10-Q 1 two9301110qdocument.htm QUARTERLY REPORT TWO 9.30.11 10Q document
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________________
FORM 10-Q
______________________________

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2011
Commission File Number 001-34506
______________________________
TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland
 
27-0312904
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 150
Minnetonka, Minnesota
 
55305
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(612) 629-2500
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or 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 o
 
Accelerated filer x
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of November 4, 2011 there were 140,593,845 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, issued and outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP. 
INDEX

 
 
 
Page
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


i


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
  

 
  

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
6,412,895

 
$
1,354,405

Trading securities, at fair value
1,526,330

 
199,523

Cash and cash equivalents
409,947

 
163,900

Total earning assets
8,349,172

 
1,717,828

Restricted cash
164,276

 
22,548

Accrued interest receivable
25,510

 
5,383

Due from counterparties
33,918

 
12,304

Derivative assets, at fair value
245,314

 
38,109

Other assets
619

 
1,260

Total Assets
$
8,818,809

 
$
1,797,432

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   

 
   

Liabilities
   

 
   

Repurchase agreements
$
7,300,613

 
$
1,169,803

Derivative liabilities, at fair value
46,182

 
158

Accrued interest payable
5,442

 
785

Due to counterparties
90,880

 
231,724

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
7,747

 
2,063

Dividends payable
56,235

 
10,450

Other liabilities
4,579

 
1

Total liabilities
7,511,678

 
1,414,984

Stockholders’ Equity
   

 
  

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized and 140,586,736 and 40,501,212 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
1,406

 
405

Additional paid-in capital
1,372,944

 
366,974

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(26,325
)
 
22,619

Cumulative earnings
106,022

 
30,020

Cumulative distributions to stockholders
(146,916
)
 
(37,570
)
Total stockholders’ equity
1,307,131

 
382,448

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
8,818,809

 
$
1,797,432


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


1


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except share data)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
(unaudited)  
 
(unaudited)  
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
65,919

 
$
11,823

 
$
125,413

 
$
27,064

Trading securities
1,706

 
15

 
2,783

 
15

Cash and cash equivalents
114

 
27

 
241

 
70

Total interest income
67,739

 
11,865

 
128,437

 
27,149

Interest expense
7,218

 
1,395

 
13,580

 
2,777

Net interest income
60,521

 
10,470

 
114,857

 
24,372

Other-than-temporary impairments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
(3,371
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

Non-credit portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses
(3,371
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on investment securities, net
31,432

 
2,577

 
36,159

 
4,608

Loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
(39,311
)
 
(4,436
)
 
(88,180
)
 
(10,037
)
Gain on other derivative instruments
22,361

 
3,098

 
37,474

 
4,197

Total other income (loss)
14,482

 
1,239

 
(14,547
)
 
(1,232
)
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
4,785

 
862

 
9,063

 
2,068

Other operating expenses
2,850

 
1,213

 
6,516

 
3,332

Total expenses
7,635

 
2,075

 
15,579

 
5,400

Net income before income taxes
63,997

 
9,634

 
81,066

 
17,740

Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
(9,388
)
 
246

 
(5,064
)
 
1,555

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
54,609

 
$
9,880

 
$
76,002

 
$
19,295

Basic and diluted earnings per weighted average common share
$
0.42

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.93

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.40

 
$
0.39

 
$
1.20

 
$
1.08

Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock
130,607,566

 
26,126,212

 
84,751,854

 
20,691,461


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


2


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands, except share data)

 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
Cumulative Earnings
 
Cumulative Distributions to Stockholders
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2010
13,401,368

 
$
134

 
$
131,756

 
$
(950
)
 
$
(5,735
)
 
$
(3,484
)
 
$
121,721

Net income

 

 

 

 
19,295

 

 
19,295

Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 
17,001

 

 

 
17,001

Total other comprehensive income

 

 

 
17,001

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36,296

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
12,688,381

 
127

 
106,699

 

 

 

 
106,826

Common dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 
(23,635
)
 
(23,635
)
Non-cash equity award compensation
36,463

 

 
145

 

 

 

 
145

Balance, September 30, 2010
26,126,212

 
$
261

 
$
238,600

 
$
16,051

 
$
13,560

 
$
(27,119
)
 
$
241,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2011
40,501,212

 
$
405

 
$
366,974

 
$
22,619

 
$
30,020

 
$
(37,570
)
 
$
382,448

Net income

 

 

 

 
76,002

 

 
76,002

Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 
(48,944
)
 

 

 
(48,944
)
Total other comprehensive loss

 

 

 
(48,944
)
 

 

 

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27,058

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
100,077,925

 
1,001

 
1,005,754

 

 

 

 
1,006,755

Common dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 
(109,346
)
 
(109,346
)
Non-cash equity award compensation
7,599

 

 
216

 

 

 

 
216

Balance, September 30, 2011
140,586,736

 
$
1,406

 
$
1,372,944

 
$
(26,325
)
 
$
106,022

 
$
(146,916
)
 
$
1,307,131


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


3


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
(unaudited)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
   

 
   

Net income
$
76,002

 
$
19,295

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

 
   

Amortization of premiums and discounts on RMBS, net
(57
)
 
1,987

Other-than-temporary impairment losses
3,665

 

Gain on investment securities, net
(36,159
)
 
(4,608
)
Loss on termination of interest rate swaps and swaptions
18,074

 
2,486

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps and swaptions
51,474

 
5,357

Unrealized gain on other derivative instruments
(20,144
)
 
(1,025
)
Equity based compensation expense
216

 
145

Net change in:
   

 
 
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(20,127
)
 
(1,671
)
Decrease/(increase) in deferred income taxes, net
4,136

 
(1,162
)
Increase in prepaid tax asset

 
400

Decrease in prepaid and fixed assets
155

 
432

Increase in accrued interest payable, net
4,657

 
526

Increase in income taxes payable, net
928

 

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
5,684

 
752

Net cash provided by operating activities
88,504

 
22,914

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   

 
   

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(6,295,100
)
 
(888,466
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
1,004,248

 
247,858

Principal payments on available-for-sale securities
208,965

 
78,520

Purchases of other derivative instruments
(233,764
)
 
(38,896
)
Proceeds from sales of other derivative instruments
23,179

 
26,632

Purchases of trading securities
(2,019,959
)
 
(58,189
)
Proceeds from sales of trading securities
700,156

 
58,516

Decrease in due to/from counterparties, net
(162,458
)
 
(10,978
)
Increase in restricted cash
(141,728
)
 
(18,814
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(6,916,461
)
 
(603,817
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   

 
   

Proceeds from repurchase agreements
19,621,767

 
3,043,458

Principal payments on repurchase agreements
(13,490,957
)
 
(2,512,357
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
1,006,755

 
106,826

Dividends paid on common stock
(63,561
)
 
(16,930
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
7,074,004

 
620,997

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
246,047

 
40,094

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
163,900

 
26,105

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
409,947

 
$
66,199

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
   

 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
8,923

 
$
2,251

Cash paid for taxes
$
1

 
$
(497
)
Non-Cash Financing Activity:
   

 
   

Dividends declared but not paid at end of period
$
56,235

 
$
10,189

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

4


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Organization and Operations
Two Harbors Investment Corp., or the Company, is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, residential mortgage loans and other financial assets. The Company is externally managed and advised by PRCM Advisers LLC, a subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P., or Pine River, a global multi-strategy asset management firm. The Company's common stock is listed on the NYSE and its warrants are listed on the NYSE Amex under the symbols “TWO” and “TWO.WS,” respectively.
On May 18, 2011, the Company announced that it had taken the first step toward setting up a securitization issuance program by partnering with Barclays Bank PLC, or Barclays, to close on a $100 million mortgage loan warehouse facility, or Barclays facility, subject to future increase. The Barclays facility will be used to aggregate prime jumbo residential mortgage loans that the Company will acquire from select mortgage loan originators with whom the Company has chosen to build strategic relationships, including those with a nationwide presence. The Company is targeting a $250 million deal size for its initial securitization, with Barclays Capital acting as underwriter. As of September 30, 2011, the Company has neither purchased any mortgage loan assets nor established the securitization program as a distinct operational business segment. As anticipated, the Company's initiatives in the three months ended September 30, 2011 continued to focus on establishing underwriting guidelines and originator relationships, addressing regulatory requirements and building an infrastructure to support a sustainable program.
The Company has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its initial taxable period ended December 31, 2009. As long as the Company continues to comply with a number of requirements under federal tax law and maintains its qualification as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that the Company distributes its taxable income to its stockholders on an annual basis and does not engage in prohibited transactions. Certain activities the Company performs may cause us to earn income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. For these activities, the Company utilizes its taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, have been condensed or omitted according to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes, however, that the disclosures included in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial condition of the Company at September 30, 2011 and results of operations for all periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 should not be construed as indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make a number of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, the period of time during which the Company anticipates an increase in the fair values of real estate securities sufficient to recover unrealized losses in those securities, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g., valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company's estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all subsidiaries; inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

5


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards
Comprehensive Income
In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), and Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, which provides guidance on the presentation of other comprehensive income, or OCI. The amendment requires companies to present OCI separately in the statement of operations and comprehensive income rather than include in the statement of stockholders' equity. The components of OCI have not changed. ASU 2011-05 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The impact of adopting this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Investment Company
In October 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued two exposure drafts, Proposed Accounting Standards Update—Financial Services—Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements and Proposed Accounting Standards Update—Real Estate—Investment Property Entities (Topic 973), that redefine an investment company and how it accounts for investments. The proposals eliminate the current scope exception for real estate investment trusts (REITs) and would require a REIT to assess itself under the FASB investment company act definition and adopt fair value accounting if it meets the criteria. The FASB has requested comments on these exposure drafts be submitted by January 5, 2012. Management is currently assessing the impacts of these exposure drafts.

Note 3. Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value
The following table presents the Company's available-for-sale, or AFS, investment securities by collateral type, which were carried at their fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
Agency
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
$
1,656,815

 
$
396,888

Federal National Mortgage Association
2,460,994

 
556,609

Government National Mortgage Association
1,038,885

 
62,972

Non-Agency
1,256,201

 
337,936

Total mortgage-backed securities
$
6,412,895

 
$
1,354,405


At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company pledged investment securities with a carrying value of $6.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, as collateral for repurchase agreements. See Note 9 - Repurchase Agreements.
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company did not have any securities purchased from and financed with the same counterparty that did not meet the conditions of ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, to be considered linked transactions and therefore classified as derivatives.

6


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

The following tables present the amortized cost and carrying value (which approximates fair value) of AFS securities by collateral type as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Face Value
$
5,858,947

 
$
2,667,159

 
$
8,526,106

Unamortized premium
292,879

 

 
292,879

Unamortized discount
 
 
 
 
 
Designated credit reserve

 
(772,938
)
 
(772,938
)
Net, unamortized
(1,051,498
)
 
(555,329
)
 
(1,606,827
)
Amortized Cost
5,100,328

 
1,338,892

 
6,439,220

Gross unrealized gains
83,727

 
16,624

 
100,351

Gross unrealized losses
(27,361
)
 
(99,315
)
 
(126,676
)
Carrying Value
$
5,156,694

 
$
1,256,201

 
$
6,412,895


 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Face Value
$
1,306,655

 
$
594,306

 
$
1,900,961

Unamortized premium
41,651

 

 
41,651

Unamortized discount
  

 
  

 
  

Designated credit reserve

 
(145,855
)
 
(145,855
)
Net, unamortized
(334,979
)
 
(129,992
)
 
(464,971
)
Amortized Cost
1,013,327

 
318,459

 
1,331,786

Gross unrealized gains
9,308

 
21,503

 
30,811

Gross unrealized losses
(6,166
)
 
(2,026
)
 
(8,192
)
Carrying Value
$
1,016,469

 
$
337,936

 
$
1,354,405


The following tables present the carrying value of the Company's AFS investment securities by rate type as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
 Agency
 
 Non-Agency
 
 Total
Adjustable Rate
$
239,229

 
$
1,046,844

 
$
1,286,073

Fixed Rate
4,917,465

 
209,357

 
5,126,822

Total
$
5,156,694

 
$
1,256,201

 
$
6,412,895


 
December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Adjustable Rate
$
269,512

 
$
245,517

 
$
515,029

Fixed Rate
746,957

 
92,419

 
839,376

Total
$
1,016,469

 
$
337,936

 
$
1,354,405


When the Company purchases a credit-sensitive AFS security at a significant discount to its face value, the Company often does not amortize into income a significant portion of this discount that the Company is entitled to earn because it

7


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

does not expect to collect it due to the inherent credit risk of the security. The Company may also record an other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI, for a portion of its investment in the security to the extent the Company believes that the amortized cost will exceed the present value of expected future cash flows. The amount of principal that the Company does not amortize into income is designated as a credit reserve on the security, with unamortized net discounts or premiums amortized into income over time using the interest method in accordance with ASC 320.
The following table presents the changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on non-Agency AFS securities.

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
(in thousands)
Designated credit reserve
 
Unamortized net discount
 
Total
 
Designated credit reserve
 
Unamortized net discount
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 1
$
(145,855
)
 
$
(129,992
)
 
$
(275,847
)
 
$
(50,187
)
 
$
(41,050
)
 
$
(91,237
)
Acquisitions
(640,451
)
 
(483,479
)
 
(1,123,930
)
 
(105,897
)
 
(98,264
)
 
(204,161
)
Accretion of net discount

 
32,305

 
32,305

 

 
6,654

 
6,654

Realized credit losses
3,011

 

 
3,011

 
1,409

 
8

 
1,417

Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments
(3,665
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

 

 

Transfers from (to)
579

 
(579
)
 

 
705

 
(705
)
 

Sales, calls, other
13,443

 
26,416

 
39,859

 
18,630

 
17,779

 
36,409

Ending balance at September 30
$
(772,938
)
 
$
(555,329
)
 
$
(1,328,267
)
 
$
(135,340
)
 
$
(115,578
)
 
$
(250,918
)

The following table presents the components comprising the carrying value of AFS securities not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired by length of time the securities had an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011, the Company held 1,081 AFS securities, of which 338 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months and 15 were in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months. At December 31, 2010, the Company held 373 AFS securities, of which 108 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and 5 were in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months.
 
Unrealized Loss Position for
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
Total
(in thousands)
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
Estimated Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2011
$
1,895,965

 
$
(125,479
)
 
$
3,103

$
(1,197
)
$
1,899,068

$
(126,676
)
December 31, 2010
$
310,445

 
$
(7,183
)
 
$
1,405

$
(1,009
)
$
311,850

$
(8,192
)


Evaluating AFS Securities for Other-than-Temporary Impairments
The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 320 to evaluate AFS securities for OTTI. This evaluation requires us to determine whether there has been a significant adverse quarterly change in the cash flow expectations for a security. The Company compares the amortized cost of each security in an unrealized loss position against the present value of expected future cash flows of the security. The Company also considers whether there has been a significant adverse change in the regulatory and/or economic environment as part of this analysis. If the amortized cost of the security is greater than the present value of expected future cash flows, an other-than-temporary credit impairment has occurred. If the Company does not intend to sell and is not more likely than not required to sell the security, the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the balance of the unrealized loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell the security or will be more likely than not required to sell the security, the full unrealized loss is recognized in earnings.

8


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

The Company recorded a $3.4 million and a $3.7 million other-than-temporary credit impairment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 on a total of eight non-Agency RMBS where the future expected cash flows for each security was less than its amortized cost. As of September 30, 2011, the impaired securities had weighted average cumulative losses of 5.2%, weighted average three-month prepayment speed of 4.54, weighted average 60+ day delinquency of 35.0% of the pool balance, and weighted average FICO score of 643.
The following table presents the OTTI included in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period
$
(294
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairments not previously recognized
(3,371
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

Increases related to other-than-temporary impairments on securities with previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments

 

 

 

Cumulative credit loss at September 30
$
(3,665
)
 
$

 
$
(3,665
)
 
$


Gross Realized Gains and Losses
Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded as realized gains (losses) within gain on investment securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company sold AFS securities for $908.5 million and $1.0 billion with an amortized cost of $881.0 million and $975.1 million, for a net realized gain of $27.5 million and $29.2 million, respectively.
The following table presents the gross realized gains and losses on sales of AFS securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Gross realized gains
$
27,472

 
$
2,276

 
$
29,422

 
$
4,582

Gross realized losses

 
(27
)
 
(265
)
 
(303
)
Total realized gains (losses) on sales, net
$
27,472

 
$
2,249

 
$
29,157

 
$
4,279


Note 4. Trading Securities, at Fair Value
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company acquired and sold U.S. Treasuries in its taxable REIT subsidiary and classified these securities as trading instruments due to its short-term investment objectives. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held U.S. Treasuries with an amortized cost of $1.5 billion and $200.0 million and a fair value $1.5 billion and $199.5 million, respectively. The unrealized gains and losses included within trading securities was a positive $5.5 million as of September 30, 2011 and a negative $0.5 million as of December 31, 2010.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company sold trading securities for $200.0 million and $700.1 million with an amortized cost of $199.7 million and $699.1 million resulting in realized gains of $0.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, on the sale of these investment securities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, trading securities experienced unrealized gains of $3.7 million and $6.0 million, respectively. Both realized and unrealized gains are recorded as a component of gains on investment securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of income.
At September 30, 2011, the Company pledged trading securities with a carrying value of $1.5 billion as collateral for repurchase agreements. See Note 9 - Repurchase Agreements.

9


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)


Note 5. Restricted Cash
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company is required to maintain certain cash balances with counterparties for broker activity and collateral for the Company's repurchase agreements in non-interest bearing accounts.
The following table presents the Company's restricted cash balances:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Restricted cash balances held by:
 
 
 
Broker counterparties for securities trading activity
$
9,000

 
$
9,000

Broker counterparties for derivatives trading activity
71,220

 
1,914

Repurchase counterparties as restricted collateral
84,056

 
11,634

Total
$
164,276

 
$
22,548


Note 6. Accrued Interest Receivable
The following table presents the Company's accrued interest receivable by collateral type:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Accrued Interest Receivable:
 
 
 
U.S. Treasuries
$
2,516

 
$
192

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
Agency
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
6,114

 
1,509

Federal National Mortgage Association
10,104

 
2,201

Government National Mortgage Association
4,479

 
532

Non-Agency
2,297

 
949

Total mortgage-backed securities
22,994

 
5,191

Total
$
25,510

 
$
5,383


Note 7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company enters into a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. The Company's primary objective for executing these derivatives and non-derivative instruments is to mitigate the Company's economic exposure to future events that are outside its control. The Company's derivative financial instruments are utilized principally to manage market risk and cash flow volatility associated with interest rate risk (including associated prepayment risk) related to certain assets and liabilities. As part of its risk management activities, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps and caps. In executing on the Company's current risk management strategy, the Company has entered into interest rate swap and swaption agreements, TBA positions, and credit default swaps. The Company has also entered into a number of non-derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk, principally U.S. Treasuries and Agency interest-only securities.
The following summarizes the Company's significant asset and liability classes, the risk exposure for these classes, and the Company's risk management activities used to mitigate certain of these risks. The discussion includes both derivative and non-derivative instruments used as part of these risk management activities. While the Company uses non-derivative and derivative instruments to achieve the Company's risk management activities, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of the Company's market rate risk. In addition, the Company might elect, at times, not to enter into certain hedging arrangements in order to maintain compliance with REIT requirements.
Interest Rate Sensitive Assets/Liabilities
Available-for-sale Securities  - The Company's RMBS investment securities are generally subject to change in value when mortgage rates decline or increase, depending on the type of investment. Rising mortgage rates generally result in a slowing of refinancing activity, which slows prepayments and results in a decline in the value of the Company's fixed-rate

10


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Agency pools. To mitigate the impact of this risk, the Company maintains a portfolio of financial instruments, primarily fixed-rate interest-only securities, which increase in value when interest rates increase. In addition, the Company has initiated TBA positions to further mitigate its exposure to increased prepayment speeds. The objective is to reduce the risk of losses to the portfolio caused by interest rate changes and changes in prepayment speeds.
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding fair value of $53.2 million and $18.4 million, respectively, of interest-only securities in place to economically hedge its investment securities. These interest-only securities are included in AFS securities, at fair value, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company holds TBA positions with $375.0 million in long notional and $2.0 billion in short notional as of September 30, 2011. The Company discloses these on a gross basis according to the unrealized gain or loss position of each TBA contract regardless of long or short notional position. As of September 30, 2011, these contracts held a fair market value of $9.6 million, included in derivative assets, at fair value, and $2.0 million, included in derivative liabilities, at fair value, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2011. The Company did not hold any long or short notional TBA positions as of December 31, 2010.
Repurchase Agreements  - The Company monitors its repurchase agreements, which are generally floating rate debt, in relationship to the rate profile of its investment securities. When it is cost effective to do so, the Company may enter into interest rate swap arrangements to align the interest rate composition of its investment securities and debt portfolios, specifically repurchase agreements with maturities of less than 6 months. Typically, the interest receivable terms (i.e., LIBOR) of the interest rate swaps match the terms of the underlying debt, resulting in an effective conversion of the rate of the related repurchase agreement from floating to fixed.
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swaps that were utilized as economic hedges of interest rate risk associated with the Company's short-term repurchase agreements:

(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Maturity (Years)
2012
 
25,000

 
0.868
%
 
0.295
%
 
1.23

2013
 
1,275,000

 
0.795
%
 
0.292
%
 
1.63

2014
 
1,275,000

 
0.670
%
 
0.355
%
 
2.97

2015
 
820,000

 
1.575
%
 
0.299
%
 
3.77

2016
 
240,000

 
2.156
%
 
0.276
%
 
4.57

Total
 
3,635,000

 
1.017
%
 
0.315
%
 
2.77

(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2010
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amount
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Maturity (Years)
2011
 
100,000

 
1.168
%
 
0.343
%
 
0.96

2012
 
25,000

 
0.868
%
 
0.308
%
 
1.98

2013
 
175,000

 
1.376
%
 
0.306
%
 
2.61

2014
 
175,000

 
1.671
%
 
0.303
%
 
3.96

2015
 
175,000

 
1.830
%
 
0.287
%
 
4.84

Total
 
650,000

 
1.526
%
 
0.306
%
 
3.29



11


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

The Company has also entered into interest rate swaps in combination with U.S. Treasuries and other RMBS to economically hedge funding cost and macro-financing risk. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held $1.5 billion and $199.5 million, respectively, in fair value of U.S. Treasuries classified as trading securities and the following outstanding interest rate swaps:

(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Maturity (Years)
2013
 
1,750,000

 
0.659
%
 
0.28433
%
 
1.75
Total
 
1,750,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2010
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Maturity (Years)
2012
 
200,000

 
0.557
%
 
0.278
%
 
1.80
Total
 
200,000

 
 
 
 
 
 

All of the Company's interest rate swap contracts receive interest at a 1-month or 3-month LIBOR rate, except the following interest rate swap entered in combination with TBA contracts to economically hedge mortgage basis widening where the Company pays interest at a 3-month LIBOR rate:

(notional in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
Swaps Maturities
 
Notional Amounts
 
Average Pay Rate
 
Average Fixed Receive Rate
 
Average Maturity (Years)
2016
 
325,000

 
0.264
%
 
1.772
%
 
4.83
Total
 
325,000

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Company did not hold any interest rate swaps in combination with TBA contracts as of December 31, 2010.
Additionally, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate swaptions (agreements to enter into interest rate swaps in the future for which the Company would pay a fixed rate) that were utilized as macro-economic hedges:
September 30, 2011
(notional and dollars in thousands)
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Swaption
Expiration
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Average Months to Expiration
 
Notional Amount
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Term (Years)
Payer
< 6 Months
 
$
10,511

 
$
97

 
5.30
 
575,000

 
3.18
%
 
3M Libor
 
4.65

Payer
≥ 6 Months
 
14,646

 
2,749

 
11.65
 
1,875,000

 
3.09
%
 
3M Libor
 
4.04

Total Payer
 
 
$
25,157

 
$
2,846

 
11.60

 
2,450,000

 
3.11
%
 
3M Libor
 
4.18


12


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

December 31, 2010
(notional and dollars in thousands)
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Swaption
Expiration
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Average Months to Expiration
 
Notional Amount
 
Average Fixed Pay Rate
 
Average Receive Rate
 
Average Term (Years)
Payer
≥ 6 Months
 
$
3,348

 
$
4,028

 
11.25
 
100,000

 
3.52
%
 
3M Libor
 
8.50


The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its current derivative portfolio held to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with its debt portfolio. As a result, the Company is subject to volatility in its earnings due to movement in the unrealized gains and losses associated with its interest rate swaps and its other derivative instruments.
Foreign Currency Risk
In compliance with the Company's REIT requirements, the Company does not have exposure to foreign denominated assets or liabilities. As such, the Company is not subject to foreign currency risk.
Credit Risk
The Company has limited exposure to credit losses on its U.S. Treasuries and Agency portfolio of investment securities because these securities are issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or government sponsored entities, or GSEs. The payment of principal and interest on the FHLMC and FNMA mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies, and the payment of principal and interest on the GNMA mortgage-backed securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
For non-Agency investment securities, the Company currently enters into credit default swaps to specifically hedge credit risk. In future periods, the Company could enhance its credit risk protection, enter into further paired derivative positions, including both long and short credit default swaps and/or seek opportunistic trades in the event of a market disruption (see "Non-Risk Management Activities" section). The Company also has processes and controls in place to monitor, analyze, manage and mitigate its credit risk with respect to non-Agency RMBS.
As of September 30, 2011, the Company held credit default swaps where the Company receives credit protection for a fixed premium. The maximum payouts for these credit default swaps are limited to the current notional amounts of each swap contract. Maximum payouts for credit default swaps do not represent the expected future cash requirements, as the Company's credit default swaps are typically liquidated or expire and are not exercised by the holder of the credit default swaps.
The following table presents credit default swaps where the Company is receiving protection held as of September 30, 2011:

(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
Protection
 
Maturity Date
 
Average Implied Credit Spread
 
Current Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Upfront (Payable)/Receivable
 
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
Receive
 
9/20/2013
 
460.00

 
(45,000
)
 
$
2,802

 
$
(3,126
)
 
$
(324
)
 
 
12/20/2013
 
370.00

 
(5,000
)
 
$
346

 
$
(294
)
 
$
52

 
 
6/20/2016
 
264.23

 
(250,000
)
 
$
12,649

 
$
(480
)
 
$
12,169

 
 
5/25/2046
 
356.00

 
(95,954
)
 
$
54,413

 
$
(42,930
)
 
$
11,483

 
 
Total
 
310.06

 
(395,954
)
 
$
70,210

 
$
(46,830
)
 
$
23,380


The Company did not hold any credit default swaps where the Company receives credit protection as of December 31, 2010.

13


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Derivative financial instruments contain an element of credit risk if counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the agreements. Credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments is measured as the net replacement cost should the counterparties that owe the Company under contracts completely fail to perform under the terms of these contracts, assuming there are no recoveries of underlying collateral, as measured by the market value of the derivative financial instruments. As of September 30, 2011, the fair value of derivative financial instruments as an asset and liability position was $245.3 million and $46.2 million, respectively.
The Company mitigates the credit risk exposure on derivative financial instruments by limiting the counterparties to those major banks and financial institutions that meet established credit guidelines, and the Company seeks to transact with several different counterparties in order to reduce the exposure to any single counterparty. Additionally, the Company reduces credit risk on the majority of its derivative instruments by entering into agreements that permit the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon occurrence of certain events. To further mitigate the risk of counterparty default, the Company maintains collateral agreements with certain of its counterparties. The agreements require both parties to maintain cash deposits in the event the fair values of the derivative financial instruments exceed established thresholds. As of September 30, 2011, the Company has received cash deposits from counterparties of $34.0 million and placed cash deposits of $89.2 million in accounts maintained by counterparties, of which the amounts are netted on a counterparty basis and classified within restricted cash, due from counterparties, or due to counterparties on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
In accordance with ASC 815, as amended and interpreted, the Company records derivative financial instruments on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative instruments and whether they qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has elected to treat all current derivative contracts as trading instruments.
Non-Risk Management Activities
The Company has entered into certain financial instruments that are considered derivative contracts under ASC 815 that are not for purposes of hedging. These contracts are currently limited to inverse interest-only residential mortgage securities and credit default swaps.
Inverse interest-only securities with a carrying value of $162.7 million, including accrued interest receivable of $2.2 million, are accounted for as derivative financial instruments in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The following table presents the amortized cost and carrying value (which approximates fair value) of inverse interest-only securities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

(in thousands)
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Face Value
$
1,167,563

 
$
219,459

Unamortized premium

 

Unamortized discount
 
 

Designated credit reserve

 

Net, unamortized
(1,005,236
)
 
(190,162
)
Amortized Cost
162,327

 
29,297

Gross unrealized gains
5,888

 
1,902

Gross unrealized losses
(7,742
)
 
(665
)
Carrying Value
$
160,473

 
$
30,534


As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company also held credit default swaps where the Company provides credit protection for a fixed premium. The maximum payouts for these credit default swaps are limited to the current notional amounts of each swap contract. Maximum payouts for credit default swaps do not represent the expected future cash requirements, as the Company's credit default swaps are typically liquidated or expire and are not exercised by the holder of the credit default swaps.

14


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

The following tables present credit default swaps where the Company is providing protection held as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
Protection
 
Maturity Date
 
Average Implied Credit Spread
 
Current Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Upfront (Payable)/Receivable
 
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
Provide
 
7/25/2036
 
359.94

 
117,043

 
$
7,372

 
$
(12,232
)
 
$
(4,860
)
 
 
5/25/2046
 
146.18

 
57,355

 
$
(17,836
)
 
$
13,574

 
$
(4,262
)
 
 
Total
 
289.64

 
174,398

 
$
(10,464
)
 
$
1,342

 
$
(9,122
)

(notional and dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2010
Protection
 
Maturity Date
 
Average Implied Credit Spread
 
Current Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Upfront (Payable)/Receivable
 
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)
Provide
 
7/25/2036
 
378.47

 
41,576

 
$
3,137

 
$
(3,554
)
 
$
(417
)

Balance Sheet Presentation
The following table represents the gross fair value and notional amounts of the Company's derivative financial instruments treated as trading instruments as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Trading instruments
 
Fair Value
Notional
 
Fair Value
Notional
 
Fair Value
Notional
 
Fair Value
Notional
Inverse interest-only securities
 
$
162,703

1,167,563

 
$


 
$
30,944

219,459

 
$


Interest rate swap agreements
 


 
(33,726
)
5,060,000

 


 
(158
)
850,000

Credit default swap agreements
 
70,210

395,954

 
(10,464
)
174,398

 
3,137

41,576

 


Swaptions
 
2,846

2,450,000

 


 
4,028

100,000

 


TBAs
 
9,555

875,000

 
(1,992
)
750,000

 


 


Total
 
$
245,314

4,888,517

 
$
(46,182
)
5,984,398

 
$
38,109

361,035

 
$
(158
)
850,000


The following table provides the average monthly outstanding notional amounts of the Company's derivative financial instruments treated as trading instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011:

(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Trading instruments
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Inverse interest-only securities
 
1,135,141

 

 
771,476

 

Interest rate swap agreements
 

 
4,267,609

 

 
2,809,212

Credit default swaps
 
385,824

 
177,461

 
138,119

 
117,610

Swaptions
 
2,129,348

 

 
1,117,563

 

TBAs
 
545,109

 
1,230,435

 
85,834

 
132,621



15


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Income Statement Presentation
The following table summarizes the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in the condensed consolidated statement of income on its derivative instruments.

(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading Instruments
 
Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Risk Management Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities - RMBS
 
Gain on other derivative instruments
 
$
5,729

 
$
1,214

 
$
5,091

 
$
1,631

Investment securities - U.S. Treasuries and TBA contracts
 
Loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
 
6,544

 
(1,251
)
 
2,733

 
(2,299
)
Repurchase agreements
 
Loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
 
(45,855
)
 
(3,184
)
 
(90,913
)
 
(7,738
)
Credit default swaps - Receive protection
 
Gain on other derivative instruments
 
21,994

 

 
22,267

 

Non-Risk Management Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps - Provide protection
 
Gain on other derivative instruments
 
(4,414
)
 

 
(5,589
)
 

Inverse interest-only securities
 
Gain on other derivative instruments
 
(948
)
 
1,884

 
15,705

 
2,566

Total
 
 
 
$
(16,950
)
 
$
(1,337
)
 
$
(50,706
)
 
$
(5,840
)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company terminated 24 and 29 notional interest rate swap and swaption positions of $1.9 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. Upon settlement of the early terminations, the Company paid $4.2 million and $5.1 million in full settlement of its net interest spread liability and recorded $17.8 million and $18.1 million in realized losses on the swaps and swaptions, respectively, including an early termination penalty.

Note 8. Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e., observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e., unobservable inputs). Additionally, ASC 820 requires an entity to consider all aspects of nonperformance risk, including the entity's own credit standing, when measuring fair value of a liability.

16


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

ASC 820 establishes a three level hierarchy to be used when measuring and disclosing fair value. An instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. Following is a description of the three levels:

Level 1
Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. Additionally, the entity must have the ability to access the active market and the quoted prices cannot be adjusted by the entity.
Level 2
Inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full-term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent management's best assumptions of how market participants would price the assets and liabilities. Generally, Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that require significant judgment or estimation.

Following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models and significant assumptions utilized.
Investment securities  - The Company holds a portfolio of AFS and trading securities that are carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. AFS securities are primarily composed of Agency and non-Agency RMBS while the Company's U.S. Treasuries are classified as trading securities. The Company determines the fair value of its U.S. Treasuries and Agency RMBS based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing providers or broker quotes received using bid price, which are deemed indicative of market activity. In determining the fair value of its non-Agency RMBS, management judgment is used to arrive at fair value that considers prices obtained from third-party pricing providers, broker quotes received and other applicable market data. If observable market prices are not available or insufficient to determine fair value due to principally illiquidity in the marketplace, then fair value is based upon internally developed models that are primarily based on observable market-based inputs but also include unobservable market data inputs (including prepayment speeds, delinquency levels, and credit losses). The Company classified 100% of its U.S. Treasuries as Level 1 fair value assets at September 30, 2011. The Company classified 99.8% of its RMBS AFS securities reported at fair value as Level 2 at September 30, 2011. AFS and trading securities account for 78.4% and 18.6%, respectively, of all assets reported at fair value at September 30, 2011.
Derivative instruments  - The Company may enter into a variety of derivative financial instruments as part of its hedging strategies. The Company principally executes over-the-counter, or OTC, derivative contracts, such as interest rate swaps. The Company utilizes internally developed models that are widely accepted in the market to value its OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contract are entered into the model as well as market observable inputs such as interest rate forward curves and interpolated volatility assumptions. As all significant inputs into these models are market observable, the Company classified 100% of the interest rate swaps, swaptions and credit default swaps reported at fair value as Level 2 at September 30, 2011.
The Company also enters into certain other derivative financial instruments, such as TBAs and inverse interest-only securities. These instruments are similar in form to the Company's AFS securities and the Company utilizes broker quotes to value these instruments. The Company classified 100% of its inverse interest-only securities at fair value as Level 2 at September 30, 2011. The Company reported 100% of its TBAs as Level 1 as of September 30, 2011.
The Company's Risk Management Committee governs trading activity relating to derivative instruments. The Company's policy is to minimize credit exposure related to financial derivatives used for hedging, by limiting the hedge counterparties to major banks, financial institutions, exchanges, and private investors who meet established capital and credit guidelines, as well as by limiting the amount of exposure to any individual counterparty.
The Company has netting arrangements in place with all derivative counterparties pursuant to standard documentation developed by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, or ISDA. Additionally, both the Company and the counterparty are required to post cash collateral based upon the net underlying market value of the Company's open positions with the counterparty. Posting of cash collateral typically occurs daily, subject to certain dollar thresholds. Due to the existence of netting arrangements, as well as frequent cash collateral posting at low posting thresholds, credit exposure to the Company and/or to the counterparty is considered materially mitigated. Based on the Company's assessment, there is no requirement for any additional adjustment to derivative valuations specifically for credit.

17


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Recurring Fair Value
The following tables display the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company often economically hedges the fair value change of its assets or liabilities with derivatives and other financial instruments. The tables below display the hedges separately from the hedged items, and therefore do not directly display the impact of the Company's risk management activities.

 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
At September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$

 
$
6,402,075

 
$
10,820

 
$
6,412,895

Trading securities
1,526,330

 

 

 
1,526,330

Derivative assets
9,555

 
235,759

 

 
245,314

Total assets
$
1,535,885

 
$
6,637,834

 
$
10,820

 
$
8,184,539

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
1,992

 
$
44,190

 
$

 
$
46,182

Total liabilities
$
1,992

 
$
44,190

 
$

 
$
46,182


 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
At December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$

 
$
1,345,805

 
$
8,600

 
$
1,354,405

Trading securities
199,523

 

 

 
199,523

Derivative assets

 
38,109

 

 
38,109

Total assets
$
199,523

 
$
1,383,914

 
$
8,600

 
$
1,592,037

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$

 
$
158

 
$

 
$
158

Total liabilities
$

 
$
158

 
$

 
$
158


The valuation of Level 3 instruments requires significant judgment by the third-party pricing providers and/or management. The third-party pricing providers and/or management rely on inputs such as market price quotations from market makers (either market or indicative levels), original transaction price, recent transactions in the same or similar instruments, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows to determine fair value. Level 3 instruments may also be discounted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the third-party pricing provider in the absence of market information. Assumptions used by the third-party pricing provider due to lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore the Company's financial statements. The Company's Valuation Committee reviews all valuations that are based on pricing information received from a third-party pricing provider. As part of this review, prices are compared against other pricing or input data points in the marketplace, along with internal valuation expertise, to ensure the pricing is reasonable. In addition, the Company performs back-testing of pricing information to validate price information and identify any pricing trends of a third-party price provider.
In determining fair value, third-party pricing providers use various valuation approaches, including market and income approaches. Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an instrument may include pricing information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. In addition, inputs can be either observable or unobservable.
The availability of observable inputs can vary by instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace and other characteristics particular to the instrument. The third-party pricing provider uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocations. In periods of market dislocation, the availability of prices and inputs

18


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified to or from various levels within the fair value hierarchy.
Securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the bid price (in the case of long positions) or the ask price (in the case of short positions) at the close of trading on the date as of which value is determined. Exchange-traded securities for which no bid or ask price is available are valued at the last traded price.
OTC derivative contracts, including interest rate swaps, are valued by the Company using observable inputs, such as quotations received from the counterparty, dealers or brokers, whenever available and considered reliable. In instances where models are used, the value of an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument as well as the availability and reliability of observable inputs. Such inputs include market prices for reference securities, yield curves, credit curves, volatility measures, prepayment rates and correlation of such inputs. Certain OTC derivatives, such as swaps, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within Level 2.
The table below presents the reconciliation for all of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Level 3 items presented below may be hedged by derivatives and other financial instruments that are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. Thus, the table below does not fully reflect the impact of the Company's risk management activities.

 
Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
Total Net Gains/(Losses) Included in Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning of Period Level 3 Fair Value
 
Realized Gains/(Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Other Comprehensive Income
 
Gross Purchases, Sales and Settlements (b)
 
Gross Transfers Into Level 3
 
Gross Transfers Out of Level 3
 
End of Period Level 3 Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
9,200

 
$
(254
)
 
$

 
$
40

(a)
$
1,834

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,820

Total assets
$
9,200

 
$
(254
)
 
$

 
$
40

 
$
1,834

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,820

 
Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
Total Net Gains/(Losses) Included in Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Beginning of Period Level 3 Fair Value
 
Realized Gains/(Losses)
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Other Comprehensive Income
 
Gross Purchases, Sales and Settlements (b)
 
Gross Transfers Into Level 3
 
Gross Transfers Out of Level 3
 
End of Period Level 3 Fair Value
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
8,600

 
$
(208
)
 
$

 
$
594

(a)
$
1,834

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,820

Total assets
$
8,600

 
$
(208
)
 
$

 
$
594

 
$
1,834

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,820

____________________
(a) Change in unrealized gains on AFS securities is recorded in equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.
(b)
The Company purchased one Level 3 asset during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. However, there were no sales or settlements of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.
The Company did not incur transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 or Level 2 and Level 3 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Transfers between Levels are deemed to take place on the first day of the reporting period in which the transfer has taken place.
Nonrecurring Fair Value
The Company may be required to measure certain assets or liabilities at fair value from time to time. These periodic fair value measures typically result from application of certain impairment measures under GAAP. These items would constitute nonrecurring fair value measures under ASC 820. As of September 30, 2011, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. 

19


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In accordance with ASC 820, the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, for which fair value can be estimated.
The following describes the Company's methods for estimating the fair value for financial instruments. Descriptions are not provided for those items that have zero balances as of the current balance sheet date.
AFS securities, trading securities, derivative assets and liabilities are recurring fair value measurements; carrying value equals fair value. See discussion of valuation methods and assumptions within the Fair Value Measurements section of this footnote.
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash have a carrying value which approximates fair value because of the short maturities of these instruments.
The carrying value of repurchase agreements approximates fair value due to the maturities of less than one year of these financial instruments. The Company's repurchase agreements have floating rates based on an index plus a spread. These borrowings have been recently entered into and the credit spread is typically consistent with those demanded in the market. Accordingly, the interest rates on these borrowings are at market and thus carrying value approximates fair value.

Note 9. Repurchase Agreements
The Company had outstanding $7.3 billion of repurchase agreements, including repurchase agreements funding the Company's U.S. Treasuries of $1.5 billion. Excluding the debt associated with the Company's U.S. Treasuries and the effect of the Company's interest rate swaps, the repurchase agreements had a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.61% and weighted average remaining maturities of 84 days as of September 30, 2011. The Company had outstanding $1.2 billion of repurchase agreements with a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.74% excluding the effect of the Company's interest rate swaps, and weighted average remaining maturities of 90 days as of December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the debt associated with the Company's U.S. Treasuries had a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.11% and 0.28%, respectively.
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the repurchase agreements had the following characteristics:

(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Collateral Type
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Borrowing Rate
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
1,529,550

 
0.11
%
 
$
198,750

 
0.28
%
Agency RMBS
 
4,863,534

 
0.32
%
 
745,861

 
0.37
%
Non-Agency RMBS
 
782,395

 
2.37
%
 
201,976

 
2.05
%
Agency derivatives
 
125,134

 
0.78
%
 
23,216

 
1.07
%
Total
 
$
7,300,613

 
0.50
%
 
$
1,169,803

 
0.66
%

As of September 30, 2011, the Company's amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements includes $140.4 million of borrowings under the 364-day repurchase facility with Wells Fargo Bank National Association, or Wells Fargo. As of September 30, 2011, the facility provided an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $150 million and it is set to mature on July 25, 2012. The facility is collateralized by non-Agency RMBS and its weighted average borrowing rate as of September 30, 2011 was 1.97%. The facility also subjects the Company to maintain certain financial covenants under the guaranty agreement with Wells Fargo. As of September 30, 2011, the Company is in compliance with these covenants.
As of September 30, 2011, the Company does not have any borrowings outstanding under the 364-day repurchase facility with Barclays Bank PLC, or Barclays. The facility provides an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $100 million and it is set to mature on May 16, 2012, unless extended pursuant to its terms. The facility will be collateralized by eligible residential mortgage loans, which will be subject to margin call provisions that provide Barclays with certain rights when there has been a decline in the market value of the purchased mortgage loans. The facility also subjects the Company to maintain certain financial covenants under the guaranty agreement with Barclays. As of September 30, 2011, the Company is in compliance with these covenants.

20


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities:
(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Within 30 days
$
1,581,588

 
$
197,286

30 to 59 days
1,308,112

 
211,556

60 to 89 days
803,521

 
117,621

90 to 119 days
678,377

 
152,433

Over 120 days (1)
1,399,465

 
292,157

Open maturity (2)
1,529,550

 
198,750

Total
$
7,300,613

 
$
1,169,803

____________________
(1)
Over 120 days includes the amounts outstanding under the Wells Fargo 364-day borrowing facility.
(2)
Repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasuries include an open maturity period (i.e., rolling 1-day maturity) renewable at the discretion of either party to the agreements.

The following table summarizes assets at carrying value that are pledged or restricted as collateral for the future payment obligations of repurchase agreements:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
6,267,036

 
$
1,090,598

Trading securities, at fair value
1,526,330

 
199,523

Cash and cash equivalents
15,000

 
14,467

Restricted cash
84,056

 
11,634

Due from counterparties
13,032

 
10,508

Derivative assets, at fair value
150,774

 
30,534

Total
$
8,056,228

 
$
1,357,264

Although the repurchase agreements are committed borrowings until maturity, the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral or fund margin calls.
The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the Company's repurchase agreements and counterparty concentration at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(dollars in thousands)
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Equity
 
Weighted Average Days to Maturity
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Equity
 
Weighted Average Days to Maturity
JP Morgan Chase
$
2,779,109

 
$
184,843

 
14
%
 
47.5

 
$
289,321

 
$
8,687

 
2
%
 
53.0

Barclays Capital Inc.
314,120

 
77,469

 
6
%
 
127.1

 
168,291

 
45,060

 
12
%
 
44.7

All other counterparties
4,207,384

 
495,928

 
38
%
 
73.6

 
712,191

 
123,439

 
32
%
 
104.3

Total
$
7,300,613

 
$
758,240

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,169,803

 
$
177,186

 
 
 
 
____________________
(1) Represents the net carrying value of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, over the amount of the repurchase liability, including accrued interest. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had $90.9 million and $231.7 million, respectively, in payables due to broker counterparties for unsettled security purchases. The payables are not included in the amounts presented above.
The Company does not anticipate any defaults by its repurchase agreement counterparties.

21


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)


Note 10. Other Assets
Other assets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized in the following table:
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Prepaid expenses
$
447

 
$
706

Current tax receivable
68

 

Deferred tax assets

 
554

Fixed assets
104

 

Total other assets
$
619

 
$
1,260



Note 11. Other Liabilities
Other liabilities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized in the following table:
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Deferred tax liabilities
$
3,582

 
$

Income taxes payable
997

 
1

Total other liabilities
$
4,579

 
$
1




Note 12. Stockholders' Equity
Distributions to stockholders
On September 14, 2011, the Company declared dividends to common stockholders totaling $56.2 million, or $0.40 per share. The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock from October 28, 2009 through September 30, 2011:

Declaration Date
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Cash Dividend Per Share
September 14, 2011
 
September 26, 2011
 
October 20, 2011
 
$
0.40

June 14, 2011
 
June 24, 2011
 
July 20, 2011
 
$
0.40

March 2, 2011
 
March 14, 2011
 
April 14, 2011
 
$
0.40

December 8, 2010
 
December 17, 2010
 
January 20, 2011
 
$
0.40

September 13, 2010
 
September 30, 2010
 
October 21, 2010
 
$
0.39

June 14, 2010
 
June 30, 2010
 
July 22, 2010
 
$
0.33

March 12, 2010
 
March 31, 2010
 
April 23, 2010
 
$
0.36

December 21, 2009
 
December 31, 2009
 
January 26, 2010
 
$
0.26

The Company's dividends declared in 2011, 2010 and 2009 are characterized as ordinary non-qualified dividends.

22


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
 
 
 
Unrealized gains
$
100,351

 
$
30,811

Unrealized losses
(126,676
)
 
(8,192
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
$
(26,325
)
 
$
22,619

Public offerings
On March 16, 2011, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 25,000,000 shares of its common stock and subsequently issued an additional 3,750,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotments at a price of $10.25 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $294.7 million. On May 25, 2011, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 20,000,000 shares of its common stock and subsequently issued an additional 3,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotments at a price of $10.40 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $239.2 million. On July 15, 2011, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 42,000,000 shares of its common stock and subsequently issued an additional 6,300,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotments at a price of $10.15 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $490.2 million. Net proceeds to the Company from the three offerings were approximately $1.0 billion, net of issuance costs of approximately $17.6 million.
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan
The Company sponsors a dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan through which stockholders may purchase additional shares of the Company's common stock by reinvesting some or all of the cash dividends received on shares of the Company's common stock. Stockholders may also make optional cash purchases of shares of the Company's common stock subject to certain limitation detailed in the plan prospectus. An aggregate of 7,500,000 shares of our common stock has been reserved for issuance under the plan. As of September 30, 2011, 15,774 shares have been issued under the plan for total proceeds of $0.2 million.

Note 13. Other Operating Expenses
Components of the Company's other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are presented in the following table:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Other operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
$
2,155

 
$
795

 
$
4,787

 
$
2,188

Directors and officers' insurance
141

 
91

 
422

 
330

Professional fees
554

 
327

 
1,307

 
814

Total other operating expenses
$
2,850

 
$
1,213

 
$
6,516

 
$
3,332


Note 14. Income Taxes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. So long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes its net taxable income to stockholders, does not engage in prohibited transactions, and maintains its intended qualification as a REIT. The majority of states also recognize the Company's REIT status. The Company also owns taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRS), Capitol Acquisition Corp., or Capitol, and TH TRS Corp., which are fully taxed as U.S. C-Corporations. The tables below reflect the net taxes accrued at the TRS level and the tax attributes included in the condensed consolidated financial statements. It is assumed that the Company will retain its REIT status and will incur no REIT level taxation as it intends to comply with the REIT regulations and annual distribution requirements.

23


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

Certain activities the Company performs may produce income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. These activities include holding swaptions, credit default swaps, TBAs, and other risk-management instruments. We have designated Capitol to engage in such activities.
The following table summarizes the tax provision (benefit) recorded at the taxable subsidiary level for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Current tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
923

 
$
46

 
$
928

 
$
(96
)
State

 

 

 

Total current tax provision (benefit)
923

 
46

 
928

 
(96
)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)
8,465

 
(292
)
 
4,136

 
(1,459
)
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes
$
9,388

 
$
(246
)
 
$
5,064

 
$
(1,555
)

The Company's taxable income before dividend distributions differed from our GAAP net income primarily due to the accounting for projected credit losses in our GAAP recognition of secondary market discount accretion income not recognized for tax, amortization of original issue discount on our Agency RMBS, and unrealized gains and losses recognized in income not recognized for tax. These before tax differences are not reflected in the financial statements as we believe we will retain REIT status.
The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal and state rates to the effective rates, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Computed income tax expense at federal rate
$
21,759

 
34
 %
 
$
3,275

 
34
 %
 
$
27,563

 
34
 %
 
$
6,031

 
34
 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit, if applicable

 
 %
 

 
 %
 

 
 %
 

 
 %
Permanent differences in taxable income from GAAP income (loss)
2

 
 %
 
1

 
 %
 
6

 
 %
 
1

 
 %
Dividends paid deduction
(12,373
)
 
(19
)%
 
(3,522
)
 
(37
)%
 
(22,505
)
 
(28
)%
 
(7,587
)
 
(43
)%
Effective Tax Rate
$
9,388

 
15
 %
 
$
(246
)
 
(3
)%
 
$
5,064

 
6
 %
 
$
(1,555
)
 
(9
)%

The Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, contains the following current and deferred tax assets and liabilities:
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Current tax
 
 
 
 
Federal income tax payable, net
 
$
(929
)
 
$
(1
)
State and local income tax payable
 

 

Deferred tax (liabilities) assets
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax asset
 
7,894

 
723

Deferred tax liability
 
(11,476
)
 
(169
)
Deferred tax (liability) asset
 
(3,582
)
 
554

 
 
$
(4,511
)
 
$
553


24


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)


Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative assets
 
$
(1,707
)
 
$
392

Unrealized (gain) loss on trading securities
 
(1,875
)
 
162

Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets
 
$
(3,582
)
 
$
554


At September 30, 2011, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance for any portion of its deferred tax assets as it does not believe, at a more likely than not level, that any portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company estimates, based on existence of sufficient evidence, the ability to realize the remainder of its deferred tax assets. Any adjustments to such estimates will be made in the period such determination is made.
Based on the Company's evaluation, it has been concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company's financial statements of a contingent tax liability for uncertain tax positions. Additionally, there were no amounts accrued for penalties or interest as of or during the periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. Management is currently unaware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviations from its position.
As of September 30, 2011, the AFS securities, at fair value, had a U.S. federal tax basis of approximately $6.4 billion.

Note 15. Earnings Per Share
The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share, or EPS, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in thousands, except share data)
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share
$
54,609

 
$
9,880

 
$
76,002

 
$
19,295

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares
130,548,732

 
26,067,590

 
84,695,559

 
20,654,958

Weighted average restricted stock shares
58,834

 
58,622

 
56,295

 
36,503

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
130,607,566

 
26,126,212

 
84,751,854

 
20,691,461

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
$
0.42

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.93


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company has assumed that no warrants would be exercised as the weighted average market value per share of the Company's common stock was below the strike price of the warrants and the warrants would be anti-dilutive.

Note 16. Related Party Transactions
The following summary provides disclosure of the material transactions with affiliates of the Company.
In accordance with the Management Agreement with PRCM Advisers LLC, the Company incurred $4.8 million and $9.1 million as a management fee to PRCM Advisers LLC for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, which represents approximately 1.5% of stockholders' equity on an annualized basis as defined by the Management Agreement. In addition, the Company reimbursed PRCM Advisers LLC for direct and allocated costs incurred by PRCM Advisers LLC on behalf of the Company. These direct and allocated costs totaled approximately $2.2 million and $5.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Approximately $1.8

25


TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.  
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - (continued)

million and $4.1 million was expensed for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Approximately $0.2 million was classified as prepaid expense on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million in out-of-pocket expenses was charged against equity as a cost of raising capital for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.
The Company recognized $68,925 and $215,569 of compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, associated with the amortization of shares of restricted stock issued to the independent directors.
As of September 30, 2011, there were 33,249,000 publicly-held registered warrants to purchase up to 33,249,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Of the 33,249,000 warrants, 7,000,000 are beneficially owned by the founders of Capitol, and 2,906,918 are beneficially owned by Pine River Master Fund Ltd. and Nisswa Acquisition Master Fund Ltd., which are investment funds managed by Pine River. The Company is required to maintain a resale registration statement for the warrants and common stock issuable upon exercise thereof that are held by Pine River Master Fund Ltd., Nisswa Acquisition Master Fund Ltd., and the founders of Capitol.

Note 17. Subsequent Events
On October 5, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 10,000,000 shares of its common stock through a share repurchase program. The shares are expected to be repurchased from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, including pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or by any combination of such methods. The manner, price, number and timing of share repurchases will be subject a variety of factors, including market conditions and applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
Events subsequent to September 30, 2011 were evaluated through the date these financial statements were issued.

26


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

General
We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, and residential mortgage loans and other financial assets. We operate as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.
We are externally managed by PRCM Advisers LLC. PRCM Advisers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P., which we refer to as Pine River, a global multi-strategy asset management firm with an established track record of investing in our target assets and fixed income securities.
On May 18, 2011, we announced that we had taken the first step toward setting up a securitization issuance program by partnering with Barclays to close on a $100 million mortgage loan warehouse facility, subject to future increase. The Barclays facility will be used to aggregate prime jumbo residential mortgage loans that we will acquire from select mortgage loan originators with whom we have chosen to build strategic relationships, including those with a nationwide presence. We are targeting a $250 million deal size for our initial securitization, with Barclays Capital acting as underwriter. As of September 30, 2011, we have neither purchased any mortgage loan assets nor established the securitization program as a distinct operational business segment. As we anticipated, our initiatives in the three months ended September 30, 2011 continued to focus on establishing our underwriting guidelines and originator relationships, addressing regulatory requirements and building an infrastructure to support a sustainable program.
Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation. We selectively acquire and manage an investment portfolio of our target assets, which we believe is constructed to generate attractive returns through market cycles. Our target assets include the following:

Agency RMBS, meaning RMBS whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (or Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (or Fannie Mae), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (or Freddie Mac);
Non-Agency RMBS, meaning RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
Residential mortgage loans; and
Financial assets other than RMBS, comprising approximately 5% to 10% of the portfolio.

We believe our hybrid Agency and non-Agency RMBS investment model allows management to focus on security selection and implement a relative value investment approach across various sectors within the residential mortgage market, which factors in the displaced pricing opportunities in the marketplace, cost of financing and cost of hedging interest rate, prepayment, credit and other portfolio risks. As a result, RMBS asset allocation reflects management's opportunistic approach to investing in the marketplace.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company experienced two contrasting shifts in asset allocation. Subsequent to our secondary offering completed in March 2011, the Agency sector presented compelling opportunities. Most specifically, we believed 15-year Agency lower loan balance and discount pools presented attractive risk-adjusted returns. As a result, we shifted our asset allocation toward Agency RMBS from 75.6% at December 31, 2010 to 82.3% at March 31, 2011 and continued to acquire Agency RMBS, which we believed presented low and stable prepayment profiles, into the second quarter of 2011. Contrasting this Agency RMBS allocation focus in June 2011, we perceived a significant technical supply-side shift in the non-Agency RMBS market, which we believed presented appealing risk-adjusted returns. As a result, our asset allocation focus shifted back toward non-Agency RMBS as we continued to deploy capital raised in the May and July 2011 secondary offerings.
    

27


The following table provides the RMBS asset allocation between Agency and non-Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2011 and the four immediately preceding period ends:
 
September 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2011
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
September 30, 2010
Agency RMBS (1)
80.9
%
 
83.7
%
 
82.3
%
 
75.6
%
 
71.2
%
Non-Agency RMBS
19.1
%
 
16.3
%
 
17.7
%
 
24.4
%
 
28.8
%
____________________
(1)
Agency RMBS includes inverse interest-only securities which are classified as derivatives for purposes of U.S. GAAP.
As our RMBS asset allocation shifts, our annualized yields and cost of financing shifts. As previously discussed, our investment decisions are not driven solely by annualized yields, but rather a multitude of macroeconomic drivers, including market environments and their respective impacts; for example, uncertainty of faster prepayments, extension risk and credit events.
The following table provides the average annualized yield on our Agency and non-Agency RMBS for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and the four immediately preceding quarters:
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2011
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
September 30, 2010
Average annualized yields
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS (1)
4.3
%
 
4.7
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.3
%
Non-Agency RMBS
9.8
%
 
8.8
%
 
9.7
%
 
11.4
%
 
10.4
%
Aggregate RMBS
5.5
%
 
5.4
%
 
5.2
%
 
5.8
%
 
5.9
%
Cost of financing (2)
1.3
%
 
1.3
%
 
1.4
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.1
%
Net interest spread
4.2
%
 
4.1
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.6
%
 
4.8
%
____________________
(1)
Agency RMBS includes inverse interest-only securities which are classified as derivatives under U.S. GAAP.
(2)
Cost of financing includes swap interest rate spread.
The following table provides the average annualized yield on our Agency and non-Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2011, and the four immediately preceding period ends:
 
As of
 
September 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2011
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
September 30, 2010
Average annualized yields (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency RMBS (1)
3.4
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.9
%
 
3.6
%
 
3.1
%
Non-Agency RMBS
9.6
%
 
9.2
%
 
9.7
%
 
10.7
%
 
11.0
%
Aggregate RMBS
4.7
%
 
4.8
%
 
5.2
%
 
5.2
%
 
5.3
%
Cost of financing (2)
1.3
%
 
1.3
%
 
1.4
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.1
%
Net interest spread
3.4
%
 
3.5
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.2
%
____________________
(1)
Agency RMBS includes inverse interest-only securities which are classified as derivatives for purposes of U.S. GAAP.
(2)
Cost of financing includes swap interest rate spread.
(3)
Average annualized yield incorporates future prepayment, credit loss and other assumptions, all of which are estimates and subject to change.
We seek to deploy moderate leverage as part of our investment strategy. We generally finance our target assets through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. Our Agency RMBS including Agency derivatives, given their liquidity and high credit quality, are eligible for higher levels of leverage, while non-Agency RMBS, with less liquidity and exposure to credit risk, utilize lower levels of leverage. We also finance our U.S. Treasuries, which we hold for trading purposes. We believe the debt-to-equity ratio funding our RMBS and Agency derivatives is the most meaningful leverage measure as U.S. Treasuries are viewed to be highly liquid in nature. As a result, our debt-to-equity ratio is determined by our RMBS portfolio mix as well as many additional factors, including the liquidity of our portfolio, the sustainability and price of our financing, diversification of our counterparties and their available capacity to finance our RMBS assets, and anticipated regulatory developments. Over the past several quarterly periods, we have generally maintained a debt-to-

28


equity ratio range of 3.0 to 5.0 times, on a fully deployed capital basis. The range was driven by our relatively stable asset allocation between Agency and non-Agency RMBS, as disclosed above. See the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Financial Condition -- Repurchase Agreements" section for further discussion.
We compete with other investment vehicles for attractive investment opportunities. We rely on our management team and Pine River, who have developed strong relationships with a diverse group of financial intermediaries, to identify investment opportunities. In addition, we have benefited and expect to continue to benefit from Pine River's analytical and portfolio management expertise and infrastructure. We believe that our focus on the RMBS area, the extensive RMBS expertise of our investment team, our strong analytics and our disciplined relative value investment approach give us a competitive advantage over our peers.
We have elected to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT we are required to meet certain investment and operating tests and annual distribution requirements. We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our net taxable income to stockholders, do not participate in prohibited transactions and maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. However, certain activities that we may perform may cause us to earn income which will not be qualifying income for REIT purposes. We have designated our subsidiary, Capitol, and will designate another subsidiary, TH TRS Corp., or TH TRS, as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, as defined in the Code, to engage in such activities, and we may form additional TRSs in the future. We also operate our business in a manner that will permit us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.

Forward-Looking Statements
When used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may,” “target” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or 1934 Act), and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: changes in interest rates and the market value of our RMBS; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans securing our RMBS; our ability to borrow to finance our assets and changes in the cost of such financings; implementation of or changes in government regulations or programs affecting our business; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors Affecting our Operating Results
Our net interest income will include income from our RMBS portfolio and will reflect the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts. Net interest income will fluctuate primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates, our financing costs, and prepayment speeds on our assets. Interest rates, financing costs and prepayment 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 will also be affected by default rates and credit losses with respect to the mortgage loans underlying our non-Agency RMBS.

29



Fair Value Measurement
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. It also establishes three levels of input to be used when measuring fair value:

Level 1
Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. Additionally, the entity must have the ability to access the active market and the quoted prices cannot be adjusted by the entity.
Level 2
Inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full-term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent management's best assumptions of how market participants would price the assets and liabilities. Generally, Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that require significant judgment or estimation.

We follow the fair value hierarchy set forth above in order to prioritize the data utilized to measure fair value. We strive to obtain quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1 inputs). If Level 1 inputs are not available, we will attempt to obtain Level 2 inputs, observable market prices in inactive markets or derive the fair value measurement using observable market prices for similar assets or liabilities. When neither Level 1 nor Level 2 inputs are available, we use Level 3 inputs and independent pricing service models to estimate fair value measurements. At September 30, 2011, approximately 92.8% of total assets, or $8.2 billion, and $46.2 million of total liabilities consisted of financial instruments recorded at fair value. As of September 30, 2011, we had $10.8 million, or less than one percent, of total assets reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs. See Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for descriptions of valuation methodologies used to measure material assets and liabilities at fair value and details of the valuation models, key inputs to those models and significant assumptions utilized.
A significant portion of our assets and liabilities are at fair value and therefore our condensed consolidated balance sheet and income statement are significantly affected by fluctuations in market prices. Although we execute various hedging strategies to mitigate our exposure to changes in fair value, we cannot fully eliminate our exposure to volatility caused by fluctuations in market prices. Since 2007, markets for asset-backed securities, including RMBS, have experienced severe dislocations. While these market disruptions continue, our assets and liabilities will be subject to valuation adjustment as well as changes in the inputs we use to measure fair value.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our unrealized fair value losses on interest rate swap agreements, which are accounted for as derivatives trading instruments for the purposes of GAAP, negatively affected our financial results. The change in fair value of the interest rate swaps was a result of the decrease in the swap curve during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were favorably affected by unrealized fair value gains on certain U.S. Treasuries classified as trading instruments due to their short-term investment objectives. In addition, our financial results were favorably affected by certain other derivative instruments entered into by us in the first nine months of 2011 that were accounted for as trading derivative instruments, i.e., TBAs and credit default swaps. Any temporary change in the fair value of our AFS securities is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and does not impact our earnings.
We have numerous internal controls in place to help ensure the appropriateness of fair value measurements. Significant fair value measures are subject to detailed analytics and management review and approval. Our entire investment portfolio is priced by third-party brokers at the “bid side” of the market, and/or by independent pricing providers. We strive to obtain multiple market data points for each valuation. By utilizing “bid side” pricing, certain assets, especially the most recent purchases, may realize a markdown due to the “bid-offer” spread. To the extent that this occurs, any economic effect of this would be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. We back test the fair value measurements provided by the pricing providers against actual performance. We also monitor the market for recent trades, market surveys or other market information that may be used to benchmark pricing provider inputs.
Considerable judgment is used in forming conclusions and estimating inputs to our Level 3 fair value measurements. Level 3 inputs such as interest rate movements, prepayments speeds, credit losses and discount rates are inherently difficult to estimate. Changes to these inputs can have a significant effect on fair value measurements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our estimates of fair value are indicative of the amounts that would be realized on the ultimate sale or exchange of these assets.

30



Market Conditions and Outlook
The first nine months of 2011 produced a number of regulatory actions in an effort to stabilize economic conditions and increase liquidity in the financial markets. In a February 2011 report released by the Department of Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, three paths were outlined to reform the GSEs, each of which could drastically change the landscape of the U.S. mortgage market. While the reform could take several years to implement, we expect that there will be opportunities for RMBS investors over time as this develops.
In addition to the ongoing debt problems in Europe, the marketplace experienced sizable regulatory uncertainty including the political standoff and ultimate signing of the debt ceiling bill by President Obama, S&P's downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, the Federal Reserve's announcement that it would keep interest rates near zero at least for the next two years, and the Federal Reserve's September announcement of Operation Twist, a policy that involves selling $400 billion in short-term U.S. Treasuries in exchange for the same amount of longer-term bonds, starting in October 2011 and ending in June 2012, the intent of which is to lower yields on long-term bonds and push down interest rates for mortgages and similar borrowings.
We believe our blended Agency and non-Agency strategies and our investing expertise will allow us to navigate the dynamic characteristics of the RMBS environment while GSE reform and any other future regulatory efforts take shape. Having a diversified portfolio allows us to mitigate risks, including the volatility and impacts generated by uncertainty in interest rates and changes in prepayments, home prices and homeowner default rates.
We expect that the majority of our assets will remain in whole-pool Agency RMBS in light of the long-term attractiveness of the asset class, and in order to continue to satisfy the requirements of our exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Interest-only Agency securities also provide a complementary investment and risk-management strategy to our principal and interest Agency bond investments. Risk-adjusted returns in our Agency RMBS portfolio may decline if we are required to pay higher purchase premiums due to lower interest rates or additional liquidity in the market.
The following table provides the carrying value of our RMBS portfolio by product type:

(dollars in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Agency Bonds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate Bonds
$
4,917,465

 
76.7
%
 
$
746,957

 
55.1
%
Hybrid ARMs
239,229

 
3.7
%
 
269,512

 
19.9
%
Total Agency
5,156,694

 
80.4
%
 
1,016,469

 
75.0
%
Non-Agency Bonds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Bonds
994,883

 
15.5
%
 
268,161

 
19.8
%
Mezzanine Bonds
261,318

 
4.1
%
 
69,775

 
5.2
%
Total Non-Agency
1,256,201

 
19.6
%
 
337,936

 
25.0
%
Total
$
6,412,895

 
 
 
$
1,354,405

 
 

Prepayment speeds and volatility due to interest rates
We do not expect housing prices to fully stabilize in 2011 and this, combined with persistently high unemployment rates and housing inventory increases, leads us to expect that there will not be a significant increase in prepayment speeds in 2011. In 2012, however, given the low level of interest rates, the implementation of Operation Twist, and the announcement of HARP 2.0, the revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program, it is possible that prepayment speeds will increase on many RMBS, which could lead to less attractive reinvestment opportunities. Nonetheless, we believe our portfolio approach, including our security selection process, is well positioned to respond to a variety of market scenarios, including an overall faster prepayment environment.
Although we are unable to predict the movement in interest rates for the remainder of 2011 and beyond, our blended Agency and non-Agency portfolio strategy is intended to generate attractive yields with a low level of sensitivity to yield curve, prepayments and interest rate cycles.
Our Agency bond portfolio is subject to inherent prepayment risk: generally, a decline in interest rates that leads to rising prepayment speeds will cause the market value of our interest-only securities to deteriorate, but will cause the market value of our fixed coupon Agency pools to increase. The inverse relationship occurs when interest rates increase and prepayments slow. Our portfolio includes Agency securities, which includes bonds with low loan balances (securities collateralized by loans of less than or equal to $175,000 in principal), home equity conversion mortgages (securities

31


collateralized by reverse mortgages), explicit prepayment protection, high loan-to-value, or LTV, ratios (securities collateralized by loans with greater or equal to 80% LTV), and seasoned bonds reflecting less prepayment risk due to previously experienced high levels of refinancing. We believe these bond characteristics reduce the prepayment risk to the portfolio.
The following table provides the carrying value of our Agency bond portfolio by vintage and prepayment protection:

 
As of September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Fixed Rate
 
Hybrid ARMs
 
Total Agency RMBS
Lower loan balances
$
2,838,635

 
$

 
$
2,838,635

 
55
%
Home equity conversion mortgages
927,754

 

 
927,754

 
18
%
Seasoned (2005 and prior vintages)
349,305

 
151,392

 
500,697

 
10
%
Pre-pay lock-out or penalty-based
260,886

 
35,758

 
296,644

 
6
%
High LTV
219,607

 

 
219,607

 
4
%
2006 and subsequent vintages
141,638

 
52,079

 
193,717

 
4
%
2006 and subsequent vintages - Discount
179,640

 

 
179,640

 
3
%
Total
$
4,917,465

 
$
239,229

 
$
5,156,694

 
100
%

We offset a portion of the Agency exposure to prepayment speeds through our non-Agency portfolio. Our non-Agency bond yields are expected to increase if prepayment rates on such assets exceed our prepayment assumptions. To the extent that prepayment speeds increase due to macroeconomic factors, we expect to benefit from the ability to recognize the income from the heavily discounted bond prices that principally arose from credit or payment default expectations.
The following table provides discount information on our non-Agency bond portfolio:

 
As of September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Senior
 
Mezzanine
 
Total
Face Value
$
2,148,645

 
$
518,514

 
$
2,667,159

Unamortized discount
 
 
 
 
 
Designated credit reserve
(666,029
)
 
(106,909
)
 
(772,938
)
Unamortized net discount
(418,851
)
 
(136,478
)
 
(555,329
)
Amortized Cost
$
1,063,765

 
$
275,127

 
$
1,338,892


Credit losses
Although our Agency portfolio is supported by U.S. Government agency and federally chartered corporation guarantees of payment of principal and interest, we are exposed to credit risk in our non-Agency RMBS portfolio. However, the credit support built into non-Agency RMBS deal structures is designed to provide a level of protection from potential credit losses for more senior tranches. In addition, the discounted purchase prices paid on our non-Agency RMBS assets provide additional insulation from credit losses in the event we receive less than 100% of par on such assets. We evaluate credit risk on our non-Agency investments through a comprehensive asset selection process, which is predominantly focused on quantifying and pricing credit risk. We review our non-Agency RMBS based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of the risk-adjusted returns on such investments. We evaluate each investment's credit risk through our initial modeling and scenario analysis and through on-going asset surveillance. At purchase, we estimate the portion of the discount we do not expect to recover and factor that into our expected yield and accretion methodology. We may also record an OTTI for a portion of our investment in a security to the extent we believe that the amortized cost exceeds the present value of expected future cash flows. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur, adversely impacting our operating results.
Counterparty exposure and debt-to-equity ratio
We monitor counterparty exposure in our broker, banking and lending counterparties on a daily basis. We believe our broker and banking counterparties are well capitalized organizations and we attempt to manage our cash balances across these organizations to reduce our exposure to any single counterparty.
We have entered into repurchase agreements with 20 counterparties as of the date of this filing. As of September 30, 2011, we had an RMBS debt-to-equity ratio of 4.4 times. As of September 30, 2011, we had $409.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately $25.1 million of unpledged Agency securities and $75.6 million of unpledged non-Agency

32


securities, and an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity of approximately $60.4 million. If borrowing rates and collateral requirements change in the near term, we believe we are subject to less earnings volatility than a more levered organization.

Summary of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Our reported GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $54.6 million ($0.42 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to a GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $9.9 million ($0.38 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Our reported GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $76.0 million ($0.90 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to a GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders of $19.3 million ($0.93 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Our Adjusted GAAP earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $71.3 million ($0.55 per diluted share) and $125.2 million ($1.48 per diluted share), respectively. Our GAAP results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 included changes in unrealized fair value losses, net of tax, of $16.7 million and $49.2 million, respectively, on our interest rate swaps and swaptions, utilized to economically hedge interest rate risk associated with these short-term LIBOR-based repurchase agreements and available-for-sale securities for which we have not elected to apply cash flow hedge accounting. As a result, and in order to facilitate comparison to many of our peers, we have included Adjusted GAAP earnings, a non-GAAP measure, which excludes the change in unrealized fair value gains and losses, net of tax, associated with these interest rate swaps and swaptions. A reconciliation between GAAP net income and Adjusted GAAP earnings is provided in the following tables.
On September 14, 2011, we declared a dividend of $0.40 per diluted share. Our GAAP book value per diluted common share was $9.30 at September 30, 2011, a decrease from our $9.44 book value per diluted common share at December 31, 2010.

33


The following table presents the components of our net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except share data)
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
Income Statement Data:
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income:
 
  

 
   

 
  

 
   

Available-for-sale securities
 
$
65,919

 
$
11,823

 
$
125,413

 
$
27,064

Trading securities
 
1,706

 
15

 
2,783

 
15

Cash and cash equivalents
 
114

 
27

 
241

 
70

Total interest income
 
67,739

 
11,865

 
128,437

 
27,149

Interest expense
 
7,218

 
1,395

 
13,580

 
2,777

Net interest income
 
60,521

 
10,470

 
114,857

 
24,372

Other-than-temporary impairments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
(3,371
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

Non-credit portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 

 

 

Net other-than-temporary credit impairment losses
 
(3,371
)
 

 
(3,665
)
 

Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of investment securities, net
 
31,432

 
2,577

 
36,159

 
4,608

Loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
 
(39,311
)
 
(4,436
)
 
(88,180
)
 
(10,037
)
Gain on other derivative instruments
 
22,361

 
3,098

 
37,474

 
4,197

Total other income (loss)
 
14,482

 
1,239

 
(14,547
)
 
(1,232
)
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees
 
4,785

 
862

 
9,063

 
2,068

Other operating expenses
 
2,850

 
1,213

 
6,516

 
3,332

Total expenses
 
7,635

 
2,075

 
15,579

 
5,400

Net income before income taxes
 
63,997

 
9,634

 
81,066

 
17,740

Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
 
(9,388
)
 
246

 
(5,064
)
 
1,555

Net income attributable to common stockholders
 
$
54,609

 
$
9,880

 
$
76,002

 
$
19,295

Basic and diluted earnings per weighted average common share
 
$
0.42

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.93

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.40

 
$
0.39

 
$
1.20

 
$
1.08

Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock
 
130,607,566

 
26,126,212

 
84,751,854

 
20,691,461

Balance Sheet Data:
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
6,412,895

 
$
1,354,405

Total assets
 
$
8,818,809

 
$
1,797,432

Repurchase agreements
 
$
7,300,613

 
$
1,169,803

Total stockholders' equity
 
$
1,307,131

 
$
382,448


34


(in thousands, except share data)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Reconciliation of net income attributable to common
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
stockholders to Adjusted GAAP Earnings
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
 
$
54,609

 
$
9,880

 
$
76,002

 
$
19,295

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments to GAAP Net Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized loss, net of tax, on interest rate swap and swaptions economically hedging repurchase agreements and available-for-sale securities (1)
 
16,650

 
361

 
49,186

 
3,795

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted GAAP Earnings
 
$
71,259

 
$
10,241

 
$
125,188

 
$
23,090

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted
 
130,607,566

 
26,126,212

 
84,751,854

 
20,691,461

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted GAAP Earnings per weighted average share outstanding - basic and diluted
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.39

 
$
1.48

 
$
1.12

____________________
(1)
Amounts include tax benefit of $3.6 million and $7.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and tax benefit of $0.6 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Results of Operations
The following analysis focuses on the results generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
Interest Income and Average Portfolio Yield
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $65.9 million and $125.4 million of interest income from our Agency and non-Agency RMBS portfolio. Our RMBS portfolio's average amortized cost of securities was approximately $5.2 billion and $3.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, resulting in an annualized net yield of approximately 5.1% and 4.9%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $11.5 million and $26.7 million of interest income from our Agency and non-Agency RMBS portfolio. Our RMBS portfolio's average amortized cost of securities was approximately $865.0 million and $679.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, resulting in an annualized net yield of approximately 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $15.1 million and $32.2 million of net premium amortization on our Agency RMBS, including our interest-only securities. This resulted in an overall net asset yield of approximately 3.7% on our Agency RMBS for each of the respective periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $19.9 million and $32.3 million of accretion income from the discounts on our non-Agency portfolio resulting in an overall net yield of approximately 9.8% and 9.5%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $3.3 million and $8.6 million of net premium amortization on our Agency RMBS, including our interest-only securities. This resulted in an overall net asset yield of approximately 3.5% on our Agency RMBS for each of the respective periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $3.1 million and $6.7 million of accretion income from the discounts on our non-Agency portfolio, resulting in an overall net yield of approximately 10.4% and 10.7%, respectively. The decrease in gross and net yield for the non-Agency portfolio across comparative periods is due primarily to the deployment of new capital in non-Agency RMBS with lower loss adjusted yields due to the overall strengthening in non-Agency RMBS market prices.
The following tables present the components of the net yield earned by investment type on our RMBS portfolio as a percentage of our average amortized cost of securities (ratios for the periods have been annualized):

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Consolidated
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Consolidated
Gross Yield/Stated Coupon
5.2
 %
 
3.0
%
 
4.7
%
 
5.3
 %
 
3.4
%
 
4.9
%
Net accretion/amortization of discount/premium
(1.5
)%
 
6.8
%
 
0.4
%
 
(1.6
)%
 
6.1
%
 
%
Net Yield
3.7
 %
 
9.8
%
 
5.1
%
 
3.7
 %
 
9.5
%
 
4.9
%

35


 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Consolidated
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Consolidated
Gross Yield/Stated Coupon
5.6
 %
 
5.1
%
 
5.4
 %
 
5.8
 %
 
5.2
%
 
5.6
 %
Net accretion/amortization of discount/premium
(2.1
)%
 
5.3
%
 
(0.1
)%
 
(2.3
)%
 
5.5
%
 
(0.4
)%
Net Yield
3.5
 %
 
10.4
%
 
5.3
 %
 
3.5
 %
 
10.7
%
 
5.2
 %
____________________
(1)
These yields have not been adjusted for cost of delay and cost to carry purchase premiums.
The following tables provide the components of interest income and net asset yield detail by investment type on our RMBS portfolio:

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Average Amortized Cost
$
4,041,828

 
$
1,175,766

 
$
5,217,594

 
$
2,709,742

 
$
702,871

 
$
3,412,613

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon Interest
52,354

 
8,815

 
61,169

 
107,397

 
17,959

 
125,356

Net (Premium Amortization)/Discount Accretion
(15,145
)
 
19,895

 
4,750

 
(32,248
)
 
32,305

 
57

Interest Income
$
37,209

 
$
28,710

 
$
65,919

 
$
75,149

 
$
50,264

 
$
125,413

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Asset Yield
3.7
%
 
9.8
%
 
5.1
%
 
3.7
%
 
9.5
%
 
4.9
%
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(dollars in thousands)
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Average Amortized Cost
$
633,916

 
$
231,094

 
$
865,010

 
$
517,929

 
$
161,081

 
$
679,010

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coupon Interest
8,831

 
2,929

 
11,760

 
22,376

 
6,293

 
28,669

Net (Premium Amortization)/Discount Accretion
(3,297
)
 
3,084

 
(213
)
 
(8,641
)
 
6,654

 
(1,987
)
Interest Income
$
5,534

 
$
6,013

 
$
11,547

 
$
13,735

 
$
12,947

 
$
26,682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Asset Yield
3.5
%
 
10.4
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.5
%
 
10.7
%
 
5.2
%

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we also recognized $1.7 million and $2.8 million of interest income associated with our trading U.S. Treasuries, or approximately 0.5% annualized net yield on average amortized cost, for each of the respective periods.
For the first six months of 2010, we classified all U.S. Treasuries as AFS securities. However, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, we classified one U.S. Treasury as a trading security due to its short-term investment objectives. As a result, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $0.3 million and $0.4 million of interest income associated with our AFS U.S. Treasuries, or approximately 0.8% annualized net yield on average amortized cost, for each of the respective periods, and $15,512 of interest income associated with our trading U.S. Treasuries.
Interest Expense and the Cost of Funds
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $6.7 million and $12.7 million in interest expense on our borrowed funds collateralized by RMBS. For the same three and nine month period, our average outstanding balance under repurchase agreements to fund RMBS was approximately $4.5 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, an increase from third quarter 2010 due to our offering proceeds and allocation of additional capital to leverage our Agency RMBS portfolio. Our debt-to-equity ratio on our RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2011 combined with low LIBOR rates, resulted in an average cost of funds of 0.6% for both respective periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $1.3 million and $2.6 million in interest expense on our borrowed funds collateralized by RMBS. For the same three and nine month period, our average outstanding balance under repurchase agreements to fund RMBS was approximately $742.6 million and $577.7 million, respectively, resulting in an average cost of funds on our RMBS of 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively, on an annualized basis.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we also recognized $0.5 million and $0.9 million of interest expense associated with the financing of our U.S. Treasuries and Agency inverse interest-only derivatives, or an average

36


cost of funds of approximately 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, on an annualized basis. The additional funds borrowed during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulted in an overall debt-to-equity ratio of 5.6:1.0, largely driven by the borrowings to fund the U.S. Treasuries and increased capital allocation to Agency RMBS. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we also recognized $0.1 million and $0.2 million of interest expense associated with the financing of our U.S. Treasuries and Agency inverse interest-only derivatives, or an average cost of funds of approximately 0.2% on an annualized basis. The additional funds borrowed during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in an overall debt-to-equity ratio of 3.9:1.0.
Net Interest Income
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our net interest income on our RMBS AFS portfolio was $59.2 million and $112.7 million resulting in a net interest spread of approximately 4.5% and 4.3%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our net interest income on our RMBS AFS portfolio was $10.3 million and $24.1 million resulting in a net interest spread of approximately 4.6% and 4.6%, respectively.
The following tables provide the interest income and expense incurred in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010:

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Average available-for-sale securities held (2)
$
4,041,828

 
$
1,175,766

 
$
5,217,594

 
$
2,709,742

 
$
702,871

 
$
3,412,613

Total interest income
$
37,209

 
$
28,710

 
$
65,919

 
$
75,149

 
$
50,264

 
$
125,413

Yield on average investment securities
3.7
%
 
9.8
%
 
5.1
%
 
3.7
%
 
9.5
%
 
4.9
%
Average balance of repurchase agreements
$
3,840,036

 
$
684,224

 
$
4,524,260

 
$
2,574,701

 
$
417,415

 
$
2,992,116

Total interest expense (3) (4)
$
3,113

 
$
3,601

 
$
6,714

 
$
6,289

 
$
6,396

 
$
12,685

Average cost of funds
0.3
%
 
2.1
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.3
%
 
2.0
%
 
0.6
%
Net interest income
$
34,096

 
$
25,109

 
$
59,205

 
$
68,860

 
$
43,868

 
$
112,728

Net interest rate spread
3.4
%
 
7.7
%
 
4.5
%
 
3.4
%
 
7.5
%
 
4.3
%
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(dollars in thousands)
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
 
Agency (1)
 
Non-Agency
 
Total
Average available-for-sale securities held (2)
$
633,916

 
$
231,094

 
$
865,010

 
$
517,929

 
$
161,081

 
$
679,010

Total interest income
$
5,534

 
$
6,013

 
$
11,547

 
$
13,735

 
$
12,947

 
$
26,682

Yield on average investment securities
3.5
%
 
10.4
%
 
5.3
%
 
3.5
%
 
10.7
%
 
5.2
%
Average balance of repurchase agreements
$
609,365

 
$
133,204

 
$
742,569

 
$
498,207

 
$
79,529

 
$
577,736

Total interest expense (3) (4)
$
621

 
$
640

 
$
1,261

 
$
1,443

 
$
1,127

 
$
2,570

Average cost of funds
0.4
%
 
1.9
%
 
0.7
%
 
0.4
%
 
1.9
%
 
0.6
%
Net interest income
$
4,913

 
$
5,373

 
$
10,286

 
$
12,292

 
$
11,820

 
$
24,112

Net interest rate spread
3.1
%
 
8.5
%
 
4.6
%
 
3.1
%
 
8.8
%
 
4.6
%
____________________
(1)
Excludes inverse interest-only securities which are classified as derivatives under U.S. GAAP. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our average annualized yield on our Agency RMBS, including inverse interest-only securities, was 4.3% and 4.4%, respectively, compared to 4.3% and 3.9% for the same periods in 2010.
(2)
Excludes change in realized and unrealized gains/(losses).
(3)
Cost of funds by investment type is based off the underlying investment type of the RMBS AFS assigned as collateral.
(4)
Cost of funds does not include accrual and settlement of interest associated with interest rate swaps. In accordance with GAAP, those costs are included in loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements in the condensed consolidated statement of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our average annualized cost of funds, including interest spread expense associated with interest rate swaps and including inverse interest-only securities (see footnote 1 above), was 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively, compared to 1.1% and 0.4% for the same period in 2010.

37


Other-than-temporary Impairments
We review each of our securities on a quarterly basis to determine if an OTTI charge would be necessary. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $3.4 million and $3.7 million of OTTI losses, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we did not recognize any OTTI losses. For further information about evaluating AFS securities for other-than-temporary impairments, refer to Note 3 - Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gain on Investment Securities, Net
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we sold AFS and trading securities for $1.1 and $1.7 billion with an amortized cost of $1.1 and $1.7 billion, for a net realized gain of $27.8 and $30.2 million, respectively, which included sales of U.S. Treasuries with an amortized cost of $199.7 million and $699.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we sold AFS securities for $130.3 million and $306.4 million with an amortized cost of $127.7 million and $301.8 million, for a net realized gain of $2.6 million and $4.6 million, respectively, which included sales of U.S. Treasuries with an amortized cost of $150.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. We do not expect to sell assets on a frequent basis, but may sell assets to reallocate capital into new assets that our management believes have higher risk-adjusted returns.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized unrealized losses on our U.S. Treasury trading securities held as of September 30, 2011 of $3.7 million and $6.0 million, respectively. We did not hold any U.S. Treasuries classified as trading securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Loss on Interest Rate Swap and Swaption Agreements
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 we recognized $8.3 million and $18.6 million of expenses for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with the interest rate swaps. The expenses result from generally paying a fixed interest rate on an average 4.3 billion and 2.8 billion notional, respectively, to hedge a portion of our interest rate risk on our short-term repurchase agreements, funding costs, and macro-financing risk and generally receiving LIBOR interest. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $1.0 million and $2.2 million of expenses for the accrual and/or settlement of the net interest expense associated with the interest rate swaps. The expenses result from paying a fixed interest rate on an average 402.4 million and 276.6 million notional, respectively, to hedge a portion of our interest rate risk on our short-term repurchase agreements and funding costs and receiving LIBOR interest.
During three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we terminated 24 and 29 notional interest rate swap and swaption positions of $1.9 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively. Upon settlement of the early terminations, we paid $4.2 million and $5.1 million in full settlement of our net interest spread liability and recognized $17.8 million and $18.1 million in realized losses on the swaps and swaptions, respectively, including an early termination penalty. We elected to terminate the swaps to reduce our cost of financing and align with our investment portfolio.
Also, included in our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was the recognition of a change in unrealized valuation losses of $13.1 million and $51.5 million, respectively, on our interest rate swap and swaption agreements that were accounted as trading instruments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized changes in unrealized valuation losses of $1.0 million and $5.4 million, respectively, on our interest rate swap and swaption agreements that were accounted as trading instruments. The overall decrease in the swap rate curve during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulted in the unfavorable market value movement over the three and nine month periods. Since these swaps and swaptions are used for purposes of hedging our interest rate exposure, their unrealized valuation losses are generally offset by unrealized gains in our Agency RMBS portfolio, which are recorded directly to stockholders' equity through other comprehensive income.
The following table provides the net interest spread and gains and losses associated with our interest rate swap and swaption positions:

(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Net interest spread
$
(8,341
)
 
$
(985
)
 
$
(18,632
)
 
$
(2,194
)
Early termination losses
(17,847
)
 
(2,486
)
 
(18,074
)
 
(2,486
)
Change in unrealized gain on interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair value
(13,123
)
 
(965
)
 
(51,474
)
 
(5,357
)
Loss on interest rate swap and swaption agreements
$
(39,311
)
 
$
(4,436
)
 
$
(88,180
)
 
$
(10,037
)


38


Gain on Other Derivative Instruments
Included in our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was the recognition of $22.4 million and $37.5 million, respectively, of gains on other derivative instruments we hold for purposes of both hedging and non-hedging activities, principally credit default swaps, TBAs and inverse interest-only securities. Included within these three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 results, we recognized $8.2 million and $17.3 million of interest income, net of accretion on inverse interest-only securities on an average amortized cost basis of $157.6 million and $106.9 million, respectively. The remainder represented realized and unrealized net gains on other derivative instruments. As these derivative instruments are considered trading instruments, the financial results include both realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with these instruments.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $3.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of gains on other derivative instruments we hold for purposes of both hedging and non-hedging activities, principally TBAs and inverse interest-only securities. Included within these three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 results, we recognized $1.5 million and $2.0 million of interest income, net of accretion on inverse interest-only securities on an average amortized cost basis of $23.5 million and $15.4 million, respectively. The remainder represented realized and unrealized net gains on other derivative instruments.

Expenses
Management Fees
We incurred management fees of $4.8 and $9.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $0.9 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, which are payable to PRMC Advisers under our management agreement. The management fee is calculated based on our stockholders' equity.
Other Operating Expenses
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized $2.9 million and $6.5 million of other operating expenses, which represents 0.9% and 1.0% of average equity, compared to $1.2 million and $3.3 million of expenses, which represents 2.0% and 2.4% of average equity, for the same periods in 2010. Included in these other operating expenses are direct and allocated costs incurred by PRCM Advisers LLC on our behalf and reimbursed by us. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, these direct and allocated costs totaled approximately $2.2 million and $5.1 million compared to $1.4 million and $3.4 million of costs for the same period in 2010. Approximately $1.8 million and $4.1 million was expensed for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $1.0 million and $2.5 million for the same periods in 2010. Approximately $0.2 million was classified as prepaid expense on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million in out-of-pocket expenses was charged against equity as a cost of raising capital for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $0.4 million and $0.9 million for the same periods in 2010. Included in these reimbursed costs was compensation paid to our executive officers, including our principal financial officer and general counsel of $41,715 and $130,635 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $41,654 and $154,267 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
The following table provides other operating expenses as a percentage of average equity for the three and nine month periods presented:
(dollars in thousands)
Other Operating Expenses
 
Other Operating Expenses/Average Equity
 
(Ratios for the quarter have been annualized)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
$
2,850

 
0.9
%
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
$
1,213

 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
$
6,516

 
1.0
%
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
$
3,332

 
2.4
%
Our other operating expenses as a percentage of average equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 0.9% and 1.0%, respectively. The favorable decrease in our operating expense ratio compared to the first six months of 2011 resulted primarily from the additional capital raised upon completion of our secondary common stock offerings. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized $9.4 million and $5.1 million of income tax expense related to both current and deferred income tax provisions in its taxable REIT subsidiary, Capitol. The Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 14.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

39


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has recognized $7.2 million and $2.1 million of deferred tax expense related to unrealized gains on derivative instruments, and $1.2 million and $2.0 million of deferred tax expense related to unrealized gains on U.S. Treasuries held in its TRS.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has recognized current federal tax expense of $0.9 million due to realized net gains on U.S. Treasuries and derivative instruments.
We currently intend to distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income and comply with all requirements to continue to qualify as a REIT, and therefore we have not recognized any further federal or state tax provisions.

Financial Condition
Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value
Agency RMBS
Our Agency RMBS portfolio is composed of adjustable rate and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities backed by single-family and multi-family mortgage loans. All of our principal and interest Agency RMBS were Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations that carry an implied “AAA” rating, or Ginnie Mae mortgage pass-through certificates, which are backed by the guarantee of the U.S. Government. The majority of these securities consist of whole pools in which we own all of the investment interests in the securities.
The table below summarizes certain characteristics of our Agency AFS securities at September 30, 2011:

 
September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands, except purchase price)
Principal/Current Face
 
Net (Discount)/ Premium
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted Average Coupon Rate
 
Weighted Average Purchase Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal and interest securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
$
4,480,947

 
$
270,853

 
$
4,751,800

 
$
79,574

 
$
(4,084
)
 
$
4,827,290

 
4.62
%
 
$
106.29

Hybrid/ARM
223,999

 
11,748

 
235,747

 
3,553

 
(71
)
 
239,229

 
4.12
%
 
$
106.04

Total P&I Securities
4,704,946

 
282,601

 
4,987,547

 
83,127

 
(4,155
)
 
5,066,519

 
4.60
%
 
$
106.28

Interest-only securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
539,323

 
(463,810
)
 
75,513

 
68

 
(22,646
)
 
52,935

 
5.28
%
 
$
16.01

Fixed Other (1)
614,678

 
(577,410
)
 
37,268

 
532

 
(560
)
 
37,240

 
1.31
%
 
$
6.35

Total
$
5,858,947

 
$
(758,619
)
 
$
5,100,328

 
$
83,727

 
$
(27,361
)
 
$
5,156,694

 
 
 
 
____________________
(1) Fixed Other represents weighted-average coupon interest-only securities that are not generally used for our interest-rate risk management purposes. These securities pay variable coupon interest based on the weighted average of the fixed rates of the underlying loans of the security, less the weighted average rates of the applicable issued principal and interest securities.

Our three-month average constant prepayment rate, or CPR, experienced by Agency RMBS owned by us as of September 30, 2011, on an annualized basis, was 5.0%.
The following table summarizes the number of months until the next re-set for our floating or adjustable rate Agency RMBS mortgage portfolio at September 30, 2011:

(in thousands)
 Carrying Value
0-12 months
$
202,813

13-36 months
11,632

37-64 months
24,784

Greater than 64 months

Total
$
239,229



40


Non-Agency RMBS
Our non-Agency RMBS portfolio is composed of senior and mezzanine tranches of mortgage-backed securities. The following table provides investment information on our non-Agency RMBS as of September 30, 2011:

 
As of September 30, 2011
(in thousands)
Principal/Current Face
 
Accretable Purchase Discount
 
Credit Reserve Purchase Discount
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Carrying Value
Senior
$
2,148,645

 
$
(418,851
)
 
$
(666,029
)
 
$
1,063,765

 
$
10,925

 
$
(79,807
)
 
$
994,883

Mezzanine
518,514

 
(136,478
)
 
(106,909
)
 
275,127

 
5,699

 
(19,508
)
 
261,318

Total
$
2,667,159

 
$
(555,329
)
 
$
(772,938
)
 
$
1,338,892

 
$
16,624

 
$
(99,315
)
 
$
1,256,201


The majority of our non-Agency RMBS were rated at September 30, 2011. Note that credit ratings are based on the par value of the non-Agency RMBS, whereas the distressed non-Agency RMBS assets in our portfolio were acquired at a heavily discounted price. The following table summarizes the credit ratings of our non-Agency RMBS portfolio as of September 30, 2011:

 
September 30, 2011
AAA
%
AA
%
A
2.0
%
BBB
4.9
%
BB
9.4
%
B
8.7
%
Below B
74.4
%
Not rated
0.6
%
Total
100.0
%


41


The following tables present certain information detailed by investment type and their respective underlying loan characteristics for our senior and mezzanine non-Agency RMBS, excluding our non-Agency interest-only portfolio, at September 30, 2011:
 
At September 30, 2011
Non-Agency Principal and Interest (P&I) RMBS Characteristics
Senior Bonds
 
Mezzanine Bonds
 
Total P&I Bonds
Carrying Value (in thousands)
$
994,585

 
$
261,318

 
$
1,255,903

% of Non-Agency Portfolio
79.2
%
 
20.8
%
 
100.0
%
Average Purchase Price
$
55.06

 
$
58.57

 
$
55.79

Average Coupon
2.2
%
 
1.3
%
 
2.0
%
Average Fixed Coupon
5.6
%
 
5.8
%
 
5.7
%
Average Floating Coupon
1.3
%
 
0.9
%
 
1.2
%
Average Hybrid Coupon
4.6
%
 
2.7
%
 
4.6
%
Collateral Attributes
 
 
 
 
 
Avg Loan Age (months)
64

 
82

 
68

Avg Original Loan-to-Value
78.3
%
 
77.5
%
 
78.1
%
Avg Original FICO (1)
648

 
642

 
647

Current Performance
 
 
 
 
 
60+ day delinquencies
41.3
%
 
32.8
%
 
39.5
%
Average Credit Enhancement (2)
22.4
%
 
31.4
%
 
24.3
%
3-Month CPR (3)
2.2
%
 
3.0
%
 
2.4
%
____________________
(1)
FICO represents a mortgage industry accepted credit score of a borrower, which was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.
(2)
Average credit enhancement remaining on our non-Agency RMBS portfolio, which is the average amount of protection available to absorb future credit losses due to defaults on the underlying collateral.
(3)
3-Month CPR is reflective of the prepayment speed on the underlying securitization; however, it does not necessarily indicate the proceeds received on our investment tranche. Proceeds received for each security are dependent on the position of the individual security within the structure of each deal.

Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics
September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Senior Bonds
 
Mezzanine Bonds
 
Total Bonds
Loan Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Non-Agency Portfolio
Prime
$
15,996

 
1.6
%
 
$
1,548

 
0.6
%
 
$
17,544

 
1.4
%
Alt-A
68,407

 
6.9
%
 
8,075

 
3.1
%
 
76,482

 
6.1
%
POA
199,926

 
20.1
%
 
22,067

 
8.4
%
 
221,993

 
17.7
%
Subprime
710,256

 
71.4
%
 
229,628

 
87.9
%
 
939,884

 
74.8
%
 
$
994,585

 
100.0
%
 
$
261,318

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,255,903

 
100.0
%

Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics
September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Senior Bonds
 
Mezzanine Bonds
 
Total Bonds
Coupon Type
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Non-Agency Portfolio
Fixed Rate
$
191,627

 
19.3
%
 
$
17,730

 
6.8
%
 
$
209,357

 
16.7
%
Hybrid or Floating
802,958

 
80.7
%
 
243,588

 
93.2
%
 
1,046,546

 
83.3
%
 
$
994,585

 
100.0
%
 
$
261,318

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,255,903

 
100.0
%


42


Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics
September 30, 2011
(dollars in thousands)
Senior Bonds
 
Mezzanine Bonds
 
Total Bonds
Loan Origination Year
Carrying Value
 
% of Senior Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Mezzanine Bonds
 
Carrying Value
 
% of Non-Agency Portfolio
2006+
$
771,416

 
77.6
%
 
$
24,828

 
9.5
%
 
$
796,244

 
63.4
%
2002-2005
217,905

 
21.9
%
 
236,091

 
90.3
%
 
453,996

 
36.1
%
Pre-2002
5,264

 
0.5
%
 
399

 
0.2
%
 
5,663

 
0.5
%
 
$
994,585

 
100.0
%
 
$
261,318

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,255,903

 
100.0
%

Repurchase Agreements
Our borrowings consist entirely of repurchase agreements collateralized by our pledge of AFS and trading securities, derivative instruments and certain cash balances. Substantially all of our Agency RMBS are currently pledged as collateral, and the majority of our non-Agency RMBS have been pledged. As of September 30, 2011, our debt-to-equity ratio was 5.6:1.0. Our debt-to-equity ratio includes the debt collateralized by our U.S. Treasuries and Agency derivatives. Our debt-to-equity ratio for RMBS and Agency derivatives only was 4.4:1.0. We believe our debt-to-equity ratio provides unused borrowing capacity and, thus, improves our liquidity and the strength of our balance sheet.
As of September 30, 2011, the term to maturity of our borrowings ranged from four days to over six months. The weighted average original term to maturity of our borrowings collateralized by RMBS was 84 days at September 30, 2011. At September 30, 2011, the weighted average cost of funds for all our repurchase agreements was 0.50%.
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Collateral Type
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Weighted Average
U.S. Treasuries
 
$
1,529,550

 
0.11
%
 
$
198,750

 
0.28
%
Agency RMBS
 
4,863,534

 
0.32
%
 
745,861

 
0.37
%
Non-Agency RMBS
 
782,395

 
2.37
%
 
201,976

 
2.05
%
Agency derivatives
 
125,134

 
0.78
%
 
23,216

 
1.07
%
Total
 
$
7,300,613

 
0.50
%
 
$
1,169,803

 
0.66
%

As of September 30, 2011, our amounts outstanding under repurchase agreements includes $140.4 million of borrowings under the 364-day repurchase facility with Wells Fargo. As of September 30, 2011, the facility provided an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $150 million and it is set to mature on July 25, 2012. The facility is collateralized by non-Agency RMBS and its weighted average borrowing rate as of September 30, 2011 was 1.97%.

43


The following table provides the quarterly average balances, the quarter-end balances, and the maximum balances at any month end within that quarterly period, of RMBS repurchase agreements for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and the four immediately preceding quarters:
(dollars in thousands)
Quarterly Average RMBS Repurchase Balances (1)
 
End of Period Balance RMBS Repurchase Agreements (1)
 
Maximum Balance of Any Month-End for RMBS Repurchase Agreements (1)
 
RMBS Repurchase Agreements to equity ratio
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
4,640,801

 
5,771,063

 
5,771,063

 
4.4:1.0
(5)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
3,050,424

 
3,807,802

 
3,807,802

 
4.2:1.0
(4)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
1,516,076

 
2,317,156

 
2,317,156

 
3.4:1.0
(3)
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010
850,945

 
971,053

 
971,053

 
2.5:1.0
(2)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
761,151

 
797,449

 
797,449

 
3.3:1.0
 
____________________
(1)
RMBS repurchase agreements include repurchase agreements for Agency derivatives and exclude repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasuries.
(2)
On December 22, 2010, the Company completed its capital raise of approximately $128.5 million in net proceeds. Due to the timing of the capital raise within the quarter, the net proceeds were not fully invested, on a leveraged basis, until the end of January 2011 resulting in a decline in the debt-to-equity ratio as of December 31, 2010. With a higher targeted allocation to Agency RMBS for additional capital, the Company targeted a fully deployed debt-to-equity ratio of 3.5:1.0 to 4.0:1.0.
(3)
On March 16, 2011, the Company completed its capital raise of approximately $287.8 million in net proceeds. Due to the timing of the capital raise within the quarter, the net proceeds were not fully invested, on a leveraged basis, until the end of April 2011. With a higher targeted allocation to Agency RMBS for additional capital, the Company targeted a fully deployed debt-to-equity ratio of 4.5:1.0 to 5.0:1.0.
(4)
On May 25, 2011, the Company completed its capital raise of approximately $235.2 million in net proceeds, which was invested on a leveraged basis. With a higher targeted allocation to non-Agency RMBS for additional capital, the Company targeted a fully deployed debt-to-equity ratio of 4.0:1.0 to 4.5:1.0.
(5)
On July 15, 2011, the Company completed its capital raise of approximately $483.6 million, which was invested on a leveraged basis. With a higher targeted allocation to non-Agency RMBS for additional capital, the Company targeted a fully deployed debt-to-equity ratio of 4.0:1.0 to 4.5:1.0.

44


Equity
As of September 30, 2011, our stockholders' equity was $1.3 billion and our diluted book value per share was $9.30. As of June 30, 2011, our stockholders' equity was $897.6 million and our diluted book value per share was $9.73.
The following table provides details of our changes in stockholders' equity from June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011:
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Book Value
 
Book Value Per Diluted Share (2)
Stockholders' equity at June 30, 2011
 
$
897,581

 
$
9.73

GAAP net income:
 
 
 
 
Core Earnings, net of tax benefit of $0.3 million (1)
 
51,801

 
0.37

Realized gains and losses, net of tax expense of $1.2 million
 
9,848

 
0.07

Unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses, net of tax expense of $8.5 million
 
(7,039
)
 
(0.05
)
Other comprehensive income
 
(72,573
)
 
(0.52
)
Dividend declaration
 
(56,235
)
 
(0.40
)
Net proceeds from common stock issuance
 
483,679

 
0.10

Other
 
69

 

Stockholders' equity at September 30, 2011
 
$
1,307,131

 
$
9.30

____________________
(1)
Core Earnings is a non-GAAP measure that we define as net income, excluding impairment losses, gains or losses on sales of securities and termination of interest rate swaps, unrealized gains or losses on trading securities, interest rate swaps and swaptions, certain gains or losses on other derivative instruments and non-recurring business combination expenses. As defined, Core Earnings includes interest income associated with our inverse interest-only securities ("Agency derivatives") and premium income on credit default swaps. Core Earnings is provided for purposes of comparability to other peer issuers.
(2)
Diluted shares outstanding at end of period are used as the denominator in book value per share calculation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity and capital resources are managed and forecast on a daily basis to ensure that we have sufficient liquidity to absorb market events that could negatively impact collateral valuations and result in margin calls and to ensure that we have the flexibility to manage our portfolio to take advantage of market opportunities.
Our principal sources of cash consist of borrowings under repurchase agreements, payments of principal and interest we receive on our RMBS 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 RMBS, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, and to fund our operations.
To the extent that we raise additional equity capital through capital market transactions, we anticipate using cash proceeds from such transactions to purchase additional RMBS, residential mortgage loans, and for other general corporate purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to raise additional equity capital at any particular time or on any particular terms.
As of September 30, 2011, we held $409.9 million in cash and cash equivalents available to support our operations, $6.7 billion of AFS and derivative assets held at fair value, and $7.3 billion of outstanding debt in the form of repurchase agreements (excludes $90.9 million in payables due to broker counterparties for unsettled security purchases). As of September 30, 2011, our debt-to-equity ratio was 5.6:1.0. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, our debt-to-equity ratio increased from 5.4:1.0 to 5.6:1.0, including monies borrowed to finance our investment in U.S. Treasuries. The debt-to-equity ratio funding our RMBS and Agency derivatives increased from 4.2:1:0 to 4.4:1.0 as we completed the investment of our offering proceeds. We believe the debt-to-equity ratio funding our RMBS and Agency derivatives is the most meaningful debt-to-equity measure as U.S. Treasuries are viewed to be highly liquid in nature.
As of September 30, 2011, we had approximately $25.1 million of unpledged Agency securities and $75.6 million of unpledged non-Agency securities and an overall estimated unused borrowing capacity of approximately $60.4 million. On a daily basis, we monitor and forecast our available, or excess, liquidity. Additionally, we frequently perform shock analyses against various market events to monitor the adequacy of our excess liquidity. If borrowing rates and collateral requirements change in the near term, we believe we are subject to less earnings volatility than a more leveraged organization.
We have not experienced any restrictions to our funding sources in 2011 and have generally witnessed an increase in available financing in the RMBS marketplace. We expect ongoing sources of financing to be primarily repurchase agreements and similar financing arrangements. We plan to finance our assets with a moderate amount of leverage, the

45


level of which may vary based upon the particular characteristics of our portfolio and market conditions. We may deploy, on a debt-to-equity basis, up to ten times leverage on our Agency RMBS assets. We also deploy some leverage on our non-Agency RMBS assets utilizing repurchase agreements as the source of financing.
We have master repurchase agreements in place with 20 counterparties, the majority of which are U.S. domiciled financial institutions, and we continue to evaluate further counterparties to manage and reduce counterparty risk. Under our repurchase agreements, we are required to pledge additional assets as collateral to our counterparties (lenders) when the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders, through a margin call, demand additional collateral. Lenders generally make margin calls because of a perceived decline in the value of our assets collateralizing the repurchase agreements. This may occur following the monthly principal reduction of assets due to scheduled amortization and prepayments on the underlying mortgages, or may be caused by changes in market interest rates, a perceived decline in the market value of the investments and other market factors. To cover a margin call, we may pledge additional securities or cash. At maturity, any cash on deposit as collateral is generally applied against the repurchase agreement balance, thereby reducing the amount borrowed. Should the value of our assets suddenly decrease, significant margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.
The following table summarizes our repurchase agreements and counterparty geographical concentration at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
September 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(dollars in thousands)
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Funding
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure(1)
 
Percent of Funding
North America
$
5,720,983

 
$
564,524

 
74.5
%
 
$
825,766

 
$
96,391

 
54.4
%
Europe (2)
786,560

 
153,395

 
20.2
%
 
253,029

 
71,279

 
40.2
%
Asia (2)
793,070

 
40,321

 
5.3
%
 
91,008

 
9,516

 
5.4
%
Total
$
7,300,613

 
$
758,240

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,169,803

 
$
177,186

 
100.0
%
____________________
(1) Represents the net carrying value of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase, including accrued interest plus any cash or assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, over the amount of the repurchase liability, including accrued interest. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had $90.9 million and $231.7 million, respectively, in payables due to broker counterparties for unsettled security purchases. The payables are not included in the amounts presented above.
(2) Exposure to European and Asian domiciled banks and their U.S. subsidiaries.
For the three months ended September 30, 2011, we have continued to maintain our repurchase agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, or Wells Fargo. The repurchase agreement serves as a repurchase facility used from time to time to finance certain of our non-Agency securities held in our RMBS portfolio with Wells Fargo pursuant to its terms. As of September 30, 2011, the Wells Fargo repurchase agreement provided an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $150 million and it is set to mature on July 25, 2012.
Once an RMBS is financed by Wells Fargo in accordance with the repurchase agreement, the financing is committed for the duration of the facility subject to similar pledged collateral and margin requirements as a standard repurchase agreement discussed above. As part of the repurchase agreement, we are subject to certain financial covenants, which we monitor and comply with on a daily basis. The extended duration of the facility and its terms provide an additional source to manage our liquidity and interest rate risk.
On May 18, 2011, we announced that we had taken the first step toward setting up a securitization issuance program by partnering with Barclays Bank PLC, or Barclays, to close on a $100 million mortgage loan warehouse facility, subject to future increase. The facility provides an aggregate maximum borrowing capacity of $100 million and it is set to mature on May 16, 2012, unless extended pursuant to its terms. The facility will be collateralized by eligible residential mortgage loans, which will be subject to margin call provisions that provide Barclays with certain rights when there has been a decline in the market value of the purchased mortgage loans. As of September 30, 2011, we do not have any borrowings outstanding under this facility.

46


We have guaranteed the obligations of our subsidiary, Two Harbors Asset I, under the Wells Fargo Repurchase Agreements, and TH TRS Corp., under the Barclays facility. As a result, we are subject to the following financial covenants, as further detailed by the respective Guaranty Agreements (represents most restrictive covenant calculation as of September 30, 2011 across both facilities):
(a)
As of last Business Day of each calendar quarter, Total Indebtedness to Net Worth must be less than the specified Threshold Ratio in the Repurchase Agreement. As of September 30, 2011, our debt to net worth, as defined, was 4.5:1.0 while our threshold ratio, as defined, was 6.5:1.0.
(b)
As of the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, Liquidity must be greater than $25 million and the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash or Cash Equivalents must be greater than $15 million. As of September 30, 2011, our liquidity, as defined, was $409.9 million and our total unrestricted cash or cash equivalents, as defined was $36.7 million.
(c)
As of the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, Net Worth must be greater than $450 million. As of September 30, 2011, our net worth, as defined, was $1.3 billion.
We also serve as guarantor for a number of additional ISDA and repurchase agreements entered into by our subsidiaries in the normal course of business. The covenants noted above are considered the most restrictive of all covenant terms under these agreements. We intend to continue to operate in a manner which complies with all guarantor requirements.
The following table summarizes assets at carrying value that are pledged or restricted as collateral for the future payment obligations of repurchase agreements.

(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
6,267,036

 
$
1,090,598

Trading securities, at fair value
1,526,330

 
199,523

Cash and cash equivalents
15,000

 
14,467

Restricted cash
84,056

 
11,634

Due to/from counterparties
13,032

 
10,508

Derivative assets, at fair value
150,774

 
30,534

Total
$
8,056,228

 
$
1,357,264


Although we generally intend to hold our target assets as long-term investments, we may sell certain of our investment securities in order to manage our interest rate risk and liquidity needs, to meet other operating objectives and to adapt to changing market conditions. We cannot predict the timing and impact of future sales of investment securities, if any. Because many of our investment securities are financed with repurchase agreements and may be financed with credit facilities (including term loans and revolving facilities), a significant portion of the proceeds from sales of our investment securities (if any), prepayments and scheduled amortization are used to repay balances under these financing sources.
The following table provides the maturities of our repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
(in thousands)
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Within 30 days
$
1,581,588

 
$
197,286

30 to 59 days
1,308,112

 
211,556

60 to 89 days
803,521

 
117,621

90 to 119 days
678,377

 
152,433

Over 120 days (1)
1,399,465

 
292,157

Open maturity (2)
1,529,550

 
198,750

Total
$
7,300,613

 
$
1,169,803

____________________
(1)
Over 120 days includes the amounts outstanding under the Wells Fargo 364-day borrowing facility.
(2)
Repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasuries include an open maturity period (i.e., rolling 1-day maturity) renewable at the discretion of either party to the agreements.


47


For the three months ended September 30, 2011, our unrestricted cash balance increased from $181.9 million to $409.9 million. The cash movements can be summarized by the following:

Cash flows from operating activities.   For the three months ended September 30, 2011, operating activities increased our cash balances by approximately $45.6 million, primarily driven by our strong interest yield and financial results for the quarter.
Cash flows from investing activities.  For the three months ended September 30, 2011, investing activities reduced our cash balances by approximately $2.7 billion. The reduction was driven by the increase in our RMBS portfolio as we deployed capital from our common stock offerings.
Cash flows from financing activities.   For the three months ended September 30, 2011, financing activities increased our cash balance by approximately $2.9 billion, resulting from the net borrowings under repurchase agreements to fund our AFS portfolio as well as net proceeds of $483.6 million obtained from our common stock offering.

Inflation
Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature. As a result, changes in interest rates and other factors impact our performance far more than does inflation. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and dividends are based upon net ordinary income and capital gains as calculated for tax purposes; in each case,
our results of operations and reported assets, liabilities and equity are measured with reference to historical cost or fair value without considering inflation.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value while providing an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our capital stock. Although we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe that risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to manage our risk levels in order to earn sufficient compensation to justify the risks we undertake and to maintain capital levels consistent with taking such risks.
To reduce the risks to our portfolio, we employ portfolio-wide and security-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations. PRCM Advisers' risk management tools include software and services licensed or purchased from third parties, in addition to proprietary software and analytical methods developed by Pine River. There can be no guarantee that these tools will protect us from market risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of interest rate management techniques that seek to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on the values of our assets.
We utilize U.S. Treasuries as well as derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, swaptions, TBAs, and to a certain extent inverse interest-only securities, as of September 30, 2011, to hedge the interest rate risk associated with our portfolio. We seek to hedge interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our assets and the financing of our portfolio. In hedging interest rates with respect to our fixed income assets, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets. In utilizing interest rate hedges with respect to our financing, we seek to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. We rely on PRCM Advisers' expertise to manage these risks on our behalf. We implement part of our hedging strategy through Capitol, our TRS, which is subject to U.S. federal, state and, if applicable, local income tax.
Interest Rate Effect on Net Interest Income
Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of leveraged fixed-rate RMBS will remain static. Moreover, interest rates may rise at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS. Both of these factors could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our assets. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

48


Our hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our target assets. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the investment will be longer or shorter, which would reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions. Hedging strategies involving the use of derivative securities are highly complex and may produce volatile returns.
We acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS. These are assets in which the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which may limit the amount by which the security's interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements are not subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS could effectively be limited by caps. This effect will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS that are not based on mortgages that are fully indexed. In addition, adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. If this happens, we could receive less cash income on such assets than we would need to pay for interest costs on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Interest Rate Mismatch Risk
We fund the majority of our adjustable-rate and hybrid Agency RMBS assets with borrowings that are based on LIBOR, while the interest rates on these assets may be indexed to other index rates, such as the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury index, or CMT, the Monthly Treasury Average index, or MTA, or the 11th District Cost of Funds Index, or COFI. Accordingly, any increase in LIBOR relative to these indices may result in an increase in our borrowing costs that is not matched by a corresponding increase in the interest earnings on these assets. Any such interest rate index mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we utilize the hedging strategies discussed above.
The following table provides the indices of our variable rate assets as of September 30, 2011, based on total carrying value of bonds (dollars in thousands).
 
 
As of September 30, 2011
Index Type
 
Floating
 
Hybrid (1)
 
Total
 
Index Percentage
CMT
 
$

 
$
180,483

 
$
180,483

 
14
%
LIBOR
 
1,027,339

 
44,801

 
1,072,140

 
83
%
Other (2)
 
16,240

 
17,210

 
33,450

 
3
%
Total
 
$
1,043,579

 
$
242,494

 
$
1,286,073

 
100
%
____________________
(1) Hybrid amounts reflect those assets with greater than 12 months to reset.
(2) Other includes COFI, MTA and other indices.
Our analysis of risks is based on PRCM Advisers and its affiliates' experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by PRCM Advisers may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models.

49


We use a variety of recognized industry models, as well as proprietary models, to perform sensitivity analyses which are derived from primary assumptions for prepayment rates, discount rates and credit losses. The primary assumption used in this model is implied market volatility of interest rates. The information presented in the following interest sensitivity table projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our financial results and financial condition over the next 12 months, based on our interest sensitive financial instruments at September 30, 2011.
All changes in value are measured as the change from the September 30, 2011 financial position. All projected changes in annualized net interest income are measured as the change from the projected annualized net interest income based off current performance returns.

 
Changes in Interest Rates
(dollars in thousands)
-100 bps
 
-50 bps
 
+50 bps
 
+100 bps
Change in value of financial position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
$
121,122

 
$
71,958

 
$
(77,732
)
 
$
(167,751
)
As a % of September 30, 2011 equity
9.3
 %
 
5.5
 %
 
(5.9
)%
 
(12.8
)%
Trading securities, at fair value
$
6,094

 
$
6,094

 
$
(12,784
)
 
$
(25,429
)
As a % of September 30, 2011 equity
0.5
 %
 
0.5
 %
 
(1.0
)%
 
(1.9
)%
Derivatives, at fair value, net
$
(96,286
)
 
$
(72,231
)
 
$
70,647

 
$
150,132

As a % of September 30, 2011 equity
(7.4
)%
 
(5.5
)%
 
5.4
 %
 
11.5
 %
Repurchase Agreements
$
(5,784
)
 
$
(5,784
)
 
$
6,093

 
$
12,185

As a % of September 30, 2011 equity
(0.4
)%
 
(0.4
)%
 
0.5
 %
 
0.9
 %
Total Net Assets
$
25,146

 
$
37

 
$
(13,776
)
 
$
(30,863
)
As a % of September 30, 2011 total assets
0.3
 %
 
 %
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.3
)%
As a % of September 30, 2011 equity
2.0
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
(1.0
)%
 
(2.3
)%
 
-100 bps
 
-50 bps
 
+50 bps
 
+100 bps
Change in annualized net interest income:
$
5,635

 
$
5,292

 
$
(2,255
)
 
$
(4,510
)
% change in net interest income
2.4
 %
 
2.2
 %
 
(1.0
)%
 
(1.9
)%

The interest rate sensitivity table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of swaps and our other derivatives, should interest rates immediately change. The interest rate sensitivity table presents the estimated impact of interest rates instantaneously rising 50 and 100 basis points, and falling 50 and 100 basis points. The cash flows associated with the portfolio of RMBS for each rate change are calculated based on assumptions, including prepayment speeds, yield on future acquisitions, slope of the yield curve, and size of the portfolio. Assumptions made on the interest rate sensitive liabilities, which are assumed to relate to repurchase agreements, including anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of the repurchase agreement, amount and term of borrowing.
The AFS securities, at fair value, included in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table under “change in value of financial position” are limited to Agency RMBS. Due to the significantly discounted prices and underlying credit risks of our non-Agency RMBS, we believe our non-Agency RMBS's valuation is inherently de-sensitized to changes in interest rates. As such, we do not attempt to project the interest rate sensitivity of these financial instruments and have excluded these RMBS from the interest rate sensitivity analysis. However, these non-Agency RMBS have been included in the “change in annualized net interest income” analysis.
Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at September 30, 2011. The analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on management's judgment and experience. Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain such assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.
The change in annualized net interest income does not include any benefit or detriment from faster or slower prepayment rates on our Agency premium bonds, non-Agency discount bonds, and instruments that represent the interest payments (but not the principal) on a pool of mortgages, or interest-only bonds. We anticipate that faster prepayment speeds in lower interest rate scenarios will generate lower realized yields on Agency premium and interest-only bonds and higher realized yields on non-Agency discount bonds. Similarly, we anticipate that slower prepayment speeds in higher interest rate scenarios will generate higher realized yields on Agency premium and interest-only bonds and lower realized yields on non-Agency discount bonds. Although we have sought to construct the portfolio to limit the effect of changes in

50


prepayment speeds, there can be no assurance this will actually occur, and the realized yield of the portfolio may be significantly different than we anticipate in changing interest rate scenarios.
Given the low interest rates at September 30, 2011, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions. Because of this floor, we anticipate that any hypothetical interest rate shock decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs; however, because prepayments speeds are unaffected by this floor, we expect that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of our premium amortization on Agency and interest-only bonds purchased at a premium, and accretion of discount on our non-Agency bonds purchased at a discount. As a result, because this floor limits the positive impact of any interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate decreases could cause the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income to decline.
The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table and all related disclosures constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the 1933 Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the 1934 Act. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table.
Prepayment Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, premiums paid on such assets will be amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets.
Normally, we believe that we will be able to reinvest proceeds from scheduled principal payments and prepayments at acceptable yields; however, no assurances can be given that, should significant prepayments occur, market conditions would be such that acceptable investments could be identified and the proceeds timely reinvested.
Market Risk
Market Value Risk.  Our AFS securities are reflected at their estimated fair value, with the difference between amortized cost and estimated fair value reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, market valuation of credit risk, and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets may be adversely impacted.
Real estate risk.  RMBS and residential property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors, including national, regional and local economic conditions; local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; 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 for mortgage loans and the potential proceeds available to borrowers to repay the loans, which could cause us to suffer losses on our non-Agency RMBS investments.
Liquidity Risk
Our liquidity risk is principally associated with our financing of long-maturity assets with short-term borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements. Although the interest rate adjustments of these assets and liabilities fall within the guidelines established by our operating policies, maturities are not required to be, nor are they, matched.
Should the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chose not to provide on-going funding, our ability to finance would decline or exist at possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreements. See Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management.
Credit Risk
We believe that our investment strategy will generally keep our risk of credit losses low to moderate. However, we retain the risk of potential credit losses on all of the loans underlying our non-Agency RMBS. With respect to our non-Agency RMBS that are senior in the credit structure, credit support contained in RMBS deal structures provide a level of protection from losses. We seek to manage the remaining credit risk through our pre-acquisition due diligence process, and by factoring assumed credit losses into the purchase prices we pay for non-Agency RMBS. In addition, with respect to any particular target asset, PRCM Advisers' investment team evaluates relative valuation, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. At

51


times, we enter into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments in an attempt to manage our credit risk. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could adversely affect our operating results.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
A review and evaluation was performed by our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective. Although our CEO and CFO have determined our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the reports we submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
As of the date of this filing, we are not party to any litigation or legal proceedings, or to the best of our knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings, which, in our opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Other than with respect to the risk factor below and those set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011, or the Q2 Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, or the Form 10-K. The materialization of any risks and uncertainties identified in our Forward Looking Statements contained in this report together with those previously disclosed in the Form 10-K and Q2 Form 10-Q or those that are presently unforeseen could result in significant adverse effects on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. See Item 2, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Risks Related to the Business of Two Harbors
The loss of, or material change in, our exemption under the 1940 Act would adversely affect our operations and, consequently, the value of your investment.
We conduct our business in a manner that will permit us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. Section 3(c)(5(C) of the 1940 Act provides an exemption for entities that are “primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate,” or qualifying interests. Under current interpretations issued by SEC staff, in order to qualify for this exemption, we must maintain (i) at least 55% of our assets in qualifying interests (referred to as the 55% Test) and (ii) at least 80% of our assets in real estate related assets including qualifying interests (referred to as the 80% Test). Mortgage loans and other assets, such as whole pool Agency and non-Agency RMBS, are considered the functional equivalent of mortgage loans for the purposes of the 1940 Act and, therefore, are currently considered qualifying interests for purposes of the 55% Test and 80% Test.
On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a “concept release” soliciting public comment on a wide range of issues relating to Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act, including what types of assets should be deemed qualifying interests and whether REITs that invest in RMBS should be regulated in a manner similar to investment companies. There can be no assurance that the rules, regulations and interpretations governing the exemptions available under the 1940 Act will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. If the SEC takes action that results in our failure to be exempt from regulation under the 1940 Act, we could be required to (i) restructure our operations in order to avoid being required to register as an investment company, (ii) sell certain of our assets in a manner or at a time that we would not otherwise choose, or (iii) register as an investment company, which would, among other things require us to comply with the leverage constraints applicable to investment companies.  Any of these changes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders, and the value of our common stock.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]

Item 5. Other Information
None.

Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Exhibits - The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report. Such Index is incorporated herein by reference.

53


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.
 
 
 
TWO HARBORS INVESTMENT CORP.
Dated:
November 4, 2011
By:
/s/ Thomas Siering
 
 
 
Thomas Siering
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director (principal executive officer)
Dated:
November 4, 2011
By:
/s/ Jeffrey Stolt
 
 
 
Jeffrey Stolt
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(principal accounting and financial officer)


54


Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Index
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 11, 2009, by and among Capitol Acquisition Corp., Two Harbors Investment Corp., Two Harbors Merger Corp. and Pine River Capital Management L.P. (incorporated by reference to Annex A filed with Pre Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-160199) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2009 (“Amendment No. 4”)).
2.2
 
Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 17, 2009, by and among Capitol Acquisition Corp., Two Harbors Investment Corp., Two Harbors Merger Corp. and Pine River Capital Management L.P. (incorporated by reference to Annex A-2 filed with Amendment No. 4).
2.3
 
Amendment No. 2 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 20, 2009, by and among Capitol Acquisition Corp., Two Harbors Investment Corp., Two Harbors Merger Corp. and Pine River Capital Management L.P. (incorporated by reference to Annex A-3 filed with Amendment No. 4).
3.1
 
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Two Harbors Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Annex B filed with Amendment No. 4).
3.2
 
Bylaws of Two Harbors Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Annex C filed with Amendment No. 4).
4.1
 
Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Capitol Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2010 ("2010 Form 10-K")).
4.2
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Two Harbors Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 4).
4.3
 
Specimen Warrant Certificate of Two Harbors Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-160199) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2009).
4.4
 
Supplement and Amendment to Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Capitol Acquisition Corp. and Two Harbors Investment Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's 2010 Form 10-K).
4.5
 
Second Amendment to Warrant Agreement between Two Harbors Investment Corp. and Mellon Investors Services LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2010).
10.1
 
Amendment Number 2 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of July 26, 2011 between Two Harbors Asset I, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2011).
10.2
 
Amendment Number 2 to Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 26, 2011 between Two Harbors Investment Corp. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2011).
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
 
Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Two Harbors Investment Corp. for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, filed on August 4, 2011, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text.


55