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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST INC - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q   
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to ____________

Commission file number 001-32216
NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland 
47-0934168 
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

(212) 792-0107
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

275 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
(Former Address)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer ☒
Accelerated Filer ☐
Non-Accelerated Filer ☐
Smaller Reporting Company ☐
Emerging Growth Company ☐
    
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐


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





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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
NYMT
 
NASDAQ Stock Market
7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, $25.00 Liquidation Preference
 
NYMTP
 
NASDAQ Stock Market
7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, $25.00 Liquidation Preference
 
NYMTO
 
NASDAQ Stock Market
8.000% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, $25.00 Liquidation Preference

 
NYMTN
 
NASDAQ Stock Market


The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on May 7, 2019 was 190,091,655.


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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investment securities, available for sale, at fair value
$
1,583,965

 
$
1,512,252

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, at fair value
875,566

 
737,523

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net
262,193

 
285,261

Investments in unconsolidated entities
92,364

 
73,466

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
175,128

 
165,555

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
14,328,336

 
11,679,847

Derivative assets
14,873

 
10,263

Cash and cash equivalents
65,359

 
103,724

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities

 
29,704

Goodwill
25,222

 
25,222

Receivables and other assets
132,135

 
114,821

Total Assets (1)
$
17,555,141

 
$
14,737,638

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
2,273,005

 
$
2,131,505

Residential collateralized debt obligations
49,247

 
53,040

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
13,547,195

 
11,022,248

Securitized debt

 
42,335

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
3,986

 
31,227

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
125,955

 
101,228

Subordinated debentures
45,000

 
45,000

Convertible notes
131,301

 
130,762

Total liabilities (1)
16,175,689

 
13,557,345

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 7.75% Series B cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 6,000,000 shares authorized, 3,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
72,397

 
72,397

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 7.875% Series C cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 6,600,000 and 4,140,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, 3,600,000 shares issued and outstanding
86,862

 
86,862

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference per share, 8,400,000 and 5,750,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, 5,400,000 shares issued and outstanding
130,496

 
130,496

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 187,831,455 and 155,589,528 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
1,878

 
1,556

Additional paid-in capital
1,199,090

 
1,013,391

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(9,088
)
 
(22,135
)
Accumulated deficit
(102,530
)
 
(103,178
)
Company's stockholders' equity
1,379,105

 
1,179,389

Non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities
347

 
904

Total equity
1,379,452

 
1,180,293

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
17,555,141

 
$
14,737,638


(1) 
Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") as the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $14,450,531 and $11,984,374, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $13,647,045 and $11,191,736, respectively. See Note 9 for further discussion.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
Investment securities and other interest earning assets
$
15,316

 
$
11,813

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans
15,891

 
7,541

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
5,007

 
4,445

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
111,768

 
85,092

Total interest income
147,982

 
108,891

 
 
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements and other interest bearing liabilities
20,386

 
9,651

Residential collateralized debt obligations
422

 
411

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
96,797

 
74,478

Securitized debt
742

 
1,330

Subordinated debentures
741

 
620

Convertible notes
2,691

 
2,649

Total interest expense
121,779

 
89,139

 
 
 
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
26,203

 
19,752

 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
Recovery of (provision for) loan losses
1,065

 
(42
)
Realized gain (loss) on investment securities and related hedges, net
16,801

 
(3,423
)
Realized gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at carrying value, net
2,079

 
(773
)
Net gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value
11,010

 
(166
)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities and related hedges, net
(14,586
)
 
11,692

Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
9,410

 
7,545

Loss on extinguishment of debt
(2,857
)
 

Income from real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
215

 
2,126

Other income
7,728

 
3,994

Total other income
30,865

 
20,953

 
 
 
 
GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
8,187

 
4,656

Base management and incentive fees
723

 
833

Expenses related to distressed and other residential mortgage loans
3,252

 
1,603

Expenses related to real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
482

 
1,606

Total general, administrative and operating expenses
12,644

 
8,698

 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
44,424

 
32,007

Income tax expense (benefit)
74

 
(79
)
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
44,350

 
32,086

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities
(211
)
 
(2,468
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY
44,139

 
29,618

Preferred stock dividends
(5,925
)
 
(5,925
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
38,214

 
$
23,693

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.22

 
$
0.21

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.21

 
$
0.20

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
174,421

 
112,018

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
194,970

 
131,761


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
38,214

 
$
23,693

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in fair value of available for sale securities
26,712

 
(24,478
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain included in net income
(13,665
)
 

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
13,047

 
(24,478
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMPANY'S COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
51,261

 
$
(785
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Common
Stock
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 
Total Company Stockholders' Equity
 
Non-Controlling Interest in Consolidated VIE
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2018
$
1,556

 
$
289,755

 
$
1,013,391

 
$
(103,178
)
 
$
(22,135
)
 
$
1,179,389

 
$
904

 
$
1,180,293

Net income

 

 

 
44,139

 

 
44,139

 
211

 
44,350

Common stock issuance, net
322

 

 
185,699

 

 

 
186,021

 

 
186,021

Preferred stock issuance, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 
(37,566
)
 

 
(37,566
)
 

 
(37,566
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock

 

 

 
(5,925
)
 

 
(5,925
)
 

 
(5,925
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain included in net income

 

 

 

 
(13,665
)
 
(13,665
)
 

 
(13,665
)
Increase in fair value of available for sale securities

 

 

 

 
26,712

 
26,712

 

 
26,712

Decrease in non-controlling interest related to distributions from and de-consolidation of variable interest entities

 

 

 

 

 

 
(768
)
 
(768
)
Balance, March 31, 2019
$
1,878

 
$
289,755

 
$
1,199,090

 
$
(102,530
)
 
$
(9,088
)
 
$
1,379,105

 
$
347

 
$
1,379,452



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
6

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Common
Stock
 
Preferred
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total Company Stockholders' Equity
 
Non-Controlling Interest in Consolidated VIE
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
1,119

 
$
289,755

 
$
751,155

 
$
(75,717
)
 
$
5,553

 
$
971,865

 
$
4,136

 
$
976,001

Net income

 

 

 
29,618

 

 
29,618

 
2,468

 
32,086

Common stock issuance, net
2

 

 
387

 

 

 
389

 

 
389

Preferred stock issuance, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 
(22,423
)
 

 
(22,423
)
 

 
(22,423
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock

 

 

 
(5,925
)
 

 
(5,925
)
 

 
(5,925
)
Decrease in fair value of available for sale securities

 

 

 

 
(24,478
)
 
(24,478
)
 

 
(24,478
)
Decrease in non-controlling interest related to distributions from and de-consolidation of variable interest entities

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4,863
)
 
(4,863
)
Balance, March 31, 2018
$
1,121

 
$
289,755

 
$
751,542

 
$
(74,447
)
 
$
(18,925
)
 
$
949,046

 
$
1,741

 
$
950,787



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
7

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)


 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
44,350

 
$
32,086

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Net accretion
(10,463
)
 
(5,729
)
Realized (gain) loss on investment securities and related hedges, net
(16,801
)
 
3,423

Net (gain) loss on distressed and other residential mortgage
(13,089
)
 
939

Unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities and related hedges, net
14,586

 
(11,692
)
Gain on sale of real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
(1,580
)
 
(2,328
)
Impairment of real estate under development in consolidated variable interest entities
936

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt
2,857

 

Unrealized gain on loans and debt held in multi-family securitization trusts
(9,410
)
 
(7,545
)
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses
(1,065
)
 
42

Income from unconsolidated entity, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
(13,108
)
 
(6,090
)
Distributions of income from unconsolidated entity, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
7,010

 
3,926

Amortization of stock based compensation, net
993

 
387

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:


 

Receivables and other assets
(15,499
)
 
125

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
18,476

 
(435
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
8,193

 
7,109

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from sale of real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
3,587

 
33,192

Proceeds from sales of investment securities
56,769

 
10,080

Purchases of investment securities
(136,265
)
 
(60,321
)
Purchases of other assets
(600
)
 
(2
)
Capital expenditures on real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
(128
)
 
(46
)
Funding of preferred equity, equity and mezzanine loan investments
(35,021
)
 
(18,210
)
Principal repayments received on preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
12,316

 
3,871

Return of capital from unconsolidated entity investments
311

 
638

Net payments made on other derivative instruments settled during the period
(19,197
)
 

Principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancing of distressed and other residential mortgage loans
50,296

 
12,335

Principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
37,485

 
34,434

Principal paydowns on investment securities - available for sale
37,642

 
35,365

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
650

 
943

Purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans
(159,658
)
 
(15,966
)
Purchases of investments held in multi-family securitization trusts
(101,570
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(253,383
)
 
36,313

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from repurchase agreements
141,153

 
10,215

Common stock issuance, net
185,027

 

Dividends paid on common stock
(31,118
)
 
(22,382
)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(5,925
)
 
(5,985
)
Payments made on mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(36
)
 
(25,565
)
Proceeds from mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities

 
505

Payments made on residential collateralized debt obligations
(3,808
)
 
(3,167
)
Payments made on multi-family collateralized debt obligations
(37,481
)
 
(34,437
)
Extinguishment of and payments made on securitized debt
(45,557
)
 
(11,753
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
202,255

 
(92,569
)
 
 
 
 
Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(42,935
)
 
(49,147
)
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Period
109,145

 
115,450

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - End of Period
$
66,210

 
$
66,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
8

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)


Supplemental Disclosure:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
130,627

 
$
103,316

Cash paid for income taxes
$
7

 
$
642

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Investment Activities:
 
 
 
Consolidation of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
2,426,210

 
$

Consolidation of multi-family collateralized debt obligations
$
2,324,639

 
$

Transfer from residential loans to real estate owned
$
1,841

 
$
1,992

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Dividends declared on common stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
37,566

 
$
22,423

Dividends declared on preferred stock to be paid in subsequent period
$
5,925

 
$
5,925

Mortgages and notes payable assumed by purchaser of real estate held for sale in consolidated variable entities
$
27,260

 
$

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Reconciliation:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
65,359

 
$
65,495

Restricted cash included in receivables and other assets
$
851

 
$
808

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
66,210

 
$
66,303


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
9

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NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2019
(unaudited)
1.
Organization

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries ("NYMT," "we," "our," or the “Company"), is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, in the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets. Our objective is to deliver long-term stable distributions to our stockholders over changing economic conditions through a combination of net interest margin and net realized capital gains from a diversified investment portfolio. Our portfolio includes (i) structured multi-family property investments such as multi-family CMBS and preferred equity in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties, (ii) residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans, non-QM loans, second mortgages, and other residential mortgage loans, (iii) non-Agency RMBS, (iv) Agency RMBS and (v) certain other mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets.

The Company conducts its business through the parent company, New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., and several subsidiaries, including special purpose subsidiaries established for residential loan, distressed residential loan and CMBS securitization purposes, taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") and qualified REIT subsidiaries ("QRSs"). The Company consolidates all of its subsidiaries under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, the Company will generally not be subject to federal income taxes on that portion of its income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to its stockholders by the due date of its federal income tax return and complies with various other requirements.


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2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
    
Definitions – The following defines certain of the commonly used terms in these financial statements: 

“RMBS” refers to residential mortgage-backed securities comprised of adjustable-rate, hybrid adjustable-rate, fixed-rate, interest only and inverse interest only and principal only securities;
“Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”);
“non-Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government or any federally chartered corporation;
“IOs” refers collectively to interest only and inverse interest only mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the interest component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;
"IO RMBS" refers to RMBS comprised of IOs;
“Agency IOs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of IO RMBS;
“POs” refers to mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the principal component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;
“ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans;
“prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARMs held in our securitization trusts formed in 2005;
“Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS;
“Agency fixed-rate RMBS” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of fixed-rate RMBS;
“CMBS” refers to commercial mortgage-backed securities comprised of commercial mortgage pass-through securities, as well as PO, IO, or mezzanine securities that represent the right to a specific component of the cash flow from a pool of commercial mortgage loans;
“Multi-family CMBS” refers to CMBS backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties;
“CDOs” refers to collateralized debt obligations;
“non-QM loans” refers to residential mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; and
"second mortgages" refers to liens on residential properties that are subordinate to more senior mortgages or loans.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are unaudited. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures have been omitted since such items are disclosed in Note 2 in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Provided below is a summary of additional accounting policies that are significant to or newly adopted by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.


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The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements 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. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including fair valuation of its distressed and other residential mortgage loans, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, multi-family CDOs and CMBS held in securitization trusts, as well as income recognition on distressed residential mortgage loans purchased at a discount. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects those conditions to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.
    
Reclassifications – Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

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

A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE, herein referred to as a "Consolidated VIE". As primary beneficiary, the Company 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.

Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842")

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to all leases that were not completed as of January 1, 2019. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. We elected the practical expedients allowed for under ASC 842 that exempt an entity from reassessing whether existing contracts contain leases, reassessing the lease classification of existing leases, and reassessing the initial direct costs for existing leases. As such, there was no cumulative impact on opening accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2019 of adopting ASC 842 under the modified retrospective transition method. Operating lease right of use assets and operating lease liabilities of $10.3 million are included in receivables and other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively, as of March 31, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption as of the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance as the ASU will have an effect on the Company's estimation of credit losses on distressed residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, residential mortgage loans, and preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments that are accounted for as loans.


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Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). These amendments add, modify, or remove disclosure requirements regarding the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, narrative descriptions of measurement uncertainty, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of ASU 2018-13 and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company anticipates the implementation of this guidance as of the effective date will result in additional and modified disclosures with respect to its Level 3 fair value measurements.


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3.
Investment Securities Available For Sale

Investment securities available for sale consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized
 
Fair Value
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
 
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
$
26,053

 
$

 
$
(981
)
 
$
25,072

 
$
26,338

 
$

 
$
(1,052
)
 
$
25,286

Fannie Mae
41,673

 
6

 
(1,196
)
 
40,483

 
43,984

 
8

 
(1,384
)
 
42,608

Ginnie Mae
3,440

 

 
(133
)
 
3,307

 
3,627

 

 
(127
)
 
3,500

Total Agency ARMs (1)
71,166

 
6

 
(2,310
)
 
68,862

 
73,949

 
8

 
(2,563
)
 
71,394

Agency Fixed- Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freddie Mac
85,182

 

 
(1,041
)
 
84,141

 
87,018

 

 
(2,526
)
 
84,492

Fannie Mae
889,070

 
273

 
(18,408
)
 
870,935

 
915,039

 

 
(33,195
)
 
881,844

Ginnie Mae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Agency Fixed-Rate
974,252

 
273

 
(19,449
)
 
955,076

 
1,002,057

 

 
(35,721
)
 
966,336

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Agency RMBS
1,045,418

 
279

 
(21,759
)
 
1,023,938

 
1,076,006

 
8

 
(38,284
)
 
1,037,730

Non-Agency RMBS (1)
310,763

 
3,738

 
(415
)
 
314,086

 
215,337

 
166

 
(1,466
)
 
214,037

CMBS (1) (2)
236,873

 
9,068

 

 
245,941

 
243,046

 
17,815

 
(376
)
 
260,485

Total investment securities available for sale
$
1,593,054

 
$
13,085

 
$
(22,174
)
 
$
1,583,965

 
$
1,534,389

 
$
17,989

 
$
(40,126
)
 
$
1,512,252



(1) 
For the Company's Agency ARMs, non-Agency RMBS, and CMBS securities with stated reset periods, the weighted average reset periods are twenty-nine months, eight months, and one month, respectively.
(2) 
Included in CMBS is $52.7 million of investment securities available for sale held in securitization trusts as of December 31, 2018.

Realized Gain or Loss Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company received total proceeds of approximately $56.8 million from the sale of investment securities available for sale, realizing a net gain of approximately $16.8 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company received total proceeds of approximately $10.1 million from the sale of investment securities available for sale, realizing a net loss of approximately $3.4 million.

Weighted Average Life

Actual maturities of our available for sale securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities (with maturities up to 30 years), as they are affected by periodic payments and prepayments of principal on the underlying mortgages. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, based on management’s estimates using the three month historical constant prepayment rate (“CPR”), the weighted average life of the Company’s available for sale securities portfolio was approximately 8.3 years and 5.7 years, respectively.


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The following table sets forth the weighted average lives of our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Weighted Average Life
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
0 to 5 years
$
549,663

 
$
456,947

Over 5 to 10 years
552,393

 
1,043,369

10+ years
481,909

 
11,936

Total
$
1,583,965

 
$
1,512,252


Unrealized Losses in Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables present the Company's investment securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position reported through other comprehensive income, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2019
Less than 12 months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Agency RMBS
$

 
$

 
$
1,004,264

 
$
(21,759
)
 
$
1,004,264

 
$
(21,759
)
Non-Agency RMBS
51,269

 
(401
)
 
150

 
(14
)
 
51,419

 
(415
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
51,269

 
$
(401
)
 
$
1,004,414

 
$
(21,773
)
 
$
1,055,683

 
$
(22,174
)

At March 31, 2019, the Company does 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 RMBS were $21.8 million at March 31, 2019. Agency RMBS are issued by 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 RMBS 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 RMBS, the Company does not consider any of the current impairments on its Agency RMBS 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 March 31, 2019 any unrealized losses on its Agency RMBS were temporary.

Gross unrealized losses on the Company's non-Agency RMBS were $0.4 million at March 31, 2019, respectively. Credit risk associated with non-Agency RMBS 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. Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of other-than-temporary impairment and does not believe that these unrealized losses are credit related, but are rather a reflection of current market yields and/or marketplace bid-ask spreads.



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December 31, 2018
Less than 12 months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Agency RMBS
$
310,783

 
$
(8,037
)
 
$
726,028

 
$
(30,247
)
 
$
1,036,811

 
$
(38,284
)
Non-Agency RMBS
187,395

 
(1,451
)
 
158

 
(15
)
 
187,553

 
(1,466
)
CMBS
75,292

 
(376
)
 

 

 
75,292

 
(376
)
Total investment securities available for sale
$
573,470

 
$
(9,864
)
 
$
726,186

 
$
(30,262
)
 
$
1,299,656

 
$
(40,126
)

Other than Temporary Impairment

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize other-than-temporary impairment through earnings.

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4.
Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans, At Fair Value
Certain of the Company’s acquired residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans, non-QM loans and second mortgages, are presented at fair value on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at the time of acquisition. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in net gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value consist of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Principal
 
Premium/(Discount)
 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses)
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2019
 
$
927,196

 
$
(63,569
)
 
$
11,939

 
$
875,566

December 31, 2018
 
788,372

 
(54,905
)
 
4,056

 
737,523

As of March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchase $0.3 million of second mortgages from originators.

The following table presents the components of net gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Net realized gain on payoff and sale of loans
$
3,127

 
$
40

Net unrealized gains (losses)
7,883

 
(206
)

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the unpaid principal balance of distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are as follows:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
California
27.8
%
 
27.9
%
Florida
9.8
%
 
9.0
%
Texas
5.1
%
 
4.2
%
New York
5.0
%
 
5.1
%

The following table presents the fair value and aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company's distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value greater than 90 days past due and in non-accrual status as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Fair Value
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
March 31, 2019
$
49,284

 
$
60,858

December 31, 2018
60,117

 
75,167


Distressed and other residential mortgage loans with a fair value of approximately $677.6 million and $626.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are pledged as collateral for master repurchase agreements (see Note 12).


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5.
Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans, Net

Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans, Net

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the carrying value of the Company’s distressed residential mortgage loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality ("ASC 310-30") amounts to approximately $209.3 million and $228.5 million, respectively.

The Company did not purchase loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
    
The following table details activity in accretable yield for the distressed residential mortgage loans for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Balance at beginning of period
$
195,559

 
$
303,949

Additions
587

 
1,694

Disposals
(15,080
)
 
(8,694
)
Accretion
(1,825
)
 
(5,354
)
Balance at end of period (1)
$
179,241

 
$
291,595


(1) 
Accretable yield is the excess of the distressed residential mortgage loans’ cash flows expected to be collected over the purchase price. The cash flows expected to be collected represents 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 nonaccretable yield. Disposals include distressed residential mortgage loan dispositions, which include refinancing, sale and foreclosure of the underlying collateral and resulting removal of the distressed residential mortgage loans from the accretable yield, and reclassifications from accretable to nonaccretable yield. The reclassifications between accretable and nonaccretable yield and the accretion of interest income is based on various estimates regarding loan performance and the value of the underlying real estate securing the loans. As the Company continues to update its estimates regarding the loans and the underlying collateral, the accretable yield may change. Therefore, the amount of accretable income recorded in each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is not necessarily indicative of future results.

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the unpaid principal balance of our distressed residential mortgage loans as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are as follows:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Florida
10.6
%
 
10.4
%
North Carolina
9.7
%
 
9.0
%
Georgia
5.9
%
 
7.2
%
New York
5.7
%
 
5.4
%
Virginia
5.6
%
 
5.3
%
South Carolina
5.6
%
 
5.6
%
Ohio
5.3
%
 
5.0
%
Texas
5.2
%
 
4.9
%
California
5.1
%
 
4.8
%

The Company had no distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts pledged as collateral for securitized debt as of March 31, 2019. The Company's distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts with a carrying value of approximately $88.1 million at December 31, 2018 were pledged as collateral for certain of the Securitized Debt issued by the Company (see Note 9). In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $114.8 million and $128.1 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a master repurchase agreement (see Note 12).

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Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts, Net

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are comprised of certain ARMs transferred to Consolidated VIEs that have been securitized into sequentially rated classes of beneficial interests. Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net consist of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Unpaid principal balance
$
56,140

 
$
60,171

Deferred origination costs – net
359

 
383

Reserve for loan losses
(3,630
)
 
(3,759
)
Total
$
52,869

 
$
56,795


Allowance for Loan Losses - The following table presents the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses on residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period
$
3,759

 
$
4,191

Provision for (recovery of) loan losses
38

 
(110
)
Transfer to real estate owned
(167
)
 

Charge-offs

 

Balance at the end of period
$
3,630

 
$
4,081


On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses. The Company’s allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2019 was $3.6 million, representing 647 basis points of the outstanding principal balance of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, as compared to 625 basis points as of December 31, 2018. As part of the Company’s allowance for loan loss adequacy analysis, management will assess an overall level of allowances while also assessing credit losses inherent in each non-performing residential mortgage loan held in securitization trusts. These estimates involve the consideration of various credit related factors, including, but not limited to, current housing market conditions, current loan to value ratios, delinquency status, the borrower’s current economic and credit status and other relevant factors.
    
All of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts and real estate owned are pledged as collateral for the residential collateralized debt obligations (the "Residential CDOs") issued by the Company. The Company’s net investment in the residential securitization trusts, which is the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that is at risk to loss and represents the difference between (i) the carrying amount of the mortgage loans, real estate owned and receivables held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.8 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Delinquency Status of Our Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts

As of March 31, 2019, we had 18 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $10.5 million categorized as residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net, of which $6.4 million, or 60%, are under some form of temporary modified payment plan. The table below shows delinquencies in our portfolio of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2019
Days Late
Number of
Delinquent
Loans 
 
Total
Unpaid
Principal 
 
% of Loan
Portfolio 
90 +
18
 
$
10,530

 
18.65
%
Real estate owned through foreclosure
1
 
$
360

 
0.64
%


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As of December 31, 2018, we had 19 delinquent loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $10.9 million categorized as residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net, of which $6.6 million, or 61%, are under some form of temporary modified payment plan. The table below shows delinquencies in our portfolio of residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

December 31, 2018
Days Late
Number of Delinquent
Loans
 
Total
Unpaid Principal
 
% of Loan
Portfolio
90 +
19
 
$
10,926

 
18.16
%

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances in our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
New York
33.9
%
 
33.9
%
Massachusetts
18.3
%
 
20.0
%
New Jersey
14.9
%
 
14.5
%
Florida
10.5
%
 
9.9
%
Maryland
5.4
%
 
5.3
%


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6.
Consolidated K-Series

The Company's investments in first loss POs, certain IOs and mezzanine securities issued by certain Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-series securitizations that we consolidate in our financial statements in accordance with GAAP represent the "Consolidated K-Series." The Company has elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations in the assets and liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series be reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our investment in the Consolidated K-Series is limited to the multi-family CMBS comprised of first loss POs and certain IOs and mezzanine securities issued by certain Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations that we consolidate with an aggregate net carrying value of $781.1 million and $657.6 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (see Note 9). The Consolidated K-Series is comprised of eleven and nine Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated K-Series at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

Balance Sheets
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
14,328,336

 
$
11,679,847

Receivables
47,186

 
41,850

Total Assets
$
14,375,522

 
$
11,721,697

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Multi-family CDOs
$
13,547,195

 
$
11,022,248

Accrued expenses
46,154

 
41,102

Total Liabilities
13,593,349

 
11,063,350

Equity
782,173

 
658,347

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
14,375,522

 
$
11,721,697


The multi-family loans held in securitization trusts had unpaid aggregate principal balances of approximately $13.8 billion and $11.5 billion at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The multi-family CDOs (the "Multi-Family CDOs") had aggregate unpaid principal balances of approximately $13.8 billion and $11.5 billion at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the current weighted average interest rate on these Multi-Family CDOs was 4.02% and 3.96%, respectively.

The Company does not have any claims to the assets or obligations for the liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series (other than those securities represented by our first loss POs, IOs and mezzanine securities). We have elected the fair value option for the Consolidated K-Series. The net fair value of our investment in the Consolidated K-Series, which represents the difference between the carrying values of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts less the carrying value of Multi-Family CDOs, approximates the fair value of our underlying securities (see Note 16).

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the Consolidated K-Series for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Statements of Operations
2019
 
2018
Interest income
$
111,768

 
$
85,092

Interest expense
96,797

 
74,478

Net interest income
14,971

 
10,614

Unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net
9,410

 
7,545

Net income
$
24,381

 
$
18,159



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The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to multi-family loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2019 and our CMBS investments included in investment securities available for sale, held in securitization trusts, and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
California
16.0
%
 
14.8
%
Texas
12.5
%
 
13.0
%
Maryland
6.0
%
 
5.0
%
New York
5.1
%
 
6.4
%



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7.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company's investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method consist of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018
Investment Name
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
BBA-EP320 II, L.L.C., BBA-Ten10 II, L.L.C., and Lexington on the Green Apartments, L.L.C. (collectively)
 
45%
 
$
9,217

 
45%
 
$
8,948

Somerset Deerfield Investor, LLC
 
45%
 
16,504

 
45%
 
16,266

RS SWD Owner, LLC, RS SWD Mitchell Owner, LLC, RS SWD IF Owner, LLC, RS SWD Mullis Owner, LLC, RS SWD JH Mullis Owner, LLC and RS SWD Saltzman Owner, LLC (collectively)
 
43%
 
4,752

 
43%
 
4,714

Audubon Mezzanine Holdings, L.L.C. (Series A)
 
57%
 
10,701

 
57%
 
10,544

EP 320 Growth Fund, L.L.C. (Series A) and Turnbury Park Apartments - BC, L.L.C. (Series A) (collectively)
 
46%
 
6,612

 
 

Walnut Creek Properties Holdings, L.L.C.
 
36%
 
8,003

 
 

Total - Equity Method
 
 
 
$
55,789

 
 
 
$
40,472

    
The Company's investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for under the equity method using the fair value option consist of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Investment Name
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
 
Ownership Interest
 
Carrying Amount
Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
11%
 
$
11,185

 
11%
 
$
10,954

Evergreens JV Holdings, LLC
 
85%
 
11,340

 
85%
 
8,200

The Preserve at Port Royal Venture, LLC
 
77%
 
14,050

 
77%
 
13,840

Total - Fair Value Option
 
 
 
$
36,575

 
 
 
$
32,994


The following table presents income from investments in unconsolidated entities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
        
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Investment Name
 
2019
 
2018
BBA-EP320 II, L.L.C., BBA-Ten10 II, L.L.C., and Lexington on the Green Apartments, L.L.C. (collectively)
 
$
275

 
$
253

Morrocroft Neighborhood Stabilization Fund II, LP
 
232

 
282

Evergreens JV Holdings, LLC
 
3,224

 
194

The Preserve at Port Royal Venture, LLC
 
438

 
483

WR Savannah Holdings, LLC
 

 
361

Somerset Deerfield Investor, LLC
 
478

 

RS SWD Owner, LLC, RS SWD Mitchell Owner, LLC, RS SWD IF Owner, LLC, RS SWD Mullis Owner, LLC, RS SWD JH Mullis Owner, LLC and RS SWD Saltzman Owner, LLC (collectively)
 
131

 

Audubon Mezzanine Holdings, L.L.C. (Series A)
 
297

 

EP 320 Growth Fund, L.L.C. (Series A) and Turnbury Park Apartments - BC, L.L.C. (Series A) (collectively)
 
165

 

Walnut Creek Properties Holdings, L.L.C.
 
98

 


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Table of Contents


8.
Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments consist of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Investment amount
$
176,486

 
$
166,789

Deferred loan fees, net
(1,358
)
 
(1,234
)
Total
$
175,128

 
$
165,555


There were no delinquent preferred equity or mezzanine loan investments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total preferred equity and mezzanine loan investment amounts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Georgia
14.6
%
 
15.3
%
Texas
11.9
%
 
16.6
%
Alabama
11.1
%
 
8.6
%
Florida
10.8
%
 
11.3
%
Tennessee
10.2
%
 
6.8
%
South Carolina
9.1
%
 
9.5
%
Virginia
8.6
%
 
9.1
%


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Table of Contents


9.
Use of Special Purpose Entities (SPE) and Variable Interest Entities (VIE)

The Company uses SPEs to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or re-securitizing 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 an 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.    

The Company has entered into re-securitization or financing transactions which required the Company to analyze and determine whether the SPEs that were created to facilitate the transactions are VIEs in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. As of March 31, 2019, the Company evaluated its Residential CDOs and concluded that the entities created to facilitate each of the financing transactions are VIEs and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. Accordingly, the Company continues to consolidate the Residential CDOs as of March 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company evaluated the following re-securitization and financing transactions: 1) its Residential CDOs; 2) its multi-family CMBS re-securitization transaction and 3) its distressed residential mortgage loan securitization transaction (each a “Financing VIE” and collectively, the “Financing VIEs”) and concluded that the entities created to facilitate each of the transactions were VIEs and that the Company was the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the Financing VIEs as of December 31, 2018. On March 14, 2019, the Company exercised its right to an optional redemption of its multi-family CMBS re-securitization with an outstanding principal balance of $33.2 million resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million. Additionally, on March 25, 2019, the Company repaid outstanding notes from its April 2016 distressed residential mortgage loan securitization with an outstanding principal balance of $6.5 million. Due to the redemptions, the multi-family CMBS held by the re-securitization trust and residential mortgage loans held in securitization trust were returned to the Company.

The Company invests in multi-family CMBS consisting of POs that represent the first loss position of the Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-series securitizations from which they were issued, and certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities issued from the securitization. The Company has evaluated these CMBS investments to determine whether they are VIEs and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. The Company has determined that eleven and nine Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family K-Series securitization trusts are VIEs as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company also determined that it is the primary beneficiary of each VIE within the Consolidated K-Series and, accordingly, has consolidated its assets, liabilities, income and expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements (see Notes 2 and 6). Of the multi-family CMBS investments owned by the Company that are included in the Consolidated K-Series, eleven and eight of these investments are not included as collateral to any Financing VIE as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

In analyzing whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and the Financing VIEs, the Company considered its involvement in each of the VIEs, including the design and purpose of each VIE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. 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.
    

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Table of Contents


The Company owns 100% of RB Development Holding Company, LLC ("RBDHC"). RBDHC owns 50% of Kiawah River View Investors LLC ("KRVI"), a limited liability company that owns developed land and residential homes under development in Kiawah Island, SC, for which RiverBanc LLC ("RiverBanc", a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) is the manager. The Company has evaluated KRVI to determine if it is a VIE and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary requiring consolidation. The Company has determined that KRVI is a VIE for which RBDHC is the primary beneficiary as the Company, collectively through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, RiverBanc and RBDHC, has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of KRVI and has a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of KRVI that could be potentially significant to KRVI. Accordingly, the Company has consolidated KRVI in its condensed consolidated financial statements with a non-controlling interest for the third-party ownership of KRVI membership interests.

The Company evaluates the home pricing and lot values of the real estate under development that is owned by KRVI, which is included in receivables and other assets on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets, on a quarterly basis. Based on the evaluation during the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company determined that the real estate under development with a carrying amount of $20.9 million was no longer fully recoverable and was impaired. The Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment loss which is included in other income in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, $0.5 million of this impairment loss is included in net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, resulting in a net loss to the Company of $0.4 million. Fair value was determined based on the sales comparison approach which derives a value indication by comparing the subject property to similar properties that have been recently sold and assumes a purchaser will not pay more for a particular property than a similar substitute property. Real estate under development as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 of $20.0 million and $22.0 million, respectively, is included in receivables and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2017, the Company reconsidered its evaluation of its variable interests in 200 RHC Hoover, LLC ("Riverchase Landing") and The Clusters, LLC ("The Clusters"), two VIEs that each owned a multi-family apartment community and in each of which the Company held a preferred equity investment. The Company determined that it gained the power to direct the activities, and became primary beneficiary, of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters and consolidated them in its condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. Also, in February 2019, The Clusters completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company de-consolidated Riverchase Landing and The Clusters as of the date of each property's sale. Prior to the properties' sale, the Company did not have any claims to the assets or obligations for the liabilities of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters.

The following table presents a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Residential CDOs, the Consolidated K-Series, and KRVI of as of March 31, 2019. Intercompany balances have been eliminated for purposes of this presentation.

 
Financing VIE
 
Other VIEs
 
 
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-family
CMBS
 
Other
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$
712

 
$
712

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net
52,869

 

 

 
52,869

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value

 
14,328,336

 

 
14,328,336

Receivables and other assets
1,203

 
47,186

 
20,225

 
68,614

Total assets
$
54,072

 
$
14,375,522

 
$
20,937

 
$
14,450,531

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$
49,247

 
$

 
$

 
$
49,247

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value

 
13,547,195

 

 
13,547,195

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities

 

 
3,986

 
3,986

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
24

 
46,154

 
439

 
46,617

Total liabilities
$
49,271

 
$
13,593,349

 
$
4,425

 
$
13,647,045





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The following table presents the Consolidated K-Series, the Financing VIEs, KRVI, and The Clusters as of December 31, 2018.

 
Financing VIEs
 
Other VIEs
 
 
 
Multi-family
CMBS Re-
securitization (1)
 
Distressed
Residential
Mortgage
Loan
Securitization (2)
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loan Securitization
 
Multi-
family
CMBS (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
708

 
$
708

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value held in securitization trusts
52,700

 

 

 

 

 
52,700

Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net

 

 
56,795

 

 

 
56,795

Distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net

 
88,096

 

 

 

 
88,096

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
1,107,071

 

 

 
10,572,776

 

 
11,679,847

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities

 

 

 

 
29,704

 
29,704

Receivables and other assets
4,243

 
10,287

 
1,061

 
37,679

 
23,254

 
76,524

Total assets
$
1,164,014

 
$
98,383

 
$
57,856

 
$
10,610,455

 
$
53,666

 
$
11,984,374

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential collateralized debt obligations
$

 
$

 
$
53,040

 
$

 
$

 
$
53,040

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations, at fair value
1,036,604

 

 

 
9,985,644

 

 
11,022,248

Securitized debt
30,121

 
12,214

 

 

 

 
42,335

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities

 

 

 

 
31,227

 
31,227

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,228

 
444

 
26

 
37,022

 
1,166

 
42,886

Total liabilities
$
1,070,953

 
$
12,658

 
$
53,066

 
$
10,022,666

 
$
32,393

 
$
11,191,736


(1) 
The Company classified the multi-family CMBS issued by two securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series and held by this Financing VIE as available for sale securities as the purpose is not to trade these securities. The Financing VIE consolidated one securitization included in the Consolidated K-Series that issued certain of the multi-family CMBS owned by the Company, including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses, in its financial statements, as based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary and has a controlling financial interest in this particular K-Series securitization (see Note 6).
(2) 
The Company engaged in this transaction for the purpose of financing certain distressed residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company. The distressed residential mortgage loans serving as collateral for the financing are comprised of re-performing and, to a lesser extent, non-performing and other delinquent mortgage loans secured by first liens on one- to four- family properties. Balances as of December 31, 2018 are related to a securitization transaction that closed in April 2016 that involved the issuance of $177.5 million of Class A Notes representing the beneficial ownership in a pool of performing and re-performing seasoned mortgage loans. The Company holds 5% of the Class A Notes issued as part of the securitization transaction, which were eliminated in consolidation.
(3) 
Eight of the securitizations included in the Consolidated K-Series were not held in a Financing VIE as of December 31, 2018.

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As of March 31, 2019, the Company had no securitized debt outstanding. The following table summarizes the Company’s securitized debt collateralized by multi-family CMBS or distressed residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Multi-family CMBS
Re-securitization (1)
 
Distressed
Residential Mortgage
Loan Securitization 
Principal Amount at December 31, 2018
$
33,177

 
$
12,381

Carrying Value at December 31, 2018 (2)
$
30,121

 
$
12,214

Pass-through rate of notes issued
5.35
%
 
4.00
%

(1) 
The Company engaged in the re-securitization transaction primarily for the purpose of obtaining non-recourse financing on a portion of its multi-family CMBS portfolio. As a result of engaging in this transaction, the Company remained economically exposed to the first loss position on the underlying multi-family CMBS transferred to the Consolidated VIE.
(2) 
Presented net of unamortized deferred costs of $0.2 million related to the issuance of the securitized debt, which include underwriting, rating agency, legal, accounting and other fees.

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Financing VIEs’ securitized debt as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Scheduled Maturity (principal amount) 
December 31, 2018
Within 24 months
$
12,381

Over 24 months to 36 months

Over 36 months
33,177

Total
45,558

Discount
(2,983
)
Debt issuance cost
(240
)
Carrying value
$
42,335


Residential Mortgage Loan Securitization Transaction

The Company has completed four residential mortgage loan securitizations (other than the distressed residential mortgage loan securitizations discussed above) since inception; the first three were accounted for as permanent financings and have been included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The fourth was accounted for as a sale and, accordingly, is not included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.


28

Table of Contents


Unconsolidated VIEs

As of March 31, 2019, the Company evaluated its mezzanine loan, preferred equity and other equity investments to determine whether they are VIEs and should be consolidated by the Company. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. The following table presents the classification and carrying value of unconsolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2019
 
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
Total
Preferred equity investments in multi-family properties
$
164,533

 
$
55,789

 
$
220,322

Mezzanine loans on multi-family properties
10,595

 

 
10,595

Equity investments in entities that invest in residential properties

 
11,185

 
11,185

Total assets
$
175,128

 
$
66,974

 
$
242,102


As of December 31, 2018, the Company evaluated its multi-family CMBS investments in two Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations and its mezzanine loan, preferred equity and other equity investments to determine whether they are VIEs and should be consolidated by the Company. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that, except for The Clusters as of December 31, 2018, it does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. The following table presents the classification and carrying value of unconsolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
December 31, 2018
 
Investment
securities,
available for
sale, at fair
value, held in securitization trusts
 
Receivables and other assets
 
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities
 
Total
Multi-family CMBS
$
52,700

 
$
72

 
$

 
$

 
$
52,772

Preferred equity investments in multi-family properties

 

 
154,629

 
40,472

 
195,101

Mezzanine loans on multi-family properties

 

 
10,926

 

 
10,926

Equity investments in entities that invest in residential properties

 

 

 
10,954

 
10,954

Total assets
$
52,700

 
$
72

 
$
165,555

 
$
51,426

 
$
269,753


Our maximum loss exposure on the multi-family CMBS investments, mezzanine loan, preferred equity and other equity investments is approximately $242.1 million and $269.8 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company’s maximum exposure does not exceed the carrying value of its investments.


29

Table of Contents


10.
Real Estate Held for Sale in Consolidated VIEs

In March 2017, the Company determined that it became the primary beneficiary of Riverchase Landing and The Clusters, two VIEs that each owned a multi-family apartment community and in each of which the Company held a preferred equity investment. Accordingly, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 9).

During the second quarter of 2017, Riverchase Landing determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale. Accordingly, the Company classified the real estate assets in Riverchase Landing as held for sale in its consolidated balance sheets. The Company also ceased depreciation of the operating real estate assets and amortization of the related lease intangible asset in Riverchase Landing in the second quarter of 2017. In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. Riverchase Landing recognized a net gain on sale of approximately $2.3 million which is included in other income and is allocated to net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company de-consolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale.

During the third quarter of 2017, The Clusters determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale. Accordingly, the Company classified the real estate assets in The Clusters as held for sale as of December 31, 2018 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company also ceased depreciation of the operating real estate assets and amortization of the related lease intangible asset in The Clusters in the third quarter of 2017. In February 2019, The Clusters completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Clusters recognized a net gain on sale of approximately $1.6 million which is included in other income and is allocated to net income attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated variable interest entities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company de-consolidated The Clusters as of the date of the sale.

As of March 31, 2019, there is no real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities. The following is a summary of the real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
December 31, 2018
Land
$
2,650

Building and improvements
26,032

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
974

Lease intangible
2,802

Real estate held for sale before accumulated depreciation and amortization
32,458

Accumulated depreciation (1)
(418
)
Accumulated amortization of lease intangible (1)
(2,336
)
Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
$
29,704


(1)  
There were no depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018.

No gain or loss was recognized by the Company or allocated to non-controlling interests related to the initial classification of the real estate assets as held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2017.


30

Table of Contents


11.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company enters into derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. These derivative instruments may include interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures and options on futures. The Company may also purchase or sell “To-Be-Announced,” or TBAs, purchase options on U.S. Treasury futures or invest in other types of mortgage derivative securities. The Company's derivative instruments are currently comprised of interest rate swaps, which are designated as trading instruments.    
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments and their location in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Type of Derivative Instrument
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Interest rate swaps (1)
 
Derivative assets
 
$
14,873

 
$
10,263


(1) 
All of the Company's interest rate swaps outstanding are cleared through a central clearing house. The Company exchanges variation margin for swaps based upon daily changes in fair value. As a result of amendments to rules governing certain central clearing activities, the exchange of variation margin is treated as a legal settlement of the exposure under the swap contract. Previously such payments were treated as cash collateral pledged against the exposure under the swap contract. Accordingly, the Company accounted for the receipt or payment of variation margin as a direct reduction to or increase of the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Includes $12.8 million of derivative liabilities netted against a variation margin of $27.7 million at March 31, 2019. Includes $1.8 million of derivative assets and variation margin of $8.5 million at December 31, 2018.

The tables below summarize the activity of derivative instruments not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Type of Derivative Instrument
 
December 31, 2018
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2019
Interest rate swaps
 
$
495,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
495,500


 
 
Notional Amount For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Type of Derivative Instrument
 
December 31, 2017
 
Additions
 
Settlement,
Expiration
or Exercise 
 
March 31, 2018
Interest rate swaps
 
$
345,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
345,500

    
The following table presents the components of realized and unrealized gains and losses related to our derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments included in other income category in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
Realized Gains (Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
(14,586
)
 
$

 
$
8,969

Total
$

 
$
(14,586
)
 
$

 
$
8,969


    

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Table of Contents


Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments. The Company documents its risk-management policies, including objectives and strategies, as they relate to its hedging activities, and upon entering into hedging transactions, documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged liability contemporaneously. The Company assesses, both at inception of a hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether or not the hedge is “highly effective” when using the matched term basis.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting on a prospective basis and recognizes changes in the 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. The Company’s derivative instruments are carried on the Company’s balance sheets at fair value, as assets, if their fair value is positive, or as liabilities, if their fair value is negative. For the Company’s derivative instruments that are designated as “cash flow hedges,” changes in their fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), provided that the hedges are effective. A change in fair value for any ineffective amount of the Company’s derivative instruments would be recognized in earnings.

Outstanding Derivatives
    
The following table presents information about our interest rate swaps whereby we receive floating rate payments in exchange for fixed rate payments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Swap Maturities 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
 
Notional
Amount
 
Weighted Average
Fixed
Interest Rate
 
Weighted Average
Variable Interest Rate
2024
 
$
98,000

 
2.18
%
 
2.78
%
 
$
98,000

 
2.18
%
 
2.45
%
2027
 
247,500

 
2.39
%
 
2.74
%
 
247,500

 
2.39
%
 
2.53
%
2028
 
150,000

 
3.23
%
 
2.74
%
 
150,000

 
3.23
%
 
2.53
%
Total
 
$
495,500

 
2.60
%
 
2.75
%
 
$
495,500

 
2.60
%
 
2.52
%

The use of derivatives exposes the Company to counterparty credit risks in the event of a default by a counterparty. If a counterparty defaults under the applicable derivative agreement, the Company may be unable to collect payments to which it is entitled under its derivative agreements and may have difficulty collecting the assets it pledged as collateral against such derivatives. The Company has in place with all counterparties bi-lateral margin agreements requiring a party to post collateral to the Company for any valuation deficit. This arrangement is intended to limit the Company’s exposure to losses in the event of a counterparty default. Currently, all of the Company's interest rate swaps outstanding are cleared through CME Group Inc. ("CME Clearing") which is the parent company of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CME Clearing serves as the counterparty to every cleared transaction, becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, limiting the credit risk by guaranteeing the financial performance of both parties and netting down exposures.

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12.
Repurchase Agreements

Investment Securities, Available for Sale

The Company has entered into repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions to finance its investment securities portfolio. These repurchase agreements are short-term borrowings that bear interest rates typically based on a spread to LIBOR, and are secured by the investment securities which they finance. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchase agreements secured by investment securities with an outstanding balance of $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, and a weighted average interest rate of 3.43% and 3.41%, respectively.

The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements secured by investment securities and associated assets pledged as collateral at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Outstanding
Repurchase Agreements
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
 
Outstanding
Repurchase Agreements
 
Fair Value of
Collateral
Pledged
 
Amortized
Cost
of Collateral
Pledged
Agency ARMs RMBS
$
64,706

 
$
68,220

 
$
70,513

 
$
67,648

 
$
70,747

 
$
73,290

Agency Fixed-rate RMBS
829,154

 
879,501

 
897,055

 
857,582

 
907,610

 
940,994

Non-Agency RMBS
136,782

 
185,881

 
182,905

 
88,730

 
117,958

 
118,414

CMBS (1)
623,797

 
821,144

 
659,444

 
529,617

 
687,876

 
539,788

Balance at end of the period
$
1,654,439

 
$
1,954,746

 
$
1,809,917

 
$
1,543,577

 
$
1,784,191

 
$
1,672,486


(1)  
Includes first loss PO and mezzanine CMBS securities with a fair value amounting to $602.8 million and $543.0 million included in the Consolidated K-Series as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the average days to maturity for repurchase agreements secured by investment securities were 68 days and 62 days, respectively. The Company’s accrued interest payable on outstanding repurchase agreements secured by investment securities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 amounts to $5.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents contractual maturity information about the Company’s outstanding repurchase agreements secured by investment securities at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Contractual Maturity
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Within 30 days
$
531,548

 
$
732,051

Over 30 days to 90 days
989,271

 
677,906

Over 90 days
133,620

 
133,620

Total
$
1,654,439

 
$
1,543,577


As of March 31, 2019, the outstanding balance under our repurchase agreements secured by investment securities was funded at a weighted average advance rate of 86.9% that implies an average haircut of 13.1%. As of March 31, 2019, the weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS, non-agency RMBS, and CMBS was approximately 5%, 25%, and 22%, respectively.

In the event we are unable to obtain sufficient short-term financing through existing repurchase agreements, or our lenders start to require additional collateral, we may have to liquidate our investment securities at a disadvantageous time, which could result in losses. Any losses resulting from the disposition of our investment securities in this manner could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and net profitability. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had financing arrangements with thirteen and eleven counterparties, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had no exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of the Company's stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2018 the Company's only exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% was to Jefferies & Company, Inc. at 5.04%.


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As of March 31, 2019, our available liquid assets included unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin. The Company had $65.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $410.4 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircuts or market valuation requirements. The unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin as of March 31, 2019 included $76.2 million of Agency RMBS, $205.9 million of CMBS and $128.2 million of non-Agency RMBS and other investment securities. The cash and unencumbered securities, which collectively represent 28.8% of our repurchase agreements secured by investment securities, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize a liability immediately.

Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has master repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions to fund the purchase of distressed and other residential mortgage loans, including both first and second mortgages. The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s borrowings under these repurchase agreements and associated distressed and other residential mortgage loans pledged as collateral at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
    
 
Maximum Aggregate Uncommitted Principal Amount
 
Outstanding
Repurchase Agreements
 
Carrying Value of Loans Pledged (1)
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
Weighted Average Months to Maturity
March 31, 2019
$
1,100,000

 
$
619,605

 
$
792,380

 
4.58
%
 
7.68
December 31, 2018
$
950,000

 
$
589,148

 
$
754,352

 
4.67
%
 
9.24

(1) 
Includes distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value of $677.6 million and $626.2 million and distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net of $114.8 million and $128.1 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

During the terms of the master repurchase agreements, proceeds from the distressed and other residential mortgage loans will be applied to pay any price differential and to reduce the aggregate repurchase price of the collateral. The financings under the master repurchase agreements are subject to margin calls to the extent the market value of the distressed and other residential mortgage loans falls below specified levels and repurchase may be accelerated upon an event of default under the master repurchase agreements. The master repurchase agreements contain various covenants, including among other things, the maintenance of certain amounts of liquidity, market capitalization, and total stockholders' equity. The Company is in compliance with such covenants as of May 7, 2019. The Company expects to roll outstanding borrowings under these master repurchase agreements into new repurchase agreements or other financings prior to or at maturity.

Costs related to the establishment of the repurchase agreements which include underwriting, legal, accounting and other fees are reflected as deferred charges. Such costs are presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability on the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $1.0 million as of March 31, 2019 and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2018. These deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method, or straight line-method, if the result is not materially different.



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13.
Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations

The Company’s Residential CDOs, which are recorded as liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, are secured by ARMs pledged as collateral, which are recorded as assets of the Company. Pledged assets of $52.9 million and $56.8 million are included in distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had Residential CDOs outstanding of $49.2 million and $53.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the current weighted average interest rate on these Residential CDOs was 3.10% and 3.12%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARM loans with a principal balance of $56.1 million and $60.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest, for three securitizations, and, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.8 million.


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14.
Debt

Convertible Notes    

On January 23, 2017, the Company issued $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the "Convertible Notes"), including $18.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued upon exercise of the underwriter's over-allotment option, in an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Convertible Notes, after deducting the underwriter's discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $127.0 million with the total cost to the Company of approximately 8.24%. Costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Notes which include underwriting, legal, accounting and other fees, are reflected as deferred charges. The underwriter's discount and deferred charges, net of amortization, are presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability on the Company's accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $6.7 million and $7.2 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The underwriter's discount and deferred charges are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense using the effective interest method.     

The Convertible Notes were issued at 96% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and are expected to mature on January 15, 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes are permitted to convert their Convertible Notes into shares of the Company's common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2022. The conversion rate for the Convertible Notes, which is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, initially equals 142.7144 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.01 per share of the Company’s common stock, based on a $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company that rank senior in right of payment to the Company's subordinated debentures and any of its other indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, none of the Convertible Notes were converted. As of May 7, 2019, the Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants for the Convertible Notes.

Subordinated Debentures

Subordinated debentures are trust preferred securities that are fully guaranteed by the Company with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment. The following table summarizes the key details of the Company’s subordinated debentures as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
NYM Preferred Trust I
 
NYM Preferred Trust II
Principal value of trust preferred securities
$
25,000

 
$
20,000

Interest rate
Three month LIBOR plus 3.75%, resetting quarterly

 
Three month LIBOR plus 3.95%, resetting quarterly

Scheduled maturity
March 30, 2035

 
October 30, 2035


As of May 7, 2019, the Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants for the subordinated debentures.

Mortgages and Notes Payable in Consolidated VIEs

In March 2017, the Company consolidated both Riverchase Landing and The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 9). In March 2018, Riverchase Landing completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company de-consolidated Riverchase Landing as of the date of the sale. In February 2019, The Clusters completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company de-consolidated The Clusters as of the date of the sale. The Clusters' real estate investment was subject to a mortgage payable as of December 31, 2018, and the Company had no obligation for this liability as of December 31, 2018.

    


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The Company also consolidates KRVI into its condensed consolidated financial statements (see Note 9). KRVI's real estate under development is subject to a note payable of $4.0 million that has an unused commitment of $4.4 million as of March 31, 2019. The Company has not been notified, and is not aware, of any event of default under the covenants of KRVI's note payable as of May 7, 2019.

The mortgages and notes payable in the consolidated VIEs as of March 31, 2019 are described below (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
 
Assumption/Origination Date
 
Mortgage Note Amount as of March 31, 2019
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
Net Deferred Finance Costs
KRVI
 
12/16/2016
 
$
3,986

 
12/16/2019
 
7.00
%
 
$


As of March 31, 2019, maturities for debt on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
Total
2019
$
3,986

2020

2021

2022
138,000

2023

Thereafter
45,000

 
$
186,986

 


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Table of Contents


15.
Commitments and Contingencies

Loans Sold to Third Parties – In the normal course of business, the Company is obligated to repurchase loans based on violations of representations and warranties in its loan sale agreements. The Company did not repurchase any loans during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Outstanding Litigation The Company is at times subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of March 31, 2019, the Company does not believe that any of its current legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations, financial condition or cash flows.

    

    



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Table of Contents


16.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has established and documented processes for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use inputs that are market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves.

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, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

a.
Investment Securities Available for Sale – The Company determines the fair value of the investment securities in our portfolio, except the CMBS held in securitization trusts, using a third-party pricing service or quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. Dealer valuations typically incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from a dealer, the security will be classified as a Level 3 security and, as a result, management will determine fair value by modeling the security based on its specific characteristics and available market information. Management reviews all prices used in determining fair value to ensure they represent current market conditions. This review includes surveying similar market transactions, comparisons to interest pricing models as well as offerings of like securities by dealers. The Company's investment securities, except the CMBS held in securitization trusts, are valued based upon readily observable market parameters and are classified as Level 2 fair values.

The Company’s CMBS held in securitization trusts at December 31, 2018 were comprised of securities for which there were not substantially similar securities that traded frequently. The Company classified these securities as Level 3 fair values. Fair value of the Company’s CMBS investments held in securitization trusts was based on an internal valuation model that considered expected cash flows from the underlying loans and yields required by market participants. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of these investments were projected losses of certain identified loans within the pool of loans and a discount rate. The discount rate used in determining fair value incorporated default rate, loss severity and current market interest rates. The discount rate ranged from 4.5% to 9.5% as of December 31, 2018. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs would have resulted in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

b.
Multi-Family Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts are carried at fair value as a result of a fair value election and classified as Level 3 fair values. The Company determines the fair value of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts based on the fair value of its Multi-Family CDOs and its retained interests from these securitizations (eliminated in consolidation in accordance with GAAP), as the fair value of these instruments is more observable.

c.
Derivative Instruments – The fair value of interest rate swaps are based on dealer quotes and are presented net of variation margin payments pledged or received. The Company’s derivatives are classified as Level 2 fair values.


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Table of Contents


d.
Multi-Family CDOs – Multi-Family CDOs are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 fair values. The fair value of Multi-Family CDOs is determined using a third party pricing service or are based on quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. The dealers will consider contractual cash payments and yields expected by market participants. Dealers also incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security.

e.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities – Fair value for investments in unconsolidated entities is determined based on a valuation model using assumptions for the timing and amount of expected future cash flow for income and realization events for the underlying assets in the unconsolidated entities and a discount rate. This fair value measurement is generally based on unobservable inputs and, as such, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

f.
Residential Mortgage Loans – Certain of the Company’s acquired distressed and other residential mortgage loans are recorded at fair value and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value for distressed and other residential mortgage loans is determined using valuations obtained from a third party that specializes in providing valuations of residential mortgage loans. The valuation approach depends on whether the residential mortgage loan is considered performing, re-performing or non-performing at the date the valuation is performed.

For performing and re-performing loans, estimates of fair value are derived using a discounted cash flow model, where estimates of cash flows are determined from scheduled payments for each loan, adjusted using forecast prepayment rates, default rates and rates for loss upon default. For non-performing loans, asset liquidation cash flows are derived based on the estimated time to liquidate the loan, expected liquidation costs and home price appreciation. The discount rate used in determining fair value for distressed and other residential mortgage loans ranges from 4.7% to 12.0%.

Any changes to the valuation methodology are reviewed by management to ensure the changes are appropriate. As markets and products develop and the pricing for certain products becomes more transparent, the Company continues to refine its valuation methodologies. The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation 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 other 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 each reporting date, which may include periods of market dislocation, during which time price transparency may be reduced. This condition could cause the Company’s financial instruments to be reclassified from Level 2 to Level 3 in future periods.

    

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Table of Contents


The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets carried at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$

 
$
1,023,938

 
$

 
$
1,023,938

 
$

 
$
1,037,730

 
$

 
$
1,037,730

Non-Agency RMBS

 
314,086

 

 
314,086

 

 
214,037

 

 
214,037

CMBS

 
245,941

 

 
245,941

 

 
207,785

 
52,700

 
260,485

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts

 

 
14,328,336

 
14,328,336

 

 

 
11,679,847

 
11,679,847

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, at fair value

 

 
875,566

 
875,566

 

 

 
737,523

 
737,523

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Interest rate swaps (1)

 
14,873

 

 
14,873

 

 
10,263

 

 
10,263

Investments in unconsolidated entities

 

 
36,575

 
36,575

 

 

 
32,994

 
32,994

Total
$

 
$
1,598,838

 
$
15,240,477

 
$
16,839,315

 
$

 
$
1,469,815

 
$
12,503,064

 
$
13,972,879

Liabilities carried at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
$

 
$

 
$
13,547,195

 
$
13,547,195

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,022,248

 
$
11,022,248

Total
$

 
$

 
$
13,547,195

 
$
13,547,195

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,022,248

 
$
11,022,248

    
(1) 
All of the Company's interest rate swaps outstanding are cleared through a central clearing house. The Company exchanges variation margin for swaps based upon daily changes in fair value. Includes derivative liabilities of $12.8 million netted against a variation margin of $27.7 million at March 31, 2019. Includes derivative assets of $1.8 million and variation margin of $8.5 million at December 31, 2018.

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The following tables detail changes in valuation for the Level 3 assets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Assets:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
Distressed and other residential mortgage loans
Investments in unconsolidated entities
CMBS held in securitization trusts
 
Total
Balance at beginning of period
$
11,679,847

$
737,523

$
32,994

$
52,700

 
$
12,503,064

Total (losses)/gains (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
259,764

9,945

3,892

17,734

 
291,335

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)



(13,665
)
 
(13,665
)
Transfers in




 

Transfers out

(182
)


 
(182
)
Contributions




 

Paydowns/Distributions
(37,485
)
(24,930
)
(311
)

 
(62,726
)
Sales

(6,448
)

(56,769
)
 
(63,217
)
Purchases (1)
2,426,210

159,658



 
2,585,868

Balance at the end of period
$
14,328,336

$
875,566

$
36,575

$

 
$
15,240,477


(1) 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company purchased PO securities and certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities issued from securitizations that it determined to consolidate and included in the Consolidated K-Series. As a result, the Company consolidated assets of these securitizations in the amount of $2.4 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2019 (see Notes 2 and 6).

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
Distressed and other residential mortgage loans
Investments in unconsolidated entities
CMBS held in securitization trusts
 
Total
Balance at beginning of period
$
9,657,421

$
87,153

$
42,823

$
47,922

 
$
9,835,319

Total (losses)/gains (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
(184,678
)
(181
)
1,319

939

 
(182,601
)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)



(4
)
 
(4
)
Transfers in




 

Transfers out




 

Contributions




 

Paydowns/Distributions
(34,434
)
(3,458
)
(638
)

 
(38,530
)
Sales




 

Purchases

15,966



 
15,966

Balance at the end of period
$
9,438,309

$
99,480

$
43,504

$
48,857

 
$
9,630,150



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Table of Contents


The following table details changes in valuation for the Level 3 liabilities (Multi-family CDOs) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (amounts in thousands):

Level 3 Liabilities:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period
$
11,022,248

 
$
9,189,459

Total losses (gains) (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
Included in earnings (1)
237,789

 
(201,558
)
Purchases (2)
2,324,639

 

Paydowns
(37,481
)
 
(34,434
)
Balance at the end of period
$
13,547,195

 
$
8,953,467


(1) 
Amounts included in interest expense on Multi-Family CDOs and unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts.
(2) 
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company purchased PO securities and certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities issued from securitizations that it determined to consolidate and include in the Consolidated K-Series. As a result, the Company consolidated liabilities of these securitizations in the amount of $2.3 billion (see Notes 2 and 6).

The following table details the changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 for our Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts (1)
$
274,683

 
$
(172,546
)
 
Investments in unconsolidated entities (2)
3,661

 
1,038

 
Distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value (3)
9,337

 
(92
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Multi-family debt held in securitization trusts (1)
(265,273
)
 
180,091

 

(1) 
Presented in unrealized gain on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts, net on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(2) 
Presented in other income on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(3) 
Presented in net gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis at
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans, net
$

 
$

 
$
5,779

 
$
5,779

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,921

 
$
5,921



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The following table presents gains (losses) incurred for assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts – impaired loans, net
$
(38
)
 
$
110


Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts – Impaired Loans, net – Impaired residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are recorded at amortized cost less specific loan loss reserves. Impaired loan value is based on management’s estimate of the net realizable value taking into consideration local market conditions of the property, updated appraisal values of the property and estimated expenses required to remediate the impaired loan.

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Level 1
 
$
65,359

 
$
65,359

 
$
103,724

 
$
103,724

Investment securities available for sale
Level 2 or 3
 
1,583,965

 
1,583,965

 
1,512,252

 
1,512,252

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, at fair value
Level 3
 
875,566

 
875,566

 
737,523

 
737,523

Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net
Level 3
 
262,193

 
264,476

 
285,261

 
289,376

Investments in unconsolidated entities
Level 3
 
92,364

 
92,961

 
73,466

 
73,833

Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
Level 3
 
175,128

 
177,602

 
165,555

 
167,739

Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
Level 3
 
14,328,336

 
14,328,336

 
11,679,847

 
11,679,847

Derivative assets
Level 2
 
14,873

 
14,873

 
10,263

 
10,263

Mortgage loans held for sale, net (1)
Level 3
 
2,960

 
3,134

 
3,414

 
3,584

Mortgage loans held for investment (1)
Level 3
 
1,580

 
1,580

 
1,580

 
1,580

Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
Level 2
 
2,273,005

 
2,273,005

 
2,131,505

 
2,131,505

Residential collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
49,247

 
47,004

 
53,040

 
50,031

Multi-family collateralized debt obligations
Level 3
 
13,547,195

 
13,547,195

 
11,022,248

 
11,022,248

Securitized debt
Level 3
 

 

 
42,335

 
45,030

Subordinated debentures
Level 3
 
45,000

 
45,011

 
45,000

 
44,897

Convertible notes
Level 2
 
131,301

 
136,693

 
130,762

 
135,689


(1) 
Included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.


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In addition to the methodology to determine the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis and non-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 in the table immediately above:

a.
Cash and cash equivalents – Estimated fair value approximates the carrying value of such assets.

b.
Distressed and other residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, net – Residential mortgage loans held in the securitization trusts are recorded at amortized cost, net of allowance for loan losses. Fair value is based on an internal valuation model that considers the aggregated characteristics of groups of loans such as, but not limited to, collateral type, index, interest rate, margin, length of fixed-rate period, life cap, periodic cap, underwriting standards, age and credit estimated using the estimated market prices for similar types of loans.

c.
Distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net – Fair value is estimated using pricing models taking into consideration current interest rates, loan amount, payment status and property type, and forecasts of future interest rates, home prices and property values, prepayment speeds, default, loss severities, and actual purchases and sales of similar loans.

d.
Mortgage loans held for sale, net – The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale, net are estimated by the Company based on the price that would be received if the loans were sold as whole loans taking into consideration the aggregated characteristics of the loans such as, but not limited to, collateral type, index, interest rate, margin, length of fixed interest rate period, life time cap, periodic cap, underwriting standards, age and credit.

e.
Preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments – Estimated fair value is determined by both market comparable pricing and discounted cash flows. The discounted cash flows are based on the underlying contractual cash flows and estimated changes in market yields. The fair value also reflects consideration of changes in credit risk since the origination or time of initial investment.

f.
Repurchase agreements – The fair value of these repurchase agreements approximates cost as they are short term in nature.

g.
Residential collateralized debt obligations – The fair value of these CDOs is based on discounted cash flows as well as market pricing on comparable obligations.

h.
Securitized debt – The fair value of securitized debt is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields.

i.
Subordinated debentures – The fair value of these subordinated debentures is based on discounted cash flows using management’s estimate for market yields.

j.
Convertible notes – The fair value is based on quoted prices provided by dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments.




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17.
Stockholders' Equity

(a)
Dividends on Preferred Stock

The Company had 200,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 12,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had designated 6,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), 4,140,000 shares of 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”), and 5,750,000 shares of 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”). On March 28, 2019, the Company classified and designated an additional 2,460,000 shares and 2,650,000 shares of the Company's authorized but unissued preferred stock as Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively. At March 31, 2019, the Company had designated 6,000,000 shares, 6,600,000 shares and 8,400,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively (collectively, the "Preferred Stock"). The Company had 3,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 3,600,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and 5,400,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Each of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a dividend at a rate of 7.75% and 7.875%, respectively, per year on its $25 liquidation preference. The Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a fixed rate from and including the issue date to, but excluding, October 15, 2027 of 8.00% per year on its $25 liquidation preference. Beginning October 15, 2027, the Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.695% per year on its $25 liquidation preference. Each series of the Preferred Stock is senior to the common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

The Preferred Stock generally do 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, holders of Preferred Stock voting together as a single class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the 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 any series of the Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the series of Preferred Stock whose terms are being changed.

The Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock are not redeemable by the Company prior to June 4, 2018, April 22, 2020, and October 15, 2027, respectively, except under circumstances intended to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Articles Supplementary designating the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively). On and after June 4, 2018, April 22, 2020, and October 15, 2027, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Preferred Stock in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

The Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by the Company or converted into the Company’s common stock in connection with a Change of Control.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Preferred Stock will have the right (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Preferred Stock) to convert some or all of the Preferred Stock held by such holder into a number of shares of our common stock per share of the applicable series of Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the applicable Articles Supplementary for such series.


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From the time of original issuance of the Preferred Stock through March 31, 2019, the Company has declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on such series of stock. The following table presents the relevant dates with respect to such quarterly cash dividends declared on the Preferred Stock commencing January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Series B Preferred Stock
 
Series C Preferred Stock
 
Series D Preferred Stock
March 19, 2019
 
April 1, 2019
 
April 15, 2019
 
$
0.484375

 
$
0.4921875

 
$
0.50

December 4, 2018
 
January 1, 2019
 
January 15, 2019
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
0.50

September 17, 2018
 
October 1, 2018
 
October 15, 2018
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
0.50

June 18, 2018
 
July 1, 2018
 
July 15, 2018
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
0.50

March 19, 2018
 
April 1, 2018
 
April 15, 2018
 
0.484375

 
0.4921875

 
0.50


(b)
Dividends on Common Stock

The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock with respect to each of the quarterly periods commencing January 1, 2018 and ended March 31, 2019:
Period
 
Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
First Quarter 2019
 
March 19, 2019
 
March 29, 2019
 
April 25, 2019
 
$
0.20

Fourth Quarter 2018
 
December 4, 2018
 
December 14, 2018
 
January 25, 2019
 
0.20

Third Quarter 2018
 
September 17, 2018
 
September 27, 2018
 
October 26, 2018
 
0.20

Second Quarter 2018
 
June 18, 2018
 
June 28, 2018
 
July 26, 2018
 
0.20

First Quarter 2018
 
March 19, 2018
 
March 29, 2018
 
April 26, 2018
 
0.20


(c)
Public Offering of Common Stock

On January 11, 2019, the Company issued 14,490,000 shares of its common stock through an underwritten public offering, at a public offering price of $5.96 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $83.8 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

On March 1, 2019, the Company issued 15,000,000 shares of its common stock through an underwritten public offering, at a public offering price of $6.00 per share. On March 15, 2019, the Company issued 2,250,000 shares of its common stock upon exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The offering resulted in the Company issuing a total of 17,250,000 shares of its common stock for total net proceeds to the Company of $101.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

(d)
Equity Distribution Agreements

On August 10, 2017, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Common Equity Distribution Agreement”) with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), as sales agent, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having a maximum aggregate sales price of up to $100.0 million, from time to time through Credit Suisse. On September 10, 2018, the Company entered into an amendment to the Common Equity Distribution Agreement that increased the maximum aggregate sales price to $177.1 million. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares of common stock issuable under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement.
    

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The Common Equity Distribution Agreement replaced the Company’s prior equity distribution agreements with JMP Securities LLC and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. dated as of March 20, 2015 and August 25, 2016, respectively (the “Prior Equity Distribution Agreements”), pursuant to which up to $39.3 million of aggregate value of the Company's common stock and Series B Preferred Stock remained available for issuance immediately prior to termination. The Prior Equity Distribution Agreements were terminated effective on August 7, 2017.

There were no shares of common stock issued under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2019, approximately $86.4 million of common stock remains available for issuance under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement.

On March 29, 2019, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement") with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC, as sales agent, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, having a maximum aggregate gross sales price of up to $50.0 million. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares of Preferred Stock issuable under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement. As of March 31, 2019, $50.0 million of Preferred Stock remains available for issuance under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement.


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18.
Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings per common share by dividing net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted earnings per common share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as convertible notes and performance stock units, and the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the Company's Convertible Notes were determined to be dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share under the "if-converted" method. Under this method, the periodic interest expense (net of applicable taxes) for dilutive notes is added back to the numerator and the number of shares that the notes are entitled to (if converted, regardless of whether they are in or out of the money) are included in the denominator. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, performance stock units ("PSUs") awarded under the Company's 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2017 Plan," see Note 19) were also determined to be dilutive and were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share under the treasury stock method. Under this method, common equivalent shares are calculated assuming that target PSUs vest according to the PSU award agreements ("PSU Agreements") and unrecognized compensation cost is used to repurchase shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at the average market price during the reported period. 

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods indicated (dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Basic Earnings per Common Share
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Company
 
$
44,139

 
$
29,618

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
(5,925
)
 
(5,925
)
Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
 
$
38,214

 
$
23,693

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
 
174,421

 
112,018

Basic Earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.21

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Company
 
$
44,139

 
$
29,618

Less: Preferred stock dividends
 
(5,925
)
 
(5,925
)
Add back: Interest expense on convertible notes for the period, net of tax
 
2,626

 
2,634

Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
 
$
40,840

 
$
26,327

Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
174,421

 
112,018

Net effect of assumed convertible notes conversion to common shares
 
19,694

 
19,694

Net effect of assumed PSUs vested
 
855

 
49

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
 
194,970

 
131,761

Diluted Earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.20


.

49



19.
Stock Based Compensation

In May 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2017 Plan, with such stockholder action resulting in the termination of the Company’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). The terms of the 2017 Plan are substantially the same as the 2010 Plan. However, any outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan will continue in accordance with the terms of the 2010 Plan and any award agreement executed in connection with such outstanding awards. At March 31, 2019, there were 115,170 shares of non-vested restricted stock outstanding under the 2010 Plan.

Pursuant to the 2017 Plan, eligible employees, officers and directors of the Company are offered the opportunity to acquire the Company's common stock through the award of restricted stock and other equity awards under the 2017 Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2017 Plan is 5,570,000. Of the common stock authorized at March 31, 2019, 1,605,667 shares are available for issuance under the 2017 Plan. The Company’s non-employee directors have been issued 131,975 shares under the 2017 Plan as of March 31, 2019. The Company’s employees have been issued 828,701 shares of restricted stock under the 2017 Plan as of March 31, 2019. At March 31, 2019, there were 756,861 shares of non-vested restricted stock outstanding and 3,003,657 common shares reserved for issuance in connection with PSUs under the 2017 Plan.

Of the common stock authorized at December 31, 2018, 3,865,174 shares were reserved for issuance under the 2017 Plan. The Company's non-employee directors had been issued 131,975 shares under the 2017 Plan as of December 31, 2018. The Company’s employees had been issued 292,459 shares of restricted stock under the 2017 Plan as of December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018, there were 290,373 shares of non-vested restricted stock outstanding and 1,280,392 common shares reserved for issuance in connection with outstanding PSUs under the 2017 Plan.

(a)
Restricted Common Stock Awards

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense on its restricted common stock awards of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Dividends are paid on all restricted common stock issued, whether those shares have vested or not. In general, non-vested restricted stock is forfeited upon the recipient's termination of employment. There were no forfeitures of shares for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

A summary of the activity of the Company's non-vested restricted stock collectively under the 2010 Plan and 2017 Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is presented below:
 
2019
 
2018
 
Number of
Non-vested
Restricted
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value (1)
 
Number of
Non-vested
Restricted
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value (1)
Non-vested shares at January 1
507,536

 
$
5.91

 
422,928

 
$
6.36

Granted
536,242

 
6.30

 
206,597

 
5.57

Vested
(171,747
)
 
5.88

 
(164,645
)
 
6.72

Forfeited

 

 

 

Non-vested shares as of March 31
872,031

 
$
6.16

 
464,880

 
$
5.88

Restricted stock granted during the period
536,242

 
$
6.30

 
206,597

 
$
5.57


(1) 
The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.

At March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to the non-vested shares of restricted common stock under the 2010 Plan and 2017 Plan, collectively. The unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2019 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.50 years. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The requisite service period for restricted stock awards at issuance is three years and the restricted common stock vests ratably over a three year period.




50



(b)
Performance Stock Units

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors approved the grant of PSUs. Each PSU represents an unfunded promise to receive one share of the Company's common stock once the performance condition has been satisfied. The awards were issued pursuant to and are consistent with the terms and conditions of the 2017 Plan.

The PSU awards are subject to performance-based vesting under the 2017 Plan pursuant to the PSU Agreements. Vesting of the PSUs will occur at the end of three years based on the following:

If three-year TSR performance relative to the Company's identified performance peer group (the "Relative TSR") is less than 30th percentile, then 0% of the target PSUs will vest;

If three-year Relative TSR performance is equal to the 30th percentile, then the Threshold % (as defined in the individual PSU Agreements) of the target PSUs will vest;

If three-year Relative TSR performance is equal to the 50th percentile, then 100% of the target PSUs will vest; and

If three-year Relative TSR performance is greater than or equal to the 80th percentile, then the Maximum % (as defined in the individual PSU Agreements) of the target PSUs will vest.

The percentage of target PSUs that vest for performance between the 30th, 50th, and 80th percentiles will be calculated using linear interpolation.

Total shareholder return for the Company and each member of the peer group will be determined by dividing (i) the sum of the cumulative amount of such entity’s dividends per share for the performance period and the arithmetic average per share volume weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days of the performance period minus the arithmetic average per share VWAP of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the performance period by (ii) the arithmetic average per share VWAP of such entity’s common stock for the last thirty (30) consecutive trading days immediately prior to the performance period.

The grant date fair value of the PSUs was determined through a Monte-Carlo simulation of the Company’s common stock total shareholder return and the common stock total shareholder return of its identified performance peer companies to determine the Relative TSR of the Company’s common stock over a future period of three years. For the PSUs granted in 2019 and 2018, the inputs used by the model to determine the fair value are (i) historical stock price volatilities of the Company and its identified performance peer companies over the most recent three year period and correlation between each company's stock and the identified performance peer group over the same time series and (ii) a risk free rate for the period interpolated from the U.S. Treasury yield curve on grant date.

A summary of the activity of the target PSU Awards under the 2017 Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is presented below:
 
2019
 
2018
 
Number of
Non-vested
Target
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value 
 
Number of
Non-vested
Target
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Per Share
Grant Date
Fair Value 
Non-vested target PSUs at January 1
842,792

 
$
4.20

 

 
$

Granted
1,137,525

 
4.00

 
588,535

 
4.04

Vested

 

 

 

Non-vested target PSUs as of March 31
1,980,317

 
$
4.08

 
588,535

 
$
4.04

    
As of March 31, 2019 and 2018, there was $6.5 million and $2.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of the PSUs, respectively. Compensation expense related to the PSUs was $0.7 million and $37.2 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.


51



20.
Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes at least 100% of its taxable income to stockholders and does not engage in prohibited transactions. Certain activities the Company performs may produce income that will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. The Company has designated its TRSs to engage in these activities. The tables below reflect the taxes accrued at the TRS level and the tax attributes included in the consolidated financial statements.

The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 is comprised of the following components (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Current income tax (benefit) expense
$
(7
)
 
$

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
81

 
(79
)
Total provision (benefit)
$
74

 
$
(79
)

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The major sources of temporary differences included in the deferred tax assets and their deferred tax effect as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforward
$
2,826

 
$
2,416

Capital loss carryover
976

 
739

GAAP/Tax basis differences
4,056

 
3,903

Total deferred tax assets (1)
7,858

 
7,058

Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
7

 
6

Total deferred tax liabilities (2)
7

 
6

Valuation allowance (1)
(6,949
)
 
(6,069
)
Total net deferred tax asset
$
902

 
$
983


(1) 
Included in receivables and other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2) 
Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
    
As of March 31, 2019, the Company, through wholly-owned TRSs, had incurred net operating losses in the aggregate amount of approximately $8.3 million. The Company’s carryforward net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely until they are offset by future taxable income. Additionally, as of March 31, 2019, the Company, through one of its wholly-owned TRSs, had also incurred approximately $2.9 million in capital losses. The Company's carryforward capital losses will expire between 2023 and 2024 if they are not offset by future capital gains. At March 31, 2019, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets as management does not believe that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized.

The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company's federal, state and city income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and related tax authorities generally for three years after they were filed. The Company has assessed its tax positions for all open years and concluded that there are no material uncertainties to be recognized.


52



In addition, based on the Company’s evaluation, the Company has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements.

    


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21. Subsequent Events

In April 2019, the Company issued 213,753 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, collectively, under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement at an average sales price of $24.78 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $5.2 million after deducting the placement fees. As of May 7, 2019, $44.7 million of Preferred Stock remains available for issuance under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement.

Also, in April 2019, the Company issued 2,260,200 shares of its common stock under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement at an average sales price of $6.12 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $13.6 million after deducting the placement fees. As of May 7, 2019, $72.5 million of common stock remains available for issuance under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement.

On May 3, 2019, we entered into a termination and transition agreement (the "Transition Agreement") with Headlands Asset Management LLC ("Headlands") that terminated the Headlands Management Agreement effective as of May 3, 2019. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Headlands will provide us with certain transition services until June 30, 2019 and will receive certain fees during this transition period similar to the fees Headlands was entitled to under the Headlands Management Agreement, but excluding incentive fees.

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

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING 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 issued or made by us, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “goal,” “objective,” “will,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, and as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. The following factors are examples of those that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements: changes in interest rates and the market value of our assets, changes in credit spreads, the impact of a downgrade of the long-term credit ratings of the U.S., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae; market volatility; changes in prepayment rates on the loans we own or that underlie our investment securities; increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our assets; our ability to identify and acquire our targeted assets; our ability to borrow to finance our assets and the terms thereof; changes in governmental laws, regulations or policies affecting our business; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal tax purposes; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"); 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 the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated by those risks described in our subsequent filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements 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.

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Defined Terms

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q we refer to New York Mortgage Trust, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, as “we,” “us,” “Company,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise, and refer to our wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries as “TRSs” and our wholly-owned qualified REIT subsidiaries as “QRSs.” In addition, the following defines certain of the commonly used terms in this report:

“Agency ARMs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate RMBS;

"Agency fixed-rate" refers to Agency RMBS comprised of fixed-rate RMBS;

“Agency IOs” refers to Agency RMBS comprised of IO RMBS;

“Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by a government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or an agency of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”);

“ARMs” refers to adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans;

“CDO” refers to collateralized debt obligation;

“CMBS” refers to commercial mortgage-backed securities comprised of commercial mortgage pass-through securities, as well as PO, IO or mezzanine securities that represent the right to a specific component of the cash flow from a pool of commercial mortgage loans;

“Consolidated K-Series” refers to Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations, of which we, or one of our "special purpose entities," or "SPEs," own the first loss POs and certain IOs and mezzanine securities that we consolidate in our financial statements in accordance with GAAP;

“Consolidated VIEs” refers to VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary, as 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;

“distressed residential mortgage loans” refers to pools of seasoned re-performing, non-performing and other delinquent mortgage loans secured by first liens on one- to four-family properties;

"excess mortgage servicing spread" refers to the difference between the contractual servicing fee with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae and the base servicing fee that is retained as compensation for servicing or subservicing the related mortgage loans pursuant to the applicable servicing contract;

"GAAP" refers to generally accepted accounting principles within the United States;

“IOs” refers collectively to interest only and inverse interest only mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the interest component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;

"IO RMBS" refers to RMBS comprised of IOs;

“multi-family CMBS” refers to CMBS backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties;

“non-Agency RMBS” refers to RMBS that are not guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government or GSE;

“non-QM loans” refers to residential mortgage loans that are not deemed "qualified mortgage," or "QM," loans under the rules of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau;

“POs” refers to mortgage-backed securities that represent the right to the principal component of the cash flow from a pool of mortgage loans;


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“prime ARM loans” and “residential securitized loans” each refer to prime credit quality residential ARM loans held in our securitization trusts;

“RMBS” refers to residential mortgage-backed securities comprised of adjustable-rate, hybrid adjustable-rate, fixed-rate, interest only and inverse interest only, and principal only securities;

“second mortgages” refers to liens on residential properties that are subordinate to more senior mortgages or loans; and

“Variable Interest Entity” or “VIE” refers to an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties.

General

We are a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing mortgage-related and residential-housing related assets. Our objective is to deliver long-term stable distributions to our stockholders over changing economic conditions through a combination of net interest margin and net realized capital gains from a diversified investment portfolio. Our investment portfolio includes credit sensitive assets and investments sourced from distressed markets that create the potential for capital gains, as well as more traditional types of mortgage-related investments that generate interest income.

Our investment portfolio includes (i) structured multi-family property investments such as multi-family CMBS and preferred equity in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties, (ii) residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans, non-QM loans, second mortgages, and other residential mortgage loans, (iii) non-Agency RMBS, (iv) Agency RMBS and (v) certain other mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and the maintenance of our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we also may opportunistically acquire and manage various other types of mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets that we believe will compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them, including, without limitation, collateralized mortgage obligations, excess mortgage servicing spreads and securities issued by newly originated residential securitizations, including credit sensitive securities from these securitizations.

We intend to maintain our focus on expanding our portfolio of single-family residential and multi-family credit assets, which we believe will benefit from improving credit metrics. Consistent with this approach to capital allocation, we acquired an additional $432.8 million of single-family residential and multi-family credit assets during the three months ended March 31, 2019. In periods where we have working capital in excess of our short-term liquidity needs, we may invest the excess in more liquid assets until such time as we are able to re-invest that capital in credit assets that meet our underwriting requirements. Our investment and capital allocation decisions depend on prevailing market conditions, among other factors, and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different economic and capital market environments.

We seek to achieve a balanced and diverse funding mix to finance our assets and operations. We currently rely primarily on a combination of short-term borrowings, such as repurchase agreements with terms typically of 30 days, longer term repurchase agreement borrowings with terms between one year and 24 months and longer term financings, such as securitizations and convertible notes, with terms longer than one year.

In connection with our growth in recent years, we have taken steps each year since 2016 to internalize the investment management of our various investment portfolios. In August 2018, in order to expand our capabilities in self managing, sourcing and creating single-family distressed residential credit assets, we moved to internalize our last externally-managed business, our distressed residential loan strategy, by adding a team of professionals that increases our capabilities across many residential credit opportunities, including distressed residential loans, and providing Headlands Asset Management LLC (“Headlands”), the external manager of our distressed residential loan strategy, with notice that we intended to cause our management agreement with Headlands (the “Headlands Management Agreement”) to expire when its term ends on June 30, 2019. On May 3, 2019, we entered into a termination and transition agreement with Headlands (the “Transition Agreement”) that terminated the Headlands Management Agreement effective as of May 3, 2019. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Headlands will provide us with certain transition services until June 30, 2019 and will receive certain fees during this transition period similar to the fees Headlands was entitled to under the Headlands Management Agreement, but excluding incentive fees. We believe that internalization of all our credit investing functions, including both multi-family and single-family residential credit investments, will strengthen our ability to identify and secure future investment opportunities.

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Key First Quarter 2019 Developments

Multi-Family Credit Portfolio Activity

We purchased multi-family CMBS securities totaling $136.5 million, including aggregate purchases of approximately $101.6 million in first loss PO, IO and mezzanine securities issued by two Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations. In addition, we funded $35.4 million in preferred equity investments in owners of multi-family properties during the first quarter of 2019.

The Company exercised its option to redeem the notes issued by a multi-family CMBS re-securitization that it completed in 2012, with an outstanding principal balance of $33.2 million resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million. Due to the redemption, the multi-family CMBS held by the re-securitization trust were returned to the Company. Subsequent to redemption, a portion of the multi-family CMBS returned to the Company was sold at a realized gain of $16.8 million, with the Company receiving proceeds of $56.8 million.

Residential Credit Portfolio Activity

We acquired an aggregate of $261.0 million of single-family residential credit assets, including distressed residential mortgage loans totaling $71.1 million, other residential mortgage loans totaling $88.5 million and non-Agency RMBS totaling $101.3 million.

On March 25, 2019, we repaid outstanding notes from our April 2016 distressed residential mortgage loan securitization, which had an outstanding principal balance of $6.5 million. As a result, $80.0 million of distressed residential mortgage loans held by the securitization were returned to the Company. The notes were issued in 2016 in an aggregate original principal amount of $177.5 million, including 5% of the notes retained by the Company.
    
We increased the capacity in our master repurchase agreements to fund the purchase of distressed and other residential mortgage loans by approximately $150.0 million.

Common Stock Issuance

We issued 31,740,000 shares of common stock through two underwritten public offerings in January 2019 and February 2019, at an average public offering price per share of $5.98, resulting in aggregate net proceeds to us of $184.9 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.

Preferred Stock Equity Distribution Agreement

On March 29, 2019, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC, as sales agent, pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock (each as defined below), having a maximum aggregate sales price of up to $50.0 million.

First Quarter 2019 Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends

On March 19, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The dividend was paid on April 25, 2019 to our common stockholders of record as of March 29, 2019.

On March 19, 2019, in accordance with the terms of our 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock"), our Board of Directors declared a Series B Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.484375 per share of Series B Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2019 to holders of record of our Series B Preferred Stock as of April 1, 2019.

On March 19, 2019, in accordance with the terms of our 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"), our Board of Directors declared a Series C Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.4921875 per share of Series C Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2019 to holders of record of our Series C Preferred Stock as of April 1, 2019.
    

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Also on March 19, 2019, in accordance with the terms of our 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred Stock"), our Board of Directors declared a Series D Preferred Stock quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Series D Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid on April 15, 2019 to holders of record of our Series D Preferred Stock of record as of April 1, 2019.

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Current Market Conditions and Commentary

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. The market conditions discussed below significantly influence our investment strategy and results:

General. Global equity markets, including emerging markets, rebounded and made gains during the first quarter of 2019 after a rough end to 2018 and despite a lengthy government shutdown, largely driven by eased concerns over global trade restrictions. U.S. equities also rose during the first quarter of 2019, driven by market expectations that the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates in the near term and the end of the government shutdown. U.S. economic data released over the past quarter suggests that the U.S. economy has continued to expand, with U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) estimated to have grown by 3.2% (advance estimate) in the first quarter of 2019, up from GDP growth of 2.2% (revised) for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. U.S. GDP expansion in the quarter was largely driven by strong inventory and trade data, despite softer contributions from consumer spending and business investment.

The U.S. labor market continued to expand during the first quarter of 2019. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged over the quarter, ending at 3.8% as of the end of March 2019. Total nonfarm payroll employment posted an average monthly increase of 180,000 jobs during the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to an average monthly increase of 223,000 jobs in 2018.

Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy. In March 2019, in view of realized and expected labor market conditions, economic activity and inflation, the Federal Reserve maintained the target range for the federal funds rate of 2.25% to 2.50% and indicated that it intends to remain patient as it determines future changes to the target range for the federal funds rate. The Federal Reserve also opted not to increase the rate at its January 2019 meeting, but had raised the rate four times during 2018. The Federal Reserve indicated that in determining the size and timing of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, it will assess “realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective.” Significant uncertainty with respect to the speed at which the Federal Reserve will tighten its monetary policy continues to persist and may result in significant volatility in 2019 and future periods. Greater uncertainty frequently leads to wider asset spreads or lower prices and higher hedging costs.

Single-Family Homes and Residential Mortgage Market. The residential real estate market displayed signs of slowing during 2018, and initial data from the first quarter of 2019 suggests that trend continued. Data released by S&P Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for February 2019 showed that, on average, home prices increased 3.0% for the 20-City Composite over February 2018, down from 3.5% in the previous month. In addition, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, privately-owned housing starts for single-family homes averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 849,000 during the first quarter of 2019, which was 2.5% below the annual rate of 871,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Declining single-family housing fundamentals may adversely impact the overall credit profile of our existing portfolio of single-family residential credit investments, but also may result in a more attractive new investment environment.

Multi-family Housing. Apartments and other residential rental properties have continued to perform well, although the data has been more mixed in recent quarters. According to data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, starts on multi-family homes containing five units or more averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 331,000 during the first quarter of 2019 and 366,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. While supply expansion remained strong in 2018 and during the first quarter of 2019, vacancy concerns among multi-family industry participants has ticked higher. According to the Multifamily Vacancy Index (“MVI”), which is produced by the National Association of Home Builders and surveys the multi-family housing industry’s perception of vacancies, the MVI was at 45 for the fourth quarter of 2018, up from 42 for the second quarter of 2018 and down from 47 for the third quarter of 2018. Strength in the multi-family housing sector has contributed to valuation improvements for multi-family properties and, in turn, many of the structured multi-family investments that we own.

Credit Spreads. Although credit spreads widened sharply during the latter half of the fourth quarter of 2018, credit spreads generally tightened throughout 2018, and that trend continued during the first quarter of 2019. Specifically, credit spreads for residential and multi-family credit assets remained tight during the first quarter of 2019 and this had a positive impact on the value of many of our credit sensitive assets. Tightening credit spreads generally increase the value of many of our credit sensitive assets while widening credit spreads generally decrease the value of these assets.


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Financing markets. During the first quarter of 2019, the bond market experienced moderate volatility with the closing yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note trading between 2.39% and 2.79% during the quarter, closing the quarter at 2.41%. Overall interest rate volatility tends to increase the costs of hedging and may place downward pressure on some of our strategies. During the first quarter of 2019, the Treasury curve decreased with the spread between the 2-Year U.S. Treasury yield and the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield closing to 14 basis points, down 7 basis points from December 31, 2018. This spread is important as it is indicative of opportunities for investing in levered assets. Increases in interest rates raises the costs of many of our liabilities, while overall interest rate volatility generally increases the costs of hedging.

Developments at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Payments on the Agency fixed-rate and Agency ARMs RMBS in which we invest are guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In addition, although not guaranteed by Freddie Mac, all of our multi-family CMBS has been issued by securitization vehicles sponsored by Freddie Mac. As broadly publicized, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are presently under federal conservatorship as the U.S. Government continues to evaluate the future of these entities and what role the U.S. Government should continue to play in the housing markets in the future. On March 27, 2019, President Trump signed a Presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Treasury to develop a reform plan aimed at ending the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and improving regulatory oversight over them. Since being placed under federal conservatorship, there have been a number of proposals introduced, both from industry groups and by the U.S. Congress, relating to changing the role of the U.S. government in the mortgage market and reforming or eliminating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It remains unclear how the U.S. Congress or the executive branch of the U.S. Government will move forward on such reform at this time and what impact, if any, this reform will have on mortgage REITs. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors-Risks Related to Regulatory Matters-The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae and the U.S. Government, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.


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Significant Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect 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. These estimates are based, in part, on our judgment and assumptions regarding various economic conditions that we believe are reasonable based on facts and circumstances existing at the time of reporting. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions utilized in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are prudent and reasonable. Although our estimates contemplate current conditions and how we expect them to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive income at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income, expenses and other comprehensive income during the periods presented.

Accounting policies and estimates related to specific components of our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. A discussion of the critical accounting policies and the possible effects of changes in estimates on our consolidated financial statements is included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and under “Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements included therein.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and the possible effects on our consolidated financial statements is included in “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.





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Capital Allocation
    
The following tables set forth our allocated capital by investment category at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

At March 31, 2019:
 
Agency
RMBS (1) 
 
Residential Credit (2)
 
Multi-
Family Credit (3)
 
Other (4)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
1,023,938

 
$
1,467,571

 
$
1,299,404

 
$

 
$
3,790,913

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable (5)
(893,860
)
 
(755,348
)
 
(623,797
)
 

 
(2,273,005
)
Non-callable

 
(49,247
)
 

 
(45,000
)
 
(94,247
)
Convertible

 

 

 
(131,301
)
 
(131,301
)
Hedges (Net) (6)
14,873

 

 

 

 
14,873

Cash and Restricted Cash (7)
10,239

 
28,770

 
20,491

 
6,710

 
66,210

Goodwill

 

 

 
25,222

 
25,222

Other
2,473

 
32,214

 
(9,194
)
 
(44,706
)
 
(19,213
)
Net capital allocated
$
157,663

 
$
723,960

 
$
686,904

 
$
(189,075
)
 
$
1,379,452


(1) 
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS and Agency ARMs.
(2) 
Includes $875.6 million of distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value, $262.2 million of distressed and other residential mortgage loans at carrying value, $314.1 million of non-Agency RMBS and $11.2 million of investments in unconsolidated entities.
(3) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of March 31, 2019 follows:
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
14,328,336

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(13,547,195
)
Net carrying value
781,141

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
245,941

Total CMBS, at fair value
1,027,082

Preferred equity investments, mezzanine loans and investments in unconsolidated entities
256,307

Real estate under development
20,001

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(3,986
)
Repurchase agreements, investment securities
(623,797
)
Cash and other
11,297

Net Capital in Multi-Family
$
686,904


(4) 
Other includes non-callable liabilities consisting of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures and $131.3 million of convertible notes.
(5) 
Includes repurchase agreements.
(6) 
Includes derivative liabilities of $12.8 million netted against a $27.7 million variation margin.
(7) 
Restricted cash included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets.



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At December 31, 2018:
 
Agency
RMBS (1) 
 
Residential Credit (2)
 
Multi-
Family Credit (3)
 
Other (4)
 
Total
Carrying value
$
1,037,730

 
$
1,252,770

 
$
1,166,628

 
$

 
$
3,457,128

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Callable (5)
(925,230
)
 
(676,658
)
 
(529,617
)
 

 
(2,131,505
)
Non-callable

 
(65,253
)
 
(30,121
)
 
(45,000
)
 
(140,374
)
Convertible

 

 

 
(130,762
)
 
(130,762
)
Hedges (Net) (6)
10,263

 

 

 

 
10,263

Cash and Restricted Cash (7)
10,377

 
20,859

 
17,291

 
60,618

 
109,145

Goodwill

 

 

 
25,222

 
25,222

Other
2,374

 
24,182

 
(4,929
)
 
(40,451
)
 
(18,824
)
Net capital allocated
$
135,514

 
$
555,900

 
$
619,252

 
$
(130,373
)
 
$
1,180,293


(1) 
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS and Agency ARMs.
(2) 
Includes $737.5 million of distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value, $285.3 million of distressed and other residential mortgage loans at carrying value, $214.0 million of non-agency RMBS and $11.0 million of investments in unconsolidated entities.
(3) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. A reconciliation to our financial statements as of December 31, 2018 follows:
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value
$
11,679,847

Multi-family CDOs, at fair value
(11,022,248
)
Net carrying value
657,599

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
260,485

Total CMBS, at fair value
918,084

Preferred equity investments, mezzanine loans and investments in unconsolidated entities
228,067

Real estate under development
22,000

Real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
29,704

Mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities
(31,227
)
Repurchase agreements, investment securities
(529,617
)
Securitized debt
(30,121
)
Cash and other
12,362

Net Capital in Multi-family
$
619,252


(4) 
Other includes non-callable liabilities consisting of $45.0 million in subordinated debentures and $130.8 million of convertible notes.
(5) 
Includes repurchase agreements.
(6) 
Includes derivative assets of $1.8 million and an $8.5 million variation margin.
(7) 
Restricted cash is included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in receivables and other assets.



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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we reported net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders of $38.2 million as compared to net income attributable to the Company's common stockholders of $23.7 million for the respective period in 2018. The main components of the change in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 are detailed in the following table (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change
Net interest income
$
26,203

 
$
19,752

 
$
6,451

Total other income
30,865

 
20,953

 
9,912

Total general, administrative and operating expenses
12,644

 
8,698

 
3,946

Income from operations before income taxes
44,424

 
32,007

 
12,417

Income tax expense (benefit)
74

 
(79
)
 
153

Net income attributable to Company
44,139

 
29,618

 
14,521

Preferred stock dividends
5,925

 
5,925

 

Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
38,214

 
23,693

 
14,521

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.22

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.01

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.21

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.01


Net Interest Income

The increase in net interest income of approximately $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018 was primarily driven by:
An increase in net interest income of approximately $4.3 million in our multi-family credit portfolio primarily due to an increase in average interest earning assets to $927.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $612.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in average interest earning assets is attributable to new multi-family preferred equity investments, mezzanine loans and CMBS purchased since March 31, 2018.

An increase in net interest income of approximately $4.6 million in our residential credit portfolio primarily due to an increase in average interest earnings assets to $1.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $604.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

A decrease in net interest income of approximately $2.4 million in our Agency RMBS portfolio primarily due to an increase in interest rates since March 31, 2018.

Other Income

Total other income increased by $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018. The change was primarily driven by:

An increase in net realized gain on investment securities and related hedges of $20.2 million primarily related to the sale of certain multi-family CMBS. This realized gain was partially offset by a $2.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to our redemption of securities issued by a multi-family CMBS re-securitization that was collateralized by certain of our multi-family CMBS, including the securities we sold in the first quarter of 2019.

An increase in net gain on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value of $11.2 million primarily due to an increase in residential mortgage loans accounted for at fair value from purchases since March 31, 2018 and unrealized gains recognized during the current period.


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An increase in realized gain on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at carrying value of $2.9 million primarily due to increased sale activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

An increase in net unrealized gains on multi-family loans and debt held in securitization trusts of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018, primarily due to an increase in multi-family CMBS owned by us and tightening of credit spreads as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

An increase in net unrealized loss on investment securities and related hedges of $26.3 million primarily due to unrealized losses on our interest rate swaps accounted for as trading instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

An increase in other income of $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018, primarily due to unrealized gains on our investments in unconsolidated entities and gain recognized related to early redemption of a preferred equity investment offset by losses on home sales and impairment loss recognized, both related to the real estate development property owned through the Company's 50% interest in an entity that owns and develops land and residential homes in Kiawah Island, SC. The Company's losses on home sales and impairment loss is partially offset by the non-controlling interest share of these losses.

Comparative Expenses (dollar amounts in thousands)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
General, Administrative and Operating Expenses
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and directors’ compensation
 
$
5,671

 
$
2,556

 
$
3,115

 
Professional fees
 
1,138

 
1,138

 

 
Base management and incentive fees
 
723

 
833

 
(110
)
 
Other
 
1,378

 
962

 
416

 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses related to distressed and other residential mortgage loans
 
3,252

 
1,603

 
1,649

 
Expenses related to real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities
 
482

 
1,606

 
(1,124
)
 
Total
 
$
12,644

 
$
8,698


$
3,946

 
    
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018, general, administrative and operating expenses increased by $3.9 million. The increase was primarily driven by a $3.1 million increase in salaries, benefits and directors' compensation due to an increase in employee headcount as part of the internalization and expansion of our residential credit investment platform. The increase was also driven by a $1.6 million increase in expenses related to distressed and other residential mortgage loans as a result of increased purchase activity. The overall increase was partially offset by a $1.1 million reduction in expenses related to real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as a result of the de-consolidation of The Clusters following its sale in February 2019.

Quarterly Comparative Portfolio Net Interest Margin

Our results of operations for our investment portfolio during a given period typically reflect, in large part, the net interest income earned on our investment portfolio of RMBS, CMBS, residential securitized loans, distressed and other residential mortgage loans (including loans accounted for at fair value and loans accounted for under ASC 310-30), loans held for investment, preferred equity investments and mezzanine loans, where the risks and payment characteristics are equivalent to and accounted for as loans, and loans held for sale (collectively, our “Interest Earning Assets”). The net interest spread is impacted by factors such as our cost of financing, the interest rate that our investments bear and our interest rate hedging strategies. Furthermore, the amount of premium or discount paid on purchased portfolio investments and the prepayment rates on portfolio investments will impact the net interest spread as such factors will be amortized over the expected term of such investments.


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The following tables set forth certain information about our portfolio by investment category and their related interest income, interest expense, weighted average yield on interest earning assets, average cost of funds and portfolio net interest margin for our interest earning assets (by investment category) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Agency
RMBS (1)
 
Residential Credit
 
Multi-
Family Credit (2) (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
7,568

 
$
19,384

 
$
24,233

 
$

 
$
51,185

Interest Expense
(6,360
)
 
(8,832
)
 
(6,357
)
 
(3,433
)
 
(24,982
)
Net Interest Income (Expense)
$
1,208

 
$
10,552

 
$
17,876

 
$
(3,433
)
 
$
26,203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (3) (4)
$
1,053,529

 
$
1,312,263

 
$
927,201

 
$

 
$
3,292,993

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
2.87
 %
 
5.91
 %
 
10.45
 %
 

 
6.22
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(2.76
)%
 
(4.71
)%
 
(4.37
)%
 

 
(3.82
)%
Portfolio Net Interest Margin (7)
0.11
 %
 
1.20
 %
 
6.08
 %
 

 
2.40
 %

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Agency
RMBS (1)
 
Residential Credit
 
Multi-
Family Credit (2) (3)
 
Other
 
Total
Interest Income
$
7,971

 
$
8,949

 
$
17,493

 
$

 
$
34,413

Interest Expense
(4,407
)
 
(3,095
)
 
(3,890
)
 
(3,269
)
 
(14,661
)
Net Interest Income (Expense)
$
3,564

 
$
5,854

 
$
13,603

 
$
(3,269
)
 
$
19,752

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Interest Earning Assets (3) (4)
$
1,208,900

 
$
604,033

 
$
612,357

 
$

 
$
2,425,290

Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets (5)
2.64
 %
 
5.93
 %
 
11.43
 %
 

 
5.68
 %
Average Cost of Funds (6)
(1.82
)%
 
(4.06
)%
 
(4.51
)%
 

 
(2.82
)%
Portfolio Net Interest Margin (7)
0.82
 %
 
1.87
 %
 
6.92
 %
 

 
2.86
 %






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Table of Contents


(1)
Includes Agency fixed-rate RMBS, Agency ARMs and, solely with respect to the three months ended March 31, 2018, Agency IOs.
(2) 
The Company, through its ownership of certain securities, has determined it is the primary beneficiary of the Consolidated K-Series and has consolidated the Consolidated K-Series into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  Interest income amounts represent interest income earned by securities that are actually owned by the Company. A reconciliation of our net interest income generated by our multi-family credit portfolio to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is set forth below (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Interest income, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts
$
111,768

 
$
85,092

Interest income, investment securities, available for sale (a)
4,255

 
2,434

Interest income, preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments
5,007

 
4,445

Interest expense, multi-family collateralized debt obligations
(96,797
)
 
(74,478
)
Interest income, Multi-Family, net
24,233

 
17,493

Interest expense, repurchase agreements
(5,863
)
 
(3,171
)
Interest expense, securitized debt
(494
)
 
(719
)
Net interest income, Multi-Family
$
17,876

 
$
13,603


(a) 
Included in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations in interest income, investment securities and other interest earning assets.

(3) 
Average Interest Earning Assets for the periods indicated exclude all Consolidated K-Series assets other than those securities actually owned by the Company.
(4)  
Our Average Interest Earning Assets is calculated each quarter based on daily average amortized cost for the respective periods.
(5) 
Our Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets was calculated by dividing our annualized interest income by our Average Interest Earning Assets for the respective periods.
(6) 
Our Average Cost of Funds was calculated by dividing our annualized interest expense by our average interest bearing liabilities, excluding our subordinated debentures and convertible notes, for the respective periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, our subordinated debentures and convertible notes generated interest expense of approximately $0.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, our subordinated debentures and convertible notes generated interest expense of approximately $0.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Our Average Cost of Funds includes interest expense on our interest rate swaps.
(7) 
Portfolio Net Interest Margin is the difference between our Weighted Average Yield on Interest Earning Assets and our Average Cost of Funds, excluding the weighted average cost of subordinated debentures and convertible notes.



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Prepayment History

The following table sets forth the actual constant prepayment rates (“CPR”) for our Agency fixed-rate RMBS and Agency ARM portfolios, by quarter, for the periods indicated:
Quarter Ended
 
Weighted Average
 
Agency Fixed-Rate RMBS
 
Agency ARMs
March 31, 2019
 
6.6
%
 
6.5
%
 
8.2
%
December 31, 2018
 
7.2
%
 
6.8
%
 
12.9
%
September 30, 2018
 
7.8
%
 
7.3
%
 
14.6
%
June 30, 2018
 
6.6
%
 
5.9
%
 
16.3
%
March 31, 2018
 
5.8
%
 
5.4
%
 
10.2
%
December 31, 2017
 
7.0
%
 
6.3
%
 
12.9
%
September 30, 2017
 
11.9
%
 
12.8
%
 
9.4
%
June 30, 2017
 
11.4
%
 
9.6
%
 
16.5
%
March 31, 2017
 
10.0
%
 
10.6
%
 
8.3
%

When prepayment expectations over the remaining life of assets increase, we have to amortize premiums over a shorter time period resulting in a reduced yield to maturity on our investment assets. Conversely, if prepayment expectations decrease, the premium would be amortized over a longer period resulting in a higher yield to maturity. We monitor our prepayment experience on a monthly basis and adjust the amortization rate to reflect current market conditions.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2019, we had approximately $17.6 billion of total assets, as compared to approximately $14.7 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2018. A significant portion of our assets represents the assets comprising the Consolidated K-Series, which we consolidate in accordance with GAAP. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Consolidated K-Series assets amounted to approximately $14.4 billion and $11.7 billion, respectively. For a reconciliation of our actual interest in the Consolidated K-Series to our financial statements, see "Capital Allocation" and "Quarterly Comparative Portfolio Net Interest Margin" above.


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Balance Sheet Analysis

Investment Securities Available for Sale.

At March 31, 2019, our securities portfolio includes Agency RMBS, including Agency fixed-rate and Agency ARMs, CMBS and non-Agency RMBS, which are classified as investment securities available for sale. At March 31, 2019, we had no investment securities in a single issuer or entity that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our total assets. The increase in the carrying value of our investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2019 as compared to December 31, 2018 is due to purchases of multi-family CMBS and non-Agency RMBS during the period and increase in fair value of our investment securities partially offset by sales of multi-family CMBS during the period.

The following tables set forth the balances of our investment securities available for sale by vintage (i.e., by issue year) as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Par Value
 
Carrying Value
Agency RMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARMs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2012
$
11,216

 
$
11,638

 
$
11,813

 
$
12,257

2012
56,495

 
57,224

 
58,547

 
59,137

Total ARMs
67,711

 
68,862

 
70,360

 
71,394

Fixed Rate
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Prior to 2012
319

 
322

 
357

 
358

2012
198,004

 
200,069

 
207,667

 
207,572

2015
2,367

 
2,408

 
2,386

 
2,392

2017
719,440

 
733,189

 
735,959

 
736,851

2018
18,701

 
19,088

 
19,132

 
19,163

Total Fixed Rate
938,831

 
955,076

 
965,501

 
966,336

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Agency RMBS
1,006,542

 
1,023,938

 
1,035,861

 
1,037,730

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

2006
164

 
150

 
173

 
156

2017
13,000

 
12,739

 
19,000

 
18,691

2018
205,419

 
207,677

 
196,919

 
195,190

2019
94,823

 
93,520

 

 

Total Non-Agency RMBS
313,406

 
314,086

 
216,092

 
214,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CMBS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior to 2013 (1)

 

 
807,319

 
52,700

2016
18,239

 
19,589

 
20,228

 
21,444

2017
49,921

 
49,718

 
50,243

 
48,840

2018
143,677

 
141,059

 
143,680

 
137,501

2019
35,431

 
35,575

 

 

Total CMBS
247,268

 
245,941

 
1,021,470

 
260,485

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
1,567,216

 
$
1,583,965

 
$
2,273,423

 
$
1,512,252


(1) 
These amounts represent multi-family CMBS available for sale held in securitization trusts at December 31, 2018. These securities were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2019.


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Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans, at Fair Value

Certain of the Company’s acquired residential mortgage loans, including distressed residential mortgage loans, non-QM loans and second mortgages, are presented at fair value on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of a fair value election made at the time of acquisition pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments. Subsequent changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings and presented in net gain (loss) on distressed and other residential mortgage loans at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table details our residential and other mortgage loans, at fair value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid Principal
 
Fair Value
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid Principal
 
Fair Value
Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans
3,712

 
$
679,295

 
$
633,496

 
3,352

 
$
627,092

 
$
576,816

Other Residential Mortgage Loans (1)
1,824

 
$
247,902

 
$
242,070

 
1,539

 
$
161,280

 
$
160,707


(1) 
Includes second mortgages with a fair value $64.8 million and $67.4 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Characteristics of Our Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans, at Fair Value:

Loan to Value at Purchase (1)
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
50.00% or less
18.1
%
 
18.5
%
50.01% - 60.00%
13.0
%
 
13.6
%
60.01% - 70.00%
15.3
%
 
14.5
%
70.01% - 80.00%
16.1
%
 
15.9
%
80.01% - 90.00%
15.6
%
 
15.4
%
90.01% - 100.00%
10.1
%
 
9.3
%
100.01% and over
11.8
%
 
12.8
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

(1) 
For second mortgages, the Company calculates the combined loan to value.
FICO Scores at Purchase
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
550 or less
24.5
%
 
26.0
%
551 to 600
20.4
%
 
21.9
%
601 to 650
16.5
%
 
17.3
%
651 to 700
14.1
%
 
12.7
%
701 to 750
11.8
%
 
10.3
%
751 to 800
8.8
%
 
7.8
%
801 and over
3.9
%
 
4.0
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Current Coupon
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
3.00% or less
6.5
%
 
8.6
%
3.01% - 4.00%
16.9
%
 
16.1
%
4.01% - 5.00%
35.2
%
 
35.2
%
5.01% – 6.00%
22.2
%
 
19.0
%
6.01% and over
19.2
%
 
21.1
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Delinquency Status
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Current
79.6
%
 
71.8
%
31 – 60 days
10.0
%
 
6.4
%
61 – 90 days
3.8
%
 
12.3
%
90+ days
6.6
%
 
9.5
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Origination Year
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
2005 or earlier
22.5
%
 
23.8
%
2006
14.8
%
 
16.0
%
2007
25.6
%
 
27.4
%
2008 or later
37.1
%
 
32.8
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%





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Table of Contents


Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans, Net

Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans accounted for under ASC 310-30:

Certain of the distressed residential mortgage loans acquired by the Company at a discount, with evidence of credit deterioration since their origination and where it is probable that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal payments, are accounted for under ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality ("ASC 310-30"). Management evaluates whether there is evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the acquisition date using indicators such as past due or modified status, risk ratings, recent borrower credit scores and recent loan-to-value percentages.

The following table details our portfolio of distressed residential mortgage loans at carrying value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of
Loans
 
Unpaid Principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2019
2,500

 
$
220,552

 
$
209,324

December 31, 2018
2,702

 
242,007

 
228,466


As of December 31, 2018, $88.1 million of distressed residential mortgage loans were held in a securitization trust and were pledged as collateral for certain of the securitized debt issued by the Company. The Company’s net investment in this securitization trust was the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that was at risk to loss and represented the difference between the carrying amount of the net assets and liabilities associated with the distressed residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts. The Company had a net investment in these securitization trusts of $85.7 million as of December 31, 2018. In March 2019, the Company repaid the outstanding notes from this securitization and distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of $80.0 million became unencumbered.

In addition, distressed residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of approximately $114.8 million and $128.1 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are pledged as collateral for a master repurchase agreement.

Characteristics of Distressed Residential Mortgage Loans accounted for under ASC 310-30:
Loan to Value at Purchase
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
50.00% or less
4.1
%
 
3.9
%
50.01% - 60.00%
5.1
%
 
4.8
%
60.01% - 70.00%
7.5
%
 
7.6
%
70.01% - 80.00%
12.6
%
 
12.4
%
80.01% - 90.00%
13.9
%
 
13.7
%
90.01% - 100.00%
15.4
%
 
15.0
%
100.01% and over
41.4
%
 
42.6
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

FICO Scores at Purchase
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
550 or less
20.7
%
 
20.3
%
551 to 600
30.2
%
 
30.5
%
601 to 650
29.0
%
 
29.3
%
651 to 700
12.3
%
 
12.3
%
701 to 750
5.4
%
 
5.3
%
751 to 800
2.0
%
 
1.9
%
801 and over
0.4
%
 
0.4
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Table of Contents


Current Coupon
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
3.00% or less
7.4
%
 
7.9
%
3.01% - 4.00%
8.5
%
 
8.5
%
4.01% - 5.00%
20.6
%
 
21.2
%
5.01% – 6.00%
13.6
%
 
13.6
%
6.01% and over
49.9
%
 
48.8
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Delinquency Status
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Current
74.9
%
 
65.7
%
31 – 60 days
4.7
%
 
10.6
%
61 – 90 days
2.4
%
 
4.5
%
90+ days
18.0
%
 
19.2
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Origination Year
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
2005 or earlier
29.8
%
 
29.2
%
2006
18.1
%
 
17.9
%
2007
31.4
%
 
32.1
%
2008 or later
20.7
%
 
20.8
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts, Net

Included in our portfolio are prime ARM loans that we originated or purchased in bulk from third parties that met our investment criteria and portfolio requirements and that we subsequently securitized in 2005.

At March 31, 2019, residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts totaled approximately $52.9 million. The Company’s net investment in the residential securitization trusts, which is the maximum amount of the Company’s investment that is at risk to loss and represents the difference between the carrying amount of (i) the ARM loans, real estate owned and receivables held in residential securitization trusts and (ii) the amount of Residential CDOs outstanding, was $4.8 million. Of the residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, 100% are traditional ARMs or hybrid ARMs, 80.7% of which were ARM loans that were interest only at the time of origination. With respect to the hybrid ARMs included in these securitizations, interest rate reset periods were predominately five years or less and the interest-only period is typically nine years, which mitigates the “payment shock” at the time of interest rate reset. None of the residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts are pay option-ARMs or ARMs with negative amortization. As of March 31, 2019, the interest only period for the interest only ARM loans included in these securitizations has ended.

The following table details our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Number of Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
 
Carrying Value
March 31, 2019
188

 
$
56,140

 
$
52,869

December 31, 2018
196

 
$
60,171

 
$
56,795



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Table of Contents


Characteristics of Our Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts:

The following table sets forth the composition of our residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
 
Average
 
High
 
Low
General Loan Characteristics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Loan Balance
$
422

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

 
$
425

 
$
2,850

 
$
48

Current Coupon Rate
4.94
%
 
6.63
%
 
3.00
%
 
4.75
%
 
6.63
%
 
3.00
%
Gross Margin
2.37
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
 
2.36
%
 
4.13
%
 
1.13
%
Lifetime Cap
11.33
%
 
12.63
%
 
9.38
%
 
11.32
%
 
12.63
%
 
9.38
%
Original Term (Months)
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

 
360

Remaining Term (Months)
193

 
201

 
160

 
197

 
204

 
163

Average Months to Reset
6

 
11

 
1

 
5

 
11

 
1

Original FICO Score
193

 
201

 
160

 
725

 
818

 
603

Original LTV
70.50
%
 
95.00
%
 
16.28
%
 
70.54
%
 
95.00
%
 
16.28
%




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Investments in Unconsolidated Entities. Investments in unconsolidated entities is comprised of ownership interests in entities that invest in multi-family or residential real estate and related assets. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had approximately $92.4 million and $73.5 million of investments in unconsolidated entities, respectively.

Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments.  The Company had preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments in the amount of $175.1 million and $165.6 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, all preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments were paying in accordance with their contractual terms. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were no impairments with respect to our preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments.
The following tables summarize our preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2019
 
Count
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Investment Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Interest or Preferred Return Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Preferred equity investments
27

 
$
164,533

 
$
165,847

 
11.55
%
 
7.1

Mezzanine loans
4

 
10,595

 
10,639

 
12.24
%
 
17.8

  Total
31

 
$
175,128

 
$
176,486

 
11.59
%
 
7.7

 
December 31, 2018
 
Count
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Investment Amount (1)
 
Weighted Average Interest or Preferred Return Rate (2)
 
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Preferred equity investments
24

 
$
154,629

 
$
155,819

 
11.59
%
 
7.2

Mezzanine loans
4

 
10,926

 
10,970

 
12.29
%
 
17.5

  Total
28

 
$
165,555

 
$
166,789

 
11.63
%
 
7.8

(1) 
The difference between the carrying amount and the investment amount consists of any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees, or deferred expenses.
(2) 
Based upon investment amount and contractual interest or preferred return rate.

Preferred Equity and Mezzanine Loan Investments Characteristics:

Combined Loan to Value at Investment
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
70.01% - 80.00%
13.2
%
 
10.4
%
80.01% - 90.00%
86.8
%
 
89.6
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Consolidated K-Series. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we owned 100% of the first loss POs of the Consolidated K-Series. The Consolidated K-Series are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in eleven and nine Freddie Mac-sponsored multi-family loan K-Series securitizations as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, of which we, or one of our SPEs, own the first loss POs and, in certain cases, IOs and/or mezzanine securities issued by these securitizations. We determined that the securitizations comprising the Consolidated K-Series were VIEs and that we are the primary beneficiary of these securitizations. Accordingly, we are required to consolidate the Consolidated K-Series’ underlying multi-family loans and related debt, income and expense in our condensed consolidated financial statements.


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We have elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within the Consolidated K-Series, which requires that changes in valuations in the assets and liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series be reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Consolidated K-Series were comprised of $14.3 billion and $11.7 billion, respectively, in multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and $13.5 billion and $11.0 billion, respectively, in multi-family CDOs, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.02% and 3.96%, respectively. The increases in multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and multi-family CDOs during the three months ended March 31, 2019 were due to the consolidation of $2.4 billion in multi-family loans held in securitization trusts and $2.3 billion in multi-family CDOs in connection with the purchase of $101.6 million in additional first loss POs and certain IOs and mezzanine CMBS securities. As a result of the consolidation of the Consolidated K-Series, our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 included interest income of $111.8 million and $85.1 million, respectively, and interest expense of $96.8 million and $74.5 million, respectively. Also, we recognized a $9.4 million and a $7.5 million unrealized gain in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively, as a result of the fair value accounting method election.

We do not have any claims to the assets (other than those securities represented by our first loss POs and mezzanine securities) or obligations for the liabilities of the Consolidated K-Series. Our investment in the Consolidated K-Series is limited to the multi-family CMBS comprised of first loss PO, and, in certain cases, IOs and/or mezzanine securities, issued by these K-Series securitizations with an aggregate net carrying value of $781.1 million and $657.6 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


Multi-Family CMBS Loan Characteristics:

The following table details the loan characteristics of the loans that back multi-family loans held in securitization trusts as of March 31, 2019 and the multi-family CMBS investment securities available for sale, held in securitization trusts, and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts as of December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands, except as noted):
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Current balance of loans
$
13,795,518

 
$
13,593,818

Number of loans
713

 
773

Weighted average original LTV
68
%
 
68.8
%
Weighted average underwritten debt service coverage ratio
1.47x

 
1.45x

Current average loan size
$
19,349

 
$
19,364

Weighted average original loan term (in months)
125

 
123

Weighted average current remaining term (in months)
80

 
64

Weighted average loan rate
4.28
%
 
4.34
%
First mortgages
100
%
 
100
%
Geographic state concentration (greater than 5.0%):
 
 
 
  California
16.0
%
 
14.8
%
  Texas
12.5
%
 
13.0
%
  Maryland
6.0
%
 
5.0
%
  New York
5.1
%
 
6.4
%


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Derivative Assets and Liabilities. The Company enters into derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. These derivative instruments may include interest rate swaps, swaptions, futures, options on futures and mortgage derivatives such as forward-settling purchases and sales of Agency RMBS where the underlying pools of mortgage loans are "To-Be-Announced," or TBAs.

Our current derivative instruments are comprised of interest rate swaps. We use interest rate swaps to hedge variable cash flows associated with our variable rate borrowings. We typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one or three month LIBOR, on the notional amount of the interest rate swaps. The floating rate we receive under our swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics and cash flows of our financing arrangements. Historically, we have accounted for these interest rate swaps under the hedged accounting methodology with changes in value reflected in comprehensive earnings and not through the statement of operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company did not elect hedge accounting treatment and all changes in fair value are recognized in the statement of operations.
At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had no outstanding swaps that qualify as cash flow hedges for financial reporting purposes. See Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for more information on our derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Derivative financial instruments may contain credit risk to the extent that the institutional counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with good credit ratings. In addition, we regularly monitor the potential risk of loss with any one party resulting from this type of credit risk. Currently, all of the Company's interest rate swaps outstanding are cleared through CME Group Inc. ("CME Clearing") which is the parent company of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CME Clearing serves as the counterparty to every cleared transaction, becoming the buyer to each seller and the seller to each buyer, limiting the credit risk by guaranteeing the financial performance of both parties and netting down exposures.

Real Estate Held for Sale in Consolidated VIEs. In March 2017, the Company re-evaluated its variable interest in The Clusters and, as a result of that review, consolidated The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements. During the third quarter of 2017, The Clusters determined to actively market its multi-family apartment community for sale and as a result, the Company classified the real estate assets held by The Clusters in the amount of $29.7 million as real estate held for sale in consolidated variable interest entities as of December 31, 2018. In February 2019, The Clusters completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company de-consolidated The Clusters as of the date of the sale.



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Repurchase Agreements

Investment Securities, Available for Sale

The Company finances its investment securities primarily through repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions. These repurchase agreements are short-term borrowings that bear interest rates typically based on a spread to LIBOR and are secured by the investment securities which they finance.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had repurchase agreements secured by investment securities with an outstanding balance of $1.7 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 3.43%. At December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchase agreements secured by investment securities with an outstanding balance of $1.5 billion and a weighted average interest rate of 3.41%. Our repurchase agreements secured by investment securities have a weighted average days to maturity of 68 days.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had no exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of the Company's stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2018, the Company's only exposure where the amount at risk was in excess of 5% of the Company's stockholders' equity was to Jefferies & Company, Inc. at 5.04%. The amount at risk is defined as the fair value of securities pledged as collateral to the repurchase agreement in excess of the repurchase agreement liability.

As of March 31, 2019, the outstanding balance under our repurchase agreements secured by investment securities was funded at an advance rate of 86.9% that implies a weighted average "haircut" of 13.1%. The weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and CMBS was approximately 5%, 25%, and 22%, respectively, at March 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding balance under our repurchase agreements secured by investment securities was funded at a weighted average advance rate of 87.7% that implies an average "haircut" of 12.3%. The weighted average “haircut” related to our repurchase agreement financing for our Agency RMBS, non-Agency RMBS, and CMBS was approximately 5%, 25%, and 23%, respectively, at December 31, 2018.
The following table details the quarterly average balance, ending balance and maximum balance at any month-end during each quarter in 2019, 2018 and 2017 for our repurchase agreement borrowings (dollar amounts in thousands):

Quarter Ended
 
Quarterly Average
Balance
 
End of Quarter
Balance
 
Maximum Balance
at any Month-End
March 31, 2019
 
$
1,604,421

 
$
1,654,439

 
$
1,654,439

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
$
1,372,459

 
$
1,543,577

 
$
1,543,577

September 30, 2018
 
$
1,144,080

 
$
1,130,659

 
$
1,163,683

June 30, 2018
 
$
1,230,648

 
$
1,179,961

 
$
1,279,121

March 31, 2018
 
$
1,287,939

 
$
1,287,314

 
$
1,297,949

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
1,224,771

 
$
1,276,918

 
$
1,276,918

September 30, 2017
 
$
624,398

 
$
608,304

 
$
645,457

June 30, 2017
 
$
688,853

 
$
656,350

 
$
719,222

March 31, 2017
 
$
702,675

 
$
702,309

 
$
762,382


Distressed and Other Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has master repurchase agreements with third party financial institutions to fund the purchase of distressed and other residential mortgage loans, including both first and second mortgages. The following table presents detailed information about the Company’s borrowings under repurchase agreements and associated assets pledged as collateral at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands):


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Maximum Aggregate Uncommitted Principal Amount
 
Outstanding
Repurchase Agreements
 
Carrying Value of Loans Pledged
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
Weighted Average Months to Maturity
March 31, 2019
$
1,100,000

 
$
619,605

 
$
792,380

 
4.58
%
 
7.68
December 31, 2018
$
950,000

 
$
589,148

 
$
754,352

 
4.67
%
 
9.24

The Company expects to roll outstanding borrowings under these master repurchase agreements into new repurchase agreements or other financings prior to or at maturity.


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Residential Collateralized Debt Obligations. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had Residential CDOs of $49.2 million and $53.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the weighted average interest rate of these Residential CDOs was 3.10% and 3.12%, respectively. The Residential CDOs are collateralized by ARMs with a principal balance of $56.1 million and $60.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company retained the owner trust certificates, or residual interest, for three securitizations, and, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, had a net investment in the residential securitization trusts of $4.8 million.

Securitized Debt. On March 14, 2019, the Company exercised its option to redeem the notes issued by its multi-family CMBS re-securitization with an outstanding principal balance of $33.2 million. Additionally, on March 25, 2019, the Company repaid outstanding notes from its April 2016 distressed residential mortgage loan securitization with an outstanding principal balance of $6.5 million.

As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $42.3 million of securitized debt. As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average interest rate for our securitized debt was 4.96%. The Company’s securitized debt was collateralized by multi-family CMBS and distressed residential mortgage loans. See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on securitized debt.

Debt. The Company's debt as of March 31, 2019 included Convertible Notes, subordinated debentures and mortgages and notes payable in consolidated variable interest entities.

Convertible Notes    

On January 23, 2017, the Company issued $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the "Convertible Notes") in an underwritten public offering. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Convertible Notes, after deducting the underwriter's discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $127.0 million with the total cost to the Company of approximately 8.24%.

Subordinated Debentures

As of March 31, 2019, certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries had trust preferred securities outstanding of $45.0 million with a weighted average interest rate of 6.50%. The securities are fully guaranteed by us with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment. These securities are classified as subordinated debentures in the liability section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Mortgages and Notes Payable in Consolidated VIEs

In March 2017, the Company determined that it became the primary beneficiary of The Clusters, a VIE that owned a multi-family apartment community and in which the Company held a preferred equity investment. Accordingly, the Company consolidated The Clusters into its condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2019, The Clusters completed the sale of its multi-family apartment community and redeemed the Company's preferred equity investment. The Company de-consolidated The Clusters as of the date of the sale. See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on The Clusters.

The Company also consolidates Kiawah River View Investors LLC ("KRVI") into its condensed consolidated financial statements. KRVI's real estate under development is subject to a note payable of $4.0 million that has an unused commitment of $4.4 million as of March 31, 2019. See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information on KRVI.


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Balance Sheet Analysis - Company's Stockholders’ Equity

The Company's stockholders' equity at March 31, 2019 was $1.4 billion and included $9.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2019 consisted of $21.5 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS, partially offset by $9.1 million and $3.3 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS and non-Agency RMBS, respectively. The Company's stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2018 was $1.2 billion and included $22.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2018 consisted of $38.3 million in unrealized losses related to our Agency RMBS and $1.2 million in net unrealized losses related to our non-Agency RMBS, partially offset by $17.4 million in net unrealized gains related to our CMBS.


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Analysis of Changes in Book Value

The following table analyzes the changes in book value of our common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (amounts in thousands, except per share):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Per Share (1)
Beginning Balance
$
879,389

 
155,590

 
$
5.65

Common stock issuance, net (2)
186,021

 
32,241

 


Balance after share issuance activity
1,065,410

 
187,831

 
5.68

Dividends declared
(37,566
)
 


 
(0.20
)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 
 
Investment securities, available for sale (3)
13,047

 


 
0.07

Net income attributable to Company's common stockholders
38,214

 


 
0.20

Ending Balance
$
1,079,105

 
187,831

 
$
5.75


(1) 
Outstanding shares used to calculate book value per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are 187,831,455.
(2) 
Includes amortization of stock based compensation.
(3) 
The increase relates to unrealized gains in our investment securities due to improved pricing from December 31, 2018.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, comply with margin requirements, fund our operations, pay management and incentive fees, pay dividends to our stockholders and other general business needs. Our investments and assets, excluding the multi-family CMBS POs we invest in, generate liquidity on an ongoing basis through principal and interest payments, prepayments, net earnings retained prior to payment of dividends and distributions from unconsolidated investments. Our multi-family CMBS POs are backed by balloon non-recourse mortgage loans that provide for the payment of principal at maturity date, which is typically ten to fifteen years from the date the underlying mortgage loans are originated, and therefore do not directly contribute to monthly cash flows. In addition, the Company will, from time to time, sell on an opportunistic basis certain assets from its investment portfolio as part of its overall investment strategy and these sales are expected to provide additional liquidity.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net cash and restricted cash decreased primarily as a result of $253.4 million used in investing activities, which was partially offset by $202.3 million provided by financing activities and $8.2 million provided by operating activities.

Our financing activities primarily included $185.0 million in proceeds from issuance of common stock and net proceeds from repurchase agreements of $141.2 million, partially offset by $37.5 million in payments made on multi-family CDOs, $37.0 million in aggregate dividends paid on common stock and preferred stock, $45.6 million in extinguishment of and payments made on securitized debt, and $3.8 million in payments made on Residential CDOs.

Our investing activities primarily included $159.7 million of purchases of residential mortgage loans and distressed residential mortgage loans, $136.3 million of purchases of investment securities, $101.6 million of purchases of investments held in multi-family securitization trusts, $35.0 million in the funding of preferred equity, equity and mezzanine loan investments, and $19.2 million in net payments made on other derivative instruments settled during the period, partially offset by $56.8 million in proceeds from sales of investment securities, $50.3 million in principal repayments and proceeds from sales and refinancing of distressed and other residential mortgage loans, $37.6 million in principal paydowns on investment securities available for sale, $37.5 million in principal repayments received on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, $12.3 million in principal repayments received on preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments, and $3.6 million in net proceeds from sales of real estate in Consolidated VIEs.

We fund our investments and operations through a balanced and diverse funding mix, which includes proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred equity and debt securities, including convertible notes, short-term and longer-term repurchase agreement borrowings, CDOs, securitized debt and trust preferred debentures. The type and terms of financing used by us depends on the asset being financed and the financing available at the time of the financing. In those cases where we utilize some form of structured financing, be it through CDOs, longer-term repurchase agreements or securitized debt, the cash flow produced by the assets that serve as collateral for these structured finance instruments may be restricted in terms of its use or applied to pay principal or interest on CDOs, repurchase agreements, notes or other securities that are senior to our interests. At March 31, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents balances of $65.4 million, which decreased from $103.7 million at December 31, 2018. Based on our current investment portfolio, new investment initiatives, leverage ratio and available and future possible financing arrangements, we believe our existing cash balances, funds available under our various financing arrangements and cash flows from operations will meet our liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months.

Liquidity – Financing Arrangements

We rely primarily on short-term repurchase agreements to finance the more liquid assets in our investment portfolio. Over the last several years, certain repurchase agreement lenders have elected to exit the repo lending market for various reasons, including new capital requirement regulations. However, as certain lenders have exited the space, other financing counterparties that had not participated in the repo lending market historically have stepped in, offsetting, in part the lenders that have elected to exit.


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As of March 31, 2019, we have outstanding short-term repurchase agreements, a form of collateralized short-term borrowing, with thirteen different financial institutions. These agreements are secured by certain of our investment securities and bear interest rates that have historically moved in close relationship to LIBOR. Our borrowings under repurchase agreements are based on the fair value of our investment securities that serve as collateral under these agreements. Interest rate changes and increased prepayment activity can have a negative impact on the valuation of these securities, reducing the amount we can borrow under these agreements. Moreover, our repurchase agreements allow the counterparties to determine a new market value of the collateral to reflect current market conditions and because these lines of financing are not committed, the counterparty can call the loan at any time. Market value of the collateral represents the price of such collateral obtained from generally recognized sources or most recent closing bid quotation from such source plus accrued income. If a counterparty determines that the value of the collateral has decreased, the counterparty may initiate a margin call and require us to either post additional collateral to cover such decrease or repay a portion of the outstanding borrowing in cash, on minimal notice. Moreover, in the event an existing counterparty elected to not renew the outstanding balance at its maturity into a new repurchase agreement, we would be required to repay the outstanding balance with cash or proceeds received from a new counterparty or to surrender the securities that serve as collateral for the outstanding balance, or any combination thereof. If we are unable to secure financing from a new counterparty and had to surrender the collateral, we would expect to incur a loss. In addition, in the event one of our lenders under the repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to “re-sell” or return to us the securities that are securing the borrowings at the end of the term of the repurchase agreement, we would incur a loss on the transaction equal to the amount of “haircut” associated with the short-term repurchase agreement, which we sometimes refer to as the “amount at risk.” As of March 31, 2019, we had an aggregate amount at risk under our repurchase agreements of approximately $300.3 million, with no more than approximately $63.0 million at risk with any single counterparty. At March 31, 2019, the Company had short-term repurchase agreement borrowings of $1.7 billion as compared to $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2018.

As of March 31, 2019, our available liquid assets include unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and unencumbered securities we believe may be posted as margin. We had $65.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $410.4 million in unencumbered investment securities to meet additional haircuts or market valuation requirements. The unencumbered securities that we believe may be posted as margin as of March 31, 2019 included $76.2 million of Agency RMBS, $205.9 million of CMBS and $128.2 million of non-Agency RMBS and other investment securities. We believe the cash and unencumbered securities, which collectively represent 28.8% of our financing arrangements, are liquid and could be monetized to pay down or collateralize a liability immediately.
    
At March 31, 2019, the Company also had three longer-term master repurchase agreements with terms of up to one year with certain third party financial institutions. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis - Repurchase Agreements" for further information.
    
On January 23, 2017, the Company issued $138.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes in a public offering. The Convertible Notes were issued at 96% of the principal amount, bear interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and are expected to mature on January 15, 2022, unless earlier converted or repurchased. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to maturity and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes are permitted to convert their Convertible Notes into shares of the Company's common stock at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2022. The conversion rate for the Convertible Notes, which is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, initially equals 142.7144 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.01 per share of the Company’s common stock, based on a $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes.
    
At March 31, 2019, we also had other longer-term debt, including Residential CDOs outstanding of $49.2 million, multi-family CDOs outstanding of $13.5 billion (which represent obligations of the Consolidated K-Series), and subordinated debt of $45.0 million. The CDOs are collateralized by residential and multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, respectively.

As of March 31, 2019, our overall leverage ratio, which represents our total debt divided by our total stockholders' equity, was approximately 1.8 to 1. Our overall leverage ratio does not include debt associated with the Multi-family CDOs or the Residential CDOs and other non-recourse debt, for which we have no obligation. As of March 31, 2019, our leverage ratio on our short term financings or callable debt, which represents our repurchase agreement borrowings divided by our total stockholders' equity, was approximately 1.6 to 1. We monitor all at risk or short-term borrowings to ensure that we have adequate liquidity to satisfy margin calls and have the ability to respond to other market disruptions.


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Liquidity – Hedging and Other Factors

Certain of our hedging instruments may also impact our liquidity. We may use interest rate swaps, swaptions, TBAs or other futures contracts to hedge interest rate and market value risk associated with our investments in Agency RMBS.

With respect to interest rate swaps, futures contracts and TBAs, initial margin deposits, which can be comprised of either cash or securities, will be made upon entering into these contracts. During the period these contracts are open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by marking to market on a daily basis to reflect the market value of these contracts at the end of each day’s trading. We may be required to satisfy variable margin payments periodically, depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. In addition, because delivery of TBAs extend beyond the typical settlement dates for most non-derivative investments, these transactions are more prone to market fluctuations between the trade date and the ultimate settlement date, and thereby are more vulnerable to increasing amounts at risk with the applicable counterparties.

For additional information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities for the periods covered by this report, including the fair values and notional amounts of these instruments and realized and unrealized gains and losses relating to these instruments, please see Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. Also, please see Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, under the caption, “Fair Value Risk”, for a tabular presentation of the sensitivity of the fair value and net duration changes of the Company’s portfolio across various changes in interest rates, which takes into account the Company’s hedging activities.

Liquidity — Securities Offerings

In addition to the financing arrangements described above under the caption “Liquidity—Financing Arrangements,” we also rely on follow-on equity offerings of common and preferred stock, and may utilize from time to time debt securities offerings, as a source of both short-term and long-term liquidity. We also may generate liquidity through the sale of shares of our common or stock or preferred stock in “at the market” equity offering programs pursuant to equity distribution agreements, as well as through the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to our Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Our DRIP provides for the issuance of up to $20,000,000 of shares of our common stock.

On January 11, 2019, the Company issued 14,490,000 shares of its common stock through an underwritten public offering, at a public offering price of $5.96 per share, resulting in total net proceeds to the Company of $83.8 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

On March 1, 2019, the Company issued 15,000,000 shares of its common stock through an underwritten public offering, at a public offering price of $6.00 per share. On March 15, 2019, the Company issued 2,250,000 shares of its common stock upon exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The offering resulted in the Company issuing a total of 17,250,000 shares of its common stock for total net proceeds to the Company of $101.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

There were no shares of common stock issued under the equity distribution agreement relating to our common equity "at-the-market" offering program ("Common Equity Distribution Agreement") during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2019, approximately $86.4 million of common stock remains available for issuance under the Common Equity Distribution Agreement.

On March 29, 2019, the Company entered into a preferred equity distribution agreement (the "Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock, having a maximum aggregate sales price of up to $50.0 million. The Company has no obligation to sell any of the shares of preferred stock issuable under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitations and offers under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement. As of March 31, 2019, $50.0 million of preferred stock remains available for issuance under the Preferred Equity Distribution Agreement.

Dividends

For information regarding the declaration and payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock for the periods covered by this report, please see Note 17 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.


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We expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock during the near term. However, our Board of Directors will continue to evaluate our dividend policy each quarter and will make adjustments as necessary, based on a variety of factors, including, among other things, the need to maintain our REIT status, our financial condition, liquidity, earnings projections and business prospects. Our dividend policy does not constitute an obligation to pay dividends.
    
We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the various requirements to maintain our REIT status and to minimize or avoid corporate income tax and the nondeductible excise tax. However, differences in timing between the recognition of REIT taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the REIT distribution requirements and to minimize or avoid corporate income tax and the nondeductible excise tax.


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Inflation

Substantially all our assets and liabilities are financial in nature and are sensitive to interest rate and other related factors to a greater degree than inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Our consolidated financial statements and corresponding notes thereto have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering inflation.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.



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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

This section should be read in conjunction with “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC.

We seek to manage risks that we believe will impact our business including interest rates, liquidity, prepayments, credit quality and market value. When managing these risks we consider the impact on our assets, liabilities and derivative positions. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe the risk can be quantified from historical experience. We seek to actively manage that risk, to generate risk-adjusted total returns that we believe compensate us appropriately for those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we take.

The following analysis includes forward-looking statements that assume that certain market conditions occur. Actual results may differ materially from these projected results due to changes in our portfolio assets and borrowings mix and due to developments in the domestic and global financial and real estate markets. Developments in the financial markets include the likelihood of changing interest rates and the relationship of various interest rates and their impact on our portfolio yield, cost of funds and cash flows. The analytical methods that we use to assess and mitigate these market risks should not be considered projections of future events or operating performance.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rates are sensitive to many factors, including governmental, monetary, tax policies, domestic and international economic conditions, and political or regulatory matters beyond our control. Changes in interest rates affect the value of the assets we manage and hold in our investment portfolio and the variable-rate borrowings we use to finance our portfolio. Changes in interest rates also affect the interest rate swaps and caps, Eurodollar and other futures, TBAs and other securities or instruments we may use to hedge our portfolio. As a result, our net interest income is particularly affected by changes in interest rates.

For example, we hold RMBS, some of which may have fixed rates or interest rates that adjust on various dates that are not synchronized to the adjustment dates on our repurchase agreements. In general, the re-pricing of our repurchase agreements occurs more quickly than the re-pricing of our variable-interest rate assets. Thus, it is likely that our floating rate borrowings, such as our repurchase agreements, may react to interest rates before our RMBS because the weighted average next re-pricing dates on the related borrowings may have shorter time periods than that of the RMBS. In addition, the interest rates on our Agency ARMs backed by hybrid ARMs may be limited to a “periodic cap,” or an increase of typically 1% or 2% per adjustment period, while our borrowings do not have comparable limitations. Moreover, changes in interest rates can directly impact prepayment speeds, thereby affecting our net return on RMBS. During a declining interest rate environment, the prepayment of RMBS may accelerate (as borrowers may opt to refinance at a lower interest rate) causing the amount of liabilities that have been extended by the use of interest rate swaps to increase relative to the amount of RMBS, possibly resulting in a decline in our net return on RMBS, as replacement RMBS may have a lower yield than those being prepaid. Conversely, during an increasing interest rate environment, RMBS may prepay more slowly than expected, requiring us to finance a higher amount of RMBS than originally forecast and at a time when interest rates may be higher, resulting in a decline in our net return on RMBS. Accordingly, each of these scenarios can negatively impact our net interest income.
    
We seek to manage interest rate risk in our portfolio by utilizing interest rate swaps, swaptions, interest rate caps, futures, options on futures and U.S. Treasury securities with the goal of optimizing the earnings potential while seeking to maintain long term stable portfolio values. We continually monitor the duration of our mortgage assets and have a policy to hedge the financing of those assets such that the net duration of the assets, our borrowed funds related to such assets, and related hedging instruments, is less than one year.
    
We utilize a model-based risk analysis system to assist in projecting portfolio performances over a scenario of different interest rates. The model incorporates shifts in interest rates, changes in prepayments and other factors impacting the valuations of our financial securities and derivative hedging instruments.

Based on the results of the model, the instantaneous changes in interest rates specified below would have had the following effect on our net interest income for the next 12 months based on our assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands):

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Changes in Net Interest Income
Changes in Interest Rates (basis points)
Changes in Net Interest
Income
+200
$(24,940)
+100
$(12,836)
-100
$13,645

Interest rate changes may also impact our net book value as our assets and related hedge derivatives are marked-to-market each quarter. Generally, as interest rates increase, the value of our mortgage assets decreases, and conversely, as interest rates decrease, the value of such investments will increase. In general, we expect that, over time, decreases in the value of our portfolio attributable to interest rate changes will be offset, to the degree we are hedged, by increases in the value of our interest rate swaps or other financial instruments used for hedging purposes, and vice versa. However, the relationship between spreads on our assets and spreads on our hedging instruments may vary from time to time, resulting in a net aggregate book value increase or decline. That said, unless there is a material impairment in value that would result in a payment not being received on a security or loan, changes in the book value of our portfolio will not directly affect our recurring earnings or our ability to make a distribution to our stockholders.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, pay dividends to our stockholders and other general business needs. 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 recognize the need to have funds available to operate our business. We manage and forecast our liquidity needs and sources daily to ensure that we have adequate liquidity at all times. We plan to meet liquidity through normal operations with the goal of avoiding unplanned sales of assets or emergency borrowing of funds.

We are subject to “margin call” risk under our repurchase agreements. In the event the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decreases, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chooses not to provide ongoing funding, we may be unable to replace the financing through other lenders on favorable terms or at all. As such, we provide no assurance that we will be able to roll over our repurchase agreements as they mature from time to time in the future. See Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management.

Derivative financial instruments are also subject to “margin call” risk. For example, under our interest rate swaps, typically we pay a fixed rate to the counterparties while they pay us a floating rate. If interest rates drop below the fixed rate we are paying on an interest rate swap, we may be required to post cash margin.

Prepayment Risk

When borrowers repay the principal on their residential mortgage loans before maturity or faster than their scheduled amortization, the effect is to shorten the period over which interest is earned, and therefore, reduce the yield for residential mortgage assets purchased at a premium to their then current balance, as with our portfolio of Agency RMBS. Conversely, residential mortgage assets purchased for less than their then current balance, such as our distressed residential mortgage loans, exhibit higher yields due to faster prepayments. Furthermore, actual prepayment speeds may differ from our modeled prepayment speed projections impacting the effectiveness of any hedges we have in place to mitigate financing and/or fair value risk. Generally, when market interest rates decline, borrowers have a tendency to refinance their mortgages, thereby increasing prepayments.

Our modeled prepayments will help determine the amount of hedging we use to off-set changes in interest rates. If actual prepayment rates are higher than modeled, the yield will be less than modeled in cases where we paid a premium for the particular residential mortgage asset. Conversely, when we have paid a premium, if actual prepayment rates experienced are slower than modeled, we would amortize the premium over a longer time period, resulting in a higher yield to maturity.

In an environment of increasing prepayment speeds, the timing difference between the actual cash receipt of principal paydowns and the announcement of the principal paydowns may result in additional margin requirements from our repurchase agreement counterparties.


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We mitigate prepayment risk by constantly evaluating our residential mortgage assets relative to prepayment speeds observed for assets with similar structures, quantities and characteristics. Furthermore, we stress-test the portfolio as to prepayment speeds and interest rate risk in order to further develop or make modifications to our hedge balances. Historically, we have not hedged 100% of our liability costs due to prepayment risk.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that we will not fully collect the principal we have invested in our credit sensitive assets, including distressed residential and other mortgage loans, non-Agency RMBS, multi-family CMBS, preferred equity and mezzanine loan and joint venture equity investments, due to borrower defaults. In selecting the credit sensitive assets in our portfolio, we seek to identify and invest in assets with characteristics that we believe offset or limit our exposure to borrower defaults.

We seek to manage credit risk through our pre-acquisition or pre-funding due diligence process, and by factoring projected credit losses into the purchase price we pay or loan terms we negotiate for all of our credit sensitive assets. In general, we evaluate relative valuation, supply and demand trends, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, vintage of collateral and macroeconomic factors as part of this process. Nevertheless, these procedures do not guarantee unanticipated credit losses which would materially affect our operating results.

With respect to the $209.3 million of distressed residential mortgage loans at carrying value and $633.5 million of distressed residential mortgage loans at fair value owned by the Company at March 31, 2019, we purchased these mortgage loans at a discount to par reflecting their distressed state or perceived higher risk of default, which may include higher loan to value ratios and, in certain instances, delinquent loan payments.

As of March 31, 2019, we own $633.6 million of multi-family CMBS comprised solely of first loss POs that are backed by commercial mortgage loans on multi-family properties at a weighted average amortized purchase price of approximately 43.6% of current par. Prior to the acquisition of each of our multi-family CMBS POs, the Company completed an extensive review of the underlying loan collateral, including loan level cash flow re-underwriting, site inspections on selected properties, property specific cash flow and loss modeling, review of appraisals, property condition and environmental reports, and other credit risk analysis. We continue to monitor credit quality on an ongoing basis using updated property level financial reports provided by borrowers and periodic site inspection of selected properties. We also reconcile on a monthly basis the actual bond distributions received against projected distributions to assure proper allocation of cash flow generated by the underlying loan pool.

As of March 31, 2019, we own approximately $267.5 million of preferred equity, mezzanine loan and equity investments in owners of residential and multi-family properties. The performance and value of these investments depend upon the applicable operating partner’s or borrower’s ability to effectively operate the multi-family and residential properties, that serve as the underlying collateral, to produce cash flows adequate to pay distributions, interest or principal due to us. The Company monitors the performance and credit quality of the underlying assets that serve as collateral for its investments. In connection with these types of investments by us in multi-family properties, the procedures for ongoing monitoring include financial statement analysis and regularly scheduled site inspections of portfolio properties to assess property physical condition, performance of on-site staff and competitive activity in the sub-market. We also formulate annual budgets and performance goals alongside our operating partners for use in measuring the ongoing investment performance and credit quality of our investments. Additionally, the Company's preferred equity and equity investments typically provide us with various rights and remedies to protect our investment. In March 2017, the Company exercised such rights and remedies with respect to Riverchase Landing and The Clusters and effectively assumed control of both entities. In March 2018, the Company successfully resolved its investment in Riverchase Landing with the sale of the entity's multi-family apartment community and full redemption of the Company's preferred equity investment. In February 2019, the Company successfully resolved its investment in The Clusters with the sale of the entity's multi-family apartment community and full redemption of the Company's preferred equity investment.

We are exposed to credit risk in our investments in non-Agency RMBS totaling $314.1 million as of March 31, 2019. The non-Agency RMBS in our investment portfolio consist of either the senior, mezzanine or subordinate tranches in securitizations. The underlying collateral of these securitizations are predominantly residential credit assets, which may be exposed to various macroeconomic and asset-specific credit risks. These securities have varying levels of credit enhancement which provides some structural protection from losses within the portfolio. We undertake an in-depth assessment of the underlying collateral and securitization structure when investing in these assets, which may include modeling defaults, prepayments and loss across different scenarios.



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Fair Value Risk

Changes in interest rates also expose us to market value (fair value) fluctuation on our assets, liabilities and hedges. While the fair value of the majority of our assets (when excluding all Consolidated K-Series assets other than the securities we actually own) that are measured on a recurring basis are determined using Level 2 fair values, we own certain assets, such as our multi-family CMBS POs and residential mortgage loans, for which fair values may not be readily available if there are no active trading markets for the instruments. In such cases, fair values would only be derived or estimated for these investments using various valuation techniques, such as computing the present value of estimated future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. However, the determination of estimated future cash flows is inherently subjective and imprecise. Minor changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies can have a material effect on these derived or estimated fair values. Our fair value estimates and assumptions are indicative of the interest rate environments as of March 31, 2019 and do not take into consideration the effects of subsequent interest rate fluctuations.

We note that the fair values of our investments in derivative instruments will be sensitive to changes in market interest rates, interest rate spreads, credit spreads and other market factors. The value of these investments can vary and has varied materially from period to period.

The following describes the methods and assumptions we use in estimating fair values of our financial instruments:

Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties and are significantly affected by the assumptions used and the judgments made regarding risk characteristics of various financial instruments, discount rates, estimate of future cash flows, future expected loss experience and other factors.

Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates and the resulting fair values. Derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in an immediate sale of the instrument. Also, because of differences in methodologies and assumptions used to estimate fair values, the fair values used by us should not be compared to those of other companies.

The table below presents the sensitivity of the fair value and net duration changes of our portfolio as of March 31, 2019, using a discounted cash flow simulation model assuming an instantaneous interest rate shift. Application of this method results in an estimation of the fair market value change of our assets, liabilities and hedging instruments per 100 basis point (“bp”) shift in interest rates.

The use of hedging instruments is a critical part of our interest rate risk management strategies, and the effects of these hedging instruments on the market value of the portfolio are reflected in the model's output. This analysis also takes into consideration the value of options embedded in our mortgage assets including constraints on the re-pricing of the interest rate of assets resulting from periodic and lifetime cap features, as well as prepayment options. Assets and liabilities that are not interest rate-sensitive such as cash, payment receivables, prepaid expenses, payables and accrued expenses are excluded.

Changes in assumptions including, but not limited to, volatility, mortgage and financing spreads, prepayment behavior, defaults, as well as the timing and level of interest rate changes will affect the results of the model. Therefore, actual results are likely to vary from modeled results.
Fair Value Changes
Changes in Interest Rates
 
Changes in Fair Value
 
Net Duration
(basis points)
 
(dollar amounts in thousands)
 
 
+200
 
$(171,572)
 
3.5
+100
 
$(76,570)
 
3.1
Base
 

 
2.6
-100
 
$58,453
 
2.1

It should be noted that the model is used as a tool to identify potential risk in a changing interest rate environment but does not include any changes in portfolio composition, financing strategies, market spreads or changes in overall market liquidity.


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Although market value sensitivity analysis is widely accepted in identifying interest rate risk, it does not take into consideration changes that may occur such as, but not limited to, changes in investment and financing strategies, changes in market spreads and changes in business volumes. Accordingly, we make extensive use of an earnings simulation model to further analyze our level of interest rate risk.



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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2019. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.



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Item 6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 
 
Description 
 
 
 
 
Membership Purchase Agreement, by and among Donlon Family LLC, JMP Investment Holdings LLC, Hypotheca Capital, LLC, RiverBanc LLC and the Company, dated May 3, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2016).
 
 
 
 
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2014).
  
 
  
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,550,000 additional shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2015).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,460,000 additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,650,000 additional shares of the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-111668) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2004).
  
 
  
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series C Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
  
 
  
 
Indenture, dated April 15, 2016, by and between NYMT Residential 2016-RP1, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2016).

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Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).).
 
 
 
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
 
Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Note Due 2022 of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
  
 
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Company and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, copies of any such instruments. 
 
 
 
 
The Company's Amended and Restated 2019 Annual Incentive Plan.
 
 
 
 
Form of 2019 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated March 29, 2019, by and between the Company and JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document **
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.DEF XBRL
 
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

*
Furnished herewith. Such certification shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

**
Submitted electronically herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned. thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 7, 2019
By:
/s/ Steven R. Mumma
 
Steven R. Mumma
 
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
 
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 7, 2019
By:
/s/ Kristine R. Nario-Eng
 
Kristine R. Nario-Eng
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 




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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 
 
Description 
 
 
 
 
Membership Purchase Agreement, by and among Donlon Family LLC, JMP Investment Holdings LLC, Hypotheca Capital, LLC, RiverBanc LLC and the Company, dated May 3, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2016).
 
 
 
 
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2014).
  
 
  
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary designating the Company’s 7.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,550,000 additional shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2015).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
  
 
  
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating the Company's 8.00% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,460,000 additional shares of the Series C Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Articles Supplementary classifying and designating 2,650,000 additional shares of the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-111668) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2004).
  
 
  
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2013).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series C Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2015).
 
 
 
 
Form of Certificate representing the Series D Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2017).
  
 
  
 
Indenture, dated April 15, 2016, by and between NYMT Residential 2016-RP1, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2016).
 
 
 

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Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 23, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).
 
 
 
 
Form of 6.25% Senior Convertible Note Due 2022 of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2017).

 
 
 
  
 
Certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Company and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish to the Securities Exchange Commission, upon request, copies of any such instruments. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company's Amended and Restated 2019 Annual Incentive Plan.
 
 
 
 
Form of 2019 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2019).
 
 
 
 
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated March 29, 2019, by and between the Company and JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019).
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document **
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.DEF XBRL
 
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

*
Furnished herewith. Such certification shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
**
Submitted electronically herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2019; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

99