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Rithm Capital Corp. - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 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: 001-35777
New Residential Investment Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
45-3449660
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
 
10105
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(212)
798-3150
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) N/A
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
NRZ
New York Stock Exchange
7.50% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
NRZ PR A
New York Stock Exchange
7.125% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
NRZ PR B
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes     No 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
  
Accelerated filer
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes     No 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date.
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share: 415,520,780 shares outstanding as of October 28, 2019.




CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments, the stability of our earnings, our financing needs and the size and attractiveness of market opportunities. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations, cash flows or financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual outcome of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:
 
reductions in the value of, or cash flows received from, our investments;
the quality and size of the investment pipeline and our ability to take advantage of investment opportunities at attractive risk-adjusted prices;
the relationship between yields on assets which are paid off and yields on assets in which such monies can be reinvested;
our ability to deploy capital accretively and the timing of such deployment;
our counterparty concentration and default risks in Nationstar, Ocwen, OneMain, Ditech, PHH and other third parties;
events, conditions or actions that might occur at Nationstar, Ocwen, OneMain, Ditech, PHH and other third parties, as well as the continued effect of prior events;
a lack of liquidity surrounding our investments, which could impede our ability to vary our portfolio in an appropriate manner;
the impact that risks associated with subprime mortgage loans and consumer loans, as well as deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, may have on the value of our mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), Excess MSRs, Servicer Advance Investments, residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), residential mortgage loans and consumer loan portfolios;
the risks related to our acquisitions of Shellpoint Partners LLC and Ditech, as well as ownership of entities that perform origination and servicing operations;
the risks that default and recovery rates on our MSRs, Excess MSRs, Servicer Advance Investments, RMBS, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans deteriorate compared to our underwriting estimates;
changes in prepayment rates on the loans underlying certain of our assets, including, but not limited to, our MSRs or Excess MSRs;
the risk that projected recapture rates on the loan pools underlying our MSRs or Excess MSRs are not achieved;
servicer advances may not be recoverable or may take longer to recover than we expect, which could cause us to fail to achieve our targeted return on our Servicer Advance Investments or MSRs;
impairments in the value of the collateral underlying our investments and the relation of any such impairments to our judgments as to whether changes in the market value of our securities or loans are temporary or not and whether circumstances bearing on the value of such assets warrant changes in carrying values;
the relative spreads between the yield on the assets in which we invest and the cost of financing;
adverse changes in the financing markets we access affecting our ability to finance our investments on attractive terms, or at all;
changing risk assessments by lenders that potentially lead to increased margin calls, not extending our repurchase agreements or other financings in accordance with their current terms or not entering into new financings with us;
changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategy we may undertake in relation to such changes;
the availability and terms of capital for future investments;




changes in economic conditions generally and the real estate and bond markets specifically;
competition within the finance and real estate industries;
the legislative/regulatory environment, including, but not limited to, the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, U.S. government programs intended to grow the economy, future changes to tax laws, the federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and legislation that permits modification of the terms of residential mortgage loans;
the risk that Government Sponsored Enterprises or other regulatory initiatives or actions may adversely affect returns from investments in MSRs and Excess MSRs;
our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the potentially onerous consequences that any failure to maintain such qualification would have on our business;
our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the fact that maintaining such exclusion imposes limits on our operations;
the risks related to Home Loan Servicing Solutions (“HLSS”) liabilities that we have assumed;
the impact of current or future legal proceedings and regulatory investigations and inquiries;
the impact of any material transactions with FIG LLC (the “Manager”) or one of its affiliates, including the impact of any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest; and
effects of the completed merger of Fortress Investment Group LLC with affiliates of SoftBank Group Corp.

We also direct readers to other risks and uncertainties referenced in this report, including those set forth under “Risk Factors.” We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that we may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.





SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING EXHIBITS
 
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about New Residential Investment Corp. (the “Company,” “New Residential” or “we,” “our” and “us”) or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
 
should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements proved to be inaccurate;
have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company may be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
The Company acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this report not misleading.
 




NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
FORM 10-Q
 
INDEX
 
PAGE
Part I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part II. Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
 
 
Investments in:
 
 
 
Excess mortgage servicing rights, at fair value
$
398,064

 
$
447,860

Excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees, at fair value
132,259

 
147,964

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value
3,431,968

 
2,884,100

Mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, at fair value
1,811,261

 
1,644,504

Servicer advance investments, at fair value(A)
600,547

 
735,846

Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale
16,853,910

 
11,636,581

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment (includes $113,133 and $121,088 at fair value at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)(A)
613,657

 
735,329

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
1,349,997

 
932,480

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
5,206,251

 
2,808,529

Consumer loans, held-for-investment(A)
881,183

 
1,072,202

Cash and cash equivalents(A)
738,219

 
251,058

Restricted cash
163,148

 
164,020

Servicer advances receivable
2,911,798

 
3,277,796

Trades receivable
4,487,772

 
3,925,198

Deferred tax asset, net
43,372

 
65,832

Other assets (includes $168,532 and $121,602 in residential mortgage loan subject to repurchase at September 30, 2019 and December 31,2018, respectively)
1,724,519

 
961,714

 
$
41,347,925

 
$
31,691,013

Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
  Repurchase agreements
$
23,110,359

 
$
15,553,969

  Notes and bonds payable (includes $474,309 and $117,048 at fair value at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)(A)
7,405,872

 
7,102,266

  Trades payable
2,536,188

 
2,048,348

  Dividends payable
213,098

 
184,552

  Accrued expenses and other liabilities(A) (includes $168,532 and $121,602 in residential mortgage loans repurchase liabilities at September 30, 2019 and December 31,2018, respectively)
820,291

 
713,583

 
34,085,808

 
25,602,718

Commitments and Contingencies


 


Equity
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, 23,000,000 shares authorized:
 
 
 
7.50% Series A Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 11,500,000 shares authorized, 6,210,000 and 0 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
150,026

 

7.125% Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 11,500,000 shares authorized, 11,300,000 and 0 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
273,418

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 415,520,780 and 369,104,429 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
4,156

 
3,692

Additional paid-in capital
5,498,226

 
4,746,242

Retained earnings
545,713

 
830,713

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
706,926

 
417,023

Total New Residential stockholders’ equity
7,178,465

 
5,997,670

Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
83,652

 
90,625

  Total Equity
7,262,117

 
6,088,295

 
$
41,347,925

 
$
31,691,013


1


(A)
New Residential’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the assets and liabilities of certain consolidated VIEs, Advance Purchaser LLC (the “Buyer”) (Note 6), the RPL Borrowers (defined in Note 8), Shellpoint Asset Funding Trust 2013-1 (“SAFT 2013-1”) and the Shelter retail mortgage origination joint ventures (“Shelter JVs”) (Note 8) and the Consumer Loan SPVs (Note 9), which primarily hold investments in Servicer Advance Investments, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, respectively, financed with notes and bonds payable. The balance sheets of the Buyer, the RPL Borrowers, SAFT 2013-1, Shelter JVs and the Consumer Loan SPVs are included in Notes 6, 8 and 9, respectively. The creditors of the Buyer, the RPL Borrowers, SAFT 2013-1, Shelter JVs and the Consumer Loan SPVs do not have recourse to the general credit of New Residential and the assets of the Buyer, the RPL Borrowers, SAFT 2013-1, Shelter JVs and the Consumer Loan SPVs are not directly available to satisfy New Residential’s obligations.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest income
$
448,127

 
$
425,524

 
$
1,303,041

 
$
1,212,902

Interest expense
245,902

 
162,806

 
686,738

 
421,109

Net Interest Income
202,225

 
262,718

 
616,303

 
791,793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on securities
5,567

 
3,889

 
21,942

 
23,190

Valuation and loss provision (reversal) on loans and real estate owned (REO)
(10,690
)
 
5,471

 
8,042

 
28,136

 
(5,123
)
 
9,360

 
29,984

 
51,326

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net interest income after impairment
207,348

 
253,358

 
586,319

 
740,467

Servicing revenue, net of change in fair value of $(228,405), $(26,741), $(619,914), and $35,118, respectively
53,050

 
175,355

 
133,366

 
538,784

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
100,541

 
45,732

 
194,029

 
45,732

Other Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights
2,407

 
(4,744
)
 
(1,421
)
 
(55,711
)
Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees
4,751

 
3,396

 
4,087

 
5,624

Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
(41,410
)
 
(88,345
)
 
(133,200
)
 
63,628

Change in fair value of servicer advance investments
6,641

 
(5,353
)
 
15,932

 
(86,581
)
Change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans
(19,037
)
 
647

 
90,551

 
647

Change in fair value of derivative instruments
58,508

 
24,299

 
(1,988
)
 
27,985

Gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
154,752

 
(11,893
)
 
157,013

 
106,064

Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees
(2,547
)
 
4,555

 
(890
)
 
12,343

Other income (loss), net
(35,219
)
 
(5,860
)
 
(16,451
)
 
10,415

 
128,846

 
(83,298
)
 
113,633

 
84,414

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
133,513

 
98,587

 
351,359

 
139,169

Management fee to affiliate
20,678

 
15,464

 
58,261

 
46,027

Incentive compensation to affiliate
36,307

 
23,848

 
49,265

 
65,169

Loan servicing expense
7,192

 
11,060

 
26,167

 
33,609

Subservicing expense
52,875

 
43,148

 
147,763

 
135,703

 
250,565

 
192,107

 
632,815

 
419,677

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
239,220

 
199,040

 
394,532

 
989,720

Income tax expense (benefit)
(5,440
)
 
3,563

 
18,980

 
(5,957
)
Net Income (Loss)
$
244,660

 
$
195,477

 
$
375,552

 
$
995,677

Noncontrolling Interests in Income of Consolidated Subsidiaries
$
14,738

 
$
10,869

 
$
31,979

 
$
32,058

Dividends on Preferred Stock
$
5,338

 
$

 
$
5,338

 
$

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders
$
224,584

 
$
184,608

 
$
338,235

 
$
963,619

Net Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
0.54

 
$
0.54

 
$
0.83

 
$
2.87

  Diluted
$
0.54

 
$
0.54

 
$
0.83

 
$
2.86

Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
415,520,780

 
340,044,440

 
406,521,273

 
335,615,566

  Diluted
415,588,238

 
340,868,403

 
406,671,972

 
337,078,824

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared per Share of Common Stock
$
0.50

 
$
0.50

 
$
1.50

 
$
1.50

 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
244,660

 
$
195,477

 
$
375,552

 
$
995,677

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
109,668

 
(22,445
)
 
469,183

 
14,600

Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings
(89,436
)
 
32,626

 
(179,280
)
 
89,885

 
20,232

 
10,181

 
289,903

 
104,485

Total comprehensive income
$
264,892

 
$
205,658

 
$
665,455

 
$
1,100,162

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
$
14,738

 
$
10,869

 
$
31,979

 
$
32,058

Dividends on preferred stock
$
5,338

 
$

 
$
5,338

 
$

Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders
$
244,816

 
$
194,789

 
$
628,138

 
$
1,068,104

 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4



NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND 2018
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Total New Residential Stockholders’ Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests in Equity of Consolidated Subsidiaries
 
Total Equity
Equity - December 31, 2018
$

 
369,104,429

 
$
3,692

 
$
4,746,242

 
$
830,713

 
$
417,023

 
$
5,997,670

 
$
90,625

 
$
6,088,295

Dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 

 
(623,235
)
 

 
(623,235
)
 

 
(623,235
)
Dividends declared on preferred stock

 

 

 

 
(5,338
)
 

 
(5,338
)
 

 
(5,338
)
Capital contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(38,952
)
 
(38,952
)
Issuance of common stock

 
46,000,000

 
460

 
750,933

 

 

 
751,393

 

 
751,393

Issuance of preferred stock
423,444

 

 

 

 

 

 
423,444

 

 
423,444

Option exercise

 
348,613

 
3

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of noncontrolling interests in the Buyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other dilution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director share grants

 
67,738

 
1

 
1,054

 

 

 
1,055

 

 
1,055

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 
343,573

 

 
343,573

 
31,979

 
375,552

Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities

 

 

 

 

 
469,183

 
469,183

 

 
469,183

Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings

 

 

 

 

 
(179,280
)
 
(179,280
)
 

 
(179,280
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
633,476

 
31,979

 
665,455

Equity - September 30, 2019
$
423,444

 
415,520,780

 
$
4,156

 
$
5,498,226

 
$
545,713

 
$
706,926

 
$
7,178,465

 
$
83,652


$
7,262,117

 

5



NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED), CONTINUED
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND 2018
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Total New Residential Stockholders’ Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests in Equity of Consolidated Subsidiaries
 
Total Equity
Equity - December 31, 2017
307,361,309

 
$
3,074

 
$
3,763,188

 
$
559,476

 
$
364,467

 
$
4,690,205

 
$
105,957

 
$
4,796,162

Dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 
(508,176
)
 

 
(508,176
)
 

 
(508,176
)
Capital contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 
(51,735
)
 
(51,735
)
Issuance of common stock
29,241,659

 
292

 
491,312

 

 

 
491,604

 

 
491,604

Option exercise
3,694,228

 
37

 
(37
)
 

 

 

 

 

Other dilution

 

 
(63
)
 

 

 
(63
)
 

 
(63
)
Purchase of Noncontrolling Interests

 

 
627

 

 

 
627

 
7,448

 
8,075

Director share grants
57,233

 
1

 
1,018

 

 

 
1,019

 

 
1,019

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


 
 
 


Net income (loss)

 

 

 
963,619

 

 
963,619

 
32,058

 
995,677

Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities

 

 

 

 
14,600

 
14,600

 

 
14,600

Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings

 

 

 

 
89,885

 
89,885

 

 
89,885

Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,068,104

 
32,058

 
1,100,162

Equity - September 30, 2018
340,354,429

 
$
3,404

 
$
4,256,045

 
$
1,014,919

 
$
468,952

 
$
5,743,320

 
$
93,728

 
$
5,837,048


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


6


NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
375,552

 
$
995,677

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights
1,421

 
55,711

Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees
(4,087
)
 
(5,624
)
Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
133,200

 
(63,628
)
Change in fair value of servicer advance investments
(15,932
)
 
86,581

Change in fair value of residential mortgage loans, at fair value, and notes and bonds payable, at fair value
(85,303
)
 
1,462

(Gain) / loss on settlement of investments (net)
(157,013
)
 
(106,064
)
(Gain) / loss on sale of originated mortgage loans (net)
(194,029
)
 
(45,732
)
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees
890

 
(12,343
)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments
1,988

 
(27,985
)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration
7,430

 

Unrealized (gain) / loss on other ABS
(9,010
)
 
(12,001
)
(Gain) / loss on transfer of loans to REO
(7,814
)
 
(16,609
)
(Gain) / loss on transfer of loans to other assets
378

 
1,648

(Gain) / loss on Excess MSR recapture agreements
(1,771
)
 
(5,257
)
(Gain) / loss on Ocwen common stock
(3,134
)
 
(4,655
)
Accretion and other amortization
(298,933
)
 
(528,981
)
Other-than-temporary impairment
21,942

 
23,190

Valuation and loss provision on loans and real estate owned
8,042

 
28,136

Non-cash portions of servicing revenue, net
619,914

 
(35,118
)
Non-cash directors’ compensation
1,055

 
1,019

Deferred tax provision
18,080

 
(12,680
)
Changes in:
 
 
 
Servicer advances receivable
366,426

 
441,351

Other assets
(516,107
)
 
(168,862
)
Due to affiliates
(41,920
)
 
(14,826
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
263,420

 
161,246

Other operating cash flows:
 
 
 
Interest received from excess mortgage servicing rights
19,180

 
33,521

Interest received from servicer advance investments
22,212

 
25,901

Interest received from Non-Agency RMBS
203,309

 
156,420

Interest received from PCD residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
6,697

 
6,656

Interest received from PCD consumer loans, held-for-investment
23,789

 
27,681

Distributions of earnings from excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees
7,762

 
7,976

Distributions of earnings from consumer loan equity method investees
1,178

 
6,176

Purchases of residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
(6,002,975
)
 
(3,295,378
)
Origination of residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
(10,424,325
)
 
(1,678,606
)
Proceeds from sales of purchased and originated residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
13,046,546

 
3,752,066

Principal repayments from purchased residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
295,584

 
146,170

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(2,316,358
)
 
(75,761
)

Continued on next page.

7


NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED), CONTINUED
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 
 
Acquisition of Shellpoint, net of cash required

 
(118,285
)
Purchase of servicer advance investments
(1,255,306
)
 
(1,790,635
)
Purchase of MSRs, MSR financing receivables and servicer advances receivable
(1,365,333
)
 
(971,079
)
Purchase of Agency RMBS
(25,212,307
)
 
(6,574,783
)
Purchase of Non-Agency RMBS
(689,308
)
 
(2,714,991
)
Purchase of residential mortgage loans

 
(85,778
)
Purchase of real estate owned and other assets
(44,539
)
 
(26,807
)
Purchase of investment in consumer loans, equity method investees
(63,969
)
 
(292,616
)
Draws on revolving consumer loans
(42,231
)
 
(45,017
)
Payments for settlement of derivatives
(283,037
)
 
(59,113
)
Return of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights
43,938

 
43,690

Return of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees
12,030

 
14,474

Return of investments in consumer loans, equity method investees
55,848

 
279,669

Principal repayments from servicer advance investments
1,402,187

 
1,845,411

Principal repayments from Agency RMBS
987,523

 
76,515

Principal repayments from Non-Agency RMBS
996,396

 
565,460

Principal repayments from residential mortgage loans
83,483

 
110,770

Proceeds from sale of residential mortgage loans
41,308

 
21,278

Principal repayments from consumer loans
203,607

 
237,129

Principal repayments from MSRs and MSR financing receivables
21,306

 

Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights
1,047

 

Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
15,575

 

Proceeds from sale of excess mortgage servicing rights
114

 

Proceeds from sale of Agency RMBS
17,998,736

 
4,121,325

Proceeds from sale of Non-Agency RMBS
1,664,017

 
81,325

Proceeds from settlement of derivatives
74,724

 
146,146

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
103,258

 
111,459

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(5,250,933
)
 
(5,024,453
)

Continued on next page.

8


NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED), CONTINUED
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 
 
Repayments of repurchase agreements
(144,545,608
)
 
(58,414,966
)
Margin deposits under repurchase agreements and derivatives
(2,913,627
)
 
(1,374,374
)
Repayments of notes and bonds payable
(7,306,541
)
 
(7,512,484
)
Payment of deferred financing fees
(7,821
)
 
(12,838
)
Common stock dividends paid
(600,027
)
 
(491,680
)
Borrowings under repurchase agreements
152,101,817

 
63,696,426

Return of margin deposits under repurchase agreements and derivatives
2,589,160

 
1,263,220

Borrowings under notes and bonds payable
7,600,342

 
7,547,541

Issuance of preferred stock
423,444

 

Issuance of common stock
752,217

 
492,285

Costs related to issuance of common stock
(824
)
 
(681
)
Noncontrolling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries - contributions

 

Noncontrolling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries - distributions
(38,952
)
 
(51,735
)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests

 
(653
)
   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
8,053,580

 
5,140,061

 
 
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
486,289

 
39,847

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period
415,078

 
446,050

 
 
 
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period
$
901,367

 
$
485,897

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
$
643,349

 
$
405,672

Cash paid during the period for income taxes
1,208

 
3,176

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
 
 
 
Dividends declared but not paid
$
213,098

 
$
170,177

Purchase of Agency and Non-Agency RMBS, settled after quarter end
2,536,188

 
1,791,191

Sale of investments, primarily Agency RMBS, settled after quarter end
4,487,772

 
3,424,865

Transfer from residential mortgage loans to real estate owned and other assets
70,080

 
88,376

Transfer from residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment to residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
38,842

 

Non-cash distributions from LoanCo
21,314

 
25,739

MSR purchase price holdback
1,963

 
8,692

Shellpoint Acquisition purchase price holdback

 
10,173

Shellpoint Acquisition contingent consideration

 
42,770

Real estate securities retained from loan securitizations
454,310

 
762,056

Residential mortgage loans subject to repurchase
168,532

 
110,181

Ocwen transaction (Note 5) - excess mortgage servicing rights

 
638,567

Ocwen transaction (Note 5) - servicer advance investments

 
3,175,891

Ocwen transaction (Note 5) - mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, at fair value

 
1,017,993

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9



NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 
1.
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
New Residential Investment Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, “New Residential”) is a Delaware corporation that was formed as a limited liability company in September 2011 for the purpose of making real estate related investments and commenced operations on December 8, 2011. New Residential is an independent publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) primarily focused on investing in residential mortgage related assets. New Residential is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “NRZ.”
 
New Residential has elected and intends to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, New Residential will generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders by prescribed dates and complies with various other requirements. See Note 17 regarding New Residential’s taxable REIT subsidiaries.
 
New Residential, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries New Residential Mortgage LLC (“NRM”) and NewRez LLC (“NewRez”), is licensed or otherwise eligible to service residential mortgage loans in all states within the United States and the District of Columbia. NRM and NewRez perform servicing on behalf of investors, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) (collectively, Government Sponsored Enterprises or “GSEs”) and Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), and on behalf of other servicers (subservicing).

NewRez originates, sells and securitizes conventional (conforming to the underwriting standards of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; collectively referred to as “Agency” loans), government-insured (Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”)) and non-qualified (“Non-QM”) residential mortgage loans. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee securitizations completed under their applicable policies and guidelines. New Residential generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans sold and securitized by NRM and NewRez. NRM and NewRez are required to conduct aspects of their operations in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines published by FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to maintain those approvals.

New Residential has entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with FIG LLC (the “Manager”), an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”), pursuant to which the Manager provides a management team and other professionals who are responsible for implementing New Residential’s business strategy, subject to the supervision of New Residential’s board of directors. For its services, the Manager is entitled to management fees and incentive compensation, both defined in, and in accordance with the terms of, the Management Agreement.

As of September 30, 2019, New Residential conducted its business through the following segments: (i) Servicing and Originations, (ii) Residential Securities and Loans, (iii) Consumer Loans and (iv) Corporate.
 
Approximately 2.4 million shares of New Residential’s common stock were held by Fortress, through its affiliates, as of September 30, 2019. In addition, Fortress, through its affiliates, held options relating to approximately 10.5 million shares of New Residential’s common stock as of September 30, 2019.
 
Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of New Residential have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of New Residential’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with New Residential’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 and notes thereto included in New Residential’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined, are defined in

10

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard: (i) requires that certain equity investments be measured at fair value, and modifies the assessment of impairment for certain other equity investments, (ii) changes certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost, (iii) changes certain disclosure requirements related to liabilities measured at fair value, (iv) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and (v) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. ASU No. 2016-01 was effective for New Residential in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The standard requires that lessees recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet for most leases. The guidance applied by a lessor under ASU No. 2016-02 is substantially similar to existing GAAP. ASU No. 2016-02 was effective for New Residential in the first quarter of 2019. An entity should apply ASU No. 2016-02 by means of a modified retrospective transition method for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements (see Notes 2 and 14 for details).

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard requires that a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, net of an allowance for all expected (rather than incurred) credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. The standard also changes the accounting for purchased credit deteriorated assets and available-for-sale securities, which will require the recognition of credit losses through a valuation allowance when fair value is less than amortized cost, regardless of whether the impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for New Residential in the first quarter of 2020. Early adoption is permitted beginning in 2019. An entity should apply ASU No. 2016-13 by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. New Residential is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. New Residential plans to elect the fair value option on Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment and Consumer loans, held-for-investment.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 805). The standard simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment for all entities by requiring impairment charges to be based on the first step in the current two-step impairment test. Under the new guidance, an impairment charge, if triggered, is calculated as the difference between a reporting unit’s carrying value and fair value, but it is limited to the carrying value of goodwill. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for New Residential in the first quarter of 2020 and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The standard: (i) adds incremental requirements for entities to disclose (a) the amount of total gains or losses for the period recognized in other comprehensive income that is attributable to fair value changes in assets and liabilities held as of the balance sheet date and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, (b) the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs and (c) how the weighted average was calculated for fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and (ii) eliminates disclosure requirements for (a) transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and (b) valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for New Residential in the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.


11

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Acquisition of Shellpoint Partners LLC

On November 29, 2017, NRM Acquisition LLC (the “Shellpoint Purchaser”), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of New Residential, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Shellpoint SPA”) to acquire Shellpoint Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Shellpoint”).

On July 3, 2018, the Shellpoint Purchaser acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Shellpoint for a cash purchase price of $212.3 million (the “Shellpoint Acquisition”). As additional consideration for the Shellpoint Acquisition, the Shellpoint Purchaser may make up to three cash earnout payments, which will be calculated following each of the first three anniversaries of the Shellpoint closing as a percentage of the amount by which the pre-tax income of certain of Shellpoint’s businesses exceeds certain specified thresholds, up to an aggregate maximum amount of $60.0 million (the “Shellpoint Earnout Payments”). The Shellpoint Earnout Payments are classified as contingent consideration recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and included in the total consideration transferred for the Shellpoint Acquisition. The contingent consideration is subsequently measured at fair value on a quarterly basis with changes in fair value recorded in other income.

Shellpoint is a vertically integrated mortgage platform with established origination and servicing capabilities and provides New Residential with in-house servicing, asset origination and recapture capabilities. The results of Shellpoint’s operations have been included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and represent $444.8 million and $97.2 million of revenue and net income, respectively.

The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred includes $212.3 million in cash consideration, $39.3 million in contingent consideration and $173.9 million in effective settlement of preexisting relationships. The total consideration is summarized as follows:
Total Consideration (in millions)
 
Amount
Cash Consideration
 
$
212.3

Earnout Payment(A)
 
39.3

Effective Settlement of Preexisting Relationships(B)
 
173.9

Total Consideration
 
$
425.5


(A)
The range of outcomes for this contingent consideration is from $0 to $60.0 million, dependent on the performance of Shellpoint. New Residential derived a fair value of the remaining contingent consideration payment in three years of $39.3 million. This amount excludes contingent payments to the long-term employee incentive plans that require continuing employment and are recognized as compensation expense within General and Administrative expenses in the post-acquisition consolidated financial statements separate from New Residential’s acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in the business combination. On September 5, 2019, New Residential paid $10.0 million as the first of three potential earnout payments. As of September 30, 2019, the contingent consideration had a fair value of $38.3 million.
(B)
Represents the effective settlement of preexisting relationships between New Residential and Shellpoint including 1) MSR acquisitions, 2) a note payable and 3) operating accounts receivable and payable existing prior to the acquisition date. The effective settlement of these preexisting relationships had no impact to New Residential’s condensed consolidated statements of income.


12

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential has performed an allocation of the total consideration of $425.5 million to Shellpoint’s assets and liabilities, as set forth below. The final amount and allocation of total consideration reflects certain measurement period adjustments identified during the fourth quarter of 2018, including the effect on earnings that would have been recorded during the third quarter of 2018 had the accounting been completed at the acquisition date. Such measurement period adjustments included 1) a decrease of $3.5 million in the amount of contingent consideration based upon finalization of the internal valuation 2) a decrease of $6.4 million to consideration transferred for the effective settlement of existing relationships 3) an increase of $14.1 million to the fair value of identifiable intangible assets based upon receipt of the final valuation report from a third-party valuation firm and 4) an increase of $0.3 million to other assets due to a decrease in the fair value discount on certain servicing advance receivables. These measurement period adjustments resulted in a corresponding decrease to goodwill in the amount of $24.3 million.
Total Consideration ($ in millions)
 
$
425.5

Assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
79.2

Restricted cash
 
9.9

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
 
488.2

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value(A)
 
286.6

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment, at fair value
 
125.3

Residential mortgage loans subject to repurchase
 
121.4

Intangible assets(B)
 
18.4

Other assets
 
81.5

Total Assets Acquired
 
$
1,210.5

 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Repurchase agreements
 
$
439.6

Notes and bonds payable
 
20.7

Mortgage-backed securities issued, at fair value
 
120.7

Residential mortgage loans repurchase liability
 
121.4

Excess spread financing, at fair value
 
48.3

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
50.6

Total Liabilities Assumed
 
$
801.3

 
 
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
$
8.3

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
$
400.9

 
 
 
Goodwill
 
$
24.6


(A)
Includes $135.3 million of Ginnie Mae MSRs where New Residential acquired the rights to the economic value of the servicing rights from Shellpoint prior to the acquisition date.
(B)
Includes intangible assets in the form of mortgage origination and servicing licenses, internally developed software and a tradename. New Residential determined that mortgage origination and servicing licenses have an indefinite useful life and will be evaluated for impairment given no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive or economic factors that would limit the useful life. Internally developed software will be amortized over a finite useful life of five years and tradenames were fully amortized over six months, respectively, based on the expected software development timeline and New Residential’s determination of the time to change a tradename with limited value.

The goodwill of $24.6 million primarily includes the synergies and benefits expected to result from combining operations with Shellpoint and adding in-house servicing, asset origination and recapture capabilities. The full amount of goodwill for tax purposes of $24.6 million is expected to be deductible. New Residential will assess the goodwill annually on October 1 and in interim periods in case of events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. Based on New Residential’s assessment performed, there were no indicators of impairment as of September 30, 2019.

13

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 


Certain transactions were recognized separately from New Residential’s acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities in the business combination. These separately recognized transactions include 1) contingent payments to Shellpoint’s employees and 2) effective settlement of preexisting relationships discussed above.

Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information — The following table presents unaudited pro forma combined Servicing and Originations Revenue, which is comprised of 1) servicing revenue, net and 2) gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net, and Income Before Income Taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 prepared as if the Shellpoint Acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2018.
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Pro Forma
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing and Originations Revenue
 
$
153,591

 
$
221,087

 
$
327,395

 
$
733,901

Income Before Income Taxes
 
239,220

 
199,040

 
394,532

 
1,003,378



The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information has not been adjusted for transactions other than the Shellpoint Acquisition, or for the conforming of accounting policies. The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information does not include any anticipated synergies or other anticipated benefits of the Shellpoint Acquisition and, accordingly, the unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the Shellpoint Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2018.

2.
OTHER INCOME, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE, OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
Gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net is comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate securities, net
$
95,003

 
$
(28,737
)
 
$
201,222

 
$
(66,695
)
Gain (loss) on sale of acquired residential mortgage loans, net
43,648

 
4,065

 
53,405

 
(1,358
)
Gain (loss) on settlement of derivatives
(14,147
)
 
19,459

 
(152,424
)
 
76,092

Gain (loss) on liquidated residential mortgage loans
(198
)
 
(1,113
)
 
(3,320
)
 
(2,267
)
Gain (loss) on sale of REO
(3,169
)
 
(4,971
)
 
(9,445
)
 
(12,114
)
Gains on settlement of investments in excess MSRs and servicer advance investments

 

 

 
113,002

Gain (loss) on sale or securitization of originated mortgage loans(A)
21,611

 

 
62,399

 

Other gains (losses)
12,004

 
(596
)
 
5,176

 
(596
)
 
$
154,752

 
$
(11,893
)
 
$
157,013

 
$
106,064



(A)
Represents gains on securitizations of Non-QM residential mortgage loans originated by NewRez.


14

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Other income (loss), net, is comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Unrealized gain (loss) on other ABS
$
(5,054
)
 
$
7,197

 
$
9,010

 
$
12,001

Unrealized gain (loss) on notes and bonds payable
(2,647
)
 
900

 
(5,248
)
 
900

Unrealized gain (loss) on contingent consideration
(2,703
)
 

 
(7,430
)
 

Gain (loss) on transfer of loans to REO
1,230

 
6,119

 
7,814

 
16,609

Gain (loss) on transfer of loans to other assets
(101
)
 
(1,528
)
 
(378
)
 
(1,648
)
Gain (loss) on Excess MSR recapture agreements
529

 
987

 
1,771

 
5,257

Gain (loss) on Ocwen common stock
(1,103
)
 
(145
)
 
3,134

 
4,655

Other income (loss)
(25,370
)
 
(19,390
)
 
(25,124
)
 
(27,359
)
 
$
(35,219
)
 
$
(5,860
)
 
$
(16,451
)
 
$
10,415



General and Administrative Expenses is comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Compensation and benefits expense, servicing
$
30,494

 
$
22,498

 
$
87,219

 
$
22,498

Compensation and benefits expense, origination
44,270

 
32,822

 
112,977

 
32,822

Legal and professional expense
16,442

 
11,749

 
46,352

 
35,378

Loan origination expense
17,882

 
7,801

 
42,349

 
7,801

Occupancy expense
5,114

 
4,394

 
14,079

 
4,394

Other(A)
19,311

 
19,323

 
48,383

 
36,276

 
$
133,513

 
$
98,587

 
$
351,359

 
$
139,169


(A)
Represents miscellaneous general and administrative expenses.


15

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Other assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:
 
Other Assets
 
 
 
Accrued Expenses
and Other Liabilities
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Margin receivable, net(A)
$
409,526

 
$
145,857

 
MSR purchase price holdback
 
$
102,556

 
$
100,593

Servicing fee receivables
144,550

 
105,563

 
Accounts payable
 
89,372

 
75,591

Due from servicers
171,916

 
95,261

 
Derivative liabilities (Note 10)
 
1,842

 
29,389

Principal and interest receivable
98,067

 
76,015

 
Interest payable
 
80,892

 
49,352

Equity investments(B)
117,375

 
74,323

 
Due to servicers
 
144,156

 
95,419

Ditech deposit
70,000

 

 
Residential mortgage loan repurchase liability
 
168,532

 
121,602

Other receivables
103,933

 
23,723

 
Due to affiliates
 
59,551

 
101,471

Real Estate Owned
105,968

 
113,410

 
Contingent Consideration
 
52,761

 
40,842

Residential mortgage loans subject to repurchase
168,532

 
121,602

 
Excess spread financing, at fair value
 
30,377

 
39,304

Consumer loans, equity method investees (Note 9)
23,033

 
38,294

 
Operating lease liability
 
24,532

 

Goodwill(C)
41,986

 
24,645

 
Reserve for sales recourse
 
9,173

 
5,880

Receivable from government agency(D)
20,505

 
20,795

 
Other liabilities
 
56,547

 
54,140

Intangible assets
19,346

 
18,708

 
 
 
$
820,291

 
$
713,583

Prepaid expenses
33,120

 
29,165

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease right-of-use asset
18,773

 

 
 
 

 

Derivative assets (Note 10)
36,712

 
10,893

 
 
 


 


Ocwen common stock, at fair value
10,912

 
7,778

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
130,265

 
55,682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,724,519

 
$
961,714

 
 
 
 
 
 


(A)
Represents collateral posted primarily as a result of changes in fair value of our 1) real estate securities securing our repurchase agreements and 2) derivative instruments.
(B)
Represents equity investments in funds that invest in 1) a commercial redevelopment project and 2) operating companies in the single family housing industry. The indirect investments are accounted for at fair value based on the net asset value (“NAV”) of New Residential’s investment and as an equity method investment, respectively.
(C)
Includes goodwill derived from the Shellpoint Acquisition (see Note 1 for details) and the Company’s acquisition of Guardian Asset Management, a leading national provider of field services and property management to government agencies, financial institutions and asset management firms.
(D)
Represents claims receivable from the FHA on EBO and reverse mortgage loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which New Residential has made or intends to make a claim on the FHA guarantee.


16

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

As reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, accretion and other amortization is comprised of the following:
 
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Accretion of net discount on securities and loans(A)
 
$
266,467

 
$
296,961

Accretion of servicer advances receivable discount and servicer advance investments
 
18,290

 
207,428

Accretion of excess mortgage servicing rights income
 
18,203

 
32,371

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
(2,984
)
 
(6,180
)
Amortization of discount on notes and bonds payable
 
(1,043
)
 
(1,599
)
 
 
$
298,933

 
$
528,981


(A)
Includes accretion of the accretable yield on PCD loans.

3.
SEGMENT REPORTING
 
New Residential conducts its business through the following segments: (i) Servicing and Originations, (ii) Residential Securities and Loans, (iii) Consumer Loans and (iv) Corporate. The corporate segment consists primarily of (i) general and administrative expenses, (ii) the management fees and incentive compensation related to the Management Agreement and (iii) corporate cash and related interest income. Securities owned by New Residential (Note 7) that are collateralized by servicer advances and consumer loans are included in the Servicing and Originations and Consumer Loans segments, respectively. Secured corporate loans effectively collateralized by Excess MSRs are included in the Servicing and Originations segment.

During the third quarter of 2018, New Residential changed the composition of its reportable segments primarily to reflect the (i) aggregation of the similar MSR, Excess MSR and Servicer Advance segments as the new Servicing and Originations segment and (ii) incorporation of the Shellpoint Acquisition. Segment information for prior periods has been restated to reflect this change.

Summary financial data on New Residential’s segments is given below, together with a reconciliation to the same data for New Residential as a whole:
 
 
 
Residential Securities and Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing and Originations
 
Real Estate Securities
 
Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer Loans
 
Corporate
 
Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
$
135,892

 
$
184,933

 
$
86,971

 
$
40,331

 
$

 
$
448,127

Interest expense
 
69,679

 
123,023

 
45,707

 
7,493

 

 
245,902

Net interest income (expense)
 
66,213

 
61,910

 
41,264

 
32,838

 

 
202,225

Impairment
 

 
5,567

 
(16,553
)
 
5,863

 

 
(5,123
)
Servicing revenue, net
 
53,050

 

 

 

 

 
53,050

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
100,541

 

 

 

 

 
100,541

Other income (loss)
 
(38,547
)
 
116,081

 
55,152

 
(2,651
)
 
(1,189
)
 
128,846

Operating expenses
 
168,100

 
1,839

 
14,006

 
3,965

 
62,655

 
250,565

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
13,157

 
170,585

 
98,963

 
20,359

 
(63,844
)
 
239,220

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
10,749

 

 
(15,546
)
 
(643
)
 

 
(5,440
)
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
2,408

 
$
170,585

 
$
114,509

 
$
21,002

 
$
(63,844
)
 
$
244,660

Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
$
4,141

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,597

 
$

 
$
14,738

Dividends on Preferred Stock
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,338

 
$
5,338

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(1,733
)
 
$
170,585

 
$
114,509

 
$
10,405

 
$
(69,182
)
 
$
224,584



17

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

 
 
 
Residential Securities and Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing and Originations
 
Real Estate Securities
 
Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer Loans
 
Corporate
 
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
$
396,662

 
$
557,895

 
$
219,909

 
$
128,575

 
$

 
$
1,303,041

Interest expense
 
203,940

 
330,992

 
126,288

 
25,518

 

 
686,738

Net interest income (expense)
 
192,722

 
226,903

 
93,621

 
103,057

 

 
616,303

Impairment
 

 
21,942

 
(16,557
)
 
24,599

 

 
29,984

Servicing revenue, net
 
133,366

 

 

 

 

 
133,366

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
194,029

 

 

 

 

 
194,029

Other income (loss)
 
(92,878
)
 
31,677

 
180,643

 
(10,324
)
 
4,515

 
113,633

Operating expenses
 
457,276

 
4,124

 
31,289

 
18,396

 
121,730

 
632,815

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
(30,037
)
 
232,514

 
259,532

 
49,738

 
(117,215
)
 
394,532

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
8,474

 

 
11,048

 
(542
)
 

 
18,980

Net Income (Loss)
 
$
(38,511
)
 
$
232,514

 
$
248,484

 
$
50,280

 
$
(117,215
)
 
$
375,552

Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
$
8,873

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,106

 
$

 
$
31,979

Dividends on Preferred Stock
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,338

 
$
5,338

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(47,384
)
 
$
232,514

 
$
248,484

 
$
27,174

 
$
(122,553
)
 
$
338,235


 
 
 
Residential Securities and Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing and Originations
 
Real Estate Securities
 
Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer Loans
 
Corporate
 
Total
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
$
6,374,099

 
$
16,853,910

 
$
7,444,405

 
$
904,216

 
$

 
$
31,576,630

Cash and cash equivalents
 
197,607

 
43,604

 
7,281

 
12,091

 
477,636

 
738,219

Restricted cash
 
129,504

 

 

 
33,644

 

 
163,148

Other assets
 
3,378,631

 
4,939,205

 
247,431

 
34,384

 
228,291

 
8,827,942

Goodwill
 
41,986

 

 

 

 

 
41,986

Total assets
 
$
10,121,827

 
$
21,836,719

 
$
7,699,117

 
$
984,335

 
$
705,927

 
$
41,347,925

Debt
 
$
6,192,811

 
$
17,196,772

 
$
6,248,142

 
$
878,506

 
$

 
$
30,516,231

Other liabilities
 
600,622

 
2,608,316

 
68,838

 
14,897

 
276,904

 
3,569,577

Total liabilities
 
6,793,433

 
19,805,088

 
6,316,980

 
893,403

 
276,904

 
34,085,808

Total equity
 
3,328,394

 
2,031,631

 
1,382,137

 
90,932

 
429,023

 
7,262,117

Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
 
61,132

 

 

 
22,520

 

 
83,652

Total New Residential stockholders’ equity
 
$
3,267,262

 
$
2,031,631

 
$
1,382,137

 
$
68,412

 
$
429,023

 
$
7,178,465

Investments in equity method investees
 
$
249,134

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,033

 
$

 
$
272,167

 

18

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 


 

Residential Securities and Loans







 
Servicing and Originations

Real Estate Securities

Residential Mortgage Loans

Consumer Loans

Corporate

Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 











Interest income
 
$
187,584


$
138,197


$
48,782


$
50,961


$


$
425,524

Interest expense
 
61,706


67,117


23,662


10,321




162,806

Net interest income (expense)
 
125,878


71,080


25,120


40,640




262,718

Impairment
 


3,889


(4,436
)

9,907




9,360

Servicing revenue, net
 
175,355

 

 

 

 

 
175,355

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
45,732

 

 

 

 

 
45,732

Other income (loss)
 
(92,243
)

17,994


(12,729
)

3,795


(115
)

(83,298
)
Operating expenses
 
132,542


63


6,436


8,467


44,599


192,107

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
122,180

 
85,122

 
10,391

 
26,061

 
(44,714
)

199,040

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
495

 

 
3,100

 
(32
)
 


3,563

Net Income (Loss)
 
$
121,685

 
$
85,122

 
$
7,291

 
$
26,093

 
$
(44,714
)

$
195,477

Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
$
1,086

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,783

 
$


$
10,869

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
120,599

 
$
85,122

 
$
7,291

 
$
16,310

 
$
(44,714
)

$
184,608



 
 
 
Residential Securities and Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing and Originations
 
Real Estate Securities
 
Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer Loans
 
Corporate
 
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
$
574,379

 
$
354,922

 
$
123,464

 
$
158,631

 
$
1,506

 
$
1,212,902

Interest expense
 
172,471

 
157,195

 
58,587

 
32,856

 

 
421,109

Net interest income (expense)
 
401,908

 
197,727

 
64,877

 
125,775

 
1,506

 
791,793

Impairment
 

 
23,190

 
(8,683
)
 
36,819

 

 
51,326

Servicing revenue, net
 
538,784

 

 

 

 

 
538,784

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
45,732

 

 

 

 

 
45,732

Other income (loss)
 
48,128

 
45,346

 
(27,219
)
 
13,363

 
4,796

 
84,414

Operating expenses
 
235,417

 
1,003

 
25,658

 
26,743

 
130,856

 
419,677

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
799,135

 
218,880

 
20,683

 
75,576

 
(124,554
)
 
989,720

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
(6,458
)
 

 
289

 
212

 

 
(5,957
)
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
805,593

 
$
218,880

 
$
20,394

 
$
75,364

 
$
(124,554
)
 
$
995,677

Noncontrolling interests in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
 
$
3,525

 
$

 
$

 
$
28,533

 
$

 
$
32,058

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
802,068

 
$
218,880

 
$
20,394

 
$
46,831

 
$
(124,554
)
 
$
963,619




19

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

4.
INVESTMENTS IN EXCESS MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS
 
The following table presents activity related to the carrying value of New Residential’s direct investments in Excess MSRs:
 
 
Servicer
 
 
Nationstar
 
SLS(A)
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
$
445,328

 
$
2,532

 
$
447,860

Purchases
 

 

 

Interest income
 
18,159

 
44

 
18,203

Other income
 
2,092

 

 
2,092

Proceeds from repayments
 
(63,794
)
 
(295
)
 
(64,089
)
Proceeds from sales
 
(4,581
)
 

 
(4,581
)
Change in fair value
 
(1,258
)
 
(163
)
 
(1,421
)
Balance as of September 30, 2019
 
$
395,946

 
$
2,118

 
$
398,064


(A)
Specialized Loan Servicing LLC (“SLS”).

Nationstar or SLS, as applicable, as servicer, performs all of the servicing and advancing functions, and retains the ancillary income, servicing obligations and liabilities as the servicer of the underlying loans in the portfolio.

New Residential has entered into a “recapture agreement” with respect to each of the Excess MSR investments serviced by Nationstar and SLS. Under such arrangements, New Residential is generally entitled to a pro rata interest in the Excess MSRs on any initial or subsequent refinancing by Nationstar of a loan in the original portfolio. These recapture agreements do not apply to New Residential’s Servicer Advance Investments (Note 6).

New Residential elected to record its investments in Excess MSRs at fair value pursuant to the fair value option for financial instruments in order to provide users of the financial statements with better information regarding the effects of prepayment risk and other market factors on the Excess MSRs.

The following is a summary of New Residential’s direct investments in Excess MSRs:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
UPB of Underlying Mortgages
 
Interest in Excess MSR
 
Weighted Average Life Years(A)
 
Amortized Cost Basis(B)
 
Carrying Value(C)
 
Carrying Value(C)
 
 
 
New Residential(D)
 
Fortress-managed funds
 
Nationstar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
45,900,654

 
32.5% - 66.7% (53.3%)
 
0.0% - 40.0%
 
20.0% - 35.0%
 
5.4
 
$
183,064

 
$
221,560

 
$
257,387

Non-Agency(E)
$
47,124,536

 
33.3% - 100.0% (59.4%)
 
0.0% - 50.0%
 
0.0% - 33.3%
 
6.5
 
$
129,647

 
$
176,504

 
$
190,473

Total
$
93,025,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.9
 
$
312,711

 
$
398,064

 
$
447,860

 
(A)
Weighted Average Life represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected cash flows for this investment.
(B)
The amortized cost basis of the recapture agreements is determined based on the relative fair values of the recapture agreements and related Excess MSRs at the time they were acquired.
(C)
Carrying Value represents the fair value of the pools or recapture agreements, as applicable.
(D)
Amounts in parentheses represent weighted averages.
(E)
Serviced by Nationstar and SLS, New Residential is also invested in related Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSR as of September 30, 2019 (Note 6) on $33.4 billion UPB underlying these Excess MSRs.


20

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Changes in fair value recorded in other income is comprised of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Original and Recaptured Pools

$
2,407

 
$
(4,744
)
 
$
(1,421
)
 
$
(55,711
)


As of September 30, 2019, a weighted average discount rate of 7.8% was used to value New Residential’s investments in Excess MSRs (directly and through equity method investees).

New Residential entered into investments in joint ventures (“Excess MSR joint ventures”) jointly controlled by New Residential and Fortress-managed funds investing in Excess MSRs. New Residential elected to record these investments at fair value pursuant to the fair value option for financial instruments to provide users of the financial statements with better information regarding the effects of prepayment risk and other market factors.

The following tables summarize the financial results of the Excess MSR joint ventures, accounted for as equity method investees, held by New Residential:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Excess MSR assets
 
$
236,786

 
$
269,203

Other assets
 
28,418

 
27,411

Other liabilities
 
(687
)
 
(687
)
Equity
 
$
264,517

 
$
295,927

New Residential’s investment
 
$
132,259

 
$
147,964

 
 
 
 
 
New Residential’s ownership
 
50.0
%
 
50.0
%

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest income
 
$
7,990

 
$
8,935

 
$
12,251

 
$
21,026

Other income (loss)
 
1,528

 
(2,143
)
 
(4,029
)
 
(9,778
)
Expenses
 
(16
)
 

 
(48
)
 

Net income (loss)
 
$
9,502

 
$
6,792

 
$
8,174

 
$
11,248


New Residential’s investments in equity method investees changed during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
147,964

Contributions to equity method investees

Distributions of earnings from equity method investees
(7,762
)
Distributions of capital from equity method investees
(12,030
)
Change in fair value of investments in equity method investees
4,087

Balance at September 30, 2019
$
132,259




21

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following is a summary of New Residential’s Excess MSR investments made through equity method investees:
 
September 30, 2019
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Investee Interest in Excess MSR(A)
 
New Residential Interest in Investees
 
Amortized Cost Basis(B)
 
Carrying Value(C)
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)(D)
Agency
$
35,632,429

 
66.7
%
 
50.0
%
 
$
171,553

 
$
236,786

 
5.3
 
(A)
The remaining interests are held by Nationstar.
(B)
Represents the amortized cost basis of the equity method investees in which New Residential holds a 50% interest. The amortized cost basis of the recapture agreements is determined based on the relative fair values of the recapture agreements and related Excess MSRs at the time they were acquired.
(C)
Represents the carrying value of the Excess MSRs held in equity method investees, in which New Residential holds a 50% interest. Carrying value represents the fair value of the pools or recapture agreements, as applicable.
(D)
The weighted average life represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of cash flows of each investment.

See Note 11 regarding the financing of Excess MSRs.

5.    INVESTMENTS IN MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS AND MSR FINANCING RECEIVABLES

A subsidiary of New Residential, New Residential Mortgage LLC (“NRM”), engages third party licensed mortgage servicers as subservicers to perform the operational servicing duties in connection with the MSRs it acquires, in exchange for a subservicing fee which is recorded as “Subservicing expense” on New Residential’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2019, these subservicers include PHH Mortgage Corporation (“PHH”), Nationstar, LoanCare, LLC (“LoanCare”), AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC (“AmeriHome”), and Flagstar Bank, FSB (“Flagstar”), which subservice 26.9%, 23.1%, 19.2%, 1.8%, and 0.8% of the underlying UPB of the related mortgages, respectively (includes both Mortgage Servicing Rights and MSR Financing Receivables). The remaining 28.2% of the underlying UPB of the related mortgages is subserviced by a subsidiary of New Residential, Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing (Note 1).

New Residential has entered into recapture agreements with respect to each of its MSR investments subserviced by PHH, LoanCare, Flagstar, and Nationstar. Under the recapture agreements, New Residential is generally entitled to the MSRs on any initial or subsequent refinancing by PHH, Loancare, Flagstar or Nationstar of a loan in the original portfolios.

In certain cases, New Residential has legally purchased MSRs or the right to the economic interest in MSRs; however, New Residential has determined that the purchase agreement would not be treated as a sale under GAAP. Therefore, rather than recording an investment in MSRs, New Residential has recorded an investment in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables (“MSR Financing Receivables”). Income from these investments (net of subservicing fees) are recorded as interest income, and New Residential has elected to measure the investments at fair value, with changes in fair value flowing through change in fair value of investments in MSR financing receivables in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

New Residential records its investments in MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables at fair value at acquisition and has elected to subsequently measure at fair value pursuant to the fair value measurement method.


22

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table presents activity related to the carrying value of New Residential’s investments in MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables:
 
 
MSRs
 
MSR Financing Receivables
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
$
2,884,100

 
$
1,644,504

 
$
4,528,604

Purchases, net(A)
 
632,144

 
735,152

 
1,367,296

Transfers(B)
 
367,121

 
(367,121
)
 

Other transfers(C)
 
(410
)
 

 
(410
)
Originations(D)
 
190,666

 

 
190,666

Prepayments(E)
 
(11,210
)
 
(52,499
)
 
(63,709
)
Proceeds from sales
 
(1,047
)
 
(15,575
)
 
(16,622
)
Amortization of servicing rights(F)
 
(351,867
)
 
(131,417
)
 
(483,284
)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions(G)
 
(279,758
)
 
1,437

 
(278,321
)
(Gain)/loss on sales
 
2,229

 
(3,220
)
 
(991
)
Balance as of September 30, 2019
 
$
3,431,968

 
$
1,811,261

 
$
5,243,229


(A)
Net of purchase price adjustments.
(B)
Represents MSRs previously accounted for as MSR Financing Receivables. As a result of the length of the initial term of the related subservicing agreement between NRM and PHH, although the MSRs were legally sold, solely for accounting purposes, the purchase agreement was not treated as a sale under GAAP through June 30, 2019.
(C)
Represents Ginnie Mae MSRs repurchased.
(D)
Represents MSRs retained on the sale of originated mortgage loans.
(E)
Represents purchase price fully reimbursable from sellers as a result of prepayment protection.
(F)
Based on the ratio of the current UPB of the underlying residential mortgage loans relative to the original UPB of the underlying residential mortgage loans.
(G)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions includes changes in inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model.

Servicing revenue, net recognized by New Residential related to its investments in MSRs was comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Servicing fee revenue
$
222,966

 
$
158,458

 
$
602,241

 
$
408,967

Ancillary and other fees
58,489

 
43,638

 
151,039

 
94,699

Servicing fee revenue and fees
281,455

 
202,096

 
753,280

 
503,666

Amortization of servicing rights
(168,776
)
 
(70,933
)
 
(346,772
)
 
(191,499
)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions(A) (B)
(61,858
)
 
44,192

 
(275,371
)
 
226,617

(Gain)/loss on sales
2,229

 

 
2,229

 

Servicing revenue, net
$
53,050

 
$
175,355

 
$
133,366


$
538,784



(A)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions includes changes in inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model.
(B)
Includes $3.6 million and $4.4 million of fair value adjustment to Excess spread financing for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.


23

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Interest income from investments in MSR Receivables was comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Servicing fee revenue
$
128,936

 
$
181,495

 
$
385,306

 
$
575,909

Ancillary and other fees
21,417

 
39,257

 
82,695

 
109,852

Less: subservicing expense
(40,410
)
 
(61,454
)
 
(145,649
)
 
(192,275
)
Interest income, investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
$
109,943

 
$
159,298

 
$
322,352

 
$
493,486


Change in fair value of investments in MSR Financing Receivables was comprised of the following:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Amortization of servicing rights
$
(48,340
)
 
$
(49,016
)
 
$
(131,417
)
 
$
(154,559
)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions(A)
9,349

 
(39,329
)
 
1,437

 
218,187

(Gain)/loss on sales(B)
(2,419
)
 

 
(3,220
)
 

Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
$
(41,410
)
 
$
(88,345
)
 
$
(133,200
)
 
$
63,628


(A)
Change in valuation inputs and assumptions includes changes in inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model.
(B)
Represents the realization of unrealized gain/(loss) as a result of sales.

The following is a summary of New Residential’s investments in MSRs as of September 30, 2019:
 
UPB of Underlying Mortgages
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Value(B)
MSRs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
288,673,487

 
4.9
 
$
2,968,392

 
$
3,038,721

Non-Agency
2,350,471

 
5.6
 
12,294

 
20,321

Ginnie Mae(C)
28,903,327

 
4.0
 
383,454

 
372,926

MSR Financing Receivables:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
61,162,569

 
4.3
 
659,950

 
597,990

Non-Agency
79,360,666

 
7.7
 
840,279

 
1,213,271

Total
$
460,450,520

 
5.2
 
$
4,864,369

 
$
5,243,229


(A)
Weighted Average Life represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected cash flows for this investment.
(B)
Carrying Value represents fair value. As of September 30, 2019, a weighted average discount rate of 7.5% and 8.8% was used to value New Residential’s investments in MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables, respectively.
(C)
NewRez, as an approved issuer of Ginnie Mae MBS, originates, sells and securitizes government-insured residential mortgage loans into Ginnie Mae guaranteed securitizations and NewRez retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans. As the servicer, NewRez holds an option to repurchase delinquent loans from the securitization at its discretion. As of September 30, 2019, New Residential holds approximately $168.5 million in residential mortgage loans subject to repurchase and residential mortgage loans repurchase liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.


24

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Ocwen MSR Financing Receivable Transactions

On July 23, 2017, Ocwen and New Residential entered into a Master Agreement (the “Ocwen Master Agreement”) and a Transfer Agreement (the “Ocwen Transfer Agreement”) pursuant to which Ocwen and New Residential agreed to undertake certain actions to facilitate the transfer from Ocwen to New Residential of Ocwen’s remaining interests in the mortgage servicing rights relating to loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of approximately $110.0 billion that are subject to the Original Ocwen Agreements (the “Ocwen Subject MSRs”) and with respect to which New Residential holds the Rights to MSRs (as defined in the Original Ocwen Agreements). New Residential and Ocwen concurrently entered into a subservicing agreement pursuant to which Ocwen will subservice the mortgage loans related to the Ocwen Subject MSRs that are transferred to New Residential pursuant to the Ocwen Master Agreement and Ocwen Transfer Agreement.

On January 18, 2018, New Residential entered into a new agreement regarding the rights to MSRs (the “New Ocwen RMSR Agreement”) including a servicing addendum thereto (the “Ocwen Servicing Addendum”), Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agreement (the “New Ocwen Transfer Agreement”) and a Brokerage Services Agreement (the “Ocwen Brokerage Services Agreement” and, collectively, the “New Ocwen Agreements”) with Ocwen. The New Ocwen Agreements amend and supplement the arrangements among the parties set forth in the Original Ocwen Agreements, the Ocwen Master Agreement, the Ocwen Transfer Agreement, and the Ocwen Subservicing Agreement (together with the Original Ocwen Agreements, the Ocwen Master Agreement, and the Ocwen Transfer Agreement, the “Existing Ocwen Agreements”). NRM made a lump-sum “Fee Restructuring Payment” of $279.6 million to Ocwen on January 18, 2018, the date of the New Ocwen RMSR Agreement, with respect to such Existing Ocwen Subject MSRs.

Under the Existing Ocwen Agreements, Ocwen sold and transferred to New Residential certain “Rights to MSRs” and other assets related to mortgage servicing rights for loans with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $86.8 billion as of the opening balances in January 2018 (the “Existing Ocwen Subject MSRs”). The New Ocwen Agreements and NRM’s Fee Restructuring Payment resulted in a new investment structured as a transfer of the full interests and economics of the Ocwen subject MSRs.

Pursuant to the New Ocwen Agreements, Ocwen will continue to service the mortgage loans related to the Existing Ocwen Subject MSRs until the necessary third party consents are obtained in order to transfer the Existing Ocwen Subject MSRs in accordance with the New Ocwen Agreements.

Pursuant to the Ocwen Brokerage Services Agreement, Ocwen will engage NRZ Brokerage to perform brokerage and marketing services for all REO properties serviced by Ocwen pursuant to the Subject Servicing Agreements as defined in the New Ocwen RMSR Agreement. Such REO properties are subject to the Altisource Brokerage Agreement and Altisource Letter Agreement.

As of September 30, 2019, MSRs representing approximately $66.7 billion UPB of underlying loans have been transferred pursuant to the Ocwen Transaction. Economics related to the remaining MSRs subject to the Ocwen Transaction were transferred pursuant to the New Ocwen Agreements. As a result of the length of the initial term of the related subservicing agreement between NRM and Ocwen, although the MSRs transferred pursuant to the Ocwen Transaction were legally sold, solely for accounting purposes, New Residential determined that substantially all of the risks and rewards inherent in owning the MSRs had not been transferred to NRM, and that the purchase agreement would not be treated as a sale under GAAP.

As a part of the ongoing integration efforts related to the Ocwen and PHH merger completed on October 4, 2018, Ocwen now conducts its mortgage servicing business under the PHH tradename.

Nationstar MSR Financing Receivable Transaction

On February 28, 2019, NRM entered into an agreement with Nationstar to purchase the MSRs, and related servicer advance receivables, with respect to $9.5 billion in total UPB of seasoned Agency residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs acquired by NRM are subserviced by Nationstar pursuant to an existing subservicing agreement with NRM. As a result of the length of the initial term of the related subservicing agreement between NRM and Nationstar, although the MSRs were legally sold, solely for accounting purposes, New Residential determined that substantially all of the risks and rewards inherent in owning the MSRs had not been transferred to NRM, and that the purchase agreement would not be treated as a sale under GAAP.


25

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

United Shore MSR Financing Receivable Transactions

On April 2, 2019 and May 21, 2019, NRM entered into agreements with United Shore to purchase the MSRs, and related servicer advance receivables, with respect to $8.2 billion and $23.7 billion in total UPB of seasoned Agency residential mortgage loans, respectively. The residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs acquired by NRM will be subserviced by NewRez, Nationstar and LoanCare pursuant to existing subservicing agreements with NRM. As a result of the length of term of prepayment protection provided to NRM, although the MSRs were legally sold, solely for accounting purposes, New Residential determined that the transferor retained more than minor protection provisions, and that the purchase agreement would not be treated as a sale under GAAP.

Quicken MSR Financing Receivable Transaction

On August 6, 2019, NRM entered into an agreement with Quicken to purchase the MSRs, and related servicer advance receivables, with respect to $29.1 billion in total UPB of seasoned Agency residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs acquired by NRM are subserviced by LoanCare pursuant to an existing subservicing agreement with NRM. As a result of the length of term of prepayment protection provided to NRM, although the MSRs were legally sold, solely for accounting purposes, New Residential determined that the transferor retained more than minor protection provisions, and that the purchase agreement would not be treated as a sale under GAAP.

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the underlying residential mortgage loans of the investments in MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables:
 
 
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Amount
State Concentration
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
California
 
23.0
%
 
21.7
%
Florida
 
6.8
%
 
6.9
%
New York
 
6.8
%
 
7.8
%
Texas
 
5.2
%
 
5.3
%
New Jersey
 
5.0
%
 
5.0
%
Illinois
 
3.6
%
 
3.7
%
Washington
 
3.5
%
 
2.3
%
Massachusetts
 
3.3
%
 
3.5
%
Maryland
 
3.1
%
 
3.4
%
Georgia
 
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
Other U.S.
 
36.7
%
 
37.4
%
 
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


Geographic concentrations of investments expose New Residential to the risk of economic downturns within the relevant states. Any such downturn in a state where New Residential holds significant investments could affect the underlying borrower’s ability to make mortgage payments and therefore could have a meaningful, negative impact on the MSRs.

Mortgage Subservicing

NewRez performs servicing of residential mortgage loans for third parties under subservicing agreements. Mortgage subservicing does not meet the criteria to be recognized as a servicing right asset and, therefore, is not recognized on New Residential’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The UPB of residential mortgage loans subserviced for others as of September 30, 2019 was $54.7 billion and subservicing revenue of $99.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is included within servicing revenue, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.


26

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Servicer Advances Receivable

In connection with its investments in MSRs and MSR financing receivables, New Residential generally acquires any related outstanding servicer advances (not included in the purchase prices described above), which it records at fair value within servicer advances receivable upon acquisition.

In addition to receiving cash flows from the MSRs, NRM and NewRez, as servicers, have the obligation to fund future servicer advances on the underlying pool of mortgages (Note 14). These servicer advances are recorded when advanced and are included in servicer advances receivable.

The following types of advances are included in the Servicer Advances Receivable:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Principal and interest advances
 
$
723,155

 
$
793,790

Escrow advances (taxes and insurance advances)
 
1,945,271

 
2,186,831

Foreclosure advances
 
173,032

 
199,203

Total(A) (B) (C)
 
$
2,841,458

 
$
3,179,824


(A)
Includes $243.0 million and $231.2 million of servicer advances receivable related to Agency MSRs, respectively, recoverable from the Agencies.
(B)
Includes $62.7 million and $41.6 million of servicer advances receivable related to Ginnie Mae MSRs, respectively, recoverable from Ginnie Mae. Reserves for advances associated with Ginnie Mae loans in the MSR portfolio are considered in the MSR fair valuation through a nonreimbursable advance loss assumption.
(C)
Net of $70.3 million and $98.0 million, respectively, in accrual for advance recoveries.

New Residential’s Servicer Advances Receivable related to Non-Agency MSRs generally have the highest reimbursement priority (i.e., “top of the waterfall”) and New Residential is generally entitled to repayment from respective loan or REO liquidation proceeds before any interest or principal is paid on the bonds that were issued by the trust. In the majority of cases, advances in excess of respective loan or REO liquidation proceeds may be recovered from pool-level proceeds. Furthermore, to the extent that advances are not recoverable by New Residential as a result of the subservicer’s failure to comply with applicable requirements in the relevant servicing agreements, New Residential has a contractual right to be reimbursed by the subservicer. New Residential assesses the recoverability of Servicer Advance Receivables periodically and as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, expected full recovery of the Servicer Advance Receivables.

See Note 11 regarding the financing of MSRs.

6.
SERVICER ADVANCE INVESTMENTS

All of New Residential’s Servicer Advance Investments are comprised of outstanding servicer advances, the requirement to purchase all future servicer advances made with respect to a specified pool of residential mortgage loans, and the basic fee component of the related MSR. New Residential elected to record its Servicer Advance Investments, including the right to the basic fee component of the related MSRs, at fair value pursuant to the fair value option for financial instruments to provide users of the financial statements with better information regarding the effects of market factors.

A taxable wholly-owned subsidiary of New Residential is the managing member of the Buyer and owned an approximately 73.2% interest in the Buyer as of September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019, third-party co-investors, owning the remaining interest in the Buyer, have funded capital commitments to the Buyer of $389.6 million and New Residential has funded capital commitments to the Buyer of $312.7 million. The Buyer may call capital up to the commitment amount on unfunded commitments and recall capital to the extent the Buyer makes a distribution to the co-investors, including New Residential. As of September 30, 2019, the noncontrolling third-party co-investors and New Residential had previously funded their commitments, however the Buyer may recall $325.0 million and $297.6 million of capital distributed to the third-party co-investors and New Residential, respectively. Neither the third-party co-investors nor New Residential is obligated to fund amounts in excess of their respective capital commitments, regardless of the capital requirements of the Buyer.
 

27

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

See Note 5 regarding the New Ocwen Agreements. Subsequent to the New Ocwen Agreements, the Servicer Advance Investments serviced by Ocwen are accounted for as Servicer Advances Receivable, as described in Note 5.

The following is a summary of New Residential’s Servicer Advance Investments, including the right to the basic fee component of the related MSRs:
 
Amortized Cost Basis

Carrying Value(A)

Weighted Average Discount Rate
 
Weighted Average Yield

Weighted Average Life (Years)(B)
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicer Advance Investments
$
570,570

 
$
600,547

 
5.1
%
 
5.7
%
 
6.3
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicer Advance Investments
$
721,801

 
$
735,846

 
5.9
%
 
5.8
%
 
5.7
  
(A)
Carrying value represents the fair value of the Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSRs.
(B)
Weighted Average Life represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected net cash flows for this investment.

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019

2018

2019

2018
Change in Fair Value of Servicer Advance Investments
 
$
6,641

 
$
(5,353
)
 
$
15,932

 
$
(86,581
)

The following is additional information regarding the Servicer Advance Investments and related financing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan-to-Value (“LTV”)(A)
 
Cost of Funds(C)
 
UPB of Underlying Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Outstanding Servicer Advances
 
Servicer Advances to UPB of Underlying Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Face Amount of Notes and Bonds Payable
 
Gross
 
Net(B)
 
Gross
 
Net
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicer Advance Investments(D)
$
33,406,320

 
$
492,480

 
1.5
%
 
$
449,731

 
87.3
%
 
86.1
%
 
3.8
%
 
3.1
%
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicer Advance Investments(D)
$
40,096,998

 
$
620,050

 
1.5
%
 
$
574,117

 
88.3
%
 
87.2
%
 
3.7
%
 
3.1
%
 
(A)
Based on outstanding servicer advances, excluding purchased but unsettled servicer advances.
(B)
Ratio of face amount of borrowings to par amount of servicer advance collateral, net of any general reserve.
(C)
Annualized measure of the cost associated with borrowings. Gross Cost of Funds primarily includes interest expense and facility fees. Net Cost of Funds excludes facility fees.
(D)
The following types of advances are included in the Servicer Advance Investments:


September 30, 2019

December 31, 2018
Principal and interest advances

$
82,999


$
108,317

Escrow advances (taxes and insurance advances)

185,774


238,349

Foreclosure advances

223,707


273,384

Total

$
492,480

 
$
620,050


 

28

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Interest income recognized by New Residential related to its Servicer Advance Investments was comprised of the following:


Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,


2019

2018

2019

2018
Interest income, gross of amounts attributable to servicer compensation

$
14,212


$
21,183


$
43,220


$
63,731

Amounts attributable to base servicer compensation

(1,606
)

(2,347
)

(4,578
)

(6,354
)
Amounts attributable to incentive servicer compensation

(7,273
)

(7,095
)

(20,780
)

(14,255
)
Interest income from Servicer Advance Investments

$
5,333

 
$
11,741

 
$
17,862

 
$
43,122


New Residential has determined that the Buyer is a VIE. The following table presents information on the assets and liabilities related to this consolidated VIE.
 
 
As of
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
Servicer advance investments, at fair value
 
$
580,829

 
$
713,239

Cash and cash equivalents
 
36,457

 
29,833

All other assets
 
8,662

 
10,223

Total assets(A)
 
$
625,948

 
$
753,295

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Notes and bonds payable
 
$
435,935

 
$
556,340

All other liabilities
 
2,021

 
2,442

Total liabilities(A)
 
$
437,956

 
$
558,782


(A)
The creditors of the Buyer do not have recourse to the general credit of New Residential and the assets of the Buyer are not directly available to satisfy New Residential’s obligations.

Others’ interests in the equity of the Buyer is computed as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Total Advance Purchaser LLC equity
 
$
187,992

 
$
194,513

Others’ ownership interest
 
26.8
%
 
26.8
%
Others’ interest in equity of consolidated subsidiary
 
$
50,319

 
$
52,066


Others’ interests in the Buyer’s net income is computed as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net Advance Purchaser LLC income
 
$
6,288

 
$
(299
)
 
$
16,678

 
$
8,667

Others’ ownership interest as a percent of total
 
26.8
%
 
27.1
%
 
26.8
%
 
27.2
%
Others’ interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries
 
$
1,684

 
$
(81
)
 
$
4,466

 
$
2,358



See Note 11 regarding the financing of Servicer Advance Investments.


29

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

7.
INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER SECURITIES

“Agency” residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”) are RMBS issued by a government sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). “Non-Agency” RMBS are issued by either public trusts or private label securitization entities.

Activities related to New Residential’s investments in real estate and other securities were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
 
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
Purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Face
 
$
12,306.4

 
$
3,324.9

 
$
25,123.5

 
$
7,899.1

Purchase Price
 
12,610.9

 
247.0

 
25,700.0

 
1,164.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Face
 
$
6,073.4

 
$
1,325.2

 
$
17,898.5

 
$
2,162.7

Amortized Cost
 
6,233.5

 
832.4

 
18,339.1

 
1,571.0

Sale Price
 
6,252.8

 
910.9

 
18,451.4

 
1,662.9

Gain (Loss) on Sale
 
19.3

 
78.5

 
112.3

 
91.9



As of September 30, 2019, New Residential had sold and purchased $4.3 billion and $2.5 billion face amount of Agency RMBS for $4.4 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, which had not yet been settled. These unsettled sales and purchases were recorded on the balance sheet on trade date as Trades Receivable and Trades Payable.

New Residential has exercised its call rights with respect to Non-Agency RMBS trusts and purchased performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans and REO contained in such trusts prior to their termination. In certain cases, New Residential sold portions of the purchased loans through securitizations, and retained bonds issued by such securitizations. In addition, New Residential received par on the securities issued by the called trusts which it owned prior to such trusts’ termination. Refer to Note 8 for further details on these transactions.

The following is a summary of New Residential’s real estate and other securities, all of which are classified as available-for-sale and are, therefore, reported at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income, except for securities that are other-than-temporarily impaired and except for securities which New Residential elected to carry at fair value and record changes to valuation through the income statement.
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
Asset Type
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Carrying Value(A)
 
Number of Securities
 
Rating(B)
 
Coupon(C)
 
Yield
 
Life (Years)(D)
 
Principal Subordination(E)
 
Carrying Value
Agency
  RMBS(F) (G)
 
$
8,797,199

 
$
8,950,763

 
$
56,939

 
$
(9,636
)
 
$
8,998,066

 
39

 
AAA
 
3.66
%
 
3.06
%
 
4.6
 
N/A

 
$
2,665,618

Non-Agency
  RMBS(H) (I)
 
21,845,814

 
7,175,703

 
711,078

 
(30,937
)
 
7,855,844

 
950

 
B+
 
3.03
%
 
4.84
%
 
6.3
 
10.6
%
 
8,970,963

Total/
   Weighted
    Average
 
$
30,643,013

 
$
16,126,466

 
$
768,017

 
$
(40,573
)
 
$
16,853,910

 
989

 
BBB+
 
3.35
%
 
3.85
%
 
5.3
 
 
 
$
11,636,581

 
(A)
Fair value, which is equal to carrying value for all securities. See Note 12 regarding the estimation of fair value.
(B)
Represents the weighted average of the ratings of all securities in each asset type, expressed as an S&P equivalent rating. This excludes the ratings of the collateral underlying 312 bonds with a carrying value of $1,064.1 million which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided. For each security rated by multiple rating agencies, the lowest rating is used. New Residential used an implied AAA rating for the Agency RMBS. Ratings provided were determined by third party rating agencies, and represent the most recent credit ratings available as of the reporting date and may not be current.

30

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(C)
Excludes residual bonds, and certain other Non-Agency bonds, with a carrying value of $225.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for which no coupon payment is expected.
(D)
The weighted average life is based on the timing of expected principal reduction on the assets.
(E)
Percentage of the amortized cost basis of securities that is subordinate to New Residential’s investments, excluding fair value option securities.
(F)
Includes securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
(G)
The total outstanding face amount was $8.8 billion for fixed rate securities and $0.0 billion for floating rate securities as of September 30, 2019.
(H)
The total outstanding face amount was $10.2 billion (including $7.9 billion of residual and fair value option notional amount) for fixed rate securities and $11.7 billion (including $4.9 billion of residual and fair value option notional amount) for floating rate securities as of September 30, 2019.
(I)
Includes other asset backed securities (“ABS”) consisting primarily of (i) interest-only securities and servicing strips (fair value option securities) which New Residential elected to carry at fair value and record changes to valuation through the income statement, (ii) bonds backed by consumer loans, and (iii) corporate debt.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
Asset Type
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Carrying Value
 
Number of Securities
 
Rating
 
Coupon
 
Yield
 
Life (Years)
 
Principal Subordination
Corporate debt
 
$
85,000

 
$
85,000

 
$

 
$
(7,013
)
 
$
77,987

 
1

 
B-
 
8.25
%
 
8.25
%
 
5.5
 
N/A
Consumer loan bonds
 
30,945

 
29,990

 
566

 
(5,073
)
 
25,483

 
6

 
N/A
 
N/A

 
8.09
%
 
1.5
 
N/A
Fair Value Option Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-only securities
 
9,574,284

 
290,481

 
33,963

 
(13,890
)
 
310,554

 
111

 
AA
 
1.44
%
 
7.43
%
 
3.2
 
N/A
Servicing Strips
 
2,568,427

 
32,216

 
4,306

 
(3,178
)
 
33,344

 
37

 
N/A
 
0.39
%
 
5.88
%
 
5.3
 
N/A


Unrealized losses that are considered other-than-temporary and are attributable to credit losses are recognized currently in earnings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, New Residential recorded OTTI charges of $21.9 million with respect to real estate securities. Any remaining unrealized losses on New Residential’s securities were primarily the result of changes in market factors, rather than issue-specific credit impairment. New Residential performed analyses in relation to such securities, using its best estimate of their cash flows, which support its belief that the carrying values of such securities were fully recoverable over their expected holding period. New Residential has no intent to sell, and is not more likely than not to be required to sell, these securities.
 
The following table summarizes New Residential’s securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2019.
 
 
 
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Before Impairment
 
Other-Than-
Temporary Impairment(A)
 
After Impairment
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Carrying Value
 
Number of Securities
 
Rating(B)
 
Coupon
 
Yield
 
Life
(Years)
Less than 12 Months
 
$
7,069,880

 
$
2,162,118

 
$
(3,768
)
 
$
2,158,350

 
$
(20,406
)
 
$
2,137,944

 
77

 
BBB
 
4.27
%
 
4.24
%
 
6.4
12 or More Months
 
1,297,245

 
190,556

 
(1,799
)
 
188,757

 
(20,167
)
 
168,590

 
63

 
BB
 
4.58
%
 
5.74
%
 
5.1
Total/Weighted Average
 
$
8,367,125

 
$
2,352,674

 
$
(5,567
)
 
$
2,347,107

 
$
(40,573
)
 
$
2,306,534

 
140

 
BB+
 
4.29
%
 
4.36
%
 
6.3
 
(A)
This amount represents OTTI recorded on securities that are in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2019.
(B)
The weighted average rating of securities in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months excludes the rating of 43 bonds which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided. The weighted average rating of securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 or more months excludes the rating of 24 bonds which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided.


31

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential performed an assessment of all of its debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position (an unrealized loss position exists when a security’s amortized cost basis, excluding the effect of OTTI, exceeds its fair value) and determined the following:
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment
 
Credit(A)
 
Non-Credit(B)
Securities New Residential intends to sell(C)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Securities New Residential is more likely than not to be required to sell(D)

 

 

 
N/A

Securities New Residential has no intent to sell and is not more likely than not to be required to sell:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit impaired securities
159,172

 
165,780

 
(5,567
)
 
(6,608
)
Non-credit impaired securities
2,147,362

 
2,181,327

 

 
(33,965
)
Total debt securities in an unrealized loss position
$
2,306,534

 
$
2,347,107

 
$
(5,567
)
 
$
(40,573
)
  
(A)
This amount is required to be recorded as OTTI through earnings. In measuring the portion of credit losses, New Residential estimates the expected cash flow for each of the securities. This evaluation includes a review of the credit status and the performance of the collateral supporting those securities, including the credit of the issuer, key terms of the securities and the effect of local, industry and broader economic trends. Significant inputs in estimating the cash flows include New Residential’s expectations of prepayment rates, default rates and loss severities. Credit losses are measured as the decline in the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the investment’s effective interest rate.
(B)
This amount represents unrealized losses on securities that are due to non-credit factors and recorded through other comprehensive income.
(C)
A portion of securities New Residential intends to sell have a fair value equal to their amortized cost basis after impairment, and, therefore do not have unrealized losses reflected in other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2019.
(D)
New Residential may, at times, be more likely than not to be required to sell certain securities for liquidity purposes. While the amount of the securities to be sold may be an estimate, and the securities to be sold have not yet been identified, New Residential must make its best estimate, which is subject to significant judgment regarding future events, and may differ materially from actual future sales.

The following table summarizes the activity related to credit losses on debt securities:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Beginning balance of credit losses on debt securities for which a portion of an OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income
$
52,803

Increases to credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was previously recognized and a portion of an OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income
20,034

Additions for credit losses on securities for which an OTTI was not previously recognized
1,908

Reductions for securities for which the amount previously recognized in other comprehensive income was recognized in earnings because the entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis

Reduction for credit losses on securities for which no OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income at the current measurement date

Reduction for securities sold/paid off during the period
(18,431
)
Ending balance of credit losses on debt securities for which a portion of an OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income
$
56,314


 

32

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the collateral securing New Residential’s Non-Agency RMBS:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Geographic Location(A)
 
Outstanding Face Amount

Percentage of Total Outstanding
 
Outstanding Face Amount

Percentage of Total Outstanding
Western U.S.
 
$
8,348,465


38.4
%
 
$
7,318,616

 
37.7
%
Southeastern U.S.
 
5,232,919


24.1
%
 
4,613,314

 
23.8
%
Northeastern U.S.
 
4,615,081


21.2
%
 
3,829,725

 
19.7
%
Midwestern U.S.
 
2,134,577


9.8
%
 
2,063,263

 
10.6
%
Southwestern U.S.
 
1,378,512


6.4
%
 
1,321,853

 
6.8
%
Other(B)
 
20,315


0.1
%
 
250,833

 
1.4
%
 
 
$
21,729,869


100.0
%
 
$
19,397,604

 
100.0
%
  
(A)
Excludes $30.9 million and $56.8 million face amount of bonds backed by consumer loans and $85.0 million and $85.0 million face amount of bonds backed by corporate debt as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
(B)
Represents collateral for which New Residential was unable to obtain geographic information.

New Residential evaluates the credit quality of its real estate securities, as of the acquisition date, for evidence of credit quality deterioration. As a result, New Residential identified a population of real estate securities for which it was determined that it was probable that New Residential would be unable to collect all contractually required payments. For securities acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, excluding residual and fair value option securities, the face amount of these real estate securities was $496.2 million, with total expected cash flows of $481.0 million and a fair value of $290.5 million on the dates that New Residential purchased the respective securities.

The following is the outstanding face amount and carrying value for securities, for which, as of the acquisition date, it was probable that New Residential would be unable to collect all contractually required payments, excluding residual and fair value option securities:
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Carrying Value
September 30, 2019
$
5,317,777

 
$
3,641,142

December 31, 2018
6,385,306

 
4,217,242



The following is a summary of the changes in accretable yield for these securities:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
2,245,983

Additions
190,482

Accretion
(191,559
)
Reclassifications from (to) non-accretable difference
(430,080
)
Disposals
(266,552
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
1,548,274



See Note 11 regarding the financing of real estate securities.

8.
INVESTMENTS IN RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS

New Residential accumulated its residential mortgage loan portfolio through various bulk acquisitions and the execution of call rights. As a result of the Shellpoint Acquisition, New Residential, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NewRez, originates

33

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization to third parties and generally retains the servicing rights on the underlying loans.

Loans are accounted for based on New Residential’s strategy for the loan, and on whether the loan was credit-impaired at the date of acquisition. New Residential accounts for loans based on the following categories:

Loans Held-for-Investment (which may include PCD Loans)
Loans Held-for-Investment, at fair value
Loans Held-for-Sale, at lower of cost or fair value
Loans Held-for-Sale, at fair value
Real Estate Owned (“REO”)

The following table presents certain information regarding New Residential’s residential mortgage loans outstanding by loan type, excluding REO:


September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018


Outstanding Face Amount

Carrying
Value

Loan
Count

Weighted Average Yield

Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)

Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount

Loan to Value Ratio (“LTV”)(B)

Weighted Avg. Delinquency(C)

Weighted Average FICO(D)
 
Carrying Value
Loan Type


















 

Performing Loans(G) (J)

$
557,762


$
524,387


7,695


7.8
%

4.6

20.2
%

72.3
%

10.2
%

647

 
$
591,264

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans(H)
 
124,238

 
89,270

 
1,106

 
7.9
%
 
3.2
 
19.3
%
 
88.1
%
 
60.7
%
 
590

 
144,065

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-investment

$
682,000

 
$
613,657

 
8,801


7.8
%

4.4

20.1
%

75.2
%

19.4
%

636

 
$
735,329

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reverse Mortgage Loans(E) (F)
 
$
13,032

 
$
6,450

 
32

 
7.8
%
 
5.3
 
10.1
%
 
151.6
%
 
65.1
%
 
N/A

 
$
6,557

Performing Loans(G) (I)
 
709,867

 
726,935

 
10,798

 
4.3
%
 
4.0
 
62.4
%
 
54.3
%
 
5.9
%
 
688

 
413,883

Non-Performing Loans(H) (I)
 
726,570

 
616,612

 
5,562

 
5.1
%
 
3.3
 
12.0
%
 
80.7
%
 
68.7
%
 
594

 
512,040

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale
 
$
1,449,469

 
$
1,349,997

 
16,392

 
4.8
%
 
3.6
 
36.7
%
 
68.4
%
 
37.9
%
 
641

 
$
932,480

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
$
4,024,252

 
$
3,916,826

 
26,236

 
4.2
%
 
7.4
 
2.0
%
 
71.1
%
 
15.3
%
 
622

 
$
2,153,269

Originated Loans
 
1,248,711

 
1,289,425

 
4,465

 
4.0
%
 
28.6
 
4.0
%
 
77.6
%
 
29.2
%
 
672

 
655,260

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale, at fair value(K)
 
$
5,272,963

 
$
5,206,251

 
30,701

 
4.1
%
 
12.5
 
2.5
%
 
72.7
%
 
18.6
%
 
634

 
$
2,808,529


(A)
The weighted average life is based on the expected timing of the receipt of cash flows.
(B)
LTV refers to the ratio comparing the loan’s unpaid principal balance to the value of the collateral property.
(C)
Represents the percentage of the total principal balance that is 60+ days delinquent.
(D)
The weighted average FICO score is based on the weighted average of information updated and provided by the loan servicer on a monthly basis.
(E)
Represents a 70% participation interest that New Residential holds in a portfolio of reverse mortgage loans. Nationstar holds the other 30% interest and services the loans. The average loan balance outstanding based on total UPB was $0.6 million. Approximately 51% of these loans have reached a termination event. As a result of the termination event, each such loan has matured and the borrower can no longer make draws on these loans.
(F)
FICO scores are not used in determining how much a borrower can access via a reverse mortgage loan.
(G)
Performing loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is 120 days or more past due.
(H)
Includes loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination where it is probable that New Residential will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. As of September 30, 2019, New Residential has placed Non-Performing Loans, held-for-sale on nonaccrual status, except as described in (I) below.
(I)
Includes $37.8 million and $27.7 million UPB of Ginnie Mae EBO performing and non-performing loans, respectively, on accrual status as contractual cash flows are guaranteed by the FHA.
(J)
Includes $112.1 million UPB of non-agency mortgage loans underlying the SAFT 2013-1 securitization, which are carried at fair value based on New Residential’s election of the fair value option. Interest earned on loans measured at fair value are reported in other income.
(K)
New Residential elected the fair value option to measure these loans at fair value on a recurring basis. Interest earned on loans measured at fair value are reported in other income.


34

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential generally considers the delinquency status, loan-to-value ratios, and geographic area of residential mortgage loans as its credit quality indicators. Delinquency status is a primary credit quality indicator as loans that are more than 60 days past due provide an early warning of borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties. Current LTV ratio is an indicator of the potential loss severity in the event of default. Finally, the geographic distribution of the loan collateral also provides insight as to the credit quality of the portfolio, as factors such as the regional economy, home price changes and specific events will affect credit quality.

The table below summarizes the geographic distribution of the underlying residential mortgage loans:
 
 
Percentage of Total Outstanding Unpaid Principal Amount
State Concentration
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
California
 
17.7
%
 
16.7
%
Florida
 
9.0
%
 
8.8
%
New York
 
9.9
%
 
11.7
%
New Jersey
 
4.8
%
 
4.7
%
Texas
 
4.6
%
 
5.3
%
Georgia
 
4.3
%
 
2.7
%
Illinois
 
3.9
%
 
4.0
%
Maryland
 
3.7
%
 
3.1
%
Massachusetts
 
3.3
%
 
3.1
%
Pennsylvania
 
3.3
%
 
3.6
%
Other U.S.
 
35.5
%
 
36.3
%
 
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


See Note 11 regarding the financing of residential mortgage loans and related assets.

Call Rights

New Residential has executed calls with respect to Non-Agency RMBS trusts and purchased performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans and REO assets contained in such trusts prior to their termination. In certain cases, New Residential sold portions of the purchased loans through securitizations, and retained bonds issued by such securitizations. In addition, New Residential received par on the securities issued by the called trusts which it owned prior to such trusts’ termination. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, New Residential executed calls on a total of 97 trusts and recognized $45.3 million of interest income on securities held in the collapsed trusts and $54.2 million of gain on securitizations accounted for as sales.

Performing Loans

The following table provides past due information regarding New Residential’s Performing Loans, which is an important indicator of credit quality and the establishment of the allowance for loan losses:
September 30, 2019
Days Past Due
 
Delinquency Status(A)
Current
 
84.1
%
30-59
 
8.2
%
60-89
 
2.7
%
90-119(B)
 
0.7
%
120+(C)
 
4.3
%
 
 
100.0
%

(A)
Represents the percentage of the total principal balance that corresponds to loans that are in each delinquency status.

35

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(B)
Includes loans 90-119 days past due and still accruing interest because they are generally placed on nonaccrual status at 120 days or more past due.
(C)
Represents nonaccrual loans.

Activities related to the carrying value of residential mortgage loans held-for-investment were as follows:
 
Performing Loans
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
591,253

Purchases/additional fundings

Proceeds from repayments
(73,397
)
Accretion of loan discount (premium) and other amortization(A)
9,998

Provision for loan losses
(800
)
Transfer of loans to other assets(B)

Transfer of loans to real estate owned
(4,739
)
Transfers of loans to held for sale
(168
)
Fair value adjustment
2,240

Balance at September 30, 2019
$
524,387


(A)
Includes accelerated accretion of discount on loans paid in full and on loans transferred to other assets.
(B)
Represents loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which New Residential has made, or intends to make, a claim with the governmental agency that has guaranteed the loans that are now recognized as claims receivable in Other Assets (Note 2).

Activities related to the valuation and loss provision on reverse mortgage loans and allowance for loan losses on performing loans held-for-investment were as follows:
 
Performing Loans
Balance at December 31, 2018
$

Provision for loan losses(A)
800

Charge-offs(B)
(800
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$


(A)
Based on an analysis of collective borrower performance, credit ratings of borrowers, loan-to-value ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, key terms of the loans and historical and anticipated trends in defaults and loss severities at a pool level.
(B)
Loans, other than PCD loans, are generally charged off or charged down to the net realizable value of the collateral (i.e., fair value less costs to sell), with an offset to the allowance for loan losses, when available information confirms that loans are uncollectible.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

New Residential determined at acquisition that the PCD loans acquired would be aggregated into pools based on common risk characteristics (FICO score, delinquency status, collateral type, loan-to-value ratio). Loans aggregated into pools are accounted for as if each pool were a single loan with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows, including consideration of involuntary prepayments.


36

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Activities related to the carrying value of PCD loans held-for-investment were as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
144,065

Purchases/additional fundings

Sales

Proceeds from repayments
(13,935
)
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization
12,961

(Allowance) reversal for loan losses(A)
(2,332
)
Transfer of loans to real estate owned
(12,815
)
Transfer of loans to held-for-sale
(38,674
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
89,270



(A)
An allowance represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition that are no longer expected to be collected. A reversal results from an increase to expected cash flows that reverses a prior allowance.

The following is a summary of the changes in accretable yield for these loans:
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
68,632

Additions

Accretion
(12,961
)
Reclassifications from (to) non-accretable difference(A)
8,188

Disposals(B)
(10,965
)
Transfer of loans to held-for-sale(C)
(8,406
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
44,488


(A)
Represents a probable and significant increase (decrease) in cash flows previously expected to be uncollectible.
(B)
Includes sales of loans or foreclosures, which result in removal of the loan from the PCD loan pool at its carrying amount.
(C)
Represents loans not initially acquired with the intent to sell for which New Residential determined that it no longer has the intent to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff.

Loans Held-for-Sale, at Lower of Cost or Fair Value

Activities related to the carrying value of loans held-for-sale, at lower of cost or fair value were as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
932,480

Purchases(A)
 
842,752

Transfer of loans from held-for-investment(B)
 
38,842

Sales
 
(307,004
)
Transfer of loans to other assets(C)
 
(8,564
)
Transfer of loans to real estate owned
 
(35,326
)
Proceeds from repayments
 
(133,279
)
Valuation (provision) reversal on loans(D)
 
20,096

Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
1,349,997


(A)
Represents loans acquired with the intent to sell.
(B)
Represents loans not initially acquired with the intent to sell for which New Residential determined that it no longer has the intent to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff.
(C)
Represents loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which New Residential has made, or intends to make, a claim with the governmental agency that has guaranteed the loans that are now recognized as claims receivable in Other Assets (Note 2).

37

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(D)
Represents the fair value adjustments to loans upon transfer to held-for-sale and provision recorded on certain purchased held-for-sale loans, including an aggregate of $4.8 million of provision related to the call transactions executed during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Loans Held-for-Sale, at Fair Value

Activities related to the carrying value of originated loans held-for-sale, at fair value were as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
655,260

Originations
 
10,427,690

Sales
 
(9,784,536
)
Proceeds from repayments
 
(24,035
)
Transfer of loans to other assets
 
(412
)
Change in fair value
 
15,458

Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
1,289,425


Activities related to the carrying value of acquired loans held-for-sale, at fair value were as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
2,153,269

Purchases(A)
 
5,170,388

Sales
 
(3,338,140
)
Proceeds from repayments
 
(141,109
)
Transfer of loans to real estate owned
 
(435
)
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization
 

Change in fair value
 
72,853

Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
3,916,826


(A)
Includes an acquisition date fair value adjustment increase of $10.2 million on loans acquired through call transactions executed during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.


38

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Net Interest Income
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-investment
$
14,532

 
$
19,466

 
$
47,167

 
$
58,689

Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale
15,966

 
7,433

 
43,423

 
30,001

Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
43,288

 
15,453

 
96,393

 
28,344

Originated Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
13,185

 
6,430

 
32,926

 
6,430

Total Interest Income on Residential Mortgage Loans
86,971

 
48,782

 
219,909

 
123,464

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-investment
3,953

 
6,537

 
15,717

 
17,447

Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale
9,357

 
8,306

 
26,873

 
26,264

Acquired Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
30,053

 
7,531

 
77,247

 
13,588

Originated Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale,at fair value
2,344

 
1,288

 
6,451

 
1,288

Total Interest Expense on Residential Mortgage Loans
45,707

 
23,662

 
126,288

 
58,587

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Net Interest Income on Residential Mortgage Loans
$
41,264

 
$
25,120

 
$
93,621

 
$
64,877



Gain on Sale of Originated Mortgage Loans, Net

NewRez, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Residential, originates conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee conventional and government insured mortgage securitizations and mortgage investors issue nonconforming private label mortgage securitizations while NewRez generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans. In connection with the transfer of loans to the GSEs or mortgage investors, New Residential reports gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net is summarized below:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Gain on loans originated and sold(A)
 
$
24,312

 
$
24,684

 
$
36,413

 
$
24,684

Gain (loss) on settlement of mortgage loan origination derivative instruments(B)
 
(32,138
)
 
(2,757
)
 
(61,879
)
 
(2,757
)
MSRs retained on transfer of loans(C)
 
96,317

 
17,282

 
190,666

 
17,282

Other(D)
 
12,050

 
6,523

 
28,829

 
6,523

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
$
100,541

 
$
45,732

 
$
194,029

 
$
45,732


(A)
Includes loan origination fees and direct loan origination costs. Other indirect costs related to loan origination are included within general and administrative expenses.
(B)
Represents settlement of forward securities delivery commitments utilized as an economic hedge for mortgage loans not included within forward loan sale commitments.
(C)
Represents the initial fair value of the capitalized mortgage servicing rights upon loan sales with servicing retained.
(D)
Includes fees for services associated with the loan origination process.


39

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Real estate owned (REO)

New Residential recognizes REO assets at the completion of the foreclosure process or upon execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure with the borrower. REO assets are managed for prompt sale and disposition at the best possible economic value.
 
 
Real Estate Owned
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
113,410

Purchases
 
44,539

Transfer of loans to real estate owned
 
61,129

Sales
 
(112,703
)
Valuation (provision) reversal on REO
 
(407
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
105,968



As of September 30, 2019, New Residential had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with an unpaid principal balance of $393.0 million.

In addition, New Residential has recognized $20.4 million in unpaid claims receivable from FHA on Ginnie Mae EBO loans and reverse mortgage loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which New Residential has made, or intends to make, a claim.

Variable Interest Entities

During the first quarter of 2019, New Residential formed entities (the “RPL Borrowers”) that issued securitized debt collateralized by reperforming residential mortgage loans. New Residential determined that the RPL Borrowers should be evaluated for consolidation under the VIE model rather than the voting interest entity model as the equity holders as a group lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. Under the VIE model, New Residential’s consolidated subsidiaries had both 1) the power to direct the most significant activities of the RPL Borrowers and 2) significant variable interests in each of the RPL Borrowers, through their control of the related optional redemption feature and their ownership of certain notes issued by the RPL Borrowers and, therefore, met the primary beneficiary criterion and consolidated the RPL Borrowers. The following table presents information on the combined assets and liabilities related to these consolidated VIEs.
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2019
Assets
 
 
Residential mortgage loans
 
$
430,461

Other assets
 

Total assets(A)
 
$
430,461

Liabilities
 
 
Notes and bonds payable
 
$
364,380

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
3,562

Total liabilities(A)
 
$
367,942


(A)
The creditors of the RPL Borrowers do not have recourse to the general credit of New Residential, and the assets of the RPL Borrowers are not directly available to satisfy New Residential’s obligations.

A wholly owned subsidiary of NewRez, Shelter Mortgage Company LLC (“Shelter”) is a mortgage originator specializing in retail origination. Shelter operates its business through a series of joint ventures and was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the joint ventures as a result of its ability to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and its ownership of a significant equity investment.


40

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table presents information on the assets and liabilities of the Shelter JVs.
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
21,604

 
$
17,346

Property and equipment, net
 
128

 
137

Intangible assets, net
 
58

 
70

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
4,903

 
411

Total assets
 
$
26,693

 
$
17,964

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
3,065

 
$
1,315

Reserve for sales recourse
 
1,192

 
967

Total liabilities
 
$
4,257

 
$
2,282


Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests in the equity of the Shelter JVs is computed as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Total consolidated equity of JVs
 
$
22,436

 
$
15,682

Noncontrolling ownership interest
 
48.2
%
 
51.0
%
Noncontrolling equity interest in consolidated JVs
 
$
10,813

 
$
7,998



 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Total consolidated net income of JVs
 
$
5,098

 
$
2,306

 
$
9,144

 
$
2,306

Noncontrolling ownership interest in net income
 
48.2
%
 
50.6
%
 
48.2
%
 
50.6
%
Noncontrolling interest in net income of consolidated JVs
 
$
2,457

 
$
1,167

 
$
4,407

 
$
1,167



As described in “Call Rights” above, New Residential has issued securitizations which were treated as sales under GAAP. New Residential has no obligation to repurchase any loans from these securitizations and its exposure to loss is limited to the carrying amount of its retained interests in the securitization entities. These securitizations are conducted through variable interest entities, of which New Residential is not the primary beneficiary.


41

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Additionally, New Residential and NewRez, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Residential, were deemed to be the primary beneficiaries of the RPL Borrowers and SAFT 2013-1 securitization entity as a result of their ability to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and their ownership of significant variable interests in the RPL Borrowers and SAFT 2013-1 securitization, respectively. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the underlying residential mortgage loans, and related financing, in these securitizations as of September 30, 2019:
Residential mortgage loan UPB
 
$
11,183,024

Weighted average delinquency(A)
 
1.97
%
Net credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
$
5,738

Face amount of debt held by third parties(B)
 
$
10,074,690

 
 
 
Carrying value of bonds retained by New Residential(C) (D)
 
$
1,258,292

Cash flows received by New Residential on these bonds for the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
$
161,794


(A)
Represents the percentage of the UPB that is 60+ days delinquent.
(B)
Excludes bonds retained by New Residential.
(C)
Includes bonds retained pursuant to required risk retention regulations.
(D)
Classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation is based on certain unobservable inputs including discount rate, prepayment rates and loss severity. See Note 12 for details on unobservable inputs.

9.
INVESTMENTS IN CONSUMER LOANS

New Residential, through newly formed limited liability companies (together, the “Consumer Loan Companies”), has a co-investment in a portfolio of consumer loans. The portfolio includes personal unsecured loans and personal homeowner loans. OneMain is the servicer of the loans and provides all servicing and advancing functions for the portfolio. As of September 30, 2019, New Residential owns 53.5% of the limited liability company interests in, and consolidates, the Consumer Loan Companies.

On June 4, 2019, the Consumer Loan Companies refinanced the outstanding asset-backed notes with an asset-backed securitization for approximately $938.7 million. The proceeds in excess of the refinanced debt of $13.4 million were distributed to the respective co-investors of which New Residential received approximately $7.8 million.

New Residential also purchased certain newly originated consumer loans from a third party (“Consumer Loan Seller”). These loans are not held in the Consumer Loan Companies and have been designated as performing consumer loans, held-for-investment. In addition, see “Equity Method Investees” below.

The following table summarizes the investment in consumer loans, held-for-investment held by New Residential:
 
Unpaid Principal Balance

Interest in Consumer Loans

Carrying Value

Weighted Average Coupon

Weighted Average Expected Life (Years)(A)
 
Weighted Average Delinquency(B)
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Loan Companies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing Loans
$
684,064

 
53.5
%
 
$
722,826

 
18.9
%
 
4.0
 
4.5
%
Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans(C)
182,171

 
53.5
%
 
147,059

 
15.6
%
 
3.5
 
10.0
%
Other - Performing Loans
12,196

 
100.0
%
 
11,298

 
14.9
%
 
0.8
 
5.5
%
Total Consumer Loans, held-for-investment
$
878,431

 
 
 
$
881,183

 
18.1
%
 
3.9
 
5.6
%
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Loan Companies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performing Loans
$
815,341

 
53.5
%
 
$
856,563

 
18.8
%
 
3.6
 
5.4
%
Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans(C)
221,910

 
53.5
%
 
182,917

 
16.0
%
 
3.4
 
11.6
%
Other - Performing Loans
35,326

 
100.0
%
 
32,722

 
14.2
%
 
0.8
 
5.6
%
Total Consumer Loans, held-for-investment
$
1,072,577

 
 
 
$
1,072,202

 
18.1
%
 
3.5
 
6.7
%


42

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(A)
Represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected cash flows for this investment.
(B)
Represents the percentage of the total unpaid principal balance that is 30+ days delinquent. Delinquency status is the primary credit quality indicator as it provides early warning of borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties.
(C)
Includes loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination where it is probable that New Residential will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments, which are accounted for as PCD loans.

See Note 11 regarding the financing of consumer loans.

Performing Loans

The following table provides past due information regarding New Residential’s performing consumer loans, held-for-investment, which is an important indicator of credit quality and the establishment of the allowance for loan losses:
September 30, 2019
Days Past Due
 
Delinquency Status(A)
Current
 
95.5
%
30-59
 
1.7
%
60-89
 
1.0
%
90-119(B)
 
0.7
%
120+(B) (C)
 
1.1
%
 
 
100.0
%

(A)
Represents the percentage of the total unpaid principal balance that corresponds to loans that are in each delinquency status.
(B)
Includes loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest.
(C)
Interest is accrued up to the date of charge-off at 180 days past due.

Activities related to the carrying value of performing consumer loans, held-for-investment were as follows:
 
 
Performing Loans
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
889,285

Purchases
 

Additional fundings(A)
 
42,231

Proceeds from repayments
 
(166,897
)
Accretion of loan discount and premium amortization, net
 
272

Gross charge-offs
 
(30,325
)
Additions to the allowance for loan losses, net
 
(442
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
734,124


(A)
Represents draws on consumer loans with revolving privileges.

Activities related to the allowance for loan losses on performing consumer loans, held-for-investment were as follows:
 
 
Collectively Evaluated(A)
 
Individually Impaired(B)
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
2,604

 
$
2,064

 
$
4,668

Provision (reversal) for loan losses
 
23,966

 
442

 
24,408

Net charge-offs(C)
 
(25,672
)
 

 
(25,672
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
898

 
$
2,506

 
$
3,404



43

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(A)
Represents smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are not individually considered impaired and are evaluated based on an analysis of collective borrower performance, key terms of the loans and historical and anticipated trends in defaults and loss severities, and consideration of the unamortized acquisition discount.
(B)
Represents consumer loan modifications considered to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as they provide concessions to borrowers, primarily in the form of interest rate reductions, who are experiencing financial difficulty. As of September 30, 2019, there are $17.3 million in UPB and $15.5 million in carrying value of consumer loans classified as TDRs.
(C)
Consumer loans, other than PCD loans, are charged off when available information confirms that loans are uncollectible, which is generally when they become 180 days past due. Charge-offs are presented net of $6.4 million in recoveries of previously charged-off UPB.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans

A portion of the consumer loans are considered PCD loans. Activities related to the carrying value of PCD consumer loans, held-for-investment were as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
182,917

(Allowance) reversal for loan losses(A)
 
(40
)
Proceeds from repayments
 
(60,499
)
Accretion of loan discount and other amortization
 
24,681

Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
147,059


(A)
An allowance represents the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition that are no longer expected to be collected. A reversal results from an increase to expected cash flows that reverses a prior allowance.

The following is the unpaid principal balance and carrying value for consumer loans, for which, as of the acquisition date, it was probable that New Residential would be unable to collect all contractually required payments:
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Carrying Value
September 30, 2019
$
182,171

 
$
147,059

December 31, 2018
221,910

 
182,917



The following is a summary of the changes in accretable yield for these loans:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
126,518

Accretion
 
(24,681
)
Reclassifications from (to) non-accretable difference(A)
 
10,344

Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
112,181


(A)
Represents a probable and significant increase (decrease) in cash flows previously expected to be uncollectible.

Noncontrolling Interests

Others’ interests in the equity of the Consumer Loan Companies is computed as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Total Consumer Loan Companies equity
 
$
47,314

 
$
66,105

Others’ ownership interest
 
46.5
%
 
46.5
%
Others’ interests in equity of consolidated subsidiary
 
$
22,520

 
$
30,561



44

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Others’ interests in the Consumer Loan Companies’ net income (loss) is computed as follows:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net Consumer Loan Companies income (loss)
$
22,790

 
$
21,038

 
$
49,690

 
$
61,359

Others’ ownership interest as a percent of total
46.5
%
 
46.5
%
 
46.5
%
 
46.5
%
Others’ interest in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
$
10,597

 
$
9,783

 
$
23,106

 
$
28,533



Variable Interest Entities

The Consumer Loan Companies consolidate certain entities that issued securitized debt collateralized by the consumer loans (the “Consumer Loan SPVs”). The Consumer Loan SPVs are VIEs of which the Consumer Loan Companies are the primary beneficiaries. The following table presents information on the combined assets and liabilities related to these consolidated VIEs.
 
 
As of
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
Consumer loans, held-for-investment
 
$
869,885

 
$
1,039,480

Restricted cash
 
9,338

 
10,186

Accrued interest receivable
 
13,148

 
15,627

Total assets(A)
 
$
892,371

 
$
1,065,293

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Notes and bonds payable(B)
 
$
873,724

 
$
1,030,096

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
4,034

 
3,814

Total liabilities(A)
 
$
877,758

 
$
1,033,910


(A)
The creditors of the Consumer Loan SPVs do not have recourse to the general credit of New Residential, and the assets of the Consumer Loan SPVs are not directly available to satisfy New Residential’s obligations.
(B)
Includes $10.0 million face amount of bonds retained by New Residential issued by these VIEs.

Equity Method Investees

In February 2017, New Residential completed a co-investment, through a newly formed entity, PF LoanCo Funding LLC (“LoanCo”), to purchase up to $5.0 billion worth of newly originated consumer loans from Consumer Loan Seller over a two year term. New Residential, along with three co-investors, each acquired 25% membership interests in LoanCo. New Residential accounts for its investment in LoanCo pursuant to the equity method of accounting because it can exercise significant influence over LoanCo but the requirements for consolidation are not met. New Residential’s investment in LoanCo is recorded as Investment in Consumer Loans, Equity Method Investees which is included within Other Assets (see Note 2 for details). LoanCo has elected to account for its investments in consumer loans at fair value. New Residential has elected to record LoanCo’s activity on a one month lag.

In addition, New Residential and the LoanCo co-investors agreed to purchase warrants to purchase up to 177.7 million shares of Series F convertible preferred stock in the Consumer Loan Seller’s parent company (“ParentCo”), which were valued at approximately $75.0 million in the aggregate as of February 2017, through a newly formed entity, PF WarrantCo Holdings, LP (“WarrantCo”). New Residential acquired a 23.57% interest in WarrantCo, the remaining interest being acquired by three co-investors. WarrantCo has agreed to purchase a pro rata portion of the warrants each time LoanCo closes on a portion of its consumer loan purchase agreement from Consumer Loan Seller. The holder of the warrants has the option to purchase an equivalent number of shares of Series F convertible preferred stock in ParentCo at a price of $0.01 per share. WarrantCo is vested in the warrants to purchase an aggregate of 147.7 million Series F convertible preferred stock in ParentCo as of August 31, 2019, and New Residential and LoanCo co-investors are vested in the warrants to purchase an aggregate of 30.0 million Series F convertible preferred stock in ParentCo as of August 31, 2019. The Series F convertible preferred stock holders have the right to convert such preferred stock to common stock at any time, are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such

45

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

shares of convertible preferred stock could be converted, and will have liquidation rights in the event of liquidation. New Residential accounts for its investment in WarrantCo pursuant to the equity method of accounting because it can exercise significant influence over WarrantCo but the requirements for consolidation are not met. New Residential’s investment in WarrantCo is recorded as Investment in Consumer Loans, Equity Method Investees which is included within Other Assets (see Note 2 for details). WarrantCo has elected to account for its investments in warrants at fair value. New Residential has elected to record WarrantCo’s activity on a one month lag.

The following tables summarize the investment in LoanCo and WarrantCo held by New Residential:
 
 
September 30, 2019(A)
 
December 31, 2018(A)
Consumer loans, at fair value
 
$
1,632

 
$
231,560

Warrants, at fair value
 
106,378

 
103,067

Other assets
 
1,685

 
25,971

Warehouse financing
 

 
(182,065
)
Other liabilities
 
(118
)
 
(1,142
)
Equity
 
$
109,577

 
$
177,391

Undistributed retained earnings
 
$

 
$

New Residential’s investment
 
$
25,875

 
$
42,875

New Residential’s ownership
 
23.6
%
 
24.2
%


 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019(B)
 
2018(B)
 
2019(B)
 
2018(B)
Interest income
 
$
636

 
$
16,513

 
$
20,003

 
$
38,032

Interest expense
 

 
(4,364
)
 
(6,487
)
 
(10,082
)
Change in fair value of consumer loans and warrants
 
(2,933
)
 
5,676

 
(4,390
)
 
24,750

Gain on sale of consumer loans(C)
 
(7,525
)
 
2,379

 
(9,193
)
 
3,512

Other expenses
 
(576
)
 
(1,604
)
 
(3,494
)
 
(6,201
)
Net income
 
$
(10,398
)
 
$
18,600

 
$
(3,561
)
 
$
50,011

New Residential’s equity in net income
 
$
(2,547
)
 
$
4,555

 
$
(890
)
 
$
12,343

New Residential’s ownership
 
24.5
%
 
24.5
%
 
25.0
%
 
24.7
%

(A)
Data as of August 31, 2019 and November 30, 2018, respectively, as a result of the one month reporting lag.
(B)
Data for the periods ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, as a result of the one month reporting lag.
(C)
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, LoanCo sold, through securitizations which were treated as sales for accounting purposes, $406.1 million in UPB of consumer loans. LoanCo retained $83.9 million of residual interest in the securitizations and distributed them to the LoanCo co-investors, including New Residential.

The following is a summary of LoanCo’s consumer loan investments:
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Interest in Consumer Loans
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Coupon
 
Weighted Average Expected Life (Years)(A)
 
Weighted Average Delinquency(B)
September 30, 2019(C)
$
1,226

 
25.0
%
 
$
1,632

 
18.7
%
 
1.0
 
%

(A)
Represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected cash flows for this investment.
(B)
Represents the percentage of the total unpaid principal balance that is 30+ days delinquent. Delinquency status is the primary credit quality indicator as it provides early warning of borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties.
(C)
Data as of August 31, 2019 as a result of the one month reporting lag.


46

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential’s investment in LoanCo and WarrantCo changed as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
38,294

Contributions to equity method investees
63,969

Distributions of earnings from equity method investees
(1,178
)
Distributions of capital from equity method investees
(77,162
)
Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees
(890
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
23,033




10.
DERIVATIVES
 
New Residential uses interest rate swaps and interest rate caps as economic hedges to hedge a portion of its interest rate risk exposure. Interest rate risk is sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors. New Residential’s credit risk with respect to economic hedges is the risk of default on New Residential’s investments that results from a borrower’s or counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.

As of September 30, 2019, New Residential held to-be-announced forward contract positions (“TBAs”) which were entered into as an economic hedge in order to mitigate New Residential’s interest rate risk on certain specified mortgage backed securities and any amounts or obligations owed by or to New Residential are subject to the right of set-off with the TBA counterparty. As part of executing these trades, New Residential has entered into agreements with its TBA counterparties that govern the transactions for the TBA purchases or sales made, including margin maintenance, payment and transfer, events of default, settlements, and various other provisions. New Residential has fulfilled all obligations and requirements entered into under these agreements.

In addition, as of September 30, 2019, New Residential held interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”), which represent a commitment to a particular interest rate provided the borrower is able to close the loan within a specified period, and forward loan sale and securities delivery commitments, which represent a commitment to sell specific mortgage loans at prices which are fixed as of the forward commitment date. New Residential enters into forward loan sale and securities delivery commitments in order to hedge the exposure related to IRLCs and mortgage loans that are not covered by mortgage loan sale commitments.

New Residential’s derivatives are recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Derivative assets
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Caps
Other assets
 
$

 
$
3

Interest Rate Lock Commitments
Other assets
 
26,214

 
10,851

Forward Loan Sale Commitments
Other assets
 

 
39

TBAs
Other assets
 
10,498

 

 
 
 
$
36,712

 
$
10,893

Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps(A)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
$
135

 
$
5,245

Interest Rate Lock Commitments
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
1,676

 
223

Forward Loan Sale Commitments
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
31

 


TBAs
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 

 
23,921

 
 
 
$
1,842

 
$
29,389


(A)
Net of $165.7 million of related variation margin accounts as of September 30, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, net of $106.1 million of related variation margin accounts existed.
 

47

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table summarizes notional amounts related to derivatives:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Interest Rate Caps(A)
$
50,000

 
$
50,000

Interest Rate Swaps(B)
7,780,000

 
4,725,000

Interest Rate Lock Commitments
2,735,387

 
823,187

Forward Loan Sale Commitments
6,893

 
30,274

TBAs, short position(C)
5,488,000

 
5,904,300

TBAs, long position(C)
9,709,894

 
5,067,200


(A)
As of September 30, 2019, caps LIBOR at 4.00% for $50.0 million of notional. The weighted average maturity of the interest rate caps as of September 30, 2019 was 14 months.
(B)
Includes $4.5 billion notional of Receive LIBOR/Pay Fixed of 3.16% and $3.3 billion notional of Receive Fixed of 1.51%/Pay LIBOR with weighted average maturities of 43 months and 65 months, respectively, as of September 30, 2019.
(C)
Represents the notional amount of Agency RMBS, classified as derivatives.

The following table summarizes all income (losses) recorded in relation to derivatives:
 
 
For the  
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
For the  
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Change in fair value of derivative instruments(A)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Caps
 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
436

Interest Rate Swaps
 
42,306

 
18,785

 
(26,893
)
 
19,668

Unrealized gains (losses) on Interest Rate Lock Commitments
 
3,002

 
(2,247
)
 
13,911

 
(2,247
)
Forward Loan Sale Commitments
 
(272
)
 
(17
)
 
(70
)
 
(17
)
TBAs
 
13,472

 
7,780

 
11,067

 
10,145

 
 
58,508

 
24,299

 
(1,988
)
 
27,985

Gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Caps
 

 

 

 
(603
)
Interest Rate Swaps
 
(10,338
)
 
(656
)
 
(32,529
)
 
37,287

TBAs(B)
 
(3,809
)
 
20,115

 
(119,895
)
 
39,408

 
 
(14,147
)
 
19,459

 
(152,424
)
 
76,092

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income (losses)
 
$
44,361

 
$
43,758

 
$
(154,412
)
 
$
104,077



(A)
Represents unrealized gains (losses).
(B)
Excludes $32.1 million and $61.9 million in loss on settlement included within gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net (Note 8) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.


48

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

11.
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
 
The following table presents certain information regarding New Residential’s debt obligations:

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral
 
 
Debt Obligations/Collateral
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Carrying Value(A)
 
Final Stated Maturity(B)
 
Weighted Average Funding Cost
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
 
Outstanding Face
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
 
Carrying Value(A)
Repurchase Agreements(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS(D)
 
$
10,733,236

 
$
10,733,236

 
Oct-19 to May-20
 
2.31
%
 
0.1
 
$
10,611,553

 
$
10,825,984

 
$
10,886,787

 
2.4
 
$
4,346,070

Non-Agency RMBS (E)
 
7,144,329

 
7,144,329

 
Oct-19 to Sep-20
 
3.08
%
 
0.1
 
21,021,981

 
7,113,471

 
7,786,425

 
6.3
 
7,434,785

Residential Mortgage Loans(F)
 
5,165,150

 
5,164,159

 
Oct-19 to May-21
 
3.74
%
 
0.6
 
5,960,958

 
6,025,596

 
5,805,242

 
13.9
 
3,678,246

Real Estate Owned(G)(H)
 
68,651

 
68,635

 
Oct-19 to May-21
 
3.85
%
 
0.4
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
95,410

 
N/A
 
94,868

Total Repurchase Agreements
 
23,111,366

 
23,110,359

 
 
 
2.87
%
 
0.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15,553,969

Notes and Bonds Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs(I)
 
269,759

 
269,759

 
Feb-20 to Jul-22
 
4.95
%
 
1.9
 
103,514,484

 
315,847

 
416,899

 
5.8
 
297,563

MSRs(J)
 
2,360,182

 
2,352,961

 
Mar-20 to Jul-24
 
4.23
%
 
2.0
 
452,215,330

 
4,718,333

 
5,113,271

 
5.5
 
2,360,856

Servicer Advances(K)
 
2,903,093

 
2,896,819

 
Jan-20 to Aug-23
 
3.22
%
 
2.0
 
3,316,416

 
3,482,368

 
3,512,345

 
1.6
 
3,382,455

Residential Mortgage Loans(L)
 
1,012,342

 
1,015,360

 
Apr-20 to Jul-43
 
4.09
%
 
3.7
 
1,258,875

 
1,277,193

 
1,194,186

 
8.0
 
124,945

Consumer Loans(M)
 
868,214

 
870,973

 
Dec-21 to May-36
 
3.25
%
 
4.0
 
878,317

 
884,473

 
881,069

 
5.6
 
936,447

Total Notes and Bonds Payable
 
7,413,590

 
7,405,872

 
 
 
3.73
%
 
2.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,102,266

Total/ Weighted Average
 
$
30,524,956

 
$
30,516,231

 
 
 
3.08
%
 
0.8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
22,656,235



(A)
Net of deferred financing costs.
(B)
All debt obligations with a stated maturity through October 31, 2019 were refinanced, extended or repaid.
(C)
These repurchase agreements had approximately $77.8 million of associated accrued interest payable as of September 30, 2019.
(D)
All of the Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have a fixed rate. Collateral amounts include approximately $4.4 billion of related trade and other receivables.
(E)
$6,585.6 million face amount of the Non-Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates while the remaining $558.8 million face amount of the Non-Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have a fixed rate. This also includes repurchase agreements of $7.5 million on retained servicer advance and consumer loan bonds and of $671.3 million on retained bonds collateralized by Agency MSRs.
(F)
All of these repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates.
(G)
All of these repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates.
(H)
Includes financing collateralized by receivables including claims from FHA on Ginnie Mae EBO loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which New Residential has made or intends to make a claim on the FHA guarantee.
(I)
Includes $169.8 million of corporate loans which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 3.00%, and $100.0 million of corporate loans which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 2.50%. The outstanding face amount of the collateral represents the UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying the interests in MSRs that secure these notes.
(J)
Includes: $940.2 million of MSR notes which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%; and $1,419.9 million of public notes with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.55% to 4.62%. The outstanding face amount of the collateral represents the UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables that secure these notes.
(K)
$2.6 billion face amount of the notes have a fixed rate while the remaining notes bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR or a cost of funds rate, as applicable, and (ii) a margin ranging from 1.15% to 1.99%. Collateral includes Servicer Advance Investments, as well as servicer advances receivable related to the mortgage servicing rights and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables owned by NRM.

49

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(L)
Represents: (i) a $6.0 million note payable to Nationstar which includes a $1.5 million receivable from government agency and bears interest equal to one-month LIBOR plus 2.88%, (ii) $109.9 million fair value of SAFT 2013-1 mortgage-backed securities issued with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.50% to 3.76% (see Note 12 for details), (iii) $362.1 million of asset-backed notes held by third parties which bear interest equal to 4.59% (see Note 12 for details), and (iv) $535.1 million of asset-backed notes held by third parties which include $1.3 million of REO and bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 1.25%.
(M)
Includes the SpringCastle debt, which is comprised of the following classes of asset-backed notes held by third parties: $787.9 million UPB of Class A notes with a coupon of 3.20% and a stated maturity date in May 2036, $70.4 million UPB of Class B notes with a coupon of 3.58% and a stated maturity date in May 2036, and $8.7 million UPB of Class C notes with a coupon of 5.06% and a stated maturity date in May 2036. Also includes a $1.2 million face amount note which bears interest equal to 4.00%.

As of September 30, 2019, New Residential had no outstanding repurchase agreements where the amount at risk with any individual counterparty or group of related counterparties exceeded 10% of New Residential’s stockholders' equity. The amount at risk under repurchase agreements is defined as the excess of carrying amount (or market value, if higher than the carrying amount) of the securities or other assets sold under agreement to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or other assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, over the amount of the repurchase liability (adjusted for accrued interest).

General

Certain of the debt obligations included above are obligations of New Residential’s consolidated subsidiaries, which own the related collateral. In some cases, such collateral is not available to other creditors of New Residential.

New Residential has margin exposure on $23.1 billion of repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2019. To the extent that the value of the collateral underlying these repurchase agreements declines, New Residential may be required to post margin, which could significantly impact its liquidity.
 
Activities related to the carrying value of New Residential’s debt obligations were as follows:
 
Excess MSRs
 
MSRs
 
Servicer Advances(A)
 
Real Estate Securities
 
Residential Mortgage Loans and REO
 
Consumer Loans
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
297,563

 
$
2,360,856

 
$
3,382,455

 
$
11,780,855

 
$
3,898,059

 
$
936,447

 
$
22,656,235

Repurchase Agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings

 

 

 
131,684,478

 
20,417,339

 

 
152,101,817

Repayments

 

 

 
(125,587,933
)
 
(18,957,675
)
 

 
(144,545,608
)
Capitalized deferred financing costs, net of amortization

 

 

 
165

 
17

 

 
182

Notes and Bonds Payable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Borrowings
300,000

 
2,039,949

 
3,419,265

 

 
912,445

 
928,683

 
7,600,342

Repayments
(328,000
)
 
(2,048,653
)
 
(3,902,406
)
 

 
(27,279
)
 
(1,000,203
)
 
(7,306,541
)
Discount on borrowings, net of amortization

 

 
29

 

 

 
6,046

 
6,075

Unrealized gain on notes, fair value

 

 

 

 
5,248

 

 
5,248

Capitalized deferred financing costs, net of amortization
196

 
809

 
(2,524
)
 

 

 

 
(1,519
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
269,759

 
$
2,352,961

 
$
2,896,819

 
$
17,877,565

 
$
6,248,154

 
$
870,973

 
$
30,516,231


(A)
New Residential net settles daily borrowings and repayments of the Notes and Bonds Payable on its servicer advances.


50

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Maturities
 
New Residential’s debt obligations as of September 30, 2019 had contractual maturities as follows:
Year
 
Nonrecourse
 
Recourse
 
Total
October 1 through December 31, 2019
 
$
1,978

 
$
18,781,709

 
$
18,783,687

2020
 
615,733

 
5,480,786

 
6,096,519

2021
 
1,088,623

 
1,034,034

 
2,122,657

2022
 
1,162,067

 
169,759

 
1,331,826

2023
 
400,000

 
403,433

 
803,433

2024 and thereafter
 
976,300

 
410,534

 
1,386,834

 
 
$
4,244,701

 
$
26,280,255

 
$
30,524,956



Borrowing Capacity

The following table represents New Residential’s borrowing capacity as of September 30, 2019:
Debt Obligations / Collateral
 
Borrowing Capacity
 
Balance Outstanding
 
Available Financing
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans and REO
 
$
9,112,297

 
$
5,233,801

 
$
3,878,496

Non-Agency RMBS
 
650,000

 
558,756

 
91,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes and Bonds Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs
 
150,000

 
100,000

 
50,000

MSRs
 
1,375,000

 
940,188

 
434,812

Servicer advances(A)
 
1,204,660

 
1,053,127

 
151,533

Residential Mortgage Loans
 
650,000

 
535,063

 
114,937

Consumer loans
 
150,000

 
1,228

 
148,772

 
 
$
13,291,957

 
$
8,422,163

 
$
4,869,794



(A)
New Residential’s unused borrowing capacity is available if New Residential has additional eligible collateral to pledge and meets other borrowing conditions as set forth in the applicable agreements, including any applicable advance rate. New Residential pays a 0.02% fee on the unused borrowing capacity.

Certain of the debt obligations are subject to customary loan covenants and event of default provisions, including event of default provisions triggered by certain specified declines in New Residential’s equity or a failure to maintain a specified tangible net worth, liquidity, or indebtedness to tangible net worth ratio. New Residential was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of September 30, 2019.


51

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

12.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The carrying values and fair values of New Residential’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as other financial instruments for which fair value is disclosed, as of September 30, 2019 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Principal Balance or Notional Amount
 
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess mortgage servicing rights, at fair value(A)
$
93,025,190

 
$
398,064

 
$

 
$

 
$
398,064

 
$
398,064

Excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees, at fair value(A)
35,632,429

 
132,259

 

 

 
132,259

 
132,259

Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value(A)
319,927,285

 
3,431,968

 

 

 
3,431,968

 
3,431,968

Mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, at fair value
140,523,235

 
1,811,261

 



 
1,811,261

 
1,811,261

Servicer advance investments, at fair
    value
492,480

 
600,547

 

 

 
600,547

 
600,547

Real estate and other securities, available-for-sale
30,643,013

 
16,853,910

 

 
8,998,066

 
7,855,844

 
16,853,910

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment
569,888

 
500,524

 

 

 
495,424

 
495,424

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
1,449,469

 
1,349,997

 

 

 
1,365,262

 
1,365,262

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale, at fair value
5,272,963

 
5,206,251

 

 
872,088

 
4,334,192

 
5,206,280

Residential mortgage loans, held-for-investment, at fair value
112,112

 
113,133

 

 

 
113,133

 
113,133

Residential mortgage loans subject to repurchase
168,532

 
168,532

 

 
168,532

 

 
168,532

Consumer loans, held-for-investment
878,431

 
881,183

 

 

 
903,805

 
903,805

Derivative assets
17,619,076

 
36,712

 

 
10,498

 
26,214

 
36,712

Cash and cash equivalents
738,219

 
738,219

 
738,219

 

 

 
738,219

Restricted cash
163,148

 
163,148

 
163,148

 

 

 
163,148

Other assets(B)
N/A

 
25,187

 
10,912

 

 
14,275

 
25,187

 
 
 
$
32,410,895

 
$
912,279

 
$
10,049,184

 
$
21,482,248

 
$
32,443,711

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
23,111,366

 
$
23,110,359

 
$

 
$
23,111,366

 
$

 
$
23,111,366

Notes and bonds payable(C)
7,413,590

 
7,405,872

 

 

 
7,486,297

 
7,486,297

Residential mortgage loan repurchase liability
168,532

 
168,532

 

 
168,532

 

 
168,532

Derivative liabilities
8,151,098

 
1,842

 

 
166

 
1,676

 
1,842

Excess spread financing
3,113,756

 
30,377

 

 

 
30,377

 
30,377

Contingent consideration
N/A

 
52,761

 

 

 
52,761

 
52,761

 
 
 
$
30,769,743

 
$

 
$
23,280,064

 
$
7,571,111

 
$
30,851,175

 
(A)
The notional amount represents the total unpaid principal balance of the residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs, MSR financing receivables and Excess MSRs. New Residential does not receive an excess mortgage servicing amount on non-performing loans in Agency portfolios.
(B)
Excludes the indirect equity investment in a commercial redevelopment project that is accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis based on the NAV of New Residential’s investment. The investment had a fair value of $74.1 million as of September 30, 2019.

52

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(C)
Includes the SAFT 2013-1 mortgage-backed securities and the 2019-RPL1 asset-backed notes issued for which the fair value option for financial instruments was elected and resulted in a fair value of $474.3 million as of September 30, 2019.

New Residential’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs changed as follows:
 
Level 3
 
 
 
Excess MSRs(A)
 
Excess MSRs in Equity Method Investees(A)(B)
 
MSRs(A)
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights Financing Receivable(A)
 
Servicer Advance Investments
 
Non-Agency RMBS
 
Derivatives(C)
 
Residential Mortgage Loans
 
 
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
257,387

 
$
190,473

 
$
147,964

 
$
2,884,100

 
$
1,644,504

 
$
735,846

 
$
8,970,963

 
$
10,628

 
$
2,330,627

 
$
17,172,492

Transfers(D)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers from Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(19,726
)
 
(19,726
)
Transfers to Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
301,174

 
301,174

Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1)

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 
805

 
805

Transfers from investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables to investments in mortgage servicing rights

 

 

 
367,121

 
(367,121
)
 

 

 

 

 

Gains (losses) included in net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in other-than-temporary impairment on securities(E)

 

 

 

 

 

 
(21,942
)
 

 

 
(21,942
)
Included in change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights(E)
(946
)
 
(475
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,421
)
Included in change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees(E)

 

 
4,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
4,087

Included in servicing revenue, net(F)

 

 

 
(629,396
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(629,396
)
Included in change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables(E)

 

 

 

 
(133,200
)
 

 

 

 

 
(133,200
)
Included in change in fair value of servicer advance investments

 

 

 

 

 
15,932

 

 

 

 
15,932

Included in change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
82,559

 
82,559

Included in gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
231

 
90

 

 

 

 

 
91,895

 

 

 
92,216

Included in other income (loss), net(E)
1,036

 
735

 

 

 

 

 
9,010

 
13,910

 

 
24,691

Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income(G)

 

 

 

 

 

 
254,044

 

 

 
254,044

Interest income
4,452

 
13,751

 

 

 

 
17,862

 
243,538

 

 

 
279,603

Purchases, sales and repayments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases

 

 

 
632,144

 
735,152

 
1,255,306

 
1,164,853

 

 
7,634,281

 
11,421,736

Proceeds from sales
(4,579
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(1,047
)
 
(15,575
)
 


 
(1,662,900
)
 

 
(6,559,120
)
 
(8,243,223
)
Proceeds from repayments
(36,021
)
 
(28,068
)
 
(19,792
)
 
(11,210
)
 
(52,499
)
 
(1,424,399
)
 
(1,193,617
)
 

 
(170,668
)
 
(2,936,274
)
Originations and other

 

 

 
190,256

 

 

 

 

 
847,393

 
1,037,649

Balance at September 30, 2019
$
221,560

 
$
176,504

 
$
132,259

 
$
3,431,968

 
$
1,811,261

 
$
600,547

 
$
7,855,844

 
$
24,538

 
$
4,447,325

 
$
18,701,806

 
(A)
Includes the recapture agreement for each respective pool, as applicable.
(B)
Amounts represent New Residential’s portion of the Excess MSRs held by the respective joint ventures in which New Residential has a 50% interest.
(C)
For the purpose of this table, the IRLC asset and liability positions are shown net.
(D)
Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the respective period.
(E)
The gains (losses) recorded in earnings during the period are attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets still held at the reporting dates and realized gains (losses) recorded during the period.
(F)
The components of Servicing revenue, net are disclosed in Note 5.
(G)
These gains (losses) were included in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.


53

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

New Residential’s liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs changed as follows:
 
 
Level 3
 
 
 
 
Excess Spread Financing
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities Issued
 
Contingent Consideration
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
39,304

 
$
117,048

 
$
40,842

 
$
197,194

Transfers(A)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers from Level 3
 

 

 

 

Transfers to Level 3
 

 

 

 

Acquisition
 

 

 
14,488

 
14,488

Gains (losses) included in net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in other-than-temporary impairment on securities(B)
 

 

 

 

Included in change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights
 

 

 

 

Included in change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees(B)
 

 

 

 

Included in servicing revenue, net(C)
 
(9,482
)
 

 

 
(9,482
)
Included in change in fair value of investments in notes receivable - rights to MSRs
 

 

 

 

Included in change in fair value of servicer advance investments
 

 

 

 

Included in change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans
 

 

 

 

Included in gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
 

 

 

 

Included in other income(B)
 

 
5,248

 
7,431

 
12,679

Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income, net of tax(D)
 

 

 

 

Interest income
 

 

 

 

Purchases, sales and repayments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 

 
378,569

 

 
378,569

Proceeds from sales
 

 

 

 

Proceeds from repayments
 

 
(26,556
)
 

 
(26,556
)
Other
 
555

 

 
(10,000
)
 
(9,445
)
Balance at September 30, 2019
 
$
30,377

 
$
474,309

 
$
52,761

 
$
557,447


(A)
Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the respective period.
(B)
The gains (losses) recorded in earnings during the period are attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 assets still held at the reporting dates and realized gains (losses) recorded during the period.
(C)
The components of Servicing revenue, net are disclosed in Note 5.
(D)
These gains (losses) were included in net unrealized gain (loss) on securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.


54

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

Investments in Excess MSRs, Excess MSRs Equity Method Investees, MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables Valuation

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the weighted average inputs used as of September 30, 2019:
 
 
Significant Inputs(A)
 
 
Prepayment
Rate(B)
 
Delinquency(C)
 
Recapture
Rate(D)
 
Mortgage Servicing Amount or Excess Mortgage Servicing Amount (bps)(E)
 
Collateral Weighted Average Maturity (Years)(F)
Excess MSRs Directly Held (Note 4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools

9.3
%
 
1.2
%
 
23.5
%
 
21

 
20

Recaptured Pools
 
12.3
%
 
0.5
%
 
35.0
%
 
22

 
23



10.0
%
 
1.0
%
 
26.3
%
 
21

 
21

Non-Agency(G)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nationstar and SLS Serviced:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools

9.9
%
 
N/A

 
17.5
%
 
15

 
24

Recaptured Pools
 
8.6
%
 
N/A

 
20.9
%
 
24

 
24



9.7
%
 
N/A

 
17.9
%
 
16

 
24

Total/Weighted Average--Excess MSRs Directly Held

9.9
%
 
1.0
%
 
22.6
%
 
19

 
22



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs Held through Equity Method Investees (Note 4)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools

10.0
%
 
1.5
%
 
26.7
%
 
19

 
19

Recaptured Pools
 
11.7
%
 
0.9
%
 
32.6
%
 
24

 
23

Total/Weighted Average--Excess MSRs Held through Investees

10.7
%
 
1.2
%
 
29.3
%
 
21

 
21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total/Weighted Average--Excess MSRs All Pools
 
10.2
%
 
1.1
%
 
24.8
%
 
20

 
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MSRs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights(H) (I)
 
13.7
%
 
0.7
%
 
27.1
%
 
27

 
22

MSR Financing Receivables
 
17.6
%
 
0.3
%
 
14.9
%
 
27

 
25

Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
12.4
%
 
0.2
%
 
24.6
%
 
26

 
26

MSR Financing Receivables
 
8.3
%
 
14.1
%
 
10.2
%
 
47

 
26

Ginnie Mae
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights(I)
 
14.8
%
 
3.6
%
 
29.7
%
 
32

 
27


(A)
Weighted by fair value of the portfolio.
(B)
Projected annualized weighted average lifetime voluntary and involuntary prepayment rate using a prepayment vector.
(C)
Projected percentage of residential mortgage loans in the pool for which the borrower will miss its mortgage payments.
(D)
Percentage of voluntarily prepaid loans that are expected to be refinanced by the related servicer or subservicer, as applicable.
(E)
Weighted average total mortgage servicing amount, in excess of the basic fee as applicable, measured in basis points (bps). A weighted average cost of subservicing of $6.46 per loan per month was used to value the agency MSRs, including MSR Financing Receivables. A weighted average cost of subservicing of $11.23 per loan per month was used to value the non-agency MSRs, including MSR Financing Receivables. A weighted average cost of subservicing of $8.81 per loan per month was used to value the Ginnie Mae MSRs.
(F)
Weighted average maturity of the underlying residential mortgage loans in the pool.
(G)
For certain pools, the Excess MSR will be paid on the total UPB of the mortgage portfolio (including both performing and delinquent loans until REO). For these pools, no delinquency assumption is used.

55

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

(H)
For certain pools, recapture rate represents the expected recapture rate with the successor subservicer appointed by NRM.
(I)
Includes valuation of the related Excess spread financing (Note 5).

With respect to valuing the Ocwen-serviced mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, which include a significant servicer advances receivable component, the cost of financing servicer advances receivable is assumed to be LIBOR plus 0.9%.

As of September 30, 2019, a weighted average discount rate of 7.8% was used to value New Residential’s investments in Excess MSRs (directly and through equity method investees). As of September 30, 2019, a weighted average discount rate of 7.5% was used to value New Residential’s investments in MSRs and a weighted average discount rate of 8.8% was used to value New Residential’s investments in MSR financing receivables.

Servicer Advance Investments Valuation

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the inputs used in valuing the Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSRs:
 
Significant Inputs
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
 
Outstanding Servicer Advances to UPB of Underlying Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Prepayment Rate(A)
 
Delinquency
 
Mortgage Servicing Amount(B)
 
Discount Rate
 
Collateral Weighted Average Maturity (Years)(C)
September 30, 2019
1.4
%
 
10.6
%
 
16.1
%
 
19.6

bps
5.1
%
 
23.0


(A)
Projected annual weighted average lifetime voluntary and involuntary prepayment rate using a prepayment vector.
(B)
Mortgage servicing amount is net of 10.2 bps which represents the amount New Residential paid its servicers as a monthly servicing fee.
(C)
Weighted average maturity of the underlying residential mortgage loans in the pool.
 
Real Estate and Other Securities Valuation
 
As of September 30, 2019, New Residential’s securities valuation methodology and results are further detailed as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
Asset Type
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Multiple Quotes(A)
 
Single Quote(B)
 
Total
 
Level
Agency RMBS
 
$
8,797,199

 
$
8,950,763

 
$
8,998,066

 
$

 
$
8,998,066

 
2

Non-Agency RMBS(C)
 
21,845,814

 
7,175,703

 
7,853,955

 
1,889

 
7,855,844

 
3

Total
 
$
30,643,013

 
$
16,126,466

 
$
16,852,021

 
$
1,889

 
$
16,853,910

 
 
 
(A)
New Residential generally obtained pricing service quotations or broker quotations from two sources, one of which was generally the seller (the party that sold New Residential the security) for Non-Agency RMBS. New Residential evaluates quotes received and determines one as being most representative of fair value, and does not use an average of the quotes. Even if New Residential receives two or more quotes on a particular security that come from non-selling brokers or pricing services, it does not use an average because it believes using an actual quote more closely represents a transactable price for the security than an average level. Furthermore, in some cases, for non-agency RMBS, there is a wide disparity between the quotes New Residential receives. New Residential believes using an average of the quotes in these cases would not represent the fair value of the asset. Based on New Residential’s own fair value analysis, it selects one of the quotes which is believed to more accurately reflect fair value. New Residential has not adjusted any of the quotes received in the periods presented. These quotations are generally received via email and contain disclaimers which state that they are “indicative” and not “actionable” — meaning that the party giving the quotation is not bound to actually purchase

56

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

the security at the quoted price. New Residential’s investments in Agency RMBS are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the market for these securities is very active and market prices are readily observable.

The third-party pricing services and brokers engaged by New Residential (collectively, “valuation providers”) use either the income approach or the market approach, or a combination of the two, in arriving at their estimated valuations of RMBS. Valuation providers using the market approach generally look at prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. Valuation providers using the income approach create pricing models that generally incorporate such assumptions as discount rates, expected prepayment rates, expected default rates and expected loss severities. New Residential has reviewed the methodologies utilized by its valuation providers and has found them to be consistent with GAAP requirements. In addition to obtaining multiple quotations, when available, and reviewing the valuation methodologies of its valuation providers, New Residential creates its own internal pricing models for Level 3 securities and uses the outputs of these models as part of its process of evaluating the fair value estimates it receives from its valuation providers. These models incorporate the same types of assumptions as the models used by the valuation providers, but the assumptions are developed independently. These assumptions are regularly refined and updated at least quarterly by New Residential, and reviewed by its valuation group, which is separate from its investment acquisition and management group, to reflect market developments and actual performance.

For 67.0% of New Residential’s Non-Agency RMBS, the ranges of assumptions used by New Residential’s valuation providers are summarized in the table below. The assumptions used by New Residential’s valuation providers with respect to the remainder of New Residential’s Non-Agency RMBS were not readily available.
 
 
Fair Value
 
Discount Rate
 
Prepayment Rate(a)
 
CDR(b)
 
Loss Severity(c)
Non-Agency RMBS
 
$
5,262,801

 
1.03% to 27.44%
 
0.5% to 23.00%
 
0.25% to 7.00%
 
5.0% to 100%

(a)
Represents the annualized rate of the prepayments as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(b)
Represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(c)
Represents the expected amount of future realized losses resulting from the ultimate liquidation of a particular loan, expressed as the net amount of loss relative to the outstanding balance.
(B)
New Residential was unable to obtain quotations from more than one source on these securities.
(C)
Includes New Residential’s investments in interest-only notes for which the fair value option for financial instruments was elected.

Residential Mortgage Loans Valuation

New Residential, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NewRez, originates mortgage loans that it intends to sell into Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae mortgage backed securitizations. Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value are typically pooled together and sold into certain exit markets, depending upon underlying attributes of the loan, such as agency eligibility, product type, interest rate, and credit quality. Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value are valued using a market approach by utilizing either: (i) the fair value of securities backed by similar mortgage loans, adjusted for certain factors to approximate the fair value of a whole mortgage loan, (ii) current commitments to purchase loans or (iii) recent observable market trades for similar loans, adjusted for credit risk and other individual loan characteristics. As these prices are derived from market observable inputs, New Residential classifies these valuations as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value also includes certain nonconforming mortgage loans originated for sale to private investors, which are valued using internal pricing models to forecast loan level cash flows based on a potential securitization exit using inputs such as default rates, prepayments speeds and discount rates. As the internal pricing model is based on certain unobservable inputs, New Residential classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.


57

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the inputs used in valuing residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value classified as Level 3:
 
 
Fair Value
 
Discount Rate
 
Prepayment Rate
 
CDR
 
Loss Severity
Acquired Loans
 
$
3,916,826

 
4.20%
 
7.4%
 
1.6%
 
28.5%
Originated Loans
 
417,366

 
3.0-4.5%
 
6.0-16.0%
 
0.0-3.5%
 
0.0% - 50.0%
Residential Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, at Fair Value
 
$
4,334,192

 

 

 

 



Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment, at fair value includes mortgage loans underlying the SAFT 2013-1 securitization, which are valued using internal pricing models using inputs such as default rates, prepayment speeds and discount rates. As the internal pricing model is based on certain unobservable inputs, New Residential classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the inputs used in valuing residential mortgage loans held-for-investment, at fair value classified as Level 3:
 
 
Fair Value
 
Discount Rate
 
Prepayment Rate
 
CDR
 
Loss Severity
Residential Mortgage Loans Held-for-Investment, at Fair Value
 
$
113,133

 
3.75%
 
8.0%
 
0.5%
 
20.0%


Derivative Valuation

New Residential enters into economic hedges including interest rate swaps, caps and TBAs, which are categorized as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy. New Residential generally values such derivatives using quotations, similarly to the method of valuation used for New Residential’s other assets that are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

As a part of the mortgage loan origination business, New Residential enters into forward loan sale and securities delivery commitments, which are valued based on observed market pricing for similar instruments and therefore, are classified as Level 2. In addition, New Residential enters into IRLCs, which are valued using internal pricing models incorporating (i) market pricing for instruments with similar characteristics (ii) estimating the fair value of the servicing rights expected to be recorded at sale of the loan and (iii) adjusted for anticipated loan funding probability. Both the fair value of servicing rights expected to be recorded at the date of sale of the loan and anticipated loan funding probability are significant unobservable inputs and therefore, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the inputs used in valuing IRLCs:
 
 
Fair Value
 
Loan Funding Probability
 
Fair Value of initial servicing rights (bps)
IRLCs
 
$
24,538

 
54% to 100%
 
0 to 315


Mortgage-Backed Securities Issued

New Residential and NewRez, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Residential, were deemed to be the primary beneficiaries of the RPL Borrowers and SAFT 2013-1 securitization entity and therefore, New Residential’s condensed consolidated balance sheets include the mortgage-backed securities issued by the RPL Borrowers and SAFT 2013-1, respectively. New Residential elected the fair value option for these financial instruments and the mortgage-backed securities issued were valued consistently with New Residential’s Non-Agency RMBS described above.


58

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table summarizes certain information regards the inputs used in valuing Mortgage-Backed Securities Issued:
 
 
Fair Value
 
Discount Rate
 
Prepayment Rate
 
CDR
 
Loss Severity
Mortgage-Backed Securities Issued
 
$
474,309

 
3.05% - 6.75%
 
7% - 15%
 
0.1%-3.5%
 
10%-25%


Contingent Consideration Valuation

New Residential, as additional consideration for the Shellpoint Acquisition, may make up to three cash earnout payments, which will be calculated following each of the first three anniversaries of the Shellpoint Closing as a percentage of the amount by which the pre-tax income of certain of Shellpoint’s businesses exceeds certain specified thresholds, up to an aggregate maximum amount of $60.0 million (the “Shellpoint Earnout Payments”). On September 5, 2019, New Residential paid $10.0 million as the first of three potential earnout payments. In accordance with ASC 805, New Residential measures its contingent consideration at fair value on a recurring basis using a scenario-based method to weigh the probability of multiple outcomes to arrive at an expected payment cash flow and then discounts the expected cash flow. The inputs utilized in valuing the contingent consideration include a discount rate of 11% and the application of probability weighting of income scenarios, which are significant unobservable inputs and therefore, contingent consideration is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment. For residential mortgage loans held-for-sale and foreclosed real estate accounted for as REO, New Residential applies the lower of cost or fair value accounting and may be required, from time to time, to record a nonrecurring fair value adjustment.

At September 30, 2019, assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis were $1.3 billion. The $1.3 billion of assets include approximately $1,236.5 million of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale and $51.8 million of REO. The fair value of New Residential’s residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale is estimated based on a discounted cash flow model analysis using internal pricing models and is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table summarizes the inputs used in valuing these residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2019:
 
 
Fair Value and Carrying Value
 
Discount Rate
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)
 
Prepayment Rate
 
CDR(B)
 
Loss Severity(C)
Performing Loans
 
$
715,110

 
4.4
%
 
4.0
 
13.0
%
 
2.0
%
 
35.5
%
Non-Performing Loans
 
521,435

 
5.5
%
 
3.1
 
3.0
%
 
2.9
%
 
30.0
%
Total/Weighted Average
 
$
1,236,545

 
4.9
%
 
3.6
 
8.8
%
 
2.4
%
 
33.2
%

(A)
The weighted average life is based on the expected timing of the receipt of cash flows.
(B)
Represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) as a percentage of the total principal balance.
(C)
Loss severity is the expected amount of future realized losses resulting from the ultimate liquidation of a particular loan, expressed as the net amount of loss relative to the outstanding loan balance.

The fair value of REO is estimated using a broker’s price opinion discounted based upon New Residential’s experience with actual liquidation values and, therefore, is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These discounts to the broker price opinion generally range from 10% to 25%, depending on the information available to the broker.

The total change in the recorded value of assets for which a fair value adjustment has been included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 consisted of a reversal of prior valuation allowance of $17.0 million for residential mortgage loans, offset by $0.4 million increased allowance for REO.


59

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

13.
EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Equity and Dividends

In February 2019, New Residential issued 46.0 million shares of its common stock in a public offering at a price to the public of $16.50 per share for net proceeds of approximately $751.7 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for New Residential, in connection with this offering, New Residential granted options to the Manager relating to 4.6 million shares of New Residential’s common stock at the public offering price, which had a fair value of approximately $3.8 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 2.40% risk-free rate, a 9.30% dividend yield, 19.26% volatility and a 10-year term.

On July 2, 2019, in a public offering, New Residential issued 6.2 million shares of its 7.50% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Preferred Series A”), par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of approximately $150.0 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for New Residential, in connection with this offering, New Residential granted options to the Manager relating to 0.6 million shares of New Residential’s common stock at the closing price per share of common stock on the pricing date, which had a fair value of approximately $0.5 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 1.91% risk-free rate, a 9.73% dividend yield, 17.95% volatility and 10-year term.

On August 15, 2019, in a public offering, New Residential issued 11.3 million shares of its 7.125% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Preferred Series B”), par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share for net proceeds of approximately $273.4 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for New Residential, in connection with this offering, New Residential granted options to the Manager relating to 1.1 million shares of New Residential’s common stock at the closing price per share of common stock on the pricing date, which had a fair value of approximately $0.7 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 1.56% risk-free rate, a 11.2% dividend yield, 18.23% volatility and 10-year term.

On September 23, 2019, New Residential’s board of directors declared a third quarter 2019 common dividend of $0.50 per common share or $207.8 million and preferred dividends of $0.69 per share of Preferred Series A and $0.45 per share of Preferred Series B, or $4.3 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

Approximately 2.4 million shares of New Residential’s common stock were held by Fortress, through its affiliates, at September 30, 2019.

On August 20, 2019, New Residential announced that its board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of its common stock through December 31, 2020. Repurchases may be made from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to one or more plans established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or by means of one or more tender offers, in each case, as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors including the price and availability of New Residential’s shares, trading volume, capital availability, New Residential’s performance and general economic and market conditions. No share repurchases have been made as of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Option Plan

As of September 30, 2019, New Residential’s outstanding options were summarized as follows:
Held by the Manager
10,511,167

Issued to the Manager and subsequently assigned to certain of the Manager’s employees
2,290,749

Issued to the independent directors
7,000

Total
12,808,916




60

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

The following table summarizes New Residential’s outstanding options as of September 30, 2019. The last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for New Residential’s common stock in the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $15.68 per share.
Recipient
Date of
Grant/
Exercise(A)
 
Number of Unexercised
Options
 
Options
Exercisable as of
September 30, 2019
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price(B)
 
Intrinsic Value of Exercisable Options as of
September 30, 2019
(millions)
Directors
Various
 
7,000

 
7,000

 
$
13.61

 
$

Manager(C)
2017
 
1,130,916

 

 
14.09

 
1.8

Manager(C)
2018
 
5,320,000

 
2,416,798

 
16.61

 

Manager(C)
2019
 
6,351,000

 
1,152,400

 
16.43

 

Outstanding
 
 
12,808,916

 
3,576,198

 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Options expire on the tenth anniversary from date of grant.
(B)
The exercise prices are subject to adjustment in connection with return of capital dividends. A portion of New Residential’s 2018 dividends was deemed to be a return of capital and the exercise prices were adjusted accordingly.
(C)
The Manager assigned certain of its options to its employees as follows:
    
Date of Grant to Manager
 
Range of Exercise
Prices
 
Total Unexercised
Inception to Date
2017
 
$14.09
 
1,130,916

2018
 
$16.48 to $17.73
 
1,159,833

Total
 
 
 
2,290,749


 
The following table summarizes activity in New Residential’s outstanding options:
 
 
Amount
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
December 31, 2018 outstanding options
 
8,498,138

 
 
Options granted
 
6,352,000

 
$
16.20

Options exercised
 
(2,041,222
)
 
$
13.88

Options expired unexercised
 

 
 
September 30, 2019 outstanding options
 
12,808,916

 
See table above


Income and Earnings Per Share

New Residential is required to present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the additional dilutive effect, if any, of common stock equivalents during each period. New Residential’s common stock equivalents are its outstanding options. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, based on the treasury stock method, New Residential had 150,699 dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, based on the treasury stock method, New Residential had 1,463,258 dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests is comprised of the interests held by third parties in consolidated entities that hold New Residential’s Servicer Advance Investments (Note 6), Shelter JVs (Note 8) and Consumer Loans (Note 9).

14.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Litigation – New Residential is or may become, from time to time, involved in various disputes, litigation and regulatory inquiry and investigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Given the inherent unpredictability of these types of proceedings, it is possible that future adverse outcomes could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations. New Residential is not aware of any unasserted claims that it believes are material and probable of assertion where the risk of loss is expected to be reasonably possible.

New Residential is, from time to time, subject to inquiries by government entities. New Residential currently does not believe any of these inquiries would result in a material adverse effect on New Residential’s business.

Indemnifications – In the normal course of business, New Residential and its subsidiaries enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnifications. New Residential’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against New Residential that have not yet occurred. However, based on its experience, New Residential expects the risk of material loss to be remote.
 
Capital Commitments — As of September 30, 2019, New Residential had outstanding capital commitments related to investments in the following investment types (also refer to Note 5 for MSR investment commitments and to Note 18 for additional capital commitments entered into subsequent to September 30, 2019, if any):

MSRs and Servicer Advances — New Residential and, in some cases, third-party co-investors agreed to purchase future servicer advances related to certain Non-Agency mortgage loans. In addition, New Residential’s subsidiary, NRM, is generally obligated to fund future servicer advances related to the loans it is obligated to service. The actual amount of future advances purchased will be based on: (a) the credit and prepayment performance of the underlying loans, (b) the amount of advances recoverable prior to liquidation of the related collateral and (c) the percentage of the loans with respect to which no additional advance obligations are made. The actual amount of future advances is subject to significant uncertainty. See Notes 5 and 6 for information on New Residential’s investments in MSRs and Servicer Advance Investments, respectively.

Mortgage Origination Reserves — NewRez, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Residential, originates conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee conventional and government insured mortgage securitizations and mortgage investors issue nonconforming private label mortgage securitizations while NewRez generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans. In connection with the transfer of loans to the GSEs or mortgage investors, NewRez makes representations and warranties regarding certain attributes of the loans and, subsequent to the sale, if it is determined that a sold loan is in breach of these representations and warranties, NewRez generally has an obligation to cure the breach. If NewRez is unable to cure the breach, the purchaser may require NewRez to repurchase the loan.

In addition, for Ginnie Mae guaranteed securitizations, NewRez holds a Ginnie Mae Buy-Back Option to repurchase delinquent loans from the securitization at its discretion. While NewRez is not obligated to repurchase the delinquent loans, NewRez generally executes its option to repurchase that will result in an economic benefit. As of September 30, 2019, New Residential’s estimated liability associated with representations and warranties and Ginnie Mae repurchases was $9.2 million and $168.5 million, respectively. See Notes 5 and 8 for information on New Residential’s Ginnie Mae Buy-Back Option and mortgage origination, respectively.

Mortgage Origination Unfunded Commitments — As of September 30, 2019, NewRez was committed to fund approximately $2.7 billion of mortgage loans and had forward loan sale commitments of $7.0 million. The forward sales are expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2019.

Residential Mortgage Loans — As part of its investment in residential mortgage loans, New Residential may be required to outlay capital. These capital outflows primarily consist of advance escrow and tax payments, residential maintenance and property disposition fees. The actual amount of these outflows is subject to significant uncertainty. See Note 8 for information on New Residential’s investments in residential mortgage loans.

Consumer Loans — The Consumer Loan Companies have invested in loans with an aggregate of $279.4 million of unfunded and available revolving credit privileges as of September 30, 2019. However, under the terms of these loans, requests for draws may be denied and unfunded availability may be terminated at New Residential’s discretion.

61

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 


Leases — New Residential, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Shellpoint, has leases on office space expiring through 2025. Future commitments under non-cancelable leases are approximately $25.4 million.

Environmental Costs — As a residential real estate owner, through its REO, New Residential is subject to potential environmental costs. At September 30, 2019, New Residential is not aware of any environmental concerns that would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Debt Covenants — New Residential’s debt obligations contain various customary loan covenants (Note 11).
 
Certain Tax-Related Covenants — If New Residential is treated as a successor to Drive Shack Inc. (“Drive Shack”) under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules, and if Drive Shack failed to qualify as a REIT for a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2014, New Residential could be prohibited from electing to be a REIT. Accordingly, in the separation and distribution agreement executed in connection with New Residential’s spin-off from Drive Shack, Drive Shack (i) represented that it had no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause New Residential to fail to qualify as a REIT, (ii) covenanted to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with New Residential as necessary to enable New Residential to qualify for taxation as a REIT and receive customary legal opinions concerning REIT status, including providing information and representations to New Residential and its tax counsel with respect to the composition of Drive Shack’s income and assets, the composition of its stockholders, and its operation as a REIT; and (iii) covenanted to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of Drive Shack’s taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2014 (unless Drive Shack obtains an opinion from a nationally recognized tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to the effect that Drive Shack’s failure to maintain its REIT status will not cause New Residential to fail to qualify as a REIT under the successor REIT rule referred to above). Additionally, New Residential covenanted to use its reasonable best efforts to qualify for taxation as a REIT for its taxable year ended December 31, 2013.

15.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES
 
New Residential is party to a Management Agreement with its Manager which provides for automatically renewing one-year terms subject to certain termination rights. The Manager’s performance is reviewed annually and the Management Agreement may be terminated by New Residential by payment of a termination fee, as defined in the Management Agreement, equal to the amount of management fees earned by the Manager during the 12 consecutive calendar months immediately preceding the termination, upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the independent directors, or by a majority vote of the holders of common stock. If the Management Agreement is terminated, the Manager may require New Residential to purchase from the Manager the right of the Manager to receive the Incentive Compensation. In exchange therefor, New Residential would be obligated to pay the Manager a cash purchase price equal to the amount of the Incentive Compensation that would be paid to the Manager if all of New Residential’s assets were sold for cash at their then current fair market value (taking into account, among other things, expected future performance of the underlying investments). Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager, under the supervision of New Residential’s board of directors, formulates investment strategies, arranges for the acquisition of assets and associated financing, monitors the performance of New Residential’s assets and provides certain advisory, administrative and managerial services in connection with the operations of New Residential.

The Manager is entitled to receive a management fee in an amount equal to 1.5% per annum of New Residential’s gross equity calculated and payable monthly in arrears in cash. Gross equity is generally (i) the equity transferred by Drive Shack, formerly Newcastle Investment Corp., which was the sole stockholder of New Residential until the spin-off of New Residential completed on May 15, 2013, on the date of the spin-off, (ii) plus total net proceeds from stock offerings, plus certain capital contributions to subsidiaries, less capital distributions and repurchases of common stock.

In addition, the Manager is entitled to receive annual incentive compensation in an amount equal to the product of (A) 25% of the dollar amount by which (1) (a) New Residential’s funds from operations before the incentive compensation, excluding funds from operations from investments in the Consumer Loan Companies and any unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market valuation changes on investments and debt (and any deferred tax impact thereof), per share of common stock, plus (b) earnings (or losses) from the Consumer Loan Companies computed on a level-yield basis (such that the loans are treated as if they qualified as loans acquired with a discount for credit quality as set forth in ASC No. 310-30, as such codification was in effect on June 30, 2013) as if the Consumer Loan Companies had been acquired at their GAAP basis on May 15, 2013, plus earnings (or losses) from equity method investees invested in Excess MSRs as if such equity method investees had not made a fair value election, plus gains (or losses) from debt restructuring and gains (or losses) from sales of property, and plus non-routine items, minus amortization of non-

62

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

routine items, in each case per share of common stock, exceed (2) an amount equal to (a) the weighted average of the book value per share of the equity transferred by Drive Shack on the date of the spin-off and the prices per share of New Residential’s common stock in any offerings (adjusted for prior capital dividends or capital distributions) multiplied by (b) a simple interest rate of 10% per annum, multiplied by (B) the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. “Funds from operations” means net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from debt restructuring and gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation on real estate assets, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Funds from operations will be computed on an unconsolidated basis. The computation of funds from operations may be adjusted at the direction of New Residential’s independent directors based on changes in, or certain applications of, GAAP. Funds from operations is determined from the date of the spin-off and without regard to Drive Shack’s prior performance.

In addition to the management fee and incentive compensation, New Residential is responsible for reimbursing the Manager for certain expenses paid by the Manager on behalf of New Residential.

Due to affiliates is comprised of the following amounts:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Management fees
$
7,076

 
$
5,779

Incentive compensation
49,265

 
94,900

Expense reimbursements and other
3,210

 
792

Total
$
59,551

 
$
101,471

 
Affiliate expenses and fees were comprised of:
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Management fees
$
20,678

 
$
15,464

 
$
58,261

 
$
46,027

Incentive compensation
36,307

 
23,848

 
49,265

 
65,169

Expense reimbursements(A)
125

 
125

 
375

 
375

Total
$
57,110

 
$
39,437

 
$
107,901

 
$
111,571

 
(A)
Included in General and Administrative Expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
See Note 4 regarding co-investments with Fortress-managed funds.

See Note 13 regarding options granted to the Manager.

16.
RECLASSIFICATION FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME INTO NET INCOME
 
The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
 
Statement of Income Location
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings
 
Gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
 
$
(95,003
)
 
$
28,737

 
$
(201,222
)
 
$
66,695

Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings
 
Other-than-temporary impairment on securities
 
5,567

 
3,889

 
21,942

 
23,190

Total reclassifications
 
 
 
$
(89,436
)
 
$
32,626

 
$
(179,280
)
 
$
89,885



New Residential did not allocate any income tax expense or benefit to any component of other comprehensive income for any period presented, as no taxable subsidiary generated other comprehensive income.

17.
INCOME TAXES
 
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,

Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019

2018

2019

2018
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
1,198

 
$
5,691

 
$
785

 
$
6,299

State and Local
 
14

 
(263
)
 
115

 
424

Total Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
1,212

 
5,428

 
900

 
6,723

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
(5,385
)
 
(1,201
)
 
14,762

 
(12,829
)
State and Local
 
(1,267
)
 
(664
)
 
3,318

 
149

Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
(6,652
)
 
(1,865
)
 
18,080

 
(12,680
)
Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
$
(5,440
)
 
$
3,563

 
$
18,980

 
$
(5,957
)

 
New Residential intends to qualify as a REIT for each of its tax years through December 31, 2019. A REIT is generally not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of its income that is distributed to stockholders if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders by prescribed dates and complies with various other requirements.

63

NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2019
(dollars in tables in thousands, except share data) 
 

 
New Residential operates various securitization vehicles and has made certain investments, particularly its investments in MSRs (Note 5), Servicer Advance Investments (Note 6) and REO (Note 8), through taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) that are subject to regular corporate income taxes which have been provided for in the provision for income taxes, as applicable.

New Residential has recorded a net deferred tax asset of approximately $43.4 million as of September 30, 2019, primarily related to unrealized gains and discount accruals offset by net operating loss carry forwards.

18.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
These financial statements include a discussion of material events that have occurred subsequent to September 30, 2019 (referred to as “subsequent events”) through the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Events subsequent to that date have not been considered in these financial statements.

Corporate Activities

On October 1, 2019, New Residential completed its purchase of Ditech’s forward Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae and non-agency MSRs with an aggregate UPB of approximately $62.0 billion as of August 31, 2019, the servicer advance receivables relating to such MSRs and other assets core to the forward origination and servicing operations. Additionally, New Residential assumed certain Ditech office spaces and added approximately 1,100 Ditech employees to support the increase in volume to its existing origination and servicing operations. The approximate purchase price at the closing was $1.2 billion and the acquisition was financed via financing facilities and cash on hand.

On October 4, 2019, New Residential issued a securitization of approximately $1.73 billion UPB of reperforming residential mortgage loans for net proceeds of $1.67 billion.

64



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of New Residential. The following should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included herein, and with “Risk Factors.”
 
GENERAL
 
New Residential is a publicly traded REIT primarily focused on opportunistically investing in, and actively managing, investments related to residential real estate. We primarily target investments in mortgage servicing related assets and related opportunistic investments. We are externally managed by an affiliate of Fortress pursuant to the Management Agreement. Our goal is to drive strong risk-adjusted returns primarily through our investments, and our investment guidelines are purposefully broad to enable us to make investments in a wide array of assets in diverse markets, including non-real estate related assets such as consumer loans. We generally target assets that generate significant current cash flows and/or have the potential for meaningful capital appreciation.
 
Our portfolio is currently composed of mortgage servicing related assets, Non-Agency RMBS (and associated call rights), residential mortgage loans and other opportunistic investments. Our asset allocation and target assets may change over time, depending on our investment decisions in light of prevailing market conditions. The assets in our portfolio are described in more detail below under “—Our Portfolio.”

New Residential, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries New Residential Mortgage LLC (“NRM”) and NewRez LLC (“NewRez”), is licensed or otherwise eligible to service residential mortgage loans in all states within the United States and the District of Columbia. NRM and NewRez perform servicing on behalf of investors, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) (collectively, Government Sponsored Enterprises or “GSEs”) and Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), and on behalf of other servicers (subservicing).

NewRez originates, sells and securitizes conventional (conforming to the underwriting standards of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; collectively referred to as “Agency” loans), government-insured (Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”)) and non-qualified (“Non-QM”) residential mortgage loans. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee securitizations completed under their applicable policies and guidelines. New Residential generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans sold and securitized by NRM and NewRez. NRM and NewRez are required to conduct aspects of their operations in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines published by FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to maintain those approvals.

MARKET CONSIDERATIONS
 
Developments in the U.S. Housing Market

As of the third quarter of 2019, the top 100 mortgage servicers serviced over 99% of the $10.9 trillion one-to-four family mortgage debt outstanding, according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Furthermore, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, as of the third quarter of 2019, approximately 66% of such outstanding mortgage debt was serviced by the top 25 mortgage servicers, of which 15 are non-banks. Given current market dynamics and an overall competitive servicing environment, we may expect additional market consolidation among non-bank servicers. As a result, we believe additional MSR sales will be likely for some period of time. These factors have resulted in increased opportunities for us to acquire interests in MSRs and to provide capital to non-bank servicers. In addition, approximately $1.64 trillion of new loans were originated in 2018 and another $1.86 trillion are forecasted for 2019, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. We believe this creates an opportunity to enter into “flow arrangements,” whereby loan originators or servicers agree to sell MSRs or Excess MSRs on newly originated loans on a recurring basis (often monthly or quarterly). Recently, strong demand for mortgage assets in general has led to tighter spreads and lower required rates of return. This, in turn, creates a reach for yield and increased difficulty in sourcing accretive investments in the current investment landscape. These market conditions have driven prices higher, thereby also increasing the value of certain of our existing investments.

Interest Rates and Prepayment Rates

As further described in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” decreasing interest rates are generally associated with increasing prepayment rates for residential mortgage loans since they decrease the cost of borrowing for homeowners. Increasing prepayment rates, in turn, would generally be expected to decrease the value of our interests in Excess MSRs, MSRs and Servicer Advance Investments, which include the right to a portion of the related MSRs, because the duration

65



of the cash flows we are entitled to receive decreases and results in a reduction in current cash flows. Changes in interest rates will also directly impact our costs of borrowing either immediately (floating rate debt) or upon refinancing (fixed rate debt) and may also be associated with changes in credit spreads and/or the discount rates used in valuing investments. Increasing prepayment rates have a positive impact on the value of investments purchased at a significant discount since the recovery of that discount is accelerated.

In the third quarter of 2019, given mixed economic data, the Federal Reserve lowered borrowing costs twice and signaled that future rate cuts in 2019 were a possibility resulting in current interest rates moving lower, with the 10-year Treasury declining 34 bps during the quarter, to 1.67% as of September 30, 2019 from 2.01% as of June 30, 2019, and LIBOR declining 38 bps during the quarter to 2.01% as of September 30, 2019 from 2.39% as of June 30, 2019. Meanwhile, the primary mortgage rate decreased 11 bps during the quarter to 3.718% as of September 30, 2019 from 3.824% as of June 30, 2019. With respect to our Non-Agency RMBS, which are generally purchased at a significant discount to par, market interest rates decreased and market credit spreads increased, with the net result being a decrease in value of these investments during the quarter.

The value of our MSRs and Excess MSRs is subject to a variety of factors, as described in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and in “Risk Factors.” In the third quarter of 2019, the fair value of our direct investments in Excess MSRs and our share of the fair value of the Excess MSRs held through equity method investees increased by approximately $3.2 million in the aggregate, primarily as a result of a decrease in discount rates. In addition, faster prepayment speeds partially offset by lower discount rates caused the fair value of our MSRs, including MSR financing receivables, to decrease by approximately $48.9 million during the period.

Changes in interest rates did not have a meaningful impact on the net interest spread of our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS portfolios. Our RMBS are primarily floating rate or hybrid (i.e., fixed to floating rate) securities, which we generally finance with floating rate debt, or are economically hedged with respect to interest rates. Therefore, while decreasing interest rates will generally result in a lower cost of financing, they will also result in a lower coupon payable on the securities. The net interest spread on our Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019 was 0.75%, compared to 0.55% as of June 30, 2019. The spread changed primarily as a result of increased funding costs. The net interest spread on our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019 was 1.76%, compared to 1.61% as of June 30, 2019. This spread changed primarily as a result of lower funding costs.

We employ a variety of hedging strategies to reduce book value volatility. Both our diverse portfolio composition (inclusive of long and short duration instruments and various operating businesses) as well as specific hedging instruments (including Agency MBS, interest rate swaps etc.) mitigate book value volatility.

General U.S. Economy and Unemployment

During the third quarter of 2019, the U.S. unemployment rate continued to decline slightly to 3.5% as of September 30, 2019, signaling a general improvement in the U.S. economy. In our view, an improvement in the economy, as demonstrated through such measure, generally improves the value of housing and the ability of borrowers to make payments on their loans, thereby decreasing delinquencies and defaults on residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and RMBS. This relationship generally held true, however, the third quarter of 2019 continued to show certain indications that the rate of home price increases across the U.S. has slowed. The Case Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index reported a 2.0% annual gain in July 2019, down from 4.3% in January 2019. In addition, according to CoreLogic, the total number of mortgaged residential properties with negative equity stood at 2.0 million, or 3.8%, as of the second quarter of 2019, down from 3.8% in the first quarter of 2019 and on a year-over-year basis, the number of mortgaged properties in negative equity fell 9.0%. While potentially slowing, this trend continues to help support the values of our residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and RMBS.

Credit Spreads

Corporate credit spreads, which generally have an impact on the value of yield driven financial instruments (e.g., RMBS and loan portfolios), continued to tighten during the third quarter of 2019. In addition, collateral performance, market liquidity, mortgage credit spreads and other factors related specifically to certain investments within our mortgage securities and loan portfolio caused an increase to the value of the portion of this portfolio that was owned for the entire quarter.

For more information regarding these and other market factors which impact our portfolio, see Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”


66



Our Manager

On December 27, 2017, SoftBank Group Corp. (“SoftBank”) announced that it completed its previously announced acquisition of Fortress (the “SoftBank Merger”). In connection with the SoftBank Merger, Fortress operates within SoftBank as an independent business headquartered in New York.

OUR PORTFOLIO
 
Our portfolio is currently composed of mortgage servicing related assets, residential securities and loans and other investments, as described in more detail below. The assets in our portfolio are described in more detail below (dollars in thousands), as of September 30, 2019.
 
Outstanding
Face Amount
 
Amortized
Cost Basis
 
Percentage of Total Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Life (years)(A)
Investments in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs(B)
$
128,657,619

 
$
398,488

 
1.3
%
 
$
530,323

 
5.7
MSRs(B)
319,927,285

 
3,364,140

 
11.2
%
 
3,431,968

 
4.8
MSR Financing Receivables(B) (C)
140,523,235

 
1,500,229

 
5.0
%
 
1,811,261

 
6.2
Servicer Advance Investments(B) (D)
492,480

 
570,570

 
1.7
%
 
600,547

 
6.3
Agency RMBS(E)
8,797,199

 
8,950,763

 
29.9
%
 
8,998,066

 
4.6
Non-Agency RMBS(E)
21,845,814

 
7,175,703

 
24.1
%
 
7,855,844

 
6.3
Residential Mortgage Loans
7,404,432

 
7,067,812

 
23.7
%
 
7,169,905

 
10.0
Consumer Loans
878,431

 
884,587

 
3.1
%
 
881,183

 
3.9
Total/Weighted Average
 
 
$
29,912,292

 
100.0
%
 
$
31,279,097

 
6.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to GAAP total assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and restricted cash
 
 
 
 
 
 
901,367

 
 
Servicer advances receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,911,798

 
 
Trades receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,487,772

 
 
Deferred tax asset, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
43,372

 
 
Other assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,724,519

 
 
GAAP total assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
41,347,925

 
 
 
(A)
Weighted average life is based on the timing of expected principal reduction on the asset.
(B)
The outstanding face amount of Excess MSRs, MSRs, MSR Financing Receivables, and Servicer Advance Investments is based on 100% of the face amount of the underlying residential mortgage loans and currently outstanding advances, as applicable.
(C)
Includes certain MSRs where our subsidiary, NRM, is the named servicer.
(D)
The value of our Servicer Advance Investments also includes the rights to a portion of the related MSR.
(E)
Amortized cost basis is net of impairment.

Servicing Related Assets

MSRs and MSR Financing Receivables

As of September 30, 2019, we had $5.2 billion carrying value of MSRs and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables within our servicer subsidiary, NRM.

NRM has contracted with certain subservicers to perform the related servicing duties on the residential mortgage loans underlying its MSRs. As of September 30, 2019, these subservicers include PHH, Nationstar, LoanCare, AmeriHome, and Flagstar, which subservice 26.9%, 23.1%, 19.2%, 1.8%, and 0.8% of the underlying UPB of the related mortgages, respectively (includes both Mortgage Servicing Rights and MSR Financing Receivables). The remaining 28.2% of the underlying UPB of the related mortgages is subserviced by our subsidiary, Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

67



NRM has entered into agreements with PHH, LoanCare, Flagstar, and Nationstar whereby NRM is entitled to the MSR on any refinancing by such subservicer of a loan in the related original portfolio.

The table below summarizes our investments in MSRs and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables as of September 30, 2019.
 
Current UPB (bn)
 
Weighted Average MSR (bps)
 
 
Carrying Value (mm)
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
288.7

 
27

bps
 
$
3,038.7

Non-Agency
2.3

 
26

 
 
20.3

Ginnie Mae
28.9

 
32

 
 
372.9

MSR Financing Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
61.2

 
27

 
 
598.0

Non-Agency
79.4

 
47

 
 
1,213.3

Total
$
460.5

 
31

bps

$
5,243.2


The following table summarizes the collateral characteristics of the loans underlying our investments in MSRs and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Current Carrying Amount
 
Current Principal Balance
 
Number of Loans
 
WA FICO Score(A)
 
WA Coupon
 
WA Maturity (months)
 
Average Loan Age (months)
 
Adjustable Rate Mortgage %(B)
 
Three Month Average CPR(C)
 
Three Month Average CRR(D)
 
Three Month Average CDR(E)
 
Three Month Average Recapture Rate
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
$
3,038,721

 
$
288,673,487

 
1,820,794

 
749

 
4.3
%
 
263

 
66

 
2.8
%
 
14.6
%
 
14.4
%
 
0.2
%
 
10.1
%
Non-Agency
20,321

 
2,350,471

 
5,656

 
743

 
4.0
%
 
308

 
34

 
3.8
%
 
14.1
%
 
14.1
%
 
%
 
5.8
%
Ginnie Mae
372,926

 
28,903,327

 
137,168

 
681

 
3.8
%
 
319

 
36

 
5.6
%
 
17.6
%
 
17.0
%
 
0.7
%
 
24.1
%
MSR Financing Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
597,990

 
61,162,569

 
249,339

 
749

 
4.4
%
 
305

 
26

 
1.1
%
 
30.8
%
 
30.8
%
 
%
 
1.8
%
Non-Agency
1,213,271

 
79,360,666

 
577,024

 
645

 
4.5
%
 
306

 
164

 
16.1
%
 
9.9
%
 
8.0
%
 
1.9
%
 
0.5
%
Total
$
5,243,229

 
$
460,450,520

 
2,789,981

 
727

 
4.3
%
 
280

 
76

 
5.1
%
 
16.1
%
 
15.6
%
 
0.5
%
 
8.2
%

 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Delinquency 30 Days(F)
 
Delinquency 60 Days(F)
 
Delinquency 90+ Days(F)
 
Loans in Foreclosure
 
Real Estate Owned
 
Loans in Bankruptcy
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
1.5
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.3
%
 
%
 
0.3
%
Non-Agency
0.4
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.1
%
Ginnie Mae
4.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.1
%
 
1.4
%
 
0.1
%
 
1.2
%
MSR Financing Receivables
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency
1.6
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.1
%
 
%
 
%
 
0.1
%
Non-Agency
9.5
%
 
4.9
%
 
4.2
%
 
7.7
%
 
1.9
%
 
2.9
%
Total
3.1
%
 
1.1
%
 
1.1
%
 
1.6
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.8
%

(A)
The WA FICO score is based on the weighted average of information provided by the loan servicer on a monthly basis. The loan servicer generally updates the FICO score when loans are refinanced or become delinquent.
(B)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage % represents the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to adjustable rate mortgages.
(C)
Three Month Average CPR, or the constant prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(D)
Three Month Average CRR, or the voluntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the voluntary prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(E)
Three Month Average CDR, or the involuntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.

68



(F)
Delinquency 30 Days, Delinquency 60 Days and Delinquency 90+ Days represent the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to loans that are delinquent by 30–59 days, 60–89 days or 90 or more days, respectively.

Excess MSRs
 
The tables below summarize the terms of our investments in Excess MSRs completed as of September 30, 2019.

Summary of Direct Excess MSR Investments as of September 30, 2019



MSR Component(A)



Excess MSR

Current UPB
(bn)

Weighted Average MSR (bps)

Weighted Average Excess MSR (bps)

Interest in Excess MSR (%)

Carrying Value (mm)
Agency
$
45.9

 
29

bps
21

bps
32.5% - 66.7%
 
$
221.6

Non-Agency(B)
47.1

 
35

 
15

 
33.3% - 100.0%
 
$
176.5

Total/Weighted Average
$
93.0

 
32

bps
18

bps

 
$
398.1

 
(A)
The MSR is a weighted average as of September 30, 2019, and the Excess MSR represents the difference between the weighted average MSR and the basic fee (which fee remains constant).
(B)
Serviced by Nationstar and SLS, we also invested in related Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSR (Note 6 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) on $33.4 billion UPB underlying these Excess MSRs.

Summary of Excess MSR Investments Through Equity Method Investees as of September 30, 2019



MSR Component(A)








Current UPB (bn)

Weighted Average MSR (bps)

Weighted Average Excess MSR (bps)

New Residential Interest in Investee (%)

Investee Interest in Excess MSR (%)

New Residential Effective Ownership (%)

Investee Carrying Value (mm)
Agency
$
35.6


33

bps
21

bps
50.0
%

66.7
%

33.3
%

$
236.8

 
(A)
The MSR is a weighted average as of September 30, 2019, and the Excess MSR represents the difference between the weighted average MSR and the basic fee (which fee remains constant).

The following table summarizes the collateral characteristics of the loans underlying our direct Excess MSR investments as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Current Carrying Amount
 
Current Principal Balance
 
Number of Loans
 
WA FICO Score(A)
 
WA Coupon
 
WA Maturity (months)
 
Average Loan Age (months)
 
Adjustable Rate Mortgage %(B)
 
Three Month Average CPR(C)
 
Three Month Average CRR(D)
 
Three Month Average CDR(E)
 
Three Month Average Recapture Rate
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools
$
168,463

 
$
33,627,899

 
242,096

 
723

 
4.7
%
 
247

 
115

 
1.9
%
 
13.2
%
 
12.7
%
 
0.6
%
 
11.6
%
Recaptured Loans
53,097

 
12,272,755

 
73,762

 
725

 
4.4
%
 
278

 
42

 
0.1
%
 
13.0
%
 
12.6
%
 
0.5
%
 
29.1
%

$
221,560

 
$
45,900,654

 
315,858

 
724

 
4.6
%
 
256

 
93

 
1.5
%
 
13.2
%
 
12.6
%
 
0.6
%
 
16.2
%
Non-Agency(F)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nationstar and SLS Serviced:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools
$
153,927

 
$
43,127,383

 
242,478

 
672

 
4.8
%
 
281

 
162

 
10.1
%
 
14.4
%
 
11.6
%
 
3.2
%
 
8.8
%
Recaptured Loans
22,577

 
3,997,153

 
18,203

 
739

 
4.3
%
 
285

 
29

 
0.1
%
 
13.2
%
 
13.2
%
 
%
 
25.5
%

$
176,504

 
$
47,124,536

 
260,681

 
678

 
4.7
%
 
281

 
151

 
8.8
%
 
14.3
%
 
11.7
%
 
2.9
%
 
10.2
%
Total/Weighted Average(H)
$
398,064

 
$
93,025,190

 
576,539

 
700

 
4.7
%
 
269

 
124

 
4.7
%
 
13.8
%
 
12.2
%
 
1.8
%
 
13.2
%


69



 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Delinquency 30 Days(G)
 
Delinquency 60 Days(G)
 
Delinquency 90+ Days(G)
 
Loans in
Foreclosure
 
Real
Estate
Owned
 
Loans in
Bankruptcy
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools
2.9
%
 
0.9
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.2
%
Recaptured Loans
1.8
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.1
%
 
%

2.6
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.5
%
 
0.5
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.1
%
Non-Agency(F)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nationstar and SLS Serviced:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools
10.8
%
 
3.2
%
 
2.3
%
 
5.4
%
 
1.1
%
 
2.0
%
Recaptured Loans
1.5
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.1
%
 
%
 
%
 
%

10.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
2.1
%
 
4.9
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.8
%
Total/Weighted Average(H)
6.5
%
 
1.9
%
 
1.4
%
 
2.8
%
 
0.6
%
 
1.0
%
 
(A)
The WA FICO score is based on the weighted average of information provided by the loan servicer on a monthly basis. The loan servicer generally updates the FICO score when loans are refinanced or become delinquent.
(B)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage % represents the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to adjustable rate mortgages.
(C)
Three Month Average CPR, or the constant prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(D)
Three Month Average CRR, or the voluntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the voluntary prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(E)
Three Month Average CDR, or the involuntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(F)
We also invested in related Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSR (Note 6 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) on $33.4 billion UPB underlying these Excess MSRs.
(G)
Delinquency 30 Days, Delinquency 60 Days and Delinquency 90+ Days represent the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to loans that are delinquent by 30–59 days, 60–89 days or 90 or more days, respectively.
(H)
Weighted averages exclude collateral information for which collateral data was not available as of the report date.

The following table summarizes the collateral characteristics as of September 30, 2019 of the loans underlying Excess MSR investments made through joint ventures accounted for as equity method investees (dollars in thousands). For each of these pools, we own a 50% interest in an entity that invested in a 66.7% interest in the Excess MSRs.
 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Current Carrying Amount

Current
Principal
 Balance
 
New Residential Effective Ownership
(%)
 
Number
of Loans
 
WA FICO Score(A)
 
WA Coupon
 
WA Maturity (months)
 
Average Loan
Age (months)
 
Adjustable Rate Mortgage %(B)
 
Three Month Average CPR(C)
 
Three Month Average CRR(D)
 
Three Month Average CDR(E)
 
Three Month Average Recapture Rate
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Original Pools
$
148,573

 
$
21,303,865

 
33.3
%
 
216,012

 
703

 
5.2
%
 
239

 
134

 
1.5
%
 
14.4
%
 
13.3
%
 
1.3
%
 
16.8
%
Recaptured Loans
88,213

 
14,328,564

 
33.3
%
 
102,067

 
710

 
4.3
%
 
272

 
49

 
0.1
%
 
12.7
%
 
11.8
%
 
1.0
%
 
35.6
%
Total/Weighted Average(G)
$
236,786

 
$
35,632,429

 
 
 
318,079

 
706

 
4.9
%
 
252

 
101

 
1.5
%
 
13.7
%
 
12.7
%
 
1.2
%
 
24.2
%

 
Collateral Characteristics
 
Delinquency 30 Days(F)
 
Delinquency 60 Days(F)
 
Delinquency 90+ Days(F)
 
Loans in
Foreclosure
 
Real
Estate
Owned
 
Loans in
Bankruptcy
Agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Original Pools
4.2
%
 
1.3
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.9
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.3
%
Recaptured Loans
2.9
%
 
0.9
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.3
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.1
%
Total/Weighted Average(G)
3.7
%
 
1.1
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.2
%
 
(A)
The WA FICO score is based on the weighted average of information provided by the loan servicer on a monthly basis. The loan servicer generally updates the FICO score on a monthly basis.

70



(B)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage % represents the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to adjustable rate mortgages.
(C)
Three Month Average CPR, or the constant prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(D)
Three Month Average CRR, or the voluntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the voluntary prepayments during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(E)
Three Month Average CDR, or the involuntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) during the quarter as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(F)
Delinquency 30 Days, Delinquency 60 Days and Delinquency 90+ Days represent the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to loans that are delinquent by 30-59 days, 60-89 days or 90 or more days, respectively.
(G)
Weighted averages exclude collateral information for which collateral data was not available as of the report date.

Servicer Advance Investments

The following is a summary of our Servicer Advance Investments, including the right to the basic fee component of the related MSRs (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2019
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Value(A)
 
UPB of Underlying Residential Mortgage Loans
 
Outstanding Servicer Advances
 
Servicer Advances to UPB of Underlying Residential Mortgage Loans
Servicer Advance Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nationstar and SLS serviced pools
$
570,570

 
$
600,547

 
$
33,406,320

 
$
492,480

 
1.5
%
 
(A)
Carrying value represents the fair value of the Servicer Advance Investments, including the basic fee component of the related MSRs.

The following is additional information regarding our Servicer Advance Investments, and related financing, as of and for the nine months ended, September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2019
 
 
 
Loan-to-Value (“LTV”)(A)
 
Cost of Funds(B)
 
 
Weighted Average Discount Rate
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)(C)
 
Change in Fair Value Recorded in Other Income
 
Face Amount of Notes and Bonds Payable
 
Gross
 
Net(D)
 
Gross
 
Net
Servicer Advance
    Investments(E)
 
5.1
%
 
6.3
 
$
15,932

 
$
449,731

 
87.3
%
 
86.1
%
 
3.8
%
 
3.1
%
 
(A)
Based on outstanding servicer advances, excluding purchased but unsettled servicer advances.
(B)
Annualized measure of the cost associated with borrowings. Gross Cost of Funds primarily includes interest expense and facility fees. Net Cost of Funds excludes facility fees.
(C)
Weighted Average Life represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected net cash flows for this investment.
(D)
Ratio of face amount of borrowings to par amount of servicer advance collateral, net of any general reserve.
(E)
The following types of advances are included in Servicer Advance Investments:
 
 
September 30, 2019
Principal and interest advances
 
$
82,999

Escrow advances (taxes and insurance advances)
 
185,774

Foreclosure advances
 
223,707

Total
 
$
492,480


A discussion of the sensitivity of these incentive fees to changes in LIBOR is included below under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”


71



Originations

NewRez, our wholly owned subsidiary, originates conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee conventional and government insured mortgage securitizations and mortgage investors issue Nonconforming private label mortgage securitizations while NewRez generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans. In connection with the transfer of loans to the GSEs or mortgage investors, we report gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net in our condensed consolidated statements of income.

During the third quarter of 2019, NewRez increased loan origination volume to $5.7 billion, which is a 49% increase quarter over quarter and approximately 200% increase year over year. Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net is summarized below:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Gain on loans originated and sold(A)
 
$
24,312

 
$
24,684

 
$
36,413

 
$
24,684

Gain (loss) on settlement of mortgage loan origination derivative instruments(B)
 
(32,138
)
 
(2,757
)
 
(61,879
)
 
(2,757
)
MSRs retained on transfer of loans(C)
 
96,317

 
17,282

 
190,666

 
17,282

Other(D)
 
12,050

 
6,523

 
28,829

 
6,523

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
 
$
100,541

 
$
45,732

 
$
194,029

 
$
45,732


(A)
Includes loan origination fees and direct loan origination costs. Other indirect costs related to loan origination are included within general and administrative expenses.
(B)
Represents settlement of forward securities delivery commitments utilized as an economic hedge for mortgage loans not included within forward loan sale commitments.
(C)
Represents the initial fair value of the capitalized mortgage servicing rights upon loan sales with servicing retained.
(D)
Includes fees for services associated with the loan origination process.

Residential Securities and Loans
 
Real Estate Securities

Agency RMBS
 
The following table summarizes our Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Type
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Percentage of Total Amortized Cost Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Carrying
Value(A)
 
Count
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
 
3-Month CPR
 
Outstanding Repurchase Agreements
Agency Specified Pools
 
$
8,797,199

 
$
8,950,763

 
100.0
%
 
$
56,939

 
$
(9,636
)
 
$
8,998,066

 
39

 
4.6

 
0.3
%
 
$
7,300,198

 
(A)
Fair value, which is equal to carrying value for all securities.

The following table summarizes the net interest spread of our Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019:
Net Interest Spread(A)
Weighted Average Asset Yield
3.06
%
Weighted Average Funding Cost
2.31
%
Net Interest Spread
0.75
%
 
(A)
The Agency RMBS portfolio consists of 100.0% fixed rate securities (based on amortized cost basis).


72



Non-Agency RMBS
 
The following table summarizes our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Unrealized
 
 
 
 
Asset Type
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Carrying
Value(A)
 
Outstanding Repurchase Agreements
Non-Agency RMBS
 
$
21,845,814

 
$
7,175,703

 
$
711,078

 
$
(30,937
)
 
$
7,855,844

 
$
7,142,351

 
(A)
Fair value, which is equal to carrying value for all securities.

The following tables summarize the characteristics of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio and of the collateral underlying our Non-Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics(A)
 
 
Vintage(B)
 
Average Minimum Rating(C)
 
Number of Securities
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Percentage of Total Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Value
 
Principal Subordination(D)
 
Excess Spread(E)
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
 
Weighted Average Coupon(F)
Pre 2006
 
CCC-
 
365

 
$
1,956,007

 
$
1,487,306

 
21.1
%
 
$
1,663,069

 
14.2
%
 
0.8
%
 
6.8
 
3.4
%
2006
 
CC
 
133

 
2,774,332

 
1,746,860

 
24.7
%
 
1,979,226

 
7.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
7.6
 
2.3
%
2007
 
CCC-
 
82

 
2,224,528

 
1,348,788

 
19.1
%
 
1,520,709

 
5.2
%
 
0.9
%
 
7.1
 
2.5
%
2008 and later
 
BBB
 
363

 
14,775,002

 
2,477,759

 
35.1
%
 
2,589,370

 
14.0
%
 
0.1
%
 
4.8
 
3.5
%
Total/Weighted Average
 
B-
 
943

 
$
21,729,869

 
$
7,060,713

 
100.0
%
 
$
7,752,374

 
10.5
%
 
0.7
%
 
6.3
 
3.0
%
 
 
 
Collateral Characteristics(A) (G)
Vintage(B)
 
Average Loan Age (years)
 
Collateral Factor(H)
 
3-Month CPR(I)
 
Delinquency(J)
 
Cumulative Losses to Date
Pre 2006
 
14.8

 
0.07

 
9.7
%
 
10.8
%
 
13.0
%
2006
 
13.4

 
0.12

 
10.0
%
 
10.6
%
 
32.2
%
2007
 
12.6

 
0.22

 
11.2
%
 
10.6
%
 
36.7
%
2008 and later
 
8.5

 
0.79

 
18.9
%
 
1.7
%
 
0.5
%
Total/Weighted Average
 
11.8

 
0.36

 
13.3
%
 
7.5
%
 
17.9
%
 
(A)
Excludes $30.9 million face amount of bonds backed by consumer loans and $85.0 million face amount of bonds backed by corporate debt.
(B)
The year in which the securities were issued.
(C)
Ratings provided above were determined by third party rating agencies, represent the most recent credit ratings available as of the reporting date and may not be current. This excludes the ratings of the collateral underlying 312 bonds with a carrying value of $1,064.1 million, which either have never been rated or for which rating information is no longer provided. We had no assets that were on negative watch for possible downgrade by at least one rating agency as of September 30, 2019.
(D)
The percentage of amortized cost basis of securities and residual interests that is subordinate to our investments. This excludes interest-only bonds.
(E)
The current amount of interest received on the underlying loans in excess of the interest paid on the securities, as a percentage of the outstanding collateral balance for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
(F)
Excludes residual bonds, and certain other Non-Agency bonds, with a carrying value of $225.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for which no coupon payment is expected.
(G)
The weighted average loan size of the underlying collateral is $204.0 thousand.
(H)
The ratio of original UPB of loans still outstanding.
(I)
Three month average constant prepayment rate and default rates.
(J)
The percentage of underlying loans that are 90+ days delinquent, or in foreclosure or considered REO.


73



The following table summarizes the net interest spread of our Non-Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2019:
Net Interest Spread(A)
Weighted Average Asset Yield
4.84
%
Weighted Average Funding Cost
3.08
%
Net Interest Spread
1.76
%
 
(A)
The Non-Agency RMBS portfolio consists of 68.6% floating rate securities and 31.4% fixed rate securities (based on amortized cost basis).

Call Rights

We hold a limited right to cleanup call options with respect to certain securitization trusts serviced or master serviced by Nationstar whereby, when the UPB of the underlying residential mortgage loans falls below a pre-determined threshold, we can effectively purchase the underlying residential mortgage loans at par, plus unreimbursed servicer advances, resulting in the repayment of all of the outstanding securitization financing at par, in exchange for a fee of 0.75% of UPB paid to Nationstar at the time of exercise. We similarly hold a limited right to cleanup call options with respect to certain securitization trusts master serviced by SLS for no fee, and also with respect to certain securitization trusts serviced or master serviced by Ocwen subject to a fee of 0.5% of UPB on loans that are current or thirty (30) days or less delinquent, paid to Ocwen at the time of exercise. The aggregate UPB of the underlying residential mortgage loans within these various securitization trusts is approximately $101.0 billion.

We continue to evaluate the call rights we acquired from each of our servicers, and our ability to exercise such rights and realize the benefits therefrom are subject to a number of risks. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights may be limited or delayed if a third party also possessing such cleanup call rights exercises such rights, if the related securitization trustee refuses to permit the exercise of such rights, or if a related party is subject to bankruptcy proceedings.” The actual UPB of the residential mortgage loans on which we can successfully exercise call rights and realize the benefits therefrom may differ materially from our initial assumptions.

We have exercised our call rights with respect to Non-Agency RMBS trusts and purchased performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans and REO contained in such trusts prior to their termination. In certain cases, we sold portions of the purchased loans through securitizations, and retained bonds issued by such securitizations. In addition, we received par on the securities issued by the called trusts which we owned prior to such trusts’ termination. Refer to Note 8 in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on these transactions.

Residential Mortgage Loans

As of September 30, 2019, we had approximately $7.4 billion outstanding face amount of residential mortgage loans. These investments were financed with repurchase agreements with an aggregate face amount of approximately $5.2 billion and notes and bonds payable with an aggregate face amount of approximately $1.0 billion. We acquired these loans through open market purchases, as well as through the exercise of call rights.
 
The following table presents the total residential mortgage loans outstanding by loan type at September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands).
 
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Carrying
Value
 
Loan
Count
 
Weighted Average Yield
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)(A)
 
Floating Rate Loans as a % of Face Amount
 
LTV Ratio(B)
 
Weighted Avg. Delinquency(C)
 
Weighted Average FICO(D)
Performing Loans(G) (J)
 
$
557,762

 
$
524,387

 
7,695

 
7.8
%
 
4.6
 
20.2
%
 
72.3
%
 
10.2
%
 
647

Purchased Credit Deteriorated Loans(H)
 
124,238

 
89,270

 
1,106

 
7.9
%
 
3.2
 
19.3
%
 
88.1
%
 
60.7
%
 
590

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-investment
 
$
682,000

 
$
613,657

 
8,801

 
7.8
%
 
4.4
 
20.1
%
 
75.2
%
 
19.4
%
 
636

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reverse Mortgage Loans(E) (F)
 
$
13,032

 
$
6,450

 
32

 
7.8
%
 
5.3
 
10.1
%
 
151.6
%
 
65.1
%
 
N/A

Performing Loans(G) (I)
 
709,867

 
726,935

 
10,798

 
4.3
%
 
4.0
 
62.4
%
 
54.3
%
 
5.9
%
 
688

Non-Performing Loans(H) (I)
 
726,570

 
616,612

 
5,562

 
5.1
%
 
3.3
 
12.0
%
 
80.7
%
 
68.7
%
 
594

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale
 
$
1,449,469

 
$
1,349,997

 
16,392

 
4.8
%
 
3.6
 
36.7
%
 
68.4
%
 
37.9
%
 
641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
$
4,024,252

 
$
3,916,826

 
26,236

 
4.2
%
 
7.4
 
2.0
%
 
71.1
%
 
15.3
%
 
622

Originated Loans
 
1,248,711

 
1,289,425

 
4,465

 
4.0
%
 
28.6
 
4.0
%
 
77.6
%
 
29.2
%
 
672

Total Residential Mortgage Loans, held-for-sale, at fair value(K)
 
$
5,272,963

 
$
5,206,251

 
30,701

 
4.1
%
 
12.5
 
2.5
%
 
72.7
%
 
18.6
%
 
634



74



(A)
The weighted average life is based on the expected timing of the receipt of cash flows.
(B)
LTV refers to the ratio comparing the loan’s unpaid principal balance to the value of the collateral property.
(C)
Represents the percentage of the total principal balance that is 60+ days delinquent.
(D)
The weighted average FICO score is based on the weighted average of information updated and provided by the loan servicer on a monthly basis.
(E)
Represents a 70% participation interest we hold in a portfolio of reverse mortgage loans. The average loan balance outstanding based on total UPB was $0.6 million. Approximately 51% of these loans outstanding have reached a termination event. As a result of the termination event, each such loan has matured and the borrower can no longer make draws on these loans.
(F)
FICO scores are not used in determining how much a borrower can access via a reverse mortgage loan.
(G)
Performing loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is 120 days or more past due.
(H)
Includes loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination where it is probable that we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. As of September 30, 2019, we have placed all Non-Performing Loans, held-for-sale on nonaccrual status, except as described in (I) below.
(I)
Includes $37.8 million and $27.7 million UPB of Ginnie Mae EBO performing and non-performing loans, respectively, on accrual status as contractual cash flows are guaranteed by the FHA.
(J)
Includes $112.1 million UPB of non-agency mortgage loans underlying the SAFT 2013-1 securitization, which are carried at fair value based on New Residential’s election of the fair value option.
(K)
New Residential elected the fair value option to measure these loans at fair value on a recurring basis.

We consider the delinquency status, loan-to-value ratios, and geographic area of residential mortgage loans as our credit quality indicators.

Other

Consumer Loans

The table below summarizes the collateral characteristics of the consumer loans, including those held in the Consumer Loan Companies and those acquired from the Consumer Loan Seller, as of September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
 
Collateral Characteristics
 
UPB
 
Personal Unsecured Loans %
 
Personal Homeowner Loans %
 
Number of Loans
 
Weighted Average Original FICO Score(A)
 
Weighted Average Coupon
 
Adjustable Rate Loan %
 
Average Loan Age (months)
 
Average Expected Life (Years)
 
Delinquency 30 Days(B)
 
Delinquency 60 Days(B)
 
Delinquency 90+ Days(B)
 
12-Month CRR(C)
 
12-Month CDR(D)
Consumer loans, held-for-investment
$
878,431

 
59.6
%
 
40.4
%
 
117,312

 
675

 
18.3
%
 
12.0
%
 
172

 
3.9

 
1.7
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.8
%
 
16.4
%
 
5.0
%
 
(A)
Weighted average original FICO score represents the FICO score at the time the loan was originated.
(B)
Delinquency 30 Days, Delinquency 60 Days and Delinquency 90+ Days represent the percentage of the total principal balance of the pool that corresponds to loans that are delinquent by 30-59 days, 60-89 days or 90 or more days, respectively.
(C)
12-Month CRR, or the voluntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the voluntary prepayments during the three months as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.
(D)
12-Month CDR, or the involuntary prepayment rate, represents the annualized rate of the involuntary prepayments (defaults) during the three months as a percentage of the total principal balance of the pool.

In addition, as of September 30, 2019, we had a net investment of $23.0 million in LoanCo and WarrantCo. For further information, see Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following is a summary of LoanCo’s consumer loan investments:
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Interest in Consumer Loans
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Coupon
 
Weighted Average Expected Life (Years)(A)
 
Weighted Average Delinquency(B)
September 30, 2019(C)
$
1,226

 
25.0
%
 
$
1,632

 
18.7
%
 
1.0
 
%

(A)
Represents the weighted average expected timing of the receipt of expected cash flows for this investment.
(B)
Represents the percentage of the total unpaid principal balance that is 30+ days delinquent. Delinquency status is the primary credit quality indicator as it provides early warning of borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties.
(C)
Data as of August 31, 2019 as a result of the one month reporting lag.

75




APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We believe that the estimates and assumptions utilized in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prudent and reasonable. Actual results historically have generally been in line with our estimates and judgments used in applying each of the accounting policies described below, as modified periodically to reflect current market conditions.

Our critical accounting policies as of September 30, 2019, which represent our accounting policies that are most affected by judgments, estimates and assumptions, included all of the critical accounting policies referred to in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes the changes in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands). Our results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,

Increase (Decrease)

2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018

Amount
Interest income
$
448,127

 
$
425,524

 
$
22,603

 
$
1,303,041

 
$
1,212,902

 
$
90,139

Interest expense
245,902

 
162,806

 
83,096

 
686,738

 
421,109

 
265,629

Net Interest Income
202,225

 
262,718

 
(60,493
)
 
616,303

 
791,793

 
(175,490
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on securities
5,567

 
3,889

 
1,678

 
21,942

 
23,190

 
(1,248
)
Valuation and loss provision (reversal) on loans and real estate owned (REO)
(10,690
)
 
5,471

 
(16,161
)
 
8,042

 
28,136

 
(20,094
)

(5,123
)
 
9,360

 
(14,483
)
 
29,984

 
51,326

 
(21,342
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income after impairment
207,348

 
253,358

 
(46,010
)
 
586,319

 
740,467

 
(154,148
)
Servicing revenue, net of change in fair value of $(228,405), $(26,741), $(619,914), and $35,118, respectively
53,050

 
175,355

 
(122,305
)
 
133,366

 
538,784

 
(405,418
)
Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net
100,541

 
45,732

 
54,809

 
194,029

 
45,732

 
148,297

Other Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights
2,407

 
(4,744
)
 
7,151

 
(1,421
)
 
(55,711
)
 
54,290

Change in fair value of investments in excess mortgage servicing rights, equity method investees
4,751

 
3,396

 
1,355

 
4,087

 
5,624

 
(1,537
)
Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables
(41,410
)
 
(88,345
)
 
46,935

 
(133,200
)
 
63,628

 
(196,828
)
Change in fair value of servicer advance investments
6,641

 
(5,353
)
 
11,994

 
15,932

 
(86,581
)
 
102,513

Change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans
(19,037
)
 
647

 
(19,684
)
 
90,551

 
647

 
89,904

Change in fair value of derivative instruments
58,508

 
24,299

 
34,209

 
(1,988
)
 
27,985

 
(29,973
)
Gain (loss) on settlement of investments, net
154,752

 
(11,893
)
 
166,645

 
157,013

 
106,064

 
50,949

Earnings from investments in consumer loans, equity method investees
(2,547
)
 
4,555

 
(7,102
)
 
(890
)
 
12,343

 
(13,233
)
Other income (loss), net
(35,219
)
 
(5,860
)
 
(29,359
)
 
(16,451
)
 
10,415

 
(26,866
)

128,846

 
(83,298
)
 
212,144

 
113,633

 
84,414

 
29,219


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
133,513

 
98,587

 
34,926

 
351,359

 
139,169

 
212,190

Management fee to affiliate
20,678

 
15,464

 
5,214

 
58,261

 
46,027

 
12,234

Incentive compensation to affiliate
36,307

 
23,848

 
12,459

 
49,265

 
65,169

 
(15,904
)
Loan servicing expense
7,192

 
11,060

 
(3,868
)
 
26,167

 
33,609

 
(7,442
)
Subservicing expense
52,875

 
43,148

 
9,727

 
147,763

 
135,703

 
12,060


250,565

 
192,107

 
58,458

 
632,815

 
419,677

 
213,138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
239,220

 
199,040

 
40,180

 
394,532

 
989,720

 
(595,188
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(5,440
)
 
3,563

 
(9,003
)
 
18,980

 
(5,957
)
 
24,937

Net Income (Loss)
$
244,660

 
$
195,477

 
$
49,183

 
$
375,552

 
$
995,677

 
$
(620,125
)
Noncontrolling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Subsidiaries
$
14,738

 
$
10,869

 
$
3,869

 
$
31,979

 
$
32,058

 
$
(79
)
Dividends on Preferred Stock
$
5,338

 
$

 
$
5,338

 
$
5,338

 
$

 
$
5,338

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders
$
224,584

 
$
184,608

 
$
39,976

 
$
338,235

 
$
963,619

 
$
(625,384
)

76




Interest Income

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Interest income increased by $22.6 million, primarily attributable to incremental interest income of (i) $46.7 million from an increase in the size of the Real Estate Securities portfolio and (ii) $38.2 million from the Residential Mortgage Loans portfolio due to the acquisition of loans through purchases, originations, and the execution of calls. The increase was partially offset by (iii) a $39.2 million decrease from MSR Financing Receivable attributable to the drop in discount accretion income recognized on servicer advances related to the Ocwen Transaction subsequent to September 30, 2018, (iv) a $12.5 million decrease from Servicer Advance Investments and Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights driven by retrospective adjustments resulting from changes in valuation assumptions on September 30, 2019, and (v) a $10.6 million decrease from Consumer Loans attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Interest income increased by $90.1 million, primarily attributable to incremental interest income of (i) $203.0 million from an increase in the size of the Real Estate Securities portfolio and accelerated accretion on Real Estate Securities owned in Non-Agency RMBS trusts that were terminated upon the execution of calls and (ii) $96.4 million from the Residential Mortgage Loans portfolio due to the acquisition of loans through purchases, originations, and the execution of calls. The increase was partially offset by (iii) a $137.5 million decrease from MSR Financing Receivable attributable to the drop in discount accretion income recognized on servicer advances related to the Ocwen Transaction subsequent to September 30, 2018, (iv) a $40.2 million decrease from Servicer Advance Investments and Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights driven by retrospective adjustments resulting from changes in valuation assumptions on September 30, 2019, and (v) a $30.1 million decrease from Consumer Loans attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.

Interest Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Interest expense increased by $83.1 million primarily attributable to increases of (i) $55.9 million of interest expense on repurchase agreements financings on Real Estate Securities in which we made additional levered investments subsequent to September 30, 2018, (ii) $22.0 million on Residential Mortgage Loans due to an increase in the underlying principal balance of the portfolio levered with repurchase agreements, (iii) $7.4 million of interest expense on MSRs and related servicer advances financing obtained subsequent to September 30, 2018, and (iv) a $0.6 million increase in interest on debt collateralized by Excess MSRs as a result of draws subsequent to September 30, 2018. The increases were partially offset by (v) a $2.8 million decrease in interest expense on the Consumer Loan securitization notes due to a decrease in the principal balance outstanding and refinancing.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Interest expense increased by $265.6 million primarily attributable to increases of (i) $173.8 million of interest expense on repurchase agreements financings on Real Estate Securities in which we made additional levered investments subsequent to September 30, 2018, (ii) $67.7 million on Residential Mortgage Loans due to an increase in the underlying principal balance of the portfolio levered with repurchase agreements, (iii) $31.1 million of interest expense on MSRs and related servicer advances financing obtained subsequent to September 30, 2018, and (iv) a $0.4 million increase in interest on debt collateralized by Excess MSRs as a result of draws subsequent to September 30, 2018. The increases were partially offset by (v) a $7.4 million decrease in interest expense on the Consumer Loan securitization notes due to a decrease in the principal balance outstanding and refinancing.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment on Securities

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The other-than-temporary impairment on securities increased by $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily resulting from a decline in fair values on a larger portion of our Non-Agency RMBS, which we purchased with existing credit impairment, below their amortized cost basis as of September 30, 2019.


77



Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The other-than-temporary impairment on securities decreased by $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily resulting from a decline in fair values on a smaller portion of our Non-Agency RMBS, which we purchased with existing credit impairment, below their amortized cost basis as of September 30, 2019.

Valuation and Loss Provision (Reversal) on Loans and Real Estate Owned

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The $16.2 million decrease in the valuation and loss provision (reversal) on loans and real estate owned resulted from (i) a $12.1 million in reversal of impairment on certain loans related to changes in interest rates and improved performance and certain REOs with an increase in home prices, and (ii) $4.1 million less provision due to a reduction in net charge-offs on the Consumer Loan Companies attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The $20.1 million decrease in the valuation and loss provision (reversal) on loans and real estate owned resulted from (i) a $7.9 million in reversal of impairment on certain loans related to changes in interest rates and improved performance, partially offset by additional impairment on certain REOs with an decrease in home prices, and (ii) $12.2 million less provision due to a reduction in net charge-offs on the Consumer Loan Companies attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.

Servicing Revenue, Net

The component of servicing revenue, net related to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions related to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
Changes in interest rates and prepayment rates
 
$
(149,413
)
 
$
38,546

 
$
(187,959
)
 
$
(555,765
)
 
$
209,182

 
$
(764,947
)
Changes in discount rates
 
57,896

 
(6,695
)
 
64,591

 
127,314

 
46,264

 
81,050

Changes in other factors
 
29,659

 
12,341

 
17,318

 
153,080

 
(28,829
)
 
181,909

Total
 
$
(61,858
)
 
$
44,192

 
$
(106,050
)
 
$
(275,371
)
 
$
226,617

 
$
(501,988
)

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Servicing revenue, net decreased $122.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily driven by (i) a $106.1 million change from positive mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2018 to negative mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2019, and (ii) a $97.8 million increase in amortization as a result of MSR acquisitions by our licensed servicer subsidiary, NRM (Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) that closed subsequent to September 30, 2018. The negative mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily driven by an increase in prepayment rates, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates. The decrease was partially offset by (iii) a $79.4 million increase in servicing fee revenue and fees as a result of MSR acquisitions that closed subsequent to September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Servicing revenue, net decreased $405.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily driven by (i) a $502.0 million change from positive mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to negative mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and (ii) a $155.3 million increase in amortization as a result of MSR acquisitions by our licensed servicer subsidiary, NRM (Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), as well as the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), which closed in July 2018. The negative mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were primarily driven by an increase in prepayment rates, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates and costs of subservicing, and an increase in ancillary income. The decrease was partially offset by (iii) a $249.6 million increase in servicing fee revenue and fees as a result of MSR acquisitions and the Shellpoint Acquisition that closed in July 2018.


78



Gain on Sale of Originated Mortgage Loans, Net

As a result of the Shellpoint Acquisition in July 2018 (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), our wholly owned subsidiary, NewRez, originates conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. The GSEs or Ginnie Mae guarantee conventional and government insured mortgage securitizations and private investors issue nonconforming private label mortgage securitizations while NewRez generally retains the right to service the underlying residential mortgage loans.

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net increased $54.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily driven by (i) $79.0 million higher value of MSRs retained on transfer of loans, and (ii) a $5.5 million increase in appraisal and other revenues earned in conjunction with the loan origination process, partially offset by (iii) a $29.4 million increase in loss on settlement of mortgage loan origination derivative instruments.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain on sale of originated mortgage loans, net increased $148.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily driven by (i) $173.4 million higher value of MSRs retained on transfer of loans, (ii) a $22.3 million increase in appraisal and other revenues earned in conjunction with the loan origination process, and (iii) an $11.7 million increase in gain on loans originated and sold. The increase was partially offset by (iv) a $59.1 million increase in loss on settlement of mortgage loan origination derivative instruments.

Change in Fair Value of Investments in Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights

Changes in the fair value of investments in Excess MSRs related to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
Changes in interest rates and prepayment rates
 
$
(2,566
)
 
$
(9,872
)
 
$
7,306

 
$
(20,268
)
 
$
(15,742
)
 
$
(4,526
)
Changes in discount rates
 
4,167

 

 
4,167

 
13,446

 

 
13,446

Changes in other factors
 
806

 
5,128

 
(4,322
)
 
5,401

 
(39,969
)
 
45,370

Total
 
$
2,407

 
$
(4,744
)
 
$
7,151

 
$
(1,421
)
 
$
(55,711
)
 
$
54,290


Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The positive mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by a decrease in discount rates, partially offset by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates. The negative mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2018 were mainly driven by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates, as well as lower delinquency assumptions.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The negative mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates. The change between the mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were due to the realization of unrealized gains related to the Ocwen Transaction in 2018, which were reflected in Gain (Loss) on Settlement of Investments, Net.


79



Change in Fair Value of Investments in Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights, Equity Method Investees

Changes in the fair value of investments in Excess MSRs, equity method investees related to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
Changes in interest rates and prepayment rates
 
$
(432
)
 
$
(2,203
)
 
$
1,771

 
$
(7,897
)
 
$
(3,711
)
 
$
(4,186
)
Changes in discount rates
 
768

 

 
768

 
3,939

 

 
3,939

Changes in other factors
 
4,415

 
5,599

 
(1,184
)
 
8,045

 
9,335

 
(1,290
)
Total
 
$
4,751

 
$
3,396

 
$
1,355

 
$
4,087

 
$
5,624

 
$
(1,537
)

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The positive mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by interest income net of expenses recorded at the investee level, and a decrease in discount rates. Compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 where the positive mark-to-market adjustments were mainly driven by interest income net of expenses recorded at the investee level, partially offset by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The positive mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by interest income net of expenses recorded at the investee level, and a decrease in discount rates, partially offset by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates. Compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 where the positive mark-to-market adjustments were mainly driven by interest income net of expenses recorded at the investee level and other market factors, partially offset by changes in interest rates and prepayment rates.

Change in Fair Value of Investments in MSR Financing Receivables

The component of changes in the fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivables related to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions related to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
Changes in interest rates and prepayment rates
 
$
(44,152
)
 
$
(4,326
)
 
$
(39,826
)
 
$
(138,727
)
 
$
(18,939
)
 
$
(119,788
)
Changes in discount rates
 
60,273

 

 
60,273

 
99,674

 
212,273

 
(112,599
)
Changes in other factors
 
(6,772
)
 
(35,003
)
 
28,231

 
40,490

 
24,853

 
15,637

Total
 
$
9,349

 
$
(39,329
)
 
$
48,678

 
$
1,437

 
$
218,187

 
$
(216,750
)

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivable increased $46.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018. $48.7 million of the increase was related to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions, primarily due to decrease in discount rates and costs of subservicing, and an increase in ancillary income, partially offset by an increase in prepayment rates. The remaining increase was primarily due to $0.7 million decrease in amortization expense, attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights financing receivable decreased $196.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. $216.8 million of the decrease was related to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions, primarily due to less decrease in discount rates and an increase in prepayment rates, partially offset by a decrease in costs of subservicing and an increase in ancillary income. The decrease was partially offset by $23.1 million decrease in amortization expense, attributable to lower unpaid principal balance.


80



Change in Fair Value of Servicer Advance Investments

Changes in the fair value of Servicer Advance Investments related to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
 
2019
 
2018
 
Amount
Changes in interest rates and prepayment rates
 
$
(675
)
 
$
820

 
$
(1,495
)
 
$
(2,379
)
 
$
2,357

 
$
(4,736
)
Changes in discount rates
 
8,419

 
(4,173
)
 
12,592

 
22,045

 
(12,829
)
 
34,874

Changes in other factors
 
(1,103
)
 
(2,000
)
 
897

 
(3,734
)
 
(76,109
)
 
72,375

Total
 
$
6,641

 
$
(5,353
)
 
$
11,994

 
$
15,932

 
$
(86,581
)
 
$
102,513


Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The positive mark-to-market adjustments during the three months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by a decrease in discount rates, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 where the negative mark-to-market adjustments were mainly driven by an increase in discount rates.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The positive mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were mainly driven by a decrease in discount rates, compared to an increase in discount rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting in negative mark-to-market adjustments. The change between the mark-to-market adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were due to the realization of unrealized gains related to the Ocwen Transaction in 2018, which were reflected in Gain (Loss) on Settlement of Investments, Net.

Change in Fair Value of Investments in Residential Mortgage Loans

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

The change in fair value of investments in Residential Mortgage Loans decreased $19.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to (i) $36.0 million gain realized through securitizations, net of (ii) $16.1 million unrealized gains from changes in valuation assumptions and inputs.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The change in fair value of investments in Residential Mortgage Loans of increased $89.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the election of the fair value option on certain Residential Mortgage Loans acquired beginning July 2018, coupled with a decrease in discount rates on loans acquired. Residential Mortgage Loans were held at lower of cost or market value, rather than fair value, during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Change in fair value of derivative instruments increased $34.2 million. The increase was primarily related to (i) a $23.5 million increase in unrealized gain on Interest Rate Swaps, (ii) a $5.7 million increase in unrealized gain on TBAs, and (iii) a $5.2 million change from unrealized loss to unrealized gain on Interest Rate Lock Commitments due to increase in market interest rates.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Change in fair value of derivative instruments decreased $30.0 million. The decrease was primarily related to (i) a $46.6 million change from unrealized gain to unrealized loss on Interest Rate Swaps. The decrease was partially offset by (ii) a $16.2 million change from unrealized loss to unrealized gain on Interest Rate Lock Commitments, and (iii) $0.9 million increase in unrealized gain on TBAs due to increase in market interest rates.


81



Gain (Loss) on Settlement of Investments, Net

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain (loss) on settlement of investments increased by $166.6 million from a loss to a gain, primarily related to (i) a $123.7 million change in loss on sale of real estate securities to gain on sale of real estate securities, (ii) a $39.6 million increase in gain on sale of residential mortgage loans, (iii) a $21.6 million increase in gain on sale or securitization of originated mortgage loans, (iv) a $11.5 million increase in gain on collapses due primarily to market interest rates and decreased delinquencies, (v) a $1.8 million decrease in loss on sale of REO, and (vi) a $0.6 million decrease in loss on extinguishment of debt related to debt restructuring. The increase was partially offset by (vii) a $33.6 million change in gain on settlement of derivatives to loss on settlement of derivatives related to TBAs and interest rate swaps, during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain (loss) on settlement of investments increased by $50.9 million, primarily related to (i) a $267.9 million change in loss on sale of real estate securities to gain on sale of real estate securities, (ii) a $62.4 million increase in gain on sale or securitization of originated mortgage loans, (iii) a $54.8 million change from loss on sale of residential mortgage loans to gain on sale of residential mortgage loans, (iv) a $10.2 million increase in gain on collapses due primarily to market interest rates and decreased delinquencies, and (v) a $2.7 million decrease in loss on sale of REO. The increase was partially offset by (vi) a $228.5 million change in gain on settlement of derivatives to loss on settlement of derivatives related to TBAs and interest rate swaps, (vii) a $113.0 million decrease in gains on settlement of investments in excess MSRs and Servicer Advance Investments as a result of the Ocwen Transaction, and (viii) a $7.9 million increase in loss on extinguishment of debt related to debt restructuring, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Earnings from Investments in Consumer Loans, Equity Method Investees

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Earnings from investments in Consumer Loans, Equity Method Investees decreased by $7.1 million as a result of a decrease in net earnings generated by our approximately 25% member interest in LoanCo and WarrantCo (Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), primarily as a result of declining portfolio and securitization, during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Earnings from investments in Consumer Loans, Equity Method Investees decreased by $13.2 million as a result of a decrease in net earnings generated by our approximately 25% member interest in LoanCo and WarrantCo (Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), primarily as a result of declining portfolio and securitization, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Other Income (Loss), Net

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Other income (loss), net decreased by $29.4 million, primarily attributable to (i) a $14.4 million loss from uncollectible receivables, (ii) a $12.3 million change in unrealized gain on other ABS to unrealized loss on other ABS, (iii) a $4.9 million decrease in gain on transfer of loans to REO, (iv) a $3.5 million change in unrealized gain to unrealized loss on notes and bonds payable related to the SAFT bonds acquired in the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), (v) a $2.7 million increase in unrealized loss on contingent consideration related to the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). The decrease was partially offset by (vi) a $6.2 million decrease in servicer advance expenses, and (vii) a $1.4 million decrease in loss on transfer of loans to other assets.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Other income (loss), net decreased by $26.9 million, primarily attributable to (i) a $14.4 million loss from uncollectible receivables,(ii) a $8.8 million decrease in gain on transfer of loans to REO, (iii) a $7.4 million increase in unrealized loss on contingent consideration related to the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), (iv) a $6.1 million change in unrealized gain to unrealized loss on notes and bonds payable related to the SAFT bonds acquired in the Shellpoint

82



Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), (v) a $3.5 million decrease in positive mark-to-market adjustments for retained MSRs, and (vi) a $3.0 million decrease in unrealized gain on other ABS. The decrease was partially offset by (vii) a $7.1 million decrease in servicer advance expenses, (viii) a $4.3 million decrease in REO expenses, and (ix) a $3.7 million decrease in other losses related to residential mortgage loans.

General and Administrative Expenses

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

General and administrative expenses increased by $34.9 million primarily attributable to (i) a $30.2 million increase in compensation and benefits expenses, loan origination expense, as well as rent, office, and other miscellaneous G&A expenses resulting from the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and (ii) a $4.7 million increase in securitization fees, and deal and other consulting expenses due to increased securitization, deal, and refinancing activity during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

General and administrative expenses increased by $212.2 million primarily attributable to (i) a $200.1 million increase in compensation and benefits expenses, loan origination expense, as well as rent, office, and other miscellaneous G&A expenses resulting from the Shellpoint Acquisition (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and (ii) an $11.0 million increase in securitization fees, and deal and other consulting expenses due to increased securitization, deal, and refinancing activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Management Fee to Affiliate

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Management fee to affiliate increased by $5.2 million as a result of increases to our gross equity subsequent to September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Management fee to affiliate increased by $12.2 million as a result of increases to our gross equity subsequent to September 30, 2018.

Incentive Compensation to Affiliate

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Incentive compensation to affiliate increased by $12.5 million due to an increase in our incentive compensation earnings measure resulting from the changes in the income and expense items described above, excluding any unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market valuation changes on investments and debt, during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Incentive compensation to affiliate decreased by $15.9 million due to a decrease in our incentive compensation earnings measure resulting from the changes in the income and expense items described above, excluding any unrealized gains or losses from mark-to-market valuation changes on investments and debt, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Loan Servicing Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Loan servicing expense decreased by $3.9 million primarily due to (i) a $4.5 million decrease of loan servicing expense on Consumer Loans, held for investment, attributable to lower unpaid principal balance, partially offset by (ii) a $0.6 million increase of loan servicing expense on Residential Mortgage Loans portfolio due to the acquisition of loans through the execution of calls.


83



Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Loan servicing expense decreased by $7.4 million primarily due to (i) a $8.2 million decrease of loan servicing expense on Consumer Loans, held for investment, attributable to lower unpaid principal balance, partially offset by (ii) a $0.8 million increase of loan servicing expense on Residential Mortgage Loans portfolio due to the acquisition of loans through the execution of calls.

Subservicing Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Subservicing expense increased $9.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of an increase in subserviced loans due to transactions that closed subsequent to September 30, 2018 within our licensed servicer subsidiary, NRM (Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Subservicing expense increased $12.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of an increase in subserviced loans due to transactions that closed subsequent to September 30, 2018 within our licensed servicer subsidiary, NRM (Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Income tax expense (benefit) changed by $9.0 million, as a result of an income tax benefit of $5.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to an income tax expense of $3.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the deferred tax benefit generated by changes in the fair value of MSRs quarter over quarter.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Income tax expense (benefit) changed by $24.9 million, as a result of an income tax expense of $19.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to an income tax benefit of $6.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the deferred tax expense generated by changes in the fair value of MSRs giving rise to an increase in taxable income in the TRS.

Noncontrolling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Subsidiaries

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries increased by $3.9 million primarily due to (i) a $1.8 million increase in other’s interest in the net income of the Buyer as a result of a change from negative to positive mark-to-market adjustments in the fair value of the Buyer’s assets and lower interest expense, partially offset by a net decrease in interest income earned on the Buyer’s levered assets, (ii) a $1.3 million increase from the Shelter JVs, acquired as part of the Shellpoint Acquisition in the third quarter of 2018 (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and (iii) a $0.8 million increase from a net increase in income from the Consumer Loan Companies, which are 46.5% owned by third parties, during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries decreased by $0.1 million primarily due to (i) a $5.4 million decrease from a net decrease in income from the Consumer Loan Companies, which are 46.5% owned by third parties, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was partially offset by (ii) a $3.2 million increase from the Shelter JVs, acquired as part of the Shellpoint Acquisition in the third quarter of 2018 (Note 1 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and (iii) a $2.1 million increase in other’s interest in the net income of the Buyer as a result of a change from negative to positive mark-to-market adjustments in the fair value of the Buyer’s assets and lower interest expense, partially offset by a net decrease in interest income earned on the Buyer’s levered assets, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.


84



Dividends on Preferred Stock

Three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, in a public offering, we issued Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B (Note 13 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and declared preferred dividends of $5.3 million.

Nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, in a public offering, we issued Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B (Note 13 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and declared preferred dividends of $5.3 million.

Other Comprehensive Income. See “—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” below.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments, and other general business needs. Additionally, to maintain our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income. We note that a portion of this requirement may be able to be met in future years through stock dividends, rather than cash, subject to limitations based on the value of our stock.
 
Our primary sources of funds for liquidity generally consist of cash provided by operating activities (primarily income from our investments in Excess MSRs, MSRs, Servicer Advance Investments, RMBS and loans), sales of and repayments from our investments, potential debt financing sources, including securitizations, and the issuance of equity securities, when feasible and appropriate. Our ability to utilize funds generated by the MSRs held in our servicer subsidiaries, NRM and NewRez, is subject to regulatory requirements regarding NRM’s and NewRez’s liquidity. As of September 30, 2019, approximately $454.3 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held at NRM and NewRez, of which $288.0 million was in excess of regulatory liquidity requirements and available for deployment. Our primary uses of funds are the payment of interest, management fees, incentive compensation, servicing and subservicing expenses, outstanding commitments (including margins and mortgage loan originations) and other operating expenses, and the repayment of borrowings and hedge obligations, as well as dividends. Although we have other sources of liquidity, such as sales of and repayments from our investments, potential debt financing sources and the issuance of equity securities, there can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash or achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions in the future. We have also committed to purchase certain future servicer advances. Currently, we expect that net recoveries of servicer advances will exceed net fundings for the foreseeable future. However, in the event of a significant economic downturn, net fundings could exceed net recoveries, which could have a materially adverse impact on our liquidity and could also result in additional expenses, primarily interest expense on any related financings of incremental advances.
 
Currently, our primary sources of financing are notes and bonds payable and repurchase agreements, although we have in the past and may in the future also pursue one or more other sources of financing such as securitizations and other secured and unsecured forms of borrowing. As of September 30, 2019, we had outstanding repurchase agreements with an aggregate face amount of approximately $23.1 billion to finance our investments. The financing of our entire RMBS portfolio, which generally has 30 to 90 day terms, is subject to margin calls. Under repurchase agreements, we sell a security to a counterparty and concurrently agree to repurchase the same security at a later date for a higher specified price. The sale price represents financing proceeds and the difference between the sale and repurchase prices represents interest on the financing. The price at which the security is sold generally represents the market value of the security less a discount or “haircut,” which can range broadly, for example from 2% - 5% for Agency RMBS, 4% - 60% for Non-Agency RMBS, and 6% - 55% for residential mortgage loans. During the term of the repurchase agreement, the counterparty holds the security as collateral. If the agreement is subject to margin calls, the counterparty monitors and calculates what it estimates to be the value of the collateral during the term of the agreement. If this value declines by more than a de minimis threshold, the counterparty could require us to post additional collateral (or “margin”) in order to maintain the initial haircut on the collateral. This margin is typically required to be posted in the form of cash and cash equivalents. Furthermore, we may, from time to time, be a party to derivative agreements or financing arrangements that may be subject to margin calls based on the value of such instruments. In addition, $2.6 billion face amount of our MSR and Excess MSR financing is subject to mandatory monthly repayment to the extent that the outstanding balance exceeds the market value (as defined in the related agreement) of the financed asset multiplied by the contractual maximum loan-to-value ratio. We seek to maintain adequate cash reserves and other sources of available liquidity to meet any margin calls or related requirements resulting from decreases in value related to a reasonably possible (in our opinion) change in interest rates.
 

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Our ability to obtain borrowings and to raise future equity capital is dependent on our ability to access borrowings and the capital markets on attractive terms. We continually monitor market conditions for financing opportunities and at any given time may be entering or pursuing one or more of the transactions described above. Our Manager’s senior management team has extensive long-term relationships with investment banks, brokerage firms and commercial banks, which we believe will enhance our ability to source and finance asset acquisitions on attractive terms and access borrowings and the capital markets at attractive levels.
 
With respect to the next 12 months, we expect that our cash on hand combined with our cash flow provided by operations and our ability to roll our repurchase agreements and servicer advance financings will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated liquidity needs with respect to our current investment portfolio, including related financings, potential margin calls, mortgage loan originations and operating expenses. Our ability to roll over short-term borrowings is critical to our liquidity outlook. While it is inherently more difficult to forecast beyond the next 12 months, we currently expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements through our cash on hand and, if needed, additional borrowings, proceeds received from repurchase agreements and other financings, proceeds from equity offerings and the liquidation or refinancing of our assets.
 
These short-term and long-term expectations are forward-looking and subject to a number of uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under “—Market Considerations” as well as “Risk Factors.” If our assumptions about our liquidity prove to be incorrect, we could be subject to a shortfall in liquidity in the future, and such a shortfall may occur rapidly and with little or no notice, which could limit our ability to address the shortfall on a timely basis and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Our cash flow provided by operations differs from our net income due to these primary factors: (i) the difference between (a) accretion and amortization and unrealized gains and losses recorded with respect to our investments and (b) cash received therefrom, (ii) unrealized gains and losses on our derivatives, and recorded impairments, if any, (iii) deferred taxes, and (iv) principal cash flows related to held-for-sale loans, which are characterized as operating cash flows under GAAP.

In addition to the information referenced above, the following factors could affect our liquidity, access to capital resources and our capital obligations. As such, if their outcomes do not fall within our expectations, changes in these factors could negatively affect our liquidity.
 
Access to Financing from Counterparties – Decisions by investors, counterparties and lenders to enter into transactions with us will depend upon a number of factors, such as our historical and projected financial performance, compliance with the terms of our current credit arrangements, industry and market trends, the availability of capital and our investors’, counterparties’ and lenders’ policies and rates applicable thereto, and the relative attractiveness of alternative investment or lending opportunities. Our business strategy is dependent upon our ability to finance certain of our investments at rates that provide a positive net spread.
Impact of Expected Repayment or Forecasted Sale on Cash Flows – The timing of and proceeds from the repayment or sale of certain investments may be different than expected or may not occur as expected. Proceeds from sales of assets are unpredictable and may vary materially from their estimated fair value and their carrying value. Further, the availability of investments that provide similar returns to those repaid or sold investments is unpredictable and returns on new investments may vary materially from those on existing investments.


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Debt Obligations
 
The following table presents certain information regarding our debt obligations (dollars in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral
Debt Obligations/Collateral
 
Outstanding Face Amount
 
Carrying Value(A)
 
Final Stated Maturity(B)
 
Weighted Average Funding Cost
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
 
Outstanding Face
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Life (Years)
Repurchase Agreements(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS(D)
 
$
10,733,236

 
$
10,733,236

 
Oct-19 to May-20
 
2.31
%
 
0.1
 
$
10,611,553

 
$
10,825,984

 
$
10,886,787

 
2.4
Non-Agency RMBS (E)
 
7,144,329

 
7,144,329

 
Oct-19 to Sep-20
 
3.08
%
 
0.1
 
21,021,981

 
7,113,471

 
7,786,425

 
6.3
Residential Mortgage Loans(F)
 
5,165,150

 
5,164,159

 
Oct-19 to May-21
 
3.74
%
 
0.6
 
5,960,958

 
6,025,596

 
5,805,242

 
13.9
Real Estate Owned(G)(H)
 
68,651

 
68,635

 
Oct-19 to May-21
 
3.85
%
 
0.4
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
95,410

 
N/A
Total Repurchase Agreements
 
23,111,366

 
23,110,359

 
 
 
2.87
%
 
0.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes and Bonds Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs(I)
 
269,759

 
269,759

 
Feb-20 to Jul-22
 
4.95
%
 
1.9
 
103,514,484

 
315,847

 
416,899

 
5.8
MSRs(J)
 
2,360,182

 
2,352,961

 
Mar-20 to Jul-24
 
4.23
%
 
2.0
 
452,215,330

 
4,718,333

 
5,113,271

 
5.5
Servicer Advances(K)
 
2,903,093

 
2,896,819

 
Jan-20 to Aug-23
 
3.22
%
 
2.0
 
3,316,416

 
3,482,368

 
3,512,345

 
1.6
Residential Mortgage Loans(L)
 
1,012,342

 
1,015,360

 
Apr-20 to Jul-43
 
4.09
%
 
3.7
 
1,258,875

 
1,277,193

 
1,194,186

 
8.0
Consumer Loans(M)
 
868,214

 
870,973

 
Dec-21 to May-36
 
3.25
%
 
4.0
 
878,317

 
884,473

 
881,069

 
5.6
Total Notes and Bonds Payable
 
7,413,590

 
7,405,872

 
 
 
3.73
%
 
2.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total/ Weighted Average
 
$
30,524,956

 
$
30,516,231

 
 
 
3.08
%
 
0.8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(A)
Net of deferred financing costs.
(B)
All debt obligations with a stated maturity through October 31, 2019 were refinanced, extended or repaid.
(C)
These repurchase agreements had approximately $77.8 million of associated accrued interest payable as of September 30, 2019.
(D)
All of the Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have a fixed rate. Collateral amounts include approximately $4.4 billion of related trade and other receivables.
(E)
$6,585.6 million face amount of the Non-Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates while the remaining $558.8 million face amount of the Non-Agency RMBS repurchase agreements have a fixed rate. This also includes repurchase agreements of $7.5 million on retained servicer advance and consumer loan bonds and of $671.3 million on retained bonds collateralized by Agency MSRs.
(F)
All of these repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates.
(G)
All of these repurchase agreements have LIBOR-based floating interest rates.
(H)
Includes financing collateralized by receivables including claims from FHA on Ginnie Mae EBO loans for which foreclosure has been completed and for which we have made or intend to make a claim on the FHA guarantee.
(I)
Includes $169.8 million of corporate loans which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 3.00%, and $100.0 million of corporate loans which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 2.50%. The outstanding face amount of the collateral represents the UPB of our residential mortgage loans underlying our interests in MSRs that secure these notes.
(J)
Includes: $940.2 million of MSR notes which bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin ranging from 2.25% to 2.75%; and $1,419.9 million of public notes with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.55% to 4.62%. The outstanding face amount of the collateral represents the UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying the MSRs and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables that secure these notes.
(K)
$2.6 billion face amount of the notes have a fixed rate while the remaining notes bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR or a cost of funds rate, as applicable, and (ii) a margin ranging from 1.15% to 1.99%. Collateral includes Servicer Advance Investments, as well as servicer advances receivable related to the mortgage servicing rights and mortgage servicing rights financing receivables owned by NRM.
(L)
Represents: (i) a $6.0 million note payable to Nationstar which includes a $1.5 million receivable from government agency and bears interest equal to one-month LIBOR plus 2.88%, (ii) $109.9 million fair value of SAFT 2013-1 mortgage-backed securities issued with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.50% to 3.76% (see Note 12 for details), (iii) $362.1 million of asset-backed notes held by third parties which bear interest equal to 4.59% (see Note 12 for details), and (iv)

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$535.1 million of asset-backed notes held by third parties which include $1.3 million of REO and bear interest equal to the sum of (i) a floating rate index equal to one-month LIBOR and (ii) a margin of 1.25%.
(M)
Includes the SpringCastle debt, which is comprised of the following classes of asset-backed notes held by third parties: $787.9 million UPB of Class A notes with a coupon of 3.20% and a stated maturity date in May 2036, $70.4 million UPB of Class B notes with a coupon of 3.58% and a stated maturity date in May 2036, and $8.7 million UPB of Class C notes with a coupon of 5.06% and a stated maturity date in May 2036. Also includes a $1.2 million face amount note which bears interest equal to 4.00%.

Certain of the debt obligations included above are obligations of our consolidated subsidiaries, which own the related collateral. In some cases, such collateral is not available to other creditors of ours.

We have margin exposure on $23.1 billion of repurchase agreements. To the extent that the value of the collateral underlying these repurchase agreements declines, we may be required to post margin, which could significantly impact our liquidity.

The following table provides additional information regarding our short-term borrowings (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Outstanding
Balance at
September 30, 2019
 
Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)
 
Maximum Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Daily Interest Rate
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
10,733,236

 
$
7,604,281

 
$
16,181,622

 
2.53
%
Non-Agency RMBS
7,144,329

 
7,681,276

 
8,864,155

 
3.46
%
Residential mortgage loans
4,742,824

 
2,403,677

 
5,155,161

 
4.24
%
Real estate owned
63,831

 
65,768

 
101,153

 
4.40
%
Notes and Bonds Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs
100,000

 
71,062

 
100,000

 
4.87
%
MSRs
940,188

 
728,119

 
1,256,040

 
4.71
%
Servicer advances
615,733

 
357,863

 
773,968

 
3.15
%
Residential mortgage loans
541,040

 
361,984

 
542,321

 
3.56
%
Total/Weighted Average
$
24,881,181

 
$
19,274,030

 


 
3.26
%
 
(A)
Represents the average for the period the debt was outstanding.

 
Average Daily Amount Outstanding(A)
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2019
 
June 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2019
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS
$
3,428,226

 
$
5,364,480

 
$
6,846,716

 
$
10,544,720

Non-Agency RMBS
7,444,959

 
7,399,226

 
7,675,607

 
7,986,868

Residential mortgage loans
1,675,353

 
2,155,752

 
2,681,220

 
3,432,062

Real estate owned
68,416

 
91,025

 
48,247

 
58,390


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

For additional information on our debt activities, see Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Maturities
 
Our debt obligations as of September 30, 2019, as summarized in Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, had contractual maturities as follows (in thousands):
Year
 
Nonrecourse(A)
 
Recourse(B)
 
Total
October 1 through December 31, 2019
 
$
1,978

 
$
18,781,709

 
$
18,783,687

2020
 
615,733

 
5,480,786

 
6,096,519

2021
 
1,088,623

 
1,034,034

 
2,122,657

2022
 
1,162,067

 
169,759

 
1,331,826

2023
 
400,000

 
403,433

 
803,433

2024 and thereafter
 
976,300

 
410,534

 
1,386,834

 
 
$
4,244,701

 
$
26,280,255

 
$
30,524,956


(A)
Includes repurchase agreements and notes and bonds payable of $2.0 million and $4,242.7 million, respectively.
(B)
Includes repurchase agreements and notes and bonds payable of $23,109.4 million and $3,170.9 million, respectively.

The weighted average differences between the fair value of the assets and the face amount of available financing for the Agency RMBS repurchase agreements (including amounts related to Trades Receivable) and Non-Agency RMBS repurchase agreements were 1.4% and 8.2%, respectively, and for Residential Mortgage Loans and Real Estate Owned were 11.0% and 28.0%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Borrowing Capacity
 
The following table represents our borrowing capacity as of September 30, 2019 (in thousands):
Debt Obligations/ Collateral
 
Borrowing Capacity
 
Balance Outstanding
 
Available Financing
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage loans and REO
 
$
9,112,297

 
$
5,233,801

 
$
3,878,496

Non-Agency RMBS
 
650,000

 
558,756

 
91,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes and Bonds Payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess MSRs
 
150,000

 
100,000

 
50,000

MSRs
 
1,375,000

 
940,188

 
434,812

Servicer advances(A)
 
1,204,660

 
1,053,127

 
151,533

Residential Mortgage Loans
 
650,000

 
535,063

 
114,937

Consumer loans
 
150,000

 
1,228

 
148,772

 
 
$
13,291,957

 
$
8,422,163

 
$
4,869,794

 
(A)
Our unused borrowing capacity is available to us if we have additional eligible collateral to pledge and meet other borrowing conditions as set forth in the applicable agreements, including any applicable advance rate. We pay a 0.02% fee on the unused borrowing capacity.

Covenants
 
Certain of the debt obligations are subject to customary loan covenants and event of default provisions, including event of default provisions triggered by certain specified declines in our equity or failure to maintain a specified tangible net worth, liquidity, or indebtedness to tangible net worth ratio. We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2019.
 

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Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to designate and issue up to 100.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share, in one or more classes or series.

On July 2, 2019, we issued 6.2 million shares of our Preferred Series A. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for us, in connection with this offering, we granted options to the Manager relating to 0.6 million shares of our common stock at the closing price per share of common stock on the pricing date, which had a fair value of approximately $0.5 million as of the grant date.

On August 15, 2019, in a public offering, we issued 11.3 million shares of our Preferred Series B. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for us, in connection with this offering, we granted options to the Manager relating to 1.1 million shares of our common stock at the closing price per share of common stock on the pricing date, which had a fair value of approximately $0.7 million as of the grant date.

Our Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B rank senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us that expressly indicate are subordinated to the Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Our Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B have no stated maturity, are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and rank on parity with each other. Under certain circumstances upon a change of control, our Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B are convertible to shares of our common stock.

From and including, July 2, 2019 and August 15, 2019, but excluding, August 15, 2024, holders of shares of our Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.50% per annum and 7.125% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to $1.875 and $1.781 per annum per share), respectively, and from and including August 15, 2024, at a floating rate per annum equal to the three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.802% and 5.640% per annum, respectively. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of each February, May, August and October.

The Preferred Series A and Preferred Series B will not be redeemable before August 15, 2024, except under certain limited circumstances intended to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Certificate of Designations). On or after August 15, 2024, we may, at our option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, redeem the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, without interest.
 
Common Stock
 
Approximately 2.4 million shares of our common stock were held by Fortress, through its affiliates, as of September 30, 2019.

In January 2018, New Residential issued 28.8 million shares of its common stock in a public offering at a price to the public of $17.10 per share for net proceeds of approximately $482.3 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for New Residential, in connection with this offering, New Residential granted options to the Manager relating to 2.9 million shares of New Residential’s common stock at the public offering price, which had a fair value of approximately $3.8 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 2.58% risk-free rate, a 9.86% dividend yield, 23.16% volatility and a 10-year term.

On July 30, 2018, we entered into a Distribution Agreement to sell shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ATM Shares”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $500.0 million, from time to time, through an “at-the-market” equity offering program (the “ATM Program”). As of June 30, 2019, we had sold 0.5 million ATM Shares for aggregate proceeds of $9.1 million. In connection with the shares sold under the ATM program, we granted options to the Manager relating to 0.05 million shares of our common stock at the offering price, which had fair value of approximately $0.1 million as of the grant date.

On November 5, 2018, we issued 28.8 million shares of our common stock in a public offering at a price of $17.32 per share for net proceeds of approximately $489.2 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for us, in connection with this offering, we granted options to the Manager relating to 2.9 million shares of our common stock at the public offering price, which had a fair value of approximately $3.8 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 3.25% risk-free rate, a 8.61% dividend yield, 17.50% volatility and a 10-year term.

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In February 2019, we issued 46.0 million shares of our common stock in a public offering at a price to the public of $16.50 per share for net proceeds of approximately $751.7 million. To compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for us, in connection with this offering, we granted options to the Manager relating to 4.6 million shares of our common stock at the public offering price, which had a fair value of approximately $3.8 million as of the grant date. The assumptions used in valuing the options were: a 2.40% risk-free rate, a 9.30% dividend yield, 19.26% volatility and a 10-year term.

On August 20, 2019, we announced that our board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of our common stock through December 31, 2020. Repurchases may be made at any time and from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to one or more plans established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, by means of one or more tender offers, or otherwise, in each case, as permitted by securities laws and other legal and contractual requirements. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors including the price and availability of our shares, trading volume, capital availability, our performance and general economic and market conditions. The share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. No share repurchases have been made as of the filing of this report. Repurchases may impact our financial results, including fees paid to our Manager.

As of September 30, 2019, our outstanding options had a weighted average exercise price of $16.30. Our outstanding options as of September 30, 2019 were summarized as follows:
Held by the Manager
10,511,167

Issued to the Manager and subsequently assigned to certain of the Manager’s employees
2,290,749

Issued to the independent directors
7,000

Total
12,808,916


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) changed due to the following factors (in thousands):
 
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income, December 31, 2018
$
417,023

Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
469,183

Reclassification of net realized (gain) loss on securities into earnings
(179,280
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, September 30, 2019
$
706,926

 
Our GAAP equity changes as our real estate securities portfolio is marked to market each quarter, among other factors. The primary causes of mark to market changes are changes in interest rates and credit spreads. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded unrealized gains on our real estate securities primarily caused by performance, liquidity and other factors related specifically to certain investments, coupled with a net tightening of mortgage credit spreads. We recorded OTTI charges of $21.9 million with respect to real estate securities and realized gains of $201.2 million on sales of real estate securities.
 
See “—Market Considerations” above for a further discussion of recent trends and events affecting our unrealized gains and losses, as well as our liquidity.
 
Common Dividends
 
We are organized and intend to conduct our operations to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its taxable income. We intend to make regular quarterly distributions of our taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available for this purpose, if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors. Before we pay any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our repurchase agreements and other debt payable. If our cash available for distribution is less than our taxable income, we could be

91



required to sell assets or raise capital to make cash distributions or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.
 
We make distributions based on a number of factors, including an estimate of taxable earnings per common share. Dividends distributed and taxable and GAAP earnings will typically differ due to items such as fair value adjustments, differences in premium amortization and discount accretion, other differences in method of accounting, non-deductible general and administrative expenses, taxable income arising from certain modifications of debt instruments and investments held in TRSs. Our quarterly dividend per share may be substantially different than our quarterly taxable earnings and GAAP earnings per share.
Common Dividends Declared for the Period Ended
 
Paid/Payable
 
Amount Per Share
September 30, 2018
 
October 2018
 
$
0.50

December 31, 2018
 
January 2019
 
$
0.50

March 31, 2019
 
April 2019
 
$
0.50

June 30, 2019
 
July 2019
 
$
0.50

September 30, 2019
 
October 2019
 
$
0.50

 
Cash Flow
 
Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased approximately $2.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily consisted of proceeds from sales and principal repayments of purchased residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale of $13.3 billion, servicing fees received of $729.2 million, net recoveries of servicer advances receivable of $366.4 million, net interest income received of $702.3 million, and distributions of earnings from equity method investees of $8.9 million. Operating cash outflows primarily consisted of purchases of residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale of $6.0 billion, originations of $10.4 billion, incentive compensation and management fees paid to the Manager of $151.9 million, income taxes paid of $1.2 million, subservicing fees paid of $273.7 million and other outflows of approximately $611.3 million including general and administrative costs and loan servicing fees.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities were $(5.3) billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Investing activities consisted primarily of the acquisition of MSRs, real estate securities, and the funding of servicer advances, net of principal repayments from Servicer Advance Investments, MSRs, real estate securities and loans as well as proceeds from the sale of real estate securities, loans and REO, and derivative cash flows.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities were approximately $8.1 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Financing activities consisted primarily of borrowings net of repayments under debt obligations, equity offerings, capital contributions net of distributions from noncontrolling interests in the equity of consolidated subsidiaries, and payment of dividends.

INTEREST RATE, CREDIT AND SPREAD RISK
 
We are subject to interest rate, credit and spread risk with respect to our investments. These risks are further described in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
We have material off-balance sheet arrangements related to our non-consolidated securitizations of residential mortgage loans treated as sales in which we retained certain interests. We believe that these off-balance sheet structures presented the most efficient and least expensive form of financing for these assets at the time they were entered and represented the most common market-accepted method for financing such assets. Our exposure to credit losses related to these non-recourse, off-balance sheet financings is limited to $1.3 billion. As of September 30, 2019, there was $11.2 billion in total outstanding unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans underlying such securitization trusts that represent off-balance sheet financings.

We have a co-investment in a portfolio of consumer loans held through an entity (“LoanCo”) which we account for under the equity method.

We did not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2019. We did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured investment vehicles, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established to facilitate off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, other than the entities described above. Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment and do not intend to provide additional funding to any such entities.


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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2019 included all of the material contractual obligations referred to in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding debt that was repaid as described in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Obligations.”
 
In addition, we executed the following material contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
 
Derivatives – as described in Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we have altered the composition of our economic hedges during the period.
Debt obligations – as described in Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we borrowed additional amounts.

See Notes 14 and 18 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for information regarding commitments and material contracts entered into subsequent to September 30, 2019, if any. As described in Note 14, we have committed to purchase certain future servicer advances. The actual amount of future advances is subject to significant uncertainty. However, we currently expect that net recoveries of servicer advances will exceed net fundings for the foreseeable future. This expectation is based on judgments, estimates and assumptions, all of which are subject to significant uncertainty, as further described in “—Application of Critical Accounting Policies—Servicer Advance Investments.” In addition, the Consumer Loan Companies have invested in loans with an aggregate of $279.4 million of unfunded and available revolving credit privileges as of September 30, 2019. However, under the terms of these loans, requests for draws may be denied and unfunded availability may be terminated at management’s discretion.

INFLATION
 
Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors affect our performance more so than inflation, although inflation rates can often have a meaningful influence over the direction of interest rates. Furthermore, our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and our distributions are determined by our board of directors primarily based on a number of factors, including taxable income, and, in each case, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Interest Rate Risk.”

CORE EARNINGS
 
We have four primary variables that impact our operating performance: (i) the current yield earned on our investments, (ii) the interest expense under the debt incurred to finance our investments, (iii) our operating expenses and taxes and (iv) our realized and unrealized gains or losses, including any impairment, on our investments. “Core earnings” is a non-GAAP measure of our operating performance, excluding the fourth variable above and adjusts the earnings from the consumer loan investment to a level yield basis. Core earnings is used by management to evaluate our performance without taking into account: (i) realized and unrealized gains and losses, which although they represent a part of our recurring operations, are subject to significant variability and are generally limited to a potential indicator of future economic performance; (ii) incentive compensation paid to our Manager; (iii) non-capitalized transaction-related expenses; and (iv) deferred taxes, which are not representative of current operations.
 
Our definition of core earnings includes accretion on held-for-sale loans as if they continued to be held-for-investment. Although we intend to sell such loans, there is no guarantee that such loans will be sold or that they will be sold within any expected timeframe. During the period prior to sale, we continue to receive cash flows from such loans and believe that it is appropriate to record a yield thereon. In addition, our definition of core earnings excludes all deferred taxes, rather than just deferred taxes related to unrealized gains or losses, because we believe deferred taxes are not representative of current operations. Our definition of core earnings also limits accreted interest income on RMBS where we receive par upon the exercise of associated call rights based on the estimated value of the underlying collateral, net of related costs including advances. We created this limit in order to be able

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to accrete to the lower of par or the net value of the underlying collateral, in instances where the net value of the underlying collateral is lower than par. We believe this amount represents the amount of accretion we would have expected to earn on such bonds had the call rights not been exercised.

Our investments in consumer loans are accounted for under ASC No. 310-20 and ASC No. 310-30, including certain non-performing consumer loans with revolving privileges that are explicitly excluded from being accounted for under ASC No. 310-30. Under ASC No. 310-20, the recognition of expected losses on these non-performing consumer loans is delayed in comparison to the level yield methodology under ASC No. 310-30, which recognizes income based on an expected cash flow model reflecting an investment’s lifetime expected losses. The purpose of the Core Earnings adjustment to adjust consumer loans to a level yield is to present income recognition across the consumer loan portfolio in the manner in which it is economically earned, avoid potential delays in loss recognition, and align it with our overall portfolio of mortgage-related assets which generally record income on a level yield basis. With respect to consumer loans classified as held-for-sale, the level yield is computed through the expected sale date. With respect to the gains recorded under GAAP in 2014 and 2016 as a result of a refinancing of, and the consolidation of, the Consumer Loan Companies, respectively, we continue to record a level yield on those assets based on their original purchase price.

While incentive compensation paid to our Manager may be a material operating expense, we exclude it from core earnings because (i) from time to time, a component of the computation of this expense will relate to items (such as gains or losses) that are excluded from core earnings, and (ii) it is impractical to determine the portion of the expense related to core earnings and non-core earnings, and the type of earnings (loss) that created an excess (deficit) above or below, as applicable, the incentive compensation threshold. To illustrate why it is impractical to determine the portion of incentive compensation expense that should be allocated to core earnings, we note that, as an example, in a given period, we may have core earnings in excess of the incentive compensation threshold but incur losses (which are excluded from core earnings) that reduce total earnings below the incentive compensation threshold. In such case, we would either need to (a) allocate zero incentive compensation expense to core earnings, even though core earnings exceeded the incentive compensation threshold, or (b) assign a “pro forma” amount of incentive compensation expense to core earnings, even though no incentive compensation was actually incurred. We believe that neither of these allocation methodologies achieves a logical result. Accordingly, the exclusion of incentive compensation facilitates comparability between periods and avoids the distortion to our non-GAAP operating measure that would result from the inclusion of incentive compensation that relates to non-core earnings.
 
With regard to non-capitalized transaction-related expenses, management does not view these costs as part of our core operations, as they are considered by management to be similar to realized losses incurred at acquisition. Non-capitalized transaction-related expenses are generally legal and valuation service costs, as well as other professional service fees, incurred when we acquire certain investments, as well as costs associated with the acquisition and integration of acquired businesses.
 
Since the third quarter of 2018, as a result of the Shellpoint Acquisition, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NewRez, originates conventional, government-insured and nonconforming residential mortgage loans for sale and securitization. In connection with the transfer of loans to the GSEs or mortgage investors, New Residential reports realized gains or losses on the sale of originated residential mortgage loans and retention of mortgage servicing rights, which we believe is an indicator of performance for the Servicing and Origination segment and therefore included in core earnings. Realized gains or losses on the sale of originated residential mortgage loans had no impact on core earnings in any prior period, but may impact core earnings in future periods.

Beginning with the third quarter of 2019, as a result of the continued evaluation of how Shellpoint operates its business and its impact on our operating performance, core earnings includes Shellpoint’s GAAP net income with the exception of the unrealized gains or losses due to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions on MSRs owned by NewRez, and non-capitalized transaction-related expenses. This change was not material to core earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Management believes that the adjustments to compute “core earnings” specified above allow investors and analysts to readily identify and track the operating performance of the assets that form the core of our activity, assist in comparing the core operating results between periods, and enable investors to evaluate our current core performance using the same measure that management uses to operate the business. Management also utilizes core earnings as a measure in its decision-making process relating to improvements to the underlying fundamental operations of our investments, as well as the allocation of resources between those investments, and management also relies on core earnings as an indicator of the results of such decisions. Core earnings excludes certain recurring items, such as gains and losses (including impairment as well as derivative activities) and non-capitalized transaction-related expenses, because they are not considered by management to be part of our core operations for the reasons described herein. As such, core earnings is not intended to reflect all of our activity and should be considered as only one of the factors used by management in assessing our performance, along with GAAP net income which is inclusive of all of our activities.
 

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The primary differences between core earnings and the measure we use to calculate incentive compensation relate to (i) realized gains and losses (including impairments), (ii) non-capitalized transaction-related expenses and (iii) deferred taxes (other than those related to unrealized gains and losses). Each are excluded from core earnings and included in our incentive compensation measure (either immediately or through amortization). In addition, our incentive compensation measure does not include accretion on held-for-sale loans and the timing of recognition of income from consumer loans is different. Unlike core earnings, our incentive compensation measure is intended to reflect all realized results of operations. The Gain on Remeasurement of Consumer Loans Investment was treated as an unrealized gain for the purposes of calculating incentive compensation and was therefore excluded from such calculation.
 
Core earnings does not represent and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, net income or as a substitute for, or superior to, cash flows from operating activities, each as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of this measure may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies. For a further description of the difference between cash flows provided by operations and net income, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” above. Set forth below is a reconciliation of core earnings to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended  
 September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
224,584

 
$
184,608

 
$
338,235

 
$
963,619

Adjustments for Non-Core Earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment
(5,123
)
 
9,360

 
29,984

 
51,326

Change in fair value of investments in mortgage servicing rights
45,541

 
(3,515
)
 
272,259

 
(394,717
)
Change in fair value of servicer advance investments
(6,641
)
 
5,353

 
(15,932
)
 
86,581

Change in fair value of investments in residential mortgage loans
7,290

 
(647
)
 
(102,298
)
 
(647
)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments
(41,910
)
 
(24,299
)
 
18,586

 
(27,985
)
(Gain) loss on settlement of investments, net (Note 2)
(135,935
)
 
11,893

 
(108,455
)
 
(106,064
)
Other (income) loss (Note 2)
35,271

 
5,860

 
16,503

 
(10,415
)
Other Income and Impairment attributable to non-controlling interests
(994
)
 
(4,633
)
 
(9,052
)
 
(17,088
)
Gain (loss) on sale or securitization of originated mortgage loans (Note 2)
21,611

 
2,757

 
62,399

 
2,757

Non-capitalized transaction-related expenses (Note 2)
8,155

 
5,274

 
24,305

 
18,784

Incentive compensation to affiliate (Note 14)
36,307

 
23,848

 
49,265

 
65,169

Preferred stock management fee to affiliate
1,055

 

 
1,055

 

Deferred taxes (Note 17)
(6,652
)
 
(1,865
)
 
18,080

 
(12,680
)
Interest income on residential mortgage loans, held-for-sale
18,852

 
5,906

 
45,041

 
12,774

Limit on RMBS discount accretion related to called deals
(34
)
 
(2,914
)
 
(19,590
)
 
(13,108
)
Adjust consumer loans to level yield
1,922

 
(6,760
)
 
4,884

 
(21,915
)
Core earnings of equity method investees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess mortgage servicing rights (Note 4)
3,987

 
4,468

 
6,102

 
10,514

Core Earnings
$
207,286

 
$
214,694

 
$
631,371

 
$
606,905

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Per Diluted Share
$
0.54

 
$
0.54

 
$
0.83

 
$
2.86

Core Earnings Per Diluted Share
$
0.50

 
$
0.63

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding, Diluted
415,588,238

 
340,868,403

 
406,671,972

 
337,078,824



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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, credit spreads, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market based risks. The primary market risks that we are exposed to are interest rate risk, mortgage basis spread risk, prepayment rate risk and credit risk. These risks are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. All of our market risk sensitive assets, liabilities and derivative positions (other than TBAs) are for non-trading purposes only. For a further discussion of how market risk may affect our financial position or results of operations, please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Application of Critical Accounting Policies.”

Beginning with the third quarter of 2019, as a result of refinement of our risk management practices, including expansion of our hedging program, we have adjusted our sensitivity analysis. In prior periods, our sensitivity analysis reported the impact specific to changes in short term interest rates with no changes to discount rate spreads and yields. We have adjusted to report projected changes from a parallel shift in interest rates across all maturities along with corresponding changes in discount rates. In addition, based on management’s evaluation of the significance of each market risk exposure to our company, we have adjusted our sensitivity analysis to capture changes in mortgage basis spread risk and to remove credit spread risk. These changes resulted in a material impact to the results of our sensitivity analysis and therefore, we have provided summarized comparable information under the new sensitivity analysis for the prior period.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Changes in interest rates, including changes in expected interest rates or “yield curves,” affect our investments in various ways, the most significant of which are discussed below.
 
Fair Value Impact

Changes in the level of interest rates also affect the yields required by the marketplace on interest rate instruments. Increasing interest rates would decrease the value of the fixed rate assets we hold at the time because higher required yields result in lower prices on existing fixed rate assets in order to adjust their yield upward to meet the market.
 
Changes in unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in market interest rates do not directly affect our cash flows, or our ability to pay a dividend, to the extent the related assets are expected to be held and continue to perform as expected, as their fair value is not relevant to their underlying cash flows. Changes in unrealized gains or losses would impact our ability to realize gains on existing investments if they were sold. Furthermore, with respect to changes in unrealized gains or losses on investments which are carried at fair value, changes in unrealized gains or losses would impact our net book value and, in certain cases, our net income.
 
Changes in interest rates can also have ancillary impacts on our investments. Generally, in a declining interest rate environment, residential mortgage loan prepayment rates increase which in turn would cause the value of MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs and the rights to the basic fee components of MSRs to decrease, because the duration of the cash flows we are entitled to receive becomes shortened, and the value of loans and Non-Agency RMBS to increase, because we generally acquired these investments at a discount whose recovery would be accelerated. With respect to a significant portion of our investments in MSRs and Excess MSRs, we have recapture agreements, as described in Notes 4 and 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. These recapture agreements help to protect these investments from the impact of increasing prepayment rates. In addition, to the extent that the loans underlying our investments in MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs and the rights to the basic fee components of MSRs are well-seasoned with credit-impaired borrowers who may have limited refinancing options, we believe the impact of interest rates on prepayments would be reduced. Conversely, in an increasing interest rate environment, prepayment rates decrease which in turn would cause the value of MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs and the rights to the basic fee components of MSRs to increase and the value of loans and Non-Agency RMBS to decrease. To the extent we do not hedge against changes in interest rates, our balance sheet, results of operations and cash flows would be susceptible to significant volatility due to changes in the fair value of, or cash flows from, our investments as interest rates change. However, rising interest rates could result from more robust market conditions, which could reduce the credit risk associated with our investments. The effects of such a decrease in values on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity are discussed below under “—Prepayment Rate Exposure.”

Changes in the value of our assets could affect our ability to borrow and access capital. Also, if the value of our assets subject to short-term financing were to decline, it could cause us to fund margin, or repay debt, and affect our ability to refinance such assets upon the maturity of the related financings, adversely impacting our rate of return on such investments.

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We are subject to margin calls on our repurchase agreements. Furthermore, we may, from time to time, be a party to derivative agreements or financing arrangements that are subject to margin calls, or mandatory repayment, based on the value of such instruments. We seek to maintain adequate cash reserves and other sources of available liquidity to meet any margin calls, or required repayments, resulting from decreases in value related to a reasonably possible (in our opinion) change in interest rates but there can be no assurance that our cash reserves will be sufficient.

In addition, changes in interest rates may impact our ability to exercise our call rights and to realize or maximize potential profits from them. A significant portion of the residential mortgage loans underlying our call rights bear fixed rates and may decline in value during a period of rising market interest rates. Furthermore, rising rates could cause prepayment rates on these loans to decline, which would delay our ability to exercise our call rights. These impacts could be at least partially offset by potential declines in the value of Non-Agency RMBS related to the call rights, which could then be acquired more cheaply, and in credit spreads, which could offset the impact of rising market interest rates on the value of fixed rate loans to some degree. Conversely, declining interest rates could increase the value of our call rights by increasing the value of the underlying loans.

We believe our consumer loan investments generally have limited interest rate sensitivity given that our portfolio is mostly composed of very seasoned loans with credit-impaired borrowers who are paying fixed rates, who we believe are relatively unlikely to change their prepayment patterns based on changes in interest rates.

As of September 30, 2019, an immediate 50 basis point increase in short term interest rates, based on a parallel shift in the yield curve (assuming an unchanged mortgage basis), would reduce our net book value by approximately $6.2 million, whereas a 50 basis point decrease in short term interest rates would increase our net book value by approximately $3.7 million, based on the present value of estimated cash flows on a static portfolio of investments. This includes changes in our book value resulting from potential related changes in discount rates.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control.

LIBOR and other indices which are deemed “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform, and it appears likely that LIBOR will be phased out or the methodology for determining LIBOR will be modified by 2021.  We currently have agreements that are indexed to LIBOR and are monitoring related reform proposals and evaluating the related risks; however, it is not possible to predict the effects of any of these developments, and any future initiatives to regulate, reform or change the manner of administration of LIBOR could result in adverse consequences to the rate of interest payable and receivable on, market value of and market liquidity for LIBOR-based financial instruments. The below table is comparative in order to show the prior period sensitivity analysis under our new methodology.
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2019
Interest rate change (bps)
 
Estimated Change in Fair Value ($mm)
 
Estimated Change in Fair Value ($mm)
+50bps
 
+$6.2mm
 
-$36.2mm
+25bps
 
+$4.0mm
 
-$14.0mm
-25bps
 
-$5.9mm
 
+$5.9mm
-50bps
 
-$13.7mm
 
+$3.7mm

Mortgage Basis Spread Risk

Mortgage basis measures the spread between the yield on current coupon mortgage backed securities and benchmark rates including treasuries and swaps. The level of mortgage basis is driven by demand and supply of mortgage backed instruments relative to other rate-sensitive assets. Changes in the mortgage basis have an impact on prepayment rates driven by the ability of borrowers underlying our portfolio to refinance. A lower mortgage basis would imply a lower mortgage rate which would increase prepayment speeds due to higher refinance activity and, therefore, lower fair value of our mortgage portfolio. As of September 30, 2019, an immediate 20 basis point increase in mortgage basis would increase our net book value by approximately $39.4 million, whereas a 20 basis point decrease in mortgage basis would decrease our net book value by approximately $40.6 million, based on the present value of estimated cash flows on a static portfolio of investments. The below table is comparative in order to show the prior period sensitivity analysis under our new methodology.

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June 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2019
Mortgage Basis change (bps)
 
Estimated Change in Fair Value ($mm)
 
Estimated Change in Fair Value ($mm)
+20bps
 
+$79.8mm
 
+$39.4mm
+10bps
 
+$39.9mm
 
+$19.8mm
-10bps
 
-$40.0mm
 
-$20.1mm
-20bps
 
-$80.2mm
 
-$40.6mm

Prepayment Rate Exposure
 
Prepayment rates significantly affect the value of MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs, the basic fee component of MSRs (which we own as part of our Servicer Advance Investments), Non-Agency RMBS and loans, including consumer loans. Prepayment rate is the measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the UPB of their loans or how quickly loans are otherwise brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off. The price we pay to acquire certain investments will be based on, among other things, our projection of the cash flows from the related pool of loans. Our expectation of prepayment rates is a significant assumption underlying those cash flow projections. If the fair value of MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs or the basic fee component of MSRs decreases, we would be required to record a non-cash charge, which would have a negative impact on our financial results. Furthermore, a significant increase in prepayment rates could materially reduce the ultimate cash flows we receive from MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs or our right to the basic fee component of MSRs, and we could ultimately receive substantially less than what we paid for such assets. Conversely, a significant decrease in prepayment rates with respect to our loans or RMBS could delay our expected cash flows and reduce the yield on these investments.

We seek to reduce our exposure to prepayment through the structuring of our investments. For example, in our MSR and Excess MSR investments, we seek to enter into “recapture agreements” whereby our MSR or Excess MSR is retained if the applicable servicer or subservicer originates a new loan the proceeds of which are used to repay a loan underlying an MSR or Excess MSR in our portfolio. We seek to enter into such recapture agreements in order to protect our returns in the event of a rise in voluntary prepayment rates.
 
Please refer to the table in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Application of Critical Accounting Policies—Excess MSRs” for an analysis of the sensitivity of these investments to changes in certain market factors.
 
Credit Risk
 
We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our assets. Credit risk refers to the ability of each individual borrower underlying our investments in MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs, Servicer Advance Investments, securities and loans to make required interest and principal payments on the scheduled due dates. If delinquencies increase, then the amount of servicer advances we are required to make will also increase, as would our financing cost thereof. We may also invest in loans and Non-Agency RMBS which represent “first loss” pieces; in other words, they do not benefit from credit support although we believe they predominantly benefit from underlying collateral value in excess of their carrying amounts. Although we do not expect to encounter credit risk in our Agency RMBS, we do anticipate credit risk related to Non-Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans.
 
We seek to reduce credit risk through prudent asset selection, actively monitoring our asset portfolio and the underlying credit quality of our holdings and, where appropriate and achievable, repositioning our investments to upgrade their credit quality. Our pre-acquisition due diligence and processes for monitoring performance include the evaluation of, among other things, credit and risk ratings, principal subordination, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, and vintage of collateral.

For our MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, and Excess MSRs on Agency collateral and our Agency RMBS, delinquency and default rates have an effect similar to prepayment rates. Our Excess MSRs on Non-Agency portfolios are not directly affected by delinquency rates because the servicer continues to advance principal and interest until a default occurs on the applicable loan, so delinquencies decrease prepayments therefore having a positive impact on fair value, while increased defaults have an effect similar to increased prepayments. For our Non-Agency RMBS and loans, higher default rates can lead to greater loss of principal. For our call rights, higher delinquencies and defaults could reduce the value of the underlying loans, therefore reducing or eliminating the related potential profit.


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Market factors that could influence the degree of the impact of credit risk on our investments include (i) unemployment and the general economy, which impact borrowers’ ability to make payments on their loans, (ii) home prices, which impact the value of collateral underlying residential mortgage loans, (iii) the availability of credit, which impacts borrowers’ ability to refinance, and (iv) other factors, all of which are beyond our control.

Liquidity Risk
 
The assets that comprise our asset portfolio are generally not publicly traded. A portion of these assets may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise be less liquid than publicly-traded securities. The illiquidity of our assets may make it difficult for us to sell such assets if the need or desire arises, including in response to changes in economic and other conditions.

Investment Specific Sensitivity Analyses

Excess MSRs
 
The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Agency Excess MSRs owned directly as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
221,560

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
233,576

 
$
227,967

 
$
215,552

 
$
208,747

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
12,016

 
$
6,407

 
$
(6,008
)
 
$
(12,813
)
%
 
5.4
 %
 
2.9
 %
 
(2.7
)%
 
(5.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
233,618

 
$
228,908

 
$
214,816

 
$
211,680

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
12,058

 
$
7,348

 
$
(6,744
)
 
$
(9,880
)
%
 
5.4
 %
 
3.3
 %
 
(3.0
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
221,913

 
$
221,744

 
$
221,404

 
$
221,235

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
353

 
$
184

 
$
(156
)
 
$
(325
)
%
 
0.2
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
(0.1
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
214,864

 
$
218,219

 
$
224,929

 
$
228,284

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(6,696
)
 
$
(3,341
)
 
$
3,369

 
$
6,724

%
 
(3.0
)%
 
(1.5
)%
 
1.5
 %
 
3.0
 %


99



The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Non-Agency Excess MSRs owned directly as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
176,504

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
187,808

 
$
182,601

 
$
170,900

 
$
164,407

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
11,304

 
$
6,097

 
$
(5,604
)
 
$
(12,097
)
%
 
6.4
 %
 
3.5
 %
 
(3.2
)%
 
(6.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
190,121

 
$
184,296

 
$
169,440

 
$
165,449

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
13,617

 
$
7,792

 
$
(7,064
)
 
$
(11,055
)
%
 
7.7
 %
 
4.4
 %
 
(4.0
)%
 
(6.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
176,523

 
$
176,521

 
$
176,518

 
$
176,516

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
19

 
$
17

 
$
14

 
$
12

%
 
 %
 
 %
 
 %
 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
173,437

 
$
174,978

 
$
178,061

 
$
179,602

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(3,067
)
 
$
(1,526
)
 
$
1,557

 
$
3,098

%
 
(1.7
)%
 
(0.9
)%
 
0.9
 %
 
1.8
 %

The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Agency Excess MSRs owned through equity method investees as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
132,259

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
138,805

 
$
135,647

 
$
128,986

 
$
125,484

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
6,546

 
$
3,388

 
$
(3,273
)
 
$
(6,775
)
%
 
4.9
 %
 
2.6
 %
 
(2.5
)%
 
(5.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
138,370

 
$
135,993

 
$
128,756

 
$
127,242

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
6,111

 
$
3,734

 
$
(3,503
)
 
$
(5,017
)
%
 
4.6
 %
 
2.8
 %
 
(2.6
)%
 
(3.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
132,487

 
$
132,352

 
$
132,083

 
$
131,949

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
228

 
$
93

 
$
(176
)
 
$
(310
)
%
 
0.2
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
(0.1
)%
 
(0.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
128,488

 
$
130,353

 
$
134,082

 
$
135,947

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(3,771
)
 
$
(1,906
)
 
$
1,823

 
$
3,688

%
 
(2.9
)%
 
(1.4
)%
 
1.4
 %
 
2.8
 %
 

100



MSRs

The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Agency MSRs, including mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, owned as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
3,636,711

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
3,819,885

 
$
3,733,227

 
$
3,545,124

 
$
3,443,678

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
183,174

 
$
96,516

 
$
(91,587
)
 
$
(193,033
)
%
 
5.0
 %
 
2.7
 %
 
(2.5
)%
 
(5.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
3,864,772

 
$
3,743,884

 
$
3,539,852

 
$
3,452,425

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
228,061

 
$
107,173

 
$
(96,859
)
 
$
(184,286
)
%
 
6.3
 %
 
2.9
 %
 
(2.7
)%
 
(5.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
3,650,369

 
$
3,643,454

 
$
3,629,626

 
$
3,622,717

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
13,658

 
$
6,743

 
$
(7,085
)
 
$
(13,994
)
%
 
0.4
 %
 
0.2
 %
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
3,511,603

 
$
3,574,071

 
$
3,699,008

 
$
3,761,477

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(125,108
)
 
$
(62,640
)
 
$
62,297

 
$
124,766

%
 
(3.4
)%
 
(1.7
)%
 
1.7
 %
 
3.4
 %


101



The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Non-Agency MSRs, including mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, owned as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
1,233,592

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
1,328,865

 
$
1,287,146

 
$
1,185,955

 
$
1,126,483

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
95,273

 
$
53,554

 
$
(47,637
)
 
$
(107,109
)
%
 
7.7
 %
 
4.3
 %
 
(3.9
)%
 
(8.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
1,286,886

 
$
1,259,011

 
$
1,213,398

 
$
1,195,616

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
53,294

 
$
25,419

 
$
(20,194
)
 
$
(37,976
)
%
 
4.3
 %
 
2.1
 %
 
(1.6
)%
 
(3.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
1,267,992

 
$
1,245,516

 
$
1,200,545

 
$
1,178,053

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
34,400

 
$
11,924

 
$
(33,047
)
 
$
(55,539
)
%
 
2.8
 %
 
1.0
 %
 
(2.7
)%
 
(4.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
1,215,987

 
$
1,225,223

 
$
1,243,692

 
$
1,252,927

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(17,605
)
 
$
(8,369
)
 
$
10,100

 
$
19,335

%
 
(1.4
)%
 
(0.7
)%
 
0.8
 %
 
1.6
 %

The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value of our interests in the Ginnie Mae MSRs, owned as of September 30, 2019 given several parallel shifts in the discount rate, prepayment rate, delinquency rate and recapture rate (dollars in thousands):
Fair value at September 30, 2019
 
$
372,926

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
392,886

 
$
382,305

 
$
362,946

 
$
354,169

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
19,960

 
$
9,379

 
$
(9,980
)
 
$
(18,757
)
%
 
5.4
 %
 
2.5
 %
 
(2.7
)%
 
(5.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
398,886

 
$
384,635

 
$
361,543

 
$
351,942

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
25,960

 
$
11,709

 
$
(11,383
)
 
$
(20,984
)
%
 
7.0
 %
 
3.1
 %
 
(3.1
)%
 
(5.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delinquency rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
377,595

 
$
374,961

 
$
369,692

 
$
367,058

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
4,669

 
$
2,035

 
$
(3,234
)
 
$
(5,868
)
%
 
1.3
 %
 
0.5
 %
 
(0.9
)%
 
(1.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recapture rate shift in %
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
10%
 
20%
Estimated fair value
 
$
354,049

 
$
363,187

 
$
381,465

 
$
390,603

Change in estimated fair value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
$
(18,877
)
 
$
(9,739
)
 
$
8,539

 
$
17,677

%
 
(5.1
)%
 
(2.6
)%
 
2.3
 %
 
4.7
 %


102



Each of the preceding sensitivity analyses is hypothetical and should be used with caution. In particular, the results are calculated by stressing a particular economic assumption independent of changes in any other assumption; in practice, changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which might counteract or amplify the sensitivities. Also, changes in the fair value based on a 10% variation in an assumption generally may not be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in the assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately and on a timely basis. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


103



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are or may become, from time to time, involved in various disputes, litigation and regulatory inquiry and investigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Given the inherent unpredictability of these types of proceedings, it is possible that future adverse outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

New Residential is, from time to time, subject to inquiries by government entities. New Residential currently does not believe any of these inquiries would result in a material adverse effect on New Residential’s business.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this report. If any of the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. The risk factors summarized below are categorized as follows: (i) Risks Related to Our Business, (ii) Risks Related to Our Manager, (iii) Risks Related to the Financial Markets, (iv) Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT and (v) Risks Related to Our Stock. However, these categories do overlap and should not be considered exclusive.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not be able to successfully operate our business strategy or generate sufficient revenue to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully operate our business or implement our operating policies and strategies. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient returns to pay our operating expenses and make satisfactory distributions to our stockholders, or any distributions at all. Our results of operations and our ability to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders depend on several factors, including the availability of opportunities to acquire attractive assets, the level and volatility of interest rates, the availability of adequate short- and long-term financing, and conditions in the real estate market, the financial markets and economic conditions.

The value of our investments is based on various assumptions that could prove to be incorrect and could have a negative impact on our financial results.

When we make investments, we base the price we pay and, in some cases, the rate of amortization of those investments on, among other things, our projection of the cash flows from the related pool of loans. We generally record such investments on our balance sheet at fair value, and we measure their fair value on a recurring basis. Our projections of the cash flow from our investments, and the determination of the fair value thereof, are based on assumptions about various factors, including, but not limited to:
 
rates of prepayment and repayment of the underlying loans;
potential fluctuations in prevailing interest rates and credit spreads;
rates of delinquencies and defaults, and related loss severities;
costs of engaging a subservicer to service MSRs;
market discount rates;
in the case of MSRs and Excess MSRs, recapture rates; and
in the case of Servicer Advance Investments and servicer advances receivable, the amount and timing of servicer advances and recoveries.

Our assumptions could differ materially from actual results. The use of different estimates or assumptions in connection with the valuation of these investments could produce materially different fair values for such investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. The ultimate realization of the value of our investments may be materially different than the fair values of such investments as reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of any particular date.

We refer to our MSRs, mortgage servicing rights financing receivables, Excess MSRs, and the base fee portion of the related MSRs included in our Servicer Advance Investments, collectively, as our interests in MSRs.


104



With respect to our investments in interests in MSRs, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, and a portion of our RMBS, when the related loans are prepaid as a result of a refinancing or otherwise, the related cash flows payable to us will either, in the case of interest-only RMBS, and/or interests in MSRs, cease (unless, in the case of our interests in MSRs, the loans are recaptured upon a refinancing), or we will cease to receive interest income on such investments, as applicable. Borrowers under residential mortgage loans and consumer loans are generally permitted to prepay their loans at any time without penalty. Our expectation of prepayment rates is a significant assumption underlying our cash flow projections. Prepayment rate is the measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the UPB of their loans or how quickly loans are otherwise brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off. A significant increase in prepayment rates could materially reduce the ultimate cash flows and/or interest income, as applicable, we receive from our investments, and we could ultimately receive substantially less than what we paid for such assets, decreasing the fair value of our investments. If the fair value of our investment portfolio decreases, we would generally be required to record a non-cash charge, which would have a negative impact on our financial results. Consequently, the price we pay to acquire our investments may prove to be too high if there is a significant increase in prepayment rates.

The values of our investments are highly sensitive to changes in interest rates. Historically, the value of MSRs, which underpin the value of our investments, including interests in MSRs, has increased when interest rates rise and decreased when interest rates decline due to the effect of changes in interest rates on prepayment rates. Prepayment rates could increase as a result of a general economic recovery or other factors, which would reduce the value of our interests in MSRs.

Moreover, delinquency rates have a significant impact on the value of our investments. When the UPB of mortgage loans cease to be a part of the aggregate UPB of the serviced loan pool (for example, when delinquent loans are foreclosed on or repurchased, or otherwise sold, from a securitized pool), the related cash flows payable to us, as the holder of an interest in the related MSR, cease. An increase in delinquencies will generally result in lower revenue because typically we will only collect on our interests in MSRs from GSEs or mortgage owners for performing loans. An increase in delinquencies with respect to the loans underlying our servicer advances could also result in a higher advance balance and the need to obtain additional financing, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all. Additionally, in the case of residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and RMBS that we own, an increase in foreclosures could result in an acceleration of repayments, resulting in a decrease in interest income. Alternatively, increases in delinquencies and defaults could also adversely affect our investments in RMBS, residential mortgage loans and/or consumer loans if and to the extent that losses are suffered on residential mortgage loans, consumer loans or, in the case of RMBS, the residential mortgage loans underlying such RMBS. Accordingly, if delinquencies are significantly greater than expected, the estimated fair value of these investments could be diminished. As a result, we could suffer a loss, which would have a negative impact on our financial results.

We are party to several “recapture agreements” whereby our MSR or Excess MSR is retained if the applicable Servicing Partner originates a new loan the proceeds of which are used to repay a loan underlying an MSR or Excess MSR in our portfolio. We believe that such agreements will mitigate the impact on our returns in the event of a rise in voluntary prepayment rates, with respect to investments where we have such agreements. There are no assurances, however, that counterparties will enter into such arrangements with us in connection with any future investment in MSRs or Excess MSRs. We are not party to any such arrangements with respect to any of our investments other than MSRs and Excess MSRs.

If the applicable Servicing Partner does not meet anticipated recapture targets, the servicing cash flow on a given pool could be significantly lower than projected, which could have a material adverse effect on the value of our MSRs or Excess MSRs and consequently on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our recapture target for our current recapture agreements is stated in the table in Note 12 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Servicer advances may not be recoverable or may take longer to recover than we expect, which could cause us to fail to achieve our targeted return on our Servicer Advance Investments or MSRs.

NRM is generally required to make servicer advances related to the pools of loans for which it is the named servicer. In addition, we have agreed (in the case of Nationstar, together with certain third-party investors) to purchase from certain of the servicers and subservicers that we engage, which we refer to as our “Servicing Partners,” all servicer advances related to certain loan pools, as a result of which we are entitled to amounts representing repayment for such advances. During any period in which a borrower is not making payments, a servicer is generally required under the applicable servicing agreement to advance its own funds to cover the principal and interest remittances due to investors in the loans, pay property taxes and insurance premiums to third parties, and to make payments for legal expenses and other protective advances. The servicer also advances funds to maintain, repair and market real estate properties on behalf of investors in the loans.

Repayment of servicer advances and payment of deferred servicing fees are generally made from late payments and other collections and recoveries on the related residential mortgage loan (including liquidation, insurance and condemnation proceeds) or, if the related servicing agreement provides for a “general collections backstop,” from collections on other residential mortgage loans

105



to which such servicing agreement relates. The rate and timing of payments on servicer advances and deferred servicing fees are unpredictable for several reasons, including the following:
 
payments on the servicer advances and the deferred servicing fees depend on the source of repayment, and whether and when the related servicer receives such payment (certain servicer advances are reimbursable only out of late payments and other collections and recoveries on the related residential mortgage loan, while others are also reimbursable out of principal and interest collections with respect to all residential mortgage loans serviced under the related servicing agreement, and as a consequence, the timing of such reimbursement is highly uncertain);
the length of time necessary to obtain liquidation proceeds may be affected by conditions in the real estate market or the financial markets generally, the availability of financing for the acquisition of the real estate and other factors, including, but not limited to, government intervention;
the length of time necessary to effect a foreclosure may be affected by variations in the laws of the particular jurisdiction in which the related mortgaged property is located, including whether or not foreclosure requires judicial action;
the requirements for judicial actions for foreclosure (which can result in substantial delays in reimbursement of servicer advances and payment of deferred servicing fees), which vary from time to time as a result of changes in applicable state law; and
the ability of the related servicer to sell delinquent residential mortgage loans to third parties prior to a sale of the underlying real estate, resulting in the early reimbursement of outstanding unreimbursed servicer advances in respect of such residential mortgage loans.

As home values change, the servicer may have to reconsider certain of the assumptions underlying its decisions to make advances. In certain situations, its contractual obligations may require the servicer to make certain advances for which it may not be reimbursed. In addition, when a residential mortgage loan defaults or becomes delinquent, the repayment of the advance may be delayed until the residential mortgage loan is repaid or refinanced, or a liquidation occurs. To the extent that one of our Servicing Partners fails to recover the servicer advances in which we have invested, or takes longer than we expect to recover such advances, the value of our investment could be adversely affected and we could fail to achieve our expected return and suffer losses.

Servicing agreements related to residential mortgage securitization transactions generally require a residential mortgage servicer to make servicer advances in respect of serviced residential mortgage loans unless the servicer determines in good faith that the servicer advance would not be ultimately recoverable from the proceeds of the related residential mortgage loan, mortgaged property or mortgagor. In many cases, if the servicer determines that a servicer advance previously made would not be recoverable from these sources, the servicer is entitled to withdraw funds from the related custodial account in respect of payments on the related pool of serviced mortgages to reimburse the related servicer advance. This is what is often referred to as a “general collections backstop.” The timing of when a servicer may utilize a general collections backstop can vary (some contracts require actual liquidation of the related loan first, while others do not), and contracts vary in terms of the types of servicer advances for which reimbursement from a general collections backstop is available. Accordingly, a servicer may not ultimately be reimbursed if both (i) the payments from related loan, property or mortgagor payments are insufficient for reimbursement, and (ii) a general collections backstop is not available or is insufficient. Also, if a servicer improperly makes a servicer advance, it would not be entitled to reimbursement. While we do not expect recovery rates to vary materially during the term of our investments, there can be no assurance regarding future recovery rates related to our portfolio.

We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.

The value of substantially all of our investments is dependent on the satisfactory performance of servicing obligations by the related mortgage servicer or subservicer, as applicable. The duties and obligations of mortgage servicers are defined through contractual agreements, generally referred to as Servicing Guides in the case of GSEs, the MBS Guide in the case of Ginnie Mae or pooling agreements, securitization servicing agreements, pooling and servicing agreements or other similar agreements (collectively, “PSAs”) in the case of Non-Agency RMBS (collectively, the “Servicing Guidelines”). The duties of the subservicers we engage to service the loans underlying our MSRs are contained in subservicing agreements with our subservicers. The duties of a subservicer under a subservicing agreement may not be identical to the obligations of the servicer under Servicing Guidelines. Our interests in MSRs are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the applicable Servicing Guidelines. Servicing Guidelines generally provide for the possibility of termination of the contractual rights of the servicer in the absolute discretion of the owner of the mortgages being serviced (or the required bondholders in the case of Non-Agency RMBS). Under the Agency Servicing Guidelines, the servicer may be terminated by the applicable Agency for any reason, “with” or “without” cause, for all or any portion of the loans being serviced for such Agency. In the event mortgage owners (or bondholders) terminate the servicer (regardless of whether such servicer is a subsidiary of New Residential or one of its subservicers), the related interests in MSRs would under most circumstances lose all value on a going forward basis. If the servicer is terminated as servicer for any Agency pools, the servicer’s right to service the related mortgage loans will be extinguished and our interests in related MSRs will likely lose all of

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their value. Any recovery in such circumstances, in the case of Non-Agency RMBS, will be highly conditioned and may require, among other things, a new servicer willing to pay for the right to service the applicable residential mortgage loans while assuming responsibility for the origination and prior servicing of the residential mortgage loans. In addition, in the case of Agency MSRs, any payment received from a successor servicer will be applied first to pay the applicable Agency for all of its claims and costs, including claims and costs against the servicer that do not relate to the residential mortgage loans for which we own interests in the MSRs. A termination could also result in an event of default under our related financings. It is expected that any termination of a servicer by mortgage owners (or bondholders) would take effect across all mortgages of such mortgage owners (or bondholders) and would not be limited to a particular vintage or other subset of mortgages. Therefore, it is possible that all investments with a given servicer would lose all their value in the event mortgage owners (or bondholders) terminate such servicer. See “—We have significant counterparty concentration risk in certain of our Servicing Partners, and are subject to other counterparty concentration and default risks.” As a result, we could be materially and adversely affected if one of our Servicing Partners is unable to adequately carry out its duties as a result of:
 
its failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations;
its failure to comply with contractual and financing obligations and covenants;
a downgrade in, or failure to maintain, any of its servicer ratings;
its failure to maintain sufficient liquidity or access to sources of liquidity;
its failure to perform its loss mitigation obligations;
its failure to perform adequately in its external audits;
a failure in or poor performance of its operational systems or infrastructure;
regulatory or legal scrutiny or regulatory actions regarding any aspect of a servicer’s operations, including, but not limited to, servicing practices and foreclosure processes lengthening foreclosure timelines;
an Agency’s or a whole-loan owner’s transfer of servicing to another party; or
any other reason.

In the ordinary course of business, our Servicing Partners are subject to numerous legal proceedings, federal, state or local governmental examinations, investigations or enforcement actions which could adversely affect their reputation and their liquidity, financial position and results of operations. Mortgage servicers, including certain of our Servicing Partners, have experienced heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions, and our Servicing Partners could be adversely affected by the market’s perception that they could experience, or continue to experience, regulatory issues. See “—Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us.”

Loss mitigation techniques are intended to reduce the probability that borrowers will default on their loans and to minimize losses when defaults occur, and they may include the modification of mortgage loan rates, principal balances and maturities. If any of our Servicing Partners fail to adequately perform their loss mitigation obligations, we could be required to make or purchase, as applicable, servicer advances in excess of those that we might otherwise have had to make or purchase, and the time period for collecting servicer advances may extend. Any increase in servicer advances or material increase in the time to resolution of a defaulted loan could result in increased capital requirements and financing costs for us and our co-investors and could adversely affect our liquidity and net income. In the event that one of our servicers from which we are obligated to purchase servicer advances is required by the applicable Servicing Guidelines to make advances in excess of amounts that we or, in the case of Nationstar, the co-investors, are willing or able to fund, such servicer may not be able to fund these advance requests, which could result in a termination event under the applicable Servicing Guidelines, an event of default under our advance facilities and a breach of our purchase agreement with such servicer. As a result, we could experience a partial or total loss of the value of our Servicer Advance Investments.

MSRs and servicer advances are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations and may be subject to various judicial and administrative decisions. If the Servicing Partner actually or allegedly failed to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations, it could be terminated as the servicer, and could lead to civil and criminal liability, loss of licensing, damage to our reputation and litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, servicer advances that are improperly made may not be eligible for financing under our facilities and may not be reimbursable by the related securitization trust or other owner of the residential mortgage loan, which could cause us to suffer losses.

Favorable servicer ratings from third-party rating agencies, such as S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), are important to the conduct of a mortgage servicer’s loan servicing business, and a downgrade in a Servicing Partner’s servicer ratings could have an adverse effect on the value of our interests in MSRs and result in an event of default under our financings. Downgrades in a Servicing Partner’s servicer ratings could adversely affect our ability to finance our assets and maintain their status as an approved servicer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Downgrades in servicer ratings could also lead to the early termination of existing advance facilities and affect the terms and availability of financing that

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a Servicing Partner or we may seek in the future. A Servicing Partner’s failure to maintain favorable or specified ratings may cause their termination as a servicer and may impair their ability to consummate future servicing transactions, which could result in an event of default under our financing for servicer advances and have an adverse effect on the value of our investments because we will rely heavily on Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objectives and have no direct ability to influence their performance.

For additional information about the ways in which we may be affected by mortgage servicers, see “—The value of our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, residential mortgage loans and RMBS may be adversely affected by deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, as well as related delays in the foreclosure process.”

A number of lawsuits, including class-actions, have been filed against mortgage servicers alleging improper servicing in connection with residential non-agency mortgage securitizations. Investors in, and counterparties to, such securitizations may commence legal action against us and responding to such claims, and any related losses, could negatively impact our business.

A number of lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed against mortgage servicers alleging improper servicing in connection with residential non-agency mortgage securitizations. Investors in, and counterparties to, such securitizations may commence legal action against us and responding to such claims, and any related losses, could negatively impact our business. The number of counterparties on behalf of which we service loans significantly increases as the size of our non-agency MSR portfolio increases and we may become subject to claims and legal proceedings, including purported class-actions, in the ordinary course of our business, challenging whether our loan servicing practices and other aspects of our business comply with applicable laws, agreements and regulatory requirements. We are unable to predict whether any such claims will be made, the ultimate outcome of any such claims, the possible loss, if any, associated with the resolution of such claims or the potential impact any such claims may have on us or our business and operations.  Regardless of the merit of any such claims or lawsuits, defending any claims or lawsuits may be time consuming and costly and we may be required to expend significant internal resources and incur material expenses, and management time may be diverted from other aspects of our business, in connection therewith. Further, if our efforts to defend any such claims or lawsuits are not successful, our business could be materially and adversely affected. As a result of investor and other counterparty claims, we could also suffer reputational damage and trustees, lenders and other counterparties could cease wanting to do business with us.

Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us.

Regulatory actions or legal proceedings against certain of our Servicing Partners could increase our financing costs or operating expenses, reduce our revenues or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Such Servicing Partners may be subject to additional federal and state regulatory matters in the future that could materially and adversely affect the value of our investments to the extent we rely on them to achieve our investment objectives because we have no direct ability to influence their performance. Certain of our Servicing Partners have disclosed certain matters in their periodic reports filed with the SEC, and there can be no assurance that such events will not have a material adverse effect on them. We are currently evaluating the impact of such events and cannot assure you what impact these events may have or what actions we may take under our agreements with the servicer. In addition, any of our Servicing Partners could be removed as servicer by the related loan owner or certain other transaction counterparties, which could have a material adverse effect on our interests in the loans and MSRs serviced by such Servicing Partner.

In addition, certain of our Servicing Partners have been and continue to be subject to regulatory and governmental examinations, information requests and subpoenas, inquiries, investigations and threatened legal actions and proceedings. In connection with formal and informal inquiries, such Servicing Partners may receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders for documents, testimony and information in connection with various aspects of their activities, including whether certain of their residential loan servicing and originations practices, bankruptcy practices and other aspects of their business comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Such Servicing Partners cannot provide any assurance as to the outcome of any of the aforementioned actions, proceedings or inquiries, or that such outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on their reputation, business, prospects, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Completion of certain pending transactions related to MSRs (the “MSR Transactions”) is subject to various closing conditions, involves significant costs, and we cannot assure you if, when or the terms on which such transactions will close. Failure to complete the pending MSR Transactions could adversely affect our future business and results of operations.

We have entered into an agreement for Ocwen to transfer its remaining interests in $110.0 billion of UPB of non-Agency MSRs to NRM (the “Ocwen Subject MSRs”). We currently hold certain interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs (including all servicer advances) pursuant to existing agreements with Ocwen. The transfer of Ocwen’s interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs is subject

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to numerous consents of third parties and certain actions by rating agencies. While certain of the Ocwen Subject MSRs have previously transferred to our subsidiaries, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such consents in order to transfer Ocwen’s interests in the Ocwen Subject MSRs to our subsidiaries. We have spent considerable time and resources, and incurred substantial costs, in connection with the negotiation of such transaction and we will incur such costs even if the Ocwen Subject MSRs cannot be transferred to our subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2019, MSRs representing approximately $66.7 billion UPB of underlying loans have been transferred pursuant to the Ocwen Transaction. Economics related to the remaining MSRs subject to the Ocwen Transaction were transferred pursuant to the New Ocwen Agreements (Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

We may be unable to become the named servicer in respect of certain Non-Agency MSRs. If we are unable to become the named servicer in respect of any of the Ocwen Subject MSRs in accordance with the Ocwen Transaction, Ocwen has the right, in certain circumstances, to purchase from us our interests in the related MSRs. In such a situation, we will be required to sell Ocwen those assets (and will cease to receive income on those investments) and/or may be required to refinance certain indebtedness on terms that are not favorable to us.

Our ability to acquire MSRs may be subject to the approval of various third parties and such approvals may not be provided on a timely basis or at all, or may be subject to conditions, representations and warranties and indemnities.

Our ability to acquire MSRs may be subject to the approval of various third parties and such approvals may not be provided on a timely basis or at all, or may be conditioned upon our satisfaction of significant conditions which could require material expenditures and the provision of significant representations, warranties and indemnities. Such third parties may include the Agencies and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) with respect to agency MSRs, and securitization trustees, master servicers, depositors, rating agencies and insurers, among others, with respect to non-agency MSRs. The process of obtaining any such approvals required for a servicing transfer, especially with respect to non-agency MSRs, may be time consuming and costly and we may be required to expend significant internal resources and incur material expenses in connection with such transactions. Further, the parties from whom approval is necessary may require that we provide significant representations and warranties and broad indemnities as a condition to their consent, which such representations and warranties and indemnities, if given, may expose us to material risks in addition to those arising under the related servicing agreements. Consenting parties may also charge a material consent fee and may require that we reimburse them for the legal expenses they incur in connection with their approval of the servicing transfer, which such expenses may include costs relating to substantial contract due diligence and may be significant. No assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully obtain the consents required to acquire the MSRs that we have agreed to purchase.

We have significant counterparty concentration risk in certain of our Servicing Partners and are subject to other counterparty concentration and default risks.

We are not restricted from dealing with any particular counterparty or from concentrating any or all of our transactions with a few counterparties. Any loss suffered by us as a result of a counterparty defaulting, refusing to conduct business with us or imposing more onerous terms on us would also negatively affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Our interests in MSRs relate to loans serviced or subserviced, as applicable, by our Servicing Partners. As disclosed in Notes 4, 5, and 6 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, certain of our Servicing Partners service and/or subservice a substantial portion of our interests in MSRs. If any of these Servicing Partners is the named servicer of the related MSR and is terminated, its servicing performance deteriorates, or in the event that any of them files for bankruptcy, our expected returns on these investments could be severely impacted. In addition, a large portion of the loans underlying our Non-Agency RMBS are serviced by certain of our Servicing Partners. We closely monitor our Servicing Partners’ mortgage servicing performance and overall operating performance, financial condition and liquidity, as well as their compliance with applicable regulations and Servicing Guidelines. We have various information, access and inspection rights in our agreements with these Servicing Partners that enable us to monitor aspects of their financial and operating performance and credit quality, which we periodically evaluate and discuss with their management. However, we have no direct ability to influence our Servicing Partners’ performance, and our diligence cannot prevent, and may not even help us anticipate, the termination of any such Servicing Partners’ servicing agreement or a severe deterioration of any of our Servicing Partners’ servicing performance on our portfolio of interests in MSRs.

Furthermore, certain of our Servicing Partners are subject to numerous legal proceedings, federal, state or local governmental examinations, investigations or enforcement actions, which could adversely affect their operations, reputation and liquidity, financial position and results of operations. See “—Certain of our Servicing Partners have been and are subject to federal and state regulatory matters and other litigation, which may adversely impact us” for more information.

None of our Servicing Partners has an obligation to offer us any future co-investment opportunity on the same terms as prior transactions, or at all, and we may not be able to find suitable counterparties from which to acquire interests in MSRs, which could

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impact our business strategy. See “—We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.”

Repayment of the outstanding amount of servicer advances (including payment with respect to deferred servicing fees) may be subject to delay, reduction or set-off in the event that the related Servicing Partner breaches any of its obligations under the Servicing Guidelines, including, without limitation, any failure of such Servicing Partner to perform its servicing and advancing functions in accordance with the terms of such Servicing Guidelines. If any applicable Servicing Partner is terminated or resigns as servicer and the applicable successor servicer does not purchase all outstanding servicer advances at the time of transfer, collection of the servicer advances will be dependent on the performance of such successor servicer and, if applicable, reliance on such successor servicer’s compliance with the “first-in, first-out” or “FIFO” provisions of the Servicing Guidelines. In addition, such successor servicers may not agree to purchase the outstanding advances on the same terms as our current purchase arrangements and may require, as a condition of their purchase, modification to such FIFO provisions, which could further delay our repayment and adversely affect the returns from our investment.

We are subject to substantial other operational risks associated with our Servicing Partners in connection with the financing of servicer advances. In our current financing facilities for servicer advances, the failure of our Servicing Partner to satisfy various covenants and tests can result in an amortization event and/or an event of default. We have no direct ability to control our Servicing Partners’ compliance with those covenants and tests. Failure of our Servicing Partners to satisfy any such covenants or tests could result in a partial or total loss on our investment.

In addition, our Servicing Partners are party to our servicer advance financing agreements, with respect to those advances where they service or subservice the loans underlying the related MSRs. Our ability to obtain financing for these assets is dependent on our Servicing Partners’ agreement to be a party to the related financing agreements. If our Servicing Partners do not agree to be a party to these financing agreements for any reason, we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain financing on such assets is dependent on our Servicing Partners’ ability to satisfy various tests under such financing arrangements. Breaches and other events with respect to our Servicing Partners (which may include, without limitation, failure of a Servicing Partner to satisfy certain financial tests) could cause certain or all of the relevant servicer advance financing to become due and payable prior to maturity.

We are dependent on our Servicing Partners as the servicer or subservicer of the residential mortgage loans with respect to which we hold interests in MSRs, and their servicing practices may impact the value of certain of our assets. We may be adversely impacted:

By regulatory actions taken against our Servicing Partners;
By a default by one of our Servicing Partners under their debt agreements;
By downgrades in our Servicing Partners’ servicer ratings;
If our Servicing Partners fail to ensure their servicer advances comply with the terms of their Pooling and Servicing Agreements (“PSAs”);
If our Servicing Partners were terminated as servicer under certain PSAs;
If our Servicing Partners become subject to a bankruptcy proceeding; or
If our Servicing Partners fail to meet their obligations or are deemed to be in default under the indenture governing notes issued under any servicer advance facility with respect to which such Servicing Partner is the servicer.

Our interests in MSRs relate to loans serviced or subserviced, as applicable, by our Servicing Partners. As disclosed in Notes 4, 5, and 6 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, certain of our Servicing Partners service and/or subservice a substantial portion of our interests in MSRs. In addition, Nationstar is currently the servicer for a significant portion of our loans, and the loans underlying our RMBS. If the servicing performance of one of our subservicers deteriorates, if one of our subservicers files for bankruptcy or if one of our subservicers is otherwise unwilling or unable to continue to subservice MSRs for us, our expected returns on these investments would be severely impacted. In addition, if a subservicer becomes subject to a regulatory consent order or similar enforcement proceeding, that regulatory action could adversely affect us in several ways. For example, the regulatory action could result in delays of transferring servicing from an interim subservicer to our designated successor subservicer or cause the subservicer’s performance to degrade. Any such development would negatively affect our expected returns on these investments, and such effect could be materially adverse to our business and results of operations. We closely monitor each subservicer’s mortgage servicing performance and overall operating performance, financial condition and liquidity, as well as its compliance with applicable regulations and GSE servicing guidelines. We have various information, access and inspection rights in our respective agreements with our subservicers that enable us to monitor their financial and operating performance and credit quality, which we periodically evaluate and discuss with each subservicer’s respective management. However, we have no direct ability to influence each subservicer’s performance, and our diligence cannot prevent, and may not even help us anticipate, a severe deterioration of each subservicer’s respective servicing performance on our MSR portfolio.

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In addition, a material portion of the consumer loans in which we have invested are serviced by OneMain. If OneMain is terminated as the servicer of some or all of these portfolios, or in the event that it files for bankruptcy or is otherwise unable to continue to service such loans, our expected returns on these investments could be severely impacted.

Moreover, we are party to repurchase agreements with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our counterparties elected not to renew our repurchase agreements, we may not be able to find a replacement counterparty, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Our risk-management processes may not accurately anticipate the impact of market stress or counterparty financial condition, and as a result, we may not take sufficient action to reduce our risks effectively. Although we will monitor our credit exposures, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect, foresee or evaluate. In addition, concerns about, or a default by, one large participant could lead to significant liquidity problems for other participants, which may in turn expose us to significant losses.

In the event of a counterparty default, particularly a default by a major investment bank or Servicing Partner, we could incur material losses rapidly, and the resulting market impact of a major counterparty default could seriously harm our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In the event that one of our counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, our ability to eventually recover any losses suffered as a result of that counterparty’s default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty or the applicable legal regime governing the bankruptcy proceeding.

A bankruptcy of any of our Servicing Partners could materially and adversely affect us.

If any of our Servicing Partners becomes subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, we could be materially and adversely affected, and you could suffer losses, as discussed below.

A sale of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets, including loans, could be re-characterized as a pledge of such assets in a bankruptcy proceeding.

We believe that a mortgage servicer’s transfer to us of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred pursuant to a related purchase agreement, including loans, constitutes a sale of such assets, in which case such assets would not be part of such servicer’s bankruptcy estate. The servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding, or any other party in interest, however, might assert in a bankruptcy proceeding MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other assets transferred to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement were not sold to us but were instead pledged to us as security for such servicer’s obligation to repay amounts paid by us to the servicer pursuant to the related purchase agreement. We generally create and perfect security interests with respect to the MSRs that we acquire, though we do not do so in all instances. If such assertion were successful, all or part of the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement would constitute property of the bankruptcy estate of such servicer, and our rights against the servicer could be those of a secured creditor with a lien on such present and future assets. Under such circumstances, cash proceeds generated from our collateral would constitute “cash collateral” under the provisions of the U.S. bankruptcy laws. Under U.S. bankruptcy laws, the servicer could not use our cash collateral without either (a) our consent or (b) approval by the bankruptcy court, subject to providing us with “adequate protection” under the U.S. bankruptcy laws. In addition, under such circumstances, an issue could arise as to whether certain of these assets generated after the commencement of the bankruptcy proceeding would constitute after-acquired property excluded from our entitlement pursuant to the U.S. bankruptcy laws.

If such a recharacterization occurs, the validity or priority of our security interest in the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets could be challenged in a bankruptcy proceeding of such servicer.

If the purchases pursuant to the related purchase agreement are recharacterized as secured financings as set forth above, we nevertheless created and perfected security interests with respect to the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances and other assets that we may have purchased from such servicer by including a pledge of collateral in the related purchase agreement and filing financing statements in appropriate jurisdictions. Nonetheless, to the extent we have created and perfected a security interest, our security interests may be challenged and ruled unenforceable, ineffective or subordinated by a bankruptcy court, and the amount of our claims may be disputed so as not to include all MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances to be collected. If this were to occur, or if we have not created a security interest, then the servicer’s obligations to us with respect to purchased MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets would be deemed unsecured obligations, payable from unencumbered assets to be shared among all of such servicer’s unsecured creditors. In addition, even if the security interests are found to be valid and enforceable, if a bankruptcy court determines that the value of the collateral is less than such servicer’s

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underlying obligations to us, the difference between such value and the total amount of such obligations will be deemed an unsecured “deficiency” claim and the same result will occur with respect to such unsecured claim. In addition, even if the security interest is found to be valid and enforceable, such servicer would have the right to use the proceeds of our collateral subject to either (a) our consent or (b) approval by the bankruptcy court, subject to providing us with “adequate protection” under U.S. bankruptcy laws. Such servicer also would have the ability to confirm a chapter 11 plan over our objections if the plan complied with the “cramdown” requirements under U.S. bankruptcy laws.

Payments made by a servicer to us could be voided by a court under federal or state preference laws.

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar state insolvency laws, and our security interest (if any) is declared unenforceable, ineffective or subordinated, payments previously made by a servicer to us pursuant to the related purchase agreement may be recoverable on behalf of the bankruptcy estate as preferential transfers. Among other reasons, a payment could constitute a preferential transfer if a court were to find that the payment was a transfer of an interest of property of such servicer that:

Was made to or for the benefit of a creditor;
Was for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by such servicer before that transfer was made;
Was made while such servicer was insolvent (a company is presumed to have been insolvent on and during the 90 days preceding the date the company’s bankruptcy petition was filed);
Was made on or within 90 days (or if we are determined to be a statutory insider, on or within one year) before such servicer’s bankruptcy filing;
Permitted us to receive more than we would have received in a Chapter 7 liquidation case of such servicer under U.S. bankruptcy laws; and
Was a payment as to which none of the statutory defenses to a preference action apply.

If the court were to determine that any payments were avoidable as preferential transfers, we would be required to return such payments to such servicer’s bankruptcy estate and would have an unsecured claim against such servicer with respect to such returned amounts.

Payments made to us by such servicer, or obligations incurred by it, could be voided by a court under federal or state fraudulent conveyance laws.

The mortgage servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding, or another party in interest could also claim that such servicer’s transfer to us of MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or other assets or such servicer’s agreement to incur obligations to us under the related purchase agreement was a fraudulent conveyance. Under U.S. bankruptcy laws and similar state insolvency laws, transfers made or obligations incurred could be voided if, among other reasons, such servicer, at the time it made such transfers or incurred such obligations: (a) received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for such transfer or incurrence and (b) either (i) was insolvent at the time of, or was rendered insolvent by reason of, such transfer or incurrence; (ii) was engaged in, or was about to engage in, a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with such servicer were an unreasonably small capital; or (iii) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. If any transfer or incurrence is determined to be a fraudulent conveyance, our Servicing Partner, as applicable (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding), or a bankruptcy trustee on such Servicing Partner’s behalf would be entitled to recover such transfer or to avoid the obligation previously incurred.

Any purchase agreement pursuant to which we purchase interests in MSRs, servicer advances or other assets, including loans, or any subservicing agreement between us and a subservicer on our behalf could be rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding of one of our Servicing Partners or counterparties.
 
A mortgage servicer (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding) or a bankruptcy trustee appointed in such servicer’s or counterparty’s bankruptcy proceeding could seek to reject the related purchase agreement or subservicing agreement with a counterparty and thereby terminate such servicer’s or counterparty’s obligation to service the MSRs or interests in MSRs and servicer advances or any other asset transferred pursuant to such purchase agreement, and terminate our right to acquire additional assets under such purchase agreement and our right to require such servicer to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer servicing. If the bankruptcy court approved the rejection, we would have a claim against such servicer or counterparty for any damages from the rejection, and the resulting transfer of our interests in MSRs or servicing of the MSRs relating to our Excess MSRs to another subservicer may result in significant cost and may negatively impact the value of our interests in MSRs.


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A bankruptcy court could stay a transfer of servicing to another servicer.

Our ability to terminate a subservicer or to require a mortgage servicer to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer servicing rights to a new servicer would be subject to the automatic stay in such servicer’s bankruptcy proceeding. To enforce this right, we would have to seek relief from the bankruptcy court to lift such stay, and there is no assurance that the bankruptcy court would grant this relief.

Any Subservicing Agreement could be rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding. 

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar state insolvency laws, such Servicing Partner (as debtor-in-possession in the bankruptcy proceeding) or the bankruptcy trustee could reject its subservicing agreement with us and terminate such Servicing Partner’s obligation to service the MSRs, servicer advances or loans in which we have an investment. Any claim we have for damages arising from the rejection of a subservicing agreement would be treated as a general unsecured claim for purposes of distributions from such Servicing Partner’s bankruptcy estate.

Our Servicing Partners could discontinue servicing.

If one of our Servicing Partners were to file, or to become the subject of, a bankruptcy proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy Code, such Servicing Partner could be terminated as servicer (with bankruptcy court approval) or could discontinue servicing, in which case there is no assurance that we would be able to continue receiving payments and transfers in respect of the interests in MSRs, servicer advances and other assets purchased under the related purchase agreement or subserviced under the related subservicing agreement. Even if we were able to obtain the servicing rights or terminate the related subservicer, we may need to engage an alternate subservicer (which may not be readily available on acceptable terms or at all) or negotiate a new subservicing agreement with such servicer, which presumably would be on less favorable terms to us. Any engagement of an alternate subservicer by us would require the approval of the related RMBS trustees or the Agencies, as applicable.

An automatic stay under the United States Bankruptcy Code may prevent the ongoing receipt of servicing fees or other amounts due.

Even if we are successful in arguing that we own the interests in MSRs, servicer advances and other assets, including loans, purchased under the related purchase agreement, we may need to seek relief in the bankruptcy court to obtain turnover and payment of amounts relating to such assets, and there may be difficulty in recovering payments in respect of such assets that may have been commingled with other funds of such servicer.

A bankruptcy of any of our Servicing Partners may default our MSR, Excess MSR and servicer advance financing facilities and negatively impact our ability to continue to purchase interests in MSRs.

If any of our Servicing Partners were to file for bankruptcy or become the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding, it could result in an event of default under certain of our financing facilities that would require the immediate paydown of such facilities. In this scenario, we may not be able to comply with our obligations to purchase interests in MSRs and servicer advances under the related purchase agreements. Notwithstanding this inability to purchase, the related seller may try to force us to continue making such purchases. If it is determined that we are in breach of our obligations under our purchase agreements, any claims that we may have against such related seller may be subject to offset against claims such seller may have against us by reason of this breach.

Certain of our subsidiaries originate and service residential mortgage loans, which subject us to various operational risks that could have a negative impact on our financial results.

As a result of our previously disclosed acquisitions of Shellpoint Partners LLC and from Ditech, among others, certain subsidiaries of New Residential perform various mortgage and real estate related services, and have origination and servicing operations, which entail borrower-facing activities and employing personnel. Prior to such acquisitions, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have previously originated or serviced loans directly, and owning entities that perform these and other operations could expose us to risks similar to those of our Servicing Partners, as well as various other risks, including, but not limited to those pertaining to:

risks related to compliance with applicable laws, regulations and other requirements;
significant increases in delinquencies for the loans;
compliance with the terms of related servicing agreements;
financing related servicer advances and the origination business;
expenses related to servicing high risk loans;

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unrecovered or delayed recovery of servicing advances;
a general risk in foreclosure rates, which may ultimately reduce the number of mortgages that we service (also see-“The residential mortgage loans underlying the securities we invest in and the loans we directly invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.”);
maintaining the size of the related servicing portfolio and the volume of the origination business;
compliance with FHA underwriting guidelines; and
termination of government mortgage refinancing programs.

Any of the foregoing risks, among others, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our subsidiaries that perform mortgage lending and servicing activities are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental and regulatory authorities, and our subsidiaries' business results may be significantly impacted by the existing and future laws and regulations to which they are subject. If our subsidiaries performing mortgage lending and servicing activities fail to operate in compliance with both existing and future statutory, regulatory and other requirements, our business, financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our subsidiaries that perform mortgage lending and servicing activities are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental and regulatory authorities, including the CFPB, the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), the SEC and various state agencies that license, audit, investigate and conduct examinations of such subsidiaries’ mortgage servicing, origination, debt collection, and other activities. In the current regulatory environment, the policies, laws, rules and regulations applicable to our subsidiaries’ mortgage origination and servicing businesses have been rapidly evolving. Federal, state or local governmental authorities may continue to enact laws, rules or regulations that will result in changes in our and our subsidiaries’ business practices and may materially increase the costs of compliance. We are unable to predict whether any such changes will adversely affect our business.

We and our subsidiaries must comply with a large number of federal, state and local consumer protection laws including, among others, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the Homeowners Protection Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as well as individual state licensing and foreclosure laws and federal and local bankruptcy rules. These statutes apply to many facets of our subsidiaries’ businesses, including loan origination, default servicing and collections, use of credit reports, safeguarding of non-public personally identifiable information about customers, foreclosure and claims handling, investment of and interest payments on escrow balances and escrow payment features, and such statutes mandate certain disclosures and notices to borrowers. These requirements can and will change as statutes and regulations are enacted, promulgated, amended, interpreted and enforced.

In addition, the GSEs, Ginnie Mae and other business counterparties subject our subsidiaries’ mortgage origination and servicing businesses to periodic examinations, reviews and audits, and we routinely conduct our own internal examinations, reviews and audits. These various examinations, reviews and audits of our subsidiaries’ businesses and related activities may reveal deficiencies in such subsidiaries’ compliance with our policies and other requirements to which they are subject. While we strive to investigate and remediate such deficiencies, there can be no assurance that our internal investigations will reveal any deficiencies or that any remedial measures that we implement, which could involve material expense, will ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws, regulations and other requirements or be deemed sufficient by the GSEs, Ginnie Mae, federal and local governmental authorities or other interested parties.

We and our subsidiaries devote substantial resources to regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries, and we incur, and expect to continue to incur, significant costs in connection therewith. Our business, financial condition, liquidity and/or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by the substantial resources we devote to, and the significant compliance costs we incur in connection with, regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries, including any fines, penalties, restitution or similar payments we may be required to make in connection with resolving such matters.

The actual or alleged failure of our mortgage origination and servicing subsidiaries to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and GSE, Ginnie Mae and other business counterparty requirements, or to implement and adhere to adequate remedial measures designed to address any identified compliance deficiencies, could lead to:

the loss or suspension of licenses and approvals necessary to operate our or our subsidiaries’ business;
limitations, restrictions or complete bans on our or our subsidiaries’ business or various segments of our business;

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our or our subsidiaries’ disqualification from participation in governmental programs, including GSE, Ginnie Mae, and VA programs;
breaches of covenants and representations under our servicing, debt, or other agreements;
negative publicity and damage to our reputation;
governmental investigations and enforcement actions;
administrative fines and financial penalties;
litigation, including class action lawsuits;
civil and criminal liability;
termination of our servicing and subservicing agreements or other contracts;
demands for us to repurchase loans;
loss of personnel who are targeted by prosecutions, investigations, enforcement actions or litigation;
a significant increase in compliance costs;
a significant increase in the resources we and our subsidiaries devote to regulatory compliance and regulatory inquiries;
an inability to access new, or a default under or other loss of current, liquidity and funding sources necessary to operate our business;
restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ business activities;
impairment of assets; and
an inability to execute on our business strategy.

Any of these outcomes could materially and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, prospects, liquidity and/or results of operations.

We cannot guarantee that any such scrutiny and investigations will not materially adversely affect us. Additionally, in recent years, the general trend among federal, state and local lawmakers and regulators has been toward increasing laws, regulations and investigative proceedings with regard to residential mortgage lenders and servicers. The CFPB continues to take an active role in supervising the mortgage industry, and its rule-making and regulatory agenda relating to loan servicing and originations continues to evolve. Individual states have also been increasingly active in supervising non-bank mortgage lenders and servicers such as NewRez, and certain regulators have communicated recommendations, expectations or demands with respect to areas such as corporate governance, safety and soundness, risk and compliance management, and cybersecurity, in addition to their focus on traditional licensing and examination matters.

Following the 2018 Congressional elections, a level of heightened uncertainty exists with respect to the future of regulation of mortgage lending and servicing, including the future of the Dodd-Frank Act and CFPB. We cannot predict the specific legislative or executive actions that may result or what actions federal or state regulators might take in response to potential changes to the Dodd-Frank Act or to the federal regulatory environment generally. Such actions could impact the mortgage industry generally or us specifically, could impact our relationships with other regulators, and could adversely impact our business.

The CFPB and certain state regulators have increasingly focused on the use, and adequacy, of technology in the mortgage servicing industry. For example, in 2016, the CFPB issued a special edition supervision report that stressed the need for mortgage servicers to assess and make necessary improvements to their information technology systems in order to ensure compliance with the CFPB’s mortgage servicing requirements. The New York Department of Financial Services (“NY DFS”) also issued Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, effective in 2017, which requires banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions regulated by the NY DFS to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety and soundness of New York State’s financial services industry. In addition, in June 2018, the State of California signed into law the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which will become effective in January 2020, will require businesses that maintain personal information of California residents, including certain mortgage lenders and servicers, to notify certain consumers when collecting their data, respond to consumer requests relating to the uses of their data, verify the identities of consumers who make requests, disclose details regarding transactions involving their data, and maintain records of consumer’ requests relating to their data, among various other obligations, and to create procedures designed to comply with CCPA requirements. The CCPA will become effective on January 1, 2020, and its implementing regulations are in the process of becoming finalized. The impact of the CCPA and its implementing regulations on our mortgage origination and servicing businesses remains uncertain, and may result in an increase in legal and compliance costs.

New regulatory and legislative measures, or changes in enforcement practices, including those related to the technology we use, could, either individually or in the aggregate, require significant changes to our business practices, impose additional costs on us, limit our product offerings, limit our ability to efficiently pursue business opportunities, negatively impact asset values or reduce our revenues. Accordingly, any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.


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A failure to maintain minimum servicer ratings could have an adverse effect on our business, financing activities, financial condition or results of operations.

S&P, Moody’s and Fitch rates Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing as a residential loan servicer, and a downgrade, or failure to maintain, any of our servicer ratings could:

adversely affect our ability to maintain our status as an approved servicer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;
adversely affect our ability to finance servicing advances and certain other assets;
lead to the early termination of existing advance facilities and affect the terms and availability of advance facilities that we may seek in the future;
cause our termination as servicer in our servicing agreements that require that we maintain specified servicer ratings; and
further impair our ability to consummate future servicing transactions.

Any of the above could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

GSE initiatives and other actions, including changes to the minimum servicing amount for GSE loans, could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) and other industry stakeholders or regulators may implement or require changes to current mortgage servicing practices and compensation that could have a material adverse effect on the economics or performance of our investments in MSRs.

Currently, when a loan is sold into the secondary market for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans, the servicer is generally required to retain a minimum servicing amount (“MSA”) of 25 basis points of the UPB for fixed rate mortgages. As has been widely publicized, in September 2011, the FHFA announced that a Joint Initiative on Mortgage Servicing Compensation was seeking public comment on two alternative mortgage servicing compensation structures detailed in a discussion paper. Changes to the MSA structure could significantly impact our business in negative ways that we cannot predict or protect against. For example, the elimination of a MSA could radically change the mortgage servicing industry and could severely limit the supply of interests in MSRs available for sale. In addition, a removal of, or reduction in, the MSA could significantly reduce the recapture rate on the affected loan portfolio, which would negatively affect the investment return on our interests in MSRs. We cannot predict whether any changes to current MSA rules will occur or what impact any changes will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Our interests in MSRs may involve complex or novel structures.

Interests in MSRs may entail new types of transactions and may involve complex or novel structures. Accordingly, the risks associated with the transactions and structures are not fully known to buyers and sellers. In the case of interests in MSRs on Agency pools, Agencies may require that we submit to costly or burdensome conditions as a prerequisite to their consent to an investment in, or our financing of, interests in MSRs on Agency pools. Agency conditions, including capital requirements, may diminish or eliminate the investment potential of interests in MSRs on Agency pools by making such investments too expensive for us or by severely limiting the potential returns available from interests in MSRs on Agency pools.

It is possible that an Agency’s views on whether any such acquisition structure is appropriate or acceptable may not be known to us when we make an investment and may change from time to time for any reason or for no reason, even with respect to a completed investment. An Agency’s evolving posture toward an acquisition or disposition structure through which we invest in or dispose of interests in MSRs on Agency pools may cause such Agency to impose new conditions on our existing interests in MSRs on Agency pools, including the owner’s ability to hold such interests in MSRs on Agency pools directly or indirectly through a grantor trust or other means. Such new conditions may be costly or burdensome and may diminish or eliminate the investment potential of the interests in MSRs on Agency pools that are already owned by us. Moreover, obtaining such consent may require us or our co-investment counterparties to agree to material structural or economic changes, as well as agree to indemnification or other terms that expose us to risks to which we have not previously been exposed and that could negatively affect our returns from our investments.

Our ability to finance the MSRs and servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions may depend on the related Servicing Partner’s cooperation with our financing sources and compliance with certain covenants.

We have in the past and intend to continue to finance some or all of the MSRs or servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions, and as a result, we will be subject to substantial operational risks associated with the related Servicing Partners. In our current financing facilities for interests in MSRs and servicer advances, the failure of the related Servicing Partner to satisfy various

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covenants and tests can result in an amortization event and/or an event of default. Our financing sources may require us to include similar provisions in any financing we obtain relating to the MSRs and servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions. If we decide to finance such assets, we will not have the direct ability to control any party’s compliance with any such covenants and tests and the failure of any party to satisfy any such covenants or tests could result in a partial or total loss on our investment. Some financing sources may be unwilling to finance any assets acquired in the MSR Transactions.

In addition, any financing for the MSRs and servicer advances acquired in the MSR Transactions may be subject to regulatory approval and the agreement of the relevant Servicing Partner to be party to such financing agreements. If we cannot get regulatory approval or these parties do not agree to be a party to such financing agreements, we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.

Mortgage servicing is heavily regulated at the U.S. federal, state and local levels, and each transfer of MSRs to our subservicer of such MSRs may not be approved by the requisite regulators.

Mortgage servicers must comply with U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations cover topics such as licensing; allowable fees and loan terms; permissible servicing and debt collection practices; limitations on forced-placed insurance; special consumer protections in connection with default and foreclosure; and protection of confidential, nonpublic consumer information. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years, and states and individual cities and counties continue to enact laws that either restrict or impose additional obligations in connection with certain loan origination, acquisition and servicing activities in those cities and counties. The laws and regulations are complex and vary greatly among the states and localities, and in some cases, these laws are in conflict with each other or with U.S. federal law. In connection with the MSR Transactions, there is no assurance that each transfer of MSRs to our selected subservicer will be approved by the requisite regulators. If regulatory approval for each such transfer is not obtained, we may incur additional costs and expenses in connection with the approval of another replacement subservicer.

We do not have legal title to the MSRs underlying our Excess MSRs or certain of our Servicer Advance Investments.

We do not have legal title to the MSRs underlying our Excess MSRs or certain of the MSRs related to the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreements pursuant to which we acquire Servicer Advance Investments or MSR financing receivables from Ocwen, SLS and Nationstar, and are subject to increased risks as a result of the related servicer continuing to own the mortgage servicing rights. The validity or priority of our interest in the underlying mortgage servicing could be challenged in a bankruptcy proceeding of the servicer, and the related purchase agreement could be rejected in such proceeding. Any of the foregoing events might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. As part of the Ocwen Transaction, we and Ocwen have agreed to cooperate to obtain any third party consents required to transfer Ocwen’s remaining interest in the Ocwen Subject MSRs to us. As noted above, however, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining those consents.

Many of our investments may be illiquid, and this lack of liquidity could significantly impede our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions or to realize the value at which such investments are carried if we are required to dispose of them.

Many of our investments are illiquid. Illiquidity may result from the absence of an established market for the investments, as well as legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, refinancing or other disposition. Dispositions of investments may be subject to contractual and other limitations on transfer or other restrictions that would interfere with subsequent sales of such investments or adversely affect the terms that could be obtained upon any disposition thereof.

Interests in MSRs are highly illiquid and may be subject to numerous restrictions on transfers, including without limitation the receipt of third-party consents. For example, the Servicing Guidelines of a mortgage owner may require that holders of Excess MSRs obtain the mortgage owner’s prior approval of any change of direct ownership of such Excess MSRs. Such approval may be withheld for any reason or no reason in the discretion of the mortgage owner. Moreover, we have not received and do not expect to receive any assurances from any GSEs that their conditions for the sale by us of any interests in MSRs will not change. Therefore, the potential costs, issues or restrictions associated with receiving such GSEs’ consent for any such dispositions by us cannot be determined with any certainty. Additionally, interests in MSRs may entail complex transaction structures and the risks associated with the transactions and structures are not fully known to buyers or sellers. As a result of the foregoing, we may be unable to locate a buyer at the time we wish to sell interests in MSRs. There is some risk that we will be required to dispose of interests in MSRs either through an in-kind distribution or other liquidation vehicle, which will, in either case, provide little or no economic benefit to us, or a sale to a co-investor in the interests in MSRs, which may be an affiliate. Accordingly, we cannot provide any assurance that we will obtain any return or any benefit of any kind from any disposition of interests in MSRs. We may not benefit

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from the full term of the assets and for the aforementioned reasons may not receive any benefits from the disposition, if any, of such assets.

In addition, some of our real estate and other securities may not be registered under the relevant securities laws, resulting in a prohibition against their transfer, sale, pledge or other disposition except in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of, or is otherwise in accordance with, those laws. There are also no established trading markets for a majority of our intended investments. Moreover, certain of our investments, including our investments in consumer loans and certain of our interests in MSRs, are made indirectly through a vehicle that owns the underlying assets. Our ability to sell our interest may be contractually limited or prohibited. As a result, our ability to vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited.

Our real estate and other securities have historically been valued based primarily on third-party quotations, which are subject to significant variability based on the liquidity and price transparency created by market trading activity. A disruption in these trading markets could reduce the trading for many real estate and other securities, resulting in less transparent prices for those securities, which would make selling such assets more difficult. Moreover, a decline in market demand for the types of assets that we hold would make it more difficult to sell our assets. If we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our illiquid investments quickly, we may realize significantly less than the amount at which we have previously valued these investments.

Market conditions could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The market in which we operate is affected by a number of factors that are largely beyond our control but can nonetheless have a potentially significant, negative impact on us. These factors include, among other things:
 
interest rates and credit spreads;
the availability of credit, including the price, terms and conditions under which it can be obtained;
the quality, pricing and availability of suitable investments;
the ability to obtain accurate market-based valuations;
the ability of securities dealers to make markets in relevant securities and loans;
loan values relative to the value of the underlying real estate assets;
default rates on the loans underlying our investments and the amount of the related losses, and credit losses with respect to our investments;
prepayment and repayment rates, delinquency rates and legislative/regulatory changes with respect to our investments, and the timing and amount of servicer advances;
the availability and cost of quality Servicing Partners, and advance, recovery and recapture rates;
competition;
the actual and perceived state of the real estate markets, bond markets, market for dividend-paying stocks and public capital markets generally;
unemployment rates; and
the attractiveness of other types of investments relative to investments in real estate or REITs generally.

Changes in these factors are difficult to predict, and a change in one factor can affect other factors. For example, at various points in time, increased default rates in the subprime mortgage market played a role in causing credit spreads to widen, reducing availability of credit on favorable terms, reducing liquidity and price transparency of real estate related assets, resulting in difficulty in obtaining accurate mark-to-market valuations, and causing a negative perception of the state of the real estate markets and of REITs generally. Market conditions could be volatile or could deteriorate as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control with adverse effects to our financial condition.

The geographic distribution of the loans underlying, and collateral securing, certain of our investments subjects us to geographic real estate market risks, which could adversely affect the performance of our investments, our results of operations and financial condition.

The geographic distribution of the loans underlying, and collateral securing, our investments, including our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, Non-Agency RMBS and loans, exposes us to risks associated with the real estate and commercial lending industry in general within the states and regions in which we hold significant investments. These risks include, without limitation: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; increased energy costs; unemployment; costs resulting from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting from, environmental problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or other natural disasters; and changes in interest rates.

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As of September 30, 2019, 24.9% and 23.0% of the total UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying our Excess MSRs and MSRs, respectively, was secured by properties located in California, which are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes and mudslides. 7.6% and 6.8% of the total UPB of the residential mortgage loans underlying our Excess MSRs and MSRs, respectively, was secured by properties located in Florida, which are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. As of September 30, 2019, 38.4% of the collateral securing our Non-Agency RMBS was located in the Western U.S., 24.1% was located in the Southeastern U.S., 21.2% was located in the Northeastern U.S., 9.8% was located in the Midwestern U.S. and 6.4% was located in the Southwestern U.S. We were unable to obtain geographical information for 0.1% of the collateral. As a result of this concentration, we may be more susceptible to adverse developments in those markets than if we owned a more geographically diverse portfolio. To the extent any of the foregoing risks arise in states and regions where we hold significant investments, the performance of our investments, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could suffer a material adverse effect.

The value of our interests in MSRs, servicer advances, residential mortgage loans and RMBS may be adversely affected by deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices, as well as related delays in the foreclosure process.

Allegations of deficiencies in servicing and foreclosure practices among several large sellers and servicers of residential mortgage loans that surfaced in 2010 raised various concerns relating to such practices, including the improper execution of the documents used in foreclosure proceedings (so-called “robo signing”), inadequate documentation of transfers and registrations of mortgages and assignments of loans, improper modifications of loans, violations of representations and warranties at the date of securitization and failure to enforce put-backs.

As a result of alleged deficiencies in foreclosure practices, a number of servicers temporarily suspended foreclosure proceedings beginning in the second half of 2010 while they evaluated their foreclosure practices. In late 2010, a group of state attorneys general and state bank and mortgage regulators representing nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the U.S. Justice Department and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), began an investigation into foreclosure practices of banks and servicers. The investigations and lawsuits by several state attorneys general led to a settlement agreement in early February 2012 with five of the nation’s largest banks, pursuant to which the banks agreed to pay more than $25.0 billion to settle claims relating to improper foreclosure practices. The settlement does not prohibit the states, the federal government, individuals or investors from pursuing additional actions against the banks and servicers in the future.

Under the terms of the agreements governing our Servicer Advance Investments and MSRs, we (in certain cases, together with third-party co-investors) are required to make or purchase from certain of our Servicing Partners, servicer advances on certain loan pools. While a residential mortgage loan is in foreclosure, servicers are generally required to continue to advance delinquent principal and interest and to also make advances for delinquent taxes and insurance and foreclosure costs and the upkeep of vacant property in foreclosure to the extent it determines that such amounts are recoverable. Servicer advances are generally recovered when the delinquency is resolved.

Foreclosure moratoria or other actions that lengthen the foreclosure process increase the amount of servicer advances we or our Servicing Partners are required to make and we are required to purchase, lengthen the time it takes for us to be repaid for such advances and increase the costs incurred during the foreclosure process. In addition, servicer advance financing facilities contain provisions that modify the advance rates for, and limit the eligibility of, servicer advances to be financed based on the length of time that servicer advances are outstanding, and, as a result, an increase in foreclosure timelines could further increase the amount of servicer advances that we need to fund with our own capital. Such increases in foreclosure timelines could increase our need for capital to fund servicer advances (which do not bear interest), which would increase our interest expense, reduce the value of our investment and potentially reduce the cash that we have available to pay our operating expenses or to pay dividends.

Even in states where servicers have not suspended foreclosure proceedings or have lifted (or will soon lift) any such delayed foreclosures, servicers, including our Servicing Partners, have faced, and may continue to face, increased delays and costs in the foreclosure process. For example, the current legislative and regulatory climate could lead borrowers to contest foreclosures that they would not otherwise have contested under ordinary circumstances, and servicers may incur increased litigation costs if the validity of a foreclosure action is challenged by a borrower. In general, regulatory developments with respect to foreclosure practices could result in increases in the amount of servicer advances and the length of time to recover servicer advances, fines or increases in operating expenses, and decreases in the advance rate and availability of financing for servicer advances. This would lead to increased borrowings, reduced cash and higher interest expense which could negatively impact our liquidity and profitability. Although the terms of our Servicer Advance Investments contain adjustment mechanisms that would reduce the amount of performance fees payable to the related Servicing Partner if servicer advances exceed pre-determined amounts, those fee reductions may not be sufficient to cover the expenses resulting from longer foreclosure timelines.


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The integrity of the servicing and foreclosure processes is critical to the value of the residential mortgage loans in which we invest and of the portfolios of loans underlying our interests in MSRs and RMBS, and our financial results could be adversely affected by deficiencies in the conduct of those processes. For example, delays in the foreclosure process that have resulted from investigations into improper servicing practices may adversely affect the values of, and result in losses on, these investments. Foreclosure delays may also increase the administrative expenses of the securitization trusts for the RMBS, thereby reducing the amount of funds available for distribution to investors.

In addition, the subordinate classes of securities issued by the securitization trusts may continue to receive interest payments while the defaulted loans remain in the trusts, rather than absorbing the default losses. This may reduce the amount of credit support available for senior classes of RMBS that we may own, thus possibly adversely affecting these securities. Additionally, a substantial portion of the $25.0 billion settlement is a “credit” to the banks and servicers for principal write-downs or reductions they may make to certain mortgages underlying RMBS. There remains uncertainty as to how these principal reductions will work and what effect they will have on the value of related RMBS. As a result, there can be no assurance that any such principal reductions will not adversely affect the value of our interests in MSRs and RMBS.

While we believe that the sellers and servicers would be in violation of the applicable Servicing Guidelines to the extent that they have improperly serviced mortgage loans or improperly executed documents in foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings, or do not comply with the terms of servicing contracts when deciding whether to apply principal reductions, it may be difficult, expensive, time consuming and, ultimately, uneconomic for us to enforce our contractual rights. While we cannot predict exactly how the servicing and foreclosure matters or the resulting litigation or settlement agreements will affect our business, there can be no assurance that these matters will not have an adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

A failure by any or all of the members of Buyer to make capital contributions for amounts required to fund servicer advances could result in an event of default under our advance facilities and a complete loss of our investment.

New Residential and third-party co-investors, through a joint venture entity (Advance Purchaser LLC, the “Buyer”) have agreed to purchase all future arising servicer advances from Nationstar under certain residential mortgage servicing agreements. Buyer relies, in part, on its members to make committed capital contributions in order to pay the purchase price for future servicer advances. A failure by any or all of the members to make such capital contributions for amounts required to fund servicer advances could result in an event of default under our advance facilities and a complete loss of our investment.

The residential mortgage loans underlying the securities we invest in and the loans we directly invest in are subject to delinquency, foreclosure and loss, which could result in losses to us.

The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by a residential property is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors may impair borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans, including, among other things, changes in the borrower’s employment status, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, changes in interest rates or the availability of credit on favorable terms, changes in regional or local real estate values, changes in regional or local rental rates and changes in real estate taxes.

Our mortgage backed securities are securities backed by mortgage loans. Many of the RMBS in which we invest are backed by collateral pools of subprime residential mortgage loans. “Subprime” mortgage loans refer to mortgage loans that have been originated using underwriting standards that are less restrictive than the underwriting requirements used as standards for other first and junior lien mortgage loan purchase programs, such as the programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These lower standards include mortgage loans made to borrowers having imperfect or impaired credit histories (including outstanding judgments or prior bankruptcies), mortgage loans where the amount of the loan at origination is 80% or more of the value of the mortgage property, mortgage loans made to borrowers with low credit scores, mortgage loans made to borrowers who have other debt that represents a large portion of their income and mortgage loans made to borrowers whose income is not required to be disclosed or verified. Subprime mortgage loans may experience delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss rates that are higher, and that may be substantially higher, than those experienced by mortgage loans underwritten in a more traditional manner. To the extent losses are realized on the loans underlying the securities in which we invest, we may not recover the amount invested in, or, in extreme cases, any of our investment in such securities.

Residential mortgage loans, including manufactured housing loans and subprime mortgage loans are secured by single-family residential property and are also subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure, and risks of loss. A significant portion of the residential mortgage loans that we acquire are, or may become, sub-performing loans, non-performing loans or REO assets where the borrower has failed to make timely payments of principal and/or interest. As part of the residential mortgage loan portfolios we purchase, we also may acquire performing loans that are or subsequently become sub-performing or non-performing, meaning the borrowers fail to timely pay some or all of the required payments of principal and/or interest. Under current market conditions,

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it is likely that some of these loans will have current loan-to-value ratios in excess of 100%, meaning the amount owed on the loan exceeds the value of the underlying real estate.

In the event of default under a residential mortgage loan held directly by us, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the loan. Even though we typically pay less than the amount owed on these loans to acquire them, if actual results differ from our assumptions in determining the price we paid to acquire such loans, we may incur significant losses. In addition, we may acquire REO assets directly, which involves the same risks. Any loss we incur may be significant and could materially and adversely affect us.

Our investments in real estate and other securities are subject to changes in credit spreads as well as available market liquidity, which could adversely affect our ability to realize gains on the sale of such investments.

Real estate and other securities are subject to changes in credit spreads. Credit spreads measure the yield demanded on securities by the market based on their credit relative to a specific benchmark.

Fixed rate securities are valued based on a market credit spread over the rate payable on fixed rate U.S. Treasuries of like maturity. Floating rate securities are valued based on a market credit spread over LIBOR and are affected similarly by changes in LIBOR spreads. As of September 30, 2019, 68.6% of our Non-Agency RMBS Portfolio consisted of floating rate securities and 31.4% consisted of fixed rate securities, and 100.0% of our Agency RMBS portfolio consisted of fixed rate securities, based on the amortized cost basis of all securities (including the amortized cost basis of interest-only and residual classes). Excessive supply of these securities combined with reduced demand will generally cause the market to require a higher yield on these securities, resulting in the use of a higher, or “wider,” spread over the benchmark rate to value such securities. Under such conditions, the value of our real estate and other securities portfolios would tend to decline. Conversely, if the spread used to value such securities were to decrease, or “tighten,” the value of our real estate and other securities portfolio would tend to increase. Such changes in the market value of our real estate securities portfolios may affect our net equity, net income or cash flow directly through their impact on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, and therefore our ability to realize gains on such securities, or indirectly through their impact on our ability to borrow and access capital. Widening credit spreads could cause the net unrealized gains on our securities and derivatives, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or retained earnings, and therefore our book value per share, to decrease and result in net losses.

Prepayment rates on our residential mortgage loans and those underlying our real estate and other securities may adversely affect our profitability.

In general, residential mortgage loans may be prepaid at any time without penalty. Prepayments result when homeowners/mortgagors satisfy (i.e., pay off) the mortgage upon selling or refinancing their mortgaged property. When we acquire a particular loan or security, we anticipate that the loan or underlying residential mortgage loans will prepay at a projected rate which, together with expected coupon income, provides us with an expected yield on such investments. If we purchase assets at a premium to par value, and borrowers prepay their mortgage loans faster than expected, the corresponding prepayments on our assets may reduce the expected yield on such assets because we will have to amortize the related premium on an accelerated basis. Conversely, if we purchase assets at a discount to par value, when borrowers prepay their mortgage loans slower than expected, the decrease in corresponding prepayments on our assets may reduce the expected yield on such assets because we will not be able to accrete the related discount as quickly as originally anticipated.

Prepayment rates on loans are influenced by changes in mortgage and market interest rates and a variety of economic, geographic, political and other factors, all of which are beyond our control. Consequently, such prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty and no strategy can completely insulate us from prepayment or other such risks. In periods of declining interest rates, prepayment rates on mortgage loans generally increase. If general interest rates decline at the same time, the proceeds of such prepayments received during such periods are likely to be reinvested by us in assets yielding less than the yields on the assets that were prepaid. In addition, the market value of our loans and real estate and other securities may, because of the risk of prepayment, benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates.

We may purchase assets that have a higher or lower coupon rate than the prevailing market interest rates. In exchange for a higher coupon rate, we would then pay a premium over par value to acquire these securities. In accordance with GAAP, we would amortize the premiums over the life of the related assets. If the mortgage loans securing these assets prepay at a more rapid rate than anticipated, we would have to amortize our premiums on an accelerated basis which may adversely affect our profitability. As compensation for a lower coupon rate, we would then pay a discount to par value to acquire these assets. In accordance with GAAP, we would accrete any discounts over the life of the related assets. If the mortgage loans securing these assets prepay at a slower rate than anticipated, we would have to accrete our discounts on an extended basis which may adversely affect our

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profitability. Defaults on the mortgage loans underlying Agency RMBS typically have the same effect as prepayments because of the underlying Agency guarantee.

Prepayments, which are the primary feature of mortgage backed securities that distinguish them from other types of bonds, are difficult to predict and can vary significantly over time. As the holder of the security, on a monthly basis, we receive a payment equal to a portion of our investment principal in a particular security as the underlying mortgages are prepaid. In general, on the date each month that principal prepayments are announced (i.e., factor day), the value of our real estate related security pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements is reduced by the amount of the prepaid principal and, as a result, our lenders will typically initiate a margin call requiring the pledge of additional collateral or cash, in an amount equal to such prepaid principal, in order to re-establish the required ratio of borrowing to collateral value under such repurchase agreements. Accordingly, with respect to our Agency RMBS, the announcement on factor day of principal prepayments is in advance of our receipt of the related scheduled payment, thereby creating a short-term receivable for us in the amount of any such principal prepayments. However, under our repurchase agreements, we may receive a margin call relating to the related reduction in value of our Agency RMBS and, prior to receipt of this short-term receivable, be required to post additional collateral or cash in the amount of the principal prepayment on or about factor day, which would reduce our liquidity during the period in which the short-term receivable is outstanding. As a result, in order to meet any such margin calls, we could be forced to sell assets in order to maintain liquidity. Forced sales under adverse market conditions may result in lower sales prices than ordinary market sales made in the normal course of business. If our real estate and other securities were liquidated at prices below our amortized cost (i.e., the cost basis) of such assets, we would incur losses, which could adversely affect our earnings. In addition, in order to continue to earn a return on this prepaid principal, we must reinvest it in additional real estate and other securities or other assets; however, if interest rates decline, we may earn a lower return on our new investments as compared to the real estate and other securities that prepay.

Prepayments may have a negative impact on our financial results, the effects of which depend on, among other things, the timing and amount of the prepayment delay on our Agency RMBS, the amount of unamortized premium or discount on our loans and real estate and other securities, the rate at which prepayments are made on our Non-Agency RMBS, the reinvestment lag and the availability of suitable reinvestment opportunities.

Our investments in loans, REO and RMBS may be subject to significant impairment charges, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

We are required to periodically evaluate our investments for impairment indicators. The judgment regarding the existence of impairment indicators is based on a variety of factors depending upon the nature of the investment and the manner in which the income related to such investment was calculated for purposes of our financial statements. If we determine that an impairment has occurred, we are required to make an adjustment to the net carrying value of the investment, which would adversely affect our results of operations in the applicable period and thereby adversely affect our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

The lenders under our financing agreements may elect not to extend financing to us, which could quickly and seriously impair our liquidity.

We finance a meaningful portion of our investments with repurchase agreements and other short-term financing arrangements. Under the terms of repurchase agreements, we will sell an asset to the lending counterparty for a specified price and concurrently agree to repurchase the same asset from our counterparty at a later date for a higher specified price. During the term of the repurchase agreement—which can be as short as 30 days—the counterparty will make funds available to us and hold the asset as collateral. Our counterparties can also require us to post additional margin as collateral at any time during the term of the agreement. When the term of a repurchase agreement ends, we will be required to repurchase the asset for the specified repurchase price, with the difference between the sale and repurchase prices serving as the equivalent of paying interest to the counterparty in return for extending financing to us. If we want to continue to finance the asset with a repurchase agreement, we ask the counterparty to extend—or “roll”—the repurchase agreement for another term.

Our counterparties are not required to roll our repurchase agreements or other financing agreements upon the expiration of their stated terms, which subjects us to a number of risks. Counterparties electing to roll our financing agreements may charge higher spread and impose more onerous terms upon us, including the requirement that we post additional margin as collateral. More significantly, if a financing agreement counterparty elects not to extend our financing, we would be required to pay the counterparty in full on the maturity date and find an alternate source of financing. Alternate sources of financing may be more expensive, contain more onerous terms or simply may not be available. If we were unable to pay the repurchase price for any asset financed with a repurchase agreement, the counterparty has the right to sell the asset being held as collateral and require us to compensate it for any shortfall between the value of our obligation to the counterparty and the amount for which the collateral was sold (which may be a significantly discounted price). Moreover, our financing agreement obligations are currently with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our counterparties elected not to roll our financing agreements, we may not be able to find a replacement

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counterparty in a timely manner. Finally, some of our financing agreements contain covenants and our failure to comply with such covenants could result in a loss of our investment.

The financing sources under our servicer advance financing facilities may elect not to extend financing to us or may have or take positions adverse to us, which could quickly and seriously impair our liquidity.

We finance a meaningful portion of our Servicer Advance Investments and servicer advances receivable with structured financing arrangements. These arrangements are commonly of a short-term nature. These arrangements are generally accomplished by having the named servicer, if the named servicer is a subsidiary of the Company, or the purchaser of such Servicer Advance Investments (which is a subsidiary of the Company) transfer our right to repayment for certain servicer advances that we have as servicer under the relevant Servicing Guidelines or that we have acquired from one of our Servicing Partners, as applicable, to one of our wholly owned bankruptcy remote subsidiaries (a “Depositor”). We are generally required to continue to transfer to the related Depositor all of our rights to repayment for any particular pool of servicer advances as they arise (and, if applicable, are transferred from one of our Servicing Partners) until the related financing arrangement is paid in full and is terminated. The related Depositor then transfers such rights to an “Issuer.” The Issuer then issues limited recourse notes to the financing sources backed by such rights to repayment.

The outstanding balance of servicer advances securing these arrangements is not likely to be repaid on or before the maturity date of such financing arrangements. Accordingly, we rely heavily on our financing sources to extend or refinance the terms of such financing arrangements. Our financing sources are not required to extend the arrangements upon the expiration of their stated terms, which subjects us to a number of risks. Financing sources electing to extend may charge higher interest rates and impose more onerous terms upon us, including without limitation, lowering the amount of financing that can be extended against any particular pool of servicer advances.

If a financing source is unable or unwilling to extend financing, including, but not limited to, due to legal or regulatory matters applicable to us or our Servicing Partners, the related Issuer will be required to repay the outstanding balance of the financing on the related maturity date. Additionally, there may be substantial increases in the interest rates under a financing arrangement if the related notes are not repaid, extended or refinanced prior to the expected repayment dated, which may be before the related maturity date. If an Issuer is unable to pay the outstanding balance of the notes, the financing sources generally have the right to foreclose on the servicer advances pledged as collateral.

Currently, certain of the notes issued under our structured servicer advance financing arrangements accrue interest at a floating rate of interest. Servicer advances are non-interest bearing assets. Accordingly, if there is an increase in prevailing interest rates and/or our financing sources increase the interest rate “margins” or “spreads.” the amount of financing that we could obtain against any particular pool of servicer advances may decrease substantially and/or we may be required to obtain interest rate hedging arrangements. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such interest rate hedging arrangements.

Alternate sources of financing may be more expensive, contain more onerous terms or simply may not be available. Moreover, our structured servicer advance financing arrangements are currently with a limited number of counterparties. If any of our sources are unable to or elected not to extend or refinance such arrangements, we may not be able to find a replacement counterparty in a timely manner.

Many of our servicer advance financing arrangements are provided by financial institutions with whom we have substantial relationships. Some of our servicer advance financing arrangements entail the issuance of term notes to capital markets investors with whom we have little or no relationships or the identities of which we may not be aware and, therefore, we have no ability to control or monitor the identity of the holders of such term notes. Holders of such term notes may have or may take positions - for example, “short” positions in our stock or the stock of our servicers - that could be benefited by adverse events with respect to us or our Servicing Partners. If any holders of term notes allege or assert noncompliance by us or the related Servicing Partner under our servicer advance financing arrangements in order to realize such benefits, we or our Servicing Partners, or our ability to maintain servicer advance financing on favorable terms, could be materially and adversely affected.

We may not be able to finance our investments on attractive terms or at all, and financing for interests in MSRs or servicer advances may be particularly difficult to obtain.

The ability to finance investments with securitizations or other long-term non-recourse financing not subject to margin requirements has been challenging as a result of market conditions. These conditions may result in having to use less efficient forms of financing for any new investments, or the refinancing of current investments, which will likely require a larger portion of our cash flows to be put toward making the investment and thereby reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders and funds available for operations and investments, and which will also likely require us to assume higher levels of risk when financing

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our investments. In addition, there is a limited market for financing of interests in MSRs, and it is possible that one will not develop for a variety of reasons, such as the challenges with perfecting security interests in the underlying collateral.

Certain of our advance facilities may mature in the short term, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to renew these facilities on favorable terms or at all. Moreover, an increase in delinquencies with respect to the loans underlying our servicer advances could result in the need for additional financing, which may not be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we are not able to obtain adequate financing to purchase servicer advances from our Servicing Partners or fund servicer advances under our MSRs in accordance with the applicable Servicing Guidelines, we or any such Servicing Partner, as applicable, could default on its obligation to fund such advances, which could result in its termination of us or any applicable Servicing Partner, as applicable, as servicer under the applicable Servicing Guidelines, and a partial or total loss of our interests in MSRs and servicer advances, as applicable.

The non-recourse long-term financing structures we use expose us to risks, which could result in losses to us.

We use structured finance and other non-recourse long-term financing for our investments to the extent available and appropriate. In such structures, our financing sources typically have only a claim against the assets included in the securitizations rather than a general claim against us as an entity. Prior to any such financing, we would seek to finance our investments with relatively short-term facilities until a sufficient portfolio is accumulated. As a result, we would be subject to the risk that we would not be able to acquire, during the period that any short-term facilities are available, sufficient eligible assets or securities to maximize the efficiency of a securitization. We also bear the risk that we would not be able to obtain new short-term facilities or would not be able to renew any short-term facilities after they expire should we need more time to seek and acquire sufficient eligible assets or securities for a securitization. In addition, conditions in the capital markets may make the issuance of any such securitization less attractive to us even when we do have sufficient eligible assets or securities. While we would generally intend to retain a portion of the interests issued under such securitizations and, therefore, still have exposure to any investments included in such securitizations, our inability to enter into such securitizations may increase our overall exposure to risks associated with direct ownership of such investments, including the risk of default. Our inability to refinance any short-term facilities would also increase our risk because borrowings thereunder would likely be recourse to us as an entity. If we are unable to obtain and renew short-term facilities or to consummate securitizations to finance our investments on a long-term basis, we may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or to liquidate assets at an inopportune time or price.

The final Basel FRTB Ruling, which raised capital charges for bank holders of ABS, CMBS and Non-Agency MBS beginning in 2019, could adversely impact available trading liquidity and access to financing.

In January 2006, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released a finalized framework for calculating minimum capital requirements for market risk, which became effective in January 2019. In the final proposal, capital requirements would overall be meaningfully higher than current requirements, but are less punitive than the previous December 2014 proposal. However, each country’s specific regulator may codify the rules differently. Under the framework, capital charges on a bond are calculated based on three components: default, market and residual risk. Implementation of the final proposal could impose meaningfully higher capital charges on dealers compared with current requirements, and could reduce liquidity in the securitized products market.

Risks associated with our investment in the consumer loan sector could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Our portfolio includes an investment in the consumer loan sector. Although many of the risks applicable to consumer loans are also applicable to residential mortgage loans, and thus the type of risks that we have experience managing, there are nevertheless substantial risks and uncertainties associated with engaging in a different category of investment.

The ability of borrowers to repay the consumer loans we invest in may be adversely affected by numerous personal factors, including unemployment, divorce, major medical expenses or personal bankruptcy. General factors, including an economic downturn, high energy costs or acts of God or terrorism, may also affect the financial stability of borrowers and impair their ability or willingness to repay the consumer loans in our investment portfolio. Furthermore, our returns on our consumer loan investments are dependent on the interest we receive exceeding any losses we may incur from defaults or delinquencies. The relatively higher interest rates paid by consumer loan borrowers could lead to increased delinquencies and defaults, or could lead to financially stronger borrowers prepaying their loans, thereby reducing the interest we receive from them, while financially weaker borrowers become delinquent or default, either of which would reduce the return on our investment or could cause losses.

In the event of any default under a loan in the consumer loan portfolio in which we have invested, we will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral securing the loan, if any, and the principal and accrued interest of the loan. In addition, our investments in consumer loans may entail greater risk than our investments in residential

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mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. Further, repossessing personal property securing a consumer loan can present additional challenges, including locating the collateral and taking possession of it. In addition, borrowers under consumer loans may have lower credit scores. There can be no guarantee that we will not suffer unexpected losses on our investments as a result of the factors set out above, which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

In addition, a portion of our investment in consumer loans is secured by second and third liens on real estate. When we hold the second or third lien, another creditor or creditors, as applicable, holds the first and/or second, as applicable, lien on the real estate that is the subject of the security. In these situations our second or third lien is subordinate in right of payment to the first and/or second, as applicable, holder’s right to receive payment. Moreover, as the servicer of the loans underlying our consumer loan portfolio is not able to track the default status of a senior lien loan in instances where we do not hold the related first mortgage, the value of the second or third lien loans in our portfolio may be lower than our estimates indicate.

Finally, one of our consumer loan investments is held through LoanCo, in which we hold a minority, non-controlling interest. We do not control LoanCo and, as a result, LoanCo may make decisions, or take risks, that we would otherwise not make, and LoanCo may not have access to the same management and financing expertise that we have. Failure to successfully manage these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

The consumer loan investment sector is subject to various initiatives on the part of advocacy groups and extensive regulation and supervision under federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

In recent years consumer advocacy groups and some media reports have advocated governmental action to prohibit or place severe restrictions on the types of short-term consumer loans in which we have invested. Such consumer advocacy groups and media reports generally focus on the annual percentage rate to a consumer for this type of loan, which is compared unfavorably to the interest typically charged by banks to consumers with top-tier credit histories.

The fees charged on the consumer loans in the portfolio in which we have invested may be perceived as controversial by those who do not focus on the credit risk and high transaction costs typically associated with this type of investment. If the negative characterization of these types of loans becomes increasingly accepted by consumers, demand for the consumer loan products in which we have invested could significantly decrease. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of loans is accepted by legislators and regulators, we could become subject to more restrictive laws and regulations in the area.

In addition, we are, or may become, subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations, or regulatory policies and practices, including the Dodd-Frank Act (which, among other things, established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) with broad authority to regulate and examine financial institutions), which may, amongst other things, limit the amount of interest or fees allowed to be charged on the consumer loans we invest in, or the number of consumer loans that customers may receive or have outstanding. The operation of existing or future laws, ordinances and regulations could interfere with the focus of our investments which could have a negative impact on our financial results.

Certain jurisdictions require licenses to purchase, hold, enforce or sell residential mortgage loans and/or MSRs, and we may not be able to obtain and/or maintain such licenses.

Certain jurisdictions require a license to purchase, hold, enforce or sell residential mortgage loans and/or MSRs. In the event that any licensing requirement is applicable to us, and we do not hold such licenses, there can be no assurance that we will obtain such licenses or, if obtained, that we will be able to maintain them. Our failure to obtain or maintain such licenses could restrict our ability to invest in loans in these jurisdictions if such licensing requirements are applicable. With respect to mortgage loans, in lieu of obtaining such licenses, we may contribute our acquired residential mortgage loans to one or more wholly owned trusts whose trustee is a national bank, which may be exempt from state licensing requirements. We have formed one or more subsidiaries to apply for certain state licenses. If these subsidiaries obtain the required licenses, any trust holding loans in the applicable jurisdictions may transfer such loans to such subsidiaries, resulting in these loans being held by a state-licensed entity. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain the requisite licenses in a timely manner or at all or in all necessary jurisdictions, or that the use of the trusts will reduce the requirement for licensing. In addition, even if we obtain necessary licenses, we may not be able to maintain them. Any of these circumstances could limit our ability to invest in residential mortgage loans or MSRs in the future and have a material adverse effect on us.


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Our determination of how much leverage to apply to our investments may adversely affect our return on our investments and may reduce cash available for distribution.

We leverage certain of our assets through a variety of borrowings. Our investment guidelines do not limit the amount of leverage we may incur with respect to any specific asset or pool of assets. The return we are able to earn on our investments and cash available for distribution to our stockholders may be significantly reduced due to changes in market conditions, which may cause the cost of our financing to increase relative to the income that can be derived from our assets.

A significant portion of our investments are not match funded, which may increase the risks associated with these investments.

When available, a match funding strategy mitigates the risk of not being able to refinance an investment on favorable terms or at all. However, our Manager may elect for us to bear a level of refinancing risk on a short-term or longer-term basis, as in the case of investments financed with repurchase agreements, when, based on its analysis, our Manager determines that bearing such risk is advisable or unavoidable. In addition, we may be unable, as a result of conditions in the credit markets, to match fund our investments. For example, non-recourse term financing not subject to margin requirements has been more difficult to obtain, which impairs our ability to match fund our investments. Moreover, we may not be able to enter into interest rate swaps. A decision not to, or the inability to, match fund certain investments exposes us to additional risks.

Furthermore, we anticipate that, in most cases, for any period during which our floating rate assets are not match funded with respect to maturity, the income from such assets may respond more slowly to interest rate fluctuations than the cost of our borrowings. Because of this dynamic, interest income from such investments may rise more slowly than the related interest expense, with a consequent decrease in our net income. Interest rate fluctuations resulting in our interest expense exceeding interest income would result in operating losses for us from these investments.

Accordingly, to the extent our investments are not match funded with respect to maturities and interest rates, we are exposed to the risk that we may not be able to finance or refinance our investments on economically favorable terms, or at all, or may have to liquidate assets at a loss.

Interest rate fluctuations and shifts in the yield curve may cause losses.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Our primary interest rate exposures relate to our interests in MSRs, RMBS, loans, derivatives and any floating rate debt obligations that we may incur. Changes in interest rates, including changes in expected interest rates or “yield curves,” affect our business in a number of ways. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities and hedges. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect, among other things, our ability to acquire real estate and other securities and loans at attractive prices, the value of our real estate and other securities, loans and derivatives and our ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets. We may wish to use hedging transactions to protect certain positions from interest rate fluctuations, but we may not be able to do so as a result of market conditions, REIT rules or other reasons. In such event, interest rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Recently, the Federal Reserve has increased the benchmark interest rate and indicated that there may be further increases in the future. In the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan and collateral defaults may increase and result in credit losses that would adversely affect our liquidity and operating results.

Our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the growth of our investment portfolio, depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain additional capital. Our financing strategy is dependent on our ability to place the debt we use to finance our investments at rates that provide a positive net spread. If spreads for such liabilities widen or if demand for such liabilities ceases to exist, then our ability to execute future financings will be severely restricted.

Interest rate changes may also impact our net book value as most of our investments are marked to market each quarter. Debt obligations are not marked to market. Generally, as interest rates increase, the value of our fixed rate securities decreases, which will decrease the book value of our equity.

Furthermore, shifts in the U.S. Treasury yield curve reflecting an increase in interest rates would also affect the yield required on our investments and therefore their value. For example, increasing interest rates would reduce the value of the fixed rate assets we hold at the time because the higher yields required by increased interest rates result in lower market prices on existing fixed

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rate assets in order to adjust the yield upward to meet the market, and vice versa. This would have similar effects on our real estate and other securities and loan portfolio and our financial position and operations to a change in interest rates generally.

Changes in banks’ inter-bank lending rate reporting practices or the method pursuant to which LIBOR is determined may adversely affect the value of the financial obligations to be held or issued by us that are linked to LIBOR.

LIBOR and other indices which are deemed “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. Some of these reforms are already effective while others are still to be implemented. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. In particular, regulators and law enforcement agencies in the U.K. and elsewhere conducted criminal and civil investigations into whether the banks that contributed information to the British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”) in connection with the daily calculation of LIBOR may have been under-reporting or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate LIBOR. A number of BBA member banks have entered into settlements with their regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to this alleged manipulation of LIBOR. LIBOR is calculated by reference to a market for interbank lending that continues to shrink, as its based on increasingly fewer actual transactions. This increases the subjectivity of the LIBOR calculation process and increases the risk of manipulation. Actions by the regulators or law enforcement agencies, as well as ICE Benchmark Administration (the current administrator of LIBOR), may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined or the establishment of alternative reference rates. For example, on July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021.

It is likely that, over time, U.S. Dollar LIBOR will be replaced by the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. However, the manner and timing of this shift is currently unknown. SOFR is an overnight rate instead of a term rate, making SOFR an inexact replacement for LIBOR. There is currently no perfect way to create robust, forward-looking, SOFR term rates. Market participants are still considering how various types of financial instruments and securitization vehicles should react to a discontinuation of LIBOR. It is possible that not all of our assets and liabilities will transition away from LIBOR at the same time, and it is possible that not all of our assets and liabilities will transition to the same alternative reference rate, in each case increasing the difficulty of hedging. Switching existing financial instruments and hedging transactions from LIBOR to SOFR requires calculations of a spread. Industry organizations are attempting to structure the spread calculation in a manner that minimizes the possibility of value transfer between counterparties, borrowers, and lenders by virtue of the transition, but there is no assurance that the calculated spread will be fair and accurate or that all asset types and all types of securitization vehicles will use the same spread. We and other market participants have less experience understanding and modeling SOFR-based assets and liabilities than LIBOR-based assets and liabilities, increasing the difficulty of investing, hedging, and risk management. The process of transition involves operational risks. It is also possible that no transition will occur for many financial instruments, meaning that those instruments would continue to be subject to the weaknesses of the LIBOR calculation process. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be implemented. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential changes, alternative reference rates or other reforms may adversely affect the market for or value of any securities on which the interest or dividend is determined by reference to LIBOR, loans, derivatives and other financial obligations or on our overall financial condition or results of operations. More generally, any of the above changes or any other consequential changes to LIBOR or any other “benchmark” as a result of international, national or other proposals for reform or other initiatives or investigations, or any further uncertainty in relation to the timing and manner of implementation of such changes, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any securities based on or linked to a “benchmark.”

Any hedging transactions that we enter into may limit our gains or result in losses.

We may use, when feasible and appropriate, derivatives to hedge a portion of our interest rate exposure, and this approach has certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the cash available for distribution to stockholders and that such losses may exceed the amount invested in such instruments. We have adopted a general policy with respect to the use of derivatives, which generally allows us to use derivatives where appropriate, but does not set forth specific policies and procedures or require that we hedge any specific amount of risk. From time to time, we may use derivative instruments, including forwards, futures, swaps and options, in our risk management strategy to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on our operations. A hedge may not be effective in eliminating all of the risks inherent in any particular position. Our profitability may be adversely affected during any period as a result of the use of derivatives.

There are limits to the ability of any hedging strategy to protect us completely against interest rate risks. When rates change, we expect the gain or loss on derivatives to be offset by a related but inverse change in the value of any items that we hedge. We cannot assure you, however, that our use of derivatives will offset the risks related to changes in interest rates. We cannot assure you that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging transactions will not result in losses. In addition, our hedging strategy may limit our flexibility by causing us to refrain

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from taking certain actions that would be potentially profitable but would cause adverse consequences under the terms of our hedging arrangements. The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code limit our ability to hedge. In managing our hedge instruments, we consider the effect of the expected hedging income on the REIT qualification tests that limit the amount of gross income that a REIT may receive from hedging. We need to carefully monitor, and may have to limit, our hedging strategy to assure that we do not realize hedging income, or hold hedges having a value, in excess of the amounts that would cause us to fail the REIT gross income and asset tests. See “—Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT—Complying with the REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.”

Accounting for derivatives under GAAP is extremely complicated. Any failure by us to account for our derivatives properly in accordance with GAAP in our financial statements could adversely affect us. In addition, under applicable accounting standards, we may be required to treat some of our investments as derivatives, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Cybersecurity incidents and technology disruptions or failures could damage our business operations and reputation, increase our costs and subject us to potential liability.

As our reliance on rapidly changing technology has increased, so have the risks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information systems, both internal and those provided to us by third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, our Servicing Partners). Cybersecurity incidents may involve gaining authorized or unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of theft of certain personally identifiable information of consumers, misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Disruptions and failures of our systems or those of our third-party vendors could result from these incidents or be caused by fire, power outages, natural disasters and other similar events and may interrupt or delay our ability to provide services to our customers, expose us to remedial costs and reputational damage, and otherwise adversely affect our operations.

Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, there can be no assurance that any such cyber incidents will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. We also may not be able to anticipate or implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches, especially because the methods and sources of breaches change frequently or may not be immediately detected.

In addition, we are subject to various privacy and data protection laws and regulations, and any changes to laws or regulations, including new restrictions or requirements applicable to our business, could impose additional costs and liability on us and could limit our use and disclosure of such information. For example, the New York State Department of Financial Services requires certain financial services companies, such as NRM and NewRez, to establish a detailed cybersecurity program and comply with other requirements, and the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 creates new compliance regulations on businesses that collect information from California residents.

Any of the foregoing events could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, additional regulatory scrutiny, significant litigation exposure and harm to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

We depend on counterparties and vendors to provide certain services, which subjects us to various risks.
 
We have a number of counterparties and vendors, who provide us with financial, technology and other services that support our businesses. If our current counterparties and vendors were to stop providing services to us on acceptable terms, we may be unable to procure alternative services from other counterparties or vendors in a timely and efficient manner and on similarly acceptable terms, or at all. With respect to vendors engaged to perform certain servicing activities, we are required to assess their compliance with various regulations and establish procedures to provide reasonable assurance that the vendor’s activities comply in all material respects with such regulations. In the event that a vendor’s activities are not in compliance, it could negatively impact our relationships with our regulators, as well as our business and operations. Accordingly, we may incur significant costs to resolve any such disruptions in service which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

We are subject to risks related to securitization of any loans originated and/or serviced by our subsidiaries.

The securitization of any loans that we originate and/or service subject us to various risks that may increase our compliance costs and adversely impact our financial results, including:
compliance with the terms of the agreements governing the securitized pools of loans, including any indemnification and repurchase provisions;

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reliance on programs administered by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae that facilitate the issuance of mortgage-backed securities in the secondary market and the effect of any changes or modifications thereto (see-“GSE initiatives and other actions, including changes to the minimum servicing amount for GSE loans, could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against” and -“The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between these agencies and the U.S. government, may adversely affect our business”); and
federal and state legislation in securitizations, such as the risk retention requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act, could result in higher costs of certain lending operations and impose on us additional compliance requirements to meet servicing and originations criteria for securitized mortgage loans.

Maintenance of our 1940 Act exclusion imposes limits on our operations.

We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act. We believe we will not be considered an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act because we will not engage primarily, or hold ourselves out as being engaged primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. However, under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act, because we are a holding company that will conduct its businesses primarily through wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries, the securities issued by our subsidiaries that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, together with any other investment securities we may own, may not have a combined value in excess of 40% of the value of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. Government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless another exclusion from the definition of “investment company” is available to us. For purposes of the foregoing, we currently treat our interest in our SLS Servicer Advance Investment and our subsidiaries that hold consumer loans as investment securities because these subsidiaries presently rely on the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. The 40% test under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act limits the types of businesses in which we may engage through our subsidiaries. In addition, the assets we and our subsidiaries may originate or acquire are limited by the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act, which may adversely affect our business.

If the value of securities issued by our subsidiaries that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” by Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act, together with any other investment securities we own, exceeds the 40% test under Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act (e.g., the value of our interests in the taxable REIT subsidiaries that hold Servicer Advance Investments and are not excluded from the definition of “investment company” by Section 3(c)(5)(A), (B) or (C) of the 1940 Act increases significantly in proportion to the value of our other assets), or if one or more of such subsidiaries fail to maintain an exclusion or exception from the 1940 Act, we could, among other things, be required either (a) to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company or (b) to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, either of which could have an adverse effect on us and the market price of our securities. As discussed above, for purposes of the foregoing, we generally treat our interests in our SLS Servicer Advance Investment and our subsidiaries that hold consumer loans as investment securities because these subsidiaries presently rely on the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. If we or any of our subsidiaries were required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the registered entity would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to capital structure (including the ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly change our operations.

Failure to maintain an exclusion would require us to significantly restructure our investment strategy. For example, because affiliate transactions are generally prohibited under the 1940 Act, we would not be able to enter into transactions with any of our affiliates if we are required to register as an investment company, and we might be required to terminate our Management Agreement and any other agreements with affiliates, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business and pay distributions. If we were required to register us as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

For purposes of the foregoing, we treat our interests in certain of our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries, which constitute more than 60% of the value of our adjusted total assets on an unconsolidated basis, as non-investment securities because such subsidiaries qualify for exclusion from the definition of an investment company under the 1940 Act pursuant to Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act. The Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion is available for entities “primarily engaged” in the business of “purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” The Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion generally requires that at least 55% of these subsidiaries’ assets must comprise qualifying real estate assets and at least 80% of each of their portfolios must comprise qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets under the 1940 Act. We expect each of our subsidiaries relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to rely on guidance published by the SEC staff or on our analyses of such guidance to

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determine which assets are qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets. However, the SEC’s guidance was issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations each of our subsidiaries may face, and much of the guidance was issued more than 20 years ago. No assurance can be given that the SEC staff will concur with the classification of each of our subsidiaries’ assets. In addition, the SEC staff may, in the future, issue further guidance that may require us to re-classify some of our subsidiaries’ assets for purposes of qualifying for an exclusion from regulation under the 1940 Act. For example, the SEC and its staff have not published guidance with respect to the treatment of whole pool Non-Agency RMBS for purposes of the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion. Accordingly, based on our own judgment and analysis of the guidance from the SEC and its staff identifying Agency whole pool certificates as qualifying real estate assets under Section 3(c)(5)(C), we treat whole pool Non-Agency RMBS issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which our subsidiary relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) holds all of the certificates issued by the pool as qualifying real estate assets. Based on our own judgment and analysis of the guidance from the SEC and its staff with respect to analogous assets, we treat Excess MSRs for which we do not own the related servicing rights as real estate-related assets for purposes of satisfying the 80% test under the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion. If we are required to re-classify any of our subsidiaries’ assets, including those subsidiaries holding whole pool Non-Agency RMBS and/or Excess MSRs, such subsidiaries may no longer be in compliance with the exclusion from the definition of an “investment company” provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, and in turn, we may not satisfy the requirements to avoid falling within the definition of an “investment company” provided by Section 3(a)(1)(C). To the extent that the SEC staff publishes new or different guidance or disagrees with our analysis with respect to any assets of our subsidiaries we have determined to be qualifying real estate assets or real estate-related assets, we may be required to adjust our strategy accordingly. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make certain investments and these limitations could result in a subsidiary holding assets we might wish to sell or selling assets we might wish to hold.

In August 2011, the SEC issued a concept release soliciting public comments on a wide range of issues relating to companies engaged in the business of acquiring mortgages and mortgage-related instruments and that rely on Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the laws and regulations governing the 1940 Act status of REITs, or guidance from the SEC or its staff regarding the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exclusion, will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. If we or our subsidiaries fail to maintain an exclusion or exception from the 1940 Act, we could, among other things, be required either to (a) change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company, (b) effect sales of our assets in a manner that, or at a time when, we would not otherwise choose to do so, or (c) register as an investment company, any of which could negatively affect the value of our common stock, the sustainability of our business model, and our ability to make distributions. In addition, if we or any of our subsidiaries were required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the registered entity would become subject to substantial regulation with respect to capital structure (including the ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act), portfolio composition, including restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly change our operations.

Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from the 1940 Act.

If the market value or income potential of qualifying assets for purposes of our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act declines as a result of increased interest rates, changes in prepayment rates or other factors, or the market value or income from non-qualifying assets increases, we may need to increase our investments in qualifying assets and/or liquidate our non-qualifying assets to maintain our REIT qualification or our exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act. If the change in market values or income occurs quickly, this may be especially difficult to accomplish. This difficulty may be exacerbated by the illiquid nature of any non-qualifying assets we may own. We may have to make investment decisions that we otherwise would not make absent the intent to maintain our qualification as a REIT and exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act.

We are subject to significant competition, and we may not compete successfully.

We are subject to significant competition in seeking investments. We compete with other companies, including other REITs, insurance companies and other investors, including funds and companies affiliated with our Manager. Some of our competitors have greater resources than we possess or have greater access to capital or various types of financing structures than are available to us, and we may not be able to compete successfully for investments or provide attractive investment returns relative to our competitors. These competitors may be willing to accept lower returns on their investments and, as a result, our profit margins could be adversely affected. Furthermore, competition for investments that are suitable for us, including, but not limited to, interests in MSRs, may lead to decreased availability, higher market prices and decreased returns available from such investments, which may further limit our ability to generate our desired returns. We cannot assure you that other companies will not be formed that compete with us for investments or otherwise pursue investment strategies similar to ours or that we will be able to compete successfully against any such companies.

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Our business could suffer if we fail to attract and retain highly skilled personnel.

Our future success will depend on our ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified personnel for all areas of the Company, in particular skilled managers, loan officers, underwriters, loan servicers, debt default specialists and other personnel specialized in finance, risk and compliance. Trained and experienced personnel are in high demand and may be in short supply in some areas. We may not be able to attract, develop and maintain an adequate skilled workforce necessary to operate our businesses and labor expenses may increase as a result of a shortage in the supply of qualified personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain such personnel, we may not be able to take advantage of acquisitions and other growth opportunities that may be presented to us and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

The valuations of our assets are subject to uncertainty because most of our assets are not traded in an active market.

There is not anticipated to be an active market for most of the assets in which we will invest. In the absence of market comparisons, we will use other pricing methodologies, including, for example, models based on assumptions regarding expected trends, historical trends following market conditions believed to be comparable to the then current market conditions and other factors believed at the time to be likely to influence the potential resale price of, or the potential cash flows derived from, an investment. Such methodologies may not prove to be accurate and any inability to accurately price assets may result in adverse consequences for us. A valuation is only an estimate of value and is not a precise measure of realizable value. Ultimate realization of the market value of a private asset depends to a great extent on economic and other conditions beyond our control. Further, valuations do not necessarily represent the price at which a private investment would sell since market prices of private investments can only be determined by negotiation between a willing buyer and seller. If we were to liquidate a particular private investment, the realized value may be more than or less than the valuation of such asset as carried on our books.

Changes in accounting rules could occur at any time and could impact us in significantly negative ways that we are unable to predict or protect against.

As has been widely publicized, the SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and other regulatory bodies that establish the accounting rules applicable to us have recently proposed or enacted a wide array of changes to accounting rules. Moreover, in the future these regulators may propose additional changes that we do not currently anticipate. Changes to accounting rules that apply to us could significantly impact our business or our reported financial performance in negative ways that we cannot predict or protect against. We cannot predict whether any changes to current accounting rules will occur or what impact any codified changes will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition, directly or through their impact on our Servicing Partners or counterparties.

A prolonged economic slowdown, a lengthy or severe recession, or declining real estate values could harm our operations.

We believe the risks associated with our business are more severe during periods in which an economic slowdown or recession is accompanied by declining real estate values, as was the case in 2008. Declining real estate values generally reduce the level of new mortgage loan originations, since borrowers often use increases in the value of their existing properties to support the purchase of, or investment in, additional properties. Borrowers may also be less able to pay principal and interest on our loans or the loans underlying our securities, interests in MSRs and servicer advances, if the real estate economy weakens. Further, declining real estate values significantly increase the likelihood that we will incur losses on our investments in the event of default because the value of our collateral may be insufficient to cover our basis. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses could adversely affect our net interest income from the assets in our portfolio, which would significantly harm our revenues, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, business prospects and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure has and will continue to result in increased compliance costs and pose challenges for our management team.

Certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act remain subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on us and, more generally, the financial services and mortgage industries. Additionally, we cannot predict whether there will be additional proposed laws or reforms that would affect us, whether or when such changes may be adopted, how such changes may be interpreted and enforced or how such changes may affect us. However, the costs of complying with any additional laws or regulations could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


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We have engaged and may in the future engage in a number of acquisitions and we may be unable to successfully integrate the acquired assets and assumed liabilities in connection with such acquisitions.

As part of our business strategy, we regularly evaluate acquisitions of what we believe are complementary assets. Identifying and achieving the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions is subject to a number of uncertainties, including, without limitation, whether we are able to acquire the assets, within our parameters, integrate the acquired assets and manage the assumed liabilities efficiently. It is possible that the integration process could take longer than anticipated and could result in additional and unforeseen expenses, the disruption of our ongoing business, processes and systems, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices and policies, any of which could adversely affect our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions. There may be increased risk due to integrating the assets into our financial reporting and internal control systems. Difficulties in adding the assets into our business could also result in the loss of contract counterparties or other persons with whom we conduct business and potential disputes or litigation with contract counterparties or other persons with whom we or such counterparties conduct business. We could also be adversely affected by any issues attributable to the related seller’s operations that arise or are based on events or actions that occurred prior to the closing of such acquisitions. Completion of the integration process is subject to a number of uncertainties, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated benefits will be realized in their entirety or at all or, if realized, the timing of their realization. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues and could adversely affect our future business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Due to the costs of engaging in a number of acquisitions, we may also have difficulty completing more acquisitions in the future.

There may be difficulties with integrating the loans underlying MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers into the successor servicer’s servicing platform, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

In connection with certain MSR acquisitions, servicing is transferred from the seller to a subservicer appointed by us. The ability to integrate and service the assets acquired will depend in large part on the success of our subservicer’s integration of expanded servicing capabilities with its current operations. We may fail to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of these transactions if the integration process takes longer, or is more costly, than expected. Potential difficulties we may encounter during the integration process with the assets acquired in MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers include, but are not limited to, the following:

the integration of the portfolio into our subservicer’s information technology platforms and servicing systems;
the quality of servicing during any interim servicing period after we purchase the portfolio but before our subservicer assumes servicing obligations from the seller or its agents;
the disruption to our ongoing businesses and distraction of our management teams from ongoing business concerns;
incomplete or inaccurate files and records;
the retention of existing customers;
the creation of uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems;
the occurrence of unanticipated expenses; and
potential unknown liabilities associated with the transactions, including legal liability related to origination and servicing prior to the acquisition.

Our failure to meet the challenges involved in successfully integrating the assets acquired in MSR acquisitions involving servicing transfers with our current business could impair our operations. For example, it is possible that the data our subservicer acquires upon assuming the direct servicing obligations for the loans may not transfer from the seller’s platform to its systems properly. This may result in data being lost, key information not being locatable on our subservicer’s systems, or the complete failure of the transfer. If our employees are unable to access customer information easily, or is unable to produce originals or copies of documents or accurate information about the loans, collections could be affected significantly, and our subservicer may not be able to enforce its right to collect in some cases. Similarly, collections could be affected by any changes to our subservicer’s collections practices, the restructuring of any key servicing functions, transfer of files and other changes that occur as a result of the transfer of servicing obligations from the seller to our subservicer.

We are responsible for certain of HLSS’s contingent and other corporate liabilities.

Under the HLSS acquisition agreement, we have assumed and are responsible for the payment of HLSS’s contingent and other liabilities, including: (i) liabilities for litigation relating to, arising out of or resulting from certain lawsuits in which HLSS is named as the defendant, (ii) HLSS’s tax liabilities, (iii) HLSS’s corporate liabilities, (iv) generally any actions with respect to the HLSS Acquisition brought by any third party and (v) payments under contracts. We currently cannot estimate the amount we may ultimately be responsible for as a result of assuming substantially all of HLSS’s contingent and other corporate liabilities. The amount for which we are ultimately responsible may be material and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, certain claims and lawsuits may require significant costs to defend and

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resolve and may divert management’s attention away from other aspects of operating and managing our business, each of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We cannot guarantee that we will not receive further regulatory inquiries or be subject to litigation regarding the subject matter of the subpoenas or matters relating thereto, or that existing inquires, or, should they occur, any future regulatory inquiries or litigation, will not consume internal resources, result in additional legal and consulting costs or negatively impact our stock price.

We could be materially and adversely affected by past events, conditions or actions with respect to HLSS or Ocwen.

HLSS acquired assets and assumed liabilities could be adversely affected as a result of events or conditions that occurred or existed before the closing of the HLSS Acquisition. Adverse changes in the assets or liabilities we have acquired or assumed, respectively, as part of the HLSS Acquisition, could occur or arise as a result of actions by HLSS or Ocwen, legal or regulatory developments, including the emergence or unfavorable resolution of pre-acquisition loss contingencies, deteriorating general business, market, industry or economic conditions, and other factors both within and beyond the control of HLSS or Ocwen. We are subject to a variety of risks as a result of our dependence on Servicing Partners, including, without limitation, the potential loss of all of the value of our Excess MSRs in the event that the servicer of the underlying loans is terminated by the mortgage loan owner or RMBS bondholders. A significant decline in the value of HLSS assets or a significant increase in HLSS liabilities we have acquired could adversely affect our future business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. HLSS is subject to a number of other risks and uncertainties, including regulatory investigations and legal proceedings against HLSS, and others with whom HLSS conducted business. Moreover, any insurance proceeds received with respect to such matters may be inadequate to cover the associated losses. Adverse developments at Ocwen, including liquidity issues, ratings downgrades, defaults under debt agreements, servicer rating downgrades, failure to comply with the terms of PSAs, termination under PSAs, Ocwen bankruptcy proceedings and additional regulatory issues and settlements, including those described above, could have a material adverse effect on us. See “—We rely heavily on our Servicing Partners to achieve our investment objective and have no direct ability to influence their performance.”

Our ability to borrow may be adversely affected by the suspension or delay of the rating of the notes issued under certain of our financing facilities by the credit agency providing the ratings.

Certain of our financing facilities are rated by one rating agency and we may sponsor financing facilities in the future that are rated by credit agencies. The related agency or rating agencies may suspend rating notes backed by servicer advances, MSRs, Excess MSRs and our other investments at any time. Rating agency delays may result in our inability to obtain timely ratings on new notes, or amend or modify other financing facilities which could adversely impact the availability of borrowings or the interest rates, advance rates or other financing terms and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity. Further, if we are unable to secure ratings from other agencies, limited investor demand for unrated notes could result in further adverse changes to our liquidity and profitability.

A downgrade of certain of the notes issued under our financing facilities could cause such notes to become due and payable prior to their expected repayment date/maturity date, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Regulatory scrutiny regarding foreclosure processes could lengthen foreclosure timelines, which could increase advances and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

When a residential mortgage loan is in foreclosure, the servicer is generally required to continue to advance delinquent principal and interest to the securitization trust and to also make advances for delinquent taxes and insurance and foreclosure costs and the upkeep of vacant property in foreclosure to the extent it determines that such amounts are recoverable. These servicer advances are generally recovered when the delinquency is resolved. Foreclosure moratoria or other actions that lengthen the foreclosure process increase the amount of servicer advances, lengthen the time it takes for reimbursement of such advances and increase the costs incurred during the foreclosure process. In addition, servicer advance financing facilities generally contain provisions that limit the eligibility of servicer advances to be financed based on the length of time that servicer advances are outstanding, and, as a result, an increase in foreclosure timelines could further increase the amount of servicer advances that need to be funded from the related servicer’s own capital. Such increases in foreclosure timelines could increase the need for capital to fund servicer advances, which would increase our interest expense, delay the collection of interest income or servicing revenue until the foreclosure has been resolved and, therefore, reduce the cash that we have available to pay our operating expenses or to pay dividends. For more information, see “—We could be materially and adversely affected by past events, conditions or actions with respect to HLSS or Ocwen” above.
 

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Certain of our Servicing Partners have triggered termination events or events of default under some PSAs underlying the MSRs with respect to which we are entitled to the basic fee component or Excess MSRs.

In certain of these circumstances, the related Servicing Partner may be terminated without any right to compensation for its loss, other than the right to be reimbursed for any outstanding servicer advances as the related loans are brought current, modified, liquidated or charged off. So long as we are in compliance with our obligations under our servicing agreements and purchase agreements, if we or one of our Servicing Partners is terminated as servicer, we may have the right to receive an indemnification payment from the applicable Servicing Partner, even if such termination related to servicer termination events or events of default existing at the time of any transaction with such Servicing Partner. If one of our Servicing Partners is terminated as servicer under a PSA, we will lose any investment related to such Servicing Partner’s MSRs. If we or such Servicing Partner is terminated as servicer with respect to a PSA and we are unable to enforce our contractual rights against such Servicing Partner, or if such Servicing Partner is unable to make any resulting indemnification payments to us, if any such payment is due and payable, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, ability to make distributions, liquidity and financing arrangements, including our servicer advance financing facilities, and may make it more difficult for us to acquire additional interests in MSRs in the future.

Representations and warranties made by us in our collateralized borrowings and loan sale agreements may subject us to liability.

Our financing facilities require us to make certain representations and warranties regarding the assets that collateralize the borrowings. Although we perform due diligence on the assets that we acquire, certain representations and warranties that we make in respect of such assets may ultimately be determined to be inaccurate. In addition, our loan sale agreements require us to make representations and warranties to the purchaser regarding the loans that were sold. Such representations and warranties may include, but are not limited to, issues such as the validity of the lien; the absence of delinquent taxes or other liens; the loans’ compliance with all local, state and federal laws and the delivery of all documents required to perfect title to the lien.

In the event of a breach of a representation or warranty, we may be required to repurchase affected loans, make indemnification payments to certain indemnified parties or address any claims associated with such breach. Further, we may have limited or no recourse against the seller from whom we purchased the loans. Such recourse may be limited due to a variety of factors, including the absence of a representation or warranty from the seller corresponding to the representation provided by us or the contractual expiration thereof. A breach of a representation or warranty could adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.

Our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights may be limited or delayed if a third party contests our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights, if the related securitization trustee refuses to permit the exercise of such rights, or if a related party is subject to bankruptcy proceedings.

Certain servicing contracts permit more than one party to exercise a cleanup call-meaning the right of a party to collapse a securitization trust by purchasing all of the remaining loans held by the securitization trust pursuant to the terms set forth in the applicable servicing agreement. While the servicers from which we acquired our cleanup call rights (or other servicers from which these servicers acquired MSRs) may be named as the party entitled to exercise such rights, certain third parties may also be permitted to exercise such rights. If any such third party exercises a cleanup call, we could lose our ability to exercise our cleanup call right and, as a result, lose the ability to generate positive returns with respect to the related securitization transaction. In addition, another party could impair our ability to exercise our cleanup call rights by contesting our rights (for example, by claiming that they hold the exclusive cleanup call right with respect to the applicable securitization trust). Moreover, because the ability to exercise a cleanup call right is governed by the terms of the applicable servicing agreement, any ambiguous or conflicting language regarding the exercise of such rights in the agreement may make it more difficult and costly to exercise a cleanup call right. Furthermore, certain servicing contracts provide cleanup call rights to a servicer currently subject to bankruptcy proceedings from which our servicers have acquired MSRs. While, notwithstanding the related bankruptcy proceedings, it is possible that we will be able to exercise the related cleanup calls within our desired time frame, our ability to exercise such rights may be significantly delayed or impaired by the applicable securitization trustee or bankruptcy estate or any additional steps required because of the bankruptcy process. Finally, many of our call rights are not currently exercisable and may not become exercisable for a period of years. As a result, our ability to realize the benefits from these rights will depend on a number of factors at the time they become exercisable many of which are outside our control, including interest rates, conditions in the capital markets and conditions in the residential mortgage market.

The exercise of cleanup calls could negatively impact our interests in MSRs.

The exercise of cleanup call rights results in the termination of the MSRs on the loans held within the related securitization trusts. To the extent we own interests in MSRs with respect to loans held within securitization trusts where cleanup call rights are exercised,

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whether they are exercised by us or a third party, the value of our interests in those MSRs will likely be reduced to zero and we could incur losses and reduced cash flows from any such interests.

New Residential’s subsidiary New Residential Mortgage LLC is or may become subject to significant state and federal regulations.

A subsidiary of New Residential, New Residential Mortgage LLC (“NRM”), has obtained applicable qualifications, licenses and approvals to own Non-Agency and certain Agency MSRs in the United States and certain other jurisdictions. As a result of NRM’s current and expected approvals, NRM is subject to extensive and comprehensive regulation under federal, state and local laws in the United States. These laws and regulations do, and may in the future, significantly affect the way that NRM does business, and subject NRM and New Residential to additional costs and regulatory obligations, which could impact our financial results.

NRM’s business may become subject to increasing regulatory oversight and scrutiny in the future as it continues seeking and obtaining additional approvals to hold MSRs, which may lead to regulatory investigations or enforcement, including both formal and informal inquiries, from various state and federal agencies as part of those agencies’ oversight of the mortgage servicing business. An adverse result in governmental investigations or examinations or private lawsuits, including purported class action lawsuits, may adversely affect NRM’s and our financial results or result in serious reputational harm. In addition, a number of participants in the mortgage servicing industry have been the subject of purported class action lawsuits and regulatory actions by state or federal regulators, and other industry participants have been the subject of actions by state Attorneys General.

Failure of New Residential’s subsidiary, NRM, to obtain or maintain certain licenses and approvals required for NRM to purchase and own MSRs could prevent us from purchasing or owning MSRs, which could limit our potential business activities.

State and federal laws require a business to hold certain state licenses prior to acquiring MSRs. NRM is currently licensed or otherwise eligible to hold MSRs in each applicable state. As a licensee in such states, NRM may become subject to administrative actions in those states for failing to satisfy ongoing license requirements or for other state law violations, the consequences of which could include fines or suspensions or revocations of NRM’s licenses by applicable state regulatory authorities, which could in turn result in NRM becoming ineligible to hold MSRs in the related jurisdictions. We could be delayed or prohibited from conducting certain business activities if we do not maintain necessary licenses in certain jurisdictions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain all of the required state licenses.

Additionally, NRM has received approval from FHA to hold MSRs associated with FHA-insured mortgage loans, from Fannie Mae to hold MSRs associated with loans owned by Fannie Mae, and from Freddie Mac to hold MSRs associated with loans owned by Freddie Mac. NRM may seek approval from Ginnie Mae to become an approved Ginnie Mae Issuer, which would make NRM eligible to hold MSRs associated with Ginnie Mae securities. As an approved Fannie Mae Servicer, Freddie Mac Servicer and FHA Lender, NRM is required to conduct aspects of its operations in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines published by FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to maintain those approvals. Should NRM fail to maintain FHA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approval, or fail to obtain approval from Ginnie Mae, NRM may be unable to purchase certain types of MSRs, which could limit our potential business activities.

NRM is currently subject to various, and may become subject to additional information reporting and other regulatory requirements, and there is no assurance that we will be able to satisfy those requirements or other ongoing requirements applicable to mortgage loan servicers under applicable state and federal laws. Any failure by NRM to comply with such state or federal regulatory requirements may expose us to administrative or enforcement actions, license or approval suspensions or revocations or other penalties that may restrict our business and investment options, any of which could restrict our business and investment options, adversely impact our business and financial results and damage our reputation.

We may become subject to fines or other penalties based on the conduct of mortgage loan originators and brokers that originate residential mortgage loans related to MSRs that we acquire, and the third-party servicers we may engage to subservice the loans underlying MSRs we acquire.

We have acquired MSRs and may in the future acquire additional MSRs from third-party mortgage loan originators, brokers or other sellers, and we therefore are or will become dependent on such third parties for the related mortgage loans’ compliance with applicable law, and on third-party mortgage servicers, including our Servicing Partners, to perform the day-to-day servicing on the mortgage loans underlying any such MSRs. Mortgage loan originators and brokers are subject to strict and evolving consumer protection laws and other legal obligations with respect to the origination of residential mortgage loans. These laws and regulations include the residential mortgage servicing standards, “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations promulgated by the CFPB, which became effective in 2014. In addition, there are various other federal, state, and local laws and regulations that are

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intended to discourage predatory lending practices by residential mortgage loan originators. These laws may be highly subjective and open to interpretation and, as a result, a regulator or court may determine that that there has been a violation where an originator or servicer of mortgage loans reasonably believed that the law or requirement had been satisfied. Failure or alleged failure by originators or servicers to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to state or CFPB administrative proceedings, which could result in monetary penalties, license suspensions or revocations, or restrictions to our business, all of which could adversely impact our business and financial results and damage our reputation.

The final servicing rules promulgated by the CFPB to implement certain sections of the Dodd-Frank Act include provisions relating to, among other things, periodic billing statements and disclosures, responding to borrower inquiries and complaints, force-placed insurance, and adjustable rate mortgage interest rate adjustment notices. Further, the mortgage servicing rules require servicers to, among other things, make good faith early intervention efforts to notify delinquent borrowers of loss mitigation options, to implement specified loss mitigation procedures, and if feasible, exhaust all loss mitigation options before proceeding to foreclosure. Proposed updates to further refine these rules have been published and will likely lead to further changes in requirements applicable to servicing mortgage loans.

In addition to NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, we engage third-party servicers to subservice mortgage loans relating to any MSRs we acquire. It is therefore possible that a third-party servicer’s failure to comply with the new and evolving servicing protocols could adversely affect the value of the MSRs we acquire. Additionally, we may become subject to fines, penalties or civil liability based upon the conduct of any third-party servicer who services mortgage loans related to MSRs that we have acquired or will acquire in the future.

Investments in MSRs may expose us to additional risks.

We hold investments in MSRs. Our investments in MSRs may subject us to certain additional risks, including the following:

We have limited experience acquiring MSRs and operating a servicer. Although ownership of MSRs and the operation of a servicer includes many of the same risks as our other target assets and business activities, including risks related to prepayments, borrower credit, defaults, interest rates, hedging, and regulatory changes, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully operate a servicer subsidiary and integrate MSR investments into our business operations.
As of today, we rely on subservicers to subservice the mortgage loans underlying our MSRs on our behalf. We are generally responsible under the applicable Servicing Guidelines for any subservicer’s non-compliance with any such applicable Servicing Guideline. In addition, there is a risk that our current subservicers will be unwilling or unable to continue subservicing on our behalf on terms favorable to us in the future. In such a situation, we may be unable to locate a replacement subservicer on favorable terms.
NRM’s existing approvals from government-related entities or federal agencies are subject to compliance with their respective servicing guidelines, minimum capital requirements, reporting requirements and other conditions that they may impose from time to time at their discretion. Failure to satisfy such guidelines or conditions could result in the unilateral termination of NRM’s existing approvals or pending applications by one or more entities or agencies.
NRM is presently licensed or otherwise eligible to hold MSRs in all states within the United States and the District of Columbia. Such state licenses may be suspended or revoked by a state regulatory authority, and we may as a result lose the ability to own MSRs under the regulatory jurisdiction of such state regulatory authority.
Changes in minimum servicing compensation for Agency loans could occur at any time and could negatively impact the value of the income derived from any MSRs that we hold or may acquire in the future.
Investments in MSRs are highly illiquid and subject to numerous restrictions on transfer and, as a result, there is risk that we would be unable to locate a willing buyer or get approval to sell any MSRs in the future should we desire to do so.

Our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation could be adversely impacted if we are not able to successfully manage these or other risks related to investing and managing MSR investments.

Risks Related to Our Manager

We are dependent on our Manager and may not find a suitable replacement if our Manager terminates the Management Agreement.

None of our officers or other senior individuals who perform services for us (other than three part-time employees of NRM), is an employee of New Residential. Instead, these individuals are employees of our Manager. Accordingly, we are completely reliant on our Manager, which has significant discretion as to the implementation of our operating policies and strategies, to conduct our business. We are subject to the risk that our Manager will terminate the Management Agreement and that we will not be able to find a suitable replacement for our Manager in a timely manner, at a reasonable cost or at all. Furthermore, we are dependent on

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the services of certain key employees of our Manager whose compensation is partially or entirely dependent upon the amount of incentive or management compensation earned by our Manager and whose continued service is not guaranteed, and the loss of such services could adversely affect our operations.

On December 27, 2017, SoftBank announced that it completed the SoftBank Merger. In connection with the SoftBank Merger, Fortress operates within SoftBank as an independent business headquartered in New York. There can be no assurance that the SoftBank Merger will not have an impact on us or our relationship with the Manager.

There are conflicts of interest in our relationship with our Manager.

Our Management Agreement with our Manager was not negotiated between unaffiliated parties, and its terms, including fees payable, although approved by the independent directors of New Residential as fair, may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

There are conflicts of interest inherent in our relationship with our Manager insofar as our Manager and its affiliates—including investment funds, private investment funds, or businesses managed by our Manager invest in real estate and other securities and loans, consumer loans and interests in MSRs and whose investment objectives overlap with our investment objectives. Certain investments appropriate for us may also be appropriate for one or more of these other investment vehicles. Certain members of our board of directors and employees of our Manager who are our officers also serve as officers and/or directors of these other entities. Although we have the same Manager, we may compete with entities affiliated with our Manager or Fortress for certain target assets. From time to time, affiliates of Fortress focus on investments in assets with a similar profile as our target assets that we may seek to acquire. These affiliates may have meaningful purchasing capacity, which may change over time depending upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, available equity capital and debt financing, market conditions and cash on hand. Fortress has two funds primarily focused on investing in Excess MSRs with approximately $0.6 billion in investments in aggregate. We have broad investment guidelines, and we have co-invested and may co-invest with Fortress funds or portfolio companies of private equity funds managed by our Manager (or an affiliate thereof) in a variety of investments. We also may invest in securities that are senior or junior to securities owned by funds managed by our Manager. Fortress funds generally have a fee structure similar to ours, but the fees actually paid will vary depending on the size, terms and performance of each fund.

Our Management Agreement with our Manager generally does not limit or restrict our Manager or its affiliates from engaging in any business or managing other pooled investment vehicles that invest in investments that meet our investment objectives. Our Manager intends to engage in additional real estate related management and real estate and other investment opportunities in the future, which may compete with us for investments or result in a change in our current investment strategy. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that if Fortress or an affiliate or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our stockholders or our affiliates. In the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of Fortress or its affiliates acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as a director or officer of New Residential and such person acts in good faith, then to the fullest extent permitted by law such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person’s fiduciary duties owed to us and is not liable to us if Fortress or its affiliates pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.

The ability of our Manager and its officers and employees to engage in other business activities, subject to the terms of our Management Agreement with our Manager, may reduce the amount of time our Manager, its officers or other employees spend managing us. In addition, we may engage (subject to our investment guidelines) in material transactions with our Manager or another entity managed by our Manager or one of its affiliates, which may include, but are not limited to, certain financing arrangements, purchases of debt, co-investments in interests in MSRs, consumer loans, and other assets that present an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. It is possible that actual, potential or perceived conflicts could give rise to investor dissatisfaction, litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. Appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and difficult, and our reputation could be damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with one or more potential, actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Regulatory scrutiny of, or litigation in connection with, conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, which could materially adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including causing an inability to raise additional funds, a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us, a decrease in the prices of our equity securities and a resulting increased risk of litigation and regulatory enforcement actions.

The management compensation structure that we have agreed to with our Manager, as well as compensation arrangements that we may enter into with our Manager in the future (in connection with new lines of business or other activities), may incentivize our Manager to invest in high risk investments. In addition to its management fee, our Manager is currently entitled to receive incentive compensation. In evaluating investments and other management strategies, the opportunity to earn incentive

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compensation may lead our Manager to place undue emphasis on the maximization of earnings, including through the use of leverage, at the expense of other criteria, such as preservation of capital, in order to achieve higher incentive compensation. Investments with higher yield potential are generally riskier or more speculative than lower-yielding investments. Moreover, because our Manager receives compensation in the form of options in connection with the completion of our common equity offerings, our Manager may be incentivized to cause us to issue additional common stock, which could be dilutive to existing stockholders. In addition, our Manager’s management fee is not tied to our performance and may not sufficiently incentivize our Manager to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for us.

It would be difficult and costly to terminate our Management Agreement with our Manager.

It would be difficult and costly for us to terminate our Management Agreement with our Manager. The Management Agreement may only be terminated annually upon (i) the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our independent directors, or by a vote of the holders of a simple majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, that there has been unsatisfactory performance by our Manager that is materially detrimental to us or (ii) a determination by a simple majority of our independent directors that the management fee payable to our Manager is not fair, subject to our Manager’s right to prevent such a termination by accepting a mutually acceptable reduction of fees. Our Manager will be provided 60 days’ prior notice of any termination and will be paid a termination fee equal to the amount of the management fee earned by the Manager during the 12-month period preceding such termination. In addition, following any termination of the Management Agreement, our Manager may require us to purchase its right to receive incentive compensation at a price determined as if our assets were sold for their fair market value (as determined by an appraisal, taking into account, among other things, the expected future performance of the underlying investments) or otherwise we may continue to pay the incentive compensation to our Manager. These provisions may increase the effective cost to us of terminating the Management Agreement, thereby adversely affecting our ability to terminate our Manager without cause.

Our directors have approved broad investment guidelines for our Manager and do not approve each investment decision made by our Manager. In addition, we may change our investment strategy without a stockholder vote, which may result in our making investments that are different, riskier or less profitable than our current investments.

Our Manager is authorized to follow broad investment guidelines. Consequently, our Manager has great latitude in determining the types and categories of assets it may decide are proper investments for us, including the latitude to invest in types and categories of assets that may differ from those in which we currently invest. Our directors will periodically review our investment guidelines and our investment portfolio. However, our board does not review or pre-approve each proposed investment or our related financing arrangements. In addition, in conducting periodic reviews, the directors rely primarily on information provided to them by our Manager. Furthermore, transactions entered into by our Manager may be difficult or impossible to unwind by the time they are reviewed by the directors, even if the transactions contravene the terms of the Management Agreement. In addition, we may change our investment strategy, including our target asset classes, without a stockholder vote.

Our investment strategy may evolve in light of existing market conditions and investment opportunities, and this evolution may involve additional risks depending upon the nature of the assets in which we invest and our ability to finance such assets on a short or long-term basis. Investment opportunities that present unattractive risk-return profiles relative to other available investment opportunities under particular market conditions may become relatively attractive under changed market conditions, and changes in market conditions may therefore result in changes in the investments we target. Decisions to make investments in new asset categories present risks that may be difficult for us to adequately assess and could therefore reduce our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or have adverse effects on our liquidity, results of operations or financial condition. A change in our investment strategy may also increase our exposure to interest rate, foreign currency, real estate market or credit market fluctuations and expose us to new legal and regulatory risks. In addition, a change in our investment strategy may increase our use of non-match-funded financing, increase the guarantee obligations we agree to incur or increase the number of transactions we enter into with affiliates. Our failure to accurately assess the risks inherent in new asset categories or the financing risks associated with such assets could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Our Manager will not be liable to us for any acts or omissions performed in accordance with the Management Agreement, including with respect to the performance of our investments.

Pursuant to our Management Agreement, our Manager will not assume any responsibility other than to render the services called for thereunder in good faith and will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow its advice or recommendations. Our Manager, its members, managers, officers and employees will not be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries, to our board of directors, or our or any subsidiary’s stockholders or partners for any acts or omissions by our Manager, its members, managers, officers or employees, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of our Manager’s duties under our Management Agreement. We shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold our Manager, its members, managers, officers and employees and each other person, if any,

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controlling our Manager harmless of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of an indemnified party made in good faith in the performance of our Manager’s duties under our Management Agreement and not constituting such indemnified party’s bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of our Manager’s duties under our Management Agreement.

Our Manager’s due diligence of investment opportunities or other transactions may not identify all pertinent risks, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our Manager intends to conduct due diligence with respect to each investment opportunity or other transaction it pursues. It is possible, however, that our Manager’s due diligence processes will not uncover all relevant facts, particularly with respect to any assets we acquire from third parties. In these cases, our Manager may be given limited access to information about the investment and will rely on information provided by the target of the investment. In addition, if investment opportunities are scarce, the process for selecting bidders is competitive, or the timeframe in which we are required to complete diligence is short, our ability to conduct a due diligence investigation may be limited, and we would be required to make investment decisions based upon a less thorough diligence process than would otherwise be the case. Accordingly, investments and other transactions that initially appear to be viable may prove not to be over time, due to the limitations of the due diligence process or other factors.

The ownership by our executive officers and directors of shares of common stock, options, or other equity awards of entities either owned by Fortress funds managed by affiliates of our Manager or managed by our Manager may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

Some of our directors, officers and other employees of our Manager hold positions with entities either owned by Fortress funds managed by affiliates of our Manager or managed by our Manager and own such entities’ common stock, options to purchase such entities’ common stock or other equity awards. Such ownership may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors, officers and other employees are faced with decisions that could have different implications for such entities than they do for us.

Risks Related to the Financial Markets

The impact of legislative and regulatory changes on our business, as well as the market and industry in which we operate, are uncertain and may adversely affect our business.

The Dodd-Frank Act was enacted in July 2010, which affects almost every aspect of the U.S. financial services industry, including certain aspects of the markets in which we operate, and imposes new regulations on us and how we conduct our business. As we describe in more detail below, it affects our business in many ways but it is difficult at this time to know exactly how or what the cumulative impact will be.

Generally, the Dodd-Frank Act strengthens the regulatory oversight of securities and capital markets activities by the SEC and established the CFPB to enforce laws and regulations for consumer financial products and services. It requires market participants to undertake additional record-keeping activities and imposes many additional disclosure requirements for public companies.

Moreover, the Dodd-Frank Act contains a risk retention requirement for all asset-backed securities, which we issue. In October 2014, final rules were promulgated by a consortium of regulators implementing the final credit risk retention requirements of Section 941(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act. Under these “Risk Retention Rules,” sponsors of both public and private securitization transactions or one of their majority owned affiliates are required to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing such securitization transactions. These regulations generally prohibit the sponsor or its affiliate from directly or indirectly hedging or otherwise selling or transferring the retained interest for a specified period of time, depending on the type of asset that is securitized. Certain limited exemptions from these rules are available for certain types of assets, which may be of limited use under our current market practices. In any event, compliance with these new Risk Retention Rules has increased and will likely continue to increase the administrative and operational costs of asset securitization.

Further, the Dodd-Frank Act imposes mandatory clearing and exchange-trading requirements on many derivatives transactions (including formerly unregulated over-the-counter derivatives) in which we may engage. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act is expected to increase the margin requirements for derivatives transactions that are not subject to mandatory clearing requirements, which may impact our activities. The Dodd-Frank Act also creates new categories of regulated market participants, such as “swap-dealers,” “security-based swap dealers,” “major swap participants” and “major security-based swap participants,” and subjects or may subject these regulated entities to significant new capital, registration, recordkeeping, reporting, disclosure, business conduct and other regulatory requirements that will give rise to new administrative costs.

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Also, under the Dodd-Frank Act, financial regulators belonging to the Financial Stability Oversight Council are authorized to designate nonbank financial institutions and financial activities as systemically important to the economy and therefore subject to closer regulatory supervision. Such systemically important financial institutions, or “SIFIs,” may be required to operate with greater safety margins, such as higher levels of capital, and may face further limitations on their activities. The determination of what constitutes a SIFI is evolving, and in time SIFIs may include large investment funds and even asset managers. There can be no assurance that we will not be deemed to be a SIFI or engage in activities later determined to be systemically important and thus subject to further regulation.

Even new requirements that are not directly applicable to us may still increase our costs of entering into transactions with the parties to whom the requirements are directly applicable. For instance, if the exchange-trading and trade reporting requirements lead to reductions in the liquidity of derivative transactions we may experience higher pricing or reduced availability of derivatives, or the reduction of arbitrage opportunities for us, which could adversely affect the performance of certain of our trading strategies. Importantly, many key aspects of the changes imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to be established by various regulatory bodies and other groups over the next several years.

In addition, there is significant uncertainty regarding the legislative and regulatory outlook for the Dodd-Frank Act and related statutes governing financial services, which may include Dodd-Frank Act amendments, mortgage finance and housing policy in the U.S., and the future structure and responsibilities of regulatory agencies such as the CFPB and the FHFA. For example, in March 2018, the U.S. Senate approved banking reform legislation intended to ease some of the restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. Due to this uncertainty, it is not possible for us to predict how future legislative or regulatory proposals by Congress and the Administration will affect us or the market and industry in which we operate, and there can be no assurance that the resulting changes will not have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. It is possible that such regulatory changes could, among other things, increase our costs of operating as a public company, impose restrictions on our ability to securitize assets and reduce our investment returns on securitized assets.

The federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and regulations affecting the relationship between these agencies and the U.S. government, may adversely affect our business.

The payments we receive on the Agency RMBS in which we invest depend upon a steady stream of payments by borrowers on the underlying mortgages and the fulfillment of guarantees by GSEs. Ginnie Mae is part of a U.S. Government agency and its guarantees are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are GSEs, but their guarantees are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

In response to the deteriorating financial condition of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the credit market disruption beginning in 2007, Congress and the U.S. Treasury undertook a series of actions to stabilize these GSEs and the financial markets, generally. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was signed into law on July 30, 2008, and established the FHFA, with enhanced regulatory authority over, among other things, the business activities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the size of their portfolio holdings. On September 7, 2008, FHFA placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into federal conservatorship and, together with the U.S. Treasury, established a program designed to boost investor confidence in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s debt and Agency RMBS.

As the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FHFA controls and directs the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and may (1) take over the assets of and operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with all the powers of the stockholders, the directors and the officers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and conduct all business of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (3) perform all functions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.

Those efforts resulted in significant U.S. Government financial support and increased control of the GSEs.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) announced in November 2008 a program of large-scale purchases of Agency RMBS in an attempt to lower longer-term interest rates and contribute to an overall easing of adverse financial conditions. Subject to specified investment guidelines, the portfolios of Agency RMBS purchased through the programs established by the U.S. Treasury and the Fed may be held to maturity and, based on mortgage market conditions, adjustments may be made to these portfolios. This flexibility may adversely affect the pricing and availability of Agency RMBS that we seek to acquire during the remaining term of these portfolios.


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There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government’s intervention in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be adequate for the longer-term viability of these GSEs. These uncertainties lead to questions about the availability of and trading market for, Agency RMBS. Accordingly, if these government actions are inadequate and the GSEs defaulted on their guaranteed obligations, suffered losses or ceased to exist, the value of our Agency RMBS and our business, operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Additionally, because of the financial problems faced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that led to their federal conservatorships, the Administration and Congress have been examining reform of the GSEs, including the value of a federal mortgage guarantee and the appropriate role for the U.S. government in providing liquidity for residential mortgage loans. The respective chairmen of the Congressional committees of jurisdiction, as well as the Secretary of the Treasury, has each stated that GSE reform, including a possible wind down of the GSEs, is a priority. However, the final details of any plans, policies or proposals with respect to the housing GSEs are unknown at this time. Other bills have been introduced that change the GSEs’ business charters and eliminate the entities or make other changes to the existing framework. We cannot predict whether or when such legislation may be enacted. If enacted, such legislation could materially and adversely affect the availability of, and trading market for, Agency RMBS and could, therefore, materially and adversely affect the value of our Agency RMBS and our business, operations and financial condition.

Legislation that permits modifications to the terms of outstanding loans may negatively affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

The U.S. government has enacted legislation that enables government agencies to modify the terms of a significant number of residential and other loans to provide relief to borrowers without the applicable investor’s consent. These modifications allow for outstanding principal to be deferred, interest rates to be reduced, the term of the loan to be extended or other terms to be changed in ways that can permanently eliminate the cash flow (principal and interest) associated with a portion of the loan. These modifications are currently reducing, or in the future may reduce, the value of a number of our current or future investments, including investments in mortgage backed securities and interests in MSRs. As a result, such loan modifications are negatively affecting our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. In addition, certain market participants propose reducing the amount of paperwork required by a borrower to modify a loan, which could increase the likelihood of fraudulent modifications and materially harm the U.S. mortgage market and investors that have exposure to this market. Additional legislation intended to provide relief to borrowers may be enacted and could further harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT

Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. Compliance with these requirements must be carefully monitored on a continuing basis. Monitoring and managing our REIT compliance has become challenging due to the increased size and complexity of the assets in our portfolio, a meaningful portion of which are not qualifying REIT assets. There can be no assurance that our Manager’s personnel responsible for doing so will be able to successfully monitor our compliance or maintain our REIT status.

Our failure to qualify as a REIT would result in higher taxes and reduced cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We intend to operate in a manner intended to qualify us as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we do not obtain independent appraisals. See “—Risks Related to our Business—The valuations of our assets are subject to uncertainty because most of our assets are not traded in an active market,” and “—Risks Related to Our Business—Rapid changes in the values of our assets may make it more difficult for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT or our exclusion from the 1940 Act.” Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, the proper classification of one or more of our investments (such as TBAs) may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT qualification requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will not contend that our investments violate the REIT requirements.

If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and distributions to stockholders would not be deductible

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by us in computing our taxable income. Any such corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of, and market price for, our stock. See also “—Our failure to qualify as a REIT would cause our stock to be delisted from the NYSE.”

Unless entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we initially ceased to qualify as a REIT. The rule against re-electing REIT status following a loss of such status would also apply to us if Drive Shack failed to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year ended on or before December 31, 2014, and we were treated as a successor to Drive Shack for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although Drive Shack (i) represented in the separation and distribution agreement that it entered into with us on April 26, 2013 (the “Separation and Distribution Agreement”) that it has no knowledge of any fact or circumstance that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and (ii) covenanted in the Separation and Distribution Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its REIT status for each of Drive Shack’s taxable years ended on or before December 31, 2014 (unless Drive Shack obtains an opinion from a nationally recognized tax counsel or a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that Drive Shack’s failure to maintain its REIT status will not cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT under the successor REIT rule referred to above), no assurance can be given that such representation and covenant would prevent us from failing to qualify as a REIT. Although, in the event of a breach, we may be able to seek damages from Drive Shack, there can be no assurance that such damages, if any, would appropriately compensate us. In addition, if Drive Shack were to fail to qualify as a REIT despite its reasonable best efforts, we would have no claim against Drive Shack.

Our failure to qualify as a REIT would cause our stock to be delisted from the NYSE.

The NYSE requires, as a condition to the listing of our shares, that we maintain our REIT status. Consequently, if we fail to maintain our REIT status, our shares would promptly be delisted from the NYSE, which would decrease the trading activity of such shares. This could make it difficult to sell shares and would likely cause the market volume of the shares trading to decline.

If we were delisted as a result of losing our REIT status and desired to relist our shares on the NYSE, we would have to reapply to the NYSE to be listed as a domestic corporation. As the NYSE’s listing standards for REITs are less onerous than its standards for domestic corporations, it would be more difficult for us to become a listed company under these heightened standards. We might not be able to satisfy the NYSE’s listing standards for a domestic corporation. As a result, if we were delisted from the NYSE, we might not be able to relist as a domestic corporation, in which case our shares could not trade on the NYSE.

The failure of assets subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We enter into financing arrangements that are structured as sale and repurchase agreements pursuant to which we nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase these assets at a later date in exchange for a purchase price. Economically, these agreements are financings that are secured by the assets sold pursuant thereto. We believe that, for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, we should be treated as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such sale and repurchase agreement, notwithstanding that those agreements generally transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we might fail to qualify as a REIT.

The failure of our Excess MSRs to qualify as real estate assets or the income from our Excess MSRs to qualify as mortgage interest could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We have received from the IRS a private letter ruling substantially to the effect that our Excess MSRs represent interests in mortgages on real property and thus are qualifying “real estate assets” for purposes of the REIT asset test, which generate income that qualifies as interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the REIT income test. The ruling is based on, among other things, certain assumptions as well as on the accuracy of certain factual representations and statements that we and Drive Shack have made to the IRS. If any of the representations or statements that we have made in connection with the private letter ruling, are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect with respect to one or more Excess MSR investments, or if we acquire an Excess MSR investment with terms that are not consistent with the terms of the Excess MSR investments described in the private letter ruling, then we will not be able to rely on the private letter ruling. If we are unable to rely on the private letter ruling with respect to an Excess MSR investment, the IRS could assert that such Excess MSR investments do not qualify under the REIT asset and income tests, and if successful, we might fail to qualify as a REIT.


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Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some “qualified dividends.”

Dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts, and estates are generally taxed at reduced tax rates applicable to “qualified dividends.” Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for those reduced rates. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock. In addition, the relative attractiveness of real estate in general may be adversely affected by the favorable tax treatment given to non-REIT corporate dividends, which could affect the value of our real estate assets negatively.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding any net capital gain, in order for corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. However, differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or borrow funds on a short-term or long-term basis to meet the 90% distribution requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. Certain of our assets, such as our investment in consumer loans, generate substantial mismatches between taxable income and available cash. As a result, the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our net taxable income could cause us to: (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions; (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms; (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt; or (iv) make taxable distributions of our capital stock or debt securities in order to comply with REIT requirements. Further, amounts distributed will not be available to fund investment activities. If we fail to obtain debt or equity capital in the future, it could limit our ability to satisfy our liquidity needs, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

We may be required to report taxable income for certain investments in excess of the economic income we ultimately realize from them.

Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of Excess MSRs, we intend to treat our Excess MSRs as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying residential mortgage loans, akin to an “interest only” strip. Under this treatment, for purposes of determining the amount and timing of taxable income, each Excess MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with original issue discount on the date we acquired such Excess MSR. In general, we will be required to accrue original issue discount based on the constant yield to maturity of each Excess MSR, and to treat such original issue discount as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an Excess MSR will be determined, and we will be taxed, based on a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the residential mortgage loans underlying the Excess MSR. If the residential mortgage loans underlying an Excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of original issue discount will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an Excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that Excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an Excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the Excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such Excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to a deduction for such excess, meaning that we may be required to recognize “phantom income” over the life of an Excess MSR.

Other debt instruments that we may acquire, including consumer loans, may be issued with, or treated as issued with, original issue discount. Those instruments would be subject to the original issue discount accrual and income computations that are described above with regard to Excess MSRs.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) enacted in late 2017, we generally will be required to take certain amounts into income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on certain financial statements. The application of this rule may require the accrual of, among other categories of income, income with respect to certain debt instruments or mortgage-backed securities, such as original issue discount, earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules, although the precise application of this rule is unclear at this time.

We may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.


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In addition, we may acquire debt instruments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding instrument are “significant modifications” under the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, the modified instrument will be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may be required to recognize taxable gain to the extent the principal amount of the modified instrument exceeds our adjusted tax basis in the unmodified instrument, even if the value of the instrument or the payment expectations have not changed. Following such a taxable modification, we would hold the modified loan with a cost basis equal to its principal amount for U.S. federal tax purposes.

Finally, in the event that any debt instruments acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income as it accrues, despite doubt as to its ultimate collectability. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to debt instruments at the stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received or are ultimately collectible. In each case, while we would in general ultimately have an offsetting loss deduction available to us when such interest was determined to be uncollectible, the utility of that deduction could depend on our having taxable income of an appropriate character in that later year or thereafter.

In any event, if our investments generate more taxable income than cash in any given year, we may have difficulty satisfying our annual REIT distribution requirement.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash from operations to pay our operating expenses and to pay distributions to our stockholders.

As a REIT, we are generally required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and not including net capital gains) each year to our stockholders. To qualify for the tax benefits accorded to REITs, we intend to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that we distribute all or substantially all of our net taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, although there can be no assurance that our operations will generate sufficient cash to make such distributions. Moreover, our ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by the risk factors described herein. See also “—Risks Related to our Stock—We have not established a minimum distribution payment level, and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay distributions in the future.”

The stock ownership limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for REITs and our certificate of incorporation may inhibit market activity in our stock and restrict our business combination opportunities.

In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first taxable year. Our certificate of incorporation, with certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Stockholders are generally restricted from owning more than 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock, or 9.8% by value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of capital stock. Our board may grant an exemption in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions, representations and undertakings as it may determine in its sole discretion. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.

Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. Moreover, if a REIT distributes less than 85% of its ordinary income and 95% of its capital gain net income plus any undistributed shortfall from the prior year (the “Required Distribution”) to its stockholders during any calendar year (including any distributions declared by the last day of the calendar year but paid in the subsequent year), then it is required to pay an excise tax on 4% of any shortfall between the Required Distribution and the amount that was actually distributed. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may hold some of our assets through TRSs. Such subsidiaries generally will be subject to corporate level income tax at regular rates and the payment of such taxes would reduce our return on the applicable investment. Currently, we hold some of our investments in TRSs, including Servicer Advance Investments and MSRs, and we may contribute other non-qualifying investments, such as our investment in consumer loans, to a TRS in the future.


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Complying with the REIT requirements may negatively impact our investment returns or cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities, liquidate assets or contribute assets to a TRS.

To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. As a result of these tests, we may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution, forgo otherwise attractive investment opportunities, liquidate assets in adverse market conditions or contribute assets to a TRS that is subject to regular corporate federal income tax. Our ability to acquire and hold MSRs, interests in consumer loans, Servicer Advance Investments and other investments is subject to the applicable REIT qualification tests, and we may have to hold these interests through TRSs, which would negatively impact our returns from these assets. In general, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make and retain certain attractive investments.

Complying with the REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.

The existing REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code may substantially limit our ability to hedge our operations because a significant amount of the income from those hedging transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both REIT gross income tests. In addition, we must limit our aggregate income from non-qualified hedging transactions, from our provision of services and from other non-qualifying sources, to less than 5% of our annual gross income (determined without regard to gross income from qualified hedging transactions).

As a result, we may have to limit our use of certain hedging techniques or implement those hedges through TRSs. This could result in greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to incur or could increase the cost of our hedging activities. If we fail to comply with these limitations, we could lose our REIT qualification for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless our failure was due to reasonable cause, and not due to willful neglect, and we meet certain other technical requirements. Even if our failure were due to reasonable cause, we might incur a penalty tax. See also “—Risks Related to Our Business—Any hedging transactions that we enter into may limit our gains or result in losses.”

Distributions to tax-exempt investors may be classified as unrelated business taxable income.

Neither ordinary nor capital gain distributions with respect to our stock nor gain from the sale of stock should generally constitute unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. In particular:
 
part of the income and gain recognized by certain qualified employee pension trusts with respect to our stock may be treated as unrelated business taxable income if shares of our stock are predominantly held by qualified employee pension trusts, and we are required to rely on a special look-through rule for purposes of meeting one of the REIT ownership tests, and we are not operated in a manner to avoid treatment of such income or gain as unrelated business taxable income;
part of the income and gain recognized by a tax-exempt investor with respect to our stock would constitute unrelated business taxable income if the investor incurs debt in order to acquire the stock; and
to the extent that we are (or a part of us, or a disregarded subsidiary of ours, is) a “taxable mortgage pool,” or if we hold residual interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”), a portion of the distributions paid to a tax exempt stockholder that is allocable to excess inclusion income may be treated as unrelated business taxable income.

The “taxable mortgage pool” rules may increase the taxes that we or our stockholders may incur, and may limit the manner in which we effect future securitizations.

We may enter into securitization or other financing transactions that result in the creation of taxable mortgage pools for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, so long as we own 100% of the equity interests in a taxable mortgage pool, we would generally not be adversely affected by the characterization of a securitization as a taxable mortgage pool. Certain categories of stockholders, however, such as foreign stockholders eligible for treaty or other benefits, stockholders with net operating losses, and certain tax exempt stockholders that are subject to unrelated business income tax, could be subject to increased taxes on a portion of their dividend income from us that is attributable to the taxable mortgage pool. In addition, to the extent that our stock is owned by tax exempt “disqualified organizations,” such as certain government-related entities and charitable remainder trusts that are not subject to tax on unrelated business income, we could incur a corporate level tax on a portion of our income from the taxable mortgage pool. In that case, we might reduce the amount of our distributions to any disqualified organization whose stock ownership gave rise to the tax. Moreover, we may be precluded from selling equity interests in these securitizations to outside investors, or selling any debt securities issued in connection with these securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for tax purposes. These limitations may prevent us from using certain techniques to maximize our returns from securitization transactions.


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Uncertainty exists with respect to the treatment of TBAs for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests, and the failure of TBAs to be qualifying assets or of income/gains from TBAs to be qualifying income could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We purchase and sell Agency RMBS through TBAs and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. In a dollar roll transaction, we exchange an existing TBA for another TBA with a different settlement date. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For a particular taxable year, we would treat such TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and income and gains from such TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, to the extent set forth in an opinion from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that (i) for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying Agency RMBS, and (ii) for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of such TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, it must be emphasized that any opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP would be based on various assumptions relating to any TBAs that we enter into and would be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding such TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge any conclusions of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs or a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.

The tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions that would be treated as prohibited transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net income that we derive from a “prohibited transaction” is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (including mortgage loans, but other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business. We might be subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or securitize loans or Excess MSRs in a manner that was treated as a prohibited transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held-for-sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. As a result, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of loans or Excess MSRs at the REIT level, and may limit the structures we utilize for our securitization transactions, even though the sales or structures might otherwise be beneficial to us. In addition, whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held-for-sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% prohibited transaction tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to prevent prohibited transaction characterization.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification or create additional tax liability for us.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding the composition of our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

Changes to U.S. federal income tax laws could materially and adversely affect us and our stockholders.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs and their shareholders may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, which could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our shares. The U.S. federal income tax rules, including those dealing with REITs, are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, which results in statutory changes as well as frequent revisions to regulations and interpretations.


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The TCJA, which was enacted in 2017, made substantial changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Among those changes are a significant permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination or modification of various currently allowed deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest and, in the case of individuals, the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating losses, and preferential rates of taxation on most ordinary REIT dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers. The effect of these, and the many other, changes made in the TCJA remains uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on the taxation of an investment in our common stock and their indirect effect on the value of our assets or market conditions generally. Furthermore, many of the provisions of the TCJA still require guidance through the issuance of Treasury regulations in order to assess their effect. There may be a substantial delay before such regulations are promulgated, increasing the uncertainty as to the ultimate effect of the statutory amendments on us. There also may be technical corrections legislation proposed with respect to the TCJA, the effect of which cannot be predicted and may be adverse to us or our stockholders.

Risks Related to our Stock

There can be no assurance that the market for our stock will provide you with adequate liquidity.

Our common stock began trading on the NYSE in May 2013, and our preferred stock began trading on the NYSE in July 2019. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common and preferred stock will be sustained in the future, and the market price of our common and preferred stock may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control. These factors include, without limitation:
 
a shift in our investor base;
our quarterly or annual earnings and cash flows, or those of other comparable companies;
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
announcements by us or our competitors of significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions;
the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock;
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
market performance of affiliates and other counterparties with whom we conduct business;
the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
our failure to qualify as a REIT, maintain our exemption under the 1940 Act or satisfy the NYSE listing requirements;
negative public perception of us, our competitors or industry;
overall market fluctuations; and
general economic conditions.

Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common and preferred stock.

Sales or issuances of shares of our common stock could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Sales or issuances of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales or issuances might occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The issuance of our common stock in connection with property, portfolio or business acquisitions or the exercise of outstanding options or otherwise could also have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. We have an effective registration statement on file to sell common stock or convertible securities in public offerings.

Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

As a public company, we are required to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Internal control over financial reporting is complex and may be revised over time to adapt to changes in our business, or changes in applicable accounting rules. We have made investments through joint ventures, such as our investment in consumer loans, and accounting for such investments can increase the complexity of maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in the future or that a material weakness will not be discovered with respect to a prior period for which we had previously believed that our internal control over financial reporting was effective. If we are not able to maintain or document effective internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be able to certify as to the effectiveness of our

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internal control over financial reporting. Matters impacting our internal control over financial reporting may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, or may cause us to restate previously issued financial information, and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions or investigations by the SEC, or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements is also likely to suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm reports a material weakness in the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us by, for example, leading to a decline in our stock price and impairing our ability to raise capital.

Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future because of equity awards that we expect will be granted to our Manager, to the directors, officers and employees of our Manager who perform services for us, and to our directors, officers and employees, as well as other equity instruments such as debt and equity financing. We have adopted a Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), which provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including restricted stock, options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, tandem awards and other equity-based and non-equity based awards, in each case to our Manager, to the directors, officers, employees, service providers, consultants and advisor of our Manager who perform services for us, and to our directors, officers, employees, service providers, consultants and advisors. We reserved 15 million shares of our common stock for issuance under the Plan. The term of the Plan expires in 2023. On the first day of each fiscal year beginning during the term of the Plan, that number will be increased by a number of shares of our common stock equal to 10% of the number of shares of our common stock newly issued by us during the immediately preceding fiscal year. In connection with any offering of our common or preferred stock, we will issue to our Manager options relating to shares of our common stock, representing 10% of the number of shares being offered. Our board of directors may also determine to issue options to the Manager that are not subject to the Plan, provided that the number of shares relating to any options granted to the Manager in connection with an offering of our common stock would not exceed 10% of the shares sold in such offering and would be subject to NYSE rules.

We may incur or issue debt or issue equity, which may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

We may in the future incur or issue debt or issue equity or equity-related securities. In the event of our liquidation, lenders and holders of our debt and holders of our preferred stock (if any) would receive a distribution of our available assets before common stockholders. Any future incurrence or issuance of debt would increase our interest cost and could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. We are not required to offer any additional equity securities to existing common stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, additional issuances of common stock, directly or through convertible or exchangeable securities, warrants or options, will dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and such issuances, or the perception of such issuances, may reduce the market price of our common stock. Our preferred stock has, and any additional preferred stock issued by us would likely have, a preference on distribution payments, periodically or upon liquidation, which could eliminate or otherwise limit our ability to make distributions to common stockholders. Because our decision to incur or issue debt or issue equity or equity-related securities in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising efforts. Thus, common stockholders bear the risk that our future incurrence or issuance of debt or issuance of equity or equity-related securities will adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We have not established a minimum distribution payment level for our common stock, and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay distributions in the future.

We intend to make quarterly distributions of our REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available therefor. We have not established a minimum distribution payment level and our ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this report. Any distributions will be authorized by our board of directors and declared by us based upon a number of factors, including our actual and anticipated results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, restrictions under Delaware law or applicable financing covenants, our REIT taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, our operating expenses and other factors our directors deem relevant.

Our board of directors approved two increases in our quarterly dividends during 2017, which has resulted in reduced cash flows and we will begin making distributions on our preferred stock issued in July 2019, beginning in November 2019, which will further reduce our cash flows. Although we have other sources of liquidity, such as sales of and repayments from our investments, potential debt financing sources and the issuance of equity securities, there can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash or

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achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions in the future.

Furthermore, while we are required to make distributions in order to maintain our REIT status (as described above under “—Risks Related to our Taxation as a REIT—We may be unable to generate sufficient cash from operations to pay our operating expenses and to pay distributions to our stockholders”), we may elect not to maintain our REIT status, in which case we would no longer be required to make such distributions. Moreover, even if we do elect to maintain our REIT status, we may elect to comply with the applicable requirements by, after completing various procedural steps, distributing, under certain circumstances, a portion of the required amount in the form of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash. If we elect not to maintain our REIT status or to satisfy any required distributions in shares of common stock in lieu of cash, such action could negatively and materially affect our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition as well as the market price of our common stock. No assurance can be given that we will make any distributions on shares of our common stock in the future.

We may in the future choose to make distributions in our own stock, in which case you could be required to pay income taxes in excess of any cash distributions you receive.

We may in the future make taxable distributions that are payable in cash and shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder. Taxable stockholders receiving such distributions will be required to include the full amount of the distribution as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes. As a result, stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such distributions in excess of the cash distributions received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as a distribution in order to pay this tax, the sale proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the distribution, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such distributions, including in respect of all or a portion of such distribution that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our common stock in order to pay taxes owed on distributions, it may put downward pressure on the market price of our common stock.

In August 2017, the IRS issued guidance authorizing elective cash/stock dividends to be made by public REITs where there is a minimum (of at least 20%) amount of cash that may be paid as part of the dividend, provided that certain requirements are met. It is unclear whether and to what extent we would be able to or choose to pay taxable distributions in cash and stock. In addition, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not impose additional requirements in the future with respect to taxable cash/stock distributions, including on a retroactive basis, or assert that the requirements for such taxable cash/stock distributions have not been met.

An increase in market interest rates may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

One of the factors that investors may consider in deciding whether to buy or sell shares of our common stock is our distribution rate as a percentage of our stock price relative to market interest rates. If the market price of our common stock is based primarily on the earnings and return that we derive from our investments and income with respect to our investments and our related distributions to stockholders, and not from the market value of the investments themselves, then interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions will likely affect the market price of our common stock. For instance, if market interest rates rise without an increase in our distribution rate, the market price of our common stock could decrease, as potential investors may require a higher distribution yield on our common stock or seek other securities paying higher distributions or interest. In addition, rising interest rates would result in increased interest expense on our outstanding and future (variable and fixed) rate debt, thereby adversely affecting cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay distributions.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the market price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the raider and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:
 
a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms;
provisions regarding the election of directors, classes of directors, the term of office of directors, the filling of director vacancies and the resignation and removal of directors for cause only upon the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon;
provisions regarding corporate opportunity only upon the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon;

149



removal of directors only for cause and only with the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors;
our board of directors to determine the powers, preferences and rights of our preferred stock and to issue such preferred stock without stockholder approval;
advance notice requirements applicable to stockholders for director nominations and actions to be taken at annual meetings;
a prohibition, in our certificate of incorporation, stating that no holder of shares of our common stock will have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock can elect all the directors standing for election; and
a requirement in our bylaws specifically denying the ability of our stockholders to consent in writing to take any action in lieu of taking such action at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders.

Public stockholders who might desire to participate in these types of transactions may not have an opportunity to do so, even if the transaction is considered favorable to stockholders. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change in control or a change in our management and board of directors and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.

ERISA may restrict investments by plans in our common stock.

A plan fiduciary considering an investment in our common stock should consider, among other things, whether such an investment is consistent with the fiduciary obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), including whether such investment might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any substantially similar federal, state or local law and, if so, whether an exemption from such prohibited transaction rules is available.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not Applicable.
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Mr. David Schneider, the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, has resigned as an officer of the Company effective as of October 31, 2019. The board of directors of the Company has appointed Mr. Nicola Santoro, Jr. as Chief Accounting Officer effective as of October 31, 2019. Mr. Santoro has been actively involved with New Residential since 2015 and is also the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.


150



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 
2.1

 
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2013, by and between New Residential Investment Corp. and Newcastle Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 6 of New Residential Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed April 29, 2013)
 
 
2.2

 
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2013, by and among the Sellers listed therein, HSBC Finance Corporation and SpringCastle Acquisition LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 11, 2013)
 
 
2.3

 
Master Servicing Rights Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and Advance Purchaser LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2013)
 
 
2.4

 
Sale Supplement (Shuttle 1), dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and Advance Purchaser LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2013)
 
 
2.5

 
Sale Supplement (Shuttle 2), dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and Advance Purchaser LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2013)
 
 
2.6

 
Sale Supplement (First Tennessee), dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and Advance Purchaser LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 2013)
 
 
2.7

 
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016, by and among SpringCastle Holdings, LLC, Springleaf Acquisition Corporation, Springleaf Finance, Inc., NRZ Consumer LLC, NRZ SC America LLC, NRZ SC Credit Limited, NRZ SC Finance I LLC, NRZ SC Finance II LLC, NRZ SC Finance III LLC, NRZ SC Finance IV LLC, NRZ SC Finance V LLC, BTO Willow Holdings II, L.P. and Blackstone Family Tactical Opportunities Investment Partnership - NQ - ESC L.P., and solely with respect to Section 11(a) and Section 11(g), NRZ SC America Trust 2015-1, NRZ SC Credit Trust 2015-1, NRZ SC Finance Trust 2015-1, and BTO Willow Holdings, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.10 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 4, 2016)
 
 
 
2.8

 
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2017, by and among NRM Acquisition LLC, Shellpoint Partners LLC, the Sellers party thereto and Shellpoint Services LLC, as original representative of the Seller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 15, 2018)
 
 
 
2.9

 
Amendment No. 1 to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 3, 2018, by and among NRM Acquisition LLC, Shellpoint Partners LLC, the Sellers party thereto and Shellpoint Representative LLC, as replacement representative of the Sellers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Asset Purchase Agreement among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated June 17, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.10 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 2 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 3 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 4 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 5 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

151



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 6 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 7 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 8 to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, among New Residential Investment Corp., Ditech Holding Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and Ditech Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 3, 2013)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 3, 2013)
 
 

 
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 17, 2014)
 
 
 

 
Certificate of Designations of New Residential Investment Corp., designating the Company’s 7.50% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-A, filed July 2, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Certificate of Designations of New Residential Investment Corp., designating the Company’s 7.125% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-A, filed August 15, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Specimen Series A Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-A filed July 2, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Specimen Series B Preferred Stock Certificate of New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-A, filed August 15, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Second Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of September 7, 2018, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, New Penn Financial, LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing and Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 7, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Omnibus Amendment to Term Note Indenture Supplements, dated as of August 17, 2017, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 22, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Series 2016-T2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of October 25, 2016, to the Indenture, dated as of August 28, 2015, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 31, 2016)
 
 
 

 
Series 2016-T3 Indenture Supplement, dated as of October 25, 2016, to the Indenture, dated as of August 28, 2015, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 31, 2016)
 
 
 

 
Series 2016-T4 Indenture Supplement, dated as of December 15, 2016, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 16, 2016)
 
 
 

152



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 

 
Series 2016-T5 Indenture Supplement, dated as of December 15, 2016, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 16, 2016)
 
 
 

 
Series 2017-T1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of February 7, 2017, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 7, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Series 2018-VF1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 22, 2018, to the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2017, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 28, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Omnibus Amendment to Certain Agreements Relating to the NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, dated as of September 7, 2018, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, New Penn Financial, LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 7, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to Series 2018-VF1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of September 7, 2018, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, New Penn Financial, LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 7, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 2 to Series 2018-VF1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of September 28, 2018, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, New Penn Financial, LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 2, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 3 to Series 2018-VF1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of March 11, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 15, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, PHH Mortgage Corporation, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing and Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, filed July 26, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Series 2019-T1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of July 25, 2019, to the Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, PHH Mortgage Corporation, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, filed July 26, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Series 2019-T2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of August 15, 2019, to the Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, PHH Mortgage Corporation, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, filed August 16, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Series 2019-T3 Indenture Supplement, dated as of September 20, 2019, to the Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, PHH Mortgage Corporation, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, filed September 20, 2019)
 
 
 

153



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 

 
Series 2019-T4 Indenture Supplement, dated as of October 15, 2019, to the Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2019, by and among NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, PHH Mortgage Corporation, HLSS Holdings, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Form 8-K, filed October 18, 2019)
 
 
 

 
Form of Debt Securities Indenture (including Form of Debt Security) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, filed May 16, 2014)
 
 
 

 
Third Amended and Restated Management and Advisory Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2015, by and between New Residential Investment Corp. and FIG LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015)
 
 

 
Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between New Residential Investment Corp. and its directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 3 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed March 27, 2013)
 
 

 
New Residential Investment Corp. Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan, adopted as of April 29, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 3, 2013)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated New Residential Investment Corp. Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Plan, adopted as of November 4, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014)
 
 

 
Investment Guidelines (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed April 9, 2013)
 
 

 
Excess Servicing Spread Sale and Assignment Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2011, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR I LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011)
 
 

 
Excess Spread Refinanced Loan Replacement Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2011, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR I LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011)
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 13, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2012)
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 13, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR V LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 13, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR VI LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2012)
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 13, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR VII, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2012)
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR III LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 6, 2012)
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR III LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 6, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Future Spread Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

154



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Future Spread Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Future Spread Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR II LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 7, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 28, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR V LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 28, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2012)
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 28, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR VI LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Amended and Restated Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of June 28, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and NIC MSR VII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of December 31, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR VIII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of December 31, 2012, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR VIII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR IX LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for FHLMC Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR IX LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR X LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for FNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR X LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XI LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for GNMA Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XI LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

155



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Current Excess Servicing Spread Acquisition Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XIII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Future Spread Agreement for Non-Agency Mortgage Loans, dated as of January 6, 2013, by and between Nationstar Mortgage LLC and MSR XIII LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to Drive Shack Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012)
 
 
 

 
Interim Servicing Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, by and among the Interim Servicers listed therein, HSBC Finance Corporation, as Interim Servicer Representative, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, SpringCastle America, LLC, SpringCastle Credit, LLC, SpringCastle Finance, LLC, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Loan Trustee, and SpringCastle Finance LLC, as Owner Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed April 9, 2013)
 
 
 

 
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SpringCastle Acquisition LLC, dated as of March 31, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016)
 
 
 

 
Services Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2015, by and between HLSS Advances Acquisition Corp. and Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 10, 2015)
 
 
 

 
Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2015, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC and NRZ Advance Facility Transferor 2015-ON1 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015)
 
 
 

 
Receivables Pooling Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2015, by and between NRZ Advance Facility Transferor 2015-ON1 LLC and NRZ Advance Receivables Trust 2015-ON1 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015)
 
 
 

 
Master Agreement, dated as July 23, 2017, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, HLSS MSR - EBO Acquisition LLC and New Residential Mortgage LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to Master Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2017, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, HLSS MSR - EBO Acquisition LLC and New Residential Mortgage LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Transfer Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2017, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, Ocwen Financial Corporation and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to the Transfer Agreement, dated January 18, 2018, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, New Residential Mortgage LLC, Ocwen Financial Corporation and New Residential Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Subservicing Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2017, by and between New Residential Mortgage LLC and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to Subservicing Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2018, by and between New Residential Mortgage LLC and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Cooperative Brokerage Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2017, by and among REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and New Residential Sales Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

156



Exhibit Number

 
Exhibit Description
 
 

 
First Amendment to Cooperative Brokerage Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2017, by and among REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and New Residential Sales Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 14, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Second Amendment to Cooperative Brokerage Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2018, by and among REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and New Residential Sales Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on February 14, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Third Amendment to Cooperative Brokerage Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2018, by and among REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and New Residential Sales Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Fourth Amendment to Cooperative Brokerage Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2018, by and among REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and New Residential Sales Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Letter Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2017, by and among New Residential Investment Corp., New Residential Mortgage LLC, REALHome Services and Solutions, Inc., REALHome Services and Solutions - CT, Inc. and Altisource Solutions S.a.r.l. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017)
 
 
 

 
New RMSR Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2018, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, HLSS MSR - EBO Acquisition LLC, and New Residential Mortgage LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to New RMSR Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2018, by and among Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, HLSS Holdings, LLC, HLSS MSR - EBO Acquisition LLC, and New Residential Mortgage LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Subservicing Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2018, by and between New Penn Financial, LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing New Residential Mortgage LLC and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to New Residential Investment Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018)
 
 
 

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101

 
The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
104

 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
 
 
 
#
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.
*
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted.


157



The following second amended and restated limited liability company agreements of the Consumer Loan Companies are substantially identical in all material respects, except as to the parties thereto and the initial capital contributions required under each agreement, to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SpringCastle Acquisition LLC that is filed as Exhibit 10.37 hereto and are being omitted in reliance on Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
 
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SpringCastle America, LLC, dated as of March 31, 2016.
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SpringCastle Credit, LLC, dated as of March 31, 2016.
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SpringCastle Finance, LLC, dated as of March 31, 2016.

158



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:
  
 
NEW RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT CORP.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael Nierenberg
 
 
Michael Nierenberg
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 28, 2019
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Nicola Santoro, Jr.
 
 
Nicola Santoro, Jr.
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 28, 2019
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ David Schneider
 
 
David Schneider
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 28, 2019


159