NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the included disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows are included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2014, gains (losses) on assets in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations includes the write-off of assets totaling $3,001 that were associated with property transactions completed in a prior period.

b. Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements reflect our accounts and the accounts of our majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. We also consolidate entities that are variable interest entities, or VIEs, where we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of such entities. The portions of these entities that we do not own are presented as noncontrolling interests as of the dates and for the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We expanded our third party property management platform and own a retail property management firm, which managed 63 properties representing 18,235,198 square feet in 25 states as of June 30, 2014. As of June 30, 2014, we have goodwill with a balance of $14,752 and identifiable intangible assets of $19,050.

Under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, “Consolidation”, the determination of whether to consolidate a VIE is based on the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance together with either the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE. We define the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance as the ability to buy, sell, refinance, or recapitalize assets or entities, and solely control other material operating events or items of the respective entity. For our commercial mortgages, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity investments, certain rights we hold are protective in nature and would preclude us from having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance. Assuming both criteria are met, we would be considered the primary beneficiary and would consolidate the VIE. We will continually assess our involvement with VIEs and consolidate the VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. See Note 9 for additional disclosures pertaining to VIEs.

c. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The items that include significant estimates are fair value of financial instruments and allowance for losses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

d. Investments in Loans

We invest in commercial mortgages, mezzanine loans, debt securities and other loans. We account for our investments in commercial mortgages, mezzanine loans and other loans at amortized cost. The carrying value of these investments is adjusted for origination discounts/premiums, nonrefundable fees and direct costs for originating loans which are amortized into income on a level yield basis over the terms of the loans.

e. Allowance for Losses, Impaired Loans and Non-accrual Status

We maintain an allowance for losses on our investments in commercial mortgages, mezzanine loans and other loans. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based upon expected and inherent risks in the portfolio, the estimated value of underlying collateral, and current economic conditions. Management reviews loans for impairment and establishes specific reserves when a loss is probable under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.” A loan is impaired when it is probable that we may not collect all principal and interest payments according to the contractual terms. As part of the detailed loan review, we consider many factors about the specific loan, including payment history, asset performance, borrower’s financial capability and other characteristics. If any trends or characteristics indicate that it is probable that other loans, with similar characteristics to those of impaired loans, have incurred a loss, we consider whether an allowance for loss is needed pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Management evaluates loans for non-accrual status each reporting period. A loan is placed on non-accrual status when the loan payment deficiencies exceed 90 days. Payments received for non-accrual or impaired loans are applied to principal until the loan is removed from non-accrual status or no longer impaired. Past due interest is recognized on non-accrual loans when they are removed from non-accrual status and are making current interest payments. The allowance for losses is increased by charges to operations and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management charges off loans when the investment is no longer realizable and legally discharged.

f. Investments in Real Estate

Investments in real estate are shown net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize those costs that have been evaluated to improve the real property and depreciate those costs on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset. We depreciate real property using the following useful lives: buildings and improvements—30 to 40 years; furniture, fixtures, and equipment—5 to 10 years; and tenant improvements—shorter of the lease term or the life of the asset. Costs for ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Acquisitions of real estate assets and any related intangible assets are recorded initially at fair value under FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Fair value is determined by appraisals obtained or by management based on market conditions and inputs at the time the asset is acquired. All expenses incurred to acquire a real estate asset are expensed as incurred.

Management reviews our investments in real estate for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) expected to result from the long-lived asset’s use and eventual disposition. These cash flows consider factors such as expected future operating income, trends and prospects, as well as the effects of leasing demand, competition and other factors. If impairment exists due to the inability to recover the carrying value of a long-lived asset, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the property.

g. Investments in Securities

We account for our investments in securities under FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities”, and designate each investment security as a trading security, an available-for-sale security, or a held-to-maturity security based on our intent at the time of acquisition. Trading securities are recorded at their fair value each reporting period with fluctuations in fair value reported as a component of earnings. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). We classify certain available-for-sale securities as trading securities when we elect to record them under the fair value option in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments.” See “m. Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” Upon the sale of an available-for-sale security, the realized gain or loss on the sale will be recorded as a component of earnings in the respective period. Held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost at each reporting period.

We account for investments in securities where the transfer meets the criteria as a financing under FASB ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing”, at fair value. Our investments in security-related receivables represent securities that were transferred to issuers of collateralized debt obligations, or CDOs, in which the transferors maintained some level of continuing involvement. We use our judgment to determine whether an investment in securities has sustained an other-than-temporary decline in value. If management determines that an available-for-sale security has sustained an other-than-temporary decline in its value, the investment is written down to its fair value by a charge to earnings, and we establish a new cost basis for the investment. Our evaluation of an other-than-temporary decline is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that we consider in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the estimated fair value of the investment in relation to our cost basis; the financial condition of the related entity; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery of the fair value of the investment.

h. Revenue Recognition

Interest income—We recognize interest income from investments in commercial mortgages, mezzanine loans, and other securities on a yield to maturity basis. Upon the acquisition of a loan at a discount, we assess the portions of the discount that constitute accretable yields and non-accretable differences. The accretable yield represents the excess of our expected cash flows from the loan over the amount we paid for the loan. That amount, the accretable yield, is accreted to interest income over the remaining life of the loan. Many of our commercial mortgages and mezzanine loans provide for the accrual of interest at specified rates which differ from current payment terms. Interest income is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible.

For investments that we did not elect to record at fair value under FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, origination fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized to net investment income, using the effective interest method, over the contractual life of the underlying loan security or loan, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.”

For investments that we elected to record at fair value under FASB ASC Topic 825, origination fees and direct loan costs are recorded in income and are not deferred.

We recognize interest income from interests in certain securitized financial assets on an estimated effective yield to maturity basis. Management estimates the current yield on the amortized cost of the investment based on estimated cash flows after considering prepayment and credit loss experience.

Rental income—We generate rental income from tenant rent and other tenant-related activities at our consolidated real estate properties. For multi-family real estate properties, rental income is recorded when due from residents and recognized monthly as it is earned and realizable, under lease terms which are generally for periods of one year or less. For retail and office real estate properties, rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis from the later of the date of the commencement of the lease or the date of acquisition of the property subject to existing leases, which averages minimum rents over the terms of the leases. Leases also typically provide for tenant reimbursement of a portion of common area maintenance and other operating expenses to the extent that a tenant’s pro rata share of expenses exceeds a base year level set in the lease.

Fee and other income—We generate fee and other income through our various subsidiaries by (a) funding conduit loans for sale into unaffiliated CMBS securitizations, (b) providing or arranging to provide financing to our borrowers, (c) providing ongoing asset management services to investment portfolios under cancelable management agreements, and (d) providing property management services to third parties. We recognize revenue for these activities when the fees are fixed or determinable, are evidenced by an arrangement, collection is reasonably assured and the services under the arrangement have been provided. While we may receive asset management fees when they are earned, we eliminate earned asset management fee income from securitizations while such securitizations are consolidated.

During the three-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received $1,515 and $1,223, respectively, of earned asset management fees, of which we eliminated $1,180 and $863, respectively, of management fee income associated with consolidated securitizations.

During the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received $2,644 and $2,439, respectively, of earned asset management fees, of which we eliminated $2,022 and $1,746, respectively, of management fee income associated with consolidated CDOs.

i. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, fair value is 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. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity for disclosure purposes. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

•

Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The types of assets carried at level 1 fair value generally are equity securities listed in active markets. As such, valuations of these investments do not entail a significant degree of judgment.

•

Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Fair value assets and liabilities that are generally included in this category are unsecured REIT note receivables, CMBS receivables and certain financial instruments classified as derivatives where the fair value is based primarily on observable market inputs.

•

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset. Generally, assets and liabilities carried at fair value and included in this category are trust preferred securities, or TruPS, and subordinated debentures, trust preferred obligations and CDO notes payable where significant observable market inputs do not exist.

The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of investment, whether the investment is new, whether the investment is traded on an active exchange or in the secondary market, and the current market condition. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by us in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, our own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use prices and inputs that management believes are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3.

Many financial instruments have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. Bid prices reflect the highest price that buyers in the market are willing to pay for an asset. Ask prices represent the lowest price that sellers in the market are willing to accept for an asset. For financial instruments whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices, we do not require that fair value always be a predetermined point in the bid-ask range. Our policy is to allow for mid-market pricing and adjusting to the point within the bid-ask range that results in our best estimate of fair value.

Fair value for certain of our Level 3 financial instruments is derived using internal valuation models. These internal valuation models include discounted cash flow analyses developed by management using current interest rates, estimates of the term of the particular instrument, specific issuer information and other market data for securities without an active market. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, the impact of our own credit spreads is also considered when measuring the fair value of financial assets or liabilities, including derivative contracts. Where appropriate, valuation adjustments are made to account for various factors, including bid-ask spreads, credit quality and market liquidity. These adjustments are applied on a consistent basis and are based on observable inputs where available. Management’s estimate of fair value requires significant management judgment and is subject to a high degree of variability based upon market conditions, the availability of specific issuer information and management’s assumptions.

j. Deferred Financing Costs and Intangible Assets

Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are capitalized as deferred financing costs and charged to interest expense over the terms of the related debt agreements, under the effective interest method.

Intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheets represent identifiable intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions. We amortize identified intangible assets to expense over their estimated lives using the straight-line method. We evaluate intangible assets for impairment as events and circumstances change, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” The gross carrying amount for our customer relationships was $21,726 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The gross carrying amount for our in-place leases was $8,834 and $2,892 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The gross carrying amount for our trade name was $1,500 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The accumulated amortization for our intangible assets was $8,960 and $4,564 as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. We recorded amortization expense of $2,449 and $531 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4,396 and $1,091 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Based on the intangible assets identified above, we expect to record amortization expense of intangible assets of $2,989 for the remainder of 2014, $3,438 for 2015, $3,155 for 2016, $2,237 for 2017, $1,988 for 2018 and $9,293 thereafter.

k. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements”. This accounting standard amends existing guidance to change reporting requirements for discontinued operations by requiring the disposal of an entity to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard classified under FASB ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This accounting standard generally replaces existing guidance by requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management is currently evaluating the impact that this standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.