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Walker & Dunlop, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

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: 001-35000

 

 

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   80-0629925

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200E

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(301) 215-5500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

As of April 29, 2015, there were 30,276,413 total shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 


Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

Form 10-Q

INDEX

 

         Page  

PART I

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements      1  

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      17   

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      33   

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures      33   

PART II

  OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings      34   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      34   

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      35   

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities      35   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures      35   

Item 5.

  Other Information      35   

Item 6.

  Exhibits      35   
 

Signatures

     37   
 

Exhibit Index

  


PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2015      2014  
     (unaudited)         

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 65,516      $ 113,354  

Restricted cash

     21,794        13,854  

Pledged securities, at fair value

     68,103        67,719  

Loans held for sale, at fair value

     1,293,186        1,072,116  

Loans held for investment, net

     231,740        223,059  

Servicing fees and other receivables, net

     28,724        23,234  

Derivative assets

     38,495        14,535  

Mortgage servicing rights

     375,159        375,907  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     76,205        76,586  

Other assets

     28,581        33,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 2,227,503   $ 2,014,027  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Liabilities

Accounts payable and other liabilities

$ 133,742   $ 145,141  

Performance deposits from borrowers

  20,431     13,668  

Derivative liabilities

  14,821     4,877  

Guaranty obligation, net of accumulated amortization

  25,333     24,975  

Allowance for risk-sharing obligations

  4,054     3,904  

Warehouse notes payable

  1,444,085     1,216,245  

Note payable

  171,393     171,766  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

$ 1,813,859   $ 1,580,576  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred shares, Authorized 50,000, none issued.

$ —     $ —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 200,000; issued and outstanding 28,926 shares at March 31, 2015 and 31,822 shares at December 31, 2014

  289     318  

Additional paid-in capital

  202,140     224,164  

Retained earnings

  211,215     208,969  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

$ 413,644   $ 433,451  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 2,227,503   $ 2,014,027  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1


Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
     2015      2014  

Revenues

     

Gains from mortgage banking activities

   $ 72,720      $ 34,586  

Servicing fees

     26,841        23,343  

Net warehouse interest income

     4,354        2,236  

Escrow earnings and other interest income

     787        1,075  

Other

     7,419        3,593  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

$ 112,121   $ 64,833  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

Personnel

$ 40,045   $ 24,535  

Amortization and depreciation

  24,674     18,459  

Provision (benefit) for credit losses

  84     (171 )

Interest expense on corporate debt

  2,477     2,573  

Other operating expenses

  9,435     7,527  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

$ 76,715   $ 52,923  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

$ 35,406   $ 11,910  

Income tax expense

  14,093     4,766  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

$ 21,313   $ 7,144  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$ 0.68    $ 0.21   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.66    $ 0.21   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

  31,515     33,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

  32,464     33,859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2015     2014  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 21,313     $ 7,144  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Gains attributable to fair value of future servicing rights, net of guaranty obligation

     (31,317 )     (13,888 )

Change in fair value of premium and origination fees

     (7,381 )     785  

Provision (benefit) for credit losses

     84       (171 )

Amortization and depreciation

     24,674       18,459  

Other operating activities, net

     (228,032 )     (87,247 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$ (220,659 ) $ (74,918 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

Capital expenditures

$ (448 ) $ (152 )

Originations of loans held for investment

  (8,420 )   (81,250 )

Principal collected on loans held for investment

  —       29,720  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

$ (8,868 ) $ (51,682 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

Borrowings (repayments) of warehouse notes payable, net

$ 221,525   $ 16,333  

Borrowings of interim warehouse notes payable

  6,315     59,570  

Repayments of interim warehouse notes payable

  —       (21,653 )

Repayments of note payable

  (438 )   (438 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

  2,819     1,467  

Repurchase of common stock

  (47,804 )   (35,897 )

Debt issuance costs

  (662 )   —    

Tax benefit (shortfall) from vesting of equity awards

  (66 )   (96 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

$ 181,689   $ 19,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$ (47,838 ) $ (107,314 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  113,354     170,563  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 65,516   $ 63,249  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

Cash paid to third parties for interest

$ 7,793   $ 5,135  

Cash paid for taxes

$ 9,114   $ 2,283  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These financial statements represent the condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Walker & Dunlop” and the “Company” mean the Walker & Dunlop consolidated companies. The statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Because the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP, they should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals except as otherwise noted herein) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the Company in the interim periods presented have been included. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015, or thereafter.

Walker & Dunlop is one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The Company originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products. The Company’s clients are owners and developers of commercial real estate across the country. The Company originates and sells loans pursuant to the programs of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac,” and together with Fannie Mae, the government-sponsored enterprises, or the “GSEs”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (together with Ginnie Mae, “HUD”), with which Walker & Dunlop has long-established relationships. The Company retains servicing rights and asset-management responsibilities on nearly all loans that it sells to the GSEs and HUD. Walker & Dunlop is approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”TM) lender nationally, a Freddie Mac Program Plus TM lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a Freddie Mac targeted affordable housing seller/servicer, a HUD Multifamily Accelerated Processing (“MAP”) lender nationally, a HUD Section 232 LEAN lender nationally, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. The Company also acts as a loan broker for a number of life insurance companies and other institutional investors, in which cases it does not fund the loan but rather acts as a loan broker. The Company retains the servicing rights on some of the loans where it acts as a broker.

The Company offers an interim loan program for floating-rate loans with original principal balances of generally up to $25.0 million, for terms of up to three years, to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent GSE or HUD financing (the “Interim Program”). The Company underwrites all loans originated through the Interim Program using similar underwriting standards used to underwrite loans it originates and sells. During the time they are outstanding, the Company assumes the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, the Company services and asset-manages loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties. These loans are classified as held for investment on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet during such time that they are outstanding.

The Company offers a Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) lending program (“CMBS Program”) through a partnership with a large institutional investor, in which the Company owns a 20% interest (“CMBS Partnership”). The CMBS Program offers financing for all commercial property types throughout the United States. The loans in the CMBS Program are selected and funded by the CMBS Partnership and underwritten by the Company. The Company receives a fee for servicing the loans. The CMBS Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans. The Company accounts for the 20% interest using the equity method of accounting. Three loans with an aggregate UPB of $64.1 million were originated through the CMBS Program during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The Company recorded $0.8 million and $0 of revenue related to the CMBS Program within the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the Company’s recorded investment in the CMBS Partnership was $4.8 million and $9.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation—The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its consolidated entities. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has evaluated all subsequent events.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, including guaranty obligations, allowance for risk-sharing obligations, allowance for loan losses, capitalized mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

Comprehensive Income—For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, comprehensive income equaled net income; therefore, a separate statement of comprehensive income is not included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loans Held for Investment, net—Loans held for investment are multifamily loans originated by the Company through the Interim Program for properties that currently do not qualify for permanent GSE or HUD financing. These loans have terms of up to three years and original principal balances of generally $25.0 million or less. The loans are carried at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for net unamortized

 

4


loan fees and costs, and net of any allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued based on the actual coupon rate, adjusted for the amortization of net deferred fees and costs, and is recognized as revenue when earned and deemed collectible. All loans held for investment are multifamily loans with similar risk characteristics. As of March 31, 2015, the Loans held for investment, net balance consisted of $233.7 million of unpaid principal balance less $1.2 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs and $0.8 million of allowance for loan losses. As of December 31, 2014, the Loans held for investment, net balance consisted of $225.3 million of unpaid principal balance less $1.4 million of net unamortized deferred fees and costs and $0.9 million of allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is the Company’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company has established a process to determine the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses that assesses the losses inherent in our portfolio. That process includes assessing the credit quality of each of the loans held for investment by monitoring the financial condition of the borrower and the financial trends of the underlying property. The allowance levels are influenced by loan origination volumes, delinquency status, historic loss experience, and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as economic conditions. The allowance for loan losses is estimated collectively for loans with similar characteristics and for which there is no indication of impairment. The allowance for loan losses recorded as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are based on the Company’s collective assessment of the portfolio.

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when full and timely collection of interest or principal is not probable. Loans held for investment are considered past due when contractually required principal or interest payments have not been made on the due dates and are charged off when the loan is considered uncollectible. The Company evaluates all loans held for investment for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when the Company believes that the facts and circumstances of the loan suggest that the Company will not be able to collect all contractually due principal and interest. Delinquency status and property financial condition are key components of the Company’s consideration of impairment status.

None of the loans held for investment was delinquent, specifically impaired, or on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. Additionally, we have not experienced any delinquencies related to these loans or charged off any loan held for investment since the inception of the Interim Program.

Provision (Benefit) for Credit Losses—The Company records the income statement impact of the changes in the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for risk-sharing obligations within the Provision (benefit) for credit losses line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Provision (benefit) for credit losses consisted of the following activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Provision (benefit) for loan losses

   $ (66    $ 169   

Provision (benefit) for risk-sharing obligations

     150         (340
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for credit losses

$ 84    $ (171
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Warehouse Interest Income—The Company presents warehouse interest income net of warehouse interest expense. Warehouse interest income is the interest earned from loans held for sale and loans held for investment. Substantially all loans that are held for sale are financed with matched borrowings under our warehouse facilities incurred to fund a specific loan held for sale. A portion of all loans that are held for investment is financed with matched borrowings under our warehouse facilities. The portion of loans held for investment not funded with matched borrowings is financed with the Company’s own cash. Warehouse interest expense is incurred on borrowings used to fund loans solely while they are held for sale or for investment. Warehouse interest income and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for sale after a loan is closed and before a loan is sold. Warehouse interest income and expense are earned or incurred on loans held for investment after a loan is closed and before a loan is repaid. Included in net warehouse interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are the following components:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

   $ 7,408      $ 3,165  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for sale

     (4,954 )      (1,775 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for sale

$ 2,454   $ 1,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 3,057   $ 2,177  

Warehouse interest expense—loans held for investment

  (1,157 )   (1,331 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net warehouse interest income—loans held for investment

$ 1,900   $ 846  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net warehouse interest income

$ 4,354   $ 2,236  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements—In April 2015, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, was issued. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a note be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of that note. Current GAAP requires that debt issuance costs be presented as an asset. The ASU is effective for the Company for the annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted and full retrospective application required. ASU 2015-03 would reduce the March 31, 2015 balances of Other assets by $3.9 million, Warehouse notes payable by $0.7 million, and Note payable by $3.2 million. The Company expects a similar impact upon adoption.

In April 2015, ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, was issued. ASU 2015-05 provides entities with guidance on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. ASU 2015-05 is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Entities may select retrospective or prospective adoption of ASU 2015-05. The Company is still in the process of determining what impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have on its financial statements and which adoption method it will select.

There have been no material changes to the accounting policies discussed in Note 2 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2015.

NOTE 3—GAINS FROM MORTGAGE BANKING ACTIVITIES

The gains from mortgage banking activities consisted of the following activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Contractual loan origination related fees, net

   $ 41,403      $ 20,698  

Fair value of expected cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment

     33,692        14,585  

Fair value of expected guaranty obligation recognized at commitment

     (2,375 )      (697 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gains from mortgage banking activities

$ 72,720   $ 34,586  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The origination fees shown in the table above are net of co-broker fees of $6.4 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

NOTE 4—MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”) represent the carrying value of the servicing rights retained by the Company for mortgage loans originated and sold. The initial capitalized amount is equal to the estimated fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing rights. The following describes the key assumptions used in calculating each loan’s MSR:

Discount rate—Depending upon loan type, the discount rate used is management’s best estimate of market discount rates. The rates used for loans originated were 10% to 15% for each of the periods presented.

Estimated Life—The estimated life of the MSRs is derived based upon the stated yield maintenance and/or prepayment protection term of the underlying loan and may be reduced by 6 to 12 months based upon the expiration of various types of prepayment penalty and/or lockout provisions prior to that stated maturity date. The Company’s historical experience is that the prepayment provisions typically do not provide a significant deterrent to a borrower’s refinancing the loan within 6 to 12 months of the expiration of the prepayment provisions.

 

6


Servicing Cost—The estimated future cost to service the loan for the estimated life of the MSR is subtracted from the estimated future cash flows.

The fair values of the MSRs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $491.6 million and $469.9 million, respectively. The Company uses a discounted static cash flow valuation approach and the key economic assumption is the discount rate. For example, see the following sensitivities:

The impact of a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate at March 31, 2015 is a decrease in the fair value of $16.1 million.

The impact of a 200 basis point increase in the discount rate at March 31, 2015 is a decrease in the fair value of $31.2 million.

These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. These estimates do not include interplay among assumptions and are estimated as a portfolio rather than individual assets.

Activity related to capitalized MSRs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Beginning balance

   $ 375,907      $ 353,024  

Additions, following the sale of loan

     24,182        13,675  

Amortization

     (18,820 )      (16,701 )

Pre-payments and write-offs

     (6,110 )      (2,022 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 375,159   $ 347,976  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following summarizes the components of the net carrying value of the Company’s acquired and originated MSRs as of March 31, 2015:

 

     As of March 31, 2015  
(in thousands)    Gross carrying
value
     Accumulated
amortization
     Net carrying
value
 

Acquired MSRs

   $ 132,837      $ (66,630 )    $ 66,207  

Originated MSRs

     437,854        (128,902 )      308,952  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 570,691   $ (195,532 ) $ 375,159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The expected amortization of MSRs recorded as of March 31, 2015 is shown in the table below. Actual amortization may vary from these estimates.

 

     Originated MSRs      Acquired MSRs      Total MSRs  
(in thousands)    Amortization      Amortization      Amortization  

Nine Months Ending December 31,

        

2015

   $ 43,267      $ 11,661      $ 54,928  

Year Ending December 31,

        

2016

     54,160        14,672        68,832  

2017

     47,090        13,080        60,170  

2018

     42,549        9,895        52,444  

2019

     36,627        8,307        44,934  

2020

     29,839        6,261        36,100  

Thereafter

     55,420        2,331        57,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 308,952   $ 66,207   $ 375,159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 5—GUARANTY OBLIGATION AND ALLOWANCE FOR RISK-SHARING OBLIGATIONS

When a loan is sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program, the Company typically agrees to guarantee a portion of the ultimate loss incurred on the loan should the borrower fail to perform. The compensation for this risk is a component of the servicing fee on the loan. No guaranty is provided for loans sold under the Freddie Mac or HUD loan programs.

 

7


Activity related to the guaranty obligation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Beginning balance

   $ 24,975      $ 23,489  

Additions, following the sale of loan

     1,755        484  

Amortization

     (1,397 )      (1,064 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 25,333   $ 22,909  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company evaluates the allowance for risk-sharing obligations by monitoring the performance of each loan for triggering events or conditions that may signal a potential default. In situations where payment under the guaranty is probable and estimable on a specific loan, the Company records an allowance for the estimated risk-sharing loss through a charge to the provision for risk-sharing obligations, which is a component of the Provision (benefit) for credit losses line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, along with a write-off of the loan-specific MSR and guaranty obligation. The amount of the provision reflects our assessment of the likelihood of payment by the borrower, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk sharing. Historically, the loss recognition occurs at or before the loan becomes 60 days delinquent. Activity related to the allowance for risk-sharing obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 follows:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Beginning balance

   $ 3,904      $ 7,363  

Provision (benefit) for risk-sharing obligations

     150        (340 )

Write-offs

     —          (1,361 )
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 4,054   $ 5,662  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2015, the maximum quantifiable contingent liability associated with the Company’s guarantees under the Fannie Mae DUS agreement was $4.1 billion. The maximum quantifiable contingent liability is not representative of the actual loss the Company would incur. The Company would be liable for this amount only if all of the loans it services for Fannie Mae, for which the Company retains some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement.

NOTE 6—SERVICING

The total unpaid principal balance of loans the Company was servicing for various institutional investors was $46.1 billion as of March 31, 2015 compared to $44.0 billion as of December 31, 2014.

 

8


NOTE 7—WAREHOUSE NOTES PAYABLE

At March 31, 2015, to provide financing to borrowers under GSE and HUD programs, the Company has arranged for warehouse lines of credit in the amount of $1.9 billion with certain national banks and a $0.4 billion uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae (“Agency Warehouse Facilities”). In support of these agency warehouse facilities, the Company has pledged substantially all of its loans held for sale under the Company’s approved programs. Additionally, at March 31, 2015, the Company has arranged for warehouse lines of credit in the amount of $0.3 billion with certain national banks to assist in funding loans held for investment under the Interim Program (“interim warehouse facilities”). The Company has pledged substantially all of its loans held for investment against these interim warehouse facilities. The maximum amount and outstanding borrowings under the warehouse notes payable at March 31, 2015 follow:

 

     March 31, 2015            
(dollars in thousands)    Maximum      Outstanding      Loan Type     
Facility    Amount      Balance      Funded (1)   

Interest rate

Agency warehouse facility #1

   $ 1,095,000      $ 824,829      LHFS    30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #2

     650,000        244,554      LHFS    30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #3

     200,000        160,013      LHFS    30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%

Fannie Mae repurchase agreement, uncommited line and open maturity

     400,000        47,202      LHFS    30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total agency warehouse facilities

$ 2,345,000   $ 1,276,598  

Interim warehouse facility #1

$ 75,000   $ 59,815   LHFI 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #2

  135,000     81,123   LHFI 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #3

  50,000     26,549   LHFI 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.50%
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total interim warehouse facilities

$ 260,000   $ 167,487  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Total warehouse facilities

$ 2,605,000   $ 1,444,085  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

(1) Type of loan the borrowing facility is used to fully or partially fund – loans held for sale (“LHFS”) or loans held for investment (“LHFI”).

On March 25, 2015, the Company executed a temporary commitment increase agreement to the warehousing credit and security agreement related to Agency Warehouse Facility #1. The agreement provides a temporary $670.0 million increase in the maximum borrowing capacity to allow the Company to fund a specific portfolio of loans. The temporary increase is effective from the date of execution and expires on the earlier of the date the specific portfolio is sold or 50 days after execution. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

On April 10, 2015, the Company executed the second amendment to the credit and security agreement related to Interim Warehouse Facility #2. The amendment increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $200.0 million. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

On April 15, 2015, the Company executed the second amendment to the credit and security agreement related to Agency Warehouse Facility #3. The amendment increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $240.0 million and extended the maturity date to April 30, 2016. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

The warehouse notes payable and the note payable are subject to various financial covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with as of March 31, 2015.

NOTE 8—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company uses valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach, and/or the cost approach to measure assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

    Level 1—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.

 

    Level 2—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

    Level 3—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall valuation.

 

9


The Company’s MSRs are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The Company’s MSRs do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. While sales of multifamily MSRs do occur, precise terms and conditions vary with each transaction and are not readily available. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of the Company’s MSRs was developed using discounted cash flow models that calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The model considers contractually specified servicing fees, prepayment assumptions, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenue, costs to service, and other economic factors. The Company reassesses and periodically adjusts the underlying inputs and assumptions used in the model to reflect observable market conditions and assumptions that a market participant would consider in valuing an MSR asset. MSRs are carried at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:

 

    Derivative Instruments—The derivative positions consist of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale agreements. These instruments are valued using a discounted cash flow model developed based on changes in the U.S. Treasury rate and other observable market data. The value was determined after considering the potential impact of collateralization, adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company, and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

    Loans held for sale—The loans held for sale are reported at fair value. The Company determines the fair value of the loans held for sale using discounted cash flow models that incorporate quoted observable prices from market participants. Therefore, the Company classifies these loans held for sale as Level 2.

 

    Pledged Securities—The pledged securities are valued using quoted market prices from recent trades. Therefore, the Company classifies pledged securities as Level 1.

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy used to measure fair value:

 

     Quoted Prices in      Significant      Significant         
     Active Markets      Other      Other         
     For Identical      Observable      Unobservable         
     Assets      Inputs      Inputs      Balance as of  
(in thousands)    (Level 1)      (Level 2)      (Level 3)      Period End  

March 31, 2015

           

Assets

           

Loans held for sale

   $ —        $ 1,293,186      $ —        $ 1,293,186  

Pledged securities

     68,103         —          —          68,103   

Derivative assets

     —          —          38,495        38,495  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 68,103   $ 1,293,186   $ 38,495   $ 1,399,784  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities

$ —     $ —     $ 14,821   $ 14,821  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ —     $ —     $ 14,821   $ 14,821  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

Assets

Loans held for sale

$ —     $ 1,072,116   $ —     $ 1,072,116  

Pledged securities

  67,719     —       —       67,719  

Derivative assets

  —       —       14,535     14,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 67,719   $ 1,072,116   $ 14,535   $ 1,154,370  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities

$ —     $ —     $ 4,877   $ 4,877  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ —     $ —     $ 4,877   $ 4,877  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10


There were no transfers between any of the levels within the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Derivative instruments (Level 3) are outstanding for short periods of time (generally less than 60 days) and are not outstanding for more than one period. A roll forward of derivative instruments which require valuations based upon significant unobservable inputs, is presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs:
Derivative Instruments
 
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Derivative assets and liabilities, net

     

Beginning balance

   $ 9,658      $ 19,341  

Settlements

     (58,704 )      (40,368 )

Realized gains recorded in earnings (1)

     49,046        21,027  

Unrealized gains recorded in earnings (1)

     23,674        13,559  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 23,674   $ 13,559  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Realized and unrealized gains from derivatives are recognized in the Gains from mortgage banking activities line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table presents information about significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015:

 

     Quantitative Information about Level 3 Measurements  
(in thousands)    Fair Value      Valuation
Technique
   Unobservable
Input (1)
   Input Value (1)  

Derivative assets

   $ 38,495      Discounted cash
flow
   Counterparty
credit risk
     —    

Derivative liabilities

     14,821      Discounted cash
flow
   Counterparty
credit risk
     —    

 

(1) Significant increases (decreases) in this input may lead to significantly lower (higher) fair value measurements.

The carrying amounts and the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below:

 

     March 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
(in thousands)    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 65,516      $ 65,516      $ 113,354      $ 113,354  

Restricted cash

     21,794        21,794        13,854        13,854  

Pledged securities

     68,103        68,103        67,719        67,719  

Loans held for sale

     1,293,186        1,293,186        1,072,116        1,072,116  

Loans held for investment, net

     231,740        233,738        223,059        225,318  

Derivative assets

     38,495        38,495        14,535        14,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

$ 1,718,834   $ 1,720,832   $ 1,504,637   $ 1,506,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

Derivative liabilities

$ 14,821   $ 14,821   $ 4,877   $ 4,877  

Warehouse notes payable

  1,444,085     1,444,085     1,216,245     1,216,245  

Note payable

  171,393     172,813     171,766     173,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

$ 1,630,299   $ 1,631,719   $ 1,392,888   $ 1,394,372  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

11


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The carrying amounts, at face value or cost plus accrued interest, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments (Level 1).

Pledged Securities—Consist of highly liquid investments in commercial paper of AAA rated entities, investments in money market accounts invested in government securities, and investments in government guaranteed securities. Investments typically have maturities of 90 days or less and are valued using quoted market prices from recent trades.

Loans Held For Sale—Consist of originated loans that are generally transferred or sold within 60 days from the date that a mortgage loan is funded and are valued using discounted cash flow models that incorporate observable prices from market participants.

Loans Held For Investment—Consist of originated interim loans which the Company expects to hold for investment for the term of the loan, which is three years or less, and are valued using discounted cash flow models that incorporate primarily observable inputs from market participants and also credit-related adjustments, if applicable (Level 3). As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no credit-related adjustments were required.

Derivative Instruments—Consist of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale agreements. These instruments are valued using discounted cash flow models developed based on changes in the U.S. Treasury rate and other observable market data. The value is determined after considering the potential impact of collateralization, adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company.

Warehouse Notes Payable—Consist of borrowings outstanding under warehouse line agreements. The borrowing rates on the warehouse lines are based upon 30-day LIBOR plus a margin. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments and the monthly resetting of the index rate to prevailing market rates (Level 2).

Note Payable—Consist of borrowings outstanding under a term note agreement. The borrowing rate on the note payable is based upon 30-day LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The Company estimates the fair value by discounting the future cash flows at market rates (Level 2).

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Loans Held for Sale—In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual commitments to originate (purchase) and sell multifamily mortgage loans at fixed prices with fixed expiration dates. The commitments become effective when the borrowers “lock-in” a specified interest rate within time frames established by the Company. All mortgagors are evaluated for creditworthiness prior to the extension of the commitment. Market risk arises if interest rates move adversely between the time of the “lock-in” of rates by the borrower and the sale date of the loan to an investor.

To mitigate the effect of the interest rate risk inherent in providing rate lock commitments to borrowers, the Company’s policy is to enter into a sale commitment with the investor simultaneous with the rate lock commitment with the borrower. The sale contract with the investor locks in an interest rate and price for the sale of the loan. The terms of the contract with the investor and the rate lock with the borrower are matched in substantially all respects, with the objective of eliminating interest rate risk to the extent practical. Sale commitments with the investors have an expiration date that is longer than our related commitments to the borrower to allow, among other things, for the closing of the loan and processing of paperwork to deliver the loan into the sale commitment.

Both the rate lock commitments to borrowers and the forward sale contracts to buyers are undesignated derivatives and, accordingly, are marked to fair value through the Gains on mortgage banking activities line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The fair value of the Company’s rate lock commitments to borrowers and loans held for sale and the related input levels includes, as applicable:

 

    the assumed gain/loss of the expected resultant loan sale to the investor;

 

    the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loan (Level 2);

 

    the effects of interest rate movements between the date of the rate lock and the balance sheet date (Level 2); and

 

    the nonperformance risk of both the counterparty and the Company (Level 3).

The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to investors considers effects of interest rate movements between the trade date and the balance sheet date (Level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.

The assumed gain/loss considers the amount that the Company has discounted the price to the borrower from par for competitive reasons, if at all, and the expected net cash flows from servicing to be received upon securitization of the loan. The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loan is calculated pursuant to the valuation techniques described previously for mortgage servicing rights.

 

12


To calculate the effects of interest rate movements, the Company uses applicable published U.S. Treasury prices, and multiplies the price movement between the rate lock date and the balance sheet date by the notional loan commitment amount.

The fair value of the Company’s forward sales contracts to investors considers the market price movement of the same type of security between the trade date and the balance sheet date (Level 2). The market price changes are multiplied by the notional amount of the forward sales contracts to measure the fair value.

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate lock commitments and forward sales contracts is adjusted to reflect the risk that the agreement will not be fulfilled. The Company’s exposure to nonperformance in rate lock and forward sale contracts is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Given the credit quality of our counterparties, the short duration of interest rate lock commitments and forward sale contracts, and the Company’s historical experience with the agreements, the risk of nonperformance by the Company’s counterparties is not significant.

 

            Fair Value Adjustment Components     Balance Sheet Location  
(in thousands)    Notional or
Principal
Amount
     Assumed
Gain (Loss)
on Sale
     Interest Rate
Movement
Effect
    Total
Fair Value
Adjustment
    Derivative
Assets
     Derivative
Liabilities
    Fair Value
Adjustment
To Loans
Held for Sale
 

March 31, 2015

                 

Rate lock commitments

   $ 1,170,610      $ 28,412      $ 8,935     $ 37,347     $ 37,347      $ —        $ —     

Forward sale contracts

     2,447,266        —           (13,673 )     (13,673 )     1,148        (14,821 )     —     

Loans held for sale

     1,276,656        11,792        4,738       16,530       —           —          16,530  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

$ 40,204   $ —      $ 40,204   $ 38,495   $ (14,821 ) $ 16,530  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

Rate lock commitments

$ 472,558   $ 11,279   $ 273   $ 11,552   $ 11,552   $ —      $ —     

Forward sale contracts

  1,529,241     —        (1,894 )   (1,894 )   2,983     (4,877 )   —     

Loans held for sale

  1,056,683     13,812     1,621     15,433     —        —        15,433  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

$ 25,091   $ —      $ 25,091   $ 14,535   $ (4,877 ) $ 15,433  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 9—LITIGATION, COMMITMENTS, AND CONTINGENCIES

Fannie Mae DUS Related Commitments—Commitments for the origination and subsequent sale and delivery of loans to Fannie Mae represent those mortgage loan transactions where the borrower has locked an interest rate and scheduled closing and the Company has entered into a mandatory delivery commitment to sell the loan to Fannie Mae. As discussed in Note 8, the Company accounts for these commitments as derivatives recorded at fair value.

The Company is generally required to share the risk of any losses associated with loans sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program (the DUS risk-sharing obligations). The Company is required to secure this obligation by assigning restricted cash balances and securities to Fannie Mae. The amount of collateral required by Fannie Mae is a formulaic calculation at the loan level and considers the balance of the loan, the risk level of the loan, the age of the loan, and the level of risk-sharing. Fannie Mae requires restricted liquidity for Tier 2 loans of 75 basis points, which is funded over a 48-month period that begins upon delivery of the loan to Fannie Mae. Restricted liquidity held in the form of money market funds holding US Treasuries is discounted 5% for purposes of calculating compliance with the restricted liquidity requirements. As of March 31, 2015, the Company held all of its restricted liquidity in money market funds holding US Treasuries. Additionally, substantially all of the loans for which the Company has risk sharing are Tier 2 loans.

The Company is in compliance with the March 31, 2015 collateral requirements as outlined above. As of March 31, 2015, reserve requirements for the March 31, 2015 DUS loan portfolio will require the Company to fund $39.5 million in additional restricted liquidity over the next 48 months, assuming no further principal paydowns, prepayments, or defaults within our at risk portfolio. Fannie Mae periodically reassesses the DUS Capital Standards and may make changes to these standards in the future. The Company generates sufficient cash flow from its operations to meet these capital standards and does not expect any future changes to have a material impact on its future operations; however, any future changes to collateral requirements may adversely impact the Company’s available cash.

Fannie Mae has established benchmark standards for capital adequacy, and reserves the right to terminate the Company’s servicing authority for all or some of the portfolio if at any time it determines that the Company’s financial condition is not adequate to support its obligation under the DUS agreement. The Company is required to maintain acceptable net worth as defined in the agreement, and the Company satisfied the requirements as of March 31, 2015. The net worth requirement is derived primarily from unpaid balances on Fannie Mae loans and the level of risk sharing. At March 31, 2015, the net worth requirement was $99.8 million, and the Company’s net worth was $361.8 million, as measured at our wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was required to maintain at least $19.2 million of liquid assets to meet operational liquidity requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and Ginnie Mae. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had operational liquidity of $76.9 million, as measured at our wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC.

 

13


LitigationCapital Funding litigation—On February 17, 2010, Capital Funding Group, Inc. (“Capital Funding”) filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland against Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our wholly owned operating subsidiary, for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment and unfair competition arising out of an alleged agreement that Capital Funding had with Column Guaranteed, LLC (“Column”) to refinance a large portfolio of senior healthcare facilities located throughout the United States (the “Golden Living Facilities”). On November 17, 2010, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint adding Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its affiliates Column and Column Financial, Inc. as defendants. In December 2010, Column assumed the defense of the Company pursuant to an indemnification agreement. Capital Funding alleges that a contract existed between it and Column (and its affiliates) whereby Capital Funding allegedly had the right to perform the HUD refinancing for the Golden Living Facilities and according to which Capital Funding provided certain alleged proprietary information to Column and its affiliates relating to the acquisition of the Golden Living Facilities on a confidential basis. Capital Funding further alleges that Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as the alleged successor by merger to Column, is bound by Column’s alleged agreement with Capital Funding, and breached the agreement by taking for itself the opportunity to perform the HUD refinancing for the Golden Living Facilities.

Capital Funding further claims that Column and its affiliates and Walker & Dunlop, LLC breached the contract, were unjustly enriched, and committed unfair competition by using Capital Funding’s alleged proprietary information for certain allegedly unauthorized purposes. Capital Funding also asserts a separate unfair competition claim against Walker & Dunlop, LLC in which it alleges that Walker & Dunlop, LLC is improperly “taking credit” on its website for certain work actually performed by Capital Funding. Capital Funding seeks damages in excess of $30.0 million on each of the three claims asserted against all defendants, and an unspecified amount of damages on the separate claim for unfair competition against Walker & Dunlop, LLC. Capital Funding also seeks injunctive relief in connection with its unjust enrichment and unfair competition claims.

Pursuant to an agreement, dated January 30, 2009 (the “Column Transaction Agreement”), among Column, Walker & Dunlop, LLC, W&D, Inc. and Green Park Financial Limited Partnership, Column generally agreed to indemnify Walker & Dunlop, LLC against liability arising from Column’s conduct prior to Column’s transfer of the assets to Walker & Dunlop, LLC. However, pursuant to the Column Transaction Agreement, Column’s indemnification obligation arises only after Column receives a claim notice following the resolution of the litigation that specifies the amount of Walker & Dunlop, LLC’s claim.

To provide for greater certainty regarding Column’s indemnification obligations before the resolution of this litigation and to cap our total loss exposure, the Company secured a further agreement from Column in November 2010 confirming that it will indemnify the Company for any liabilities that arise as a result of this litigation. As part of this further indemnification agreement, in the event Column is required to pay the Company for any liabilities under the Capital Funding litigation that it otherwise would not have been obligated to pay under the Column Transaction Agreement, the Company will indemnify Column for an amount up to $3.0 million. Also as part of this further indemnification agreement, William Walker, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mallory Walker, former Chairman and current stockholder, in their individual capacities, agreed that if Column is required to indemnify the Company under this agreement and otherwise would not have been obligated to pay such amounts under the Column Transaction Agreement, Messrs. William Walker and Mallory Walker will pay any such amounts in excess of $3.0 million but equal to or less than $6.0 million. As a result of this agreement, the Company will have no liability or other obligation for any damage amounts in excess of $3.0 million arising out of this litigation. Although Column has assumed defense of the case for all defendants, and is paying applicable counsel fees, as a result of the indemnification claim procedures described above, the Company could be required to bear the significant costs of the litigation and any adverse judgment unless and until the Company is able to prevail on our indemnification claim. The Company believes that it will fully prevail on its indemnification claims against Column, and that the Company ultimately will incur no material loss as a result of this litigation, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Accordingly, we have not recorded a loss contingency for this litigation.

On July 19, 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case without prejudice. After the initial case was dismissed without prejudice, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint. In November 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland rejected the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Capital Funding filed a Second Amended Complaint that did not alter the claims at issue but revised their alleged damages. Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims, including two counts of breach of contract, two counts of promissory estoppel, two counts of unjust enrichment, and two counts of unfair competition. On April 30, 2013, the Court issued an Opinion and Order which granted the motion as to the promissory estoppel counts and one count of unjust enrichment. The Court denied the motion as to all remaining claims.

A two-week jury trial was held in July 2013. In the course of the trial, all but two of Capital Funding’s remaining claims were dismissed. Following the trial, the Court entered (i) a $1.8 million judgment against Credit Suisse and its affiliates on Capital Funding’s breach of contract claim and (ii) a $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse and its affiliates on Capital Funding’s unjust enrichment claim. Because the two claims arise from the same facts, Capital Funding agreed it may only collect on one of the judgments; following the verdict, Capital Funding “elected” to collect the $10.4 million judgment. The defendants filed a post judgment motion to reduce or set aside the judgment. On January 31, 2014 the Court ruled that the $10.4 million unjust enrichment judgment is vacated, and awarded Capital Funding the $1.8 million breach of contract judgment. On February 10, 2014, Capital Funding filed a motion with the Court seeking a new trial. On March 13, 2014, the Court denied Capital Funding’s motion for a new trial. Capital Funding filed an appeal with Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals, which was heard on December 10, 2014. We are awaiting a ruling on the appeal. As a result of an indemnification arrangement with Column, the Company’s loss exposure is limited to $3.0 million, and the Company believes that the indemnification fully covers the $1.8 million judgment.

 

14


LitigationCA Funds Group Litigation—In March 2012, the Company’s wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC (“IA Services”) engaged CA Funds Group, Inc. (“CAFG”) to provide, among other things, consulting services in connection with expanding the Company’s investment advisory services business. The engagement letter was supplemented in June 2012 to retain CAFG to engage in certain capital raising activities, primarily with respect to a potential commingled, open-ended Fund (“Fund”). The Fund was never launched by the Company. However, the Company independently formed a large loan bridge program (the “Bridge Program”), which is focused primarily on making floating-rate loans of up to three years of $25.0 million or more to experienced owners of multifamily properties. CAFG filed a breach of contract action captioned CA Funds Group, Inc. v. Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Walker & Dunlop, LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, seeking a placement fee in the amount of $5.1 million (plus interest and the costs of the suit) based upon the $380.0 million allegedly obtained for the Bridge Program. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on January 3, 2014, CAFG filed a response to the motion on January 31, 2014, and on March 21, 2014, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the complaint. Discovery has concluded. The Company intends to vigorously defend the matter and to file a motion for summary judgment.

The Company has not recorded a loss reserve for the aforementioned litigation as the Company does not believe that a loss is probable in either case. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending litigation and may be subject to consequences that could include fines, penalties, and other costs, and the Company’s reputation and business may be impacted. The Company believes that any liability that could be imposed on the Company in connection with the disposition of any pending lawsuits would not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

In the normal course of business, the Company may be party to various other claims and litigation, none of which the Company believes is material.

NOTE 10—EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following weighted average shares and share equivalents are used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share

     31,515        33,548  

Dilutive securities

     

Stock options

     949        311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share

  32,464     33,859  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The assumed proceeds used for calculating the dilutive impact of restricted stock awards under the treasury method includes the unrecognized compensation costs and excess tax benefits associated with the awards. The following table presents any average outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock and average restricted shares that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (the exercise price of the options or the grant date market price of the restricted shares was greater than the average market price of the Company’s shares during the periods presented).

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Average options

     776        493  

Average restricted shares

     —          159  

 

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NOTE 11—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

A summary of changes in stockholders’ equity is presented below:

 

                 Additional           Total  
     Common Stock     Paid-In     Retained     Stockholders’  
(in thousands)    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Equity  

Balances at December 31, 2014

     31,822     $ 318     $ 224,164     $ 208,969     $ 433,451  

Net income

     —         —         —         21,313       21,313  

Stock-based compensation

     —         —         3,931       —         3,931  

Issuance of common shares in connection with equity incentive plans

     162       2       2,817       —         2,819  

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

     (3,058 )     (31 )     (28,706 )     (19,067 )     (47,804 )

Tax shortfall from vesting of restricted shares

     —         —         (66 )     —         (66 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at March 31, 2015

  28,926   $ 289   $ 202,140   $ 211,215   $ 413,644  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 3.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $15.60 per share, which was below the market price at the time, and immediately retired the shares, reducing stockholders’ equity by $46.8 million.

NOTE 12—GOODWILL

A summary of the Company’s goodwill as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 follows:

 

     As of and for the three months ended March 31,  
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Beginning balance

   $ 74,525      $ 60,212  

Additions from acquisitions

     —          —    

Retrospective adjustments

     100        —    

Impairment

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 74,625   $ 60,212  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On September 25, 2014, the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Johnson Capital Group, Inc. (“Johnson Capital”). The acquisition of Johnson Capital closed on November 1, 2014 (the “JC Acquisition”). The Company provisionally allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired, separately identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed related to the JC Acquisition based on their estimated acquisition date fair values. A change to the provisional amounts recorded for assets acquired, identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed during the measurement period affects the amount of the purchase price allocated to goodwill. Such changes to the purchase price allocation during the measurement period are recorded as retrospective adjustments to the consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company identified immaterial adjustments to certain of the provisional amounts recorded as shown in the table above. The adjustments were recorded based on information obtained subsequent to the acquisition date that related to information that existed as of the acquisition date.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company has completed the accounting for the JC Acquisition as the Company has obtained all of the information it was seeking about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.

 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in those forward looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the 2014 Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Walker & Dunlop,” “we,” “us”), may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statement. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking:

 

    the future of the GSEs, including their origination capacities, and their impact on our business;

 

    the future funding level of HUD, including whether such funding level will be sufficient to support future firm commitment requests, and its impact on our business;

 

    changes to the interest rate environment and its impact on our business;

 

    our growth strategy;

 

    our projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations;

 

    our ability to obtain and maintain warehouse and other loan funding arrangements;

 

    availability of and our ability to retain qualified personnel and our ability to develop and retain relationships with borrowers, key principals and lenders;

 

    degree and nature of our competition;

 

    the outcome of pending litigation;

 

    changes in governmental regulations and policies, tax laws and rates, and similar matters and the impact of such regulations, policies, and actions;

 

    our ability to comply with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to us;

 

    trends in the commercial real estate finance market, interest rates, commercial real estate values, the credit and capital markets, or the general economy; and

 

    general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of our common stock.

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith projections, assumptions, and expectations, they are not guarantees of future results. Furthermore, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by applicable law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors.”

Business

We are one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. We originate, sell, and service a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products. Our clients are owners and developers of commercial real estate across the country. We originate and sell loans through the programs of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, and the Federal Housing Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with which we have long-established relationships. We retain servicing rights and asset management responsibilities on substantially all loans that we originate for GSE and HUD programs. We are approved as a Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS” ™) lender nationally, a Freddie Mac Program Plus™ lender in 22 states and the District of Columbia, a HUD Multifamily Accelerated Processing (“MAP”) lender nationally, a HUD LEAN lender nationally, and a Ginnie Mae issuer. We also broker loans for a number of life insurance companies, commercial banks, and other institutional investors, in which cases we do not fund the loan but rather act as a loan broker. We service some of the loans for which we act as a loan broker.

 

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We fund loans for GSE and HUD programs, generally through warehouse facility financings, and sell them to investors in accordance with the related loan sale commitment, which we obtain prior to loan closing. Proceeds from the sale of the loan are used to pay off the warehouse facility. The sale of the loan is typically completed within 60 days after the loan is closed, and we retain the right to service substantially all of these loans.

We recognize gains from mortgage banking activities when we commit to both make a loan to a borrower and sell that loan to an investor. The gains from mortgage banking activities reflect the fair value attributable to loan origination fees, premiums or losses on the sale of loans, net of any co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with servicing the loans, net of any guaranty obligations retained. We also generate revenue from net warehouse interest income we earn while the loan is held for sale through one of our warehouse facilities. Additionally, we generate net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment while they are outstanding.

We retain servicing rights on substantially all of the loans we originate and sell and generate revenues from the fees we receive for servicing the loans, from the interest income on escrow deposits held on behalf of borrowers, from late charges, and from other ancillary fees. Servicing fees are set at the time an investor agrees to purchase the loan and are generally paid monthly for the duration of the loan. Our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing arrangements generally provide for prepayment penalties to the Company in the event of a voluntary prepayment. For loans serviced outside of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we typically do not share in any such payments.

We are currently not exposed to interest rate risk during the loan commitment, closing, and delivery process. The sale or placement of each loan to an investor is negotiated prior to establishing the coupon rate for the loan. We also seek to mitigate the risk of a loan not closing. We have agreements in place with the GSEs and HUD that specify the cost of a failed loan delivery, also known as a pair off fee, in the event we fail to deliver the loan to the investor. To protect us against such pair off fees, we require a deposit from the borrower at rate lock that is typically more than the potential pair off fee. The deposit is returned to the borrower only once the loan is closed. Any potential loss from a catastrophic change in the property condition while the loan is held for sale using warehouse facility financing is mitigated through property insurance equal to replacement cost. We are also protected contractually from an investor’s failure to purchase the loan. We have experienced only two failed deliveries in our history and have not incurred a loss.

In cases where we do not fund the loan, we act as a loan broker and retain the right to service some of the loans. Our originators who focus on loan brokerage are engaged by borrowers to work with a variety of institutional lenders to find the most appropriate loan instrument for the borrowers’ needs. These loans are then funded directly by the institutional lender, and we receive an origination fee for placing the loan and a servicing fee for any loans we service.

We have risk-sharing obligations on substantially all loans we originate under the Fannie Mae DUS program. When a Fannie Mae DUS loan is subject to full risk-sharing, we absorb losses on the first 5% of the unpaid principal balance of a loan at the time of loss settlement, and above 5% we share a percentage of the loss with Fannie Mae, with our maximum loss capped at 20% of the original unpaid principal balance of the loan (subject to doubling or tripling if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if the loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae). We may, however, request modified risk-sharing at the time of origination, which reduces our potential risk-sharing losses from the levels described above. We occasionally request modified risk-sharing based on the size of the loan. We may also request modified risk-sharing on large transactions if we do not believe that we are being fully compensated for the risks of the transactions or to manage overall risk levels. Our current credit management policy is to cap each loan balance subject to full risk-sharing at $60 million. Accordingly, we generally elect to use modified risk-sharing for loans of more than $60 million in order to limit our maximum loss exposure on any one loan to $12 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). However, we may on occasion elect to originate a loan with full risk sharing even when the loan balance is greater than $60 million if we believe the loan characteristics support such an approach.

Our servicing fees for risk-sharing loans include compensation for the risk-sharing obligations and are larger than the servicing fees we receive from Fannie Mae for loans with no risk-sharing obligations. We receive a lower servicing fee for modified risk-sharing than for full risk-sharing.

We have an interim loan program offering floating-rate debt with original principal balances of generally up to $25.0 million, for terms of up to three years, to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing (the “Interim Program”). We underwrite all loans originated through the Interim Program. During the time that they are outstanding, we assume the full risk of loss on the loans. In addition, we service and asset-manage loans originated through the Interim Program, with the ultimate goal of providing permanent financing on the properties.

Through a partnership in which we own a 5% interest (the “Bridge Partnership”), we offer large floating-rate loans to experienced borrowers seeking to acquire or reposition multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing (the “Bridge Program”). The Bridge Program is generally offered for loans of $25.0 million or more and for terms of up to three years. The loans in the Bridge Program are selected and funded by the partnership and underwritten by us. We receive an asset management fee on the invested capital for managing the Bridge Program and servicing the loans. The Bridge Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans.

 

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We own a 20% interest in a partnership with a large institutional investor (the “CMBS Partnership”). The CMBS Partnership offers financing through a commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”) platform for all commercial property types throughout the United States (the “CMBS Program”). The CMBS Partnership expects to sell all loans originated by it into secondary securitization offerings within 90 days of origination. The loans in the CMBS Partnership are selected and funded by the CMBS Partnership and underwritten by us. We receive a fee for servicing the loans. The CMBS Partnership assumes the full risk of loss on the loans while it holds the loans.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, and all material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors management believes to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. We believe the following critical accounting policies represent the areas where more significant judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSRs) and Guaranty Obligations. MSRs are recorded at fair value at loan sale. The fair value is based on estimates of expected net cash flows associated with the servicing rights and takes into consideration an estimate of loan prepayment. The estimated net cash flows are discounted at a rate that reflects the credit and liquidity risk of the MSR over the estimated life of the underlying loan. The discount rates used throughout the periods presented were between 10-15% and varied based on the loan type. The life of the underlying loan is estimated giving consideration to the prepayment provisions in the loan. Our model assumes full prepayment of the loan at or near the point where the prepayment provisions have expired. We only recognize MSRs for GSE and HUD originations. We do not recognize MSRs for brokered transactions since we do not originate and sell the loan.

In addition to the MSR, for all Fannie Mae DUS loans with risk-sharing obligations, upon sale we record the greater of (1) the fair value of the obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guaranty (non-contingent obligation) and (2) the fair value of the expected loss from the risk-sharing obligations in the event of a borrower default (contingent obligation). In determining the fair value of the guaranty obligation, we consider the risk profile of the collateral, historical loss experience, and various market indicators. Generally, the estimated fair value of the guaranty obligation is based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be paid under the guaranty over the life of the loan (three to five basis points annually for the periods presented), discounted using a 12-15% discount rate for the periods presented. Historically, the contingent obligation has been de minimis upon loan sale and thus not recognized at that time. The discount rate used to calculate the guaranty obligation is consistent with what is used to calculate the corresponding MSR. The estimated life of the guaranty obligation is the estimated period over which we believe we will be required to stand ready under the guaranty.

The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of MSRs and guaranty obligations at loan sale are based on internal models and are compared to assumptions used by other market participants periodically. Due to the relatively few transactions in the multifamily MSR market, we have experienced little volatility in the assumptions we use during the periods presented, including the most-significant assumption – the discount rate. Additionally, we do not expect to see much volatility in the assumptions for the foreseeable future. Management actively monitors the assumptions used and makes adjustments to those assumptions when market conditions change or other factors indicate such adjustments are warranted. We carry MSRs at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and evaluate the carrying value for impairment on a portfolio basis quarterly. We engage a third party to assist in determining an estimated fair value of our MSRs on a semi-annual basis.

The MSR and associated guaranty obligation are amortized into expense over the estimated life of the loan and presented as a component of the Amortization and depreciation line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The MSR is amortized using the interest method over the period that servicing income is expected to be received. The guaranty obligation is amortized evenly over its expected life. If a loan defaults and is not expected to become current or pays off prior to the estimated life, the unamortized MSR and guaranty obligation balances are written off through the Amortization and depreciation line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Allowance for Risk-sharing Obligations and Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for risk-sharing obligations relates to our at risk servicing portfolio and is presented as a separate liability within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The allowance for loan losses relates to our loans held for investment from our Interim Program and is included as a component of Loans held for investment, net within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of each of these allowances considers our assessment of the likelihood of repayment by the borrower or key principal(s), the risk characteristics of the loan, the loan’s risk rating, historical loss experience, adverse situations affecting individual loans, the estimated disposition value of the underlying collateral, and the level of risk sharing, which for loans held for investment is 100%. Historically, initial loss recognition occurs at or before a loan becomes 60 days delinquent. We regularly monitor each allowance on all applicable loans and update loss estimates as current information is received. The Provision (benefit) for credit losses line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income reflects the income statement impact of changes to both the allowance for risk-sharing obligations and allowance for loan losses.

 

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We evaluate all of our loans held for investment for impairment quarterly. Our impairment evaluation focuses primarily on payment status and property financial performance. We consider a loan impaired when the current facts and circumstances suggest it is not probable that we will collect all contractually due principal and interest payments. When a loan is not considered impaired, we apply a collective allowance that is based on recent historical loss probability and historical loss rates incurred in our risk-sharing portfolio, adjusted as needed for current market conditions (“loss factors”). We use the loss experience from our risk-sharing portfolio as a proxy for losses incurred in our loans held for investment portfolio since (i) we have not experienced any actual losses related to our loans held for investment to date and (ii) the loans in the loans held for investment portfolio have similar characteristics to loans held in the risk-sharing portfolio. Since the inception of the Interim Program, we have not had any delinquent or impaired loans or charged off any loans. The historical loss factors are updated quarterly. We have not experienced significant change in the loss factors during the periods presented in the financial statements. These loss factors may change in the future as economic and market conditions change and as the Interim Program matures.

We perform a quarterly evaluation of all of our risk-sharing loans to determine whether a loss is probable. Our process for identifying which risk-sharing loans may be probable of loss consists of an assessment of several qualitative and quantitative factors including payment status, property financial performance, local real estate market conditions, loan to value ratio, debt service coverage ratio, and property condition. When we believe a loss is probable for a specific loan, we record an allowance for that loan. The allowance is based on the estimate of the property fair value less selling and property preservation costs and considers the loss-sharing requirements detailed below in the “Credit Quality and Allowance for Risk-Sharing Obligations” section. The estimate of property fair value at initial recognition of the allowance for risk-sharing obligations is based on broker opinions of value or appraisals. The allowance for risk-sharing obligations is updated as any additional information is received until the loss is settled with Fannie Mae. The settlement with Fannie Mae is based on the actual sales price of the property and selling and property preservation costs and considers the Fannie Mae loss-sharing requirements. Historically, the initial allowance for risk-sharing obligation has not varied significantly from the final settlement. We are uncertain whether such a trend will continue in the future.

Overview of Current Business Environment

The fundamentals of the commercial and multifamily real estate market are strong. Multifamily occupancy rates and effective rents continue to increase based upon strengthening rental market demand while delinquency rates remain at historic lows, all of which aid loan performance due to their importance to the cash flows of the underlying properties. Most other commercial real estate asset classes saw similar improvements. The increased demand and cash flows have boosted the value of many commercial and multifamily properties towards the high end of the historical ranges.

In addition to the improved property fundamentals, for the last several years, the U.S. commercial mortgage market has experienced historically low interest rates, leading many borrowers to seek refinancing prior to the scheduled maturity date of their loans. As borrowers have sought to take advantage of the interest rate environment and improved property fundamentals, the number of lenders and amount of capital available to lend have increased dramatically. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, commercial and multifamily loan maturities are expected to increase dramatically beginning in 2015 and continuing through the end of 2017, as the loans originated at the height of the CMBS market begin maturing a decade later. All of these factors have benefited our origination volumes over the past few quarters, and in particular this quarter, as evidenced by the 175% year-over-year growth in origination volumes during the first quarter of 2015. Competition amongst banks, life insurance companies, the GSEs, HUD, and CMBS conduits remains fierce, putting downward pressure on our gains from mortgage banking margins during this period.

With property values for many fully leased commercial and multifamily assets at their highest point in recent years with near historic lows in capitalization rates and greatly improved property fundamentals, it has been difficult for borrowers to generate desired returns. As a result, many of our borrowers are seeking higher returns by identifying and acquiring the transitional properties that the Interim Program and the Bridge Program are designed to address. The growth in transitional lending was evident in 2014, as we originated $339.8 million of interim loans for our balance sheet compared to $147.8 million in 2013. We expect interim loan financing to be an active market in 2015. The demand for transitional lending has brought increased competition from lenders, specifically banks, life insurance companies, and, more recently, the GSEs. All are actively pursuing transitional properties by leveraging their low cost of capital and desire for short-term, high-yield commercial real estate investments.

The GSEs remain the most significant providers of capital to the multifamily market. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (“FHFA”) 2014 GSE Scorecard, released in May 2014, limited Fannie Mae to $30.0 billion of multifamily loan originations and Freddie Mac to $26.0 billion of multifamily loan originations (the “2014 Caps”). Affordable housing loans, loans to small multifamily properties, and manufactured housing rental community loans were not subject to the limitations of the 2014 Caps. Combined, the GSEs originated $57.2 billion of business in 2014. The FHFA released its 2015 GSE Scorecard in January 2015. Fannie Mae’s loan origination caps remained unchanged, while Freddie Mac’s cap increased to $30.0 billion (“2015 Caps”). Affordable housing loans, loans to small multifamily properties, and manufactured housing rental community loans continue to be outside of the loan origination caps.

In 2014, we originated $7.6 billion of multifamily mortgages with the GSEs, up $3.2 billion, or 71% year over year. In the first half of 2014, GSE originations were negatively impacted by the trough in mortgage maturities as well as the uncertainty caused by the delayed release of the 2014 scorecard. The uncertainty resulted in a decrease in GSE loan origination volume for the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Following the release of the scorecard in May 2014, the GSEs actively competed for new deal flow and originated new loans at an increased level during the second half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Given the early announcement of the 2015 Caps and the positive market fundamentals underlying multifamily real estate, the GSEs were very active during the first quarter of 2015, originating $20.4 billion of multifamily loans.

 

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Due to the GSEs’ strong start to the year, there has been significant discussion about whether or when they will hit the 2015 Caps. This issue is being actively discussed by the GSEs and the industry with the FHFA. It is unknown whether any action will be taken by the FHFA relative to the 2015 Caps. In the meantime, however, the GSEs are managing to the current caps through a combination of increased pricing and enhanced underwriting. The GSEs continue to actively quote affordable, manufactured housing, and small loan business as those asset classes are not subject to the 2015 Caps. We expect the GSEs to remain active and competitive for new deals in 2015. Our originations with the GSEs are some of our most profitable executions as they provide significant non-cash gains from mortgage servicing rights. While it is not expected, a decline in GSE originations would negatively impact our financial results as our non-cash revenues would decrease disproportionately with loan origination volumes. We do not know whether the FHFA will impose stricter limitations on GSE multifamily production volume in 2016 and beyond.

In response to increased demand from life insurance companies, banks, and CMBS for long-term, fixed-rate commercial and multifamily loans, and in preparation for the 2015-2017 wave of maturities, we have significantly grown our Capital Markets platform over the past few years, adding origination talent across the United States. 2014 was a down year for commercial real estate loan maturities, with maturities hitting their lowest levels since 2009. As a result, our brokered originations increased only a 1% in 2014. Commercial and multifamily loan maturities are expected to increase over 30% in 2015 when compared to 2014. In addition, notes from recent Federal Reserve meetings suggest that an increase in interest rates may not occur until late in 2015. As a result, some borrowers appear to be accelerating their refinancing in order to take advantage of the current rate environment, leading to higher loan origination volumes than anticipated across the industry. While we expect the GSEs to continue to be very active in 2015, the apparent appetite for debt funding within the broader commercial real estate market coupled with the acquisition of Johnson Capital should allow for significant growth in our brokered originations in 2015, as evidenced by the 83% year-over-year growth in brokered origination volumes we experienced in the first quarter of 2015.

In addition to banks and life insurance companies, there has been a recent increase in demand for CMBS bonds backed by commercial and multifamily mortgages. The peak of the CMBS market was between 2005 and 2007, and after its collapse in 2008, CMBS originations were close to zero. However, in recent years, the demand for commercial and multifamily bonds has increased and we have experienced increased competition from an ever-growing CMBS mortgage origination market. According to Commercial Mortgage Alert (“CMA”), there are 36 CMBS lenders today, and originations from commercial and multifamily CMBS lenders were $94.1 billion in 2014, up 9% from 2013 and up from almost zero five years ago. CMA also forecasts that the CMBS origination market will increase to $124.0 billion in 2015 as the first wave of CMBS refinancing begins. It is the increased demand for CMBS bonds backed by commercial and multifamily mortgages and the expected wave of refinancing activity upcoming in the next three years that led us to form the CMBS Partnership. We originated $89.5 million of loans for the CMBS Partnership in 2014, and the CMBS Partnership participated in two third-party securitizations in 2014, contributing $116.1 million of assets to the securitizations. During the first quarter of 2015, the CMBS Partnership participated in one third-party securitization, contributing $46.8 million of assets to the securitization. Participating in these securitizations in 2014 and 2015 is an important step for our CMBS Partnership and positions us to actively participate in the upcoming wave of refinancing.

The positive market dynamics that have benefitted the GSEs and broader capital markets have had the opposite effect on HUD’s multifamily business. As the economy has recovered and bank and CMBS capital has re-entered the market, borrowers have shied away from the long lead times required to secure a HUD loan. As a result, we originated $156.9 million of loans with HUD in the first quarter of 2015, down 39% from the first quarter of 2014. As HUD’s multifamily business has declined, several of our competitors have diverted resources and capital away from their HUD businesses. We, on the other hand, have remained active in the HUD multifamily business, adding resources and scale to our HUD business, particularly in the area of seniors housing and skilled nursing, where HUD remains the dominant provider of capital. HUD maintains its $30.0 billion capital allocation for its 2015 fiscal year, although we believe it is unlikely HUD will reach that limit.

Results of Operations

Following is a discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Our quarterly results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future, reflecting the interest-rate environment, the volume of transactions, regulatory actions, and general economic conditions. Please refer to the table below, which provides supplemental data regarding our financial performance.

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA

 

     For the three months
ended March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands )    2015     2014  

Origination Data:

    

Fannie Mae

   $ 1,362,664     $ 459,281  

Freddie Mac

     1,996,002       368,437  

Ginnie Mae - HUD

     156,949       257,783  

Brokered (1)

     760,263       415,825  

Interim Loans

     8,420       81,250  

CMBS (2)

     64,100       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Originations

$ 4,348,398   $ 1,582,576  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Key Performance Metrics:

Operating margin

  32   18

Return on equity

  20   7

Net income

$ 21,313    $ 7,144   

Adjusted EBITDA (3)

$ 35,408    $ 19,793   

Diluted EPS

$ 0.66    $ 0.21   

Key Expense Metrics (as a percentage of total revenues):

Personnel expenses

  36   38

Other operating expenses

  8   12

Key Origination Metrics (as a percentage of origination volume):

Origination related fees

  0.95   1.31

Fair value of MSRs created, net

  0.72   0.88

Fair value of MSRs created, net as a percentage of GSE and HUD origination volume (4)

  0.89   1.28
     As of March 31,  
     2015     2014  

Servicing Portfolio by Product:

    

Fannie Mae

   $ 20,801,580     $ 19,046,644  

Freddie Mac

     14,545,426       10,472,763  

Ginnie Mae - HUD

     5,775,968       5,099,601  

Brokered (1)

     4,498,161       4,102,707  

Interim Loans

     233,738       187,150  

CMBS (5)

     211,787       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Servicing Portfolio

$ 46,066,660   $ 38,908,865  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Key Servicing Metric (end of period):

Weighted-average servicing fee rate

  0.24   0.24

 

(1) Brokered transactions for commercial mortgage backed securities, life insurance companies, and commercial banks.
(2) Brokered transactions for the CMBS Partnership. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the CMBS Partnership’s loan originations totaled $95.9 million.
(3) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information on adjusted EBITDA, refer to the section below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(4) The fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained, as a percentage of GSE and HUD volume. No MSRs are recorded for “brokered” transactions or Interim Program originations.
(5) All loans originated by the CMBS Partnership, whether brokered by us or not, are serviced by us.

 

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The following table presents a period-to-period comparison of our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

     For the three months
ended March 31,
     Dollar      Percentage  
(dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      Change      Change  

Revenues

           

Gains from mortgage banking activities

   $ 72,720      $ 34,586      $ 38,134        110

Servicing fees

     26,841        23,343        3,498        15

Net warehouse interest income

     4,354        2,236        2,118        95

Escrow earnings and other interest income

     787        1,075        (288 )      -27

Other

     7,419        3,593        3,826        106
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total revenues

$ 112,121   $ 64,833   $ 47,288     73
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Expenses

Personnel

$ 40,045   $ 24,535   $ 15,510     63

Amortization and depreciation

  24,674     18,459     6,215     34

Provision (benefit) for credit losses

  84     (171 )   255     -149

Interest expense on corporate debt

  2,477     2,573     (96 )   -4

Other operating expenses

  9,435     7,527     1,908     25
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total expenses

$ 76,715   $ 52,923   $ 23,792     45
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Income from operations before income taxes

  35,406     11,910     23,496     197

Income tax expense

  14,093     4,766     9,327     196
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net income

$ 21,313   $ 7,144   $ 14,169     198
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Overview

The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to increases in gains from mortgage banking activities, servicing fees, and other revenues. The increase in gains from mortgage banking activities was due to the significant growth in loan origination volumes period over period. The increase in loan origination volumes is largely attributable to an increase in GSE loan origination volumes, which was the result of the GSEs more actively competing for new deal flow during the current period and the wave of refinancing activity as more fully discussed above in the Overview of Business Environment section. The increase in servicing fees was due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio, and the increase in other revenues was due to an increase in prepayment fees. The increase in expenses was primarily the result of increased commission costs due to increased loan origination volumes and increased bonus expense due to our improved financial results year over year. Additionally, amortization and depreciation expense increased primarily due to a rise in net write-offs of MSRs due to prepayment.

Revenues

Gains from Mortgage Banking Activities. Gains from mortgage banking activities reflect the fair value of loan origination fees, the fair value of loan premiums, net of any co-broker fees, and the fair value of the expected net cash flows associated with the servicing of the loan, net of any guaranty obligations retained (“MSR income”). The increase was primarily attributable to a 175% increase in the volume of loans originated year over year, partially offset by an 18% decrease in MSR income as a percentage of loan origination volumes (“MSR rate”) and a 27% decrease in origination fees as a percentage of loan origination volumes (“origination fee rate”).

Loan origination volume increased to $4.3 billion in 2015 from $1.6 billion in 2014, a 175% increase. The increase is principally attributable to increases in GSE and brokered loan origination volumes. See the Overview of Business Environment section above for a detailed discussion of the increases in GSE and brokered loan origination volumes. The decreases in the MSR rate and the origination fee rate were the result of (i) the increased competition for multifamily and other commercial real estate loan originations as discussed more fully above in the Overview of Current Business Environment section, (ii) a large increase in adjustable rate loan origination volume as a percentage of loan origination volume, and (iii) a larger average size of loans originated year over year. We generally receive lower origination and servicing fees for larger loans, and we record smaller MSR income for adjustable rate loans than we do for fixed rate loans.

Servicing Fees. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the servicing portfolio due to new loan originations. The average servicing portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $45.0 billion compared to $39.0 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Net Warehouse Interest Income. The increase is related to a $1.1 million increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale and a $1.0 million increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment. The increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale was primarily attributable to a 257% increase in the average daily outstanding warehouse balance, partially offset by a 51% decrease in the net warehouse margin. The average loans held for sale balance increased from $0.3 billion during 2014 to $1.0 billion during 2015. The increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for investment was substantially the result of an increase in the average balance of loans outstanding from $154.9 million during 2014 to $227.4 million during 2015.

 

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Other. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in prepayment fees of $3.3 million from 2014 to 2015.

Expenses

Personnel. The increase was principally the result of higher commission costs due to higher loan origination volumes year over year and increased bonus expense due to our improved financial results year over year.

Amortization and Depreciation. The increase was primarily attributable to loan origination activity and the resulting growth in the capitalization of MSRs year over year. Also included in amortization and depreciation are write-offs of MSRs resulting from the prepayment or default of the underlying loan prior to its scheduled maturity. During 2015, write-offs of MSRs increased $4.2 million from the prior year to $5.7 million.

Other Operating Expenses. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in travel and entertainment expense and professional fees. The increase in travel and entertainment expense relates to an increase in average headcount year over year. The increase in professional fees is due to accounting, tax, and legal costs associated with acquisitions and the secondary offering of our stock, for which there was no comparable expense in the prior year.

Income Tax Expense. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to the increase in income from operations.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we use adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. The presentation of adjusted EBITDA financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. When analyzing our operating performance, readers should use adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative to, net income. Adjusted EBITDA represents GAAP net income before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense on our term loan facility, amortization and depreciation, provision (benefit) for credit losses net of write-offs, stock-based incentive compensation charges, and non-cash revenues such as gains attributable to MSRs. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for our management’s discretionary use, as it does not reflect certain cash requirements such as tax and debt service payments. The amounts shown for adjusted EBITDA may also differ from the amounts calculated under similarly titled definitions in our debt instruments, which are further adjusted to reflect certain other cash and non-cash charges that are used to determine compliance with financial covenants.

We use adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with forecasts and strategic plans, and for benchmarking performance externally against competitors. We believe that adjusted EBITDA, when read in conjunction with our GAAP financials, provides useful information to investors by offering:

 

    the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our on-going operating results;

 

    the ability to better identify trends in our underlying business and perform related trend analyses; and

 

    a better understanding of how management plans and measures our underlying business.

We believe that adjusted EBITDA has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that adjusted EBITDA should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measure. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows:

ADJUSTED FINANCIAL METRIC RECONCILIATION TO GAAP

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)    2015      2014  

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

     

GAAP net income

   $ 21,313       $ 7,144   

Recurring Adjustments:

     

Income tax expense

     14,093         4,766   

Interest expense

     2,477         2,573   

Amortization and depreciation

     24,674         18,459   

Provision (benefit) for credit losses

     84         (171

Net write-offs

     —          (1,361

Stock compensation expense

     4,084         2,271   

Gains attributable to mortgage servicing rights (1)

     (31,317      (13,888
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$     35,408    $     19,793   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the fair value of the expected net cash flows from servicing recognized at commitment, net of the expected guaranty obligation.

The following table presents a period-to-period comparison of our non-GAAP financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

     For the three months
ended March 31,
     Dollar      Percentage  
(dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      Change      Change  

Origination fees

   $ 41,403      $ 20,698      $ 20,705        100

Servicing fees

     26,841        23,343        3,498        15

Net warehouse interest income

     4,354        2,236        2,118        95

Escrow earnings and other interest income

     787        1,075        (288 )      -27

Other

     7,419        3,593        3,826        106

Personnel

     (35,961 )      (22,264 )      (13,697 )      62

Net write-offs

     —          (1,361 )      1,361        -100

Other operating expenses

     (9,435 )      (7,527 )      (1,908 )      25
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 35,408   $ 19,793   $ 15,615     79
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Adjusted EBITDA. See the table above for the components of the change in adjusted EBITDA. The increase in origination fees is largely related to the significant increase in the volume of loans originated, partially offset by a decrease in the origination fee rate year over year. Servicing fees increased due to an increase in the average servicing portfolio year over year as a result of new loan originations. Net warehouse interest income increased largely due to an increase in the average outstanding balances of loans held for sale and loans held for investment year over year. Other revenues increased primarily due to a rise in prepayment fees. The increase in personnel expense was primarily due to an increase in commission costs due to higher loan origination volume and increased bonus expense due to our improved financial results year over year. The decrease in net write offs was due to a decrease in the volume of risk-sharing losses settled with Fannie Mae. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we did not settle any losses with Fannie Mae. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we settled the losses related to three risk-sharing loans that had previously defaulted. Other operating expenses increased primarily as a result of increases in travel and entertainment expense and professional fees.

Financial Condition

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operations are generated from loan sales, servicing fees, escrow earnings, net warehouse interest income and other income, net of loan purchases and operating costs. Our cash flows from operations are impacted by the fees generated by our loan originations, the timing of loan closings, and the period of time loans are held for sale in the warehouse loan facility, prior to delivery to the investor.

 

25


Cash Flow from Investing Activities

We usually lease facilities and equipment for our operations. However, when necessary and cost effective, we invest cash in property, plant and equipment.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

We use our warehouse loan facilities and our corporate cash to fund loan closings. We believe that our current warehouse loan facilities are adequate to meet our increasing loan origination needs. Historically, we have used long-term debt to fund acquisitions, repurchase shares, and fund loans held for investment.

We currently do not pay dividends on our common stock and historically have not done so either.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

The following table presents a period-to-period comparison of the significant components of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

SIGNIFICANT COMPONENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,      Dollar      Percentage  
(dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      Change      Change  

Net cash provided by (uesd in) operating activities

   $ (220,659 )    $ (74,918 )    $ (145,741 )      195

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (8,868 )      (51,682 )      42,814        -83

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     181,689        19,286        162,403        842

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 65,516      $ 63,249      $ 2,267        4

Cash flows from operating activities

           

Net receipt (use) of cash for loan origination activity

   $ (219,973 )    $ (73,618 )    $ (146,355 )      199

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, excluding loan origination activity

   $ (686 )    $ (1,300 )    $ 614        -47

Cash flows from investing activities

           

Originations of loans held for investment

   $ (8,420 )    $ (81,250 )    $ 72,830        -90

Principal collected on loans held for investment

     —          29,720        (29,720 )      -100
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment in loans held for investment

$ (8,420 ) $ (51,530 ) $ 43,110     -84

Cash flows from financing activities

Borrowings (repayments) of warehouse notes payable, net

$     221,525   $     16,333   $ 205,192     1256

Borrowings of interim warehouse notes payable

  6,315     59,570     (53,255 )   -89

Repayments of interim warehouse notes payable

  —       (21,653 )   21,653     -100

Repurchase of common stock

$ (47,804 ) $ (35,897 ) $ (11,907 )   33

Changes in cash flows from operations were driven primarily by loans acquired and sold. Such loans are held for short periods of time, generally less than 60 days, and impact cash flows presented as of a point in time. The decrease in cash flows from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is primarily attributable to the net use of $220.0 million for the funding of loan originations, net of sales of loans to third parties during 2015 compared to the net use of $73.6 million from funding loan originations, net of sales to third parties during 2014. Excluding cash provided by and used for the sale and purchase of loans, cash flows used in operations was $0.7 million during 2015 compared to $1.3 million during 2014.

The decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily attributable to the net investment of $8.4 million in loans held for investment during 2015 compared to $51.5 million during 2014. Of the $8.4 million net investment in loans held for investment during 2015, $6.3 million was funded using interim warehouse borrowings, with the other $2.1 million funded using corporate cash. Of the $51.5 million of the net investment in loans held for investment during 2014, $38.5 was funded using interim warehouse borrowings, with the remaining $13.0 million funded using corporate cash.

The increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable to increased borrowings of warehouse notes payable and a reduction in repayments of interim warehouse notes payable, partially offset by an increase in cash used to repurchase and retire shares of our common stock and a decrease in borrowings of interim warehouse notes payable. The increase in borrowings of warehouse notes payable was largely attributable to the increased loan origination volume year over year. The decrease in net borrowings of interim warehouse notes payable was due to a decrease in the net investment in loans held for investment noted above.

 

26


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Uses of Liquidity, Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash flow requirements consist of (i) short-term liquidity necessary to fund mortgage loans and (ii) working capital to support our day-to-day operations, including debt service payments, servicing advances consisting of principal and interest advances for Fannie Mae or HUD loans that become delinquent, and advances on insurance and tax payments if the escrow funds are insufficient.

We also require working capital to satisfy collateral requirements for our Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing obligations and to meet the operational liquidity requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, Ginnie Mae, and our warehouse facility lenders. Congress and other governmental authorities have also suggested that lenders may be required to retain on their balance sheet a portion of the loans that they originate, although no regulation has yet been implemented.

Fannie Mae has established benchmark standards for capital adequacy, and reserves the right to terminate our servicing authority for all or some of the portfolio if at any time it determines that our financial condition is not adequate to support our obligations under the DUS agreement. We are required to maintain acceptable net worth as defined in the standards, and we satisfied the requirements as of March 31, 2015. The net worth requirement is derived primarily from unpaid balances on Fannie Mae loans and the level of risk-sharing. At March 31, 2015, the net worth requirement was $99.8 million and our net worth was $361.8 million, as measured at our wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC. As of March 31, 2015, we were required to maintain at least $19.2 million of liquid assets to meet our operational liquidity requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, Ginnie Mae and our warehouse facility lenders. As of March 31, 2015, we had operational liquidity of $76.9 million, as measured at our wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop, LLC.

We currently retain all future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business and therefore do not pay cash dividends on our common stock. Over the past 15 months, we have repurchased 5.5 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $82.3 million. We may opportunistically repurchase additional stock if we believe market conditions support such activity.

Historically, our cash flows from operations and warehouse facilities have been sufficient to enable us to meet our short-term liquidity needs and other funding requirements. We believe that cash flows from operations will continue to be sufficient for us to meet our current obligations for the foreseeable future.

Restricted Cash and Pledged Securities

Restricted cash consists primarily of good faith deposits held on behalf of borrowers between the time we enter into a loan commitment with the borrower and the investor purchases the loan. We are generally required to share the risk of any losses associated with loans sold under the Fannie Mae DUS program (the DUS risk-sharing obligations). We are required to secure this obligation by assigning collateral to Fannie Mae. We meet this obligation by assigning pledged securities to Fannie Mae. The amount of collateral required by Fannie Mae is a formulaic calculation at the loan level and considers the balance of the loan, the risk level of the loan, the age of the loan, and the level of risk-sharing. Fannie Mae requires collateral for Tier 2 loans of 75 basis points, which is funded over a 48-month period that begins upon delivery of the loan to Fannie Mae. Collateral held in the form of money market funds holding US Treasuries is discounted 5% for purposes of calculating compliance with the collateral requirements. As of March 31, 2015, we held substantially all of our restricted liquidity in money market funds holding US Treasuries in the aggregate amount of $66.5 million. Additionally, substantially all of the loans for which we have risk sharing are Tier 2 loans. We fund any growth in our Fannie Mae required operational liquidity and collateral requirements from our working capital.

We are in compliance with the March 31, 2015 collateral requirements as outlined above. As of March 31, 2015, reserve requirements for the March 31, 2015 DUS loan portfolio will require us to fund $39.5 million in additional restricted liquidity over the next 48 months, assuming no further principal paydowns, prepayments, or defaults within our at risk portfolio. Fannie Mae periodically reassesses the DUS Capital Standards and may make changes to these standards in the future. We generate sufficient cash flow from our operations to meet these capital standards and do not expect any future changes to have a material impact on our future operations; however, any future changes to collateral requirements may adversely impact our available cash.

Under the provisions of the DUS agreement, we must also maintain a certain level of liquid assets referred to as the operational and unrestricted portions of the required reserves each year. We satisfied these requirements as of March 31, 2015.

 

27


Sources of Liquidity: Warehouse Facilities

The following table provides information related to our warehouse facilities as of March 31, 2015.

 

     March 31, 2015       
     Maximum      Outstanding       
(dollars in thousands)    Amount      Balance     

Interest rate

Facility

        

Agency warehouse facility #1

   $ 1,095,000      $ 824,829      30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #2

     650,000        244,554      30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%

Agency warehouse facility #3

     200,000        160,013      30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%

Fannie Mae repurchase agreement, uncommited line and open maturity

     400,000        47,202      30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total agency warehouse facilities

$ 2,345,000   $ 1,276,598  

Interim warehouse facility #1

$ 75,000   $ 59,815   30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #2

  135,000     81,123   30-day LIBOR plus 2.00%

Interim warehouse facility #3

  50,000     26,549   30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.50%
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total interim warehouse facilities

$ 260,000   $ 167,487  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total warehouse facilities

$ 2,605,000   $ 1,444,085  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Agency Warehouse Facilities

To provide financing to borrowers under GSE and HUD programs, we have four warehouse facilities that we use to fund substantially all of our loan originations. As of March 31, 2015, we had three committed warehouse lines of credit in the aggregate amount of $1.9 billion with certain national banks and a $0.4 billion uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae (“Agency Warehouse Facilities”). Consistent with industry practice, three of these facilities are revolving commitments we expect to renew annually and the other facility is provided on an uncommitted basis without a specific maturity date. Our ability to originate mortgage loans depends upon our ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

Agency Warehouse Facility #1:

We have a warehousing credit and security agreement with a national bank for a committed warehouse line that is scheduled to mature on November 2, 2015. The total commitment amount of $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2015 consists of a base committed amount of $425.0 million and a temporary increase of $670.0 million, as more fully described below. The warehousing credit and security agreement provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at 30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 150 basis points. On March 25, 2015, we executed a temporary commitment increase agreement to the warehousing credit and security agreement that provides a temporary $670.0 million increase in the maximum borrowing capacity to allow us to fund a specific portfolio of loans. The temporary increase is effective from the date of execution and expires on the earlier of the date the specific portfolio is sold or 50 days after execution. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

Agency Warehouse Facility #2:

We have a $650.0 million committed warehouse agreement with a national bank that is scheduled to mature on June 23, 2015. The committed warehouse facility provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. Advances are made at 100% of the loan balance and borrowings under this line bear interest at 30-day LIBOR plus 150 basis points. No material modifications have been made to the agreement during 2015.

Agency Warehouse Facility #3:

We have a $200.0 million committed warehouse agreement with a national bank. The committed warehouse facility provides us with the ability to fund Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA loans. The borrowings under the warehouse agreement bear interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 1.40%. On April 15, 2015, we executed the second amendment to the credit and security agreement that increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $240.0 million and extended the maturity date from September 23, 2015 to April 30, 2016. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

Uncommitted Agency Warehouse Facility:

We have a $400.0 million uncommitted facility with Fannie Mae under its ASAP funding program. After approval of certain loan documents, Fannie Mae will fund loans after closing and the advances are used to repay the primary warehouse line. Fannie Mae will advance 99% of the loan balance, and borrowings under this program bear interest at 30-day LIBOR, with a minimum LIBOR rate of 35 basis points, plus 115 basis points. There is no expiration date for this facility.

 

28


Interim Warehouse Facilities

To assist in funding loans held for investment under the Interim Program, we have three warehouse facilities with certain national banks in the aggregate amount of $260.0 million as of March 31, 2015. Consistent with industry practice, one of these facilities is a revolving commitment we expect to renew annually and two are revolving commitments we expect to renew every two years. Our ability to originate loans held for investment depends upon our ability to secure and maintain these types of short-term financings on acceptable terms.

Interim Warehouse Facility #1:

We have a $75.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on September 21, 2015. The facility provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to three years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings bear interest at the average 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Borrowings under the facility are full recourse to the Company. Repayments under the credit agreement are interest-only, with principal repayments made upon the earlier of the refinancing of an underlying mortgage or the maturity of an advance under the credit agreement. No material modifications have been made to the agreement during 2015.

Interim Warehouse Facility #2:

We have a $135.0 million committed warehouse line agreement that is scheduled to mature on December 13, 2015. The agreement provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to three years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. All borrowings originally bear interest at 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points. The lender retains a first priority security interest in all mortgages funded by such advances on a cross-collateralized basis. Repayments under the credit agreement are interest-only, with principal repayments made upon the earlier of the refinancing of an underlying mortgage or the maturity of an advance under the credit agreement. On April 10, 2015, we executed the second amendment to the credit and security agreement that increased the maximum borrowing capacity to $200.0 million. No other material modifications were made to the agreement.

Interim Warehouse Facility #3:

We have a $50.0 million repurchase agreement with a national bank that is scheduled to mature on May 19, 2016. The agreement provides us with the ability to fund first mortgage loans on multifamily real estate properties for periods of up to three years, using available cash in combination with advances under the facility. The borrowings under the agreement bear interest at a rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.50% (“the spread”). The spread varies according to the type of asset the borrowing finances. Repayments under the credit agreement are interest-only, with principal repayments made upon the earlier of the refinancing of an underlying mortgage or the maturity of an advance under the credit agreement. No material modifications have been made to the agreement during 2015.

The agreements above contain cross-default provisions, such that if a default occurs under any of our debt agreements, generally the lenders under our other debt agreements could also declare a default. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all of our warehouse line covenants.

We believe that the combination of our capital and warehouse facilities is adequate to meet our loan origination needs.

Debt Obligations

We have a senior secured term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”). The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $175.0 million term loan that was issued at a discount of 1.0% (the “Term Loan”). At any time, we may also elect to request the establishment of one or more incremental term loan commitments to make up to three additional term loans (any such additional term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”) in an aggregate principal amount for all such Incremental Term Loans not to exceed $60.0 million.

We are obligated to repay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in consecutive quarterly installments equal to $0.4 million on the last business day of each of March, June, September, and December commencing on March 31, 2014. The term loan also requires other prepayments in certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement. In April of 2015, we made a mandatory prepayment of $3.6 million. In connection with the mandatory repayment, our quarterly principal installments were reduced to $0.3 million, beginning with the June 30, 2015 principal payment. The final principal installment of the Term Loan is required to be paid in full on December 20, 2020 (or, if earlier, the date of acceleration of the Term Loan pursuant to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement) and will be in an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding principal of the Term Loan on such date (together with all accrued interest thereon).

At our election, the Term Loan will bear interest at either (i) the “Base Rate” plus an applicable margin or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin, subject to adjustment if an event of default under the Term Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing with a minimum LIBOR Rate of 1.0%. The “Base Rate” means the highest of (a) the administrative agent’s “prime rate,” (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1%. In each case, the applicable margin is determined by our Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement). If such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.50% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.50% for Base Rate loans, and if such Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 4.25% for LIBOR Rate loans and 3.25% for Base Rate loans. The calculated Consolidated Corporate Leverage Ratio dropped to below 2.50 in 2014. Consequently, the applicable margin is 4.25% as of March 31, 2015.

 

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Our obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Walker & Dunlop Multifamily, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop Capital, LLC, and W&D BE, Inc., each of which is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”), pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement entered into on December 20, 2013 among the Loan Parties and the Agent (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”).

As of March 31, 2015, the outstanding principal balance of the note payable was $172.8 million.

The note payable and the warehouse facilities are senior obligations of the Company. The Term Loan Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all such covenants.

 

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Credit Quality and Allowance for Risk-Sharing Obligations

The following table sets forth certain information useful in evaluating our credit performance.

 

     As of and for the three months
ended March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)    2015     2014  

Key Credit Metrics

    

Risk-sharing servicing portfolio:

    

Fannie Mae Full Risk

   $ 15,076,417     $ 13,179,100  

Fannie Mae Modified Risk

     4,871,997       4,291,304  

Freddie Mac Modified Risk

     53,629       68,553  

GNMA - HUD Full Risk

     4,693       4,830  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total risk-sharing servicing portfolio

$ 20,006,736   $ 17,543,787  

Non risk-sharing servicing portfolio:

Fannie Mae No Risk

$ 853,166   $ 1,576,240  

Freddie Mac No Risk

  14,491,797     10,404,210  

GNMA - HUD No Risk

  5,771,275     5,094,771  

Brokered

  4,498,161     4,102,707  

CMBS

  211,787     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non risk-sharing servicing portfolio

$ 25,826,186   $ 21,177,928  

Total loans serviced for others

$ 45,832,922   $ 38,721,715  

Interim loans (full risk) servicing portfolio

  233,738     187,150  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total servicing portfolio unpaid principal balance

$ 46,066,660   $ 38,908,865  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At risk servicing portfolio (1)

$ 17,486,146   $ 15,079,283  

Maximum exposure to at risk portfolio (2)

  4,121,863     3,673,700  

60+ Day delinquencies, within at risk portfolio

  22,531     —    

At risk loan balances associated with allowance for risk-sharing obligations

$ 25,609   $ 36,036  

Allowance for risk-sharing obligations:

Beginning balance

$ 3,904   $ 7,363  

Provision (benefit) for risk-sharing obligations

  150     (340 )

Net write-offs

  —       (1,361 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 4,054   $ 5,662  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

60+ Day delinquencies as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.13   0.00

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.02   0.04

Net write-offs as a percentage of the at risk portfolio

  0.00   0.01

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of the specifically identified at risk balances

  15.83   15.71

Allowance for risk-sharing as a percentage of maximum exposure

  0.10   0.15

Allowance for risk-sharing and guaranty obligation as a percentage of maximum exposure

  0.71   0.78

 

(1) At risk servicing portfolio is defined as the balance of Fannie Mae DUS loans subject to the risk-sharing formula described below, as well as a small number of Freddie Mac and GNMA—HUD loans on which we share in the risk of loss. Use of the at risk portfolio provides for comparability of the full risk-sharing and modified risk-sharing loans because the provision and allowance for risk-sharing obligations are based on the at risk balances of the associated loans. Accordingly, we have presented the key statistics as a percentage of the at risk portfolio.

For example, a $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing has the same potential risk exposure as a $7.5 million loan with full DUS risk-sharing. Accordingly, if the $15 million loan with 50% risk-sharing was to default, we would view the overall loss as a percentage of the at risk balance, or $7.5 million, to ensure comparability between all risk-sharing obligations. To date, all but three of the risk-sharing obligations that we have settled have been from full risk-sharing loans.

 

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  (2) Represents the maximum loss we would incur under our risk-sharing obligations if all of the loans we service, for which we retain some risk of loss, were to default and all of the collateral underlying these loans was determined to be without value at the time of settlement. The maximum exposure is not representative of the actual loss we would incur.

Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing obligations are based on a tiered formula and represent substantially all of our risk-sharing activities. The risk-sharing tiers and amount of the risk-sharing obligations we absorb under full risk-sharing are provided below. Except as described in the following paragraph, the maximum amount of risk-sharing obligations we absorb at the time of default is 20% of the original unpaid principal balance (“UPB”) of the loan.

 

Risk-Sharing Tier

   Percentage Absorbed by Us

First 5% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

   100%

Next 20% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

   25%

Losses above 25% of UPB at the time of loss settlement

   10%

Maximum loss

   20% of original UPB

Fannie Mae can double or triple our risk-sharing obligation if the loan does not meet specific underwriting criteria or if a loan defaults within 12 months of its sale to Fannie Mae. We may request modified risk-sharing at the time of origination, which reduces our potential risk-sharing obligation from the levels described above.

We use several techniques to manage our risk exposure under the Fannie Mae DUS risk-sharing program. These techniques include maintaining a strong underwriting and approval process, evaluating and modifying our underwriting criteria given the underlying multifamily housing market fundamentals, limiting our geographic market and borrower exposures and electing the modified risk-sharing option under the Fannie Mae DUS program.

We may request modified risk-sharing based on such factors as the size of the loan, market conditions and loan pricing. Our current credit management policy is to cap the loan balance subject to full risk-sharing at $60.0 million. Accordingly, we currently elect to use modified risk-sharing for loans of more than $60.0 million in order to limit our maximum loss on any loan to $12.0 million (such exposure would occur in the event that the underlying collateral is determined to be completely without value at the time of loss). However, we occasionally elect to originate a loan with full risk sharing even when the loan balance is greater than $60.0 million if we believe the loan characteristics support such an approach.

A provision for risk-sharing obligations is recorded, and the allowance for risk-sharing obligations is increased, when it is probable that we have incurred risk-sharing obligations. We regularly monitor the credit quality of all loans for which we have a risk-sharing obligation. Loans with indicators of underperforming credit are placed on watch lists, assigned a numerical risk rating based on our assessment of the relative credit weakness, and subjected to additional evaluation or loss mitigation. Indicators of underperforming credit include poor financial performance, poor physical condition, and delinquency.

The provisions have been primarily for Fannie Mae loans with full risk-sharing. The amount of the provision considers our assessment of the likelihood of payment by the borrower, the value of the underlying collateral and the level of risk-sharing. Historically, the loss recognition occurs at or before the loan becoming 60 days delinquent. Our estimates of value are determined considering broker opinions and other sources of market value information relevant to underlying property and collateral. Risk-sharing obligations are written off against the allowance at final settlement with Fannie Mae.

As of March 31, 2015, $22.5 million of our at risk balances was more than 60 days delinquent, while none of our at risk balances was more than 60 days delinquent as of March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the provision for risk-sharing obligations was $0.2 million, or less than one basis point of the at risk balance, compared to a net benefit of $0.3 million, or less than one basis point of the at risk balance, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, our allowance for risk-sharing obligations was $4.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively, or 2 basis points and 4 basis points of the at risk balance, respectively. Our risk-sharing obligation with Fannie Mae requires, in the event of delinquency or default, that we advance principal and interest payments to Fannie Mae on behalf of the borrower. Advances made by us are used to reduce the proceeds required to settle any ultimate loss incurred. As of March 31, 2015, we had advanced $0.4 million of principal and interest payments on the loans associated with our $4.1 million allowance. Accordingly, if the $4.1 million in estimated losses is ultimately realized, we would be required to fund an additional $3.7 million. As of March 31, 2014, we had advanced $1.1 million of principal and interest payments on the loans associated with our $5.7 million allowance at that time.

We have never been required to repurchase a loan.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Risk

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

New/Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, was issued. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a note be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of that note. Current GAAP requires that debt issuance costs be presented as an asset. The ASU is effective for us for the annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted and full retrospective application required. ASU 2015-03 would reduce the March 31, 2015 balances of Other assets by $3.9 million, Warehouse notes payable by $0.7 million, and Note payable by $3.2 million. We expect a similar impact upon adoption.

In April 2015, ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, was issued. ASU 2015-05 provides entities with guidance on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license that should be accounted for as internal-use software. ASU 2015-05 is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Entities may select retrospective or prospective adoption of ASU 2015-05. We are still in the process of determining what impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have on our financial statements and which adoption method we will select.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

We are not currently exposed to interest rate risk during the loan commitment, closing and delivery process. The sale or placement of each loan to an investor is negotiated prior to closing on the loan with the borrower, and the sale or placement is typically effectuated within 60 days of closing. The coupon rate for the loan is set after we have established the interest rate with the investor.

Some of our assets and liabilities are subject to changes in interest rates. Earnings from escrows are generally based on LIBOR. 30-day LIBOR as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 18 basis points and 15 basis points, respectively. A 100 basis point increase in the 30-day LIBOR would increase our annual earnings by approximately $9.9 million based on our escrow balance as of March 31, 2015 compared to $7.6 million based on our escrow balance as of March 31, 2014. A decrease in 30-day LIBOR to zero would decrease our annual earnings by approximately $1.7 million based on the escrow balance as of March 31, 2015 compared to $1.1 million based on our escrow balance as of March 31, 2014.

The borrowing cost of our warehouse facilities used to fund loans held for sale and loans held for investment is based on LIBOR. The interest income on our loans held for investment is based on LIBOR. The LIBOR reset date for loans held for investment is the same date as the LIBOR reset date for the corresponding warehouse facility. A 100 basis point increase in 30-day LIBOR would decrease our annual net warehouse interest income by approximately $1.5 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of March 31, 2015 compared to $0.7 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of March 31, 2014. A decrease in 30-day LIBOR to zero would increase our annual earnings by approximately $0.3 million based on our outstanding warehouse balance as of March 31, 2015 compared to $0.1 million as of March 31, 2014.

All of our corporate debt is based on 30-day LIBOR. A 100 basis point increase in 30-day LIBOR would decrease our annual earnings by approximately $0.3 million based on our outstanding corporate debt as of March 31, 2015 compared to $0.3 million based on our outstanding corporate debt as of March 31, 2014. A decrease in 30-day LIBOR to zero would not have an impact on our 2015 annual earnings as our corporate debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015 had a LIBOR floor of 100 bps. A decrease in the average 30-day LIBOR to zero would not have an impact on our 2014 annual earnings either for the same reason.

The fair value of our MSRs is subject to market risk. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the weighted average discount rate would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of our MSRs by approximately $16.1 million as of March 31, 2015, compared to $13.0 million as of March 31, 2014. Our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing engagements provide for make-whole payments in the event of a voluntary prepayment prior to the expiration of the prepayment protection period. Our servicing contracts with institutional investors and HUD do not require payment of a make-whole amount. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, 84% of the servicing fees are protected from the risk of prepayment through make-whole requirements; given this significant level of prepayment protection, we do not hedge our servicing portfolio for prepayment risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting in the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Capital Funding Litigation—On February 17, 2010, Capital Funding Group, Inc. (“Capital Funding”) filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland against Walker & Dunlop, LLC, our wholly owned operating subsidiary, for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment and unfair competition arising out of an alleged agreement that Capital Funding had with Column Guaranteed, LLC (“Column”) to refinance a large portfolio of senior healthcare facilities located throughout the United States. Capital Funding further alleged that Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as the alleged successor by merger to Column, is bound by Column’s alleged agreement with Capital Funding. On November 17, 2010, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint adding Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its affiliates Column and Column Financial, Inc. as defendants. In December 2010, Column assumed the defense of the Company pursuant to an indemnification agreement. Capital Funding sought damages in excess of $30.0 million on each of the three claims, and an unspecified amount of damages on a separate claim for unfair competition against Walker & Dunlop, LLC. Capital Funding also sought injunctive relief in connection with its unjust enrichment and unfair competition claims.

On July 19, 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, without prejudice. After the initial case was dismissed without prejudice, Capital Funding filed an amended complaint. In November 2011, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland rejected the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Capital Funding filed a Second Amended Complaint that did not alter the claims at issue but revised their alleged damages. Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims, including two counts of breach of contract, two counts of promissory estoppel, two counts of unjust enrichment, and two counts of unfair competition. On April 30, 2013, the Court issued an Opinion and Order which granted the motion to dismiss as to the promissory estoppel counts and one count of unjust enrichment. The Court denied the motion as to all remaining claims.

A two-week jury trial was held in July 2013. In the course of the trial, all but two of Capital Funding’s claims were dismissed. The jury awarded Capital Funding (i) a $1.8 million judgment against defendants on Capital Funding’s breach of contract claim and (ii) a $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”), Column’s parent, on Capital Funding’s unjust enrichment claim. Because the two claims arise from the same facts, Capital Funding agreed it may only collect on one of the judgments; following the verdict, Capital Funding “elected” to collect the $10.4 million judgment against Credit Suisse. The defendants filed a post judgment motion to reduce or set aside the judgment. On January 31, 2014 the Court ruled that the $10.4 million unjust enrichment judgment is vacated, and awarded Capital Funding the $1.8 million breach of contract judgment. On February 10, 2014, Capital Funding filed a motion with the Court seeking a new trial. On March 13, 2014, the Court denied Capital Funding’s motion for a new trial. Capital Funding filed an appeal with Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals, which was heard on December 10, 2014. We are awaiting a ruling on the appeal. As a result of an indemnification arrangement with Column, our loss exposure is limited to $3.0 million, and we believe that the indemnification fully covers the $1.8 million judgment.

CA Funds Group Litigation—In March 2012, our wholly owned operating subsidiary, Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC (“IA Services”) engaged CA Funds Group, Inc. (“CAFG”) to provide, among other things, consulting services in connection with expanding our investment advisory services business. The engagement letter was supplemented in June 2012 to retain CAFG to engage in certain capital raising activities, primarily with respect to a potential commingled, open-ended Fund (“Fund”). The Fund was never launched by us. However, we independently formed a large loan bridge program (the “Bridge Program”), which is focused primarily on making floating-rate loans of up to three years of $25.0 million or more to experienced owners of multifamily properties. CAFG filed a breach of contract action captioned CA Funds Group, Inc. v. Walker & Dunlop Investment Advisory Services, LLC and Walker & Dunlop, LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, seeking a placement fee in the amount of $5.1 million (plus interest and the costs of the suit) based upon the $380.0 million allegedly obtained for the Bridge Program. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on January 3, 2014, CAFG filed a response to the motion on January 31, 2014, and on March 21, 2014, the Court denied our motion to dismiss the complaint. Discovery has concluded. We intend to vigorously defend the matter and to file a motion for summary judgment.

We cannot predict the outcome of any pending litigation and may be subject to consequences that could include fines, penalties and other costs, and our reputation and business may be impacted. Our management believes that any liability that could be imposed on us in connection with the disposition of any pending lawsuits would not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

In the normal course of business, we may be party to various other claims and litigation, none of which we believe is material.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We have included in Part I, Item 1A of our 2014 Form 10-K descriptions of certain risks and uncertainties that could affect our business, future performance or financial condition (the “Risk Factors”). There have been no material changes from the disclosures provided in the 2014 Form 10-K with respect to the Risk Factors. Investors should consider the Risk Factors prior to making an investment decision with respect to the Company’s stock.

 

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the Company’s approval, grantees have the option of electing to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations at the time of vesting or exercise by allowing us to withhold and purchase the shares of stock otherwise issuable to the grantee. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased and retired 58 thousand shares of restricted stock at market prices, upon grantee vesting. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, we also repurchased 3.0 million shares of our common stock at a price of $15.60 per share, which was below the market price at the time, and immediately retired the shares. The following table provides information regarding common stock repurchases for the quarter ended March 31, 2015:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
     Average Price
Paid per Share
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
     Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased

January 1-31, 2015

     10,810      $ 16.39        10,810      N/A

February 1-28, 2015

     47,587        16.72        47,587      N/A

March 1-31, 2015

     3,000,000        15.60        —        N/A
  

 

 

       

 

 

    
  3,058,397     58,397  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

On May 5, 2015, amendments to our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) became effective. The Bylaws were amended to delete provisions that were added on September 4, 2012, in connection with our acquisition of CWCapital LLC. The provisions deleted consisted of (i) paragraph 4 in Article II, Section 10, to exempt any acquisitions of shares of our common stock issued to CW Financial Services LLC in connection with the acquisition of CWCapital LLC from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, and (ii) Article III, Section 16, wherein we renounced any interest or expectancy in certain corporate opportunities in which Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”) and certain persons affiliated with Fortress participate or desire to seek to participate.

A copy of the Bylaws is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Bylaws in this Item 5 is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 3.2.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits:

 

2.1

Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, by and among Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, William M. Walker, Taylor Walker, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Edward B. Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

2.2

Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, between Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

2.3

Amendment No. 1 to Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2010, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Column Guaranteed LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Amendment No. 6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 13, 2010)

2.4

Purchase Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, CW Financial Services LLC and CWCapital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2012)

 

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    3.1

Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

    3.2*

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

    4.1

Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on September 30, 2010)

    4.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Mallory Walker, Taylor Walker, William M. Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Ted Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Column Guaranteed LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2010)

    4.3

Stockholders Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2010)

    4.4

Piggy Back Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Column Guaranteed, LLC, William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Deborah A. Wilson, Richard C. Warner, CW Financial Services LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012)

    4.5

Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Mallory Walker, William M. Walker, Richard Warner, Deborah Wilson, Richard M. Lucas, and Howard W. Smith, III, and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex C of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)

    4.6

Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Column Guaranteed, LLC and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex D of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)

  10.1†*

Management Deferred Stock Unit Purchase Plan, as amended

  10.2†*

Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Purchase Plan, as amended)

  10.3†*

Amendment to Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Employee) (2010 Equity Incentive Plan)

  10.4†*

Amendment to Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Director) (2010 Equity Incentive Plan)

  10.5†*

Form of Amendment to Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Purchase Plan)

  10.6

First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2015, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc., certain subsidiary guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015)

  10.7

Temporary Commitment Increase Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2015, by and between Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2015)

  31.1*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  31.2*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  32*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.1*

XBRL Instance Document

101.2*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.3*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.4*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.5*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.6*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

†: Denotes a management contract or compensation plan, contract, or arrangement.
*: Filed herewith.

 

36


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: May 6, 2015 By:

/s/ William M. Walker

William M. Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:

/s/ Stephen P. Theobald

Stephen P. Theobald

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

 

37


Exhibit Index

 

    2.1

Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, by and among Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, William M. Walker, Taylor Walker, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Edward B. Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

    2.2

Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 29, 2010, between Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

    2.3

Amendment No. 1 to Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2010, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Column Guaranteed LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Amendment No. 6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 13, 2010)

    2.4

Purchase Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, CW Financial Services LLC and CWCapital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2012)

    3.1

Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on December 1, 2010)

    3.2*

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

    4.1

Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-168535) filed on September 30, 2010)

    4.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and Mallory Walker, Taylor Walker, William M. Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Richard C. Warner, Donna Mighty, Michael Yavinsky, Ted Hermes, Deborah A. Wilson and Column Guaranteed LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2010)

    4.3

Stockholders Agreement, dated December 20, 2010, by and among William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Column Guaranteed LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2010)

    4.4

Piggy Back Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 7, 2012, by and among Column Guaranteed, LLC, William M. Walker, Mallory Walker, Howard W. Smith, III, Deborah A. Wilson, Richard C. Warner, CW Financial Services LLC and Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012)

    4.5

Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Mallory Walker, William M. Walker, Richard Warner, Deborah Wilson, Richard M. Lucas, and Howard W. Smith, III, and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex C of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)

    4.6

Voting Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2012, by and among Walker & Dunlop, Inc., Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Column Guaranteed, LLC and CW Financial Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex D of the Company’s proxy statement filed on July 26, 2012)

  10.1†*

Management Deferred Stock Unit Purchase Plan, as amended

  10.2†*

Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Purchase Plan, as amended)

  10.3†*

Amendment to Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Employee) (2010 Equity Incentive Plan)

  10.4†*

Amendment to Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Director) (2010 Equity Incentive Plan)

  10.5†*

Form of Amendment to Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Purchase Plan)

  10.6

First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2015, by and between Walker & Dunlop, Inc., certain subsidiary guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015)

  10.7

Temporary Commitment Increase Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2015, by and between Walker & Dunlop, LLC, as borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as credit agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2015)

  31.1*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  31.2*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  32*

Certification of Walker & Dunlop, Inc.‘s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.1*

XBRL Instance Document

101.2*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.3*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.4*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.5*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.6*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

†: Denotes a management contract or compensation plan, contract, or arrangement.
*: Filed herewith.