Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and include, on a consolidated basis, our accounts, the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities, or VIEs, of which we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain of the assets and credit of our consolidated subsidiaries are not available to satisfy the debt or other obligations of us, our affiliates, or other entities.

VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors (i) do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest and/or (ii) do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The entity that consolidates a VIE is known as its primary beneficiary and is generally the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the right to receive benefits from the VIE or the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.

We have separately presented, following our consolidated balance sheet, the assets of consolidated VIEs that can only be used to satisfy the obligations of those VIEs, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs that are non-recourse to us. We have aggregated all of such assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs in this presentation due to our determination that these entities are substantively similar and, therefore, a further disaggregated presentation would not be more meaningful.

Our subsidiary, CT Legacy Partners, LLC, or CT Legacy Partners, accounts for its operations in accordance with industry-specific GAAP accounting guidance for investment companies, pursuant to which it reports its investments at fair value. We have retained this specialized accounting in consolidation and, accordingly, report the loans and other investments of CT Legacy Partners at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets.

As more fully described in Note 3, we sold our investment management business to Blackstone in December 2012. As a result, the income and expense items related to our investment management business have been reclassified to income from discontinued operations on our consolidated statements of operations.

Certain reclassifications have been made in the presentation of the prior-period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Interest income from our loans receivable is recognized over the life of the investment using the effective interest method and is recorded on the accrual basis. Fees, premiums, discounts, and direct costs associated with these investments are deferred until the loan is advanced and are then recognized over the term of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Income accrual is generally suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of our Manager, recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. Income is then recorded on the basis of cash received until accrual is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand, cash held in banks, and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. We deposit our cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. We may have bank balances in excess of federally insured amounts. We have not experienced, and do not expect, any losses on our demand deposits, commercial paper, or money market investments.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

We classify the cash balances held by CT Legacy Partners as restricted because, while these cash balances are available for use by CT Legacy Partners for its operations, they cannot be used by us until our allocable share is distributed from CT Legacy Partners and cannot be commingled with any of our other unrestricted cash balances.

Loans Receivable and Provision for Loan Losses

Loans Receivable and Provision for Loan Losses

We purchase and originate commercial real estate debt and related instruments generally to be held as long-term investments at amortized cost. We are required to periodically evaluate each of these loans for possible impairment. Impairment is indicated when it is deemed probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. If a loan is determined to be impaired, we write down the loan through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Impairment of these loans, which are collateral dependent, is measured by comparing the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral to the book value of the respective loan. These valuations require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, leasing, creditworthiness of major tenants, occupancy rates, availability of financing, exit plan, loan sponsorship, actions of other lenders, and other factors deemed necessary by our Manager. Actual losses, if any, could ultimately differ from these estimates.

Our Manager performs a quarterly review of our portfolio of loans. In conjunction with this review, our Manager assesses the performance of each loan, and assigns a risk rating based on several factors, including risk of loss, loan-to-value ratio, or LTV, collateral performance, structure, exit plan, and sponsorship.

Loans are rated “1” through “8,” from less risk to greater risk, which ratings are defined as follows:

1 –

Low Risk: A loan that is expected to perform through maturity, with relatively lower LTV, higher in- place debt yield, and stable projected cash flow.

2 –

Average Risk: A loan that is expected to perform through maturity, with medium LTV, average in-place debt yield, and stable projected cash flow.

3 –

Acceptable Risk: A loan that is expected to perform through maturity, with relatively higher LTV, acceptable in-place debt yield, and some uncertainty (due to lease rollover or other factors) in projected cash flow.

4 –

Higher Risk: A loan that is expected to perform through maturity, but has exhibited a material deterioration in cash flow and/or other credit factors. If negative trends continue, default could occur.

5 –

Low Probability of Default/Loss: A loan with one or more identified weaknesses that we expect to have a 15% probability of default or principal loss.

6 –

Medium Probability of Default/Loss: A loan with one or more identified weaknesses that we expect to have a 33% probability of default or principal loss.

7 –

High Probability of Default/Loss: A loan with one or more identified weaknesses that we expect to have a 67% or higher probability of default or principal loss.

8 –

In Default: A loan which is in contractual default and/or that has a very high likelihood of principal loss.

Loans Held-for-Sale and Related Allowance

Loans Held-for-Sale and Related Allowance

In certain cases, we may classify loans as held-for-sale based upon the specific facts and circumstances of particular loans, including known or expected transactions. Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of their amortized cost basis or fair value, less cost to sell. A reduction in the fair value of loans held-for-sale is recorded as a charge to our consolidated statements of operations as a valuation allowance on loans held-for-sale.

Participations Sold

Participations Sold

Participations sold represent interests in certain loans that we originated and subsequently sold. In certain instances, we present these participations sold as both assets and non-recourse liabilities because these arrangements do not qualify as sales under GAAP. Generally, participations sold are recorded as assets and liabilities in equal amounts on our consolidated balance sheets, and an equivalent amount of interest income and interest expense is recorded on our consolidated statements of operations.

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

Our carried interest in CT Opportunity Partners I, LP, or CTOPI, is accounted for using the equity method. CTOPI’s assets and liabilities are not consolidated into our financial statements due to our determination that (i) it is not a VIE and (ii) the investors have sufficient rights to preclude consolidation by us. As such, we report our allocable percentage of the net assets of CTOPI on our consolidated balance sheets. We have deferred the recognition of income from CTOPI until cash is collected or appropriate contingencies have been eliminated and, therefore, do not recognize any income from equity investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs

The deferred financing costs that are included in accrued interest receivable, prepaid expenses, and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets include issuance and other costs related to our debt obligations. These costs are amortized as interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the related obligations.

Repurchase Obligations

Repurchase Obligations

We record investments financed with repurchase obligations as separate assets and the related borrowings under any repurchase agreements are recorded as separate liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Interest income earned on the investments and interest expense incurred on the repurchase obligations are reported separately on our consolidated statements of operations.

Convertible Notes

Convertible Notes

The “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or Codification, requires the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The initial proceeds from the sale of convertible notes are allocated between a liability component and an equity component in a manner that reflects interest expense at the rate of similar nonconvertible debt that could have been issued at such time. The equity component represents the excess initial proceeds received over the fair value of the liability component of the notes as of the date of issuance. We measured the fair value of the debt component of our convertible notes as of the issuance date based on our nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The equity component of the convertible notes is reflected within additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and the resulting debt discount is amortized over the period during which the convertible notes are expected to be outstanding (the maturity date) as additional non-cash interest expense. The additional non-cash interest expense attributable to the convertible notes will increase in subsequent periods through the maturity date as the notes accrete to their par value over the same period.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” Topic of the Codification defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements under GAAP. Specifically, this guidance defines fair value based on exit price, or the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures” Topic of the Codification also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial instrument, and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination, as follows:

•

Level 1 – Generally includes only unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date.

•

Level 2 – Pricing inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, quoted prices in less active or inactive markets for identical or similar instruments where multiple price quotes can be obtained, and other observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, and default rates.

•

Level 3 – Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. These inputs require significant judgment or estimation by management of third parties when determining fair value and generally represent anything that does not meet the criteria of Levels 1 and 2.

The value of each asset recorded at fair value using Level 3 inputs is determined by an internal committee composed of members of senior management of our Manager, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and other senior officers.

Certain of our assets and liabilities are measured at fair value either (i) on a recurring basis, as of each quarter-end, or (ii) on a nonrecurring basis, as a result of impairment or other events. Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are discussed further in Note 18. Generally, loans held-for-sale and certain of our loans receivable and securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while impaired loans are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

The following valuation techniques were used to estimate the fair value of each type of asset and liability that was recorded at fair value:

Loans receivable, at fair value – Loans receivable are generally valued by discounting expected cash flows using internal cash flow models and estimated market rates. Expected cash flows of each loan are based on our Manager’s assumptions regarding the collection of principal and interest from the respective borrowers.

Other assets, at fair value – Our other assets balance includes certain commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateral debt obligations, and equity investments and are generally valued by a combination of (i) obtaining assessments from third-party dealers and (ii) in cases where such assessments are unavailable or deemed not to be indicative of fair value, discounting expected cash flows using internal cash flow models and estimated market discount rates. In the case of internal models, expected cash flows of each security are based on assumptions regarding the collection of principal and interest on the underlying loans and securities.

Impaired loans – Loans identified as impaired are collateral dependent loans. Impairment on these loans is measured by comparing our Manager’s estimation of fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, to the book value of the respective loan. These valuations require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, leasing, creditworthiness of major tenants, occupancy rates, availability of financing, exit plan, loan sponsorship, actions of other lenders, and other factors deemed necessary by our Manager.

Investment in CT Legacy Asset – We arrived at the fair value of our investment in CT Legacy Asset, LLC, or CT Legacy Asset, by discounting the net cash flows expected to be distributed to its equity holders after the repayment of the repurchase facility. To determine the net cash flows of CT Legacy Asset, our Manager estimated the timing and recovery amount for each of its assets.

We are also required by GAAP to disclose fair value information about financial instruments, which is otherwise not reported in the statement of financial position at fair value, to the extent it is practicable to estimate a fair value for those instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the estimated market discount rate and the estimated future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Rather, these fair values reflect the amounts that our Manager believes are realizable in an orderly transaction among willing parties. These disclosure requirements exclude certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments, excluding those described above that are carried at fair value, for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of cash on deposit and in money market funds approximates fair value.

Restricted cash – The carrying amount of restricted cash approximates fair value.

Loans receivable, net – Other than impaired loans, these assets are recorded at their amortized cost and not at fair value. The fair values for these instruments are estimated by our Manager taking into consideration factors, including capitalization rates, leasing, occupancy rates, availability and cost of financing, exit plan, sponsorship, actions of other lenders, and indications of market value from other market participants.

Secured notes – These notes are recorded at their aggregate principal balance and not at fair value. The fair value was estimated based on the rate at which a similar instrument would be priced today.

Repurchase obligations – These facilities are recorded at their aggregate principal balance and not at fair value. The fair value was estimated based on the rate at which a similar credit facility would be priced today.

Convertible notes, net – These notes are recorded at their amortized cost and not at fair value. These convertible notes are publicly traded and their fair values are obtained using quoted market prices.

Securitized debt obligations – These obligations are recorded at the face value of outstanding obligations to third parties and not at fair value. The fair values for these instruments have been estimated by obtaining assessments from third-party dealers.

Participations sold – These obligations are recorded at their face value and not at fair value. The fair value was estimated based on the value of the related loan receivable asset.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our financial results generally do not reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes on our REIT taxable income. We believe that we operate in a manner that will continue to allow us to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, we generally do not expect to pay substantial corporate level taxes other than those payable by our taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we were to fail to meet these requirements, we may be subject to federal, state, and local income tax on current and past income, and penalties. Refer to Note 16 for additional information.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Our stock-based compensation consists of awards issued to our Manager and certain of its employees that vest over the life of the awards. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized for these awards in net income on a variable basis over the applicable vesting period of the awards, based on the value of our class A common stock.

Earnings per Share of Common Stock

Earnings per Share of Common Stock

Basic earnings per share, or Basic EPS, is computed based on the net earnings allocable to common stock and stock units, divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and stock units outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share, or Diluted EPS, is determined using the treasury stock method, and is based on the net earnings allocable to common stock and stock units, divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock, stock units and potentially dilutive common stock issued upon conversion of our convertible notes.

We have separately determined Basic EPS and Diluted EPS for income from continuing operations, loss from discontinued operations, and for net income attributable to common stockholders. Refer to Note 13 for additional discussion of earnings per share.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

We operate our real estate finance business through a Loan Origination segment and a CT Legacy Portfolio segment. The Loan Origination segment includes our activities associated with the origination and acquisition of mortgage loans, the capitalization of our loan portfolio, and the costs associated with operating our business generally. The CT Legacy Portfolio segment includes our activities specifically related to CT Legacy Partners, CT CDO I, and our equity investment in CTOPI. Our Manager identifies, makes operating decisions, and assesses the performance of each of our business segments based on financial and operating data and metrics generated from our internal information systems.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2011-02, “Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring,” or ASU 2011-02. ASU 2011-02 primarily clarifies when creditors should classify loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings and provides examples and factors to be considered. Loan modifications that are considered troubled debt restructurings could result in additional disclosure requirements and could affect the related provision for loan losses. ASU 2011-02 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2011, with retrospective application to the beginning of the year. The adoption of ASU 2011-02 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, however, will impact how we account for loan modifications, and may result in an increase in the loan modifications we classify as troubled debt restructurings and, therefore, our provision for loan losses.

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements.” ASU 2011-03 primarily removes certain criteria from the consideration of effective control over assets subject to repurchase agreements. The removal of these criteria will generally result in asset transfers pursuant to repurchase agreements being accounted for as secured borrowings, with both the transferred assets and repurchase liability recorded on the transferor’s balance sheet. ASU 2011-03 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied prospectively to transactions that occur subsequent to the effective date. The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 860): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU 2011-04 amends existing guidance on fair value measurements related to (i) instruments held in a portfolio, (ii) instruments classified within stockholders’ equity, (iii) application of the “highest and best use” concept to nonfinancial assets, (iv) application of blockage factors and other premiums and discounts in the valuation process, and (v) other matters. In addition, ASU 2011-04 expanded the required disclosures around fair value measurements including (i) reporting the level in the fair value hierarchy used to value assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value, but where fair value is disclosed and (ii) qualitative disclosures about the sensitivity of Level 3 fair value measurements to changes in unobservable inputs used. ASU 2011-04 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements; however, it did expand our disclosures related to fair value measurements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income; however, it eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income on the statement of stockholders’ equity and instead requires either (i) a continuous statement of comprehensive income, which would replace the current statement of operations or (ii) an additional statement of other comprehensive income, which would immediately follow the statement of operations, and would report the components of other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to all periods reported after the effective date. Our early adoption, as permitted, of ASU 2011-05 as of December 31, 2011 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, other than the change in presentation of comprehensive income as a separate financial statement.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” or ASU 2013-01. ASU 2013-01 was developed to clarify which instruments and transactions are subject to the offsetting disclosure requirements set forth by ASU 2011-11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU 2013-01 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and was applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” or ASU 2013-02. ASU 2013-02 implements the previously deferred requirement to disclose reclassification adjustments into and out of accumulated other comprehensive income in either a note or on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2013-02 was effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2012, and was applied prospectively. As we have not reclassified any balances into or out of accumulated other comprehensive income, the adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-08, “Financial Services-Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements,” or ASU 2013-08. ASU 2013-08 amends the criteria for qualification as an investment company under Topic 946 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or Topic 946, and requires additional disclosure by investment companies. ASU 2013-08 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2013, and is to be applied prospectively. We currently consolidate CT Legacy Partners, which accounts for its operations as an investment company under Topic 946. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-08 to impact CT Legacy Partners’ status as an investment company. Further, because ASU 2013-08 specifically excludes REITs from its scope, it will not otherwise impact our consolidated financial statements.