1.	ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (“Annaly” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 25, 1996. The Company commenced its operations of purchasing and managing an investment portfolio of mortgage-backed securities on February 18, 1997, upon receipt of the net proceeds from the private placement of equity capital, and completed its initial public offering on October 14, 1997. The Company is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company (“FIDAC”) is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company. On June 27, 2006, the Company made a majority equity investment in an affiliated investment fund (the “Fund”), which is now wholly owned by the Company. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company formed RCap Securities, Inc. (“RCap”). RCap was granted membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) on January 26, 2009, and operates as a broker-dealer. RCap is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company. On October 31, 2008, the Company acquired Merganser Capital Management, Inc. (“Merganser”). Merganser is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company. In 2010, the Company established Shannon Funding LLC (“Shannon”), which provides warehouse financing to residential mortgage originators in the United States. In 2010, the Company also established Charlesfort Capital Management LLC (“Charlesfort”), which engages in corporate middle market lending transactions. In 2011, FIDAC established FIDAC Europe Limited (“FIDAC Europe”), which provides advice on commercial real estate transactions, including sale-leaseback and single tenant net leased properties across Europe. In 2011, the Company established FIDAC FSI LLC (“FIDAC FSI”), which invests in trading securities.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies follows:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, FIDAC, FIDAC Europe, FIDAC FSI, Merganser, RCap, Shannon, Charlesfort and the Fund. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Beginning with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the six month period ending June 30, 2011, the Company reclassified previously presented financial information so that amounts previously presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as interest expense on swaps are presented in Other income (loss) as Realized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps. Consolidated financial statements for periods prior to June 30, 2011 have been conformed to the restated presentation. Accordingly, interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 decreased by $735.1 million and $719.8 million and Other income (loss) decreased by the same amounts, respectively to reflect the restated presentation. Additionally, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, prior year amounts have been reclassified for a consistent presentation with the year ended December 31, 2011.

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash held in money market funds on an overnight basis.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements - The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreements as part of the Company’s matched book trading activity. Reverse repurchase agreements are recorded on trade date at the contract amount and are collateralized by mortgage-backed or other securities. Margin calls are made by the Company as necessary based on the daily valuation of the underlying collateral as compared to the contract price. The Company generates income from the spread between what is earned on the reverse repurchase agreements and what is paid on the matched repurchase agreements. The Company’s policy is to obtain possession of collateral with a market value in excess of the principal amount loaned under reverse repurchase agreements. To ensure that the market value of the underlying collateral remains sufficient, collateral is valued daily, and the Company will require counterparties to deposit additional collateral, when necessary. All reverse repurchase activities are transacted under master repurchase agreements that give the Company the right, in the event of default, to liquidate collateral held and to offset receivables and payables with the same counterparty.

Securities borrowed and loaned transactions – RCap records securities borrowed and loaned transactions at fair value. Securities borrowed transactions require RCap to provide the counterparty with collateral in the form of cash. RCap receives collateral in the form of cash for securities loaned transactions. For these transactions, the fees received or paid by RCap are recorded as interest income or expense, respectively. On a daily basis, market value changes of securities borrowed or loaned against the collateral value and RCap may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or RCap may return collateral pledged, when appropriate.

U.S. Treasury Securities — RCap trades in U.S. Treasury Securities for its proprietary portfolio, which consists of long and short positions on U.S Treasury notes and bonds. U.S. Treasury securities are classified as trading investments and are recorded on trade date at cost. Changes in fair value are reflected in the Company’s statement of operations. Generally the Company does not hold the U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds to maturity and realizes gains and losses from trading those positions. Interest income or expense on U.S Treasury notes and bonds is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of those investments and their stated terms.

Investment Securities –Agency mortgage-backed securities, Agency debentures, and corporate debt are referred to herein as “Investment Securities.” Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures as part of its overall management of its portfolio. Investment Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at estimated fair value, based on fair values obtained and compared to independent sources, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Investment Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of Investment Securities are determined using the specific identification method.

On April 1, 2011, the Company elected the fair value option for interest-only mortgage-backed securities acquired on or after such date. These Agency interest-only mortgage-backed securities represent the Company’s right to receive a specified proportion of the contractual interest flows of specific Agency mortgaged-backed securities. Agency Interest-only mortgage-backed securities acquired on or after April 1, 2011 are measured at fair value through earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) . The interest-only securities are included in Agency mortgage-backed securities, at fair value on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency Debentures – The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans, and certificates guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (collectively, “Agency mortgage-backed securities”). The Company also invests in Agency debentures issued by Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae.

Interest income from coupon payments is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the Investment Securities and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the Investment Securities are amortized into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method. The Company’s policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate historical performance, consensus prepayment speeds, and current market conditions.

Equity Securities – The Company invests in equity securities that are classified as available-for-sale or trading. Equity securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value, based on market quotes, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Equity securities classified as trading are reported at fair value, based on market quotes, with unrealized gains and losses reported in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Dividends are recorded in earnings on declaration date.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment –Management evaluates available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. The Company determines if it (1) has the intent to sell the securities, (2) is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the securities before recovery, or (3) does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the securities. Further, the security is analyzed for credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis). The credit loss, if any, will then be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the balance of losses related to other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). There was no other-than-temporary impairment for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Derivative Instruments – The Company accounts for interest rate swaps at fair value as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recognized in earnings. The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changing interest rates on its repurchase agreements. Net payments on interest rate swaps are included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a component of operating activities.

The Company elected to net by counterparty the fair value of interest rate swap contracts. These contracts contain legally enforceable provisions that allow for netting or setting off of all individual swap receivables and payables with each counterparty and, therefore, the fair value of those swap contracts are netted by counterparty. The credit support annex provisions of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts allow the parties to mitigate their credit risk by requiring the party which is out of the money to post collateral. As the Company elects to net by counterparty the fair value of interest rate swap contracts, it also nets by counterparty any collateral exchanged as part of the interest rate swap contracts. Substantially all collateral is non-cash collateral under these contracts.

In addition, the Company’s agreements with certain of its counterparties with whom it has both interest rate swap contracts and master repurchase agreements contain legally enforceable provisions that allow for netting or setting off of on an aggregate basis all receivables, payables and collateral postings required under both the interest rate swap contract and the master repurchase agreement with respect to each such counterparty.

RCap enters primarily into U.S. Treasury, Eurodollar, and federal funds futures and options contracts for speculative or hedging purposes. RCap maintains a margin account which is settled daily with futures and options commission merchants. Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on the futures and options contracts are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrealized gains (losses) are removed from net income (loss) as an adjustment to cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Credit Risk – The Company has limited its exposure to credit losses on its portfolio of Agency mortgage-backed securities by only purchasing securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae and Agency debentures issued by the FHLB, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The payment of principal and interest on the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Agency mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies, and the payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Mae Agency mortgage-backed securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Principal and interest on Agency debentures are guaranteed by the agency issuing the debenture. Substantially all of the Company’s Investment Securities have an actual or implied “AAA” rating. The Company faces credit risk on the portions of its portfolio which are not Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures.

Market Risk - Weakness in the mortgage market may adversely affect the performance and market value of the Company’s investments. This could negatively impact the Company’s net book value. Furthermore, if many of the Company’s lenders are unwilling or unable to provide additional financing, the Company could be forced to sell its Investment Securities at an inopportune time when prices are depressed. The Company does not anticipate having difficulty converting its assets to cash or extending financing terms due to the fact that its Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures have an actual or implied “AAA” rating and principal payment is guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Ginnie Mae.

Repurchase Agreements - The Company finances the acquisition of its Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures through the use of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are presented at their contractual principal amounts as specified in the respective agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements with the same counterparty and the same maturity are presented net in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition when the terms of the agreements permit netting. The Company reports cash flows on repurchase agreements as financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company reports cash flows on repurchase agreements entered into by RCap and Shannon as operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Convertible Senior Notes – The Company records the Convertible Senior Notes at their contractual amounts, adjusted by the effect of the beneficial conversion feature. The Convertible Senior Notes have a conversion price adjustment feature that is evaluated at the time of the conversion price adjustment. A contingent beneficial conversion feature was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2011 as a result of adjustments to the conversion price for dividends declared. The Company determined the intrinsic value of the contingent beneficial conversion feature. This intrinsic value is included in “Additional paid in capital” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and, therefore, reduces the liability associated with the Convertible Senior Notes.

Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock - The Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock for cash if certain events occur. As redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company’s control, the Company has classified the Series B Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Income Taxes - The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT and intends to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect thereto. Accordingly, the Company will not be subjected to federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to shareholders and as long as certain asset, income and stock ownership tests are met. The Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, FIDAC, FIDAC Europe, Merganser and RCap, have made separate joint elections to treat these subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries. As such, each of the taxable REIT subsidiaries are taxable as a domestic C corporation and subject to federal, state, and local income taxes based upon its taxable income.

The provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements and prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. ASC 740 also requires that interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits be recognized in financial statements. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits that would affect its financial position. Thus, no accruals for penalties and interest were necessary as of December 31, 2011.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company’s acquisitions of FIDAC, Merganser, and FIDAC Europe were accounted for using the purchase method. Under the purchase method, net assets and results of operations of acquired companies are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The costs of FIDAC and Merganser were allocated to the assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recognized as goodwill. In addition, FIDAC Europe acquired a customer relationship after its formation. Goodwill and intangible assets are periodically (but not less frequently than annually) reviewed for potential impairment. Intangible assets with an estimated useful life are expected to amortize over a 7.7 year weighted average time period. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, there were no impairment losses.

Stock Based Compensation - The Company is required to measure and recognize in the consolidated financial statements the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. All assets classified as trading or available-for-sale and interest rate swaps are reported at their estimated fair value, based on market prices. The Company’s policy is to obtain fair values from one or more independent sources to compare to internal prices for reasonableness. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Follows:

Presentation

Balance Sheet (ASC 210)

On December 23, 2011, FASB released ASU 2011-11 regarding disclosures concerning the offsetting of assets and liabilities. Under this update, the Company will be required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The scope would include derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and securities lending arrangements. This disclosure is intended to enable financial statement users to understand the effect of such arrangements on the Company’s financial position. The objective of this update is to support further convergence of US GAAP and IFRS requirements. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013.

Comprehensive Income (ASC 220)

In June 2011, FASB released Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, which attempts to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The amendment requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of net income and comprehensive income or two separate consecutive statements. Either presentation requires the presentation on the face of the financial statements any reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income in the statements. There is no change in what must be reported in OCI or when an item of OCI must be reclassified to net income. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. This update will result in additional disclosure, but has no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On December 23, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, which defers those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated OCI. This was done to allow the Board time to re-deliberate the presentation on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated OCI on the components of net income and OCI. No other requirements under ASU 2011-05 are affected by this update.

Assets

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (ASC 350)

In September 2011, FASB released ASU 2011-08, which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The objective of the update is to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment. Under this update, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This update if effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is not eligible to elect early adoption. This update has no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Broad Transactions

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820)

In May 2011, FASB released ASU 2011-04 further converging US GAAP and IFRS by providing common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update change the wording used to describe the requirements in US GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. These include those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and those that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. This update may result in additional disclosure and the Company is evaluating the effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860)

In April 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-03 regarding repurchase agreements. In a typical repurchase agreement transaction, an entity transfers financial assets to the counterparty in exchange for cash with an agreement for the counterparty to return the same or equivalent financial assets for a fixed price in the future. Previous to this update, one of the factors in determining whether sale treatment could be used was whether the transferor maintained effective control of the transferred assets and in order to do so, the transferor must have the ability to repurchase such assets. Based on this update, the FASB concluded that the assessment of effective control should focus on a transferor’s contractual rights and obligations with respect to transferred financial assets, rather than whether the transferor has the practical ability to perform in accordance with those rights or obligations. Therefore, this update removes the transferor’s ability criterion from consideration of effective control. This update is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. As the Company records repurchase agreements as secured borrowings and not sales, this update will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Financial Services – Investment Companies (ASC 946)

In October 2011, FASB issued a proposed ASU 2011-200 which would amend the criteria in Topic 946 for determining whether an entity qualifies as an investment company. The proposed ASU would affect the measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for investment companies. This proposed update amends the investment company definition in ASC 946 and removes the current exemption for Real Estate Investment Trusts from this topic. The proposed update if promulgated in its current form may result in material modification to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the Company is currently evaluating the full effect of the proposed update if promulgated in its current form.