UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

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 001-35151

 

 

 

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

 

 

 

Maryland 27-5254382
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
245 Park Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, New York
10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 692-2000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filed, 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. (Check one):

 

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

 

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

 

As of April 29, 2016, there were 28,171,240 outstanding shares of common stock of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.

 

 

 

 

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
     
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015 1
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (unaudited), and March 31, 2015 (unaudited) 2
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (unaudited), and March 31, 2015 (unaudited) 3
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (unaudited), and March 31, 2015 (unaudited) 4
     
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 39
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 68
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 72
     
PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION 72
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 72
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 72
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 72
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 72
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 72
     
Item 5. Other Information 72
     
Item 6. Exhibits 73

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets          
Real estate securities, at fair value:          
Agency - $1,085,517,634 and $1,133,899,693 pledged as collateral, respectively  $1,183,120,918   $1,201,441,652 
Non-Agency - $1,112,048,620 and $1,157,357,871  pledged as collateral, respectively   1,158,092,784    1,229,811,018 
ABS - $64,643,140 and $54,761,837 pledged as collateral, respectively   64,643,140    54,761,837 
CMBS - $143,567,705 and $142,852,162 pledged as collateral, respectively   147,067,718    148,948,690 
Residential mortgage loans, at fair value -$50,650,246 and $50,686,922  pledged as collateral, respectively   56,709,105    57,080,227 
Commercial loans, at fair value - $62,800,000 pledged as collateral   84,800,000    72,800,000 
U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value - $432,376,875 and $203,520,859 pledged as collateral, respectively   432,376,875    223,434,922 
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates   40,450,755    43,040,191 
Excess mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   383,843    425,311 
Cash and cash equivalents   40,692,737    46,253,291 
Restricted cash   44,053,892    32,200,558 
Interest receivable   11,175,814    11,154,785 
Derivative assets, at fair value   419,340    1,755,467 
Other assets   15,959,515    16,064,115 
Due from broker   1,108,986    24,904,168 
Total Assets  $3,281,055,422   $3,164,076,232 
           
Liabilities          
Repurchase agreements  $2,556,916,200   $2,034,963,460 
FHLBC advances   -    396,894,000 
Securitized debt, at fair value   28,256,689    30,046,861 
Loan participation payable, at fair value   1,800,000    - 
Payable on unsettled trades   1,238,947    1,198,587 
Interest payable   3,008,330    2,731,846 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value   23,071,439    6,863,770 
Dividend payable   13,423,355    13,496,139 
Due to affiliates   4,273,803    4,407,051 
Accrued expenses   1,696,903    2,074,628 
Taxes payable   579,716    1,714,716 
Due to broker   533,263    2,740,461 
Total Liabilities   2,634,798,645    2,497,131,519 
           
Stockholders' Equity          
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized:          
8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 2,070,000 shares issued and outstanding ($51,750,000 aggregate liquidation preference)   49,920,772    49,920,772 
8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding ($115,000,000 aggregate liquidation preference)   111,293,233    111,293,233 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 28,168,928 and 28,286,210 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively   281,690    282,863 
Additional paid-in capital   583,130,368    584,581,995 
Retained earnings/(deficit)   (98,369,286)   (79,134,150)
Total Stockholders' Equity   646,256,777    666,944,713 
           
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity  $3,281,055,422   $3,164,076,232 

 

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

 

1

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Consolidated Statements of Operations
 (Unaudited)

  

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Net Interest Income          
Interest income  $30,697,158   $36,380,265 
Interest expense   8,560,299    7,514,178 
    22,136,859    28,866,087 
           
Other Income          
Net realized gain/(loss)   (12,986,658)   (9,649,926)
Realized loss on periodic interest settlements of derivative instruments, net   (2,377,775)   (3,461,227)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net   8,840,770    11,259,718 
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   (11,956,002)   (8,920,798)
    (18,479,665)   (10,772,233)
           
Expenses          
Management fee to affiliate   2,450,143    2,507,090 
Other operating expenses   3,046,812    3,077,998 
Servicing fees   104,979    174,999 
Equity based compensation to affiliate   54,971    76,680 
Excise tax   375,000    375,000 
    6,031,905    6,211,767 
           
Income/(loss) before equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates   (2,374,711)   11,882,087 
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates   (69,716)   881,355 
Net Income/(Loss)   (2,444,427)   12,763,442 
           
Dividends on preferred stock   3,367,354    3,367,354 
           
Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders  $(5,811,781)  $9,396,088 
           
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock          
Basic  $(0.21)  $0.33 
Diluted  $(0.21)  $0.33 
           
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding          
Basic   28,271,930    28,387,615 
Diluted   28,271,930    28,412,205 

 

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

 

2

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)

 

   Common Stock  

8.25 % Series A
Cumulative

Redeemable
  

8.00 % Series B

Cumulative
Redeemable

  

Additional

   Retained     
   Shares   Amount   Preferred Stock   Preferred Stock  Paid-in Capital   Earnings/(Deficit)   Total 
Balance at January 1, 2015   28,386,015   $283,861   $49,920,772   $111,293,233   $586,051,751   $(14,874,474)  $732,675,143 
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation   1,600    16    -    -    106,637    -    106,653 
Common dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (17,032,569)   (17,032,569)
Preferred Series A dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (1,067,354)   (1,067,354)
Preferred Series B dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (2,300,000)   (2,300,000)
Net Income/(Loss)   -    -    -    -    -    12,763,442    12,763,442 
Balance at March 31, 2015   28,387,615   $283,877   $49,920,772   $111,293,233   $586,158,388   $(22,510,955)  $725,145,315 
                                    
Balance at January 1, 2016   28,286,210   $282,863   $49,920,772   $111,293,233   $584,581,995   $(79,134,150)  $666,944,713 
Repurchase of common stock   (119,606)   (1,196)   -    -    (1,536,539)   -    (1,537,735)
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation   2,324    23    -    -    84,912    -    84,935 
Common dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (13,423,355)   (13,423,355)
Preferred Series A dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (1,067,354)   (1,067,354)
Preferred Series B dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    (2,300,000)   (2,300,000)
Net Income/(Loss)   -    -    -    -    -    (2,444,427)   (2,444,427)
Balance at March 31, 2016   28,168,928  $281,690  $49,920,772  $111,293,233  $583,130,368   $(98,369,286)  $646,256,777 

 

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

 

3

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities          
Net income/(loss)  $(2,444,427)  $12,763,442 
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Net amortization of premium   2,325,974    5,491,860 
Net realized (gain)/loss   12,986,658    9,649,926 
Unrealized (gains)/losses on real estate securities and loans, net   (8,840,770)   (11,259,718)
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and other instruments, net   11,956,002    8,920,798 
Equity based compensation to affiliate   54,971    76,680 
Equity based compensation expense   29,964    29,973 
Change in operating assets/liabilities:          
Interest receivable   (21,029)   490,583 
Other assets   386,237    276,995 
Due from broker   (57,492)   (239,144)
Interest payable   (81,489)   (1,417,363)
Due to affiliates   (133,248)   (434,441)
Accrued expenses   (377,725)   91,565 
Taxes payable   (1,135,000)   (1,147,325)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   14,648,626    23,293,831 
           
Cash Flows from Investing Activities          
Purchase of real estate securities   (19,691,051)   (270,027,414)
Origination of commercial loans   (10,428,437)   - 
Purchase of U.S. treasury securities   (358,417,649)   (356,445,072)
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates   (847,210)   (12,150,900)
Proceeds from sale of real estate securities   29,872,376    326,102,175 
Proceeds from sale of residential mortgage loans   23,267,693    - 
Proceeds from sales of U.S. treasury securities   155,434,431    280,406,573 
Distribution received from investments in debt and equity of affiliates   308,492    6,093 
Principal repayments on real estate securities   69,516,938    101,246,269 
Principal repayments on residential mortgage loans   326,292    1,858,700 
Net proceeds from (payment made) on reverse repurchase agreements   -    (25,132,464)
Net proceeds from (payment made) on sales of securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements   -    24,015,493 
Net settlement of interest rate swaps   (2,893,517)   (12,095,409)
Net settlement of TBAs   205,664    2,155,078 
Cash flows provided by (used in) other investing activities   174,139    1,548,985 
Restricted cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (1,144,043)   11,496,435 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (114,315,882)   72,984,542 
           
Cash Flows from Financing Activities          
Repurchase of common stock   (2,736,322)   - 
Borrowings under repurchase agreements   25,749,833,423    7,248,785,207 
Borrowings under FHLBC advances   147,215,991    - 
Repayments of repurchase agreements   (25,227,880,683)   (7,336,489,795)
Repayments of FHLBC advances   (544,109,991)   - 
Proceeds from transfer of loan participation   1,564,266    - 
Net collateral received from (paid to) derivative counterparty   (13,538,936)   (11,862,625)
Net collateral received from (paid to) repurchase counterparty   622,447    1,431,981 
Dividends paid on common stock   (13,496,139)   (17,031,609)
Dividends paid on preferred stock   (3,367,354)   (3,367,354)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   94,106,702    (118,534,195)
           
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   (5,560,554)   (22,255,822)
Cash and cash equivalents, Beginning of Period   46,253,291    64,363,514 
Cash and cash equivalents, End of Period  $40,692,737   $42,107,692 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for interest on repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances  $7,877,486   $7,156,994 
Cash paid for income tax  $1,563,625   $1,522,625 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:          
Common stock dividends declared but not paid  $13,423,355   $17,032,569 
Decrease of securitized debt  $1,713,596   $1,810,119 
Transfer from residential mortgage loans to other assets  $717,815   $1,002,533 
Transfer from investments in debt and equity of  affiliates to CMBS  $3,103,111   $- 
Transfer from Linked Transactions to real estate securities  $-   $139,778,263 
Transfer from Linked Transactions to repurchase agreements  $-   $113,363,873 

 

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

4

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

1. Organization

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Maryland on March 1, 2011. The Company is focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, issued or guaranteed by a government-sponsored entity such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (collectively, “GSEs”), or any agency of the U.S. Government such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency RMBS”), and other real estate-related securities and financial assets, including Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and loans (as defined below).

 

Non-Agency RMBS represent fixed-and floating-rate RMBS issued by entities or organizations other than a U.S. government-sponsored entity or agency of the U.S. government, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below). The mortgage loan collateral for Non-Agency RMBS consists of residential mortgage loans that do not generally conform to underwriting guidelines issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored entities.

 

Asset Backed Securities (“ABS”) are securitized investments similar to the aforementioned investments except the underlying assets are diverse, not only representing real estate related assets.

 

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) represent investments of fixed- and floating-rate CMBS, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below) secured by, or evidence an ownership interest in, a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial mortgage loans.

 

Collectively, the Company refers to Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS asset types as “real estate securities” or “securities”.

 

Commercial loans are secured by an interest in commercial real estate and represent a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates. Residential mortgage loans refer to performing, re-performing and non-performing loans secured by a first lien mortgage on residential mortgaged property located in any of the 50 states of the United States or in the District of Columbia. The Company refers to its residential and commercial mortgage loans as “mortgage loans” or “loans.”

 

The Company is externally managed by AG REIT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. (“Angelo, Gordon”), a privately-held, SEC-registered investment adviser. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility with respect to the Manager’s day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the management agreement.

 

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation for the interim period of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash is comprised of cash on deposit with financial institutions. The Company classifies highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company held no cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Cash pledged to the Company as collateral is unrestricted in use and, accordingly, is included as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” on the consolidated balance sheet. Any cash held by the Company as collateral is included in the “Due to broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and in cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

5

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Restricted cash

 

Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral for clearing and executing trades, derivatives and repurchase agreements and is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement. Restricted cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Earnings/(Loss) per share

 

In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings per Share,” the Company calculates basic income/(loss) per share by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. In periods in which the Company records a loss, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation, as their effect on loss per share is anti-dilutive.

 

Valuation of financial instruments

 

The fair value of the financial instruments that the Company records at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable. The three levels of the hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

 

  Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2 – Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.
  Level 3 – Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

Transfers between levels are assumed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

Accounting for real estate securities

 

Investments in real estate securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, or ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” for its real estate securities portfolio. Real estate securities are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet and the periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Real estate securities acquired through securitizations are shown in the line item “Purchase of real estate securities” on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25 which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded to other comprehensive income, a component of Stockholders’ Equity. Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

 

6

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

When the Company purchases securities with evidence of credit deterioration since origination, it will analyze to determine if the guidance found in ASC 310-30 is applicable.

 

The Company accounts for its securities under ASC 310 and ASC 325 and evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of an investment security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

 

When an investment security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intends to sell the security (i.e., a decision has been made as of the reporting date) or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the real estate security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. Additionally for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40, an OTTI is deemed to have occurred when there is an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security is less than its carrying amount. In determining whether an adverse change in cash flows occurred, the present value of the remaining cash flows, as estimated at the initial transaction date (or the last date previously revised), is compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the current reporting date. The estimated cash flows reflect those a “market participant” would use and include observations of current information and events, and assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of potential credit losses. Cash flows are discounted at a rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. Any resulting OTTI adjustments are reflected in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The determination as to whether an OTTI exists is subjective, given that such determination is based on information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimate of the future performance and cash flow projections for the individual security. As a result, the timing and amount of an OTTI constitutes an accounting estimate that may change materially over time.

 

Increases in interest income may be recognized on a security on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such security subsequently improves.

 

Any unrealized losses on securities at March 31, 2016 do not represent other than temporary impairment as the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the amortized cost of the investment, and the Company is not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons. In addition, any unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency RMBS accounted for under ASC 320 are not due to credit losses given their explicit guarantee of principal and interest by the GSEs, but rather are due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. See Note 3 for a summary of OTTI charges recorded.

 

Sales of securities

 

Sales of securities are driven by the Manager’s portfolio management process. The Manager seeks to mitigate risks including those associated with prepayments, defaults, severities, amongst others and will opportunistically rotate the portfolio into securities with more favorable attributes. Strategies may also be employed to manage net capital gains, which need to be distributed for tax purposes.

 

Realized gains or losses on sales of securities, loans and derivatives are included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The cost of positions sold is calculated using a first in, first out, or FIFO, basis. Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings at the time of disposition.

 

Accounting for mortgage loans

 

Investments in mortgage loans are recorded in accordance with ASC 310-10. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its mortgage loan portfolio. Loans are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet and any periodic change in fair market value will be recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.”

 

7

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The Company amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each loan, if circumstances warrant, to determine whether they are impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated and recorded accordingly. Income recognition is suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90-days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt, contractual interest is recorded as interest income when received, under the cash basis method until an accrual is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or legally discharged.

 

When the Company purchases mortgage loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it determines that it is probable it will not collect all contractual cash flows on those loans, it will apply the guidance found in ASC 310-30. Mortgage loans that are delinquent 60 or more days are considered non-performing.

 

The Company updates its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected on at least a quarterly basis for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies including both the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts, and assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations. If based on the most current information and events it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will recognize these changes prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from the nonaccretable difference. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate in conformity with ASC 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected from previously projected cash flows, which includes all cash flows originally expected to be collected by the investor plus any additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition, are recognized as impairment. Increases in interest income may be recognized on a loan on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such loan subsequently improves.

 

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

 

The Company’s unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method. A majority of the Company’s investments held through affiliated entities are comprised of real estate securities and loans. These underlying entities have chosen to make a fair value election on their financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825; as such, the Company will treat these investments consistently with this election. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, these investments had a fair market value of $56.8 million and $62.2 million, respectively.

 

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”) to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-qualifying residential mortgage loans (“non-QM”). The Company invests in Arc Home through AG Arc LLC, one of its subsidiaries (“AG Arc”), and has chosen to make a fair value election on AG Arc pursuant to ASC 825. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, AG Arc had a fair market value of $0.3 and $(0.3) million, respectively.

 

In January 2016, Arc Home entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veteran’s Administration (“VA”) and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of mortgages with licenses to conduct business in 46 states. Arc Home is currently working to secure approval of the acquisition from the GSEs, FHA, VA, Ginnie Mae and various state licensing authorities, which is required prior to closing the transaction.

 

The Company’s investments in debt and equity of affiliates are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item and periodic changes in fair market value are recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates.” Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses of such entities are allocated in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements.

 

Excess mortgage servicing rights

 

The Company has acquired the right to receive the excess servicing spread related to excess mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for MSRs. MSRs are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet and any periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

 

8

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Investment consolidation and transfers of financial assets

 

For each investment made, the Company evaluates the underlying entity that issued the securities acquired or to which the Company makes a loan to determine the appropriate accounting. A similar analysis will be performed for each entity with which the Company enters into an agreement for management, servicing or related services. In performing the analysis, the Company refers to guidance in ASC 810-10, “Consolidation.” In situations where the Company is the transferor of financial assets, the Company refers to the guidance in ASC 860-10, “Transfers and Servicing.”

 

In variable interest entities (“VIEs”), an entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810-10 if the equity investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. VIEs within the scope of ASC 810-10 are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This determination can sometimes involve complex and subjective analyses. Further, ASC 810-10 also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. In accordance with ASC 810-10, all transferees, including variable interest entities, must be evaluated for consolidation. See Note 3 for more detail.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The company adopted ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 using the modified retrospective approach, which did not require the restatement of prior periods to conform to the post-adoption presentation. The Company concluded the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

The Company has entered into resecuritization transactions which result in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritization were transferred. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company evaluated whether the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and, if so, whether they should be consolidated. Based on its evaluation, the Company concluded that the VIEs should be consolidated. If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP.

 

The Company may periodically enter into transactions in which it transfers assets to a third party. Upon a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire senior or subordinated interests in the related assets. Pursuant to ASC 860-10, a determination must be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor’s continuing involvement in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer. The financial components approach under ASC 860-10 limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. It defines the term “participating interest” to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.

 

Under ASC 860-10, after a transfer of financial assets that meets the criteria for treatment as a sale—legal isolation, ability of transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred assets without constraint and transferred control—an entity recognizes the financial and servicing assets it acquired or retained and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognizes financial assets it has sold and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. The transferor would then determine the gain or loss on sale of financial assets by allocating the carrying value of the underlying mortgage between securities or loans sold and the interests retained based on their fair values. The gain or loss on sale is the difference between the cash proceeds from the sale and the amount allocated to the securities or loans sold. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for sale accounting, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.

 

On February 12, 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and at closing, transferred a 15% or $1.8 million interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company, as transferor, evaluated the transfer under ASC 860-10, and concluded the transferred participation interest should be accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Company has recorded the $12.0 million commercial loan on its consolidated balance sheet as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item. The Company has recorded a $1.8 million liability in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item representing the transfer of the participation interest. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election on the consolidated interest pursuant to ASC 825. The holder of the participation interest has no recourse to the general credit of the Company. See Note 4 for more detail.

 

9

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

From time to time, the Company may securitize mortgage loans it holds if such financing is available. These transactions will be recorded in accordance with ASC 860-10 and will be accounted for as either a “sale” and the loans will be removed from the consolidated balance sheet or as a “financing” and will be classified as “real estate securities” on the consolidated balance sheet, depending upon the structure of the securitization transaction. ASC 860-10 is a standard that may require the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a “sale” or a “financing.”

 

Interest income recognition

 

Interest income on the Company’s real estate securities portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all securities accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs,” ASC 320-10 or ASC 325-40 as applicable. Total interest income is recorded in the “Interest income” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

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

  

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

 

Interest income on the Company’s loan portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such loans. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all loans accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). Any amortization will be reflected as an adjustment to interest income in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

For security and loan investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30. For purposes of income recognition, the Company aggregates loans that have common risk characteristics into pools and uses a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the pool. ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally should be recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected should be recognized as impairment.

 

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

 

Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain assets within its portfolio through the use of repurchase agreements. Prior to March 31, 2016, the Company also financed its Agency RMBS portfolio with advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLBC Advances”) (see the following paragraph regarding the current status of the FHLBC Advances). Repurchase agreements are, and while the Company had them, FHLBC Advances were treated as collateralized financing transactions and carried at primarily their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances approximates fair value.

10

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, MITT Insurance Company LLC (“MITT Insurance”), was granted membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, specifically in the FHLB of Cincinnati (“FHLBC”). However, in January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the FHFA, issued RIN 2590-AA39, Members of Federal Home Loan Banks (“the Final Rule”), which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, such as MITT Insurance (“Excluded Captives”), from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC. The Final Rule prevents the FHLBC from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to Excluded Captives. In addition, upon the termination of membership, the FHLB must liquidate all outstanding advances to Excluded Captives, settle all other business transactions, and repurchase or redeem all FHLB stock held by the terminated Excluded Captive in accordance with the Final Rule. Therefore, MITT Insurance, along with all other Excluded Captives, must completely wind down all business relationships with the FHLB, including the repayment of all outstanding advances, prior to or simultaneously with the termination of MITT Insurance’s membership with the FHLBC where it is a member. As a result of the Final Rule, MITT Insurance exited all FHLBC Advances and as of March 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding advances with the FHLBC.

 

The Company pledges certain securities or loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The amounts available to be borrowed are dependent upon the fair value of the securities or loans pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets, lenders may require the Company to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has met all margin call requirements. 

 

Other investments

 

The Company's subsidiary, MITT Insurance, is a member of, and owns capital stock in the FHLBC. The FHLBC provided MITT Insurance with financing for its Agency RMBS portfolio, but due to the Final Rule, as of March 31, 2016, the Company has no outstanding advances with the FHLBC. The amount of FHLBC Advances is included in the “FHLBC advances" line item on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Although the FHLBC no longer provides MITT Insurance with financing, MITT Insurance remains a member of the FHLBC and at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the Company owned FHLBC stock totaling $8.0 million. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its stock investment in FHLBC which is recorded in the "Other assets" line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. When evaluating FHLBC stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had not recognized an impairment charge related to its FHLBC stock. The Company is entitled to a quarterly dividend on the weighted average shares of stock it holds during the period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company recorded dividend income on its FHLBC stock of approximately $0.1 million that is included in “Interest income” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not record any dividend income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as it did not own any FHLBC stock during that period.

 

Accounting for derivative financial instruments

 

The Company enters into derivative contracts as a means of mitigating interest rate risk rather than to enhance returns. The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging.” ASC 815-10 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company did not have any interest rate derivatives designated as hedges. All derivatives have been recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820-10, with corresponding changes in value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company records derivative asset and liability positions on a gross basis. When the Company unwinds a derivative, it records a realized gain/(loss) in the period in which it was generated in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

To-be-announced securities

 

A to-be-announced security (“TBA”) is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a pair off), net settling the paired off positions for cash, simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a dollar roll. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the price drop. The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as dollar roll income/(loss). Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. Dollar roll income is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

 

11

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

TBAs are exempt from ASC 815 and are accounted for under ASC 320 if there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, if delivery or receipt of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security and if it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that physical delivery or receipt of the security will occur (referred to as the “regular-way” exception). Unrealized gains and losses associated with TBA contracts not subject to the regular-way exception or not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

The Company may purchase long or sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may finance its purchase of U.S. Treasury securities with overnight repurchase agreements. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through overnight reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheet based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Interest income and expense associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Manager compensation

 

The management agreement provides for payment to the Manager of a management fee. The management fee is accrued and expensed during the period for which it is calculated and earned. For a more detailed discussion on the fees payable under the management agreement, see Note 10.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a REIT. Accordingly, the Company will generally not be subject to federal or state corporate income tax to the extent that the Company makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided that it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

 

The dividends paid deduction of a REIT for qualifying dividends to its stockholders is computed using the Company’s taxable income/(loss) as opposed to net income/(loss) reported on the Company’s GAAP financial statements. Taxable income/(loss), generally, will differ from net income/(loss) reported on the financial statements because the determination of taxable income/(loss) is based on tax principles and not financial accounting principles.

 

The Company has elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

 

A domestic TRS may declare dividends to the Company which will be included in the Company’s taxable income/(loss) and necessitate a distribution to stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the domestic TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes.

 

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this foreign TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

12

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The Company’s financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation. The Company believes that it will operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify for taxation as a REIT. As a result of the Company’s expected REIT qualification, it does not generally expect to pay federal or state corporate income tax. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet the REIT requirements, it would be subject to federal income taxes and applicable state and local taxes.

 

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

 

The Company evaluates uncertain income tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. See Note 9 for further details.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” with regard to its equity incentive plans. ASC 718 covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights and employee stock purchase plans. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. Compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.

 

Compensation cost related to restricted common shares issued to the Company’s directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date, and is amortized and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Compensation cost related to restricted common shares and restricted stock units issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Shares of restricted common stock held by the Manager and independent directors accrue dividends, but these dividends are not paid until vested and therefore the shares are not considered to be participating shares. Restricted stock units granted to the Manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. Restricted stock units are measured at fair value reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at an assumed risk free rate. The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to amortize compensation expense for restricted common shares and restricted stock units. 

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is continuing to evaluate its method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

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

13

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718),” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 requires all income tax effects of share-based payment awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. ASU 2016-09 also allows an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes than is permitted under current guidance without triggering liability accounting. Finally, ASU 2016-09 allows a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

3. Real Estate Securities

 

The following tables present the current principal balance, premium or discount, amortized cost, gross unrealized gain, gross unrealized loss, fair market value, weighted average coupon rate and weighted average effective yield of the Company’s real estate securities portfolio at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company’s Agency RMBS are mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. The Company’s Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS portfolios are primarily not issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or any agency of the U.S. Government and are therefore subject to credit risk. The principal and interest payments on Agency RMBS securities have an explicit guarantee by either an agency of the U.S. government or a U.S government-sponsored entity.

 

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of March 31, 2016:

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average 
   Current Face  

Premium /

(Discount)

   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon (2)   Yield 
Agency RMBS:                                        
30 Year Fixed Rate  $761,491,586   $32,645,952   $794,137,538   $17,390,556   $(159,788)  $811,368,306    3.76%   3.03%
Fixed Rate CMO   73,624,178    617,181    74,241,359    2,544,359    -    76,785,718    3.00%   2.80%
ARM   240,552,349    (2,643,704)   237,908,645    8,293,644    -    246,202,289    2.36%   2.80%
Interest Only   499,337,856    (450,533,308)   48,804,548    1,310,373    (1,350,316)   48,764,605    2.64%   5.67%
Credit Securities:                                        
Non-Agency RMBS   1,327,740,329    (178,805,795)   1,148,934,534    19,176,297    (14,070,327)   1,154,040,504    4.19%   5.42%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only   447,889,359    (443,022,963)   4,866,396    -    (814,116)   4,052,280    0.14%   -4.62%
ABS   66,836,631    (451,545)   66,385,086    11,735    (1,753,681)   64,643,140    5.13%   5.29%
CMBS   210,670,298    (76,184,028)   134,486,270    250,883    (4,796,303)   129,940,850    5.21%   6.15%
CMBS Interest Only   1,644,448,246    (1,627,839,870)   16,608,376    648,852    (130,360)   17,126,868    0.21%   6.43%
Total  $5,272,590,832   $(2,746,218,080)  $2,526,372,752   $49,626,699   $(23,074,891)  $2,552,924,560    2.27%   4.36%

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

 

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

 

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of December 31, 2015:

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average 
   Current Face  

Premium /

(Discount)

   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon (2)   Yield 
Agency RMBS:                                        
30 Year Fixed Rate  $782,276,607   $34,905,903   $817,182,510   $6,674,932   $(3,720,150)  $820,137,292    3.76%   3.10%
Fixed Rate CMO   76,098,478    672,376    76,770,854    1,254,658    -    78,025,512    3.00%   2.81%
ARM   248,169,781    (2,658,877)   245,510,904    4,298,463    -    249,809,367    2.37%   2.84%
Interest Only   522,058,244    (468,676,886)   53,381,358    2,226,513    (2,138,390)   53,469,481    2.70%   7.56%
Credit Securities:                                        
Non-Agency RMBS   1,395,179,483    (183,015,256)   1,212,164,227    23,555,968    (11,462,911)   1,224,257,284    4.17%   5.56%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only   465,387,354    (459,897,579)   5,489,775    351,842    (287,883)   5,553,734    0.12%   11.05%
ABS   56,264,253    (353,693)   55,910,560    236,424    (1,385,147)   54,761,837    5.26%   5.62%
CMBS   224,844,665    (89,380,593)   135,464,072    789,264    (1,382,362)   134,870,974    5.15%   6.28%
CMBS Interest Only   1,138,848,526    (1,124,644,529)   14,203,997    37,717    (163,998)   14,077,716    0.25%   6.67%
Total  $4,909,127,391   $(2,293,049,134)  $2,616,078,257   $39,425,781   $(20,540,841)  $2,634,963,197    2.52%   4.55%

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

 

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

 

14

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s real estate securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position on March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   Less than 12 months   Greater than 12 months 
As of  Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
   Fair Value   Unrealized
Losses
 
March 31, 2016  $554,413,241   $(16,171,213)  $177,554,837   $(6,903,678)
December 31, 2015   905,669,623    (13,906,215)   154,287,673    (6,634,626)

 

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company recognized OTTI charges of $9.2 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $9.2 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities, where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $9.2 million of OTTI recorded, $5.1 million related to securities where OTTI was not previously recognized. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company recognized $2.7 million of OTTI on certain securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded the $2.7 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows, where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $2.7 million of OTTI recorded, $1.1 million related to securities where OTTI was not previously recognized.

 

The decline in value of the remaining real estate securities is solely due to market conditions and not the quality of the assets. The investments in unrealized loss positions are not considered other than temporarily impaired because the Company currently has the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments and the Company is not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons.

 

Unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency RMBS accounted for under ASC 320 were not due to credit losses given their explicit guarantee of principal and interest by either an agency of the U.S. government of a GSEs, but rather were due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations.

 

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency Interest-Only (“IO”) and Credit Securities as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Agency RMBS (1)   Agency IO   Credit Securities (2) 
Weighted Average Life (3)  Fair Value   Amortized Cost   Weighted
Average
Coupon
   Fair Value   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Coupon
   Fair Value   Amortized Cost   Weighted
Average
Coupon (4)
 
Less than or equal to 1 year  $-   $-    -   $-   $-    -   $68,285,349   $69,746,379    4.48%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years   148,398,000    143,439,546    2.74%   38,804,841    38,885,566    2.38%   526,770,684    529,787,755    1.04%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years   985,958,313    962,847,996    3.49%   9,959,764    9,918,982    4.90%   525,375,510    525,111,391    2.15%
Greater than ten years   -    -    -    -    -    -    249,372,099    246,635,137    5.92%
Total  $1,134,356,313   $1,106,287,542    3.39%  $48,764,605   $48,804,548    2.64%  $1,369,803,642   $1,371,280,662    1.88%

 

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

 

15

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

 The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency IO and Credit Securities as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Agency RMBS (1)   Agency IO   Credit Securities (2) 
Weighted Average Life (3)  Fair Value   Amortized Cost   Weighted
Average
Coupon
   Fair Value   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Coupon
   Fair Value   Amortized Cost   Weighted
Average
Coupon (4)
 
Less than or equal to 1 year  $-   $-    -   $-   $-    -   $61,279,492   $62,031,034    4.92%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years   8,855,191    8,698,829    2.53%   35,583,940    36,517,583    2.19%   465,361,086    465,420,736    1.20%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years   1,130,350,078    1,122,059,484    3.39%   17,885,541    16,863,775    5.33%   602,483,200    599,969,280    2.21%
Greater than ten years   8,766,902    8,705,955    4.11%   -    -    -    304,397,767    295,811,581    5.71%
Total  $1,147,972,171   $1,139,464,268    3.39%  $53,469,481   $53,381,358    2.70%  $1,433,521,545   $1,423,232,631    2.18%

 

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company sold 6 securities for total proceeds of $29.9 million, recording realized gains of $41,181 and realized losses of $1.4 million.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold 18 securities for total proceeds of $326.1 million, recording realized gains of $5.5 million and realized losses of $0.8 million.

 

See Notes 4 and 7 for amounts realized on sales of loans and the settlement of certain derivatives, respectively.

 

A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it. SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets. The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms. Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments. Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement, such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. See Note 2 for more detail.

 

In 2014, the Company entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating the VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company concluded that the entity created to facilitate this transaction was a VIE. The Company also determined the VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction should be consolidated by the Company and treated as a secured borrowing, based on consideration of its involvement in the VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether its involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate principal balance of $37.9 million and $40.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate fair value of $34.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $28.7 million and $30.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair market value of the consolidated tranche was $28.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively, which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as “Non-Agency RMBS.” As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the aggregate security has a weighted average coupon of 5.21% and 5.32%, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 6.06% and 6.14%, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2015, the Company has recorded secured financing of $28.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item. The Company recorded the proceeds from the issuance of the secured financing in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the consolidated tranche had a weighted average life of 3.38 years and 4.04 years, respectively and a weighted average yield of 3.11% and 3.67%, respectively. The holders of the consolidated tranche have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The Company has no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE.

 

16

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

4. Loans

 

Residential Mortgage Loans

 

On February 28, 2014, the Company acquired a residential mortgage loan portfolio with an aggregate unpaid principal balance and acquisition fair value of $59.0 million and $34.9 million, respectively. On February 18, 2014, the Company entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (“Repurchase facility”) to finance acquisitions of residential mortgage loans. See Note 6 for further detail on the Company’s loan repurchase facility.

 

On July 31, 2014, the Company acquired a residential mortgage loan portfolio with an aggregate unpaid principal balance and acquisition fair value of $13.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

 

On September 30, 2014, the Company acquired a residential mortgage loan portfolio with an aggregate unpaid principal balance and acquisition fair value of $50.5 million and $44.0 million, respectively.

 

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of March 31, 2016:

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average 
   Unpaid Principal
Balance
   Premium
(Discount)
   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon   Yield   Life (Years) (2) 
Residential mortgage loans  $77,639,271   $(23,464,440)  $54,174,831   $2,534,274   $-   $56,709,105    5.45%   9.24%   5.27 

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of December 31, 2015:

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average 
   Unpaid Principal
Balance
   Premium
(Discount)
   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon   Yield   Life (Years) (2) 
Residential mortgage loans  $78,834,774   $(24,413,319)  $54,421,455   $2,658,772   $-   $57,080,227    5.46%   8.70%   5.58 

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

 

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

The table below summarizes the distribution of the Company’s residential mortgage loans at fair value:

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Loan Type  Fair Value   Unpaid Principal
Balance
   Fair Value   Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Re-Performing  $43,091,272   $55,830,445   $43,152,987   $56,424,387 
Non-Performing   13,617,833    21,808,826    13,927,240    22,410,387 
   $56,709,105   $77,639,271   $57,080,227   $78,834,774 

 

17

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates loans for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a loan is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a loan is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the loan is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” No OTTI was recorded on loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015.

 

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio consisted of mortgage loans on residential real estate located throughout the U.S. The following is a summary of certain concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio:

 

Concentration of Credit Risk  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans with unpaid principal balance to current property value in excess of 100%   93%   95%
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans secured by properties in the following states:          
Representing 5% or more of fair value:          
New York   19%   20%
California   9%   9%
Florida   6%   6%
Maryland   5%   5%

 

The Company records interest income on a level-yield basis. The accretable discount is determined by the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted principal, interest, and other cash flows expected to be collected over its initial investment in the mortgage loan. The following is a summary of the changes in the accretable portion of discounts for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Beginning Balance  $24,216,638   $38,008,263 
Additions   -    - 
Accretion   (1,104,027)   (1,865,295)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference   154,405    4,356,113 
Disposals   (103,869)   (1,041,317)
Ending Balance  $23,163,147   $39,457,764 

 

As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of 385 conventional loans with original loan balances between $9,000 and $1.1 million.

 

Commercial Loans

 

The following tables present the current principal balance, premium or discount, amortized cost, gross unrealized gain, gross unrealized loss, fair market value, weighted average coupon rate and weighted average effective yield of the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on March 31, 2016.

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average          
   Current Face   Premium
(Discount)
   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon
(6)
   Yield   Life
(Years) (7)
   Stated Maturity
Date (8)
  Extended
Maturity Date
  Location
Loan A (2)  $30,000,000   $(26,196)  $29,973,804   $26,196   $-   $30,000,000    6.69%   8.53%   0.19   June 5, 2017  June 5, 2019  FL
Loan B (3)   32,800,000    (14,560)   32,785,440    14,560    -    32,800,000    5.19%   5.75%   0.27   July 1, 2016  July 1, 2019  TX
Loan C (4)   10,000,000    (22,173)   9,977,827    22,173    -    10,000,000    13.44%   15.41%   0.85   February 1, 2017  February 1, 2018  NY
Loan D (5)   12,000,000    (1,374,502)   10,625,498    1,374,502    -    12,000,000    10.44%   15.11%   0.88   February 11, 2017  August 11, 2017  NY
   $84,800,000   $(1,437,431)  $83,362,569   $1,437,431   $-   $84,800,000    7.44%   9.20%   0.40          

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains (losses). 

(2) Loan A is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $20.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.

(3) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(4) Loan C is a mezzanine loan.

(5) Loan D is a first mortgage loan. See below for further information.

(6) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(7) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(8) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

 

18

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and, at closing, transferred a 15.0%, or $1.8 million, participation interest in the loan (the “Participation Interest”) to an unaffiliated third party. The Participation Interest did not meet the sales criteria established under ASC 860, therefore, the entire commercial loan has been recorded as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, referred to in the above table as “Loan D”. The weighted average coupon and yield on the commercial loan was 10.44% and 15.11%, respectively, at March 31, 2016. A $1.8 million liability was recorded in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet representing the transfer of the Participation Interest. The Company recorded the origination of the commercial loan in the “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” section and the proceeds from the transfer in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The weighted average coupon and yield on the Participation Interest was 10.44% and 24.18%, respectively, at March 31, 2016.

 

The following tables present the current principal balance, premium or discount, amortized cost, gross unrealized gain, gross unrealized loss, fair market value, coupon rate and effective yield of the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on December 31, 2015.

 

               Gross Unrealized (1)       Weighted Average          
   Current Face   Premium
(Discount)
   Amortized Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value   Coupon
(5)
   Yield   Life
(Years) (6)
   Stated Maturity
Date (7)
  Extended
Maturity Date
  Location
Loan A (2)  $30,000,000   $(70,981)  $29,929,019   $70,981   $-   $30,000,000    6.52%   8.50%   0.44   June 5, 2017  June 5, 2019  FL
Loan B (3)   32,800,000    (38,441)   32,761,559    38,441    -    32,800,000    5.02%   5.72%   0.52   July 1, 2016  July 1, 2019  TX
Loan C (4)   10,000,000    (29,607)   9,970,393    29,607    -    10,000,000    13.50%   16.13%   1.19   February 1, 2017  February 1, 2018  NY
   $72,800,000   $(139,029)  $72,660,971   $139,029   $-   $72,800,000    6.80%   8.30%   0.58          

 

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains (losses). 

(2) Loan A is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $20.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.

(3) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(4) Loan C is a mezzanine loan.

(5) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(6) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(7) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company recorded $0.1 million of discount accretion. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company recorded $0.3 million of discount accretion.

 

5. Fair Value Measurements

 

As described in Note 2, the fair value of financial instruments that are recorded at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable. The three levels of the hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

 

  Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2 – Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.
  Level 3 – Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

Values for the Company’s securities, securitized debt, and derivatives are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity. The evaluation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporates commonly used market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to various indices such as the one-year constant maturity treasury and LIBOR, which are observable inputs. The evaluation also considers the underlying characteristics of each investment, which are also observable inputs, including: coupon; maturity date; loan age; reset date; collateral type; periodic and life cap; geography; and prepayment speeds. The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available. As part of the Company’s risk management process, the Company reviews and analyzes all prices obtained by comparing prices to recently completed transactions involving the same or similar investments on or near the reporting date. If, in the opinion of the Manager, one or more prices reported to the Company are not reliable or unavailable, the Manager reviews the fair value based on characteristics of the investment it receives from the issuer and available market information.

  

In valuing its derivatives, the Company considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from the perspective of both the Company and its counterparties. All of the Company’s derivatives are either subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd Frank Act”). For swaps cleared under the Dodd Frank Act, a Central Counterparty Clearing House (“CCP”) now stands between the Company and the over-the-counter derivative counterparties. In order to access clearing, the Company has entered into clearing agreements with Futures Commissions Merchants (“FCMs”). The Company records its derivative asset and liability positions on a gross basis.

19

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The fair value of the Company's mortgage loans and loan participation considers data such as loan origination information, additional updated borrower information, loan servicing data, as available, forward interest rates, general economic conditions, home price index forecasts and valuations of the underlying properties. The variables considered most significant to the determination of the fair value of the Company's mortgage loans include market-implied discount rates, projections of default rates, delinquency rates, reperformance rates, loss severity (considering mortgage insurance) and prepayment rates. The Company uses loan level data and macro-economic inputs to generate loss adjusted cash flows and other information in determining the fair value of its mortgage loans. Because of the inherent uncertainty of such valuation, the fair values established for mortgage loans held by the Company may differ from the fair values that would have been established if a ready market existed for these mortgage loans. Accordingly, mortgage loans are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The Manager may also engage specialized third party valuation service providers to assess and corroborate the valuation of a selection of investments in the Company’s loan portfolio on a periodic basis. These specialized third party valuation service providers conduct independent valuation analyses based on a review of source documents, available market data, and comparable investments. The analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

 

TBA instruments are similar in form to the Company’s Agency RMBS portfolio, and the Company therefore estimates fair value based on similar methods.

 

U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements is based upon the value of the underlying borrowed U.S. Treasury securities as of the reporting date.

 

The Company entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating a VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the consolidated tranche as Level 2.

 

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Arc Home to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-QM loans. The Company invests in Arc Home through AG Arc. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of AG Arc as Level 1.

 

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and transferred a 15% participation interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the commercial loan and consolidated participation interest as Level 3.

 

As a condition to membership in the FHLBC, members are required to purchase and hold a certain amount of FHLBC stock, which is considered a non-marketable, long-term investment. Because this stock can only be transacted at its par value, and only to the FHLBC, the Manager believes cost approximates fair value. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of these assets as Level 3. As part of the Final Rule mentioned previously, the Company will have to sell back all of its FHLBC stock by February 19, 2017.

 

20

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Fair Value at March 31, 2016 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Assets:                    
Agency RMBS:                    
30 Year Fixed Rate  $-   $811,368,306   $-   $811,368,306 
Fixed Rate CMO   -    76,785,718    -    76,785,718 
ARM   -    246,202,289    -    246,202,289 
Interest Only   -    48,764,605    -    48,764,605 
Credit Investments:                    
Non-Agency RMBS   -    394,035,740    760,004,764    1,154,040,504 
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only   -    -    4,052,280    4,052,280 
ABS   -    -    64,643,140    64,643,140 
CMBS   -    42,960,845    86,980,005    129,940,850 
CMBS Interest Only   -    -    17,126,868    17,126,868 
Residential mortgage loans   -    -    56,709,105    56,709,105 
Commercial loans   -    -    84,800,000    84,800,000 
U.S. Treasury securities   432,376,875    -    -    432,376,875 
Excess mortgage servicing rights   -    -    383,843    383,843 
Derivative assets   -    419,340    -    419,340 
FHLBC stock   -    -    8,015,900    8,015,900 
AG ARC   302,495    -    -    302,495 
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value  $432,679,370   $1,620,536,843   $1,082,715,905   $3,135,932,118 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Securitized debt  $-   $-   $(28,256,689)  $(28,256,689)
Loan participation payable   -    -    (1,800,000)   (1,800,000)
Derivative liabilities   -    (23,071,439)   -    (23,071,439)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value  $-   $(23,071,439)  $(30,056,689)  $(53,128,128)

 

21

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2015.

 

   Fair Value at December 31, 2015 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Assets:                    
Agency RMBS:                    
30 Year Fixed Rate  $-   $820,137,292   $-   $820,137,292 
Fixed Rate CMO   -    78,025,512    -    78,025,512 
ARM   -    249,809,367    -    249,809,367 
Interest Only   -    53,469,481    -    53,469,481 
Credit Investments:                    
Non-Agency RMBS   -    772,579,324    451,677,960    1,224,257,284 
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only   -    -    5,553,734    5,553,734 
ABS   -    -    54,761,837    54,761,837 
CMBS   -    43,846,556    91,024,418    134,870,974 
CMBS Interest Only   -    -    14,077,716    14,077,716 
Residential mortgage loans   -    -    57,080,227    57,080,227 
Commercial loans   -    -    72,800,000    72,800,000 
U.S. Treasury securities   223,434,922    -    -    223,434,922 
Excess mortgage servicing rights   -    -    425,311    425,311 
Derivative assets   -    1,755,467    -    1,755,467 
FHLBC stock   -    -    8,015,900    8,015,900 
AG ARC   (316,580)   -    -    (316,580)
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value  $223,118,342   $2,019,622,999   $755,417,103   $2,998,158,444 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Securitized debt  $-   $(30,046,861)  $-   $(30,046,861)
Derivative liabilities   -    (6,863,770)   -    (6,863,770)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value  $-   $(36,910,631)  $-   $(36,910,631)

 

The Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.

  

The following tables present additional information about the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
   Non-Agency
RMBS
   Non-Agency
RMBS IO
   ABS   CMBS   CMBS Interest
Only
   Residential
Mortgage
Loans
   Commercial
Loans
   Excess
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights
   FHLBC Stock   Securitized
debt
   Loan
Participation payable
 
Beginning balance  $451,677,960   $5,553,734   $54,761,837   $91,024,418   $14,077,716   $57,080,227   $72,800,000   $425,311   $8,015,900   $-   $- 
Transfers (1):                                                       
Transfers into level 3   341,075,247    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (30,046,861)   - 
Transfers out of level 3   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Purchases/transfers (2)   6,724,062    -    11,198,203    -    29,884    -    10,428,437    -    -    -    (1,564,266)
Reclassification of security type (3)   -    -    -    -    3,103,111    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Proceeds from sales   (7,494,697)   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Proceeds from settlement   (22,910,622)   -    (627,620)   (920,368)   -    (326,292)   -    (41,468)   -    1,713,596    - 
Total net gains/(losses) (4)                                                       
Included in net income   (9,067,186)   (1,501,454)   (689,280)   (3,124,045)   (83,843)   (44,830)   1,571,563    -    -    76,576    (235,734)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Ending Balance  $760,004,764   $4,052,280   $64,643,140   $86,980,005   $17,126,868   $56,709,105   $84,800,000   $383,843   $8,015,900   $(28,256,689)  $(1,800,000)
                                                        
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of March 31, 2016 (5)  $(4,319,506)  $(1,007,267)  $(551,022)  $(2,794,125)  $(83,843)  $(44,830)  $1,571,563   $-   $-   $76,576   $(235,734)

 

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period.

(2) Transfers represent proceeds from transfer of loan participation.

(3) Represents a reclassification from investments in debt and equity of affiliates.

(4) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net  $(7,225,630)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   (159,158)
Net realized gain/(loss)   (5,713,445)
Total  $(13,098,233)

 

(5) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net  $(7,229,030)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   (159,158)
Total  $(7,388,188)

 

22

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
   Non-Agency
RMBS
   Non-Agency
RMBS IO
   ABS   CMBS   CMBS Interest Only   Residential
Mortgage
Loans
   Commercial
Loans
   Excess
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights
   Linked
Transactions
 
Beginning balance  $455,236,279   $-   $66,693,243   $39,343,274   $6,125,949   $85,089,859   $72,800,000   $628,367   $5,082,731 
Transfers (1):                                             
Transfers into level 3   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Transfers out of level 3   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Purchases   71,926,246    2,219,890    4,027,500    14,642,289    -    -    -    -    - 
Reclassification of security type (2)   24,129,591    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (5,082,731)
Proceeds from sales   (12,383,544)   -    (2,595,898)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Proceeds from settlement   (35,224,917)   -    (228,246)   (387,963)   -    (1,858,699)   -    (48,633)   - 
Total net gains/ (losses) (3)                                             
Included in net income   3,641,627    -    1,170,655    212,959    (119,922)   (838,440)   -    -    - 
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Ending Balance  $507,325,282   $2,219,890   $69,067,254   $53,810,559   $6,006,027   $82,392,720   $72,800,000   $579,734   $- 
                                              
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of March 31, 2015 (4)  $3,447,627   $-   $1,073,361   $212,959   $(119,922)  $(770,629)  $-   $-   $- 

 

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period.

(2) Represents an accounting reclassification between a linked transaction and a real estate security.

(3) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net  $4,083,812 
Interest income   (16,933)
Total  $4,066,879 

 

(4) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net  $4,359,636 
Net realized gain/(loss)   (516,240)
Total  $3,843,396 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company transferred 29 Non-Agency RMBS securities and its securitized debt instrument with a total fair market value of $341.1 million and $30.0 million, respectively, into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 as these instruments exhibited indications of reduced levels of market transparency. Examples of such indications include a reduction in observable transactions or executable quotes involving these instruments or similar instruments. Changes in these indications could impact price transparency, and thereby cause a change in level designations in future periods. The Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

23

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following tables present a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of investments for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

 

Asset Class  Fair Value at
March 31, 2016
   Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range
(Weighted Average)
           Yield  -1.46% - 21.14%   (5.54%)
Non-Agency RMBS  $760,004,764   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  0.00% - 20.00%   (6.69%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 38.00%   (8.45%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 100.00%   (46.78%)
           Yield  -28.45% - 10.18%   (-23.58%)
Non-Agency RMBS  $4,052,280   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  25.00% - 25.00%   (25.00%)
Interest Only          Projected Collateral Losses  1.00% - 1.00%   (1.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  10.00% - 10.00%   (10.00%)
           Yield  2.45% - 7.02%   (5.29%)
ABS  $64,643,140   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  1.50% - 100.00%   (77.58%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 8.30%   (5.85%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Yield  3.53% - 17.94%   (5.61%)
CMBS  $86,980,005   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  0.00% - 20.00%   (0.53%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Yield  3.43% - 11.30%   (6.43%)
CMBS Interest Only  $17,126,868   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  100.00% - 100.00%   (100.00%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Yield  6.96% - 43.37%   (9.24%)
Residential Mortgage Loans  $56,709,105   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  4.31% - 7.92%   (6.86%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  7.78% - 11.67%   (10.15%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  28.95% - 38.94%   (35.22%)
           Yield  5.75% - 24.18%   (9.20%)
Commercial Loans  $84,800,000   Discounted Cash Flow  Credit Spread  4.75 bps - 13 bps   (7 bps)
           Recovery Percentage*  100.00% - 100.00%   (100.00%)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights  $383,843   Discounted Cash Flow  Yield  5.94% - 7.67%   (6.15%)
FHLBC stock  $8,015,900   **  Yield  4.00% - 4.00%   (4.00%)

 

Liability Class  Fair Value at
March 31, 2016
   Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range
(Weighted Average)
           Yield  3.11% - 3.11%   (3.11%)
Securitized debt  $(28,256,689)  Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  12.00% - 12.00%   (12.00%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  5.50% - 5.50%   (5.50%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  43.00% - 43.00%   (43.00%)
           Yield  24.18% - 24.18%   (24.18%)
Loan participation payable  $(1,800,000)  Discounted Cash Flow  Credit Spread  10 bps - 10 bps   (10 bps)
           Recovery Percentage*  100.00% - 100.00%   (100.00%)

 

* Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of March 31, 2016.

** Fair value of the FHLBC stock approximates outstanding face amount as the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary is restricted from trading the stock and can only put the stock back to the FHLBC, at the FHLBC's discretion, at par.

 

24

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Asset Class  Fair Value at
December 31, 2015
   Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range
(Weighted Average)
           Yield  0.81% - 16.11%   (5.82%)
Non-Agency RMBS  $451,677,960   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  0.00% - 20.00%   (6.36%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 38.00%   (10.27%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 88.08%   (31.22%)
           Yield  10.59% - 11.40%   (10.70%)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only  $5,553,734   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  25.00% - 25.00%   (25.00%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  1.00% - 1.00%   (1.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  10.00% - 10.00%   (10.00%)
           Yield  2.44% - 7.57%   (5.62%)
ABS  $54,761,837   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  20.00% - 100.00%   (79.96%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 8.30%   (6.06%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 50.00%   (10.98%)
           Yield  3.94% - 16.87%   (5.83%)
CMBS  $91,024,418   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  0.00% - 20.00%   (0.37%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Yield  5.78% - 7.28%   (6.67%)
CMBS Interest Only  $14,077,716   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  100.00% - 100.00%   (100.00%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  0.00% - 0.00%   (0.00%)
           Yield  6.27% - 38.49%   (8.70%)
Residential Mortgage Loans  $57,080,227   Discounted Cash Flow  Projected Collateral Prepayments  3.42% - 7.41%   (6.54%)
           Projected Collateral Losses  6.32% - 12.26%   (10.17%)
           Projected Collateral Severities  28.10% - 37.47%   (34.05%)
           Yield  5.72% - 16.13%   (8.30%)
Commercial Loans  $72,800,000   Discounted Cash Flow  Credit Spread  4.75 bps - 13.25 bps   (6.54 bps)
           Recovery Percentage*  100.00% - 100.00%   (100.00%)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights  $425,311   Discounted Cash Flow  Yield  5.49% - 11.51%   (6.33%)
FHLBC stock  $8,015,900   **  Yield  4.00% - 4.00%   (4.00%)

 

* Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of December 31, 2015.

** Fair value of the FHLBC stock approximates outstanding face amount as the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary is restricted from trading the stock and can only put the stock back to the FHLBC, at the FHLBC's discretion, at par.

 

As further described above, values for the Company’s securities portfolio are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services. Broker quotations may also be used. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s securities are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

 

Also as described above, valuation of the Company’s loan portfolio is determined by the Manager using third-party pricing services where available, specialized third party valuation service providers, or model-based pricing. The evaluation considers the underlying characteristics of each loan, which are observable inputs, including: coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds. These valuations also require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, re-performance rates, leasing, creditworthiness of major tenants, occupancy rates, availability of financing, exit plan, loan sponsorship, actions of other lenders and other factors deemed necessary by management. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently estimated. If applicable, analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

 

6. Repurchase Agreements and FHLBC Advances

 

The Company pledges certain real estate securities and loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Repurchase agreements involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets or similar assets at a future date. FHLBC Advances involve loan advances made to the Company by the FHLBC in exchange for real estate securities as collateral. The amount borrowed generally is equal to the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” The Company calculates haircuts disclosed in the tables below by dividing allocated capital on each borrowing by the current fair market value of each investment. Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances entered into by the Company are accounted for as financings and require the repurchase of the transferred assets at the end of each agreement’s term, typically 30 to 90 days. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities or floating rate coupons. If the Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it receives the related principal and interest payments. If the Company does not maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it will have the related principal and interest payments remitted to it by the lender. Interest rates on these borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the borrowing at which time the Company may enter into a new borrowing arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security paydown factors, lenders typically require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or establish cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. The fair value of financial instruments pledged as collateral on the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances disclosed in the tables below represent the Company’s fair value of such instruments which may differ from the fair value assigned to the collateral by its counterparties. The Company maintains a level of liquidity in the form of cash and unpledged Agency RMBS and Agency Interest-Only securities in order to meet these obligations. Under the terms of the Company’s master repurchase agreements, the counterparties may, in certain cases, sell or re-hypothecate the pledged collateral.

 

25

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

In January 2016, the FHFA issued the Final Rule, which prevents MITT Insurance from renewing, extending or receiving any additional FHLBC Advances. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding advances with the FHLBC. See Note 2 for more detail. Any FHLBC Advances reflected in the tables below are as of December 31, 2015.

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average Rate   Weighted Average Haircut   Fair Value Pledged   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $1,381,399,000    1.30%   12.5%  $1,608,225,524   $1,591,368,251   $5,121,864 
31-60 days   138,255,000    1.48%   11.1%   156,115,130    157,014,464    502,301 
61-90 days   165,811,000    1.45%   13.8%   195,833,906    195,056,307    533,650 
Greater than 90 days   364,544,074    1.73%   9.8%   440,628,465    432,153,023    1,127,571 
Total / Weighted Average  $2,050,009,074    1.40%   12.0%  $2,400,803,025   $2,375,592,045   $7,285,386 

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Haircut
   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $1,052,983,000    1.43%   15.4%  $1,268,366,695   $1,256,686,536   $4,308,583 
31-60 days   245,124,000    1.23%   11.8%   281,093,633    280,893,609    887,640 
61-90 days   76,739,000    1.98%   21.1%   98,349,611    97,456,598    222,769 
Greater than 90 days   364,352,658    1.57%   9.4%   431,942,111    425,617,273    1,315,462 
Total / Weighted Average  $1,739,198,658    1.46%   13.9%  $2,079,752,050   $2,060,654,016   $6,734,454 

 

The Company had no FHLBC Advances as of March 31, 2016.

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s FHLBC Advances secured by Agency RMBS as of December 31, 2015:

 

   FHLBC Advances   Collateral Pledged 
FHLBC Advances Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Haircut
   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $186,449,500    0.36%   0.2%  $187,002,677   $186,972,618   $550,689 
31-60 days   39,750,000    0.44%   2.7%   40,857,352    40,726,086    115,211 
61-90 days   170,694,500    0.49%   0.3%   176,322,379    174,577,627    471,330 
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $396,894,000    0.42%   0.5%  $404,182,408   $402,276,331   $1,137,230 

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average Rate   Weighted Average Funding Cost   Weighted Average Haircut   Fair Value Pledged   Amortized Cost   Accrued Interest 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -   $-   $-   $- 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   33,987,376    2.94%   3.07%   32.6%   50,650,246    48,176,665    58,795 
Total / Weighted Average  $33,987,376    2.94%   3.07%   32.6%  $50,650,246   $48,176,665   $58,795 

 

26

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Funding Cost
   Weighted Average
Haircut (1)
   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -   $-   $-   $- 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   50,606,302    2.93%   3.18%   N/A    50,686,922    48,426,156    53,074 
Total / Weighted Average  $50,606,302    2.93%   3.18%   N/A   $50,686,922   $48,426,156   $53,074 

 

(1) As of December 31, 2015, the Company had a total of $74.0 million of collateral pledged, comprised of $50.7 million of financial instruments and $23.3 million of cash from loan sales, which at December 31, 2015 was held by the Company's broker. The haircut based on total collateral pledged is 31.1% as of December 31, 2015.

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in commercial loans as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average Funding Cost   Weighted
Average Haircut
   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -   $-   $-   $- 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   42,796,000    2.68%   3.72%   31.8%   62,800,000    62,759,244    1,052,626 
Total / Weighted Average  $42,796,000    2.68%   3.72%   31.8%  $62,800,000   $62,759,244   $1,052,626 

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average Funding Cost   Weighted Average Haircut   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -   $-   $-   $- 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   42,796,000    2.67%   3.62%   31.8%   62,800,000    62,690,578    941,247 
Total / Weighted Average  $42,796,000    2.67%   3.62%   31.8%  $62,800,000   $62,690,578   $941,247 

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in U.S. Treasury securities as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average Rate   Weighted Average Haircut   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized 
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
Overnight  $430,123,750    0.57%   0.52%  $432,376,875   $428,972,852   $975,575 
30 days or less   -    -    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $430,123,750    0.57%   0.52%  $432,376,875   $428,972,852   $975,575 

 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in U.S. Treasury securities as of December 31, 2015:

 

   Repurchase Agreements   Collateral Pledged 
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted
Average Rate
   Weighted Average Haircut   Fair Value
Pledged
   Amortized 
Cost
   Accrued
Interest
 
Overnight  $202,362,500    0.42%   0.57%  $203,520,859   $205,763,477   $693,430 
30 days or less   -    -    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $202,362,500    0.42%   0.57%  $203,520,859   $205,763,477   $693,430 

 

27

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Although repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances are committed borrowings until maturity, the lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets resulting from changes in market conditions or factor changes would require the Company to provide additional collateral or cash to fund margin calls. See Note 7 for details on collateral posted /received against certain derivatives. The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s posting of collateral under (i) repurchase agreements on March 31, 2016 and (ii) repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances on December 31, 2015, broken out by investment type:

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances:        
Agency RMBS (1)  $1,080,543,560   $1,128,962,588 
Non-Agency RMBS   1,112,048,620    1,157,357,871 
ABS   64,643,140    54,761,837 
CMBS   143,567,705    142,852,162 
Residential Mortgage Loans   50,650,246    50,686,922 
Commercial Mortgage Loans   62,800,000    62,800,000 
U.S. Treasury Securities   432,376,875    203,520,859 
Cash pledged (i.e., restricted cash) under repurchase agreements   16,539,634    16,662,156 
Total collateral pledged under Repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances  $2,963,169,780   $2,817,604,395 

 

(1) Collateral for FHLBC advances consist solely of Agency RMBS.

 

The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s total borrowings under (i) repurchase agreements on March 31, 2016 and (ii) repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances on December 31, 2015, broken out by investment type:

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Repurchase agreements secured by investments:          
Agency RMBS  $1,017,072,000   $676,679,000 
Non-Agency RMBS   876,448,074    914,276,658 
ABS   50,575,000    43,544,000 
CMBS   105,914,000    104,699,000 
Residential Mortgage Loans   33,987,376    50,606,302 
Commercial Mortgage Loans   42,796,000    42,796,000 
U.S. Treasury Securities   430,123,750    202,362,500 
FHLBC advances secured by investments:          
Agency RMBS   -    396,894,000 
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances  $2,556,916,200   $2,431,857,460 

 

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016:

 

               Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet     
Description  Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities   Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet   Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet   Financial Instruments Posted   Cash Collateral Posted   Net Amount 
Repurchase Agreements  $2,556,916,200   $                 -   $2,556,916,200   $2,556,916,200   $           -   $- 

 

The Company had no FHLBC Advances as of March 31, 2016.

 

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015:

 

               Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet     
Description  Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities   Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet   Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet   Financial Instruments Posted   Cash Collateral Posted   Net Amount 
Repurchase Agreements  $2,034,963,460   $                -   $2,034,963,460   $2,034,963,460   $           -   $- 
FHLBC advances   396,894,000    -    396,894,000    396,894,000    -    - 
Total  $2,431,857,460   $-   $2,431,857,460   $2,431,857,460   $-   $- 

 

28

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The Company seeks to obtain financing from several different counterparties in order to reduce the financing risk related to any single counterparty. The Company has entered into master repurchase agreements (“MRAs”) or loan agreements with such financing counterparties. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the Company had 37 (excluding the FHLBC) and 38 financing counterparties, respectively, under which it had outstanding debt with 21 and 21 counterparties, respectively.

 

The following table presents information at March 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

 

Counterparty  Amount at Risk   Weighted Average
Maturity (days)
   Percentage of
Stockholders' Equity
 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  $75,700,781    594    12%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC   43,474,663    179    7%
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation   35,157,707    28    5%
Credit Suisse Securities, LLC   33,889,842    114    5%

 

The following table presents information at December 31, 2015 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

 

Counterparty  Amount at Risk   Weighted Average
Maturity (days)
   Percentage of
Stockholders' Equity
 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  $59,863,639    543    9%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC   45,341,579    187    7%
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation   41,788,752    44    6%
Credit Suisse Securities, LLC   40,797,732    44    6%

 

On April 13, 2015, the Company, AG MIT LLC and AG MIT CMO, LLC, each a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amendment Number 2 to the Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (the “Second Renewal”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) to finance both AG MIT’s and AG MIT CMO’s acquisition of certain consumer asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities as well as residential, Non-Agency RMBS. The Second Renewal amends the repurchase agreement entered into by the Company, AG MIT and AG MIT CMO with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in 2014. Each transaction under the Second Renewal will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The Second Renewal includes a 270 day evergreen structure providing for the automatic renewal of the agreement each day for a new term of 270 days unless Wells Fargo notifies AG MIT and AG MIT CMO that it has decided not to renew, at which point the agreement will terminate 270 days after the date of nonrenewal. The Second Renewal also increased the aggregate maximum borrowing capacity to $200 million and extended the maturity date to April 13, 2017. At the request of AG MIT and AG MIT CMO, Wells Fargo may grant a 90 day extension of the maturity date. The Second Renewal contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are substantially identical to those in the previous repurchase agreements and are customary for agreements of this type. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $98.7 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

 

On February 26, 2016, AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC (“AG MIT WFB1”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into Amendment Number Four of the Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (as amended, the “WFB1 Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance the ownership and acquisition of certain beneficial interests in trusts owning participation interests in one or more pools of residential mortgage loans. Each transaction under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement has its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending February 24, 2017 and a facility termination date of February 23, 2018. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement is $100.0 million. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement also contains financial covenants that are the same as those in the Second Renewal. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $34.0 million of debt outstanding under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement.

 

On September 17, 2014, AG MIT CREL, LLC (“AG MIT CREL”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (the “CREL Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance AG MIT CREL’s acquisition of certain beneficial interests in one or more commercial mortgage loans. Each transaction under the CREL Repurchase Agreement will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The CREL Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending September 17, 2016 and an initial facility termination date of September 17, 2016 (the “Initial Termination Date”), subject to the satisfaction of certain terms of the extensions described below. AG MIT CREL has three (3) one-year options to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement: (i) the first for an additional one year period (the “First Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2017 (the “First Extended Termination Date”), (ii) the second for an additional one year period (the “Second Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2018 (the “Second Extended Termination Date”) and (iii) the third for an additional one year period ending September 17, 2019 (the “Third Extended Termination Date”). For each of the Initial Termination Date, the First Extended Termination Date, the Second Extended Termination Date and the Third Extended Termination Date, if such day is not a Business Day, such date shall be the next succeeding Business Day. Each option shall be exercisable in each case no more than ninety (90) days and no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the initial facility termination date, the First Extended Termination Date or the Second Extended Termination Date, as the case may be. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement is $150.0 million. Under the CREL Repurchase Agreement, Wells Fargo’s recourse against the Company and AG MIT, LLC in the event of a default is limited to $80 million.

 

29

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT, LLC, entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The Amendment amended certain terms in the CREL Repurchase Agreement, the Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 2014, delivered by the Company and AG MIT to Wells Fargo and the Fee and Pricing Letter, dated as of September 17, 2014, between AG MIT CREL and Wells Fargo. The Amendment lowered the maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement from $150 million to approximately $42.8 million. The Amendment also provided that the CREL Repurchase Agreement become full recourse to the Company and AG MIT, LLC. By amending the recourse of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the Company and AG MIT, LLC, the Company was able to remove certain financial covenants on AG MIT CREL that limited the amount that AG MIT CREL could borrow under the CREL Repurchase Agreement. The Amendment also eliminated the fee for the portion of the repurchase facility that was unused. In connection with the execution of the Amendment, AG MIT CREL borrowed an additional $20.3 million so that as of August 4, 2015 the outstanding borrowings under the CREL Repurchase Agreement totaled approximately $42.8 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $42.8 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

 

The CREL Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. It also contains financial covenants that are the same as the financial covenants in the Second Renewal.

 

The Company’s MRAs generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each MRA, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios.

   

7. Derivatives

 

The Company’s derivatives may include interest rate swaps (“swaps”), swaptions, TBAs, MBS options, and IO Indexes. Derivatives have not been designated as hedging instruments. The Company may also enter into non-derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk, including Agency Interest Only securities and long and short positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

 

The following table presents the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments and their balance sheet location at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

Derivative Instrument  Designation  Balance Sheet Location  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Interest rate swaps  Non-Hedge  Derivative liabilities, at fair value  $(22,510,107)  $(6,722,170)
Interest rate swaps  Non-Hedge  Derivative assets, at fair value   -    1,755,467 
TBAs  Non-Hedge  Derivative liabilities, at fair value   (561,332)   (141,600)
TBAs  Non-Hedge  Derivative assets, at fair value   419,340    - 
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries  Non-Hedge  U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value   432,376,875    223,434,922 
                 

 

The following table summarizes information related to derivatives:

 

Non-hedge derivatives held long/(short):  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Notional amount of Pay Fix/Receive Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements  $899,000,000   $969,000,000 
Notional amount of TBAs   -    75,000,000 
Notional amount of long positions on U.S. Treasuries   426,000,000    226,000,000 

 

30

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following table summarizes gains/(losses) related to derivatives:

  

      Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
Non-hedge derivatives gain (loss):  Statement of Operations Location  March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Interest rate swaps, at fair value  Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net  $(17,901,375)  $(9,681,958)
Interest rate swaps, at fair value  Net realized gain/(loss)   (2,893,517)   (12,095,409)
TBAs (1)  Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   (392)   686,330 
TBAs (1)  Net realized gain/(loss)   205,664    2,155,078 
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries  Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   5,992,733    649,023 
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries  Net realized gain/(loss)   314,766    (1,263,672)
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries  Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   -    (369,141)
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries  Net realized gain      -    (442,969)

 

(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.1 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $0.1 million due to price changes. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $1.2 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $1.6 million due to price changes.

 

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative and other instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016:

 

               Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet     
Description  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)   Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet   Net Amounts of Assets
(Liabilities) Presented in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
   Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received   Cash Collateral
(Posted)/Received
   Net Amount 
Derivative Assets                              
TBAs  $419,340   $       -    $419,340   $-   $-   $419,340 
Total Derivative Assets  $419,340   $-   $419,340   $-   $-   $419,340 
                               
Derivative Liabilities (1)                              
Interest Rate Swaps  $(20,057,565)  $-   $(20,057,565)  $-   $(20,057,565)  $- 
TBAs   (561,332)   -    (561,332)   (561,332)   -    - 
Total Derivative Liabilities  $(20,618,897)  $-   $(20,618,897)  $(561,332)  $(20,057,565)  $- 

 

(1) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $20,618,897 plus accrued interest of $2,452,542 for a total of $23,071,439.

 

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015:

 

               Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
     
Description  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)   Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated Balance
Sheet
   Net Amounts of Assets
(Liabilities) Presented in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet
   Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received   Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received   Net Amount 
Derivative Assets (1)                        
Interest Rate Swaps  $3,195,522   $       -   $3,195,522   $-   $1,820,022   $1,375,500 
Total Derivative Assets  $3,195,522   $-   $3,195,522   $-   $1,820,022   $1,375,500 
                               
Derivative Liabilities (2)                              
Interest Rate Swaps  $(5,351,711)  $-   $(5,351,711)  $-   $(5,351,711)  $- 
TBAs   (141,600)   -    (141,600)   (141,600)   -    - 
Total Derivative Liabilities  $(5,493,311)  $-   $(5,493,311)  $(141,600)  $(5,351,711)  $- 

 

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $3,195,522 less accrued interest of $1,440,055 for a total of $1,755,467.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(5,493,311) plus accrued interest of $(1,370,459) for a total of $(6,863,770).

 

The Company must post cash or securities as collateral on its derivative instruments when their fair value declines. This typically occurs when prevailing market rates change adversely, with the severity of the change also dependent on the term of the derivatives involved. The posting of collateral is generally bilateral, meaning that if the fair value of the Company’s derivatives increases, its counterparty will post collateral to it. On March 31, 2016, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $5.0 million and cash of $27.3 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties did not post any collateral to it. On December 31, 2015, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $4.9 million and cash of $15.3 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties posted cash of $1.8 million to it as collateral for certain derivatives.

 

31

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

To help mitigate exposure to higher short-term interest rates, the Company uses currently-paying and may use forward-starting, one- or three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements. This arrangement establishes a relatively stable fixed rate on related borrowings because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements largely offset interest accruing on the related borrowings, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as the Company’s effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates.

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2016:

 

Maturity   Notional Amount   Weighted Average Pay Rate   Weighted Average Receive Rate   Weighted Average Years to Maturity 
 2017   $36,000,000    0.88%   0.62%   1.59 
 2018    165,000,000    1.06%   0.63%   1.95 
 2019    210,000,000    1.29%   0.63%   3.48 
 2020    295,000,000    1.67%   0.63%   4.02 
 2022    53,000,000    1.69%   0.63%   6.44 
 2023    110,000,000    2.31%   0.63%   7.18 
 2025    30,000,000    2.48%   0.64%   9.18 
 Total/Wtd Avg   $899,000,000    1.54%   0.63%   4.12 

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2015:

  

Maturity   Notional Amount   Weighted Average Pay Rate   Weighted Average Receive Rate   Weighted Average Years to Maturity 
 2017   $36,000,000    0.88%   0.33%   1.84 
 2018    165,000,000    1.06%   0.50%   2.20 
 2019    210,000,000    1.29%   0.43%   3.73 
 2020    295,000,000    1.67%   0.40%   4.27 
 2022    73,000,000    1.75%   0.42%   6.53 
 2023    160,000,000    2.31%   0.43%   7.42 
 2025    30,000,000    2.48%   0.45%   9.43 
 Total/Wtd Avg   $969,000,000    1.59%   0.43%   4.56 

 

TBAs

 

The Company has entered into TBA positions to facilitate the future purchase or sale of Agency RMBS. Pursuant to these TBAs, the Company agrees to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered or received would not be identified until shortly (generally two days) before the TBA settlement date. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a pair off), net settling the paired off positions for cash, and simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a dollar roll. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the price drop. The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as dollar roll income/(loss). The Company presents the purchase or sale of TBAs net of the corresponding payable or receivable until the settlement date of the transaction. Contracts for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS are accounted for as derivatives if they do not qualify for the “regular way” security trade scope exception found in ASC 815-10. To be eligible for this scope exception, the contract must meet the following conditions: (1) there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, (2) delivery of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security, and (3) it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that the contract will not settle net and will result in physical delivery of a security when it is issued. Our maximum exposure to loss represents the net payable amount until the settlement date. As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss on TBAs was $0.1 million. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss on TBAs was $77.5 million.

 

32

 

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016  

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s TBAs for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

   Beginning Notional Amount   Buys or Covers   Sales or Shorts   Ending Notional Amount   Fair Value as of Period End   Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker   Derivative Asset   Derivative Liability 
TBAs - Long  $75,000,000   $45,000,000   $(120,000,000)  $-   $-   $23,047   $88,282   $(65,235)
TBAs - Short  $-   $150,000,000   $(150,000,000)  $-   $-   $(165,039)  $331,058   $(496,097)

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

 

   Beginning Notional Amount   Buys or Covers   Sales or Shorts   Ending Notional Amount   Fair Value as of Period End   Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker   Derivative Asset   Derivative Liability 
TBAs - Long  $225,000,000   $605,000,000   $(650,000,000)  $180,000,000   $189,959,769   $(187,792,969)  $2,166,800   $- 
TBAs - Short  $-   $219,000,000   $(219,000,000)  $-   $-   $-   $-   $- 

  

8. Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted- average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period that participate in dividends. Diluted EPS takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company’s outstanding warrants, unvested shares of restricted common stock and unvested restricted stock units were as follows:

 

   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Outstanding warrants   1,007,500    1,007,500 
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager   40,006    60,000 

 

Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase half a share of the Company’s common stock at a fixed price upon exercise of the warrant. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company excluded the effects of such from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

Restricted stock units granted to the manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. The dilutive effects of the restricted stock units are only included in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.  

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Numerator:          
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share  $(5,811,781)  $9,396,088 
           
Denominator:          
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding   28,271,930    28,387,615 
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units   -    24,590 
Dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding   28,271,930    28,412,205 
           
Basic Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:  $(0.21)  $0.33 
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:  $(0.21)  $0.33 

 

Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because its effect would be anti-dilutive was manager restricted stock units of 14,960 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

33

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

The following tables detail our common stock dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and March 31, 2015:

  

2016           
Declaration Date   Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
 3/10/2016   3/21/2016  4/29/2016  $0.475 

 

2015           
Declaration Date   Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
 3/12/2015   3/23/2015  4/30/2015  $0.60 

 

 

The following tables detail our preferred stock dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016, and March 31, 2015:

 

2016             
Dividend  Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
8.25% Series A  2/12/2016  2/29/2016  3/17/2016  $0.51563 
8.00% Series B  2/12/2016  2/29/2016  3/17/2016  $0.50 

 

 

2015             
Dividend  Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
8.25% Series A  2/12/2015  2/27/2015  3/17/2015  $0.51563 
8.00% Series B  2/12/2015  2/27/2015  3/17/2015  $0.50 

 

9. Income Taxes

 

As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. Most states follow U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company recorded excise tax expense of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Excise tax represents a four percent tax on the required amount of the Company’s ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the year. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

 

The Company files tax returns in several U.S jurisdictions. There are no ongoing U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations.

 

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as TRSs and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly, and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

 

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

 

Cash distributions declared by the Company that do not exceed its current or accumulated earnings and profits will be considered ordinary income to stockholders for income tax purposes unless all or a portion of a distribution is designated by the Company as a capital gain dividend. Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be characterized as return of capital or capital gains.

 

Based on the Company’s analysis of any potential uncertain income tax positions, the Company concluded it did not have any uncertain tax positions that meet the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC 740 as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the last three tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In the event that the Company incurs income tax related interest and penalties, its policy is to classify them as a component of provision for income taxes.

 

10. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company has entered into a management agreement with the Manager, which provided for an initial term and will be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period, subject to certain termination rights. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no event of termination had occurred. The Company is externally managed and advised by the Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, which became effective July 6, 2011 (upon the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”), the Manager provides the Company with its management team, including its officers, along with appropriate support personnel. Each of the Company’s officers is an employee of Angelo, Gordon. The Company does not have any employees. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the Company’s management agreement.

 

34

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Management fee

 

The Manager is entitled to a management fee equal to 1.50% per annum, calculated and paid quarterly, of the Company’s Stockholders’ Equity. For purposes of calculating the management fee, “Stockholders’ Equity” means the sum of the net proceeds from any issuances of equity securities (including preferred securities) since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance, and excluding any future equity issuance to the Manager), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of such quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense or other non-cash items described below incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of its common stock, excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and excluding one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Stockholders’ Equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the Company’s financial statements.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company incurred a management fee of approximately $2.5 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred a management fee of approximately $2.5 million.

 

Termination fee

 

The termination fee, payable upon the occurrence of (i) the Company’s termination of the management agreement without cause or (ii) the Manager’s termination of the management agreement upon a breach of any material term of the management agreement, will be equal to three times the average annual management fee during the 24-month period prior to such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no event of termination of the management agreement had occurred.

 

Expense reimbursement

 

The Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company that are incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Company, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. The Company’s reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation; however, the reimbursement is subject to an annual budget process which combines guidelines from the Management Agreement with oversight by the Company’s board of directors.

 

The Company reimburses the Manager or its affiliates for the Company’s allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, annual base salary, bonus, any related withholding taxes and employee benefits paid to (i) the Company’s chief financial officer based on the percentage of time spent on Company affairs, (ii) the Company’s general counsel based on the percentage of time spent on the Company’s affairs, and (iii) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company’s affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, they devote such portion of their time to the Company’s affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company expensed into Other operating expenses $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of reimbursable expenses payable to the Manager.

 

35

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

Restricted stock grants

 

Pursuant to the Company’s Manager Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan adopted on July 6, 2011, the Company can award up to 277,500 shares of its common stock to the directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel of the Company and to the Manager. As of March 31, 2016, 139,902 shares of common stock were available to be awarded under the equity incentive plans. Awards under the equity incentive plans are forfeitable until they become vested. An award will become vested only if the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement (as determined by the compensation committee) are satisfied. The vesting conditions may include performance of services for a specified period, achievement of performance goals, or a combination of both. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of an award upon the occurrence of certain events in its discretion.

 

On July 1, 2014, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued if and when such units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units occurred or will occur on each of July 1, 2015, July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017. The units do not entitle the participant the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The vesting of such units is subject to the continuation of the management agreement. If the management agreement terminates, all unvested units then held by the Manager or the Manager’s transferee shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited without consideration. On July 1, 2015, approximately 20,000 restricted stock units vested, and as of March 31, 2016, approximately 40,000 units remained unvested.

 

Director compensation

 

The Company pays a $90,000 annual base director’s fee to each independent director. Base director’s fees are paid two-thirds in cash and one-third in restricted common stock. The number of shares of restricted common stock to be issued each quarter to each independent director is determined based on the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of each fiscal quarter. To the extent that any fractional shares would otherwise be issuable and payable to each independent director, a cash payment is made to each independent director in lieu of any fractional shares. All directors’ fees are paid pro rata (and restricted stock grants determined) on a quarterly basis in arrears, and shares issued are fully vested and non-forfeitable. These shares may not be sold or transferred by such director during the time of his service as an independent member of the Company’s board.

 

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

 

The Company invests in credit sensitive residential and commercial real estate assets through affiliated entities which also hold an ownership interest in the assets. The Company is one investor, amongst other investors managed by the Manager, in such entities and has applied the equity method of accounting for such investments. These assets include investments in unguaranteed portions of CMBS issued by a GSE and secured by mortgages on multifamily properties. These assets also include an investment in a portfolio of non-performing single-family mortgage loans acquired through a competitive auction conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). Our maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is generally equal to the amount that we invested. See Note 3 for more detail.

 

On December 9, 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) of Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”), a Delaware limited liability company. Arc Home plans to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-QM residential mortgage loans and will be led by an external management team (the “Management Team”). The Board of Managers of Arc Home will consist of three (3) members appointed by the Company and certain affiliates of the Company and two (2) members appointed by the Management Team. The Company invests in Arc Home through AG Arc. Its investment is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on its consolidated balance sheet and has a fair value of $0.3 and $(0.3) million on March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

On March 8, 2016, an affiliate of the Manager (“the Affiliate”) became a member of AG Arc. The Affiliate acquired an ownership interest in AG Arc, which resulted in the ownership interest of the Company being reduced on a pro-rata basis. As a result of the Affiliate becoming a member of AG Arc, the Company’s overall commitment to Arc Home was reduced to $13.4 million.

 

Transactions with affiliates

 

In July 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length purchase at fair value. Certain entities managed by an affiliate of the Company's Manager (“Related Entities”) had previously formed a joint venture (“Joint Venture”) with an unaffiliated third party. The Joint Venture owns certain multi-family properties for which the mortgages partly collateralize a securitization wherein the Company purchased certain bond tranches. To ensure an arm’s-length transaction, the Manager delegated its decision making rights with respect to the securitization to a third party servicer. In addition, the members of the Joint Venture agreed to cease sharing material non-public information with the Company’s investment team regarding the collateral. The investment by the Company in these bond tranches is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” and “CMBS” line items on the consolidated balance sheet with fair values of $6.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, on March 31, 2016 and on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item with a combined fair value of $7.6 million on December 31, 2015.

 

36

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

In May 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length securitization with other investors managed by an affiliate of the Manager (the “Related Parties”) by combining the assets of a prior private securitization, in which the Company held a 10.0% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and had a fair value of $4.3 million and $3.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company completed another similar arm’s-length securitization in July 2015 with the Related Parties by combining the assets of a private securitization, in which the Company held a 7.5% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and had a fair value of a fair value of $5.3 million and $5.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The remaining interests in each securitization were owned by certain of the Related Parties. Each securitization was backed by collateral consisting of seasoned NPLs and RPLs. The Company obtained third party pricing for each transaction.

 

In connection with the Company’s investments in residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans in securitized form that it purchases from a related party or parties (“Securitized Whole Loans”), the Company engages asset managers to provide advisory, consultation, asset management and other services to formulate and implement strategic plans to manage, collect and dispose of loans in a manner that is reasonably expected to maximize the amount of proceeds from each loan. Beginning in November 2015, the Company engaged Red Creek Asset Management LLC (“Asset Manager”), a related party of the Manager and direct subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, as the asset manager for certain of its residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans. The Asset Manager acknowledges that the Company will at all times have and retain ownership and control of all loans and that the Asset Manager will not acquire (i) title to any loan, (ii) any security interest in any loan, or (iii) any other rights or interests of any kind or any nature whatsoever in or to any loan. The Company pays separate arm’s-length asset management fees as assessed and confirmed by a third party valuation firm for (i) non-performing loans and (ii) reperforming loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the fees paid by the Company to the Asset Manager totaled less than $120,000.

 

11. Equity

  

On May 6, 2015, the Company filed a shelf registration statement, registering up to $750.0 million of its securities, including capital stock. On March 31, 2016, the entire $750.0 million of the Company’s securities, including capital stock, was available for issuance under the registration statement.

 

Concurrently with the IPO, the Company offered a private placement of 3,205,000 units at $20.00 per share to a limited number of investors qualifying as “accredited investors” under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each unit consisted of one share of common stock (“private placement share”) and a warrant (“private placement warrant”) to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock. Each private placement warrant had an exercise price of $20.50 per share (as adjusted for reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or other dispositions). No warrants were exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.

 

The Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no stated maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Under certain circumstances upon a change of control, the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are convertible to shares of the common stock. Holders of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except under limited conditions, and holders are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% and 8.00% per annum on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference before holders of the common stock are entitled to receive any dividends. Shares of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at the Company’s option commencing on August 3, 2017 or September 27, 2017 for the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, or earlier under certain circumstances intended to preserve the Company’s qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on the 17th day of each March, June, September and December. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had declared all required quarterly dividends on the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.

 

37

 

  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

March 31, 2016

 

On November 3, 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding common stock. Such authorization does not have an expiration date. As part of the Repurchase Program, shares may be purchased in open market transactions, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. Open market repurchases will be made in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of open market stock repurchases. Subject to applicable securities laws, the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be determined by the Company in its discretion, using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of its common stock. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock. The Company is incorporated in the State of Maryland and under the laws of that state, shares of its own stock that are acquired by the Company constitute authorized but unissued shares. The cost of the acquisition by the Company of shares of its own stock in excess of the aggregate par value of the shares first reduces additional paid-in capital, to the extent available, with any residual cost applied against retained earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 119,606 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.5 million and at an average cost per share of 12.86. As of March 31, 2016, approximately $21.8 million of common stock remained authorized for future share repurchases under the Repurchase Program. The Company did not repurchase any shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

The following table presents a summary of our common stock repurchases under the Repurchase Program for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Month Purchased (1)  Total Number of Shares Repurchased   Weighted Average Price per Share Paid (2)   Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program   Maximum Number (or approximate dollar value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (3) 
March 2016   119,606   $12.86    246,321   $21,790,786 
Total   119,606   $12.86    246,321   $21,790,786 

 

(1) Based on trade date. The Program was announced on November 4, 2015. The Program does not have an expiration date.

(2) Includes brokerage commissions and clearing fees.

(3) The maximum dollar amount authorized was $25.0 million.

 

12. Commitments and Contingencies

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

On December 9, 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, entered into the LLC Agreement of Arc Home. The capital commitment to Arc Home is $30.0 million of which the Company’s share is $13.4 million.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements where payment may become due if certain events occur. Management believes that the probability of making such payments is remote.

 

38

 

 

ITEM   2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or this “report,” we refer to AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. as “we,” “us,” the “Company,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our external manager, AG REIT Management, LLC, as our “Manager,” and we refer to the direct parent company of our Manager, Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P., as “Angelo, Gordon.”

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 1 of this report, as well as the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We make forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in this report that are subject to substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, the composition of our portfolio, actions by governmental entities, including the Federal Reserve, and the potential effects of actual and proposed legislation on us. When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements.

 

These forward-looking statements are based upon information presently available to our management and are inherently subjective, uncertain and subject to change. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Some, but not all, of the factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the yield curve, changes in prepayment rates, the availability and terms of financing, changes in the market value of our assets, general economic conditions, conditions in the market for Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS securities and loans, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect us. We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and urge you to carefully consider the risks noted above and identified under the captions “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and any subsequent filings. If any change described above occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements that we make, or that are attributable to us, are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice.

 

Our Company

 

We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage assets, other real estate-related securities and financial assets, which we refer to as our target assets. We are externally managed by our Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon. Our Manager, pursuant to the delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility for its Manager’s day-to-day duties and obligations arising under our management agreement. We conduct our operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders as long as we maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. We also operate our business in a manner that permits us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act.

 

The majority of our portfolio is comprised of mortgage-backed securities, specifically residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS. Certain of the assets in our RMBS portfolio have an explicit guarantee of principal and interest by a U.S. government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association, or Ginnie Mae, or a government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac (Collectively, “GSEs”). We refer to these securities as Agency RMBS. Our Agency RMBS investments include mortgage pass-through securities, securities entitling the holder only to the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS (“interest-only strips”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), and certain Agency RMBS for which the underlying collateral is not identified until shortly (generally two days) before the purchase or sale settlement date (“TBAs”).

 

Our portfolio also includes a significant portion of RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae or a GSE, which we refer to as Non-Agency RMBS. Our Non-Agency RMBS investments may include investment grade and non-investment grade fixed and floating-rate securities. We categorize our Non-Agency RMBS by credit score at origination into Prime, Alt-A and Subprime. Our RMBS Interest Only securities (Non-Agency RMBS backed by interest-only strips), CRTs (defined below), RPL/NPL MBS, (described below), and Securitized Whole Loans, (described below) represent our Non-Agency RMBS not categorized by credit score at origination.

 

39

 

  

Credit Risk Transfer securities (“CRTs”) are unguaranteed and unsecured mezzanine, junior mezzanine and first loss securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to decrease their exposure to mortgage default risk. The securities reference a pool of recently acquired single family mortgages from a specified time period. The risk of loss on the reference pool of mortgages is transferred to investors who may experience losses when credit events such as defaults, liquidations or delinquencies occur in the underlying mortgages. These securities pay an uncapped floating rate spread over one-month LIBOR.

 

RPL/NPL MBS are mortgage-backed securities collateralized by re-performing mortgage loans (“RPL”) or non-performing mortgage loans (“NPL”). The RPL/NPL MBS that we own represent the senior and mezzanine tranches of such securitizations. These RPL/NPL MBS are structured with significant credit enhancement (typically approximately 50% to the senior tranche and 40% to the mezzanine tranche) to mitigate our exposure to credit risk on these securities. “Credit enhancement” refers to the amount of subordination available to absorb all credit losses prior to losses being allocated to more senior tranches. Subordinate tranches typically receive no cash flow (interest or principal) until the senior and mezzanine tranches are paid off. In addition, the RPL/NPL MBS that we own typically contain an “interest rate step-up” feature, whereby the interest rate or “coupon” on the senior tranche increases by typically 300 basis points or typically 400 basis points in the case of mezzanine tranches (a “step up”) that take effect if the security that we hold has not been redeemed or repurchased by the issuer within 36 months of issuance. We expect that the combination of the priority cash flow of the senior tranche and the 36-month step-up will result in these securities exhibiting short average lives and, accordingly, reduced interest rate sensitivity.

 

Securitized Whole Loans are residential mortgage loans (generally RPLs or NPLs) in securitized form that we purchase from a related party or parties. The securitizations typically take the form of various classes of notes and a trust certificate. Securitized Whole Loans do not include RPLs or NPLs that we hold through interests in certain consolidated trusts.

 

We have also invested in other target assets, including asset backed securities, or ABS, and commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, which, together with Agency RMBS and Non-Agency RMBS, we collectively refer to as real estate securities. Our CMBS portfolio includes CMBS interest only securities (CMBS backed by interest-only strips) and Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS (described below). Our ABS portfolio includes securities collateralized by various asset classes, including automobiles, credit cards and student loans, among others.

 

Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS (“K-Series CMBS”) include CMBS, CMBS interest only and CMBS principal only securities which are regularly-issued structured pass-through securities backed by multifamily mortgage loans. K-Series CMBS feature a wide range of investor options which include guaranteed senior and interest only bonds as well as unguaranteed senior, mezzanine, subordinate and interest only bonds, all of which are issued by Freddie Mac. Our K-Series CMBS portfolio includes unguaranteed senior, mezzanine, subordinate and interest only bonds. In Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we have categorized Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS interest only bonds as part of our “CMBS Interest Only” assets.

 

We have also invested in residential and commercial mortgage loans, including RPLs and NPLs, as well as excess mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”). We have the discretion to invest in other target assets such as other real estate structured finance products, other real estate-related loans and securities and interests in certain types of real estate. Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS, MSRs and residential and commercial mortgage loans are referred to as our “credit portfolio”, or “credit investments”, and residential and commercial mortgage loans are collectively referred to as “loans.” We use the term “credit securities” to refer to our credit portfolio excluding loans and MSRs. Additionally, we use the term “real estate securities” or “securities” to refer to our Agency RMBS portfolio and our credit securities.

 

In December 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”) to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-qualifying residential mortgage loans (“non-QM”). We invest in Arc Home through AG Arc LLC, one of our subsidiaries (“AG Arc”.)

 

As of March 31, 2016 and per our GAAP consolidated balance sheet, we have a $2.7 billion investment portfolio comprised of real estate securities, loans and MSRs, which consists of $1.2 billion, or 43.9%, of Agency RMBS and $1.5 billion, or 56.1%, of assets in our credit portfolio. Our investment portfolio inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities in the credit investments category, but exclusive of AG Arc, is $2.7 billion, which consists of $1.2 billion, or 43.1%, of Agency RMBS and $1.5 billion, or 56.9%, of assets in our credit portfolio. See Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for a discussion of investments held within affiliated entities. We utilize multiple hedging instruments as a means to mitigate the interest rate risk of our Agency RMBS and credit portfolios. As of March 31, 2016 we had entered into $899.0 million notional amount of interest rate swaps and $426.0 million notional amount of long positions in U.S. Treasury securities. This compares with a $2.8 billion investment portfolio as of December 31, 2015, comprised of real estate securities, loans, and MSRs, which consisted of $1.2 billion, or 43.4%, of Agency RMBS and $1.6 billion, or 56.6%, of assets in our credit portfolio per our GAAP consolidated balance sheet. Our investment portfolio including TBAs in the Agency RMBS category and inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities in the credit investments category, but exclusive of AG Arc, was $2.9 billion, which consisted of $1.3 billion, or 44.2% of Agency RMBS and $1.6 billion, or 55.8%, of assets in our credit portfolio as of December 31, 2015. We had entered into $1.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps and $226.0 million notional amount of long positions in U.S. Treasury securities as of December 31, 2015.

 

40

 

  

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol MITT. Our 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and our 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock trade on the NYSE under the symbols MITT-PA and MITT-PB, respectively.

 

Market and interest rate trends

  

Inclusive of distressed sales, home prices nationwide increased by 6.8% on a year-over-year basis in February 2016 as compared with February 2015, according to data released by CoreLogic. This marks the 48th consecutive monthly increase year-over-year in national home prices. The housing market remains strong; however, given the duration and strength of the recovery, additional over-performance is expected to be somewhat muted for the rest of 2016. The U.S. government agencies and the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) policy sponsorship of housing via lower mortgage rates and the further loosening of credit available to prospective homeowners, coupled with a stable broader domestic economy, have provided some support for the housing market recovery.

 

According to CoreLogic, the aggregate value of all residential properties with negative equity decreased to $311 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015, from $348 billion in fourth quarter of 2014, a decrease of 10.7%. Negative equity means that a homeowner owes more on the home than the home is worth. For much of the country, the negative equity epidemic that developed during the 2008-2009 recession is lifting due to the rise in home prices over the past four years. CoreLogic predicts home prices will rise an additional 5.0% in 2016. If this occurs, 850,000 homeowners could regain positive equity. Additionally, credit performance in terms of serious delinquencies and subsequent default rates continues to improve in 2016 and is anticipated to remain stable in the near future.

 

In December 2015, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decided to raise interest rates by 0.25%, marking the end of a seven year period where the federal funds rate was held near zero to support the recovery of the economy from the financial crisis. The FOMC stated that the process of normalizing interest rates is likely to proceed gradually and future policy actions depend on how the economy evolves relative to the FOMC’s objectives of maximum employment and 2% inflation. The FOMC continues to maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of Agency RMBS into new purchases of Agency RMBS and of rolling over maturing U.S. Treasury securities at auction through an unspecified date in the future.

 

The Fed, in its March 16, 2016 meeting, asserted a strong message that while there is reason to be optimistic about economic improvement, uncertainties about the sustainability of the increase in inflation, U.S. dollar strength, and the international growth landscape and its impact on the domestic economy, will cause the Fed to have increased patience in normalizing monetary policy. The Fed in its March Summary of Economic Projections has forecasted two rate increases by year end, however, Fed funds market pricing currently implies only one such increase. Ultimately, the nature of the economic data we receive in the coming quarters, and the market’s interpretation of the Fed’s response to that data, will drive the direction, magnitude and volatility of benchmark interest rates and the related fixed income markets.

 

The initial reading on first quarter GDP growth decelerated to 0.5% as compared to 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015. Weighing on activity was continued weakness in fixed investment due to sharp declines in the oil and gas industry, a modest slowdown in personal consumption expenditures, and the ongoing decline in private inventory growth rates in response to the excess accumulation of inventories in prior periods. The rate of personal consumption growth slipped further to 1.9% in the first quarter, reflecting the recently observed slowdown in motor vehicle purchases from a record pace in 2015. However, services consumption growth remains healthy at 2.7% and residential fixed investment growth continues to exhibit strength (14.8% annual rate in Q1) in response to modestly robust housing demand and relatively low levels of housing inventory.

 

In March 2016, non-farm payrolls expanded at 215,000 jobs per month, largely in-line with the three-month moving average of 209,000 jobs per month. Most indicators of housing activity continue to show slow but steady progress. Overall GDP growth is being constrained by a lack of investment, U.S. dollar strength, which has weighed on manufacturing and exports, and a slowing inventory growth rate. Some of these headwinds are transitory and the recent moderation of the U.S. dollar and the recovery in the price of oil should ease the downward pressure in the coming quarters. On the inflation front, core Personal Consumption Expenditures (“PCE”) and average hourly earnings continue to fall short of where the Fed would like to see them.

 

During the first quarter of 2016, there was pronounced volatility in the prices of risk assets globally. The weakness in the energy sector and fears of an increased slowdown in economic growth in China that began in the fourth quarter transformed into fears during the early part of the first quarter of a global recession that would push the United States into recession. This fear led to a sharp repricing wider in securities across a broad spectrum of credit sectors, including RMBS and ABS. Pricing in most markets reached extreme levels that were likely reflective of broadly reduced liquidity and fear, rather than underlying fundamental weakness. However, from late February through quarter end, there was a broad recovery in risk assets, which was helped in large part by the Fed. The Fed tempered its forecasts for the trajectory and ultimate resting place for short term policy rates, emphasizing concern over international developments and related impacts on the U.S. dollar. As of quarter end, reduced prospects for further U.S. dollar strength helped stabilize the Chinese Renminbi, commodities and U.S. RMBS and ABS markets, but markets still remain fragile as the global economy remains at a crossroads.

 

41

 

  

Agency RMBS saw a modest amount of spread widening during the first quarter of 2016, as interest rates moved lower and concerns over refinancing and supply increased. However, Agency RMBS spreads widened less than most other spread products due to the lack of credit exposure in Agency RMBS and its superior liquidity profile. While banks were much less active in purchasing Agency RMBS than they had been in late 2015, due to the decrease in interest rates from the previous quarter, a variety of accounts based outside of the United States were net purchasers of Agency RMBS, as were domestic money managers, as they sought to avoid the increased widening in other spread products. Swap spreads exhibited some amount of volatility during the quarter but ultimately finished the quarter roughly flat to where they began the quarter, and as a result, swaps proved a better hedge than in the prior two quarters.

 

Non-mortgage consumer credit experienced some divergence in performance between credit card delinquencies, which remained at historical lows, and defaults in auto, equipment and student loans, which continued to increase modestly. Consumer mortgage credit continued its pattern of stable to modest improvement in borrower performance. Home prices also continued to modestly rise and inventory levels remain light to tight in many major markets. Consumer appetite for housing continued to remain stable with expanding mortgage credit availability taking hold in the markets.

 

The rise in savings rates since the financial crisis, continued low interest rates, steady employment gains and most recently a decline in energy costs have all contributed to significant improvement in the consumer’s balance sheet. This continues to fuel our optimism about the prospects of further housing recovery and longer term moderate home price appreciation. The U.S. housing market still benefits from favorable supply/demand dynamics, historically low mortgage rates and a willingness on the part of federal regulators at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) to further credit expansion and assist household formation. However, we expect that, without an increase in median income, the pace of home price appreciation is likely to moderate over the coming years.

 

The market movements outlined above have had a meaningful impact on our existing portfolio and may also have a significant impact on our operating results going forward. We also believe that current market dynamics may impact the availability and cost of financing. We expect that overall market conditions will continue to impact our operating results and will cause us to adjust our investment and financing strategies over time as new opportunities emerge and the risk profiles of our business change.

 

Recent Government Activity

 

On January 12, 2016, the FHFA issued RIN 2590-AA39, Members of Federal Home Loan Banks (the “Final Rule”). The Final Rule, among other things, expressly excludes captive insurance companies, such as MITT Insurance Company LLC (“MITT Insurance”), from being eligible for membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) system. Under the Final Rule, there is a one-year transition period from the effective date, February 19, 2016 (the “Effective Date”), within which the FHLB must wind down its relationships with any captive insurance companies that had been admitted to membership in the FHLB on or after September 12, 2014, including MITT Insurance (“Excluded Captives”). The Final Rule also prevents the FHLB from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to Excluded Captives after the Effective Date. In addition, upon the termination of membership, the FHLB must liquidate all outstanding advances to Excluded Captives, settle all other business transactions, and repurchase or redeem all FHLB stock held by the terminated Excluded Captive in accordance with the Final Rule. Therefore, MITT Insurance, along with all other Excluded Captives, must completely wind down all business relationships with the FHLB, including the repayment of all outstanding advances, prior to or simultaneously with the termination of MITT Insurance’s membership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the “FHLBC”) where it is a member.

 

The adopting release for the Final Rule expressly invited Congress to address the treatment of Excluded Captives with respect to membership in the FHLB. In October 2015, Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), Denny Heck (D-Wash.), Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and John Carney (D-Del.) introduced H.R. 3808, a bill that would have preemptively prevented the FHFA from adopting the Final Rule. There can be no way of predicting if any subsequent legislation addressing the status of Excluded Captives with respect to the FHLB will be proposed in either house of Congress, the likelihood of passage of any such legislation, or the ultimate effects, if any, on the availability of short-term, low-cost funding provided by the FHLBs to Excluded Captives subsequent to the enactment of any such legislation.

 

Housing finance reform proposals relating to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are expected to remain prominent topics during the 114th U.S. Congress which began on January 3, 2015. Restructuring or winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been stated goals of both houses of Congress, and also the Obama administration, during the 113th U.S. Congress.

 

On June 25, 2013, Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) sponsored the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013 (the “Corker-Warner Bill”) into the U.S. Senate. While the Corker-Warner Bill appeared to have lost momentum after the introduction of a competing bill in 2014, the Corker-Warner Bill was re-introduced in the U.S. Senate in September 2015 by its original sponsors, joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and David Vitter (R-LA). As originally drafted, the Corker-Warner Bill has three key provisions:

 

42

 

 

the establishment of the Federal Mortgage Insurance Corporation (the “FMIC”);
the creation of a Mortgage Insurance Fund (the “Fund”); and
the wind-down of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

 

The FMIC would be a government guarantor modeled after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) in that it would collect insurance premiums and maintain a deposit fund on all outstanding obligations. Every mortgage-backed security issued through the FMIC would have a private investor bearing the first risk of loss and holding at least $0.10 in equity capital for every dollar of risk. This private capital buffer is intended to protect taxpayers from the risk of default on the mortgages underlying securities issued by the FMIC. Thus, the ultimate purpose of the FMIC would be to require credit investors to bear the initial risk of default on MBS.

 

The Federal Housing Finance Authority (the “FHFA”) would be abolished after the establishment of the FMIC, and all current responsibilities of the FHFA, as well as its resources, would be transferred to the FMIC. In particular, the Corker-Warner Bill specifies that the FMIC would maintain a database of uniform loan-level information on eligible mortgages, develop standard uniform securitization agreements and oversee the common securitization platform currently being developed by the FHFA. In the event losses due to default on underlying mortgages exceed the first position losses of private credit investors in securities issued by the FMIC, the FMIC would cover such losses out of the Fund (described below). The Corker-Warner Bill specifies that the FMIC would endeavor to attain a reserve balance of 1.25% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of covered securities within five years of the establishment of the FMIC and 2.50% of such amount within ten years of the establishment of the FMIC. The Fund would be paid with insurance premiums, akin to user fees, paid by private investors with various reporting requirements. The Corker-Warner Bill would revoke the charters of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac upon the establishment of the FMIC. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would wind down as expeditiously as possible while maximizing returns to taxpayers as their assets are sold off.

 

In March 2015, housing and mortgage financial reform legislation, H.R. 1491, was proposed by congressmen John Delaney (D-MD), John Carney (D-DE) and James A. Himes (D-CT), each of whom is a member of the House Financial Services Committee. The bill is called The Partnership to Strengthen Homeownership Act, and is similar to one introduced by the same congressmen in the last Congress (H.R. 5055), which never made it out of committee. Under this proposed legislation, all government guaranteed single-family and multi-family MBS would be supported by a minimum of 5% private sector capital, which would stand in a first loss position. The remaining 95% of the risk would be shared between Ginnie Mae and a private reinsurer on a pari passu basis. Fees paid to Ginnie Mae for providing these securities would be allocated to affordable housing programs. Under the bill, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae would be wound down over a five-year period, and their multifamily businesses would be spun out as separate entities. Ginnie Mae would be required to create and implement a workable multifamily guarantee that utilizes private sector pricing consistent with the single family model. The GSEs’ current multifamily businesses would continue to function within the new multifamily housing market as purely private organizations with an explicit government guarantee provided by Ginnie Mae and a private sector reinsurer.

 

We expect debate and discussion on residential housing and mortgage reform to continue over the next few years; however, we cannot be certain if or when H.R. 1491, the Corker-Warner Bill or any other housing finance reform bill will emerge from committee or be approved by Congress, and if so, what the effects may be. Historically, significant legislation has been difficult to pass in a presidential election year, and we cannot predict what effect the 2016 election cycle will have on the progress of housing finance reform legislation.

 

In addition to housing finance reform legislation, in May 2014, FHFA Director Mel Watt presented the 2014 Strategic Plan for the Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the 2014 Conservatorship Scorecard for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac focusing on how FHFA will manage the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under its present statutory mandates. The Strategic Plan tends to favor policies that promote housing affordability, expand credit availability for new and refinanced mortgages, and increase the role of private capital in the mortgage market.

 

In August 2014, in the first step of what is expected to be a multi-year effort, the FHFA requested industry input on the development of a common mortgage-backed security under the auspices of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Under the current proposal, the common mortgage-backed security would leverage their existing security structures and would encompass many of the pooling features of the current Fannie Mae mortgage-backed security and more of the disclosure framework of the current Freddie Mac participation certificate.

 

In October 2014, FHFA Director Watt announced a number of general policy initiatives by the FHFA, including restoring a program that allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to guarantee loans with down payments as low as 3%. Director Watt also said that the FHFA was taking steps to bring certainty to the circumstances under which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require originators to repurchase defaulted mortgages that were later discovered to have underwriting defects. In November 2014, the FHFA also increased the 2014 Conservatorship Scorecard targets for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to complete credit risk transfers involving at least $90 billion in unpaid principal balance of single-family mortgages, up from $30 billion in 2013, and has encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to test multiple types of credit risk transfer structures, including securities-based transactions and insurance transactions. Under the terms of their agreements with the U.S. Treasury Department, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, under the direction of the FHFA, also continue to reduce the size of their retained mortgage portfolios.

 

43

 

  

Furthermore, in October 2014, the FHFA, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Securities And Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve System and the Department of Housing and Urban Development adopted a final rule implementing the credit risk retention requirements of Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, for asset-backed securities. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the final credit risk retention rule generally requires “securitizers” to retain not less than 5% of the credit risk of the mortgage loans securitized. The credit risk retention requirements applicable to RMBS became effective as of December 31, 2015.

 

Factors impacting our operating results

 

Our operating results can be affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, the size of our investment portfolio, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, our target assets in the marketplace. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts, varies primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates and prepayment speeds, as measured by the Constant Prepayment Rate, (“CPR”), on our RMBS. Interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results can also be impacted by unanticipated credit events, such as defaults, liquidations, or delinquencies, experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans are included in our RMBS.

 

See the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, for additional factors that may impact our operating results. 

 

Investment activities

 

For the period from our IPO to December 31, 2011, the risk-reward profile of investment opportunities supported the deployment of a majority of our capital in Agency RMBS. Labor, housing and economic fundamentals, together with U.S. monetary policy designed to keep interest rates low, supported our Agency RMBS investments in this period. Overweighting of these investments was also favored by the relative ease of funding and superior liquidity. We also acquired a limited amount of Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS assets for our investment portfolio during this period.

 

In 2012, we began increasing our exposure to credit investments and leveraging the broader Angelo, Gordon platform. Throughout the first quarter of 2013 we remained positioned in Agency RMBS assets that we believed would perform well in an ongoing elevated prepayment environment. During the second quarter of 2013 however, we concurrently elected to increase our hedging activity, perceiving the potential for an increase in interest rate volatility and benchmark interest rates. We subsequently reduced our hedging activity, rotated into shorter duration Agency RMBS and continued rotating assets away from Agency RMBS into credit investments, basing our decisions on a variety of factors, including liquidity, duration, interest rate expectations and hedging. As a result, the mix of assets in our portfolio may accordingly shift over time. As of March 31, 2016, we had a portfolio that consisted of 43.1% of Agency RMBS and 56.9% of credit investments inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities.

 

We currently finance our investments in real estate securities and loans primarily through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. For a portion of the first quarter of 2016, we also received financing from the FHLBC in the form of FHLBC Advances. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our Investment Company Act exemption, to the extent leverage is deployed, we utilize derivative financial instruments (or hedging instruments), including interest rate swaps, swaption agreements, synthetic IO Indexes and certain non-derivative financial instruments such as Agency Interest-Only securities and U.S. Treasury securities, in an effort to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the financing of our portfolio. Specifically, we may seek to hedge our exposure to potential interest rate mismatches between the interest we earn on our investments and our borrowing costs caused by fluctuations in short-term interest rates. In utilizing leverage and interest rate hedges, our objectives are to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to lock in, on a long-term basis, a spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing and hedging.

 

In January 2016, the FHFA issued the Final Rule, which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, including our captive insurance subsidiary from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC and prevents the FHLBC from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to MITT Insurance. Under the Final Rule, MITT Insurance must wind down its membership with the FHLBC by February 19, 2017. On March 31, 2016, we had no FHLBC Advances outstanding.

 

Throughout Item 2, where we disclose our investment portfolio and the related repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances that finance it, we have presented this information inclusive of unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates that are accounted for under GAAP using the equity method, TBAs, which are certain Agency RMBS whose underlying collateral is not identified until shortly (generally two days) before the purchase or sale settlement date, that are accounted for as derivatives under GAAP, and long and short positions in U.S treasury securities. Our investment portfolio does not include our investment in AG Arc. Our investment portfolio is presented along with a reconciliation to GAAP. The presentation inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities and TBAs but exclusive of AG Arc is consistent with how the Company’s management evaluates the business, and the Company believes this presentation provides the most accurate depiction of its investment portfolio and financial condition.

 

44

 

   

The following table presents a reconciliation of certain information related to investments inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities, but exclusive of AG Arc, to investments on a GAAP basis as of March 31, 2016:

 

Instrument  Current Face   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Mark-to- Market     Fair Value   Weighted Average
Coupon (1)
   Weighted
Average Yield
   Weighted Average Life (Years) (8) 
Agency RMBS:                                   
30 Year Fixed Rate  $761,491,586   $794,137,538   $17,230,768   $811,368,306    3.76%   3.03%   7.53 
Fixed Rate CMO   73,624,178    74,241,359    2,544,359    76,785,718    3.00%   2.80%   4.61 
ARM   240,552,349    237,908,645    8,293,644    246,202,289    2.36%   2.80%   5.11 
Inverse Interest Only   46,115,936    8,899,326    1,223,589    10,122,915    5.95%   9.61%   5.16 
Interest Only   453,221,920    39,905,222    (1,263,532)   38,641,690    2.31%   4.64%   3.89 
Credit Investments:                                   
Residential Investments                                   
Prime (2) (3)   746,535,977    624,762,428    5,808,191    630,570,619    4.08%   5.41%   9.93 
Alt A (2) (4)   248,380,552    211,747,636    792,720    212,540,356    4.09%   4.93%   8.88 
Subprime (2) (5)   106,576,971    102,472,179    561,397    103,033,576    4.50%   5.26%   5.32 
RMBS Interest Only   447,889,359    4,866,395    (814,116)   4,052,279    0.14%   -4.62%   6.62 
Credit Risk Transfer   36,678,762    36,453,533    (798,760)   35,654,773    5.88%   6.83%   9.35 
RPL/NPL (6)   124,282,878    123,132,754    (1,281,122)   121,851,632    4.37%   5.06%   1.58 
Securitized Whole Loans (7)   84,343,276    60,681,969    121,263    60,803,232    4.17%   7.98%   2.23 
Residential Mortgage Loans   85,110,879    59,011,762    2,575,904    61,587,666    5.45%   9.12%   5.14 
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights   68,952,656    370,134    13,709    383,843    N/A    6.15%   1.53 
Commercial Investments                                   
CMBS   206,664,122    130,449,778    (4,464,106)   125,985,672    5.18%   6.13%   3.93 
Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS   88,058,468    35,838,500    345,087    36,183,587    4.89%   12.98%   7.80 
CMBS Interest Only   1,759,192,175    17,282,296    526,267    17,808,563    0.20%   6.54%   2.92 
Commercial Loans   84,800,000    83,362,569    1,437,431    84,800,000    7.44%   9.20%   0.40 
ABS   66,836,631    66,385,086    (1,741,946)   64,643,140    5.13%   5.29%   3.98 
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $5,729,308,675   $2,711,909,109   $31,110,747   $2,743,019,856    2.37%   4.75%   5.35 
                                    
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $225,325,916   $47,628,823   $573,525   $48,202,348    1.15%   12.08%   5.69 
                                    
Total: GAAP Basis  $5,503,982,759   $2,664,280,286   $30,537,222   $2,694,817,508    2.40%   4.62%   5.34 

  

(1) Equity residuals, principal only securities and MSRs with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

(2) Non-Agency RMBS with credit scores above 700, between 700 and 620 and below 620 at origination are classified as Prime, Alt A, and Subprime, respectively. The weighted average credit scores of our Prime, Alt-A and Subprime Non-Agency RMBS were 725, 674 and 599, respectively.

(3) Included in Prime is $165.1 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010. Included in new issue prime is $106.6 million fair market value of Prime Jumbo securities. Prime Jumbo is defined as being all of the following: a prime security, an issuance year after 2010, an original rating of AAA and a weighted average original loan balance greater than the conforming loan limits published by the FHFA.

(4) Included in Alt A is $64.7 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010.

(5) Included in Subprime is $35.5 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010.

(6) RPL/NPL MBS are collateralized by re-performing or non-performing loans whose deal structures contain an interest rate step-up feature.

(7) Whole loans purchased by a MITT related party in securitized form.

(8) Actual maturities of investments and loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

45

 

  

The following table presents a reconciliation of certain information related to investments inclusive of TBAs and investments held within affiliated entities, but exclusive of AG Arc, to investments on a GAAP basis as of December 31, 2015:

 

Instrument  Current Face   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Mark-to-
Market
   Fair Value   Weighted Average
Coupon (1)
   Weighted
Average Yield (2)
  

Weighted
Average Life

(Years) (2)(9)

 
Agency RMBS:                                   
30 Year Fixed Rate  $782,276,607   $817,182,510   $2,954,782   $820,137,292    3.76%   3.10%   8.58 
Fixed Rate CMO   76,098,478    76,770,854    1,254,658    78,025,512    3.00%   2.81%   5.26 
ARM   248,169,781    245,510,904    4,298,463    249,809,367    2.37%   2.84%   5.44 
Inverse Interest Only   47,861,112    9,382,636    826,972    10,209,608    5.96%   9.30%   5.41 
Interest Only   474,197,132    43,998,722    (738,849)   43,259,873    2.37%   7.15%   4.08 
Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA   75,000,000    77,502,930    (141,600)   77,361,330    3.50%   N/A     N/A  
Credit Investments:                                   
Residential Investments                                   
Prime (3) (4)   783,496,575    659,470,180    10,330,014    669,800,194    4.09%   5.58%   10.29 
Alt A (3) (5)   258,855,964    221,414,910    2,043,783    223,458,693    3.98%   5.25%   9.43 
Subprime (3) (6)   113,943,920    109,867,883    1,734,214    111,602,097    4.49%   5.32%   5.36 
RMBS Interest Only   465,387,354    5,489,775    63,958    5,553,733    0.12%   11.05%   6.40 
Credit Risk Transfer   36,993,762    36,916,025    39,725    36,955,750    5.75%   6.83%   8.17 
RPL/NPL (7)   135,725,197    134,351,745    (698,090)   133,653,655    4.36%   5.03%   1.77 
Securitized Whole Loans (8)   86,722,548    62,025,088    (1,557,289)   60,467,799    4.19%   7.60%   4.35 
Residential Mortgage Loans   88,980,522    60,963,511    2,657,226    63,620,737    5.47%   8.71%   5.23 
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights   72,155,804    411,372    13,939    425,311    N/A    6.33%   1.61 
Commercial Investments                                   
CMBS   220,742,772    131,308,112    (545,260)   130,762,852    5.12%   6.26%   4.36 
Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS   88,154,185    35,018,421    (390,121)   34,628,300    4.83%   12.88%   8.04 
CMBS Interest Only   1,774,907,989    17,994,891    576,062    18,570,953    0.20%   7.33%   3.18 
Commercial Loans   72,800,000    72,660,971    139,029    72,800,000    6.80%   8.30%   0.58 
ABS   56,264,253    55,910,560    (1,148,723)   54,761,837    5.26%   5.62%   4.24 
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $5,958,733,955   $2,874,152,000   $21,712,893   $2,895,864,893    2.38%   4.86%   5.75 
                                    
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $750,815,986   $53,077,015   $157,813   $53,234,828    0.36%   11.32%   4.89 
                                    
TBAs  $75,000,000   $77,502,930   $(141,600)  $77,361,330    3.50%    N/A      N/A  
                                    
Total: GAAP Basis  $5,132,917,969   $2,743,572,055   $21,696,680   $2,765,268,735    2.64%   4.73%   5.88 

  

(1) Equity residuals, principal only securities and MSRs with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

(2) Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA are excluded from this calculation.

(3) Non-Agency RMBS with credit scores above 700, between 700 and 620 and below 620 at origination are classified as Prime, Alt A, and Subprime, respectively. The weighted average credit scores of our Prime, Alt-A and Subprime Non-Agency RMBS were 725, 674 and 599, respectively.

(4) Included in Prime is $169.5 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010. Included in new issue prime is $108.3 million fair market value of Prime Jumbo securities. Prime Jumbo is defined as being all of the following: a prime security, an issuance year after 2010, an original rating of AAA and a weighted average original loan balance greater than the conforming loan limits published by the FHFA.

(5) Included in Alt A is $65.9 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010.

(6) Included in Subprime is $35.4 million fair market value of new issue securities. New issue is defined as being issued after 2010.

(7) RPL/NPL MBS are collateralized by re-performing or non-performing loans whose deal structures contain an interest rate step-up feature.

(8) Whole loans purchased by a MITT related party in securitized form.

(9) Actual maturities of investments and loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

The following table presents certain information grouped by vintage as it relates to our credit securities portfolio inclusive of securities held within affiliated entities as of March 31, 2016. We have also presented a reconciliation to GAAP.

 

Credit Securities:   Current Face   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Mark-to-
Market
   Fair Value   Weighted Average
Coupon (1)
   Weighted
Average Yield
   Weighted
Average Life
(Years) (2)
 
 Pre 2005   $93,965,354   $90,035,758   $1,305,485   $91,341,243    3.32%   6.09%   4.87 
 2005    200,791,868    167,231,872    1,811,604    169,043,476    4.35%   5.52%   11.92 
 2006    358,455,984    240,231,586    858,998    241,090,584    4.34%   5.82%   8.83 
 2007    203,040,953    166,727,271    (1,566,247)   165,161,024    4.06%   5.62%   11.79 
 2008    16,424,000    13,535,621    146,407    13,682,028    7.00%   5.87%   9.73 
 2010    56,168,757    45,709,552    1,240,100    46,949,652    N/A    5.89%   7.58 
 2011    6,916,973    5,592,933    -    5,592,933    5.27%   6.04%   9.12 
 2012    81,928,364    20,915,918    71,551    20,987,469    2.40%   5.85%   3.41 
 2013    171,158,767    130,971,735    (114,990)   130,856,745    3.72%   4.64%   5.59 
 2014    1,252,120,942    206,794,111    (1,312,440)   205,481,671    0.81%   6.28%   2.13 
 2015    1,458,640,209    310,490,911    (3,415,630)   307,075,281    1.06%   5.59%   5.30 
 2016    15,827,000    15,835,286    30,037    15,865,323    4.95%   5.26%   5.46 
 Total: Non-GAAP Basis   $3,915,439,171   $1,414,072,554   $(945,125)  $1,413,127,429    1.84%   5.68%   5.31 
                                      
 Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   $217,854,308   $42,791,892   $531,895   $43,323,787    0.92%   12.08%   5.69 
                                      
 Total: GAAP Basis   $3,697,584,863   $1,371,280,662   $(1,477,020)  $1,369,803,642    1.88%   5.47%   5.28 

 

 

(1) Equity residual investments and principal only securities are excluded from this calculation.

(2) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

46

 

   

The following table presents certain information grouped by vintage as it relates to our credit securities portfolio inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities as of December 31, 2015. We have also presented a reconciliation to GAAP.

 

Credit Securities:   Current Face   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Mark-to-
Market
   Fair Value   Weighted Average
Coupon (1)
   Weighted
Average Yield
   Weighted
Average Life
(Years) (2)
 
 Pre 2005   $103,593,089   $99,567,269   $2,563,406   $102,130,675    3.33%   6.23%   4.81 
 2005    207,457,651    173,524,833    3,605,565    177,130,398    4.33%   5.57%   11.83 
 2006    392,439,663    258,661,802    3,403,637    262,065,439    4.20%   6.03%   8.76 
 2007    216,970,753    178,714,834    1,434,094    180,148,928    4.17%   5.76%   11.62 
 2008    16,424,000    13,499,033    429,317    13,928,350    7.00%   5.80%   9.90 
 2010    55,625,323    45,042,515    1,094,741    46,137,256    N/A    6.05%   7.83 
 2011    6,936,188    5,533,202    114,100    5,647,302    5.32%   6.69%   9.60 
 2012    81,928,364    21,147,817    202,330    21,350,147    2.39%   5.87%   3.58 
 2013    175,615,818    135,450,104    (406,855)   135,043,249    3.78%   4.78%   6.17 
 2014    1,284,072,165    219,023,610    (1,549,522)   217,474,088    0.83%   6.24%   2.54 
 2015    1,480,131,505    319,602,571    (442,540)   319,160,031    1.06%   5.93%   5.64 
 Total: Non-GAAP Basis   $4,021,194,519   $1,469,767,590   $10,448,273   $1,480,215,863    1.85%   5.85%   5.61 
                                      
 Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   $740,670,238   $46,534,959   $159,359   $46,694,318    0.28%   11.32%   4.89 
                                      
 Total: GAAP Basis   $3,280,524,281   $1,423,232,631   $10,288,914   $1,433,521,545    2.18%   5.66%   5.77 

 

(1) Equity residual investments and principal only securities are excluded from this calculation.                    

(2) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

 

The following table presents the fair value of our credit securities by credit rating as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

Credit Rating - Credit Securities  March 31, 2016 (1)   December 31, 2015 (1) 
AAA  $113,808,242   $112,107,249 
A   121,847,268    119,939,358 
BBB   25,388,318    20,468,267 
BB   36,313,414    43,576,568 
B   113,097,508    110,878,213 
Below B   485,565,310    527,154,975 
Not Rated   517,107,369    546,091,233 
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $1,413,127,429   $1,480,215,863 
           
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $43,323,787   $46,694,318 
           
Total: GAAP Basis  $1,369,803,642   $1,433,521,545 

 

(1) Represents the minimum rating for rated assets of S&P, Moody and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent.

 

Our credit investments are subject to risk of loss with regard to principal and interest payments. We evaluate each investment based on the characteristics of the underlying collateral and securitization structure. We maintain a comprehensive portfolio management process that generally includes day-to-day oversight by the portfolio management team and a quarterly credit review process for each investment that examines the need for a potential reduction in accretable yield, missed or late contractual payments, significant declines in collateral performance, prepayments, projected defaults, loss severities and other data which may indicate a potential issue in our ability to recover our capital from the investment. These processes are designed to enable our Manager to evaluate and proactively manage asset-specific credit issues and identify credit trends on a portfolio-wide basis. Nevertheless, we cannot be certain that our review will identify all issues within our portfolio due to, among other things, adverse economic conditions or events adversely affecting specific assets. Therefore, potential future losses may also stem from investments that are not identified by our credit reviews.

 

We evaluate investments in Agency RMBS using factors including expected future prepayment trends, supply and demand, costs of financing, costs of hedging, expected future interest rate volatility and the overall shape of the U.S. Treasury and interest rate swap yield curves. Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the CPR, and interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, as prepayment speeds on our Agency RMBS portfolio increase, the related purchase premium amortization increases, thereby reducing the net yield on such assets.

 

47

 

  

The following table presents the CPR experienced on our Agency RMBS portfolio (excluding TBAs), on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented:

 

   Three Months Ended (1) (2) 
Agency RMBS  March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
20 Year Fixed Rate   N/A    11%
30 Year Fixed Rate   8%   5%
Fixed Rate CMO   6%   6%
ARM   9%   9%
Interest Only   12%   10%
Weighted Average   8%   7%

 

(1) Represents the weighted average monthly CPRs published during the quarter for our in-place portfolio during the same period.

(2) Source: Bloomberg

 

Real estate securities and loans in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2016 are not considered other than temporarily impaired as we have the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the amortized cost of the investments, and we are not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons. Any decline in the fair value of these securities and loans is solely due to market conditions and not the quality of the assets. Further, all of the principal and interest payments on the Agency RMBS have an explicit guarantee by either an agency of the U.S. government or a U.S. government-sponsored entity. 

 

Financing activities

 

We use leverage to complete the purchase of real estate securities and loans in our investment portfolio. Through March 31, 2016, leverage has been in the form of repurchase agreements, securitized debt, loan participations payable and, for a portion of the first quarter of 2016, FHLBC Advances. Repurchase agreements involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets or similar assets at a future date. FHLBC Advances involved loan advances made to us by the FHLBC in exchange for the pledge of our real estate securities as collateral. The amount borrowed generally is equal to the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.”

 

Our Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances are accounted for as financings and require the repurchase of the transferred securities or loans or repayment of the advance at the end of each agreement’s term, typically 30 to 90 days. If we maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, we receive the related principal and interest payments. If we do not maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, we will have the related principal and interest payments remitted to us by the lender. Interest rates on borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the borrowing at which time we may enter into a new borrowing arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security paydown factors, lenders typically require us to post additional assets as collateral, pay down borrowings or establish cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls.

 

On April 13, 2015, the Company, AG MIT, LLC and AG MIT CMO, LLC, two of our subsidiaries, entered into an Amendment Number 2 to the Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (the “Second Renewal”) with Wells Fargo to finance both AG MIT’s and AG MIT CMO’s acquisition of certain consumer asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities as well as residential, Non-Agency RMBS. The Second Renewal amends the repurchase agreement entered into by the Company, AG MIT and AG MIT CMO with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in 2014. Each transaction under the Second Renewal will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The Second Renewal includes a 270 day evergreen structure providing for the automatic renewal of the agreement each day for a new term of 270 days unless Wells Fargo notifies AG MIT and AG MIT CMO that it has decided not to renew, at which point the agreement will terminate 270 days after the date of nonrenewal. The Second Renewal also increased the aggregate maximum borrowing capacity to $200 million and extended the maturity date to April 13, 2017. At the request of AG MIT and AG MIT CMO, Wells Fargo may grant a 90 day extension of the maturity date. The Second Renewal contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are substantially identical to those in the previous repurchase agreements and are customary for agreements of this type. As of March 31, 2016, we had $98.7 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

 

On February 26, 2016, AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC, (“AG MIT WFB1”) one of our subsidiaries, entered into Amendment Number Four of the Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (as amended, the “WFB1 Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance the ownership and acquisition of certain beneficial interests in trusts owning participation interests in one or more pools of residential mortgage loans. Each transaction under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement has its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending February 24, 2017 and a facility termination date of February 23, 2018. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement is $100.0 million. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement also contains financial covenants that are the same as those in the Second Renewal. As of March 31, 2016, we had $34.0 million of debt outstanding under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement.

48

 

  

On September 17, 2014, AG MIT CREL, LLC (“AG MIT CREL”), one of our subsidiaries, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (the “CREL Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance AG MIT CREL’s acquisition of certain beneficial interests in one or more commercial mortgage loans. Each transaction under the CREL Repurchase Agreement will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The CREL Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending September 17, 2016 and an initial facility termination date of September 17, 2016 (the “Initial Termination Date”), subject to the satisfaction of certain terms of the extensions described below. AG MIT CREL has three (3) one-year options to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement: (i) the first for an additional one year period (the “First Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2017 (the “First Extended Termination Date”), (ii) the second for an additional one year period (the “Second Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2018 (the “Second Extended Termination Date”) and (iii) the third for an additional one year period ending September 17, 2019 (the “Third Extended Termination Date”). For each of the Initial Termination Date, the First Extended Termination Date, the Second Extended Termination Date and the Third Extended Termination Date, if such day is not a Business Day, such date shall be the next succeeding Business Day. Each option shall be exercisable in each case no more than ninety (90) days and no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the initial facility termination date, the First Extended Termination Date or the Second Extended Termination Date, as the case may be. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement is $150.0 million. Under the CREL Repurchase Agreement, Wells Fargo’s recourse against the Company and AG MIT, LLC in the event of a default is limited to $80 million.

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT, LLC, entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The Amendment amended certain terms in the CREL Repurchase Agreement, the Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 2014, delivered by the Company and AG MIT to Wells Fargo and the Fee and Pricing Letter, dated as of September 17, 2014, between AG MIT CREL and Wells Fargo. The Amendment lowered the maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement from $150 million to approximately $42.8 million. The Amendment also provided that the CREL Repurchase Agreement become full recourse to the Company and AG MIT, LLC. By amending the recourse of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the Company and AG MIT, LLC, the Company was able to remove certain financial covenants on AG MIT CREL that limited the amount that AG MIT CREL could borrow under the CREL Repurchase Agreement. The Amendment also eliminated the fee for the portion of the repurchase facility that was unused. In connection with the execution of the Amendment, AG MIT CREL borrowed an additional $20.3 million so that as of August 4, 2015 the outstanding borrowings under the CREL Repurchase Agreement totaled approximately $42.8 million. We record our financing at cost, which approximates its estimated fair value. As of March 31, 2016, we had $42.8 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

 

The CREL Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. It also contains financial covenants that are the same as the financial covenants in the Second Renewal.

 

Our MRAs generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each MRA, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios.

 

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities exclusive of AG Arc to information on a GAAP basis as of March 31, 2016:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $1,381,399,000    1.30%   15    12.5%
31-60 days   138,255,000    1.48%   43    11.1%
61-90 days   165,811,000    1.45%   70    13.8%
Greater than 90 days   371,289,248    1.76%   351    10.2%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $2,056,754,248    1.41%   82    12.1%
                     
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $6,745,174    3.18%   223    30.6%
                     
Total: GAAP Basis  $2,050,009,074    1.40%   81    12.0%

 

49

 

 

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities exclusive of AG Arc to information on a GAAP basis as of December 31, 2015:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $1,052,983,000    1.43%   14    15.4%
31-60 days   245,124,000    1.23%   47    11.8%
61-90 days   76,739,000    1.98%   74    21.1%
Greater than 90 days   372,341,865    1.60%   380    9.8%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $1,747,187,865    1.46%   99    14.0%
                     
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $7,989,207    3.00%   314    28.7%
                     
Total: GAAP Basis  $1,739,198,658    1.46%   98    13.9%

 

We did not have any FHLBC Advances as of March 31, 2015.

 

The following table presents certain financial information related to FHLBC Advances secured by Agency RMBS, as of December 31, 2015:

 

FHLBC Advances Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $186,449,500    0.36%   10    0.2%
31-60 days   39,750,000    0.44%   54    2.7%
61-90 days   170,694,500    0.49%   66    0.3%
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $396,894,000    0.42%   39    0.5%

 

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by residential mortgage loans and real estate owned, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities exclusive of AG Arc, to information on a GAAP basis as of March 31, 2016:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Funding Cost
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   43,647,332    2.99%   3.10%   590    31.2%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $43,647,332    2.99%   3.10%   590    31.2%
                          
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $9,659,956    3.18%   3.18%   223    26.3%
                          
Total: GAAP Basis  $33,987,376    2.94%   3.07%   694    32.6%

 

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by residential mortgage loans and real estate owned, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities exclusive of AG Arc, to information on a GAAP basis as of December 31, 2015:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Funding Cost
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut (1)
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   61,255,214    2.94%   3.15%   390    N/A 
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $61,255,214    2.94%   3.15%   390    N/A 
                          
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $10,648,912    3.00%   3.00%   314    25.0%
                          
Total: GAAP Basis  $50,606,302    2.93%   3.18%   406    N/A 
                          

 

(1) As of December 31, 2015, we had a total of $88.2 million of collateral pledged, comprised of $64.9 million of financial instruments and $23.3 million of cash from loan sales, which at December 31, 2015 was held by our broker. The Non-GAAP and GAAP haircut based on total collateral pledged is 30.1% and 31.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

50

 

  

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of March 31, 2016:

 

   Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Funding Cost
   Weighted
Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   42,796,000    2.68%   3.72%   1,265    31.8%
Total / Weighted Average  $42,796,000    2.68%   3.72%   1,265    31.8%

 

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2015:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Funding Cost
   Weighted
Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
30 days or less  $-    -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   42,796,000    2.67%   3.62%   1,356    31.8%
Total / Weighted Average  $42,796,000    2.67%   3.62%   1,356    31.8%

  

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by interests in U.S. Treasury securities as of March 31, 2016:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
Overnight  $430,123,750    0.57%   1    0.52%
30 days or less   -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $430,123,750    0.57%   1    0.52%

 

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by interests in U.S. Treasury securities as of December 31, 2015:

 

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:  Balance   Weighted Average
Rate
   Weighted Average
Days to Maturity
   Weighted Average
Haircut
 
Overnight  $202,362,500    0.42%   4    0.57%
30 days or less   -    -    -    - 
31-60 days   -    -    -    - 
61-90 days   -    -    -    - 
Greater than 90 days   -    -    -    - 
Total / Weighted Average  $202,362,500    0.42%  $4    0.57%

 

As mentioned above, the amount borrowed represents the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” The size of the haircut reflects the perceived risk associated with the pledged asset. Haircuts may change as our repurchase agreements mature or roll and are sensitive to governmental regulations. Recent governmental regulations address, among other things, maintenance margin and variation margin requirements for U.S. broker dealers. We have not experienced fluctuations in our haircuts that altered our business and financing strategies for the three months ended March 31, 2016, but we continue to monitor the regulatory environment, which may influence the timing and amount of repurchase agreement activity.

 

In 2014, we entered into a resecuritization transaction, pursuant to which we created a special purpose entity (“SPE”) to facilitate the transaction (the “Resecuritization”). We determined that the SPE was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the VIE should be consolidated by us under ASC 810-10 and treated as a secured borrowing (the “Consolidated VIE”). As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $28.7 million and $30.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair value of the consolidated tranche issued by the Consolidated VIE was $28.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively, which is classified as an asset in the “Non-Agency” line item and as a liability in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item on our consolidated balance sheet. The cost of financing on March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 on the consolidated tranche was 3.11% and 3.67%, respectively. See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

 

51

 

   

In February 2016, we originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and, at closing, transferred a 15.0% or $1.8 million participation interest in the loan (the “Participation Interest”) to an unaffiliated third party. The Participation Interest bears interest at a rate of LIBOR+ 10.00% with a LIBOR floor of 0.25%. We determined that the Participation Interest should be consolidated under ASC 860 due to the fact that the sale of the Participation Interest did not meet the sales criteria established under ASC 860. As of March 31, 2016, the commercial loan had a balance of $12.0 million, which is classified as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item, and a $1.8 million liability was recorded in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item on our consolidated balance sheet representing the transfer of the Participation Interest. On March 31, 2016, the cost of financing on the Participation Interest was 24.18%.

 

52

 

 

The following table presents the quarter-end balance, average quarterly balance and maximum balance at any month-end for the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances inclusive of unlinked repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements through affiliated entities, excluding any financing utilized in our investment in AG Arc, with a reconciliation of all quarterly figures to GAAP.

 

Quarter Ended  Quarter-End
Balance
   Average
Quarterly Balance
   Maximum Balance
at Any Month-End
 
March 31, 2016               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,573,321,330   $2,559,321,654   $2,582,943,709 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   16,405,130    17,168,967    17,982,309 
GAAP Basis  $2,556,916,200   $2,542,152,687   $2,564,961,400 
December 31, 2015               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,450,495,579   $2,611,418,224   $2,737,440,514 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $18,638,119   $19,119,157   $19,643,832 
GAAP Basis  $2,431,857,460   $2,592,299,067   $2,717,796,682 
September 30, 2015               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,585,828,163   $2,509,992,155   $2,585,828,163 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   20,212,522    20,566,999    20,876,667 
GAAP Basis  $2,565,615,641   $2,489,425,156   $2,564,951,496 
June 30, 2015               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,534,309,367   $2,618,201,220   $2,689,179,519 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   21,091,153    21,209,044    21,267,990 
GAAP Basis  $2,513,218,214   $2,596,992,176   $2,667,911,529 
March 31, 2015               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,691,920,394   $2,713,017,544   $2,807,851,545 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   21,305,161    21,305,161    21,305,161 
GAAP Basis  $2,670,615,233   $2,691,712,383   $2,786,546,384 
December 31, 2014               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,779,624,982   $2,809,867,811   $2,838,591,258 
Less: Linked Transactions   113,363,873    130,264,304    142,279,249 
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates   21,305,161    18,880,600    21,305,161 
GAAP Basis  $2,644,955,948   $2,660,722,907   $2,675,006,848 
September 30, 2014               
Non-GAAP Basis  $2,871,453,629   $2,956,548,421   $3,102,782,512 
Less: Linked Transactions   131,106,935    142,459,846    149,986,999 
GAAP Basis  $2,740,346,694   $2,814,088,575   $2,952,795,513 
June 30, 2014               
Non-GAAP Basis  $3,134,086,525   $3,094,449,312   $3,134,086,525 
Less: Linked Transactions   158,275,177    170,448,011    187,381,609 
GAAP Basis  $2,975,811,348   $2,924,001,301   $2,946,704,916 
March 31, 2014               
Non-GAAP Basis  $3,255,756,359   $3,178,572,989   $3,255,756,359 
Less: Linked Transactions   186,578,959    193,237,584    206,433,270 
GAAP Basis  $3,069,177,400   $2,985,335,405   $3,049,323,089 
December 31, 2013               
Non-GAAP Basis  $3,114,480,731   $3,119,928,016   $3,145,191,941 
Less: Linked Transactions   222,846,315    237,576,633    249,165,657 
GAAP Basis  $2,891,634,416   $2,882,351,383   $2,896,026,284 
September 30, 2013               
Non-GAAP Basis  $3,194,360,409   $3,294,030,740   $3,495,343,985 
Less: Linked Transactions   229,265,000    246,331,778    259,343,915 
GAAP Basis  $2,965,095,409   $3,047,698,962   $3,236,000,070 
June 30, 2013               
Non-GAAP Basis  $4,226,403,356   $4,380,568,623   $4,613,620,097 
Less: Linked Transactions   404,759,166    418,500,534    431,172,099 
GAAP Basis  $3,821,644,190   $3,962,068,089   $4,182,447,998 
March 31, 2013               
Non-GAAP Basis  $4,357,022,229   $4,292,089,859   $4,357,022,229 
Less: Linked Transactions   375,195,253    318,334,369    375,195,253 
GAAP Basis  $3,981,826,976   $3,973,755,490   $3,981,826,976 

 

We finance the purchase of our investments with repurchase agreements. It can be reasonably expected that our repurchase agreement balance will increase if we raise equity capital and decrease upon the reduction of our portfolio size through asset sales, principal paydowns, and through the gradual increase of our investment allocation to credit investments. In the third quarter of 2013, in response to a sharp increase in interest rates resulting from the market’s reaction to the announcement that tapering of QE3 could occur earlier than expected, we sold a significant amount of our fixed-rate Agency RMBS and subsequently terminated the related repurchase agreements, accounting for the reduction in the repurchase agreement balance from the second to the third quarter of 2013. Our credit portfolio as a percentage of our total portfolio increased from 34.9% as of December 31, 2013 to 56.9% as of March 31, 2016. Due to their inherent risk of loss, credit investments have lower allowable leverage ratios than Agency RMBS, which restricts our financing counterparties from providing as much repurchase agreement financing to us as they had previously and lowers our total repurchase agreement balance.

 

53

 

 

We define “non-GAAP leverage” as the sum of: (i) our repurchase agreements, inclusive of repurchase agreements held through affiliated entities but exclusive of any financing utilized through AG Arc, (ii) FHLBC Advances, if any, (iii) the amount payable on purchases that have not yet settled less the financing remaining on sales that have not yet settled, (iv) the consolidated tranche issued by the Consolidated VIE, and (v) the Participation Interest. Our calculations of each type of leverage exclude repurchase agreements and net receivables/payables on unsettled trades pertaining to U.S. Treasury securities due to the highly liquid and temporary nature of these investments. We define “non-GAAP ‘at risk’” leverage as non-GAAP leverage inclusive of our net TBA position (at cost). The calculations in the tables below divide our leverage calculations by our GAAP stockholders equity to derive our leverage ratios. The following tables present a reconciliation of our leverage ratios on a GAAP basis at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 to both our non-GAAP leverage ratio and our non-GAAP “at risk” leverage ratio. 

 

       Stockholders'     
March 31, 2016  Leverage   Equity   Leverage Ratio 
GAAP Leverage  $2,158,086,358   $646,256,777    3.34x
Repurchase agreements through affiliated entities   16,405,130    -      
Non-GAAP Leverage  $2,174,491,488   $646,256,777    3.36x
Net TBA payable adjustment   -    -      
Non-GAAP "At Risk" Leverage  $2,174,491,488   $646,256,777    3.36x

 

       Stockholders'     
December 31, 2015  Leverage   Equity   Leverage Ratio 
GAAP Leverage  $2,259,541,821   $666,944,713    3.39x
Repurchase agreements through affiliated entities   18,638,119    -      
Non-GAAP Leverage  $2,278,179,940   $666,944,713    3.42x
Net TBA payable adjustment   77,502,930    -      
Non-GAAP "At Risk" Leverage  $2,355,682,870   $666,944,713    3.53x

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we have entered into master repurchase agreements, either directly or through its equity method investments in affiliates, excluding any financing counterparties through AG Arc, with 37 (excluding the FHLBC) and 38 counterparties, respectively, under which we had outstanding debt with 21 and 21 counterparties, respectively, inclusive of repurchase agreements in affiliated entities. We seek to obtain financing from several different counterparties in order to reduce our financing risk related to any single counterparty. We had outstanding debt with 21 and 21 counterparties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, on a GAAP basis.

 

The following table presents information at March 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides us with financing for which we had greater than 5% of our stockholders’ equity at risk, including stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities but excluding any stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through AG Arc.

 

Counterparty  Amount at Risk   Weighted Average
Maturity (days)
   Percentage of
Stockholders' Equity
 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  $75,700,781    594    12%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC   43,474,663    179    7%
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation   35,157,707    28    5%
Credit Suisse Securities, LLC   33,889,842    114    5%

 

The following table presents information at December 31, 2015 with respect to each counterparty that provides us with financing for which we had greater than 5% of our stockholders’ equity at risk, including stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities but excluding any stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through AG Arc.

 

Counterparty  Amount at Risk   Weighted Average
Maturity (days)
   Percentage of
Stockholders' Equity
 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  $59,863,639    543    9%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC   45,341,579    187    7%
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation   41,788,752    44    6%
Credit Suisse Securities, LLC   40,797,732    44    6%

 

Hedging activities

 

Interest rate swaps

 

To help mitigate exposure to higher short-term interest rates, we use currently-paying and may use forward-starting, one-or three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements. This arrangement establishes a relatively stable fixed rate on related borrowings because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements largely offset interest accruing on the related borrowings, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as our effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates.

 

54

 

  

The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2016:

 

Maturity   Notional Amount   Weighted Average
Pay Rate
   Weighted Average
Receive Rate
  Weighted Average
Years to Maturity
 
 2017   $36,000,000    0.88%   0.62%   1.59 
 2018    165,000,000    1.06%   0.63%   1.95 
 2019    210,000,000    1.29%   0.63%   3.48 
 2020    295,000,000    1.67%   0.63%   4.02 
 2022    53,000,000    1.69%   0.63%   6.44 
 2023    110,000,000    2.31%   0.63%   7.18 
 2025    30,000,000    2.48%   0.64%   9.18 
 Total/Wtd Avg   $899,000,000    1.54%   0.63%   4.12 

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2015:

 

Maturity   Notional Amount   Weighted Average
Pay Rate
   Weighted Average
Receive Rate
   Weighted Average
Years to Maturity
 
 2017   $36,000,000    0.88%   0.33%   1.84 
 2018    165,000,000    1.06%   0.50%   2.20 
 2019    210,000,000    1.29%   0.43%   3.73 
 2020    295,000,000    1.67%   0.40%   4.27 
 2022    73,000,000    1.75%   0.42%   6.53 
 2023    160,000,000    2.31%   0.43%   7.42 
 2025    30,000,000    2.48%   0.45%   9.43 
 Total/Wtd Avg   $969,000,000    1.59%   0.43%   4.56 

 

U.S. Treasury securities

 

We may purchase and sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the performance of our portfolio.

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had a long position in U.S. treasury securities with a fair value of $432.4 million and a notional amount of $426.0 million. The U.S. treasury securities were financed with repurchase agreements with a fair value of $430.1 million and a repurchase rate of 0.57%. This liability is included in the “Repurchase agreements” line item on the consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2016, the U.S. Treasury securities had a weighted average maturity of 4.8 years. As of March 31, 2016, the repurchase agreements had a weighted average maturity of April 1, 2016.

 

As of December 31, 2015, we had a long position in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $223.4 million and a notional amount of $226.0 million. Certain U.S. Treasury securities were financed with repurchase agreements with a fair value of $202.4 million and a repurchase rate of 0.42%. This liability is presented in the “Repurchase agreements” line item on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2015, the U.S. Treasury securities had a weighted average maturity of 4.1 years. As of December 31, 2015, the repurchase agreements had a weighted average maturity of January 4, 2016.

 

We may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through overnight reverse repurchase agreements. We had no such transactions as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, we recorded unrealized gains of $6.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, on long positions in U.S. Treasury securities. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on our consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 we recorded realized gains and losses of $0.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, on long positions in U.S. Treasury securities. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded on the “Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative and other instruments, net” line item on our consolidated statement of operations.

 

We did not have any activity on borrowed U.S. treasury securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded unrealized losses of $0.4 million on borrowed securities. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded realized losses of $0.4 million on the borrowed securities.

 

55

 

  

Critical accounting policies

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the use of estimates that involve the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions and assessments that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. We believe that all of the decisions and assessments upon which our consolidated financial statements are based are reasonable at the time made and based upon information available to us at that time. We rely upon independent pricing of our assets at each quarter end to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates of fair market value, whenever available.

 

Investments in real estate securities

 

Our real estate securities portfolio consists primarily of Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and other real estate-related assets on which we have chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825. Investments in real estate securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, or ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” Real estate securities are recorded at fair market value on our consolidated balance sheet and the periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on our consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Real estate securities acquired through securitizations are shown in the line item “Purchase of real estate securities” on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

 

Valuation of our real estate securities portfolio is determined by our Manager using third-party pricing services. The evaluation methodology of third-party pricing services used incorporates commonly used market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to various indices such as the one-year constant maturity treasury and LIBOR, which are observable inputs. The evaluation also considers the underlying characteristics of each security, which are also observable inputs, including: coupon; maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, defaults, recoveries and prepayment speeds. We collect and consider current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently estimated. See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

 

Investments in mortgage loans

 

We have chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our mortgage loans. Loans are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheet and any periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Electing the fair value option allows us to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a particular reporting period as all loan activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

 

Valuation of our mortgage loan portfolio is determined by our Manager using third-party pricing services where available, model-based pricing, or specialized third party valuation service providers to assess and corroborate the valuation of a selection of investments in the Company’s loan portfolio on a periodic basis. These specialized third party valuation service providers conduct independent valuation analyses based on a review of source documents, available market data, and comparable investments. The overall valuation considers the underlying characteristics of each loan, which are observable inputs, including: coupon; maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, defaults, recoveries and prepayment speeds. These valuations also require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, reperformance rates, leasing, creditworthiness of major tenants, occupancy rates, availability of financing, exit plan, loan sponsorship, actions of other lenders and other factors deemed necessary by management. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently estimated. Analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager. See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

 

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

 

Our unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method. Except as described below, the underlying entities have chosen to make a fair value election on its financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825. As a result, we will treat these investments consistently with this election.

 

56

 

 

In December 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Arc Home to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-QM loans. We invest in Arc Home through AG Arc, one of our subsidiaries, and have chosen to make a fair value election on AG Arc pursuant to ASC 825.

 

Our investments in debt and equity of affiliates are recorded at fair market value on our consolidated balance sheet in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item and periodic changes in fair market value are recorded in current period earnings on our consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates.” Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses of such entities are allocated in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements. 

 

Interest income

 

Interest income on our real estate securities and loan portfolios is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. We have elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all securities and loans accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the respective investments. We estimate future expected cash flows at the time of purchase and determine the effective interest rate based on these estimated cash flows and our purchase price. At least quarterly, these estimated cash flows are assessed and a revised yield is computed based on the current amortized cost of the investment, as needed. As further explained below, there are uncertainties and contingencies involved in estimating cash flows, which are difficult to predict and are subject to future events that may impact our estimates and, as a result, our interest income.

 

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

 

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

 

Other-than-temporary impairment

 

We evaluate real estate securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

 

When an investment security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if (i) we intend to sell the security (i.e. a decision has been made as of the reporting date) or (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If we intend to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the real estate security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. For real estate securities accounted for under ASC 325-40, an OTTI is deemed to have occurred when there is an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security is less than its carrying amount. In determining whether an adverse change in cash flows occurred, the present value of the remaining cash flows, as estimated at the initial transaction date (or the last date previously revised), is compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the current reporting date. The estimated cash flows reflect those a “market participant” would use and include observations of current information and events, and assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of potential credit losses. Cash flows are discounted at a rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. Any resulting OTTI adjustments are reflected in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Increases in interest income may be recognized on a security on which the Company previously recorded OTTI if the performance of such security subsequently improves. The determination as to whether an OTTI exists is subjective, given that such determination is based on information available at the time of assessment as well as our estimate of the future performance and cash flow projections for the individual security. As a result, the timing and amount of an OTTI constitutes an accounting estimate that may change materially over time.

 

Real estate securities in an unrealized loss position as of the balance sheet date are not considered other than temporarily impaired as we have the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the cost of the investment and we are not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons.

 

57

 

   

Interest income and other-than-temporary impairment recognition on mortgage loans and real estate securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality

 

When we purchase mortgage loans and real estate securities that have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination, we will analyze such investments to determine if the application of ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality” is warranted. If it is determined that it is probable we will not collect all contractual cash flows on those assets, we will apply the guidance found in ASC 310-30. For purposes of mortgage loan income recognition, we aggregate loans acquired that have common risk characteristics into a pool and use a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for such pool.

 

Interest income is recognized on a level-yield basis over the life of the loan or security as long as cash flows can be reasonably estimated. The level-yield is determined by the excess of our initial estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest, and other cash flows expected to be collected over our initial investment in the mortgage loan or security (accretable yield). The excess of contractually required cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) is not recognized as an adjustment of yield.

 

On at least a quarterly basis, we update our estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected for loans and real estate securities. If based on the most current information and events it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, we will recognize these changes prospectively through an adjustment of the investment’s yield over its remaining life. We will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from the nonaccretable difference. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate in conformity with ASC 250 with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected from previously projected cash flows, which includes all cash flows originally expected to be collected by the investor plus any additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition, are recognized as impairment.

 

Derivatives

 

We enter into various types of derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to market risk. We may use derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions and credit derivatives as instruments to reduce such exposure, and non-derivative instruments including Agency Interest-Only securities and long and short positions in U.S. Treasury securities to manage interest rate risk. We account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

 

In valuing our derivatives, we consider both our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of our counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from both our and our counterparties’ perspective. All of our derivatives are either subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act. For swaps cleared under the Dodd Frank Act, a Central Counterparty Clearing House now stands between us and the over-the-counter derivative counterparties. In order to access such clearing, we have entered into clearing agreements with futures commissions merchants (“FCMs”). We present derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. We will continue to evaluate our method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

58

 

 

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718),” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 requires all income tax effects of share-based payment awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. ASU 2016-09 also allows an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes than is permitted under current guidance without triggering liability accounting. Finally, ASU 2016-09 allows a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating our method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Results of operations

 

The table below presents certain information from our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Statement of Operations Data:          
Net Interest Income          
Interest income  $30,697,158   $36,380,265 
Interest expense   8,560,299    7,514,178 
    22,136,859    28,866,087 
           
Other Income          
Net realized gain/(loss)   (12,986,658)   (9,649,926)
Realized loss on periodic interest settlements of derivative instruments, net   (2,377,775)   (3,461,227)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net   8,840,770    11,259,718 
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net   (11,956,002)   (8,920,798)
    (18,479,665)   (10,772,233)
           
Expenses          
Management fee to affiliate   2,450,143    2,507,090 
Other operating expenses   3,046,812    3,077,998 
Servicing fees   104,979    174,999 
Equity based compensation to affiliate   54,971    76,680 
Excise tax   375,000    375,000 
    6,031,905    6,211,767 
           
Income/(loss) before equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates   (2,374,711)   11,882,087 
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates   (69,716)   881,355 
Net Income/(Loss)   (2,444,427)   12,763,442 
           
Dividends on preferred stock   3,367,354    3,367,354 
           
Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders  $(5,811,781)  $9,396,088 
           
Share Data:          
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock          
Basic  $(0.21)  $0.33 
Diluted  $(0.21)  $0.33 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

Our operating results depend in large part upon the difference between the yields earned on our investments, the cost of our borrowing, the cost of our interest rate hedging activities, the size and composition of our portfolio and changes in market prices during the period. Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders decreased $15.2 million to ($5.8) million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, primarily due to lower security and derivative prices and lower net interest income. The major components of this decrease are detailed below.

 

Investment income, financing and hedging costs

 

Our primary source of income is the net interest earned on our investment portfolio of real estate securities, loans and MSRs, inclusive of assets owned through affiliates, exclusive of any assets owned through AG Arc. Our investment portfolio has been financed with repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances.

 

The decrease in net income/(loss) available to our common stockholders from the three months ended March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 reflects a decrease in net interest earned on our investment portfolio of real estate securities, loans and MSRs, inclusive of assets owned through affiliates and exclusive of assets owned through AG Arc. This change is primarily due to the size of our investment portfolio, which declined from a weighted average cost of $3.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to a weighted average cost of $2.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This decline is due in large part to the gradual increase in our investment allocation to credit; our credit portfolio as a percentage of our total portfolio increased from 46.1% as of March 31, 2015 to 56.9% as of March 31, 2016. An improved general economic outlook has supported the increase in credit investment allocation. While credit investments typically have higher yields than Agency assets due to their inherent risk of loss, credit investments have lower allowable leverage ratios than Agency RMBS. Allocating a greater amount of capital to credit investments limits the size of our portfolio.

 

59

 

 

The financing on our portfolio declined from a weighted average of $2.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to a weighted average of $2.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2016. These figures exclude repurchase agreement financing on our U.S. Treasury securities and include repurchase agreement financing on our investments in debt and equity of affiliates except for AG Arc. Despite a decrease in weighted average financing, the costs associated with financing have increased. Credit investments necessitate a higher cost of financing as the underlying securities are inherently riskier than Agency RMBS. We have also extended the maturities on certain borrowing arrangements, resulting in an increase to interest rates paid on our debt. Our funding costs on Agency RMBS and credit securities have also been driven up by the ongoing intensification of the regulatory environment on bank and dealer balance sheets. In addition, with the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise the target range of the federal funds rate by 25 basis points in December of 2015, cash providers have begun to demand additional interest on the funds they lend to banks which has increased the spreads on our Non-Agency RMBS financing passed on to us from our financing sources.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the weighted average cost of our yield generating investments and related financing was $2.8 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, excluding financing on U.S. Treasury securities. On an annualized basis, the average yield earned on our assets was 4.47%, and the average rate paid on our repurchase agreements, securitized debt, loan participation payable, FHLBC Advances and hedges was 1.76%. On an annualized basis, the average rate paid on our financing as a percentage of the average repurchase agreement, securitized debt, loan participation payable and FHLBC Advance balance outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 1.56%. On an annualized basis, the average rate paid on our swaps and U.S. Treasury securities as a percentage of the average repurchase agreement, securitized debt, loan participation payable and FHLBC advance balance outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 0.20%. The weighted average non-GAAP leverage ratio during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 3.41 to 1.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the weighted average cost of our yield generating investments and related financing was $3.3 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. On an annualized basis, the average yield earned on our assets was 4.52%, and the average rate paid on our repurchase agreements, securitized debt and hedges was 1.61%. On an annualized basis, the average rate paid on our financing as a percentage of the average repurchase agreement and securitized debt balance outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 1.12%. On an annualized basis, the average rate paid on our swaps and U.S. Treasury Securities as a percentage of the average repurchase agreement and securitized debt balance outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 0.49%. The weighted average non-GAAP leverage ratio during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 3.77 to 1.

 

The primary reason for the decrease in the weighted average leverage ratio from March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 is our general migration away from Agency RMBS to credit investments. As mentioned above, due to their inherent risk of loss, credit investments have lower allowable leverage ratios than Agency RMBS, which restricts our financing counterparties from providing as much repurchase agreement financing to us as they had previously.

 

Realized and unrealized gains/ (losses) on investments and derivatives

 

During the first quarter of 2016, there was pronounced volatility in the prices of risk assets globally. The weakness in the energy sector and fears of an increased slowdown in economic growth in China that began in the fourth quarter transformed into fears during the early part of the first quarter of a global recession that would push the United States into recession. This fear led to a sharp repricing wider in securities across a broad spectrum of credit sectors, including RMBS and ABS. Pricing in most markets reached extreme levels that were likely reflective of broadly reduced liquidity and fear, rather than underlying fundamental weakness. However, from late February through quarter end, there was a broad recovery in risk assets, which was helped in large part by the Fed. The Fed tempered its forecasts for the trajectory and ultimate resting place for short term policy rates, emphasizing concern over international developments and related impacts on the U.S. dollar. As of quarter end, reduced prospects for further U.S. dollar strength helped stabilize the Chinese Renminbi, commodities and U.S. RMBS and ABS markets, but markets still remain fragile as the global economy remains at a crossroads.

 

As a result of the developments described above, the bond market rallied and the 10-year U.S. Treasury, which began the year at 2.27%, hit a low of 1.66% in mid-February and closed at 1.77% on March 31, 2016. As a result, Agency RMBS prices moved higher. Prices of Agency RMBS followed the general trend of the bond market as Fannie Mae 30-year 3.5% RMBS rose by 1.6% as further discussed below. Interest rates on swaps decreased during the first quarter and since our interest rate derivatives are comprised of pay-fixed interest rate swaps offset by long U.S. Treasury positions, the result was a decrease in the value of our hedge book.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we sold certain real estate securities realizing a net loss of $1.4 million and settled TBAs realizing a net gain of $0.2 million. Additionally, we recognized $2.6 million of realized loss due to the settlement of certain derivatives and $9.2 million of realized loss due to other-than-temporary-impairment or OTTI, charges on certain securities and loans.

 

60

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we sold certain real estate securities realizing a net gain of $4.7 million and settled TBAs realizing a net gain of $2.2 million. Additionally, we recognized $13.8 million of realized loss due to the settlement of certain derivatives and $2.7 million of realized loss due to other-than-temporary-impairment or OTTI charges on certain securities.

 

We may opportunistically reposition the portfolio from time to time for numerous reasons including rotating into investments with better relative value. The timing and amount of future realized gains and losses will be impacted by these portfolio management decisions.

 

As mentioned above, we recognized a $9.2 million OTTI charge on certain real estate securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to an adverse change in cash flows, where the fair values of the investments were less than their carrying amounts. The decline in value of the remaining investments is solely due to market conditions and not the quality of the assets. The remaining investments in our portfolio are not considered other than temporarily impaired because we currently have the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments and we are not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons.

 

We have not designated any of our derivative instruments as hedges for GAAP; therefore the change in market value on such derivatives is included as a component of our net income.

 

We have elected the fair value option on our real estate securities, our mortgage loan portfolios, our securitized debt and our loan participation payable. Changes in market value are included as a component of net income.

 

The change in unrealized gains/(losses) on Agency RMBS is directly attributable to the changes in market pricing on the underlying instruments during the period. Our Agency RMBS portfolio had unrealized gains for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015. These unrealized gains and losses are due to the change in the price of Agency products. Agency RMBS, excluding TBAs, represent 43.1% and 48.5% of our total portfolio as of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses on Agency securities are caused when prices of the underlying instrument increase or decrease, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Fannie 3.50% 30 years increased from 103-07+ at December 31, 2015 to 104-29+ at March 31, 2016, providing the basis for the unrealized gain on our Agency RMBS. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, Fannie 3.50% 30 years increased from 104-09+ at December 31, 2014 to 105-03+ at March 31, 2015, providing the basis for the unrealized gain on Agency RMBS.

 

Management fees and other expenses

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, our management fees were $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Management fees are based upon a percentage of our stockholders’ equity after certain adjustments, including the exclusion of unrealized gains or losses and other non-cash items. See the “Contractual obligations” section of this Item 2 for further detail on the calculation of management fee.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, other operating costs were $3.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively. These amounts were primarily comprised of professional fees, insurance and director’s fees, as well as certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager.

 

We are required to reimburse our Manager for operating expenses related to us which are either incurred by our Manager or on our behalf, including certain salary expenses and other expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. Of the $3.0 million and $3.1 million of Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively, the Company has expensed $1.8 million, and $1.8 million, respectively which will be paid to the Manager as a reimbursement of expenses.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, we recorded excise tax expense of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Excise tax represents a four percent tax on the required amount of our ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the year. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

  

Book value per share

 

As of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, our book value per common share was $17.22, $17.88 and $19.87, respectively.

 

61

 

 

Core Earnings

 

We define core earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income excluding both realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on the sale or termination of securities and the related tax expense/benefit or disposition expense, if any, on such sale, including (i) investments held in affiliated entities and (ii) derivatives. As defined, Core Earnings include the net interest earned on these investments on a yield adjusted basis, including credit derivatives, investments in debt and equity of affiliates, inverse Agency Interest-Only securities, interest rate derivatives or any other investment activity that may earn or pay net interest. One of our objectives is to generate net income from net interest margin on the portfolio, and management uses Core Earnings to measure this objective. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure, when considered with our GAAP financials, provides supplemental information useful for investors in evaluating the results of our operations. Our presentation of Core Earnings may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies, who may use different calculations. This non-GAAP measure should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

 

A reconciliation of GAAP net income to Core Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 is set forth below:

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
Net Income/(loss) available to common stockholders  $(5,811,781)  $9,396,088 
Add (Deduct):          
Net realized (gain)/loss   12,986,658    9,649,926 
Drop income   79,388    1,204,776 
Equity in (earnings)/loss from affiliates   69,716    (881,355)
Net interest income and expenses from equity method investments   823,237    916,721 
Unrealized (gain)/loss on real estate securities and loans, net   (8,840,770)   (11,259,718)
Unrealized (gain)/loss on derivative and other instruments, net   11,956,002    8,920,798 
Core Earnings  $11,262,450   $17,947,236 
           
Core Earnings, per Diluted Share  $0.40   $0.63 

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including commitments to make distributions to our stockholders, finance our investments and expenses and satisfy other general business needs. Our principal sources of cash as of March 31, 2016 consist of borrowings under repurchase agreements, payments of principal and interest we receive on our Agency RMBS and credit portfolio, cash generated from our operating results, and proceeds from capital market transactions. We typically use cash to repay principal and interest on our repurchase agreements, to purchase real estate securities, loans and other real estate related assets, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, and to fund our operations. Refer to the “Contractual obligations” section of this Item 2 for additional obligations that could impact our liquidity.

 

At March 31, 2016, we had $138.3 million available to support our liquidity needs, comprised of $40.7 million of cash, $48.8 million of Agency RMBS, and $48.8 million of Agency Interest-Only securities that have not been pledged as collateral under any of our financing agreements. We use leverage on certain of our assets to increase potential returns to our stockholders. The amount of leverage we may deploy for particular assets depends upon our Manager’s assessment of the credit and other risks of those assets, and also depends on any limitations placed upon us through covenants contained in our master repurchase agreements as discussed below. We generate income principally from the yields earned on our investments and, to the extent that leverage is deployed, on the difference between the yields earned on our investments and our cost of borrowing and the cost of any hedging activities. Subject to maintaining both our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our Investment Company Act exemption, to the extent leverage is deployed, we may use a number of sources to finance our investments.

 

We, either directly or through our equity method investments in affiliates, have entered into MRAs with 37 counterparties (excluding the FHLBC), allowing us to utilize leverage in our operations. As of March 31, 2016, we had debt outstanding of $2.6 billion from 21 counterparties, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities. The borrowings under repurchase agreements have maturities between April 1, 2016 and September 17, 2019. These agreements generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each lending agreement, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios. If we fail to meet or satisfy any covenants, supplemental terms or representations and warranties, we would be in default under these agreements and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreements to be immediately due and payable, enforce their respective interests against collateral pledged under such agreements and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. Certain financing agreements may contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any one agreement, the lenders under our other agreements could also declare a default. As of March 31, 2016 our Non-GAAP “at risk”, Non-GAAP and GAAP debt-to-equity leverage ratios were 3.36 to 1, 3.36 to 1 and 3.34 to 1, respectively.

 

Under our repurchase agreements we may be required to pledge additional assets to our lenders in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral, which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Certain securities that are pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements are in an unrealized loss positions. We have the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments, and we are not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons.

 

62

 

 

The following table presents contractual maturity information about our repurchase agreements, including those accounted for through affiliated entities but excluding any financing utilized through AG Arc, and including FHLBC Advances, if applicable, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Overnight  $430,123,750   $202,362,500 
30 days or less   1,381,399,000    1,239,432,500 
31 to 60 days   138,255,000    284,874,000 
61 to 90 days   165,811,000    247,433,500 
91 to 119 days   -    32,109,000 
Greater than or equal to 120 days   457,732,580    444,284,079 
Total: Non-GAAP Basis  $2,573,321,330   $2,450,495,579 
           
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates  $16,405,130   $18,638,119 
           
Total: GAAP Basis  $2,556,916,200   $2,431,857,460 

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had no advances outstanding with the FHLBC, and as a result of the Final Rule, can no longer rely on FHLBC Advances for liquidity. We do not expect the Final Rule to have a material impact on our liquidity or our ability to satisfy our financial obligations as they become due.

 

As described above in the “Financing activities” section of this Item 2, we entered into the Resecuritization in 2014 that resulted in consolidation of the VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate principal balance of $37.9 million and $40.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate fair value of $34.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $28.7 million and $30.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair market value of the consolidated tranche was $28.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively, which is included in our consolidated balance sheet as “Non-Agency RMBS.” As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the aggregate security has a weighted average coupon of 5.21% and 5.32%, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 6.06% and 6.14%, respectively. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we recorded secured financing of $28.3 million and $30.0 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item. We have recorded the proceeds from the issuance of the secured financing in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the consolidated tranche has a weighted average life of 3.38 years and 4.04 years, respectively and a weighted average yield of 3.11% and 3.67%, respectively. The holders of the consolidated tranche have no recourse to our general credit. We have no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE. See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

 

As described above in the “Financing activities” section of this Item 2, we originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and transferred the Participation Interest to an unaffiliated third party. As of March 31, 2016, the commercial loan had a balance of $12.0 million, which is classified as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item. As of March 31, 2016, the commercial loan has a weighted average coupon of 10.44%, and a weighted average yield of 15.11%. As of March 31, 2016, a $1.8 million liability was recorded in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item on our consolidated balance sheet representing the transfer of the Participation Interest. We recorded the origination of the commercial loan in the “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” section and the proceeds from the transfer in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016. On March 31, 2016 the Participation Interest had a weighted average life of 0.88 years and a weighted average yield of 24.18%.

 

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our Investment Company Act exemption, to the extent leverage is deployed, we may utilize derivative financial instruments (or hedging instruments), including interest rate swap agreements, TBAs, interest rate swaptions, credit derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments including Agency Interest-Only securities and positions in U.S. Treasury securities in an effort to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the financing of our portfolio. Specifically, we may seek to hedge our exposure to potential interest rate mismatches between the interest we earn on our investments and our borrowing costs caused by fluctuations in short-term interest rates. In utilizing leverage and interest rate hedges, our objectives will be to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to lock in, on a long-term basis, a spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. As of March 31, 2016, we have entered into $899.0 million notional of interest rate swaps that have variable maturities between October 30, 2017 and June 5, 2025, and we have $426.0 million notional of long positions in U.S. Treasury securities with maturities between September 15, 2018, and November 15, 2025.

 

63

 

 

Effects of margin requirements, leverage and credit spreads

 

Our real estate securities and loans have values that fluctuate according to market conditions and, as discussed above, the market value of these assets will decrease as prevailing interest rates or credit spreads increase. When the value of the assets pledged to secure a repurchase agreement decreases to the point where the positive difference between the collateral value and the repurchase agreement amount is less than the haircut, our lenders may issue a “margin call,” which reflects a demand for additional collateral that may take the form of additional assets or cash. Under our repurchase facilities, our lenders have full discretion to determine the value of the securities we pledge to them. Most of our lenders will value assets based on recent trades in the market. Lenders also issue margin calls as the published current principal balance factors change on the pool of mortgages underlying the securities pledged as collateral when scheduled and unscheduled paydowns are announced monthly. We experience margin calls in the ordinary course of our business. In seeking to manage effectively the margin requirements established by our lenders, we maintain a position of cash and unpledged Agency RMBS. We refer to this position as our “liquidity.” The level of liquidity we have available to meet margin calls is directly affected by our leverage levels, our haircuts and the price changes on our securities. If interest rates increase as a result of a yield curve shift or any other reason or if credit spreads widen, then the prices of our collateral (and our unpledged assets that constitute our liquidity) will decline, we will experience margin calls, and we will use our liquidity to meet the margin calls. There can be no assurance that we will maintain sufficient levels of liquidity to meet any margin calls. If our haircuts increase, our liquidity will proportionately decrease. In addition, if we increase our borrowings, our liquidity will decrease by the amount of additional haircut on the increased level of indebtedness. We intend to maintain a level of liquidity in relation to our assets that enables us to meet reasonably anticipated margin calls but that also allows us to be substantially invested in securities. We may misjudge the appropriate amount of our liquidity by maintaining excessive liquidity, which would lower our investment returns, or by maintaining insufficient liquidity, which would force us to liquidate assets into potentially unfavorable market conditions and harm our results of operations and financial condition. Further, an unexpected rise in interest rates and a corresponding fall in the market value of our securities may also force us to liquidate assets under difficult market conditions, thereby harming our results of operations and financial condition, in an effort to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet increased margin calls.

 

Similar to the margin calls that we receive on our borrowing agreements, we may also receive margin calls on our derivative instruments when their value declines. This typically occurs when prevailing market rates change adversely, with the severity of the change also dependent on the term of the derivatives involved. Our posting of collateral with our counterparties can be done in cash or securities, and is generally bilateral, which means that if the value of our interest rate hedges increases, our counterparty will post collateral with us.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

In November 2015, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to $25.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Such authorization does not have an expiration date. As part of the Repurchase Program, shares may be purchased in open market transactions, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. Open market repurchases will be made in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of open market stock repurchases. Subject to applicable securities laws, the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be determined by us in our discretion, using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by us under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be cancelled and, until reissued by us, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of our common stock. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by us at any time and without prior notice. The authorization does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we repurchased 119,606 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.5 million and at an average cost per share of $12.86. As of March 31, 2016, approximately $21.8 million of common stock remained authorized for future share repurchases under the Repurchase Program. Like other investments we may make, any repurchases of our common stock under this authorization would reduce our available capital described above. We did not repurchase any shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Forward-looking statements regarding liquidity

 

Based upon our current portfolio, leverage rate and available borrowing arrangements, we believe that the net proceeds of our common equity offerings, preferred equity offerings, and private placements, combined with cash flow from operations and our available borrowing capacity will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated liquidity requirements such as to fund our investment activities, pay fees under our management agreement, fund our distributions to stockholders and pay general corporate expenses.

 

Contractual obligations

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had the following contractual obligations. On June 29, 2011, we entered into an agreement with our Manager pursuant to which our Manager is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses. The management fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 1.50% of our Stockholder’s Equity, per annum.

 

64

 

 

For purposes of calculating the management fee, “Stockholders’ Equity” means the sum of the net proceeds from any issuances of equity securities (including preferred securities) since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance, and excluding any future equity issuance to the Manager), plus our retained earnings at the end of such quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense or other non-cash items described below incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that we pay for repurchases of our common stock, excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and excluding one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and our independent directors and after approval by a majority of our independent directors. Stockholders’ Equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on our financial statements.

 

Our Manager uses the proceeds from its management fee in part to pay compensation to its officers and personnel, who, notwithstanding that certain of them also are our officers, receive no cash compensation directly from us. We are required to reimburse our Manager for operating expenses related to us which are incurred by our Manager on our behalf, including certain salary expenses and other expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. Our reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation; however, the reimbursement is subject to an annual budget process which combines guidelines from the Management Agreement with oversight by our board of directors. Of the $3.0 million and $3.1 million of Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively, we have expensed $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively, which will be paid to the Manager as a reimbursement of expenses.

 

On July 6, 2011 we entered into (i) warrant agreements with the purchasers of units in the private placement, (ii) a restricted stock award agreement with our Manager under the Manager Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which the Manager received 40,250 shares of our common stock, and (iii) restricted stock award agreements with our independent directors under the Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which each of the initial independent directors received 1,500 shares of our common stock that vest in equal installments over three years on each annual anniversary of the grant date. Following the election of Arthur Ainsberg as an independent director at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, 500 shares of the Company’s common stock that vested on July, 6 2014 were granted to Mr. Ainsberg under the Equity Incentive Plan. As of July 6, 2014, an aggregate of 46,750 shares awarded to the Manager and the independent directors were fully vested.

 

Pursuant to the Manager Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan, we can award up to 277,500 shares of common stock to our directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel and to our Manager. As of March 31, 2016, 139,902 shares of common stock were available to be awarded under the equity incentive plans. Awards under the equity incentive plans are forfeitable until they become vested. An award will become vested only if the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement (as determined by the compensation committee) are satisfied. The vesting conditions may include performance of services for a specified period, achievement of performance goals, or a combination of both. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of an award upon the occurrence of certain events in its discretion.

 

As of March 31, 2016, we have granted an aggregate of 37,348 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock to our Manager under our equity incentive plans. As of March 31, 2016, 97,592 shares of restricted common stock granted to our Manager and independent directors have vested.

 

On July 1, 2014, we granted 60,000 restricted stock units to our Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of our common stock to be issued if and when such units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units occurred or will occur on each of July 1, 2015, July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017. The units do not entitle the participant the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The vesting of such units is subject to the continuation of the management agreement. If the management agreement terminates, all unvested units then held by our Manager or its transferee shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited without consideration. On July 1, 2015, approximately 20,000 restricted stock units vested, and as of March 31, 2016, approximately 40,000 units remained unvested.

 

On December 9, 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, entered into the LLC Agreement of Arc Home. The capital commitment to Arc Home is $30.0 million of which our share is $13.4 million.

 

We have presented a table that details the contractual maturity of our financing arrangements at March 31, 2016. See the “Liquidity and capital resources” section for this Item 2. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we are obligated to pay accrued interest on our repurchase agreements in the amount of $3.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, inclusive of accrued interest accounted for through investments in debt and equity of affiliates, and exclusive of accrued interest on any financing utilized through AG Arc.

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

We have entered into TBA positions to facilitate the future purchase or sale of Agency RMBS. Pursuant to these TBAs, we agree to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular Agency RMBS to be delivered or received would not be identified until shortly, generally two days, before the TBA settlement date. We record TBA purchases and sales on the trade date and present the purchase or receipt net of the corresponding payable or receivable until the settlement date of the transaction. Our maximum exposure to loss related to our TBAs is the net payable amount on our TBA transactions until the settlement date. As of March 31, 2016, our maximum exposure to loss on TBAs was $0.1 million.

 

65

 

 

Our investments in debt and equity of affiliates are primarily comprised of real estate securities and loans, associated repurchase agreements and interest receivable/payable on such accounts. Investments in debt and equity of affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As of March 31, 2016, our maximum exposure to loss on investments in debt and equity of affiliates was $57.1 million.

 

Certain related person transactions

 

Our board of directors has adopted a policy regarding the approval of any “related person transaction,” which is any transaction or series of transactions in which we or any of our subsidiaries is or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and a “related person” (as defined under SEC rules) has a direct or indirect material interest. Under the policy, a related person would need to promptly disclose to our Secretary or Assistant Secretary any related person transaction and all material facts about the transaction. Our Secretary or Assistant Secretary, in consultation with outside counsel, to the extent appropriate, would then assess and promptly communicate that information to the audit committee of our board of directors. Based on its consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the audit committee will review, approve or ratify such transactions as appropriate. The audit committee will not approve or ratify a related person transaction unless it shall have determined that such transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and does not create a conflict of interest. If we become aware of an existing related person transaction that has not been approved under this policy, the transaction will be referred to the audit committee which will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. Our policy requires any director who may be interested in a related person transaction to recuse himself or herself from any consideration of such related person transaction.

 

In connection with our investments in residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans, we engage asset managers to provide advisory, consultation, asset management and other services to formulate and implement strategic plans to manage, collect and dispose of loans in a manner that is reasonably expected to maximize the amount of proceeds from each loan. Beginning in November 2015, we engaged Red Creek Asset Management LLC (“Asset Manager”), a related party of the Manager and direct subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, as the asset manager for certain of our residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans. The Asset Manager acknowledges that we will at all times have and retain ownership and control of all loans and that the Asset Manager will not acquire (i) title to any loan, (ii) any security interest in any loan, or (iii) any other rights or interests of any kind or any nature whatsoever in or to any loan. We pay separate arm’s-length asset management fees (as assessed and confirmed by a third party valuation firm) for the Asset Manager’s services related to (i) non-performing loans and (ii) reperforming loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the fees paid by us to the Asset Manager totaled less than $120,000.

 

In July 2015, we completed an arm’s-length investment purchase at fair value. Certain entities managed by an affiliate of our Manager (“Related Entities”) had previously formed a joint venture (“Joint Venture”) with an unaffiliated third party. The Joint Venture owns certain multi-family properties for which the mortgages partly collateralize a securitization wherein we purchased certain bond tranches. To ensure an arm’s-length transaction, the Manager delegated its decision making rights with respect to the securitization to a third party servicer. In addition, the members of the Joint Venture agreed to cease sharing material non-public information with our investment team regarding the collateral. Our investment in these bond tranches is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” and “CMBS” line items on the consolidated balance sheet with fair values of $6.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, on March 31, 2016 and on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item with a combined fair value of $7.6 million on December 31, 2015.

 

In May 2015, we completed an arm’s-length securitization with other investors managed by an affiliate of the Manager (the “Related Parties”) by combining the assets of a prior private securitization, in which we held a 10.0% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. Our investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and had a fair value of $4.3 million and $3.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. We completed another similar arm’s-length securitization in July 2015 with the Related Parties by combining the assets of a private securitization, in which we held a 7.5% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. Our investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and had a fair value of $5.3 million and $5.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The remaining interests in each securitization were owned by certain of the related parties. Each securitization was backed by collateral consisting of seasoned NPLs and RPLs. We obtained third party pricing for each transaction.

 

On December 9, 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”), a Delaware limited liability company. Arc Home plans to originate conforming, FHA, Jumbo and non-QM residential mortgage loans and will be led by an external management team (the “Management Team”). The Board of Managers of Arc Home will consist of three (3) members appointed by us and certain affiliates of the Company and two (2) members appointed by the Management Team. Our investment in AG Arc, one of our subsidiaries which invests in Arc Home, is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on our consolidated balance sheet and had a fair value of $0.3 and $(0.3) million on March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

66

 

 

On March 8, 2016, an affiliate of the Manager (“the Affiliate”) became a member of AG Arc. The Affiliate acquired an ownership interest in AG Arc which resulted in our ownership interest being reduced on a pro-rata basis. As a result of the Affiliate becoming a member of AG Arc, our overall commitment to Arc Home was reduced to $13.4 million.

 

Management agreement

 

On June 29, 2011 we entered into a management agreement with our Manager, which governs the relationship between us and our Manager and describes the services to be provided by our Manager and its compensation for those services. The terms of our management agreement, including the fees payable by us to Angelo, Gordon, were not negotiated at arm’s length, and its terms may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated party. Our Manager, pursuant to the delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility with respect to our Manager’s day-to-day duties and obligations arising under our management agreement.

 

Grants of restricted common stock

 

As of March 31, 2016, we have granted an aggregate of 37,348 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock to our Manager under our equity incentive plans. As of March 31, 2016, 97,592 shares of restricted common stock granted to our Manager and independent directors have vested.

 

See Note 10 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for further detail on restricted stock grants.

 

Dividends

 

We intend to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of our common stock if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors. Federal income tax law generally requires that (i) a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT ordinary taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains and (ii) that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income. Before we pay any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our repurchase agreements and other debt payable. If our cash available for distribution is less than our net taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities. In addition, prior to the time we have fully deployed the net proceeds of our follow-on offerings to acquire assets in our target asset classes we may fund our quarterly distributions out of such net proceeds.

 

As mentioned above, our distribution requirements are based on taxable income rather than GAAP net income. The primary differences between taxable income and GAAP net income include (i) unrealized gains and losses associated with investment and derivative portfolios which are marked-to-market in current income for GAAP purposes, but excluded from taxable income until realized or settled, (ii) temporary differences related to amortization of premiums and discounts paid on investments, (iii) the timing and amount of deductions related to stock-based compensation, (iv) temporary differences related to the recognition of certain terminated derivatives and (v) taxes. Undistributed taxable income is based on current estimates and is not finalized until we file our annual tax return, typically in September of the following fiscal year. As of March 31, 2016 the Company had undistributed taxable income of approximately $1.87 per share.

 

The following table details our common stock dividends during the three month ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

2016           
Declaration Date   Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
 3/10/2016   3/21/2016  4/29/2016  $0.475 

 

2015           
Declaration Date   Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
 3/12/2015   3/23/2015  4/30/2015  $0.60 

 

67

 

 

The following table details our preferred stock dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

2016             
Dividend  Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
8.25% Series A  2/12/2016  2/29/2016  3/17/2016  $0.51563 
8.00% Series B  2/12/2016  2/29/2016  3/17/2016  $0.50 

 

 

2015             
Dividend  Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Per Share 
8.25% Series A  2/12/2015  2/27/2015  3/17/2015  $0.51563 
8.00% Series B  2/12/2015  2/27/2015  3/17/2015  $0.50 

 

Inflation

 

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more than inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates.

 

Other matters

 

We intend to conduct our business so as to maintain our exempt status under, and not to become regulated as an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act. If we failed to maintain our exempt status under the Investment Company Act and became regulated as an investment company, our ability to, among other things, use leverage would be substantially reduced and, as a result, we would be unable to conduct our business as described in the “Business” section of this report. Accordingly, we monitor our compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Test of the Investment Company Act in order to maintain our exempt status. As of December 31, 2015, we determined that we maintained compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Test requirements.

 

We calculate that at least 75% of our assets were real estate assets, cash and cash items and government securities for the year ended December 31, 2015. We also calculate that our revenue qualifies for the 75% gross income test and for the 95% gross income test rules for the year ended December 31, 2015. Overall, we believe that we met the REIT income and asset tests. We also met all other REIT requirements, including the ownership of our common stock and the distribution of our net income. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2015, we believe that we qualified as a REIT under the Code.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

The primary components of our market risk relate to interest rates, liquidity, prepayment rates and credit risk. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we seek to assume risk that can be quantified from historical experience and to actively manage that risk, to earn sufficient returns to justify taking those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with both our investments and the financing under our repurchase agreements. We seek to reduce interest rate risks on any outstanding debt and minimize exposure to interest rate fluctuations thereon through the use of interest rate derivatives or other financial instruments, or through a combination of these strategies.

 

Interest rate effect on net interest income

 

Our operating results depend in large part upon differences between the yields earned on our investments and our cost of borrowing and upon the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging activities. The majority of our repurchase agreements are short term in nature with an initial term of between 30 and 90 days. The financing rate on these agreements will generally be fixed at the outset of each transaction by reference to prevailing short-term rates plus a spread. As a result, our borrowing costs will tend to increase during periods of rising short-term interest rates as we renew, or “roll”, maturing transactions at the higher prevailing rates. When combined with the fact that the income we earn on our fixed interest rate investments will remain substantially unchanged, this will result in a narrowing of the net interest spread between the related assets and borrowings and may even result in losses. We have obtained term financing on certain borrowing arrangements. The financing on term facilities generally are fixed at the outset of each transaction by reference to a pre-determined interest rate plus a spread.

 

In an attempt to offset the increase in funding costs related to rising short term interest rates, our Manager enters into hedging transactions structured to provide us with positive cash flow in the event short term interest rates rise. Our Manager accomplishes this through the use of interest rate derivatives. Some hedging strategies involving the use of derivatives are highly complex, may produce volatile returns and may expose us to increased risks relating to counterparty defaults.

 

68

 

 

Interest rate effects on fair value

 

Another component of interest rate risk is the effect that changes in interest rates will have on the market value of the assets that we acquire.

 

Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, the fair value of our real estate securities and loan portfolios would be expected to decrease, all other factors being held constant. In particular, the portion of our real estate securities and loan portfolios with fixed-rate coupons would be expected to decrease in value more severely than that portion with a floating-rate coupon. This is because fixed-rate coupon assets tend to have significantly more duration or price sensitivity to changes in interest rates, than floating-rate coupon assets. Fixed-rate assets currently comprise a majority of our portfolio.

 

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

 

We calculate estimated effective duration (i.e., the price sensitivity to changes in risk-free interest rates) to measure the impact of changes in interest rates on portfolio value. We estimate duration based on third-party models. Different models and methodologies can produce different effective duration estimates for the same securities. Over time, our credit investments have experienced significant price appreciation. In addition, we have allocated greater capital towards higher dollar price Non-Agency MBS, ABS and CMBS positions. Higher dollar price credit securities may exhibit greater duration than lower priced credit investments. In addition, we have observed that, in the wake of massive intervention by global central banks since the financial crisis of 2008-2009, the historical inverse relationship between credit spreads and interest rates has begun to become less reliable. This means that it is becoming less likely that periods of rising interest rates will be accompanied by tightening credit spreads which can offset some of the downward pressure on the prices of credit bonds. This has served to make effective duration on credit investments a more meaningful statistic over time.

 

On March 31, 2016, we computed an estimated net effective duration of 1.94 years, comprised of 1.36 Agency RMBS duration, 1.32 of credit investment duration, (0.61) hedge duration and (0.13) liability duration.

 

The following table quantifies the estimated changes in net interest income and GAAP equity should interest rates go up or down by 50 and 100 basis points, assuming (i) the yield curves of the rate shocks will be parallel to each other and the current yield curve and (ii) all other market risk factors remain constant. These estimates were compiled using a combination of third-party services and models, market data and internal models. All changes in income and equity are measured as percentage changes from the projected net interest income and GAAP equity from our base interest rate scenario. The base interest rate scenario assumes spot and forward interest rates, which existed as of March 31, 2016. Actual results could differ materially from estimates.

 

Agency RMBS assumptions attempt to predict default and prepayment activity at projected interest rate levels. To the extent that these estimates or other assumptions do not hold true, actual results will likely differ materially from projections and could be larger or smaller than the estimates in the table below. Moreover, if different models were employed in the analysis, materially different projections could result. In addition, while the table below reflects the estimated impact of interest rate increases and decreases on a static portfolio as of March 31, 2016, our Manager may from time to time sell any of our investments as a part of the overall management of our investment portfolio.

 

Change in Interest Rates
(basis points) (1)(2)
   Percentage Change in
GAAP Equity
   Percentage Change
in Projected Net
Interest Income (3)
 
 +100    -11.0%   -12.6%
 +50    -5.2%   -6.1%
 -50    4.2%   5.4%
 -100    6.7%   3.2%

 

(1)Includes investments held through affiliated entities that are reported as "Investments in debt and equity of affiliates" on our consolidated balance sheet.

(2)Does not include cash investments, which typically have overnight maturities and are not expected to change in value as interest rates change.

(3)Interest income includes trades settled as of March 31, 2016.

 

69

 

 

Liquidity risk

 

Our primary liquidity risk arises from financing long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowing primarily in the form of repurchase agreements.

 

We pledge real estate securities or mortgage loans and cash as collateral to secure our repurchase transactions. Should the fair value of our real estate securities or mortgage loans pledged as collateral decrease (as a result of rising interest rates, changes in prepayment speeds, widening of credit spreads or otherwise), we will likely be subject to margin calls for additional collateral from our financing counterparties. Should the fair value of our real estate securities or mortgage loans decrease materially and suddenly, margin calls will likely increase causing an adverse change to our liquidity position which could result in substantial losses. In addition, we cannot be assured that we will always be able to roll our repurchase transactions at their scheduled maturities which could cause material additional harm to our liquidity position and result in substantial losses. Further, should funding conditions tighten as they did in 2007 - 2009, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, including repurchase transactions that we roll at maturity with the same counterparty, which would require us to post additional collateral and would reduce our ability to use leverage and could potentially cause us to incur substantial losses.

 

In January 2016, the FHFA issued the Final Rule, which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, including our captive insurance company from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC and prohibits the FHLBC from making any more advances or extending any existing advances to our captive insurance company. Under the Final Rule, the FHLBC must wind down its relationships with our captive insurance company by February 19, 2017. The FHLBC cannot make any new advances or extend any existing advances to our captive insurance company. On March 31, 2016, we had no advances outstanding with the FHLBC.

 

The terms of our interest rate swaps require us to post collateral in the form of cash or Agency RMBS to our counterparties to satisfy two types of margin requirements: variation margin and initial margin.

 

We and our swap counterparties are both required to post variation margin to each other depending upon the daily moves in prevailing benchmark interest rates. The amount of this variation margin is derived from the mark to market valuation of our swaps. Hence, as our swaps lose value in a falling interest rate environment, we are required to post additional variation margin to our counterparties on a daily basis; conversely, as our swaps gain value in a rising interest rate environment, we are able to recall variation margin from our counterparties. By recalling variation margin from our swap counterparties, we are able to partially mitigate the liquidity risk created by margin calls on our repurchase transactions during periods of rising interest rates.

 

Initial margin works differently. Collateral posted to meet initial margin requirements is intended to create a safety buffer to benefit our counterparties if we were to default on our payment obligations under the terms of the swap and our counterparties were forced to unwind the swap. For our non-centrally cleared swaps, the initial margin is set at the outset of each trade as a fixed percentage of the notional amount of the swap. This means that once we post initial margin at the outset of a non-centrally cleared swap, we will have no further posting obligations as it pertains to initial margin. However, the initial margin on our centrally cleared swaps varies from day to day depending upon various factors, including the absolute level of interest rates and the implied volatility of interest rates. There is a distinctly positive correlation between initial margin, on the one hand, and the absolute level of interest rates and implied volatility of interest rates, on the other hand. As a result, in times of rising interest rates and/or increasing rate volatility, we anticipate that the initial margin required on our centrally-cleared swaps will likewise increase, potentially by a substantial amount. These margin increases will have a negative impact on our liquidity position and will likely impair the intended liquidity risk mitigation effect of our interest rate swaps discussed above.

 

Our TBA dollar roll contracts are also subject to margin requirements governed by the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (“MBSD”) of the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation and by our prime brokerage agreements, which may establish margin levels in excess of the MBSD. Such provisions require that we establish an initial margin based on the notional value of the TBA contract, which is subject to increase if the estimated fair value of our TBA contract or the estimated fair value of our pledged collateral declines. The MBSD has the sole discretion to determine the value of our TBA contracts and of the pledged collateral securing such contracts. In the event of a margin call, we must generally provide additional collateral, either securities or cash, on the same business day.

 

Our Manager seeks to mitigate our liquidity risks by maintaining a prudent level of leverage, monitoring our liquidity position on a daily basis and maintaining a substantial cushion of cash and unpledged real estate securities and loans in our portfolio in order to meet future margin calls. In addition, our Manager seeks to further mitigate our liquidity risk by (i) diversifying our exposure across a broad number of financing counterparties, (ii) limiting our exposure to any single financing counterparty and (iii) monitoring the ongoing financial stability of our financing counterparties.

 

Prepayment risk

 

Premiums arise when we acquire real estate assets at a price in excess of the principal balance of the mortgages securing such assets (i.e., par value). Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire assets at a price below the principal balance of the mortgages securing such assets. Premiums paid on our assets are amortized against interest income and accretable purchase discounts on our assets are accreted to interest income. Purchase premiums on our assets, which are primarily carried on our Agency RMBS, are amortized against interest income over the life of each respective asset using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity. An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the yield or interest income earned on such assets. Generally, if prepayments on our Non-Agency RMBS or mortgage loans are less than anticipated, we expect that the income recognized on such assets would be reduced due to the slower accretion of purchase discounts, and impairments could result.

 

70

 

 

As further discussed in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section above, differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows caused by changes to prepayment or other assumptions are adjusted retrospectively through a “catch up” adjustment for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 (generally, Agency RMBS) or adjusted prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the investment for investments accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and interest only securities) and mortgage loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.

 

In addition, our interest rate hedges are structured in part based upon assumed levels of future prepayments within our real estate securities or mortgage loan portfolio. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the real estate securities or mortgage loans will be longer or shorter than assumed, which could reduce the effectiveness of our Manager’s hedging strategies and may cause losses on such transactions.

 

Our Manager seeks to mitigate our prepayment risk by investing in real estate assets with a variety of prepayment characteristics as well as by attempting to maintain in our portfolio a mix of assets purchased at a premium with assets purchased at a discount. 

 

Real estate value risk

 

Residential and commercial property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing or commercial real estate); construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral underlying our RMBS and CMBS portfolios as well as the potential sale proceeds available to repay our loans in the event of a default. In addition, substantial decreases in property values can increase the rate of strategic defaults by residential mortgage borrowers which can impact and create significant uncertainty in the recovery of principal and interest on our investments.

 

Credit risk

 

Although we expect to encounter only de minimis credit risk in our Agency RMBS portfolio, we are exposed to the risk of potential credit losses from an unanticipated increase in borrower defaults as well as general credit spread widening on any Non-Agency assets in our portfolio, including residential and commercial mortgage loans as well as Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS. We seek to manage this risk through our Manager’s pre-acquisition due diligence process and, if available, through the use of non-recourse financing, which limits our exposure to credit losses to the specific pool of collateral which is the subject of the non-recourse financing. Our Manager’s pre-acquisition due diligence process includes the evaluation of, among other things, relative valuation, supply and demand trends, the shape of various yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral.

 

Basis risk

 

Basis risk refers to the possible decline in our book value triggered by the risk of incurring losses on the fair value of our Agency RMBS as a result of widening market spreads between the yields on our Agency RMBS and the yields on comparable duration Treasury securities. The basis risk associated with fluctuations in fair value of our Agency RMBS may relate to factors impacting the mortgage and fixed income markets other than changes in benchmark interest rates, such as actual or anticipated monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve, market liquidity, or changes in required rates of return on different assets. Consequently, while we use interest rate swaps and other hedges to protect against moves in interest rates, such instruments will generally not protect our net book value against basis risk.

 

Risk management

 

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

 

  monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the reset index and interest rate related to our target assets and our financings;

 

  structuring our financing agreements to have a range of maturity terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods;

 

  using hedging instruments to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of our target assets and our borrowings.

  

71

 

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

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

 

We have evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2016. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

No change occurred in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this quarterly report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

We are at times subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this report, we are not party to any litigation or legal proceedings, or to our knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings, which we believe, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. 

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

We are subject to additional risks associated with loan participations.

 

Some of our loans are participation interests or co-lender arrangements in which we share the rights, obligations and benefits of the loan with other lenders. We may need the consent of these parties to exercise our rights under such loans, including rights with respect to amendment of loan documentation, enforcement proceedings in the event of default and the institution of, and control over, foreclosure proceedings. Similarly, a majority of the participants may be able to take actions to which we object but to which we will be bound if our participation interest represents a minority interest. We may be adversely affected by this lack of full control.

 

Refer to the risks identified under the captions “Risk Factors”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, and in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section herein.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

72

 

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description  
* 3.1   Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2”).
     
*3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
     
*3.3   Articles Supplementary of 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
     
*3.4   Articles Supplementary of 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
     
*4.1   Specimen Stock Certificate of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
     

*4.2 

 

Specimen 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.

     
*4.3   Specimen 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
     
*10.1   Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers of units and shares in the private placement, dated June 29, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Amendment No. 7 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7”).
     
*10.2  

Form of Management Agreement, dated June 29, 2011 by and between the Company and AG REIT Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2011.**

     
*10.3   Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.4   Manager Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.5   Form of Manager Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.6   Form of Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.7   Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, by and between the Company and the Company’s directors and officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7.
     
*10.8   Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of April 12, 2013 between AG MIT, LLC, AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2013.
     
*10.9   Guarantee Agreement dated as of April 9, 2012 by AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012.
     
*10.10   Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of February 11, 2014 between AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.

 

73

 

 

*10.11

 

 

Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 11, 2014 by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.

     

*10.12

 

 

Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of September 17, 2014, as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT CREL LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

     

*10.13

 

 

Guarantee Agreement dated as of September 17, 2014 as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

     

*10.14

 

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2014.** 

     

*10.15

 

 

Omnibus Amendment No.1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter dated as of August 4, 2015 between AG MIT CREL, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Form 10-Q , filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015.

     
31.1   Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2   Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1   Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
32.2   Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  

* Fully or partly previously filed.
** Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

74

 

 

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.

 

  AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
   
May 6, 2016 By: /s/ David N. Roberts
  David N. Roberts
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
   
May 6, 2016 By: /s/ Brian C. Sigman
  Brian C. Sigman
 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial

officer and principal accounting officer)

 

75

 

  

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2016

 

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
*3.1   Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2”).
     
*3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
     
*3.3   Articles Supplementary of 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
     
*3.4  

Articles Supplementary of 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.

 

*4.1   Specimen Stock Certificate of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
     
*4.2   Specimen 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
     
*4.3   Specimen 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
     
*10.1   Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers of units and shares in the private placement, dated June 29, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Amendment No. 7 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7”).
     
*10.2   Form of Management Agreement, dated June 29, 2011 by and between the Company and AG REIT Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2011.**
     
*10.3   Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.4   Manager Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.5   Form of Manager Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.6   Form of Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
     
*10.7   Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, by and between the Company and the Company’s directors and officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7.
     
*10.8   Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of April 12, 2013 between AG MIT, LLC, AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2013.
     
*10.9   Guarantee Agreement dated as of April 9, 2012 by AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012.
     

76

 

 

 

*10.10   Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of February 11, 2014 between AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.
     

*10.11

 

 

Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 11, 2014 by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014

     

*10.12

 

 

Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of September 17, 2014, as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT CREL LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

     

*10.13

 

 

Guarantee Agreement dated as of September 17, 2014 as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

     

*10.14 

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2014.**

     

*10.15

 

 

Omnibus Amendment No.1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter dated as of August 4, 2015 between AG MIT CREL, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Form 10-Q , filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015.

     
31.1   Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2   Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
32.1   Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
32.2   Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*Fully or partly previously filed.
**Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

77