
102,991

 
96,697

 
101,391

Swaps
 
109,323

 
109,323

 
70,526

 
70,526


(1) Carrying value of Senior Notes, Securitized debt and certain Repurchase agreements is net of associated debt issuance costs.


49
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


In addition to the methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis, as previously described, the following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in arriving at the fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments presented in the above table:
 
Residential Whole Loans at Carrying Value:  The Company determines the fair value of its residential whole loans held at carrying value after considering portfolio valuations obtained from a third-party who specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans and trading activity observed in the market place. The Company’s residential whole loans held at carrying value are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:  Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are comprised of cash held in overnight money market investments and demand deposit accounts.  At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s money market funds were invested in securities issued by the U.S. Government, or its agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored entities, and repurchase agreements involving the securities described above.  Given the overnight term and assessed credit risk, the Company’s investments in money market funds are determined to have a fair value equal to their carrying value.

Repurchase Agreements:  The fair value of repurchase agreements reflects the present value of the contractual cash flows discounted at market interest rates at the valuation date for repurchase agreements with a term equivalent to the remaining term to interest rate repricing, which may be at maturity.  Such interest rates are estimated based on LIBOR rates observed in the market.  The Company’s repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

FHLB Advances: FHLB advances reflect collateralized borrowings at variable market interest rates that reset on a monthly basis. Accordingly, the carrying amount of FHLB advances are considered to approximate fair value. The Company’s FHLB advances are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Securitized Debt: In determining the fair value of securitized debt, management considers a number of observable market data points, including prices obtained from pricing services and brokers as well as dialogue with market participants. Accordingly, the Company’s securitized debt is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Senior Notes:  The fair value of the Senior Notes is determined using the end of day market price quoted on the NYSE at the reporting date.  The Company’s Senior Notes are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
16.  Use of Special Purpose Entities and Variable Interest Entities
 
A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it.  SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets.  The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms.  Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business, through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments.  Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and, depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. 

Resecuritization transactions
 
The Company has in prior years entered into several resecuritization transactions that resulted in the Company consolidating as VIEs the SPEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritizations were transferred. See Note 2(r) for a discussion of the accounting policies applied to the consolidation of VIEs and transfers of financial assets in connection with resecuritization transactions.
 
The Company has engaged in resecuritization transactions primarily for the purpose of obtaining non-recourse financing on a portion of its Non-Agency MBS portfolio, as well as refinancing a portion of its Non-Agency MBS portfolio on improved terms. Notwithstanding the Company’s participation in these transactions, the risks facing the Company are largely unchanged as the Company remains economically exposed to the first loss position on the underlying MBS transferred to the VIEs.
 

50
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


The activities that can be performed by an entity created to facilitate a resecuritization transaction are generally specified in the entity’s formation documents. Those documents do not permit the entity, any beneficial interest holder in the entity, or any other party associated with the entity to cause the entity to sell or replace the assets held by the entity, or limit such ability to when specific events of default occur.
 
The Company concluded that the entities created to facilitate these resecuritization transactions are VIEs.  The Company then completed an analysis of whether each VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction should be consolidated by the Company, based on consideration of its involvement in each VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of each VIE.  In determining whether the Company would be considered the primary beneficiary, the following factors were assessed:
 
•
Whether the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE;  and
•
Whether the Company has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE.
 
Based on its evaluation of the factors discussed above, including its involvement in the purpose and design of the entity, the Company has determined that it is required to consolidate the remaining VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction.
 
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the aggregate fair value of the Non-Agency MBS that were resecuritized as described above was $187.0 million and $598.3 million, respectively.  These assets are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs, at fair value.”  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 the principal balance for the WFMLT Series 2012-RR1 A1 Bond was paid-off, thereby reducing the aggregate outstanding balance of credit support provided for the senior Non-Agency MBS sold to third-party investors in resecuritization transactions (“Senior Bonds”) issued by consolidated VIEs to zero. As of December 31, 2015, the aggregate outstanding balance of Senior Bonds issued by consolidated VIEs was $22.1 million.  These Senior Bonds are included in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and disclosed as “Securitized debt.”

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the Trust Agreement of the DMSI 2010-RS2 Trust (the “Trust”) in order to facilitate the unwind of this resecuritization transaction. Concurrent with the amendment to the Trust Agreement, the Company entered into a transaction to exchange the remaining beneficial interests issued by the Trust and held by the Company for the underlying securities that had previously been transferred to and held by the Trust.  During the third quarter of 2016 and subsequent to completion of any final Trust distributions, the remaining beneficial interests were cancelled and the Trust was terminated.

For financial reporting purposes, the exchange transaction and termination of this financing structure did not result in any gain or loss to the Company as this resecuritization was accounted for as a financing transaction.  However, for purposes of determining REIT taxable income, this resecuritization transaction was originally accounted for as a sale of the underlying securities to the Trust and acquisition of beneficial interests issued by the Trust.  Because the fair value of the underlying securities received exceeded the Company’s tax basis in the remaining beneficial interests at the exchange date, the unwind of this resecuritization structure resulted in the Company recognizing taxable income currently estimated to be approximately $70.9 million or $0.19 per common share. In addition, the underlying securities originally transferred as part of this resecuritization are reported as Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016 and interest income from the underlying securities from the date of exchange transaction through September 30, 2016 is reported as Interest income from Non-Agency MBS in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
Prior to the completion of the Company’s first resecuritization transaction in October 2010, the Company had not transferred assets to VIEs or QSPEs and, other than acquiring MBS issued by such entities, it had no other involvement with VIEs or QSPEs.

Residential Whole Loans

Included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are $1.3 billion and $895.1 million of residential whole loans, of which approximately $550.6 million and $271.8 million are reported at carrying value and $797.2 million and $623.3 million are reported at fair value, respectively. The inclusion of these assets arises from the Company’s 100% equity interest in certain trusts established to acquire the loans. Based on its evaluation of its 100% interest in these trusts and other factors, the Company has determined that the trusts are required to be consolidated for financial reporting

51
Table of Contents
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016


purposes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized interest income from residential whole loans reported at carrying value of approximately $5.9 million and $16.1 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized interest income from residential whole loans reported at carrying value of approximately $4.0 million and $11.8 million, respectively. These amounts are included in Interest Income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recognized net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 of approximately $18.7 million and $45.1 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value of $5.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively. These amounts are included in Other Income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 4)

52
Table of Contents

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to MFA Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries as “the Company,” “MFA,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context otherwise indicates.
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Forward Looking Statements
 
When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may” the negative of these words or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Act and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
 
These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results with respect to our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives.  Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: changes in interest rates and the market value of our MBS; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans securing our MBS, an increase of which could result in a reduction of the yield on MBS in our portfolio and an increase of which could require us to reinvest the proceeds received by us as a result of such prepayments in MBS with lower coupons; credit risks underlying our assets, including changes in the default rates and management’s assumptions regarding default rates on the mortgage loans securing our Non-Agency MBS and relating to our residential whole loan portfolio; our ability to borrow to finance our assets and the terms, including the cost, maturity and other terms, of any such borrowings; implementation of or changes in government regulations or programs affecting our business; our estimates regarding taxable income the actual amount of which is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the amount of interest income and financing costs, the method elected by us to accrete the market discount on Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans and the extent of prepayments, realized losses and changes in the composition of our Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loan portfolios that may occur during the applicable tax period, including gain or loss on any MBS disposals and whole loan modification, foreclosure and liquidation; the timing and amount of distributions to stockholders, which are declared and paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on, among other things, our taxable income, our financial results and overall financial condition and liquidity, maintenance of our REIT qualification and such other factors as the Board deems relevant; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (or the Investment Company Act), including statements regarding the concept release issued by the SEC relating to interpretive issues under the Investment Company Act with respect to the status under the Investment Company Act of certain companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related interests; our ability to successfully implement our strategy to grow our residential whole loan portfolio; expected returns on our investments in non-performing residential whole loans (or NPLs), which are affected by, among other things, the length of time required to foreclose upon, sell, liquidate or otherwise reach a resolution of the property underlying the NPL, home price values, amounts advanced to carry the asset (e.g., taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses, etc. on the underlying property) and the amount ultimately realized upon resolution of the asset; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy.  These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make.  All forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.  New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us.  Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Business/General
 
We are a REIT primarily engaged in the business of investing, on a leveraged basis, in residential mortgage assets, including Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS, residential whole loans and CRT securities.  Our principal business objective is to deliver shareholder value through the generation of distributable income and through asset performance linked to residential mortgage credit fundamentals. We selectively invest in residential mortgage assets with a focus on credit analysis, projected prepayment rates, interest rate sensitivity and expected return.
 

53
Table of Contents

At September 30, 2016, we had total assets of approximately $12.8 billion, of which $9.9 billion, or 77.9%, represented our MBS portfolio.  At such date, our MBS portfolio was comprised of $4.0 billion of Agency MBS and $5.9 billion of Non-Agency MBS which includes $3.4 billion of Legacy Non-Agency MBS and $2.5 billion of MBS that are structured with a contractual coupon step-up feature where the coupon steps-up 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance or sooner (or 3 Year Step-up securities). These 3 Year Step-up securities are backed by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans. In addition, at September 30, 2016, we had approximately $1.3 billion in residential whole loans acquired through our consolidated trusts, which represented approximately 10.6% of our total assets. Our remaining investment-related assets were primarily comprised of collateral obtained in connection with reverse repurchase agreements, cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash), CRT securities, REO, MBS-related receivables and derivative instruments.

The results of our business operations are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets, which is driven by numerous factors, including the supply and demand for residential mortgage assets in the marketplace, the terms and availability of adequate financing, general economic and real estate conditions (both on a national and local level), the impact of government actions in the real estate and mortgage sector, and the credit performance of our credit sensitive residential mortgage assets.  Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, the slope of the yield curve (i.e., the differential between long-term and short-term interest rates), borrowing costs (i.e., our interest expense) and prepayment speeds on our MBS, the behavior of which involves various risks and uncertainties.  Interest rates and conditional prepayment rates (or CPRs) (which measure the amount of unscheduled principal prepayment on a bond as a percentage of the bond balance), 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.
 
With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:  (i) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to increase; (ii) the value of our MBS portfolio and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to decline; (iii) coupons on our ARM-MBS to reset, on a delayed basis, to higher interest rates; (iv) prepayments on our MBS to decline, thereby slowing the amortization of our MBS purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; and (v) the value of our derivative hedging instruments and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to increase.  Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:  (i) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to decrease; (ii) the value of our MBS portfolio and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to increase; (iii) coupons on our ARM-MBS to reset, on a delayed basis, to lower interest rates; (iv) prepayments on our MBS to increase, thereby accelerating the amortization of our MBS purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; and (v) the value of our derivative hedging instruments and, correspondingly, our stockholders’ equity to decrease.  In addition, our borrowing costs and credit lines are further affected by the type of collateral we pledge and general conditions in the credit market.
 
We are exposed to credit risk in our Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans, generally meaning that we are subject to credit losses in these portfolios that correspond to the risk of delinquency, default and foreclosure on the underlying real estate collateral. We believe the discounted purchase prices paid on certain of these investments mitigate our risk of loss in the event that, as we expect on most such investments, we receive less than 100% of the par value of these securities or loans.  Our investment process for credit sensitive assets focuses primarily on quantifying and pricing credit risk. 

As of September 30, 2016, approximately $6.4 billion, or 64.6%, of our MBS portfolio was in its contractual fixed-rate period or were fixed-rate MBS and approximately $3.5 billion, or 35.4%, was in its contractual adjustable-rate period, or were floating rate MBS with interest rates that reset monthly.  Our ARM-MBS in their contractual adjustable-rate period primarily include MBS collateralized by Hybrids for which the initial fixed-rate period has elapsed, such that the interest rate will typically adjust on an annual or semiannual basis. 
 
Premiums arise when we acquire MBS at a price in excess of the principal balance of the mortgages securing such MBS (i.e., par value).  Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire MBS at a price below the principal balance of the mortgages securing such MBS or acquire residential whole loans at a price below the principal balance of the mortgage.  Premiums paid on our MBS are amortized against interest income and accretable purchase discounts on these investments are accreted to interest income.  Purchase premiums on our MBS, which are primarily carried on our Agency MBS, are amortized against interest income over the life of each security using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity.  An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the IRR/interest income earned on such assets. 
 
CPR levels are impacted by, among other things, conditions in the housing market, new regulations, government and private sector initiatives, interest rates, availability of credit to home borrowers, underwriting standards and the economy in general.  In particular, CPR reflects the conditional repayment rate (or CRR), which measures voluntary prepayments of mortgages collateralizing a particular MBS, and the conditional default rate (or CDR), which measures involuntary prepayments resulting

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from defaults.  CPRs on Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS may differ significantly.  For the three months ended September 30, 2016, our Agency MBS portfolio experienced a weighted average CPR of 16.7%, and our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio experienced a weighted average CPR of 15.9%. Over the last consecutive eight quarters, ending with September 30, 2016, the monthly fair value weighted average CPR on our Agency and Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolios ranged from a high of 17.1% experienced during the month ended September 30, 2016 to a low of 10.4%, experienced during the month ended March 31, 2015, with an average CPR over such quarters of 13.7%.
 
Our method of accounting for Non-Agency MBS purchased at significant discounts to par value, requires us to make assumptions with respect to each security.  These assumptions include, but are not limited to, future interest rates, voluntary prepayment rates, default rates, mortgage modifications and loss severities.  As part of our Non-Agency MBS surveillance process, we track and compare each security’s actual performance over time to the performance expected at the time of purchase or, if we have modified our original purchase assumptions, to our revised performance expectations.  To the extent that actual performance or our expectation of future performance of our Non-Agency MBS deviates materially from our expected performance parameters, we may revise our performance expectations, such that the amount of purchase discount designated as credit discount may be increased or decreased over time.  Nevertheless, credit losses greater than those anticipated or in excess of the recorded purchase discount could occur, which could materially adversely impact our operating results.
 
It is our business strategy to hold our MBS as long-term investments.  On at least a quarterly basis, we assess our ability and intent to continue to hold each security and, as part of this process, we monitor our securities for other-than-temporary impairment.  A change in our ability and/or intent to continue to hold any of our securities that are in an unrealized loss position, or a deterioration in the underlying characteristics of these securities, could result in our recognizing future impairment charges or a loss upon the sale of any such security.  At September 30, 2016, we had net unrealized gains of $46.6 million on our Agency MBS, comprised of gross unrealized gains of $56.7 million and gross unrealized losses of $10.0 million and net unrealized gains on our Non-Agency MBS of $627.3 million, comprised of gross unrealized gains of $632.2 million and gross unrealized losses of $4.9 million. At September 30, 2016, we did not intend to sell any of our MBS that were in an unrealized loss position, and we believe it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell those securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity.
 
We rely primarily on borrowings under repurchase agreements to finance our MBS, residential whole loans and CRT securities.  Our residential mortgage investments have longer-term contractual maturities than our borrowings under repurchase agreements.   Even though the majority of our MBS have interest rates that adjust over time based on short-term changes in corresponding interest rate indices (typically following an initial fixed-rate period for our Hybrids), the interest rates we pay on our borrowings will typically change at a faster pace than the interest rates we earn on our MBS.  In order to reduce this interest rate risk exposure, we may enter into derivative instruments, which at September 30, 2016 were comprised of Swaps.
 
Our Swap derivative instruments are designated as cash-flow hedges against a portion of our current and forecasted LIBOR-based repurchase agreements.  Our Swaps do not extend the maturities of our repurchase agreements; they do, however, lock in a fixed rate of interest over their term for the notional amount of the Swap corresponding to the hedged item.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not enter into any new Swaps and had Swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $50.0 million and a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 2.13% amortize and/or expire. At September 30, 2016, we had Swaps designated in hedging relationships with an aggregate notional amount of $3.0 billion with a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 1.82% and a weighted average variable interest rate received of 0.53%.

Recent Market Conditions and Our Strategy
 
During the third quarter of 2016, we continued to invest in residential mortgage assets, including both MBS and, through consolidated trusts, residential whole loans.  At September 30, 2016, our MBS portfolio was approximately $9.9 billion compared to $11.2 billion at December 31, 2015. At September 30, 2016, our total investment in residential whole loans was $1.3 billion compared to $895.1 million at December 31, 2015.

At September 30, 2016, $5.9 billion, or 59.5% of our MBS portfolio, was invested in Non-Agency MBS.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the fair value of our Non-Agency MBS holdings decreased by $196.1 million. The primary components of the change during the quarter in these Non-Agency MBS include $673.3 million of principal repayments and other principal reductions and the sale of Non-Agency MBS with a fair value of $13.2 million partially offset by $413.5 million of purchases (at a weighted average purchase price of 98.7%), and an increase reflecting Non-Agency MBS price changes of $76.9 million.


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At September 30, 2016, $4.0 billion, or 40.5% of our MBS portfolio, was invested in Agency MBS.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the fair value of our Agency MBS decreased by $286.3 million. This was due to $269.1 million of principal repayments, $10.3 million of premium amortization and $6.9 million decrease in net unrealized gains.

In this low interest rate environment, we continue to invest in more credit sensitive, less interest sensitive residential mortgage assets. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we purchased, through consolidated trusts, approximately $311.6 million of residential whole loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $379.4 million. At September 30, 2016, our total recorded investment in residential whole loans was $1.3 billion. Of this amount, $550.6 million is presented as residential whole loans at carrying value and $797.2 million as residential whole loans at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized approximately $5.9 million of income on residential whole loans held at carrying value in Interest Income on our consolidated statements of operations, representing an effective yield of 6.09% (excluding servicing costs). In addition, we recorded a net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value of $18.7 million in Other Income, net in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

We currently expect to continue to seek more credit sensitive, less interest rate sensitive residential mortgage assets during the remainder of 2016, including residential whole loans and Non-Agency MBS. In order to achieve our current investment strategy, interest rate sensitive Agency MBS may continue to run off without reinvestment in this asset class.

In addition to our investments in Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans, we invest in CRT securities, which are debt obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At September 30, 2016 our investments in these securities totaled $347.6 million.

Our book value per common share was $7.64 as of September 30, 2016. Book value per common share increased from $7.41 as of June 30, 2016 due primarily to the impact of fair value changes of Legacy Non-Agency MBS, CRT securities and Swaps, partially offset by the impact of discount accretion income on Legacy Non-Agency MBS that was recognized and declared as dividends during the quarter.
 
At the end of the third quarter of 2016, the average coupon on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS was higher compared to the end of the third quarter of 2015, due to upward resets on Hybrid and ARM-MBS within the portfolio.  As a result, the coupon yield on our Agency MBS portfolio increased to 2.83% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, from 2.74% for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The net Agency MBS yield decreased slightly to 1.83% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, from 1.84% for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The net yield for our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio was 8.09% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 7.60% for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The increase in the net yield on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio reflects the impact of the cash proceeds received during the second quarter of 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts and the improved performance of loans underlying the Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, which has resulted in credit reserve releases, in the current and prior year. The net yield for our 3 Year Step-up securities portfolio was 3.86% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 3.74% for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The increase in the net yield on this portfolio is primarily due to the addition of higher yielding securities since the third quarter of 2015. Despite heavy supply, spreads for 3 Year Step-up securities have tightened since the first quarter of 2016, as more buyers find these short-duration and well credit-protected assets attractive.
 
We believe that our $715.0 million Credit Reserve and OTTI appropriately factors in remaining uncertainties regarding underlying mortgage performance and the potential impact on future cash flows for our existing Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio.  Home price appreciation and underlying mortgage loan amortization have decreased the LTV for many of the mortgages underlying our Legacy Non-Agency portfolio. Home price appreciation during the past few years has generally been driven by a combination of limited housing supply, low mortgage rates and demographic-driven U.S. household formation. We estimate that the average LTV of mortgage loans underlying our Legacy Non-Agency MBS has declined from approximately 105% as of January 2012 to approximately 67% as of September 30, 2016. In addition, we estimate that the percentage of non-delinquent loans underlying our Legacy Non-Agency MBS that are underwater (with LTVs greater than 100%), has declined from approximately 52% as of January 2012 to 4% at September 30, 2016. Lower LTVs lessen the likelihood of defaults and simultaneously decrease loss severities. Further, during 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we have also observed faster voluntary prepayment (i.e., prepayment of loans in full with no loss) speeds than originally projected. The yields on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS that were purchased at a discount are positively impacted if prepayment rates on these securities exceed our prepayment assumptions. Based on these current conditions, we have reduced estimated future losses within our Legacy Non-Agency portfolio. As a result, during the three months ended September 30, 2016, $6.8 million was transferred from Credit Reserve to accretable discount.  This increase in accretable discount is expected to increase the interest income realized over the remaining life of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS. The remaining average contractual life of such assets is approximately 20 years, but based on scheduled loan amortization and prepayments (both voluntary and involuntary), loan balances will decline substantially over

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time. Consequently, we believe that the majority of the impact on interest income from the reduction in Credit Reserve will occur over the next ten years.
 
At September 30, 2016, we have access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate to be in excess of $635.6 million. This amount includes (i) $288.7 million of cash and cash equivalents; (ii) $224.1 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and from other Agency MBS collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements; and (iii) $122.8 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Non-Agency MBS. Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash. We believe that we are positioned to continue to take advantage of investment opportunities within the residential mortgage marketplace.  During the remainder of 2016, we intend to continue to selectively acquire MBS and residential whole loans. In addition, while the majority of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS will not return their full face value due to loan defaults, we believe that they will deliver attractive loss adjusted yields due to our discounted average amortized cost of 73% of face value at September 30, 2016.
 
Repurchase agreement funding for both Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS continues to be available to us from multiple counterparties.  Typically, repurchase agreement funding involving Non-Agency MBS is available from fewer counterparties, at terms requiring higher collateralization and higher interest rates, than for repurchase agreement funding involving Agency MBS.  In July 2015, our wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance, became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, further diversifying our potential sources of funding for residential mortgage investments. However, in January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (or FHFA) released its final rule amending its regulation on FHLB membership, which, amongst other things, provided termination rules for current captive insurance members. As a result of such regulation, MFA Insurance will not be permitted new advances or renewal of existing advances and will be required to terminate its FHLB membership within one year of the rule’s effective date of February 19, 2016. During the third quarter of 2016 we reduced our FHLB advances by approximately $330.0 million to approximately $215.0 million at September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, our debt consisted of borrowings under repurchase agreements with 28 counterparties, FHLB advances, Senior Notes outstanding and obligation to return securities obtained as collateral, resulting in a debt-to-equity multiple of 3.1 times.  (See table on page 73 under Results of Operations that presents our quarterly leverage multiples since September 30, 2015.)


Information About Our Assets

The tables below present certain information about our asset allocation at September 30, 2016:
 
ASSET ALLOCATION
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities (1)
 
MBS Portfolio
 
Residential Whole Loans, at Carrying Value (2)
 
Residential Whole Loans, at Fair Value
 
Other,
net (3)
 
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair Value/Carrying Value
 
$
4,021,535

 
$
3,385,588

 
$
2,523,227

 
$
9,930,350

 
$
550,623

 
$
797,191

 
$
862,916

 
$
12,141,080

Less Payable for Unsettled
   Purchases
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(111,232
)
 
(92,728
)
 
—

 
(203,960
)
Less Repurchase Agreements
 
(3,356,803
)
 
(2,287,178
)
 
(1,963,760
)
 
(7,607,741
)
 
(213,781
)
 
(419,628
)
 
(241,606
)
 
(8,482,756
)
Less FHLB advances
 
(215,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
(215,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(215,000
)
Less Senior Notes
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(96,724
)
 
(96,724
)
Equity Allocated
 
$
449,732

 
$
1,098,410

 
$
559,467

 
$
2,107,609

 
$
225,610

 
$
284,835

 
$
524,586

 
$
3,142,640

Less Swaps at Market Value
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(109,202
)
 
(109,202
)
Net Equity Allocated
 
$
449,732

 
$
1,098,410

 
$
559,467

 
$
2,107,609

 
$
225,610

 
$
284,835

 
$
415,384

 
$
3,033,438

Debt/Net Equity Ratio (4)
 
7.9
x
 
2.1
x
 
3.5
x
 
 

 
1.4
x
 
1.8
x
 
 
 
3.1
x

(1)
3 Year Step-up securities are MBS that are backed by securitized re-performing and non-performing loans. The securities are structured such that the coupon steps up 300 basis points at 36 months from issuance or sooner. Included with the balance of Non-Agency MBS reported on our consolidated balance sheets.
(2)
The carrying value of such loans reflects the purchase price, accretion of income, cash received and provision for loan losses since acquisition. At September 30, 2016, the fair value of such loans is estimated to be approximately $569.8 million.
(3)
Includes cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, securities obtained and pledged as collateral, CRT securities, other assets, obligation to return securities obtained as collateral of $506.2 million and other liabilities.
(4)
Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and payable for unsettled purchases as a multiple of net equity allocated.  The numerator of our Total Debt/Net Equity Ratio also includes the obligation to return securities obtained as collateral of $506.2 million and Senior Notes.


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Agency MBS
 
The following table presents certain information regarding the composition of our Agency MBS portfolio as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
September 30, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Low Loan Balance (3)
 
$
1,235,084

 
104.3
%
 
104.7
%
 
$
1,293,282

 
52

 
2.97
%
 
11.6
%
HARP (4)
 
124,216

 
104.7

 
104.8

 
130,125

 
51

 
2.97

 
11.3

Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 
114,111

 
103.9

 
106.8

 
121,818

 
72

 
4.14

 
18.4

Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 
679

 
104.9

 
107.4

 
729

 
88

 
4.50

 
1.4

Total 15-Year Fixed Rate
 
$
1,474,090

 
104.3
%
 
104.9
%
 
$
1,545,954

 
54

 
3.06
%
 
12.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hybrid:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 
$
1,474,277

 
104.4
%
 
105.0
%
 
$
1,547,451

 
64

 
2.98
%
 
22.9
%
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 
778,114

 
101.7

 
105.4

 
820,425

 
117

 
2.87

 
14.5

Total Hybrid
 
$
2,252,391

 
103.5
%
 
105.1
%
 
$
2,367,876

 
83

 
2.94
%
 
20.0
%
CMO/Other
 
$
102,341

 
102.5
%
 
103.5
%
 
$
105,939

 
184

 
2.73
%
 
8.5
%
Total Portfolio
 
$
3,828,822

 
103.8
%
 
105.0
%
 
$
4,019,769

 
74

 
2.98
%
 
16.7
%

December 31, 2015

(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
15-Year Fixed Rate:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Low Loan Balance (3)
 
$
1,430,258

 
104.3
%
 
103.1
%
 
$
1,475,086

 
44

 
2.99
%
 
8.4
%
HARP (4)
 
146,821

 
104.7

 
103.1

 
151,387

 
43

 
2.98

 
7.9

Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 
144,596

 
103.9

 
106.1

 
153,477

 
63

 
4.14

 
16.1

Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 
745

 
104.9

 
106.8

 
796

 
79

 
4.50

 
28.9

Total 15-Year Fixed Rate
 
$
1,722,420

 
104.3
%
 
103.4
%
 
$
1,780,746

 
45

 
3.09
%
 
9.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hybrid:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Other (Post June 2009) (5)
 
$
1,811,007

 
104.4
%
 
104.8
%
 
$
1,897,030

 
56

 
2.89
%
 
15.6
%
Other (Pre June 2009) (6)
 
899,185

 
101.7

 
105.7

 
950,666

 
109

 
2.60

 
9.3

Total Hybrid
 
$
2,710,192

 
103.5
%
 
105.1
%
 
$
2,847,696

 
73

 
2.80
%
 
13.5
%
CMO/Other
 
$
117,791

 
102.5
%
 
104.2
%
 
$
122,771

 
175

 
2.52
%
 
12.2
%
Total Portfolio
 
$
4,550,403

 
103.8
%
 
104.4
%
 
$
4,751,213

 
65

 
2.90
%
 
11.8
%

(1)  Does not include principal payments receivable of $1.8 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2)  Weighted average is based on MBS current face at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(3)  Low loan balance represents MBS collateralized by mortgages with an original loan balance of less than or equal to $175,000.
(4)  Home Affordable Refinance Program (or HARP) MBS are backed by refinanced loans with LTVs greater than or equal to 80% at origination.
(5)  MBS issued in June 2009 or later. Majority of underlying loans are ineligible to refinance through the HARP program.
(6)  MBS issued before June 2009.
 

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The following table presents certain information regarding our 15-year fixed-rate Agency MBS as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
September 30, 2016

Coupon
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15-Year Fixed Rate:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

2.5%
 
$
735,330

 
104.0
%
 
103.7
%
 
$
762,586

 
45
 
3.04
%
 
100
%
 
9.9
%
3.0%
 
304,434

 
105.9

 
105.3

 
320,616

 
51
 
3.49

 
100

 
12.0

3.5%
 
7,771

 
103.5

 
105.6

 
8,208

 
71
 
4.18

 
100

 
11.8

4.0%
 
367,284

 
103.5

 
106.3

 
390,553

 
70
 
4.40

 
80

 
14.9

4.5%
 
59,271

 
105.2

 
108.0

 
63,991

 
74
 
4.88

 
34

 
22.7

Total 15-Year Fixed Rate
 
$
1,474,090

 
104.3
%
 
104.9
%
 
$
1,545,954

 
54
 
3.55
%
 
92
%
 
12.1
%

December 31, 2015

Coupon
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Rate
 
Low Loan
Balance
and/or
HARP (3)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15-Year Fixed Rate:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

2.5%
 
$
834,689

 
104.0
%
 
101.5
%
 
$
846,925

 
36
 
3.04
%
 
100
%
 
6.9
%
3.0%
 
355,439

 
105.9

 
103.4

 
367,471

 
42
 
3.49

 
100

 
8.0

3.5%
 
9,238

 
103.5

 
104.9

 
9,691

 
62
 
4.18

 
100

 
12.6

4.0%
 
448,064

 
103.5

 
106.4

 
476,793

 
61
 
4.40

 
79

 
13.1

4.5%
 
74,990

 
105.2

 
106.5

 
79,866

 
65
 
4.88

 
33

 
13.3

Total 15-Year Fixed Rate
 
$
1,722,420

 
104.3
%
 
103.4
%
 
$
1,780,746

 
45
 
3.57
%
 
92
%
 
9.1
%

(1)  Does not include principal payments receivable of $1.8 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2)  Weighted average is based on MBS current face at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(3)  Low Loan Balance represents MBS collateralized by mortgages with an original loan balance less than or equal to $175,000.  HARP MBS are backed by refinanced loans with LTVs greater than or equal to 80% at origination.


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The following table presents certain information regarding our Hybrid Agency MBS as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
September 30, 2016
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid Post June 2009:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency 5/1
 
$
588,444

 
104.3
%
 
105.4
%
 
$
619,994

 
2.88
%
 
73
 
7
 
25
%
 
24.4
%
Agency 7/1
 
673,590

 
104.5

 
104.5

 
704,216

 
3.02

 
60
 
23
 
23

 
23.7

Agency 10/1
 
212,243

 
104.7

 
105.2

 
223,241

 
3.15

 
55
 
64
 
63

 
16.0

Total Hybrids Post June 2009
 
$
1,474,277

 
104.4
%
 
105.0
%
 
$
1,547,451

 
2.98
%
 
64
 
23
 
30
%
 
22.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hybrid Pre June 2009:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon < 4.5% (5)
 
$
745,520

 
101.7
%
 
105.4
%
 
$
785,883

 
2.75
%
 
118
 
5
 
43
%
 
14.5
%
Coupon >= 4.5% (6)
 
32,594

 
101.5

 
106.0

 
34,542

 
5.70

 
109
 
10
 
71

 
13.7

Total Hybrids Pre June 2009
 
$
778,114

 
101.7
%
 
105.4
%
 
$
820,425

 
2.87
%
 
117
 
6
 
44
%
 
14.5
%
Total Hybrids
 
$
2,252,391

 
103.5
%
 
105.1
%
 
$
2,367,876

 
2.94
%
 
83
 
17
 
35
%
 
20.0
%

December 31, 2015

(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Current
Face
 
Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Market
Price
 
Fair
Value (1)
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Loan Age
(Months) (2)
 
Weighted
Average
Months to
Reset (3)
 
Interest
Only (4)
 
3 Month
Average
CPR
Hybrid Post June 2009:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency 5/1
 
$
723,853

 
104.2
%
 
105.7
%
 
$
765,426

 
2.62
%
 
64
 
7
 
23
%
 
15.6
%
Agency 7/1
 
838,505

 
104.5

 
104.2

 
873,765

 
3.04

 
51
 
32
 
22

 
16.7

Agency 10/1
 
248,649

 
104.7

 
103.7

 
257,839

 
3.18

 
47
 
72
 
61

 
11.5

Total Hybrids Post June 2009
 
$
1,811,007

 
104.4
%
 
104.8
%
 
$
1,897,030

 
2.89
%
 
56
 
27
 
28
%
 
15.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hybrid Pre June 2009:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Coupon < 4.5% (5)
 
$
853,168

 
101.7
%
 
105.7
%
 
$
901,870

 
2.43
%
 
109
 
6
 
59
%
 
8.9
%
Coupon >= 4.5% (6)
 
46,017

 
101.5

 
106.0

 
48,796

 
5.73

 
102
 
18
 
73

 
17.4

Total Hybrids Pre June 2009
 
$
899,185

 
101.7
%
 
105.7
%
 
$
950,666

 
2.60
%
 
109
 
6
 
60
%
 
9.3
%
Total Hybrids
 
$
2,710,192

 
103.5
%
 
105.1
%
 
$
2,847,696

 
2.80
%
 
73
 
20
 
39
%
 
13.5
%

(1)  Does not include principal payments receivable of $1.8 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2)  Weighted average is based on MBS current face at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(3)  Weighted average months to reset is the number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate resets.  At reset, the MBS coupon will adjust based upon the underlying benchmark interest rate index, margin and periodic or lifetime caps.  The months to reset do not reflect scheduled amortization or prepayments.
(4)  Interest only represents MBS backed by mortgages currently in their interest-only period.  Percentage is based on MBS current face at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(5)  Agency 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 Hybrid ARM-MBS with a coupon less than 4.5%.
(6)  Agency 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 Hybrid ARM-MBS with a coupon greater than or equal to 4.5%.


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Non-Agency MBS
 
The following table presents information with respect to our Non-Agency MBS at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 Non-Agency MBS
 
 

 
 

 
Face/Par
 
$
6,292,190

 
$
6,961,493

 
Fair Value
 
5,908,815

 
6,420,817

 
Amortized Cost
 
5,281,514

 
5,861,843

 
Purchase Discount Designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI
 
(714,958
)
(1)
(787,541
)
(2)
Purchase Discount Designated as Accretable
 
(295,781
)
 
(312,182
)
 
Purchase Premiums
 
63

 
73

 

(1)  Includes discount designated as Credit Reserve of $694.0 million and OTTI of $20.9 million.
(2)  Includes discount designated as Credit Reserve of $766.0 million and OTTI of $21.5 million.


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Table of Contents

Purchase Discounts on Non-Agency MBS
 
The following table presents the changes in the components of purchase discount on Non-Agency MBS with respect to purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI, and accretable purchase discount, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and
OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1)
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and
OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1)
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(724,198
)
 
$
(325,548
)
 
$
(847,017
)
 
$
(362,946
)
Accretion of discount
 
—

 
20,236

 
—

 
22,805

Realized credit losses
 
15,629

 
—

 
21,527

 
—

Purchases
 
(15,124
)
 
9,830

 
(455
)
 
113

Sales
 
2,398

 
6,523

 
3,676

 
11,193

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(485
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Transfers/release of credit reserve
 
6,822

 
(6,822
)
 
6,872

 
(6,872
)
Balance at the end of period
 
$
(714,958
)
 
$
(295,781
)
 
$
(815,397
)
 
$
(335,707
)

 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2016
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015
 
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and
OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1)
 
Discount
Designated as
Credit Reserve and
OTTI
 
Accretable
Discount (1)
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(787,541
)
 
$
(312,182
)
 
$
(900,557
)
 
$
(399,564
)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing
 
—

 
—

 
(15,543
)
 
1,832

Impact of RMBS Issuer Settlement (2)
 
—

 
(52,881
)
 
—

 
—

Accretion of discount
 
—

 
61,153

 
—

 
71,700

Realized credit losses
 
49,408

 
—

 
62,377

 
—

Purchases
 
(25,999
)
 
13,210

 
(1,200
)
 
(4,012
)
Sales
 
16,281

 
28,297

 
5,573

 
28,995

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(485
)
 
—

 
(705
)
 
—

Transfers/release of credit reserve
 
33,378

 
(33,378
)
 
34,658

 
(34,658
)
Balance at the end of period
 
$
(714,958
)
 
$
(295,781
)
 
$
(815,397
)
 
$
(335,707
)

(1)  Together with coupon interest, accretable purchase discount is recognized as interest income over the life of the security.
(2)
Includes the impact of approximately $61.8 million of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts.


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The following table presents information with respect to the yield components of our Non-Agency MBS for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
 
Legacy
Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
Coupon Yield (1)
 
5.28
%
 
3.83
%
 
5.10
%
 
3.62
%
Effective Yield Adjustment (2)
 
2.81

 
0.03

 
2.50

 
0.12

Net Yield
 
8.09
%
 
3.86
%
 
7.60
%
 
3.74
%

(1) Reflects the annualized coupon interest income divided by the average amortized cost.  The discounted purchase price on Legacy Non-Agency MBS causes the coupon yield to be higher than the pass-through coupon interest rate.
(2) The effective yield adjustment is the difference between the net yield, calculated utilizing management’s estimates of timing and amount of future cash flows for Legacy Non-Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities, less the current coupon yield.

Actual maturities of MBS are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities because actual maturities of MBS are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgage loans, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.  The following table presents certain information regarding the amortized costs, weighted average yields and contractual maturities of our MBS at September 30, 2016 and does not reflect the effect of prepayments or scheduled principal amortization on our MBS:
 
 
 
Within One Year
 
One to Five Years
 
Five to Ten Years
 
Over Ten Years
 
Total MBS
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Total
Amortized
Cost
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
Agency MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fannie Mae
 
$
22

 
0.17
%
 
$
443

 
2.47
%
 
$
314,229

 
2.54
%
 
$
2,885,598

 
1.65
%
 
$
3,200,292

 
$
3,242,427

 
1.74
%
Freddie Mac
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
135,730

 
2.49

 
630,934

 
1.68

 
766,664

 
771,016

 
1.83

Ginnie Mae
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,940

 
1.83

 
7,940

 
8,092

 
1.83

Total Agency MBS
 
$
22

 
0.17
%
 
$
443

 
2.47
%
 
$
449,959

 
2.53
%
 
$
3,524,472

 
1.66
%
 
$
3,974,896

 
$
4,021,535

 
1.76
%
Non-Agency MBS
 
$
—

 
—

 
$
138,705

 
4.20
%
 
$
3,654

 
7.91
%
 
$
5,139,155

 
6.34
%
 
$
5,281,514

 
$
5,908,815

 
6.29
%
Total MBS
 
$
22

 
0.17
%
 
$
139,148

 
4.19
%
 
$
453,613

 
2.57
%
 
$
8,663,627

 
4.44
%
 
$
9,256,410

 
$
9,930,350

 
4.34
%

At September 30, 2016, our CRT securities had an amortized cost of $327.9 million, a fair value of $347.6 million, a weighted average yield of 5.13% and weighted average time to maturity of 8.0 years.

Residential Whole Loans

The following table presents the contractual maturities of our residential whole loans held by consolidated trusts at September 30, 2016 and does not reflect estimates of prepayments or scheduled amortization. For residential whole loans at carrying value, amounts presented are estimated based on the underlying loan contractual amounts.

(In Thousands)
 
Residential Whole Loans
at Carrying Value (1)
 
Residential Whole Loans
at Fair Value (2)
Amount due:
 
 
 
 

Within one year
 
$
2,479

 
$
6,524

After one year:
 
 
 
 
Over one to five years
 
2,917

 
4,800

Over five years
 
433,996

 
693,138

Total due after one year
 
$
436,913

 
$
697,938

Total residential whole loans
 
$
439,392

 
$
704,462


(1) Excludes approximately $111.2 million of residential whole loans held at carrying value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.
(2) Excludes approximately $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.


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The following table presents at September 30, 2016, the dollar amount of our residential whole loans at fair value, contractually maturing after one year, and indicates whether the loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates:

(In Thousands)
 
Residential Whole Loans
at Fair Value (1)(2)
Interest rates:
 
 

Fixed
 
$
442,767

Adjustable
 
255,171

Total
 
$
697,938


(1)  Includes loans on which borrowers have defaulted and are not making payments of principal and/or interest as of September 30, 2016.
(2) Excludes approximately $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

Information is not presented for residential whole loans at carrying value as income is recognized based on pools of assets with similar risk characteristics using an estimated yield based on cash flows expected to be collected over the lives of the loans in such pools rather than on the contractual coupons of the underlying loans.

The following table presents additional information regarding our residential whole loans at fair value at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
Residential Whole Loans,
at Fair Value
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Loans 90 days or more past due (1):
 
 
 
 
Number of Loans
 
2,150

 
2,426

Aggregate Amount Outstanding
 
$
504,337

 
$
493,640


(1) Excludes loans which are 90 or more days past due at September 30, 2016 from the $92.8 million of residential whole loans held at fair value for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.

Income on residential whole loans at carrying value is recognized based on pools of assets with similar credit risk characteristics using an estimated yield based on cash flows expected to be collected over the lives of the loans in such pools rather than the contractual coupons of the underlying loans. As the unit of account is at the pool level rather than the individual loan level, none of our residential whole loans at carrying value are currently considered 90 days or more past due.


Exposure to Financial Counterparties
 
We finance a significant portion of our residential mortgage assets with repurchase agreements and other advances. In connection with these financing arrangements, we pledge our assets as collateral to secure the borrowing. The amount of collateral pledged will typically exceed the amount of the financing with the extent of over-collateralization ranging from 1% - 5% of the amount borrowed (U.S. Treasury and Agency MBS collateral) to up to 60% (Non-Agency MBS collateral). Consequently, while repurchase agreement financing results in us recording a liability to the counterparty in our consolidated balance sheets, we are exposed to the counterparty, if during the term of the repurchase agreement financing, a lender should default on its obligation and we are not able to recover our pledged assets. The amount of this exposure is the difference between the amount loaned to us plus interest due to the counterparty and the fair value of the collateral pledged by us to the lender including accrued interest receivable on such collateral.
 
In addition, we use Swaps to manage interest rate risk exposure in connection with our repurchase agreement financings. We will make cash payments or pledge securities as collateral as part of a margin arrangement in connection with interest rate Swaps that are in an unrealized loss position. In the event a counterparty for a Swap that is not subject to central clearing were to default on its obligation, we would be exposed to a loss to a Swap counterparty to the extent that the amount of cash or securities pledged exceeded the unrealized loss on the associated Swaps and we were not able to recover the excess collateral.


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Table of Contents

The table below summarizes our exposure to our counterparties at September 30, 2016, by country:
Country
 
Number of
Counterparties
 
Repurchase
Agreement
Financing and Other Advances
 
Swaps at Fair
Value
 
Exposure (1)
 
Exposure as a
Percentage of
MFA Total
Assets
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
European Countries:  (2)
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Switzerland (3)
 
2
 
$
1,308,752

 
$
—

 
$
471,944

 
3.70
%
United Kingdom
 
2
 
294,051

 
—

 
151,773

 
1.19

France
 
3
 
1,465,010

 
—

 
143,644

 
1.13

Holland
 
1
 
232,588

 
—

 
13,393

 
0.11

Germany
 
1
 
—

 
57

 
(107
)
 
—

Total
 
9
 
3,300,401

 
57

 
780,647

 
6.13
%
Other Countries:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

United States (4)
 
14
 
$
3,672,204

 
$
(109,259
)
 
$
1,061,854

 
8.33
%
Canada (5)
 
4
 
1,319,644

 
—

 
335,005

 
2.63

Japan (6)
 
3
 
481,839

 
—

 
27,126

 
0.21

China (6)
 
1
 
423,874

 
—

 
14,019

 
0.11

Total
 
22
 
5,897,561

 
(109,259
)
 
1,438,004

 
11.28
%
Total Counterparty Exposure
 
31
 
$
9,197,962

(7)
$
(109,202
)
 
$
2,218,651

 
17.41
%

(1)
Represents for each counterparty the amount of cash and/or securities pledged as collateral less the aggregate of repurchase agreement financing and other advances, Swaps at fair value, and net interest receivable/payable on all such instruments.
(2)
Includes European-based counterparties as well as U.S.-domiciled subsidiaries of the European parent entity.
(3)
Includes London branch of one counterparty and Cayman Islands branch of the other counterparty.
(4)
Includes one counterparty that is a central clearing house for our Swaps.
(5)
Includes Canada-based counterparties as well as U.S.-domiciled subsidiaries of Canadian parent entities. In the case of one counterparty, also includes exposure of $279.2 million to Barbados-based affiliate of the Canadian parent entity.
(6)
Exposure is to U.S.-domiciled subsidiary of the Japanese or Chinese parent entity, as the case may be.
(7)
Includes $500.0 million of repurchase agreements entered into in connection with contemporaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with a single counterparty.
 
At September 30, 2016, we did not use credit default swaps or other forms of credit protection to hedge the exposures summarized in the table above.
 
Uncertainty in the global financial market and weak economic conditions in Europe, including as a result of the United Kingdom’s recent vote to leave the European Union (“Brexit”) could potentially impact our major European financial counterparties, with the possibility that this would also impact the operations of their U.S. domiciled subsidiaries. This could adversely affect our financing and operations as well as those of the entire mortgage sector in general. Management monitors our exposure to our repurchase agreement and Swap counterparties on a regular basis, using various methods, including review of recent rating agency actions or other developments and by monitoring the amount of cash and securities collateral pledged and the associated loan amount under repurchase agreements and/or the fair value of Swaps with our counterparties. We intend to make reverse margin calls on our counterparties to recover excess collateral as permitted by the agreements governing our financing arrangements, or take other necessary actions to reduce the amount of our exposure to a counterparty when such actions are considered necessary. 

Tax Considerations
 
Current period estimated taxable and items expected to impact future taxable income

We estimate that for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our taxable income was approximately $288.5 million. Based on dividends paid or declared during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we have undistributed taxable income of approximately $58.5 million, or $0.16 per share. We have until the filing of our 2016 tax return (due not later than September 15, 2017) to declare the distribution of any 2016 REIT taxable income not previously distributed.

We anticipate during the first quarter of 2017 to unwind our remaining resecuritization transaction. We currently estimate that the unwind will generate taxable income (but not GAAP income) of an amount in excess of $0.10 per share.


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Table of Contents


Key differences between GAAP net income and REIT Taxable Income for Non-Agency MBS and Residential Whole Loans
 
Our total Non-Agency MBS portfolio for tax differs from our portfolio reported for GAAP primarily due to the fact that for tax purposes; (i) certain of the MBS contributed to the VIEs used to facilitate resecuritization transactions were deemed to be sold; and (ii) the tax portfolio includes certain securities issued by these VIEs.  In addition, for our Non-Agency MBS tax portfolio, potential timing differences arise with respect to the accretion of market discount into income and recognition of realized losses for tax purposes as compared to GAAP.  Consequently, our REIT taxable income calculated in a given period may differ significantly from our GAAP net income.
 
The determination of taxable income attributable to Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans is dependent on a number of factors, including principal payments, defaults, loss mitigation efforts and loss severities.  In projecting taxable income for Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans during the year, management considers estimates of the amount of discount expected to be accreted.  Such estimates require significant judgment and actual results may differ from these estimates.  Moreover, the deductibility of realized losses from Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans, and their effect on market discount accretion is analyzed on an asset-by-asset basis and while they will result in a reduction of taxable income, this reduction tends to occur gradually and primarily for Non-Agency MBS in periods after the realized losses are reported.
 
Resecuritization transactions result in differences between GAAP net income and REIT Taxable Income
 
For tax purposes, depending on the transaction structure, a resecuritization transaction may be treated either as a sale or a financing of the underlying MBS.  Income recognized from resecuritization transactions will differ for tax and GAAP.  For tax purposes, we own and may in the future acquire interests in resecuritization trusts, in which several of the classes of securities are or will be issued with Original Issue Discount (or OID).  As the holder of the retained interests in the trust, we generally will be required to include OID in our current gross interest income over the term of the applicable securities as the OID accrues.  The rate at which the OID is recognized into taxable income is calculated using a constant rate of yield to maturity, with realized losses impacting the amount of OID recognized in REIT taxable income once they are actually incurred.  For tax purposes, REIT taxable income may be recognized in excess of economic income (i.e., OID) or in advance of the corresponding cash flow from these assets, thereby effecting our dividend distribution requirement to stockholders. In addition, for resecuritization transactions that were treated as a sale of the underlying MBS for tax purposes, the unwind of any such transaction will likely result in a taxable gain or loss that is likely not recognized in GAAP net income as resecuritization transactions are typically accounted for as financing transactions for GAAP purposes.
 

Regulatory Developments
 
The U.S. Congress, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, U.S. Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, SEC and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken and continue to consider additional actions in response to the 2007-2008 financial crisis.  In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (or the Dodd-Frank Act) created a new regulator, an independent bureau housed within the Federal Reserve System and known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (or the CFPB). The CFPB has broad authority over a wide range of consumer financial products and services, including mortgage lending.  One portion of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (or Mortgage Reform Act), contains underwriting and servicing standards for the mortgage industry, as well as restrictions on compensation for mortgage originators.  In addition, the Mortgage Reform Act grants broad discretionary regulatory authority to the CFPB to prohibit or condition terms, acts or practices relating to residential mortgage loans that the CFPB finds abusive, unfair, deceptive or predatory, as well as to take other actions that the CFPB finds are necessary or proper to ensure responsible affordable mortgage credit remains available to consumers.  The Dodd-Frank Act also affects the securitization of mortgages (and other assets) with requirements for risk retention by securitizers and requirements for regulating Rating Agencies.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires that numerous regulations be issued, many of which (including those mentioned above regarding underwriting and mortgage originator compensation) have only recently been implemented and operationalized. As a result, we are unable to fully predict at this time how the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as other laws that may be adopted in the future, will affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, or the environment for repurchase financing and other forms of borrowing, the investing environment for Agency MBS, Non-Agency MBS and/or residential mortgage loans, the securitization industry, Swaps and other derivatives.  However, at a minimum, we believe that the Dodd-Frank Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder are likely to continue to increase the economic and compliance costs for participants in the mortgage and securitization industries, including us.


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In addition to the regulatory actions being implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act, on August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release under which it is reviewing interpretive issues related to Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act.  Section 3(c)(5)(C) excludes from the definition of “investment company” entities that are primarily engaged in, among other things, “purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.”  Many companies that engage in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related instruments seek to rely on existing interpretations of the SEC Staff with respect to Section 3(c)(5)(C) so as not to be deemed an investment company for the purpose of regulation under the Investment Company Act.  In connection with the concept release, the SEC requested comments on, among other things, whether it should reconsider its existing interpretation of Section 3(c)(5)(C). To date the SEC has not taken or otherwise announced any further action in connection with the concept release.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (or FHFA) and both houses of Congress have discussed and considered separate measures intended to restructure the U.S. housing finance system and the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Congress may continue to consider legislation that would significantly reform the country’s mortgage finance system, including, among other things, eliminating Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and replacing them with a single new MBS insurance agency. Many details remain unsettled, including the scope and costs of the agencies’ guarantee and their affordable housing mission, some of which could be addressed even in the absence of large-scale reform.  While the likelihood of enactment of major mortgage finance system reform in the short term remains uncertain, it is possible that the adoption of any such reforms could adversely affect the types of assets we can buy, the costs of these assets and our business operations.  As the FHFA and both houses of Congress continue to consider various measures intended to dramatically restructure the U.S. housing finance system and the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we expect debate and discussion on the topic to continue throughout the remainder of 2016and well into 2017. However, we cannot be certain if any housing and/or mortgage-related legislation will emerge from committee, or be approved by Congress, and if so, what the effect will be on our business.
 




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Results of Operations

Quarter Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to the Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
 
General
 
For the third quarter of 2016, we had net income available to our common stock and participating securities of $79.3 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stock and participating securities of $75.8 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in net income available to our common stock and participating securities, and the increase of this item on a per share basis reflects higher net gains on residential whole loans held at fair value, unrealized gains on CRT securities accounted for at fair value and higher net interest income on CRT securities, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS and Agency MBS and lower gains on sales on MBS.

Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest income depends primarily upon the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the corresponding interest rates earned or paid.  Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, the slope of the yield curve (i.e., the differential between long-term and short-term interest rates), borrowing costs (i.e., our interest expense) and prepayment speeds on our MBS.  Interest rates and CPRs (which measure the amount of unscheduled principal prepayment on a bond as a percentage of the bond balance) vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty.
 
The changes in average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities and their related yields and costs are discussed in greater detail below under “Interest Income” and “Interest Expense.”
 
For the third quarter of 2016, our net interest spread and margin were 2.13% and 2.46%, respectively, compared to a net interest spread and margin of 2.24% and 2.58%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2015. Our net interest income decreased by $11.5 million, or 15.1%, to $64.5 million from $76.0 million for the third quarter of 2015.  Current quarter net interest income from Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS declined compared to the third quarter of 2015 by approximately $11.8 million, primarily due to lower average balances of these securities and associated MBS repurchase agreement financings, partially offset by higher yields earned on Legacy Non-Agency MBS. In addition, net interest income for the current quarter compared to the third quarter of 2015 was approximately $1.5 million lower due to higher average balances of repurchase agreement financings associated with residential whole loans. This was partially offset by higher net interest income on CRT securities of approximately $1.7 million.





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Analysis of Net Interest Income
 
The following table sets forth certain information about the average balances of our assets and liabilities and their related yields and costs for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  Average yields are derived by dividing annualized interest income by the average amortized cost of the related assets, and average costs are derived by dividing annualized interest expense by the daily average balance of the related liabilities, for the periods shown.  The yields and costs include premium amortization and purchase discount accretion which are considered adjustments to interest rates.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-earning assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS (1)
 
$
4,143,523

 
$
18,957

 
1.83
%
 
$
5,126,092

 
$
23,618

 
1.84
%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
2,858,731

 
57,818

 
8.09

 
3,514,904

 
66,779

 
7.60

3 Year Step-up securities (1)
 
2,673,527

 
25,820

 
3.86

 
2,527,573

 
23,651

 
3.74

Total MBS
 
9,675,781

 
102,595

 
4.24

 
11,168,569

 
114,048

 
4.08

CRT securities (1)
 
294,704

 
3,983

 
5.41

 
128,727

 
1,593

 
4.95

Residential whole loans, at carrying value (2)
 
388,601

 
5,917

 
6.09

 
247,281

 
4,033

 
6.52

Cash and cash equivalents (3)
 
307,147

 
221

 
0.29

 
272,691

 
32

 
0.05

Total interest-earning assets
 
10,666,233

 
112,716

 
4.23

 
11,817,268

 
119,706

 
4.05

Total non-interest-earning assets (2)
 
2,146,677

 
 

 
 

 
1,814,073

 
 

 
 

Total assets
 
$
12,812,910

 
 

 
 

 
$
13,631,341

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency repurchase agreements and FHLB advances (4)
 
$
3,710,403

 
$
12,164

 
1.28
%
 
$
4,550,939

 
$
12,911

 
1.13
%
Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements (4)
 
2,283,551

 
17,375

 
2.98

 
2,599,349

 
18,102

 
2.76

3 Year Step-up securities repurchase agreements
 
2,091,877

 
10,947

 
2.05

 
2,010,103

 
8,759

 
1.73

CRT securities repurchase agreements
 
214,802

 
1,128

 
2.05

 
91,352

 
398

 
1.73

Residential whole loan repurchase agreements
 
567,540

 
4,544

 
3.13

 
171,139

 
1,161

 
2.69

Total repurchase agreements and other advances
 
8,868,173

 
46,158

 
2.04

 
9,422,882

 
41,331

 
1.74

Securitized debt
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
50,691

 
363

 
2.82

Senior Notes
 
96,718

 
2,009

 
8.31

 
96,683

 
2,009

 
8.31

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
8,964,891

 
48,167

 
2.10

 
9,570,256

 
43,703

 
1.81

Total non-interest-bearing liabilities
 
842,227

 
 

 
 

 
942,319

 
 

 
 
Total liabilities
 
9,807,118

 
 

 
 

 
10,512,575

 
 

 
 
Stockholders’ equity
 
3,005,792

 
 

 
 

 
3,118,766

 
 

 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
12,812,910

 
 

 
 

 
$
13,631,341

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income/net interest rate spread (5)
 
 

 
$
64,549

 
2.13
%
 
 

 
$
76,003

 
2.24
%
Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin (6)
 
$
1,701,342

 
 

 
2.46
%
 
$
2,247,012

 
 

 
2.58
%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
   interest-bearing liabilities
 
1.19
x
 
 

 
 

 
1.23
x
 
 

 
 

 

(1)
Yields presented throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are calculated using average amortized cost data for securities which excludes unrealized gains and losses and includes principal payments receivable on securities.  For GAAP reporting purposes, purchases and sales are reported on the trade date. Average amortized cost data used to determine yields is calculated based on the settlement date of the associated purchase or sale as interest income is not earned on purchased assets and continues to be earned on sold assets until settlement date.  Includes Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs.
(2)
Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value that are reported as a component of total non-interest-earning assets.
(3)
Includes average interest-earning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
(4)
Average cost of repurchase agreements includes the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration.
(5)
Net interest rate spread reflects the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and average cost of funds.
(6)
Net interest margin reflects annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates (yield/cost) and changes in the volume (average balance) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated.  Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) the changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in average balance multiplied by prior rate); (ii) the changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior average balance); and (iii) the net change.  The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately, based on absolute values, to the changes due to rate and volume.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Compared to
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Increase/(Decrease) due to
 
Total Net
Change in
Interest Income/Expense
(In Thousands)
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
$
(4,495
)
 
$
(166
)
 
$
(4,661
)
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
(13,065
)
 
4,104

 
(8,961
)
3 Year Step-up securities
 
1,407

 
762

 
2,169

CRT securities
 
2,230

 
160

 
2,390

Residential whole loans, at carrying value (1)
 
2,168

 
(284
)
 
1,884

Cash and cash equivalents
 
4

 
185

 
189

Total net change in income from interest-earning assets
 
$
(11,751
)
 
$
4,761

 
$
(6,990
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency repurchase agreements and FHLB advances
 
$
(2,326
)
 
$
1,579

 
$
(747
)
Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements
 
(2,193
)
 
1,466

 
(727
)
3 Year Step-up securities repurchase agreements
 
395

 
1,793

 
2,188

CRT securities repurchase agreements
 
641

 
89

 
730

Residential whole loan repurchase agreements (2)
 
3,159

 
224

 
3,383

Securitized debt
 
(363
)
 
—

 
(363
)
Total net change in expense of interest-bearing liabilities
 
$
(687
)
 
$
5,151

 
$
4,464

Net change in net interest income
 
$
(11,064
)
 
$
(390
)
 
$
(11,454
)
 
(1)
Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value which are reported as a component of non-interest-earning assets.
(2)
Includes repurchase agreements on residential whole loans accounted for at carrying value and fair value.

The following table presents certain quarterly information regarding our net interest spread and net interest margin for the quarterly periods presented:
 
 
 
Total Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-
Bearing Liabilities
 
Net Interest
Spread (1)
 
Net Interest
Margin (2)
Quarter Ended
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
2.13
%
 
2.46
%
June 30, 2016
 
2.14

 
2.46

March 31, 2016
 
2.18

 
2.51

December 31, 2015
 
2.22

 
2.54

September 30, 2015
 
2.24

 
2.58

 
(1)  Reflects the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and average cost of funds.
(2)  Reflects annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.


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The following table presents the components of the net interest spread earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities for the quarterly periods presented:
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
 
Total MBS
Quarter Ended
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding (2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding (2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding (2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
 
Net
Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of
Funding (2)
 
Net Interest
Rate
Spread (3)
September 30, 2016
 
1.83
%
 
1.28
%
 
0.55
%
 
8.09
%
 
2.98
%
 
5.11
%
 
3.86
%
 
2.05
%
 
1.81
%
 
4.24
%
 
1.96
%
 
2.28
%
June 30, 2016
 
1.96

 
1.26

 
0.70

 
7.72

 
2.88

 
4.84

 
3.83

 
2.01

 
1.82

 
4.19

 
1.91

 
2.28

March 31, 2016
 
2.07

 
1.27

 
0.80

 
7.61

 
2.86

 
4.75

 
3.97

 
2.07

 
1.90

 
4.23

 
1.91

 
2.32

December 31, 2015
 
2.04

 
1.17

 
0.87

 
7.64

 
2.90

 
4.74

 
3.70

 
1.81

 
1.89

 
4.17

 
1.81

 
2.36

September 30, 2015
 
1.84

 
1.13

 
0.71

 
7.60

 
2.76

 
4.84

 
3.74

 
1.73

 
2.01

 
4.08

 
1.73

 
2.35

 
(1)
Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(2)
Reflects annualized interest expense divided by average balance of repurchase agreements and other advances, including the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration and securitized debt. Agency cost of funding includes 62, 63, 65, 74 and 74 basis points and Legacy Non-Agency cost of funding includes 74, 69, 65, 69 and 66 basis points associated with Swaps to hedge interest rate sensitivity on these assets for the quarters ended September 30, 2016, June 30, 2016, March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively.
(3)
Reflects the difference between the net yield on average MBS and average cost of funds on MBS.
 
Interest Income
 
Interest income on our Agency MBS for the third quarter of 2016 decreased by $4.7 million, or 19.7% to $19.0 million from $23.6 million for the third quarter of 2015.  This change primarily reflects a $982.6 million decrease in the average amortized cost of our Agency MBS portfolio to $4.1 billion for the third quarter of 2016 from $5.1 billion for the third quarter of 2015. In addition, the net yield on our Agency MBS decreased to 1.83% for the third quarter of 2016 from 1.84% for the third quarter of 2015. At the end of the third quarter of 2016, the average coupon on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS was higher compared to the end of the third quarter of 2015. The coupon yield on our Agency MBS portfolio increased to 2.83% for the third quarter of 2016 from 2.74% for the third quarter of 2015.  During the third quarter of 2016, our Agency MBS portfolio experienced a 16.7% CPR and we recognized $10.3 million of net premium amortization compared to a CPR of 15.4% and $11.5 million of net premium amortization for the third quarter of 2015. At September 30, 2016, we had net purchase premiums on our Agency MBS of $144.3 million, or 3.8% of current par value, compared to net purchase premiums of $172.0 million, or 3.8% of par value at December 31, 2015.
 
Interest income on our Non-Agency MBS (which includes Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) decreased $6.8 million, or 7.5%, for the third quarter of 2016 to $83.6 million compared to $90.4 million for the third quarter of 2015. This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in the average amortized cost of our Non-Agency MBS portfolio of $510.2 million or 8.4%, to $5.5 billion from $6.0 billion for the third quarter of 2015. Our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio yielded 8.09% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 7.60% for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in the yield on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS reflects the impact of the cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts, and the improved performance of loans underlying the Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, resulting in credit reserve releases, in the current and prior year. Our 3 Year Step-up securities portfolio yielded 3.86% for the third quarter of 2016 compared to 3.74% for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in the net yield on this portfolio is primarily due to the addition of higher yielding securities since the third quarter of 2015.

During the third quarter of 2016, we recognized net purchase discount accretion of $20.2 million on our Non-Agency MBS, compared to $22.7 million for the third quarter of 2015.  At September 30, 2016, we had net purchase discounts of $1.0 billion, including Credit Reserve and previously recognized OTTI of $715.0 million, on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS, or 26.7% of par value.  During the third quarter of 2016 we reallocated $6.8 million of purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount.


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The following table presents the components of the coupon yield and net yields earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities and weighted average CPR experienced for such MBS for the quarterly periods presented:
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
Quarter Ended
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
3 Month Average Bond CPR (4)
September 30, 2016
 
2.83
%
 
1.83
%
 
16.7
%
 
5.28
%
 
8.09
%
 
15.9
%
 
3.83
%
 
3.86
%
 
32.2
%
June 30, 2016
 
2.80

 
1.96

 
13.9

 
5.19

 
7.72

 
16.1

 
3.81

 
3.83

 
25.4

March 31, 2016
 
2.78

 
2.07

 
11.7

 
5.09

 
7.61

 
13.3

 
3.73

 
3.97

 
23.0

December 31, 2015
 
2.76

 
2.04

 
11.8

 
5.09

 
7.64

 
14.6

 
3.68

 
3.70

 
21.5

September 30, 2015
 
2.74

 
1.84

 
15.4

 
5.10

 
7.60

 
16.3

 
3.62

 
3.74

 
29.5

 
(1)
Reflects the annualized coupon interest income divided by the average amortized cost. The discounted purchase price on Legacy Non-Agency MBS causes the coupon yield to be higher than the pass-through coupon interest rate.
(2)
Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(3)
3 month average CPR weighted by positions as of the beginning of each month in the quarter.
(4)
All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for CPR purposes.

Interest Expense
 
Our interest expense for the third quarter of 2016 increased by $4.5 million, or 10.2%, to $48.2 million, from $43.7 million for the third quarter of 2015.  This increase primarily reflects increased financing rates on our repurchase agreement financings, an increase in our average borrowings to finance residential whole loans, CRT securities and 3 Year Step-up securities, and utilization of FHLB advances, which was partially offset by a decrease in our average repurchase agreement borrowings to finance Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS and a decrease in the average balance of securitized debt.
 
At September 30, 2016, we had repurchase agreement borrowings of $8.5 billion, of which $3.0 billion was hedged with Swaps and FHLB advances of $215.0 million.  At September 30, 2016, our Swaps designated in hedging relationships had a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 1.82% and extended 37 months on average with a maximum remaining term of approximately 83 months.
  
The effective interest rate paid on our borrowings increased to 2.10% for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, from 1.81% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.  This increase reflects higher financing rates on our repurchase agreement financings and the increase in our average balance of repurchase agreements to finance residential whole loans, CRT securities and 3 Year Step-up securities, partially offset by the lower average balance of Agency and Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements and securitized debt.
 
Payments made and/or received on our Swaps are a component of our borrowing costs and accounted for interest expense of $10.2 million, or 44 basis points, for the third quarter of 2016, as compared to interest expense of $12.7 million, or 53 basis points, for the third quarter of 2015.  The weighted average fixed-pay rate on our Swaps designated as hedges remained unchanged at 1.82% for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  The weighted average variable interest rate received on our Swaps increased to 0.49% for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 from 0.19% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, we did not enter into any new Swaps and had no Swaps amortize and/or expire.
 
We expect that our interest expense and funding costs for the remainder of 2016 will be impacted by market interest rates, the amount of our borrowings and incremental hedging activity, existing and future interest rates on our hedging instruments and the extent to which we execute additional longer-term structured financing transactions.  As a result of these variables, our borrowing costs cannot be predicted with certainty.  (See Notes 5(b), 6 and 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, included under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.)
   
OTTI
 
During the third quarter of 2016, we recognized OTTI charges through earnings against certain of our Non-Agency MBS of $485,000. We did not recognize any OTTI charges through earnings against our Non-Agency MBS during the third quarter of 2015. These impairment charges reflected changes in our estimated cash flows for such securities based on an updated assessment of the estimated future performance of the underlying collateral, including the expected principal loss over the term of the securities

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and changes in the expected timing of receipt of cash flows. At September 30, 2016, we had 289 Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $10.0 million and 43 Non-Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $4.9 million.  Impairments on Agency MBS in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016 are considered temporary and not credit related.  Unrealized losses on Non-Agency MBS for which no OTTI was recorded during the quarter are considered temporary based on an assessment of changes in the expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and expected future performance of the underlying collateral.  Significant judgment is used both in our analysis of expected cash flows for our Legacy Non-Agency MBS and any determination of the credit component of OTTI.

Other Income, net

For the third quarter of 2016, Other Income, net increased by $17.4 million, or 105.4%, to $33.9 million compared to $16.5 million for the third quarter of 2015.  This increase primarily reflects a $18.7 million net gain recorded on residential whole loans held at fair value, $7.7 million of unrealized gains on CRT securities accounted for at fair value and $7.1 million of gross gains realized on the sale of $13.2 million Non-Agency MBS. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we sold Non-Agency MBS for $23.5 million, realizing gross gains of $11.2 million, and recorded a net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value of $5.6 million.
 
Operating and Other Expense

For the third quarter of 2016, we had compensation and benefits and other general and administrative expense of $10.8 million, or 1.44% of average equity, compared to $10.0 million, or 1.29% of average equity, for the third quarter of 2015.  Compensation and benefits expense increased $596,000 to $7.1 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $6.5 million for the third quarter of 2015, primarily reflecting higher headcount and recognition for accounting purposes of additional expense associated with long term incentive awards. Our other general and administrative expenses increased by $171,000 to $3.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 compared to $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 primarily due to higher IT development and related expenses. 

Operating and Other Expense for the third quarter of 2016 also includes $4.2 million of loan servicing and other related operating expenses related to our residential whole loan activities. These expenses increased compared to the prior year period by approximately $1.2 million, consistent with the overall growth in this asset class during 2016. The overall increase is primarily due to increased loan servicing related fees and non-recoverable advances on REO and carrying value loans which were partially offset by a decrease in the provision for loan losses recognized and lower loan acquisition related expenses this quarter.

Selected Financial Ratios
 
The following table presents information regarding certain of our financial ratios at or for the dates presented:
 
At or for the Quarter Ended
 
Return on
Average Total
Assets (1)
 
Return on
Average Total
Stockholders’
Equity (2)
 
Total Average
Stockholders’
Equity to Total
Average Assets (3)
 
Dividend
Payout
Ratio (4)
 
Leverage Multiple (5)
 
Book Value
per Share
of Common
Stock (6)
September 30, 2016
 
2.47
%
 
11.05
%
 
23.46
%
 
0.95
 
3.1
 
$
7.64

June 30, 2016
 
2.33

 
10.83

 
22.58

 
1.00
 
3.3
 
7.41

March 31, 2016
 
2.29

 
10.82

 
22.19

 
1.00
 
3.4
 
7.17

December 31, 2015
 
2.10

 
9.80

 
22.56

 
1.05
 
3.4
 
7.47

September 30, 2015
 
2.22

 
10.21

 
22.85

 
1.00
 
3.3
 
7.70


(1)
Reflects annualized net income available to common stock and participating securities divided by average total assets.
(2)
Reflects annualized net income divided by average total stockholders’ equity.
(3)
Reflects total average stockholders’ equity divided by total average assets.
(4)
Reflects dividends declared per share of common stock divided by earnings per share.
(5)
Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, securitized debt, payable for unsettled purchases, and obligations to return securities obtained as collateral and Senior Notes divided by stockholders’ equity.
(6)
Reflects total stockholders’ equity less the preferred stock liquidation preference divided by total shares of common stock outstanding.


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Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2015
 
General
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we had net income available to common stock and participating securities of $228.8 million, or $0.61 per basic and diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stock and participating securities of $228.5 million, or $0.61 per basic and diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Net Interest Income
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our net interest spread and margin were 2.16% and 2.49%, respectively, compared to a net interest spread and margin of 2.33% and 2.67%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Our net interest income decreased by $42.0 million, or 17.3%, to $201.2 million from $243.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net interest income from Agency and Legacy Non-Agency MBS declined compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, by approximately $42.9 million, primarily due to lower average balances of these securities and associated MBS repurchase agreement financings, as well as lower yields earned on Agency MBS. In addition, net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was approximately $6.1 million lower due to higher average balances of repurchase agreement financings associated with residential whole loans. This was partially offset by higher net interest income on 3 Year Step-up securities and CRT securities of approximately $6.5 million.





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Analysis of Net Interest Income
 
The following table sets forth certain information about the average balances of our assets and liabilities and their related yields and costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  Average yields are derived by dividing annualized interest income by the average amortized cost of the related assets, and average costs are derived by dividing annualized interest expense by the daily average balance of the related liabilities, for the periods shown.  The yields and costs include premium amortization and purchase discount accretion which are considered adjustments to interest rates.
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-earning assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS (1)
 
$
4,389,672

 
$
64,546

 
1.96
%
 
$
5,427,140

 
$
81,030

 
1.99
%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
3,023,239

 
176,890

 
7.80

 
3,694,750

 
210,968

 
7.61

3 Year Step-up securities (1)
 
2,630,475

 
76,665

 
3.89

 
2,366,794

 
65,264

 
3.68

Total MBS
 
10,043,386

 
318,101

 
4.22

 
11,488,684

 
357,262

 
4.15

CRT securities (1)
 
243,776

 
9,897

 
5.41

 
123,032

 
4,477

 
4.85

Residential whole loans, at carrying value (2)
 
346,013

 
16,112

 
6.21

 
237,785

 
11,817

 
6.63

Cash and cash equivalents (3)
 
270,297

 
531

 
0.26

 
257,554

 
88

 
0.05

Total interest-earning assets
 
10,903,472

 
344,641

 
4.21

 
12,107,055

 
373,644

 
4.11

Total non-interest-earning assets (2)
 
2,007,033

 
 

 
 

 
1,673,507

 
 

 
 

Total assets
 
$
12,910,505

 
 

 
 

 
$
13,780,562

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency repurchase agreements and FHLB advances (4)
 
$
3,945,759

 
$
37,970

 
1.26
%
 
$
4,847,123

 
$
39,990

 
1.10
%
Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements (4)
 
2,362,389

 
51,819

 
2.88

 
2,685,260

 
56,093

 
2.79

3 Year Step-up securities repurchase agreements
 
2,043,932

 
31,569

 
2.03

 
1,882,084

 
22,814

 
1.62

CRT securities repurchase agreements
 
173,809

 
2,675

 
2.02

 
89,315

 
1,148

 
1.72

Residential whole loans repurchase agreements
 
543,176

 
13,094

 
3.17

 
149,302

 
2,691

 
2.41

Total repurchase agreements and other advances
 
9,069,065

 
137,127

 
1.99

 
9,653,084

 
122,736

 
1.70

Securitized debt
 
8,949

 
333

 
4.89

 
77,892

 
1,731

 
2.97

Senior Notes
 
96,709

 
6,027

 
8.31

 
96,676

 
6,025

 
8.31

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
9,174,723

 
143,487

 
2.05

 
9,827,652

 
130,492

 
1.78

Total non-interest-bearing liabilities
 
799,438

 
 

 
 

 
783,527

 
 

 
 

Total liabilities
 
9,974,161

 
 

 
 

 
10,611,179

 
 

 
 

Stockholders’ equity
 
2,936,344

 
 

 
 

 
3,169,383

 
 

 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
12,910,505

 
 

 
 

 
$
13,780,562

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income/ net interest rate spread (5)
 
 

 
$
201,154

 
2.16
%
 
 

 
$
243,152

 
2.33
%
Net interest-earning assets/ net interest margin (6)
 
$
1,728,749

 
 

 
2.49
%
 
$
2,279,403

 
 

 
2.67
%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
    interest-bearing liabilities
 
1.19
x
 
 

 
 

 
1.23
x
 
 

 
 

 

(1)
Yields presented throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are calculated using average amortized cost data for MBS which excludes unrealized gains and losses and includes principal payments receivable on MBS.  For GAAP reporting purposes, purchases and sales are reported on the trade date. Average amortized cost data used to determine yields is calculated based on the settlement date of the associated purchase or sale as interest income is not earned on purchased assets and continues to be earned on sold assets until settlement date.  Includes Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs.
(2)
Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value that are reported as a component of total non-interest-earning assets.
(3)
Includes average interest-earning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
(4)
Average cost of repurchase agreements includes the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration.
(5)
Net interest rate spread reflects the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and average cost of funds.
(6)
Net interest margin reflects annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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Rate/Volume Analysis
 
The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates (yield/cost) and changes in the volume (average balance) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated.  Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) the changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in average balance multiplied by prior rate); (ii) the changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior average balance); and (iii) the net change.  The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately, based on absolute values, to the changes due to rate and volume.
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
Compared to
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
Increase/(Decrease) due to
 
Total Net
Change in
Interest Income/Expense
(In Thousands)
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency MBS
 
$
(15,272
)
 
$
(1,212
)
 
$
(16,484
)
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
(39,177
)
 
5,099

 
(34,078
)
3 Year Step-up securities
 
7,545

 
3,856

 
11,401

CRT securities
 
4,848

 
572

 
5,420

Residential whole loans, at carrying value (1)
 
5,081

 
(786
)
 
4,295

Cash and cash equivalents
 
5

 
438

 
443

Total net change in income from interest-earning assets
 
$
(36,970
)
 
$
7,967

 
$
(29,003
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Agency repurchase agreements and FHLB advances
 
$
(7,793
)
 
$
5,773

 
$
(2,020
)
Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements
 
(6,256
)
 
1,982

 
(4,274
)
3 Year Step-up securities repurchase agreements
 
2,227

 
6,528

 
8,755

CRT securities repurchase agreements
 
1,287

 
240

 
1,527

Residential whole loan repurchase agreements (2)
 
9,295

 
1,108

 
10,403

Securitized debt
 
(2,123
)
 
725

 
(1,398
)
Senior Notes
 
2

 
—

 
2

Total net change in expense of interest-bearing liabilities
 
$
(3,361
)
 
$
16,356

 
$
12,995

Net change in net interest income
 
$
(33,609
)
 
$
(8,389
)
 
$
(41,998
)

(1)
Excludes residential whole loans held at fair value which are reported as a component of non-interest-earning assets.
(2)
Includes repurchase agreements on residential whole loans accounted for at carrying value and fair value.
 
The following table presents the components of the net interest spread earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities for the periods presented:
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
 
Total MBS
Nine Months Ended
 
Net Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest Spread 
(3)
 
Net Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest Spread 
(3)
 
Net Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest Spread 
(3)
 
Net Yield 
(1)
 
Cost of Funding 
(2)
 
Net Interest Spread 
(3)
September 30, 2016
 
1.96
%
 
1.26
%
 
0.70
%
 
7.80
%
 
2.89
%
 
4.91
%
 
3.89
%
 
2.03
%
 
1.86
%
 
4.22
%
 
1.91
%
 
2.31
%
September 30, 2015
 
1.99
%
 
1.10
%
 
0.89
%
 
7.61
%
 
2.79
%
 
4.82
%
 
3.68
%
 
1.62
%
 
2.06
%
 
4.15
%
 
1.69
%
 
2.46
%
 
(1) Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(2) Reflects annualized interest expense divided by average balance of repurchase agreements and other advances, including the cost of Swaps allocated based on the proportionate share of the overall estimated weighted average portfolio duration, and securitized debt. Agency cost of funding includes 63 and 74 basis points and Legacy Non-Agency cost of funding includes 69 and 71 basis points associated with Swaps to hedge interest rate sensitivity on these assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(3) Reflects the difference between the net yield on average MBS and average cost of funds on MBS.
 

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Interest Income
 
Interest income on our Agency MBS for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 decreased by $16.5 million, or 20.3%, to $64.5 million from $81.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  This change primarily reflects a $1.0 billion decrease in the average amortized cost of our Agency MBS portfolio to $4.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $5.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, the net yield on our Agency MBS decreased to 1.96% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from 1.99% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  At the end of the third quarter of 2016, the average coupon on mortgages underlying our Agency MBS was higher compared to the end of the third quarter of 2015.  The coupon yield on our Agency MBS portfolio increased slightly to 2.80% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from 2.79% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our Agency MBS portfolio experienced an 12.7% CPR and we recognized $27.7 million of net premium amortization compared to a CPR of 12.3% and $32.5 million of net premium amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  At September 30, 2016, we had net purchase premiums on our Agency MBS of $144.3 million, or 3.8% of current par value, compared to net purchase premiums of $172.0 million, or 3.8% of par value at December 31, 2015.
 
Interest income on our Non-Agency MBS (which includes Non-Agency MBS transferred to consolidated VIEs) decreased by $22.7 million, or 8.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $253.6 million compared to $276.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the decrease in the average amortized cost of our Non-Agency portfolio of $407.8 million or 6.7%, to $5.7 billion from $6.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio yielded 7.80% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 7.61% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The increase in the yield on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS reflects the impact of the cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts, and the improved performance of loans underlying the Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio, resulting in credit reserve releases, in the current and prior year, which was partially offset by prepayments on higher yielding assets in the portfolio. Our 3 Year Step-up securities portfolio yielded 3.89% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 3.68% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in the net yield on this portfolio is primarily due to the addition of higher yielding securities since the third quarter of 2015 and the impact of redemptions during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of certain securities that had been previously purchased at a discount.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized net purchase discount accretion of $61.2 million on our Non-Agency MBS, compared to $71.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  At September 30, 2016, we had net purchase discounts of $1.0 billion, including Credit Reserve and previously recognized OTTI of $715.0 million, on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS, or 26.7% of par value.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 we reallocated $33.4 million of purchased discount designated as Credit Reserve to accretable purchase discount.

The following table presents the coupon yields and net yields earned on our Agency MBS, Legacy Non-Agency MBS and 3 Year Step-up securities and weighted average CPRs experienced for such MBS for the periods presented:
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS
 
3 Year Step-up Securities
Nine Months Ended
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
9 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
9 Month Average CPR (3)
 
Coupon Yield (1)
 
Net Yield (2)
 
9 Month Average Bond CPR (4)
September 30, 2016
 
2.80
%
 
1.96
%
 
12.7
%
 
5.19
%
 
7.80
%
 
13.7
%
 
3.79
%
 
3.89
%
 
26.9
%
September 30, 2015
 
2.79

 
1.99

 
12.3

 
5.09

 
7.61

 
12.7

 
3.58

 
3.68

 
26.5

 
(1)
Reflects the annualized coupon interest income divided by the average amortized cost. The discounted purchase price on Legacy Non-Agency MBS causes the coupon yield to be higher than the pass-through coupon interest rate.
(2)
Reflects annualized interest income on MBS divided by average amortized cost of MBS.
(3)
6 month average CPR weighted by positions as of the beginning of each month in the quarter.
(4)
All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for CPR purposes.

Interest Expense
 
Our interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased by $13.0 million, or 10.0%, to $143.5 million, from $130.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  This increase primarily reflects an increase in our average borrowings to finance residential whole loans, 3 Year Step-up securities and CRT securities, an increase in financing rates on our repurchase agreement financings, and utilization of FHLB advances, which was partially offset by a decrease in our average

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repurchase agreement borrowings to finance Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS and a decrease in the average balance of securitized debt.

At September 30, 2016, we had repurchase agreement borrowings of $8.5 billion, of which $3.0 billion was hedged with Swaps and FHLB advances of $215.0 million.  At September 30, 2016, our Swaps designated in hedging relationships had a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 1.82% and extended 37 months on average with a maximum remaining term of approximately 83 months.
 
The effective interest rate paid on our borrowings increased to 2.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, from 1.78% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  This increase reflects higher financing rates on our repurchase agreement financings, the increase in our average balance of repurchase agreements to finance residential whole loans, 3 Year Step-up securities and CRT securities, partially offset by the lower average balance of Agency and Legacy Non-Agency repurchase agreements and securitized debt.

Payments made and/or received on our Swaps are a component of our borrowing costs and accounted for interest expense of $31.3 million, or 45 basis points, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to interest expense of $41.3 million, or 56 basis points, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The weighted average fixed-pay rate on our Swaps designated as hedges decreased slightly to 1.82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from 1.83% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The weighted average variable interest rate received on our Swaps designated as hedges increased to 0.45% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from 0.18% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not enter into any new Swaps and had Swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $50.0 million and a weighted average fixed-pay rate of 2.13% amortize and/or expire.
 
We expect that our interest expense and funding costs for the remainder of 2016 will be impacted by market interest rates, the amount of our borrowings and incremental hedging activity, existing and future interest rates on our hedging instruments and the extent to which we execute additional longer-term structured financing transactions.  As a result of these variables, our borrowing costs cannot be predicted with any certainty.  (See Notes 5(b), 6 and 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, included under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.)
 
OTTI
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized OTTI charges through earnings against certain of our Non-Agency MBS of $485,000 and $705,000, respectively. These impairment charges reflected changes in our estimated cash flows for such securities based on an updated assessment of the estimated future performance of the underlying collateral, including the expected principal loss over the term of the securities and changes in the expected timing of receipt of cash flows. At September 30, 2016, we had 289 Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $10.0 million and 43 Non-Agency MBS with a gross unrealized loss of $4.9 million.  Impairments on Agency MBS in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016 are considered temporary and not credit related.  Unrealized losses on Non-Agency MBS for which no OTTI was recorded during the quarter are considered temporary based on an assessment of changes in the expected cash flows for such securities, which considers recent bond performance and expected future performance of the underlying collateral.  Significant judgment is used both in our analysis of expected cash flows for our Legacy Non-Agency MBS and in any determination of the credit component of OTTI.

Other Income, net
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Other income, net increased by $48.2 million, or 136.0%, to $83.6 million compared to $35.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily reflects a $45.1 million net gain recorded on residential whole loans held at fair value, and $26.1 million of gross gains realized on the sale of $65.1 million Non-Agency MBS and $10.7 million of unrealized gains on CRT securities accounted for at fair value. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we sold Non-Agency MBS for $50.7 million, realizing gross gains of $25.2 million, recorded a net gain on residential whole loans held at fair value of $10.8 million and a $1.9 million adjustment to the carrying value of residential REO.
 
Operating and Other Expense

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we had compensation and benefits and other general and administrative expenses of $34.0 million, or 1.54% of average equity, compared to $31.4 million, or 1.32% of average equity, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Compensation and benefits expense increased $1.7 million to $21.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which primarily reflects higher headcount and recognition for accounting purposes of additional expense associated with long term incentive awards. Our other

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general and administrative expenses increased by $835,000 to $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $11.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to higher IT development and related expenses and costs associated with the unwind of a resecuritization transaction.

Operating and Other Expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 also includes $10.3 million of loan servicing and other related operating expenses related to our residential whole loan activities. These expenses increased compared to the same period in the prior year by approximately $3.6 million, consistent with the overall growth in this asset class during 2016. The overall increase is primarily due to increased loan servicing and modification fees and non-recoverable advances on REO and carrying value loans which were partially offset by a decrease in the provision for loan losses recognized and lower loan acquisition related expenses for the nine month period.

 Selected Financial Ratios
 
The following table presents information regarding certain of our financial ratios at or for the dates presented:
At or for the Nine Months Ended
 
Return on
Average Total
Assets (1)
 
Return on
Average Total
Stockholders’
Equity (2)
 
Total Average
Stockholders’
Equity to Total
Average Assets (3)
 
Dividend
Payout
Ratio (4)
 
Leverage Multiple (5)
 
Book Value
per Share
of Common
Stock (6)
September 30, 2016
 
2.36
%
 
10.90
%
 
22.74
%
 
0.98
 
3.1

 
$
7.64

September 30, 2015
 
2.21

 
10.09

 
23.00

 
0.98
 
3.3

 
7.70


(1)
Reflects annualized net income available to common stock and participating securities divided by average total assets.
(2)
Reflects annualized net income divided by average total stockholders’ equity.
(3)
Reflects total average stockholders’ equity divided by total average assets.
(4)
Reflects dividends declared per share of common stock divided by earnings per share.
(5)
Represents the sum of borrowings under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, securitized debt, payable for unsettled purchases, and obligations to return securities obtained as collateral and Senior Notes divided by stockholders’ equity.
(6)
Reflects total stockholders’ equity less the preferred stock liquidation preference divided by total shares of common stock outstanding.

Recent Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (or ASU 2016-15). The amendments in ASU 2016-15 provide guidance for eight specific cash flow classification issues, certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The amendments of this ASU should generally be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a significant impact on our financial position or financial statement disclosures.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurements of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (or ASU 2016-13). The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced financial statement disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. Under ASU 2016-13 credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP. However, the amendments in this ASU require that credit losses be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, which will allow subsequent reversals in credit loss estimates to be recognized in current income. In addition, the allowance on available-for-sale debt securities will be limited to the extent that the fair value is less than the amortized cost.

ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. A prospective transition approach is

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required for debt securities for which an OTTI had been recognized before the effective date. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Compensation - Stock Compensation - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (or ASU 2016-09). The amendments of this ASU will require all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It will also allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a significant impact on our financial position or financial statement disclosures.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (or ASU 2016-02). The amendments in this ASU establish a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Financial Instruments - Overall - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (or ASU 2016-01). The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities, and address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.  The classification and measurement guidance of investments in debt securities and loans are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is not permitted for public business entities, except for a provision related to financial statements of fiscal years or interim periods that have not yet been issued, to recognize in other comprehensive income, the change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk measured using the fair value option. The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-01 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (or ASU 2014-15). The amendments in this ASU provide guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about an entity’s going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). The amendments in ASU 2014-15 are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. We do not expect adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have a significant impact on our financial position or financial statement disclosures.


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Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (or ASU 2014-09).  The ASU requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.  ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. On April 29, 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date for ASU 2014-09. On July 9, 2015 the FASB affirmed its proposal to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard for all entities by one year. As a result, public entities would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. The FASB would also permit entities to adopt the standard early, but not before the original public entity effective date. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.  

Proposed Accounting Standards

The FASB has recently issued or discussed a number of proposed standards on such topics as hedge accounting, classification of certain cash flows, and disclosures about liquidity risk and interest rate risk.  Some of the proposed changes are potentially significant and could have a material impact on our reporting.  We have not yet fully evaluated the potential impact of these proposals but will make such an evaluation as the standards are finalized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Our principal sources of cash generally consist of borrowings under repurchase agreements and other collateralized financings, payments of principal and interest we receive on our investment portfolio, cash generated from our operating results and, to the extent such transactions are entered into, proceeds from capital market and structured financing transactions.  Our most significant uses of cash are generally to pay principal and interest on our financing transactions, to purchase securities and residential whole loans, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, to fund our operations and to make other investments that we consider appropriate.

We seek to employ a diverse capital raising strategy under which we may issue capital stock and other types of securities.  To the extent we raise additional funds through capital market transactions, we currently anticipate using the net proceeds from such transactions to acquire additional securities and residential whole loans, consistent with our investment policy, and for working capital, which may include, among other things, the repayment of our financing transactions.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to access the capital markets at any particular time or on any particular terms.  We have available for issuance an unlimited amount (subject to the terms and limitations of our charter) of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares representing preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, rights and/or units pursuant to our automatic shelf registration statement and, at September 30, 2016, we had 15.0 million shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to our DRSPP shelf registration statement.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we issued 135,461 shares of common stock through our DRSPP, raising net proceeds of approximately $937,000.

Our borrowings under repurchase agreements are uncommitted and renewable at the discretion of our lenders and, as such, our lenders could determine to reduce or terminate our access to future borrowings at virtually any time.  The terms of the repurchase transaction borrowings under our master repurchase agreements, as such terms relate to repayment, margin requirements and the segregation of all securities that are the subject of repurchase transactions, generally conform to the terms contained in the standard master repurchase agreement published by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or SIFMA) or the global master repurchase agreement published by SIFMA and the International Capital Market Association.  In addition, each lender typically requires that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the standard master repurchase agreement.  Typical supplemental terms and conditions, which differ by lender, may include changes to the margin maintenance requirements, required haircuts (as defined below), purchase price maintenance requirements, requirements that all controversies related to the repurchase agreement be litigated in a particular jurisdiction and cross default and setoff provisions.
 
With respect to margin maintenance requirements for repurchase agreements with Non-Agency MBS as collateral, margin calls are typically determined by our counterparties based on their assessment of changes in the fair value of the underlying collateral and in accordance with the agreed upon haircuts specified in the transaction confirmation with the counterparty.  We address margin

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call requests in accordance with the required terms specified in the applicable repurchase agreement and such requests are typically satisfied by posting additional cash or collateral on the same business day.  We review margin calls made by counterparties and assess them for reasonableness by comparing the counterparty valuation against our valuation determination.  When we believe that a margin call is unnecessary because our assessment of collateral value differs from the counterparty valuation, we typically hold discussions with the counterparty and are able to resolve the matter.  In the unlikely event that resolution cannot be reached, we will look to resolve the dispute based on the remedies available to us under the terms of the repurchase agreement, which in some instances may include the engagement of a third party to review collateral valuations.  For other agreements that do not include such provisions, we could resolve the matter by substituting collateral as permitted in accordance with the agreement or otherwise request the counterparty to return the collateral in exchange for cash to unwind the financing.
 
The following table presents information regarding the margin requirements, or the percentage amount by which the collateral value is contractually required to exceed the loan amount (this difference is referred to as the “haircut”), on our repurchase agreements at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
At September 30, 2016

Weighted
Average
Haircut

Low

High
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by:

 


 


 

Agency MBS

4.61
%
 
3.00
%
 
5.00
%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS

24.18

 
15.00

 
60.00

3 Year Step-up securities
 
23.01

 
17.50

 
30.00

U.S. Treasury securities

1.59

 
1.00

 
2.00

CRT securities
 
23.53

 
20.00

 
30.00

Residential whole loans
 
25.69

 
22.00

 
40.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2015

Weighted
Average
Haircut
 
Low
 
High
Repurchase agreement borrowings secured by:

 

 
 

 
 
Agency MBS

4.67
%
 
3.00
%
 
6.00
%
Legacy Non-Agency MBS

25.84

 
10.00

 
63.50

3 Year Step-up securities
 
21.05

 
20.00

 
30.00

U.S. Treasury securities

1.60

 
1.00

 
2.00

CRT securities
 
25.04

 
20.00

 
30.00

Residential whole loans
 
27.69

 
25.00

 
36.00

 
Over the course of 2016 the weighted average haircut requirements for the respective underlying collateral types for our repurchase agreements have remained fairly consistent compared to the end of 2015. Weighted average haircuts have decreased on Legacy Non-Agency MBS, CRT securities and residential whole loans and increased on 3 Year Step-up securities.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the financial market environment was impacted by continued accommodative monetary policy.  Repurchase agreement funding for both Agency MBS and Non-Agency MBS has been available to us at generally attractive market terms from multiple counterparties.  Typically, due to the credit risk inherent to Non-Agency MBS, repurchase agreement funding involving Non-Agency MBS is available from fewer counterparties, at terms requiring higher collateralization and higher interest rates, than repurchase agreement funding secured by Agency MBS and U.S. Treasury securities.  Therefore, we generally expect to be able to finance our acquisitions of Agency MBS on more favorable terms than financing for Non-Agency MBS.

In July 2015, our wholly-owned subsidiary, MFA Insurance became a member of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB, MFA Insurance had access to a variety of products and services offered by the FHLB, including secured advances (subject to our continued creditworthiness, pledging of sufficient eligible collateral to secure advances, and compliance with certain agreements with the FHLB). The weighted average haircut on our FHLB advances at September 30, 2016 was 6.55% compared to 7.00% as of December 31, 2015. However, in January, 2016, the FHFA amended its regulation on FHLB membership, which, among other things, provided termination rules for current captive insurance members. As a result, MFA Insurance will not be permitted new advances or renewal of existing advances and will be required to terminate its FHLB membership and repay any outstanding

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advances by no later than February 19, 2017. As of September 30, 2016, MFA Insurance had approximately $215.0 million in outstanding advances (backed by Agency MBS) compared to $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2015.

We maintain cash and cash equivalents, unpledged Agency and Non-Agency MBS and collateral in excess of margin requirements held by our counterparties (or collectively, “cash and other unpledged collateral”) to meet routine margin calls and protect against unforeseen reductions in our borrowing capabilities.  Our ability to meet future margin calls will be impacted by our ability to use cash or obtain financing from unpledged collateral, which can vary based on the market value of such collateral, our cash position and margin requirements.  Our cash position fluctuates based on the timing of our operating, investing and financing activities and is managed based on our anticipated cash needs.  (See our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, included under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and “Interest Rate Risk” included under Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.)
 
At September 30, 2016, we had a total of $10.3 billion of MBS, U.S. Treasury securities, CRT securities and residential whole loans and $122.7 million of restricted cash pledged against our repurchase agreements and Swaps. In addition, at September 30, 2016, we had $227.5 million of Agency MBS pledged against our FHLB advances. At September 30, 2016, we have access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate exceeds $635.6 million. This includes (i) $288.7 million of cash and cash equivalents; (ii) $224.1 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and other Agency MBS collateral that is currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements; and (iii) $122.8 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Non-Agency MBS. Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash.
 
The table below presents certain information about our borrowings under repurchase agreements and other advances, and securitized debt:
 
 
Repurchase Agreements and Other Advances
 
Securitized Debt
Quarter Ended (1)
 
Quarterly
Average
Balance
 
End of Period
Balance
 
Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
 
Quarterly
Average
Balance
 
End of Period
Balance
 
Maximum
Balance at Any
Month-End
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
$
8,868,173

 
$
8,697,756

 
$
8,917,550

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

June 30, 2016
 
9,102,457

 
9,038,087

 
9,114,859

 
8,520

 
—

 
8,568

March 31, 2016
 
9,238,772

 
9,143,645

 
9,205,547

 
18,425

 
11,821

 
18,247

December 31, 2015
 
9,428,211

 
9,387,622

 
9,413,189

 
28,009

 
21,868

 
27,686

September 30, 2015
 
9,422,882

 
9,475,834

 
9,486,357

 
50,691

 
31,940

 
49,941


(1)  The information presented in the table above excludes Senior Notes issued in April 2012. The outstanding balance of Senior Notes has been unchanged at $100.0 million since issuance.
 
Cash Flows and Liquidity For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $123.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, reflecting:  $1.0 billion provided by our investing activities; $98.8 million provided by our operating activities; and $997.2 million used in our financing activities.
 
At September 30, 2016, our debt-to-equity multiple was 3.1 times, as compared to 3.4 times at December 31, 2015. At September 30, 2016, we had borrowings under repurchase agreements of $8.5 billion with 28 counterparties, of which $3.4 billion was secured by Agency MBS, $1.8 billion was secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS, $2.0 billion was secured by 3 Year Step-up securities, $500.9 million was secured by U.S. Treasuries, $241.6 million was secured by CRT securities and $633.6 million was secured by residential whole loans.  In addition, at September 30, 2016 we had $215.0 million in outstanding FHLB advances, secured by Agency MBS. We continue to have available capacity under our repurchase agreement credit lines.  At December 31, 2015, we had borrowings under repurchase agreements of $7.9 billion with 27 counterparties, of which $2.7 billion was secured by Agency MBS, $2.0 billion was secured by Legacy Non-Agency MBS, $2.1 billion was secured by 3 Year Step-up securities, $504.8 million was secured by U.S. Treasuries, $128.5 million by CRT securities and $487.8 million was secured by residential whole loans. In addition, at December 31, 2015 we had $1.5 billion in outstanding FHLB advances, secured by Agency MBS.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we made principal payments of $22.1 million to pay off the balance of our securitized debt.


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During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $1.0 billion was provided through our investing activities.  We received cash of $2.6 billion from prepayments and scheduled amortization on our MBS, of which $720.8 million was attributable to Agency MBS and $1.9 billion was from Non-Agency MBS (which includes approximately $61.8 million of cash proceeds (a one-time payment) received during the three months ended June 30, 2016 in connection with the settlement of litigation related to certain Countrywide Residential Mortgage Backed Securitization Trusts).  We purchased $1.3 billion of Non-Agency MBS and $140.4 million of CRT securities funded with cash and repurchase agreement borrowings.  While we generally intend to hold our MBS as long-term investments, we may sell certain of our securities in order to manage our interest rate risk and liquidity needs, meet other operating objectives and adapt to market conditions.  In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 we sold certain of our Non-Agency MBS for $65.1 million, realizing gross gains of $26.1 million.
 
In connection with our repurchase agreement borrowings and Swaps, we routinely receive margin calls/reverse margin calls from our counterparties and make margin calls to our counterparties.  Margin calls and reverse margin calls, which requirements vary over time, may occur daily between us and any of our counterparties when the value of collateral pledged changes from the amount contractually required.  The value of securities pledged as collateral fluctuates reflecting changes in: (i) the face (or par) value of our MBS; (ii) market interest rates and/or other market conditions; and (iii) the market value of our Swaps.  Margin calls/reverse margin calls are satisfied when we pledge/receive additional collateral in the form of additional securities and/or cash.
 
The table below summarizes our margin activity with respect to our repurchase agreement financings and derivative hedging instruments for the quarterly periods presented.
 
 
 
Collateral Pledged to Meet Margin Calls
 
Cash and
Securities Received for
Reverse Margin Calls
 
Net Assets
Received/(Pledged) for Margin Activity
For the Quarter Ended
 
Fair Value of
Securities
Pledged
 
Cash Pledged
 
Aggregate Assets
Pledged For
Margin Calls
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
$
343,351

 
$
28,700

 
$
372,051

 
$
343,139

 
$
(28,912
)
June 30, 2016
 
326,555

 
63,600

 
390,155

 
281,912

 
(108,243
)
March 31, 2016
 
269,027

 
117,800

 
386,827

 
325,233

 
(61,594
)
December 31, 2015
 
225,323

 
32,200

 
257,523

 
276,596

 
19,073

September 30, 2015
 
397,763

 
86,300

 
484,063

 
433,003

 
(51,060
)
 
We are subject to various financial covenants under our repurchase agreements and derivative contracts, which include minimum net worth and/or profitability requirements, maximum debt-to-equity ratios and minimum market capitalization requirements.  We have maintained compliance with all of our financial covenants through September 30, 2016.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we paid $223.4 million for cash dividends on our common stock and dividend equivalents and paid cash dividends of $11.3 million on our preferred stock. On September 15, 2016, we declared our third quarter 2016 dividend on our common stock of $0.20 per share; on October 31, 2016, we paid this dividend, which totaled approximately $74.5 million, including dividend equivalents of approximately $239,000. 
 
We believe that we have adequate financial resources to meet our current obligations, including margin calls, as they come due, to fund dividends we declare and to actively pursue our investment strategies.  However, should the value of our MBS suddenly decrease, significant margin calls on our repurchase agreement borrowings could result and our liquidity position could be materially and adversely affected.  Further, should market liquidity tighten, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, reducing our ability to use leverage.  Access to financing may also be negatively impacted by the ongoing volatility in the world financial markets, potentially adversely impacting our current or potential lenders’ ability or willingness to provide us with financing. In addition, there is no assurance that favorable market conditions will continue to permit us to consummate additional securitization transactions if we determine to seek that form of financing.
 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation
 
Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature.  As a result, changes in interest rates and other factors impact our performance far more than does inflation.  Our results of operations and reported assets, liabilities and equity are measured with reference to historical cost or fair value without considering inflation.



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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
We seek to manage our risks related to interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds, market value and the credit quality of our assets while, at the same time, seeking to provide an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive total returns through ownership of our capital stock.  While we do not seek to avoid risk, we seek, consistent with our investment policies, to:  assume risk that can be quantified based on management’s judgment and experience and actively manage such risk; earn sufficient returns to justify the taking of such risks; and maintain capital levels consistent with the risks that we undertake.

Interest Rate Risk
  
We generally acquire interest-rate sensitive assets and fund them with interest-rate sensitive liabilities, a portion of which are hedged with Swaps. We are exposed to interest rate risk on our residential mortgage assets, as well as on our liabilities (repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and securitized debt). Changes in interest rates can affect our net interest income and the fair value of our assets and liabilities.
We finance the majority of our investments in Agency, Legacy Non-Agency and 3 Year Step-up securities with short-term repurchase agreements. In general, when interest rates change, the borrowing costs of our repurchase agreements (net of the impact of Swaps) change more quickly than the yield on our assets. In a rising interest rate environment, the borrowing costs of our repurchase agreements may increase faster than the interest income on our assets, thereby reducing our net income. In order to mitigate compression in net income based on such interest rate movements, we use Swaps and other hedging instruments to lock in a portion of the net interest spread between assets and liabilities.

When interest rates change, the fair value of our residential mortgage assets could change at a different rate than the fair value of our liabilities. We measure the sensitivity of our portfolio to changes in interest rates by estimating the duration of our assets and liabilities. Duration is the approximate percentage change in fair value for a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve. In general, our assets have higher duration than our liabilities and in order to reduce this exposure we use Swaps and other hedging instruments to reduce the gap in duration between our assets and liabilities.

In calculating the duration of our Agency MBS we take into account the characteristics of the underlying mortgage loans including whether the underlying loans are fixed rate, adjustable or hybrid; coupon, expected prepayment rates and lifetime and periodic caps. We use third-party financial models, combined with management’s assumptions and observed empirical data when estimating the duration of our Agency MBS.

In analyzing the interest rate sensitivity of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS we take into account the characteristics of the underlying mortgage loans, including credit quality and whether the underlying loans are fixed-rate, adjustable or hybrid. We estimate the duration of our Legacy Non-Agency MBS using management’s assumptions.

Our 3 Year Step-up securities deal structures contain an interest rate step-up feature whereby the original coupon increases by 300 basis points if the bond is not redeemed by the issuer after 36 months. Therefore, we believe their fair value exhibits little sensitivity to changes in interest rates. We estimate the duration of these securities using management’s assumptions.

The fair value of our re-performing residential whole loans is dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral, past and expected delinquency status of the borrower as well as the level of interest rates. Because the borrower is not delinquent on their mortgage payments but is less likely to prepay the loan due to weak credit history and/or high LTV, we believe our re-performing residential whole loans exhibit positive duration. We estimate the duration of our re-performing residential whole loans using management’s assumptions.

The fair value of our non-performing residential whole loans is primarily dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral and the time required for collateral liquidation. Since neither the value of the collateral nor the liquidation timeline is generally sensitive to interest rates, we believe their fair value exhibits little sensitivity to interest rates. We estimate the duration of our non-performing residential whole loans using management’s assumptions.

We use Swaps as part of our overall interest rate risk management strategy. Such derivative financial instruments are intended to act as a hedge against future interest rate increases on our repurchase agreement financings, which rates are typically highly correlated with LIBOR. While our derivatives do not extend the maturities of our borrowings under repurchase agreements, they do, in effect, lock in a fixed rate of interest over their term for a corresponding amount of our repurchase agreement financings that are hedged. 


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At September 30, 2016, MFA’s $7.4 billion of Agency MBS and Legacy Non-Agency MBS were backed by Hybrid, adjustable and fixed-rate mortgages.  Additional information about these MBS, including average months to reset and three-month average CPR, is presented below:
 
 
 
Agency MBS
 
Legacy Non-Agency MBS (1)
 
Total (1)
Time to Reset
 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR (4)
 
 Fair Value
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR (4)
 
 Fair
Value (2)
 
Average Months to Reset (3)
 
3 Month 
Average CPR (4)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

< 2 years (5)
 
$
1,826,632

 
7

 
19.3
%
 
$
2,276,780

 
5

 
15.4
%
 
$
4,103,412

 
6

 
17.0
%
2-5 years
 
511,385

 
33

 
21.5

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
511,385

 
33

 
21.5

> 5 years
 
135,798

 
71

 
15.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
135,798

 
71

 
15.2

ARM-MBS Total
 
$
2,473,815

 
16

 
19.5
%
 
$
2,276,780

 
5

 
15.4
%
 
$
4,750,595

 
11

 
17.4
%
15-year fixed (6)
 
$
1,545,954

 
 

 
12.2
%
 
$
6,357

 
 

 
18.6
%
 
$
1,552,311

 
 

 
12.2
%
30-year fixed (6)
 
—

 
 

 
—

 
1,096,328

 
 

 
17.1

 
1,096,328

 
 

 
17.1

40-year fixed (6)
 
—

 
 

 
—

 
6,123

 
 

 
16.5

 
6,123

 
 

 
16.5

Fixed-Rate Total
 
$
1,545,954

 
 

 
12.2
%
 
$
1,108,808

 
 

 
17.1
%
 
$
2,654,762

 
 

 
14.4
%
MBS Total
 
$
4,019,769

 
 

 
16.7
%
 
$
3,385,588

 
 

 
15.9
%
 
$
7,405,357

 
 

 
16.3
%
 
(1)
Excludes $2.5 billion of 3 Year Step-up securities. Refer to table below for further information.
(2)
Does not include principal payments receivable of $1.8 million.
(3)
Months to reset is the number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate resets.  At reset, the MBS coupon will adjust based upon the underlying benchmark interest rate index, margin and periodic and/or lifetime caps.  The months to reset do not reflect scheduled amortization or prepayments.
(4)
3 month average CPR weighted by positions as of the beginning of each month in the quarter.
(5)
Includes floating-rate MBS that may be collateralized by fixed-rate mortgages.
(6)
Information presented based on data available at time of loan origination.


The following table presents certain information about our 3 Year Step-up securities portfolio at September 30, 2016:
Underlying Collateral
 
Fair Value
 
Net Coupon
 
Months to
Step-Up (1)
 
Current Credit Support (2)
 
Original Credit Support
 
3 Month Average
Bond CPR (3)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Re-Performing loans
 
$
334,931

 
3.61
%
 
15

 
41
%
 
38
%
 
30.0
%
Non-Performing loans
 
2,188,296

 
3.86

 
21

 
49

 
47

 
32.8

Total 3 Year Step-up securities
 
$
2,523,227

 
3.83
%
 
20

 
48
%
 
46
%
 
32.2
%

(1)
Months to step-up is the weighted average number of months remaining before the coupon interest rate increases pursuant to the first coupon reset. We anticipate that the securities will be redeemed prior to the step-up date.
(2)
Credit Support for a particular security is expressed as a percentage of all outstanding mortgage loan collateral. A particular security will not be subject to principal loss as long as credit enhancement is greater than zero.
(3)
All principal payments are considered to be prepayments for CPR purposes.

At September 30, 2016, our CRT securities had a fair value of $347.6 million and reset monthly based on one-month LIBOR.


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The information presented in the following “Shock Table” projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our net interest income and portfolio value, including the impact of Swaps, over the next 12 months based on the assets in our investment portfolio at September 30, 2016.  All changes in income and value are measured as the percentage change from the projected net interest income and portfolio value under the base interest rate scenario at September 30, 2016.

Shock Table
Change in Interest Rates
 
Estimated
Value
of Assets (1)
 
Estimated
Value of
Swaps
 
Estimated
Value of
Financial
Instruments
 
Change in
Estimated
Value
 
Percentage
Change in Net
Interest
Income
 
Percentage
Change in
Portfolio
Value
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 +100 Basis Point Increase
 
$
11,894,826

 
$
(28,374
)
 
$
11,866,452

 
$
(80,111
)
 
(7.49
)%
 
(0.67
)%
 + 50 Basis Point Increase
 
$
11,978,612

 
$
(68,788
)
 
$
11,909,824

 
$
(36,739
)
 
(3.91
)%
 
(0.31
)%
Actual at September 30, 2016
 
$
12,055,765

 
$
(109,202
)
 
$
11,946,563

 
$
—

 
—

 
—

 - 50 Basis Point Decrease
 
$
12,126,286

 
$
(149,616
)
 
$
11,976,670

 
$
30,107

 
1.06
 %
 
0.25
 %
 -100 Basis Point Decrease
 
$
12,190,174

 
$
(190,031
)
 
$
12,000,143

 
$
53,580

 
(5.88
)%
 
0.45
 %

(1)  Such assets include MBS and CRT securities, residential whole loans, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the Shock 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, 2016.  The analysis presented utilizes assumptions and estimates based on management’s judgment and experience.  Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain the majority of our assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.  It should be specifically noted that the information set forth in the above table and all related disclosure constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Act.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the Shock Table above.
 
The Shock Table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of our Swaps (which are carried at fair value), should interest rates immediately change (i.e., are shocked).  The Shock 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 shock are calculated based on assumptions, including, but not limited to, prepayment speeds, yield on replacement assets, the slope of the yield curve and composition of our portfolio.  Assumptions made with respect to the interest rate sensitive liabilities (assumed to be repurchase agreement financings and securitized debt) include anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of repurchase agreement financings, and the amounts and terms of borrowing.  At September 30, 2016, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions.  Due to this floor, it is anticipated 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, it is expected that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate shock decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of premium amortization on our Agency MBS and discount accretion on our Non-Agency MBS and in the reinvestment of principal repayments in lower yielding assets.  As a result, because the presence of this floor limits the positive impact of interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate shock decreases could cause a decline in the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income.
 
At September 30, 2016, the impact on portfolio value was approximated using estimated effective duration (i.e., the price sensitivity to changes in interest rates), including the effect of Swaps, of 0.55 which is the weighted average of 1.44 for our Agency MBS, 1.18 for our Non-Agency investments, (2.80) for our Swaps and zero for our cash and cash equivalents. Estimated convexity (i.e., the approximate change in duration relative to the change in interest rates) of the portfolio was (0.22), which is the weighted average of (0.66) for our Agency MBS, zero for our Swaps, zero for our Non-Agency MBS and zero for our cash and cash equivalents. The impact on our net interest income is driven mainly by the difference between portfolio yield and cost of funding of our repurchase agreements, which includes the cost and/or benefit from Swaps.  Our asset/liability structure is generally such that an increase in interest rates would be expected to result in a decrease in net interest income, as our borrowings are generally shorter in term than our interest-earning assets. When interest rates are shocked, prepayment assumptions are adjusted based on management’s expectations along with the results from the prepayment model.


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Credit Risk
 
Although we do not believe that we are exposed to credit risk in our Agency MBS portfolio, we are exposed to credit risk through our credit-sensitive residential mortgage investments, in particular Legacy Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans and to a lesser extent our investments in 3 Year Step-up securities and CRT securities. Our exposure to credit risk from our credit sensitive investments is discussed in more details below.

Legacy Non-Agency MBS

In the event of the return of less than 100% of par on our Legacy Non-Agency MBS, credit support contained in the MBS deal structures and the discounted purchase prices we paid mitigate our risk of loss on these investments.  Over time, we expect the level of credit support remaining in certain MBS deal structures to decrease, which will result in an increase in the amount of realized credit loss experienced by our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio.  Our investment process for Legacy Non-Agency MBS involves analysis focused primarily on quantifying and pricing credit risk.  When we purchase Legacy Non-Agency MBS, we assign certain assumptions to each of the MBS, including but not limited to, future interest rates, voluntary prepayment rates, mortgage modifications, default rates and loss severities, and generally allocate a portion of the purchase discount as a Credit Reserve which provides credit protection for such securities.  As part of our surveillance process, we review our Legacy Non-Agency MBS by tracking their actual performance compared to the securities’ expected performance at purchase or, if we have modified our original purchase assumptions, compared to our revised performance expectations.  To the extent that actual performance of a Legacy Non-Agency MBS is less favorable than its expected performance, we may revise our performance expectations.  As a result, we could reduce the accretable discount on the security and/or recognize an other-than-temporary impairment through earnings, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. 

In evaluating our asset/liability management and Legacy Non-Agency MBS credit performance, we consider the credit characteristics of the mortgage loans underlying our Legacy Non-Agency MBS.  The following table presents certain information about our Legacy Non-Agency MBS portfolio at September 30, 2016.  Information presented with respect to the weighted average FICO scores and other information aggregated based on information reported at the time of mortgage origination are historical and, as such, do not reflect the impact of the general decline in home prices or changes in borrowers’ credit scores or the current use of the mortgaged properties.
 

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The information in the table below is presented as of September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
Securities with Average Loan FICO
of 715 or Higher (1)
 
Securities with Average Loan FICO
Below 715 (1)
 
 
Year of Securitization (2)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
and Prior
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
and Prior
 
Total
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Number of securities
 
93

 
73

 
96

 
27

 
59

 
67

 
415

MBS current face (3)
 
$
1,036,649

 
$
698,429

 
$
764,901

 
$
193,211

 
$
520,648

 
$
561,162

 
$
3,775,000

Total purchase discounts, net (3)
 
$
(277,724
)
 
$
(189,541
)
 
$
(135,346
)
 
$
(63,011
)
 
$
(183,722
)
 
$
(159,632
)
 
$
(1,008,976
)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI (3)(4)
 
$
(180,054
)
 
$
(96,156
)
 
$
(66,123
)
 
$
(56,212
)
 
$
(193,722
)
 
$
(122,691
)
 
$
(714,958
)
Purchase discount designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI as percentage of current face
 
17.4
%
 
13.8
%
 
8.6
%
 
29.1
%
 
37.2
%
 
21.9
%
 
18.9
%
MBS amortized cost (3)
 
$
758,925

 
$
508,888

 
$
629,555

 
$
130,200

 
$
336,926

 
$
401,530

 
$
2,766,024

MBS fair value (3)
 
$
930,345

 
$
621,470

 
$
714,900

 
$
166,068

 
$
444,058

 
$
508,747

 
$
3,385,588

Weighted average fair value to current face
 
89.7
%
 
89.0
%
 
93.5
%
 
86.0
%
 
85.3
%
 
90.7
%
 
89.7
%
Weighted average coupon (5)
 
4.04
%
 
3.27
%
 
3.34
%
 
5.03
%
 
5.06
%
 
4.44
%
 
4.01
%
Weighted average loan age (months) (5)(6)
 
114

 
123

 
137

 
118

 
125

 
137

 
125

Weighted average current loan size (5)(6)
 
$
510

 
$
494

 
$
310

 
$
384

 
$
254

 
$
248

 
$
386

Percentage amortizing (7)
 
62
%
 
92
%
 
100
%
 
71
%
 
95
%
 
100
%
 
86
%
Weighted average FICO score at origination (5)(8)
 
730

 
728

 
726

 
705

 
703

 
704

 
720

Owner-occupied loans
 
90.6
%
 
90.5
%
 
86.1
%
 
84.3
%
 
86.2
%
 
84.0
%
 
87.7
%
Rate-term refinancings
 
29.0
%
 
20.8
%
 
14.9
%
 
21.9
%
 
15.9
%
 
14.5
%
 
20.3
%
Cash-out refinancings
 
35.0
%
 
36.4
%
 
27.2
%
 
44.7
%
 
43.3
%
 
38.0
%
 
35.8
%
3 Month CPR (6)
 
16.1
%
 
16.5
%
 
17.3
%
 
13.6
%
 
17.6
%
 
15.9
%
 
16.5
%
3 Month CRR (6)(9)
 
13.5
%
 
13.5
%
 
14.2
%
 
10.3
%
 
13.5
%
 
13.2
%
 
13.4
%
3 Month CDR (6)(9)
 
3.3
%
 
3.6
%
 
3.7
%
 
4.2
%
 
5.1
%
 
3.6
%
 
3.8
%
3 Month loss severity
 
48.7
%
 
50.4
%
 
40.3
%
 
73.1
%
 
58.2
%
 
49.9
%
 
50.7
%
60+ days delinquent (8)
 
11.8
%
 
11.2
%
 
9.7
%
 
17.1
%
 
16.3
%
 
14.1
%
 
12.5
%
Percentage of always current borrowers (Lifetime) (10)
 
38.5
%
 
36.9
%
 
43.9
%
 
31.2
%
 
26.7
%
 
31.6
%
 
36.3
%
Percentage of always current borrowers (12M) (11)
 
77.9
%
 
77.0
%
 
78.4
%
 
69.2
%
 
67.9
%
 
68.8
%
 
74.6
%
Weighted average credit enhancement (8)(12)
 
0.2
%
 
0.6
%
 
4.7
%
 
0.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
3.5
%
 
1.8
%


(1)
FICO score is used by major credit bureaus to indicate a borrower’s creditworthiness at time of loan origination.
(2)
Information presented based on the initial year of securitization of the underlying collateral. Certain of our Non-Agency MBS have been resecuritized.  The historical information presented in the table is based on the initial securitization date and data available at the time of original securitization (and not the date of resecuritization). No information has been updated with respect to any MBS that have been resecuritized.
(3)
Excludes Non-Agency MBS issued in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 in which the underlying collateral consists of 3 Year Step-up securities. These Non-Agency MBS have a current face of $2.5 billion, amortized cost of $2.5 billion, fair value of $2.5 billion and purchase discounts of $1.7 million at September 30, 2016.
(4)
Purchase discounts designated as Credit Reserve and OTTI are not expected to be accreted into interest income.
(5)
Weighted average is based on MBS current face at September 30, 2016.
(6)
Information provided is based on loans for individual groups owned by us.
(7)
Percentage of face amount for which the original mortgage note contractually calls for principal amortization in the current period.
(8)
Information provided is based on loans for all groups that provide credit enhancement for MBS with credit enhancement.
(9)
CRR represents voluntary prepayments and CDR represents involuntary prepayments.
(10)
Percentage of face amount of loans for which the borrower has not been delinquent since origination.
(11)
Percentage of face amount of loans for which the borrower has not been delinquent in the last twelve months.
(12)
Credit enhancement for a particular security is expressed as a percentage of all outstanding mortgage loan collateral.  A particular security will not be subject to principal loss as long as its credit enhancement is greater than zero.  As of September 30, 2016, a total of 287 Non-Agency MBS in our portfolio representing approximately $2.8 billion or 74% of the current face amount of the portfolio had no credit enhancement.


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The mortgages securing our Legacy Non-Agency MBS are located in many geographic regions across the United States.  The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations by state of the mortgages collateralizing our Legacy Non-Agency MBS at September 30, 2016:
Property Location
Percent of Interest-Bearing Unpaid Principal Balance
California
43.4
%
Florida
7.6
%
New York
6.0
%
Virginia
3.9
%
Maryland
3.8
%

3 Year Step-up Securities

Our 3 Year Step-up securities were purchased primarily through new issue at prices at or around par and represent the senior tranches of the related securitizations. These securities are structured with significant credit enhancement (typically approximately 50%) and the subordinate tranches absorb all credit losses (until those tranches are extinguished) and typically receive no cash flow (interest or principal) until the senior tranche is paid off. Prior to purchase, we analyze the deal structure in order to assess the associated credit risk. Subsequent to purchase, the ongoing credit risk associated with the deal is evaluated by analyzing the extent to which actual credit losses occur that result in a reduction in the amount of subordination enjoyed by our bond. Based on the recent performance of the underlying collateral and current subordination levels, we do not believe that we are currently exposed to significant risk of credit loss on these investments.

CRT Securities

We are exposed to potential credit losses from our investments in CRT securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While CRT securities are debt obligations of these GSEs, payment of principal on these securities is not guaranteed. As an investor in a CRT security, we may incur a loss if the loans in the associated reference pool experience delinquencies exceeding specified thresholds or other specified credit events occur. We assess the credit risk associated with our investment in CRT securities by assessing the current performance of the loans in the associated reference pool.

Residential Whole Loans

We are also exposed to credit risk from our investments in residential whole loans. Our investment process for residential whole loans is generally similar to that used for Legacy Non-Agency MBS and is likewise focused on quantifying and pricing credit risk. Consequently, these loans are acquired at purchase prices that are generally discounted (often substantially) to the contractual loan balances based on a number of factors, including the impaired credit history of the borrower and the value of the collateral securing the loan. In addition, as the owner of the servicing rights, our process is also focused on selecting a sub-servicer with the appropriate expertise to mitigate losses and maximize our overall return. This involves, among other things, performing due diligence on the sub-servicer prior to their engagement as well as ongoing oversight and surveillance. To the extent that loan delinquencies and defaults are higher than our expectation at the time the loans were purchased, the discounted purchase price at which the asset is acquired is intended to provide a level of protection against financial loss.

The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations by state of our credit sensitive residential whole loan portfolio at September 30, 2016:
Property Location
Percent of Interest-Bearing Unpaid Principal Balance (1)
California
21.1
%
New York
14.8
%
Florida
7.5
%
New Jersey
7.5
%
Maryland
5.5
%

(1) Excludes approximately $204.0 million of residential whole loans for which the closing of the purchase transaction had not occurred as of September 30, 2016.


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Table of Contents

Liquidity Risk

The primary liquidity risk we face arises from financing long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowings primarily in the form of repurchase agreement financings.  We pledge residential mortgage assets and cash to secure our repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and Swaps.  At September 30, 2016, we had access to various sources of liquidity which we estimate to be in excess of $635.6 million, an amount which includes: (i) $288.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, (ii) $224.1 million in estimated financing available from unpledged Agency MBS and other Agency MBS collateral that are currently pledged in excess of contractual requirements, and (iii) $122.8 million in estimated financing available from currently unpledged Non-Agency MBS.  Our sources of liquidity do not include restricted cash. Should the value of our residential mortgage assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls under our repurchase agreements would likely increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.  Additionally, if one or more of our financing counterparties chose not to provide ongoing funding, our ability to finance our long-maturity assets would decline or be available on possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure you that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreement financings and other advances.  Further, should market liquidity tighten, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, including repurchase agreement borrowings that we roll with the same counterparty, reducing our ability to use leverage.

Prepayment Risk

Premiums arise when we acquire a MBS at a price in excess of the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS (i.e., par value).  Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire a MBS at a price below the aggregate principal balance of the mortgages securing the MBS or when we acquire residential whole loans at a price below their aggregate principal balance.  Premiums paid on our MBS are amortized against interest income and accretable purchase discounts on our MBS are accreted to interest income.  Purchase premiums on our MBS, which are primarily carried on our Agency MBS, are amortized against interest income over the life of each security using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity.  An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the IRR/interest income earned on these assets.  Generally, if prepayments on Non-Agency MBS and residential whole loans purchased at significant discounts and not accounted for at fair value are less than anticipated, we expect that the income recognized on these assets will be reduced and impairments and/or loan loss reserves may result.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Management, under the direction of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management reviewed and evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  The evaluation was performed under the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to determine the effectiveness, as of September 30, 2016, of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective as of September 30, 2016. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed, implemented and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s current periodic reports.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or any of our assets are subject.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
For a discussion of the Company’s risk factors, see Part 1, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in such Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that the Company faces are not limited to those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company (or that it currently believes to be immaterial) may also adversely affect the Company’s business and the trading price of our securities.
 
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Purchases of Equity Securities
 
As previously disclosed, in August 2005, the Company’s Board authorized a Repurchase Program, to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock under the Repurchase Program.  The Board reaffirmed such authorization in May 2010.  In December, 2013, the Company’s Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase to an aggregate of 10.0 million shares (under which approximately 6.6 million shares remain available for repurchase). This authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.  Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be made at times and in amounts as we deem appropriate (including, at our discretion, through the use of one or more plans adopted under Rule 10b-5-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act), using available cash resources.  Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program are cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, are deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice.

The Company engaged in no share repurchase activity during the third quarter of 2016 pursuant to the Repurchase Program.  The Company did, however, withhold restricted shares (under the terms of grants under our Equity Plan) to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon the vesting and release of restricted stock awards and/or RSUs.  The following table presents information with respect to (i) such withheld restricted shares and (ii) eligible shares remaining for repurchase under the Repurchase Program:
Month 
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Weighted
Average Price
Paid Per
Share (1)
 
Total Number of
Shares Repurchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Repurchase Program
or Employee Plan
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Repurchase Program or
Employee Plan
July 1-31, 2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Repurchase Program
(2)
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
6,616,355

Employee Transactions
(3)
4,895

 
7.29

 
N/A

 
N/A

August 1-31, 2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Repurchase Program
(2)
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,616,355

Employee Transactions
(3)
—

 
—

 
N/A

 
N/A

September 1-30, 2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Repurchase Program
(2)
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,616,355

Employee Transactions
(3)
8,118

 
$
7.48

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total Repurchase Program
(2)
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
6,616,355

Total Employee Transactions
(3)
13,013

 
$
7.41

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
(1)  Includes brokerage commissions.
(2)  As of September 30, 2016, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 3,383,645 shares under the Repurchase Program.
(3)  The Company’s Equity Plan provides that the value of the shares delivered or withheld be based on the price of its common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.
 

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Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
 
The list of exhibits required to be filed as exhibits to this report are listed on page E-1 hereof, under “Exhibit Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: November 3, 2016
MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ William S. Gorin
 
 
William S. Gorin
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Stephen D. Yarad
 
 
Stephen D. Yarad
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:

Exhibit
 
Description
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of the 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 the 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
 
*These interactive data files are furnished and deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

E-1