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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

The accompanying consolidated financial statements 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.

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate all entities that we control through either majority ownership or voting rights. In addition, we consolidate all VIEs of which we are considered the primary beneficiary. 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.

In the third quarter of 2018, we contributed a loan to a single asset securitization vehicle, or the 2018 Single Asset Securitization, which is a VIE, and invested in the related subordinate risk retention position. We are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and, therefore, do not consolidate the 2018 Single Asset Securitization on our balance sheet. We have classified the subordinate risk retention position as a

held-to-maturity

debt security that is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 15 for additional discussion of our VIEs.

In April 2017, we entered into a joint venture, or our Multifamily Joint Venture, with Walker & Dunlop Inc. to originate, hold, and finance multifamily bridge loans. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing the joint venture, Walker & Dunlop contributed 15% of the venture’s equity capital and we contributed 85%. We consolidate the Multifamily Joint Venture as we have a controlling financial interest. The

non-controlling

interests included on our consolidated balance sheets represent the equity interests in our Multifamily Joint Venture that are owned by Walker & Dunlop. A portion of our Multifamily Joint Venture’s consolidated equity and results of operations are allocated to these

non-controlling

interests based on Walker & Dunlop’s pro rata ownership of our Multifamily Joint Venture.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated 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 as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. During the first quarter of 2020, there was a global outbreak of a novel coronavirus, or

COVID-19,

which has spread to over 200 countries and territories, including the United States, and has spread to every state in the United States. The World Health Organization has designated

COVID-19

as a pandemic, and numerous countries, including the United States, have declared national emergencies with respect to

COVID-19.

The global impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and as cases of

COVID-19

have continued to be identified in additional countries, many countries have reacted by instituting quarantines and restrictions on travel, closing financial markets and/or restricting trading and operations of

non-essential

offices and retail centers. Such actions are creating disruption in global supply chains, and adversely impacting many industries. The outbreak could have a continued adverse impact on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of

COVID-19

on economic and market conditions. We believe the estimates and assumptions underlying our consolidated financial statements are reasonable and supportable based on the information available as of March 31, 2020, however uncertainty over the ultimate impact

COVID-19

will have on the global economy generally, and our business in particular, makes any estimates and assumptions as of March 31, 2020 inherently less certain than they would be absent the current and potential impacts of

COVID-19.

Actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income from our loans receivable portfolio and debt securities is recognized over the life of each investment using the effective interest method and is recorded on the accrual basis. Recognition of fees, premiums, and discounts associated with these investments is deferred and recorded over the term of the loan or debt security 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. In addition, for loans we originate, the related origination expenses are deferred and recognized as a component of interest income, however expenses related to loans we acquire are included in general and administrative expenses as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash held in banks and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. We may have bank balances in excess of federally insured amounts; however, we deposit our cash and cash equivalents with high credit-quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. We have not experienced, and do not expect, any losses on our cash or cash equivalents. As of both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had no restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets.

Through our subsidiaries, we have oversight of certain servicing accounts held with third-party servicers, or Servicing Accounts, which relate to borrower escrows and other cash balances aggregating $459.1 million and $450.8 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. This cash is maintained in segregated bank accounts, and these amounts are not included in the assets and liabilities presented in our consolidated balance sheets. Cash in these Servicing Accounts will be transferred by the respective third-party servicer to the borrower or us under the terms of the applicable loan agreement upon occurrence of certain future events. We do not generate any revenue or incur any expenses as a result of these Servicing Accounts.

Loans Receivable and Provision for Loan Losses

We originate and purchase 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 to us pursuant 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, 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. Actual losses, if any, could ultimately differ from these estimates.

Debt Securities Held-to-Maturity

Debt Securities

Held-to-Maturity

We classify our debt securities as

held-to-maturity,

as we have the intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity. We include our debt securities in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost.

Current Expected Credit Losses Reserve

The current expected credit loss, or CECL, reserve required under

Accounting Standard Update, or ASU

2016-13

“Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic

326)

,” or ASU

2016-13,

reflects our current estimate of potential credit losses related to our loans and debt securities included in our consolidated balance sheets. The initial CECL reserve recorded on January

2020

is reflected as a direct charge to retained earnings on our consolidated statements of changes in equity; however subsequent changes to the CECL reserve are recognized through net income on our consolidated statements of operations. While ASU

2016-13

does not require any particular method for determining the CECL reserve, it does specify the reserve should be based on relevant information about past events, including historical loss experience, current portfolio and market conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts for the duration of each respective loan. In addition, other than a few narrow exceptions, ASU

2016-13

requires that all financial instruments subject to the CECL model have some amount of loss reserve to reflect the GAAP principal underlying the CECL model that all loans, debt securities, and similar assets have some inherent risk of loss, regardless of credit quality, subordinate capital, or other mitigating factors.

We estimate our CECL reserve primarily using the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity, or WARM method, which has been identified as an acceptable loss-rate method for estimating CECL reserves in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Q&A Topic 326, No. 1. The WARM method requires us to reference historic loan loss data across a comparable data set and apply such loss rate to each of our loans over their expected remaining term, taking into consideration expected economic conditions over the relevant timeframe. We apply the WARM method for the majority of our loan portfolio, which loans share similar risk characteristics. In certain instances, for loans with unique risk characteristics, we may instead use a probability-weighted model that considers the likelihood of default and expected loss given default for each such individual loan.

Application of the WARM method to estimate a CECL reserve requires judgment, including (i) the appropriate historical loan loss reference data, (ii) the expected timing and amount of future loan fundings and repayments, and (iii) the current credit quality of our portfolio and our expectations of performance and market conditions over the relevant time period. To estimate the historic loan losses relevant to our portfolio, we have augmented our historical loan performance, which includes zero loan losses since the launch of our senior loan origination business in 2013, with market loan loss data licensed from Trepp LLC. This database includes commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, issued since January 1, 1999 through February 29, 2020. Within

this database, we focused our historical loss reference calculations on the most relevant subset of available CMBS data, which we determined based on loan metrics that are most comparable to our loan portfolio including asset type, geography, and

loan-to-value,

or LTV. We believe this CMBS data, which includes month-over-month loan and property performance, is the most relevant, available, and comparable dataset to our portfolio.

Our loans typically include commitments to fund incremental proceeds to our borrowers over the life of the loan, which future funding commitments are also subject to the CECL model. The CECL reserve related to future loan fundings is recorded as a component of Other Liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. This CECL reserve is estimated using the same process outlined above for our outstanding loan balances, and changes in this component of the CECL reserve will similarly impact our consolidated net income. For both the funded and unfunded portions of our loans, we consider our internal risk rating of each loan as the primary credit quality indicator underlying our assessment.

The CECL reserve is measured on a collective basis wherever similar risk characteristics exist within a pool of similar assets. We have identified the following pools and measure the reserve for credit losses using the following methods:


•		U . S . Loans : WARM method that incorporates a subset of historical loss data, expected weighted-average remaining maturity of our loan pool, and an economic view.

•		Non-U . S . Loans : WARM method that incorporates a subset of historical loss data, expected weighted average remaining maturity of our loan pool, and an economic view.

•		Unique Loans : a probability of default and loss given default model, assessed on an individual basis.

•		Impaired Loans : incurred loss model assessed on an individual basis, as further described above. These loans do not incur CECL reserves.

We adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified-retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Prior to our adoption, we had no loan loss provisions on our consolidated balance sheets. We recorded a cumulative-effective adjustment to the opening retained earnings in our consolidated statement of equity as of January 1, 2020

. The following table details the impact of this adoption ($ in thousands):


	Impact of ASU 2016-13 Adoption
Assets:
Loans
U . S . Loans	$	8,955
Non-U . S . Loans		3,631
Unique Loans		1,356

CECL reserve on loans	$	13,942

CECL reserve on held-to-maturity debt securities		445
Liabilities:
CECL reserve on unfunded loan commitments		3,263

Total impact of ASU 2016-13 adoption on retained earnings	$	17,650

Contractual Term and Unfunded Loan Commitments

Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of each loan, adjusted for expected prepayments. As part of our quarterly review of our loan portfolio, we assess the expected repayment date of each loan, which is used to determine the contractual term for purpose

of computing our CECL reserve.

Additionally, the expected credit losses over the contractual period of our loans are subject to the obligation to extend credit through our unfunded loan commitments. The CECL reserve for unfunded loan commitments is adjusted quarterly, as we consider the expected timing of future funding obligations over the estimated life of the loan. The considerations in estimating our CECL reserve for unfunded loan commitments are similar to those used for the related outstanding loan receivables.

Credit Quality Indicator

Our risk rating is our primary credit quality indicator in assessing our current expected credit loss reserve. Our Manager performs a quarterly risk review of our portfolio of loans, and assigns each loan a risk rating based on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, LTV, debt yield, property type, geographic and local market dynamics, physical condition, cash flow volatility, leasing and tenant profile, loan structure and exit plan, and project sponsorship. Based on a

5-point

scale, our loans are rated “l” through “5,” from less risk to greater risk, relative to our loan portfolio in the aggregate, which ratings are defined as follows:


		1 -		Very Low Risk

		2 -		Low Risk

		3 -		Medium Risk

		4 -		High Risk/Potential for Loss: A loan that has a risk of realizing a principal loss.

		5 -		Impaired/Loss Likely: A loan that has a very high risk of realizing a principal loss or has otherwise incurred a principal loss.

Estimation of Economic Conditions

In addition to the WARM method computations and probability-weighted models described above, our CECL reserve is also adjusted to reflect our estimation of the current and future economic conditions that impact the performance of the commercial real estate assets securing our loans. These estimations include unemployment rates, interest rates, and other macroeconomic factors impacting the likelihood and magnitude of potential credit losses for our loans during their anticipated term. In addition to the CMBS data we have licensed from Trepp LLC, we have also licensed certain macroeconomic financial forecasts to inform our view of the potential future impact that broader economic conditions may have on our loan portfolio’s performance. These estimations require significant judgments about future events that, while based on the information available to us as of the balance sheet date, are ultimately indeterminate and the actual economic condition impacting our portfolio could vary significantly from the estimates we made as of March 31, 2020.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We classify all derivative financial instruments as either other assets or other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value.

On the date we enter into a derivative contract, we designate each contract as (i) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or net investment hedge, (ii) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability, or cash flow hedge, (iii) a hedge of a recognized asset or liability, or fair value hedge, or (iv) a derivative instrument not to be designated as a hedging derivative, or

non-designated

hedge. For all derivatives other than those designated as

non-designated

hedges, we formally document our hedge relationships and designation at the contract’s inception. This documentation includes the identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives, strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction and our evaluation of the effectiveness of its hedged transaction.

On a quarterly basis, we also formally assess whether the derivative we designated in each hedging relationship is expected to be, and has been, highly effective in offsetting changes in the value or cash flows of the hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued and the changes in fair value of the instrument are included in net income prospectively. Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments that qualify as hedges are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our consolidated financial statements. Deferred gains and losses are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into net income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings, and are presented in the same line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. For cash flow hedges, this is typically when the periodic swap settlements are made, while for net investment hedges, this occurs when the hedged item is sold or substantially liquidated. To the extent a derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting and is deemed a

non-designated

hedge, the changes in its fair value are included in net income concurrently.

Secured Debt Agreements

Where applicable, we record investments financed with secured debt agreements as separate assets and the related borrowings under any secured debt agreements are recorded as separate liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Interest income earned on the investments and interest expense incurred on the secured debt agreements are reported separately on our consolidated statements of operations.

Senior Loan Participations

In certain instances, we finance our loans through the

non-recourse

syndication of a senior loan interest to a third-party. Depending on the particular structure of the syndication, the senior loan interest may remain on our GAAP balance sheet or, in other cases, the sale will be recognized and the senior loan interest will no longer be included in our consolidated financial statements. When these sales are not recognized under GAAP we reflect the transaction by recording a loan participations sold liability on our consolidated balance sheet, however this gross presentation does not impact stockholders’ equity or net income. When the sales are recognized, our balance sheet only includes our remaining subordinate loan and not the

non-consolidated

senior interest we sold.

Secured Term Loan

We record our secured term loans as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Where applicable, any issue discount or transaction expenses are deferred and amortized through the maturity date of the secured term loan as additional

non-cash

interest expense.

Convertible Notes

The “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 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 estimated fair value of the debt component of our convertible notes as of the respective issuance dates based on our nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The equity component of each series of our convertible notes is reflected within additional

paid-in

capital on our consolidated balance sheet, and the resulting issue discount is amortized over the period during which such convertible notes are expected to be outstanding (through the maturity date) as additional

non-cash

interest expense. The additional

non-cash

interest expense attributable to such convertible notes will increase in subsequent periods through the maturity date as the notes accrete to their par value over the same period.

Deferred Financing Costs

The deferred financing costs that are included as a reduction in the net book value of the related liability 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” Topic of the FASB, or ASC 820, 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.

ASC 820 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 estimated value of each asset reported 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 other assets are reported 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 that are recorded at fair value are discussed further in Note 14. We generally value our assets recorded at fair value by either (i) discounting expected cash flows based on assumptions regarding the collection of principal and interest and estimated market rates, or (ii) obtaining assessments from third-party dealers. For collateral-dependent loans that are identified as impaired, we measure impairment by comparing our Manager’s estimation of the fair value of the underlying collateral, less costs to sell, to the book value of the respective loan. These valuations may 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.

We are also required by GAAP to disclose fair value information about financial instruments, which are not otherwise reported at fair value in our consolidated balance sheet, to the extent it is practicable to estimate a fair value for those instruments. These disclosure requirements exclude certain financial instruments and all

non-financial

instruments.

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments, for which it is practicable to estimate that value:


•		Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

•		Loans receivable, net: The fair values of these loans were estimated by our Manager based on a discounted cash flow methodology, taking into consideration various factors including capitalization rates, discount 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.

•		Debt securities held-to-maturity: The fair value of these instruments was estimated by utilizing third-party pricing service providers. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing service providers may use broker-dealer quotations, reported trades, or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models to determine the reported price.

•		Derivative financial instruments: The fair value of our foreign currency and interest rate contracts was estimated using advice from a third-party derivative specialist, based on contractual cash flows and observable inputs comprising foreign currency rates and credit spreads.

•		Secured debt agreements, net: The fair value of these instruments was estimated based on the rate at which a similar credit facility would currently be priced.

•		Securitized debt obligations, net: The fair value of these instruments was estimated by utilizing third-party pricing service providers. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing service providers may use broker-dealer quotations, reported trades, or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models to determine the reported price.



•		Secured term loan, net: The fair value of these instruments was estimated by utilizing third-party pricing service providers. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing service providers may use broker-dealer quotations, reported trades, or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models to determine the reported price.

•		Convertible notes, net: Each series of the convertible notes is actively traded and their fair values were obtained using quoted market prices.

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 12 for additional information.

Stock-Based Compensation

Our stock-based compensation consists of awards issued to our Manager and certain individuals employed by an affiliate of our Manager that vest over the life of the awards, as well as deferred stock units issued to certain members of our board of directors. 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. Refer to Note 13 for additional information.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share, or Basic EPS, is computed in accordance with the

two-class

method and is based on the net earnings allocable to our class A common stock, including restricted class A common stock and deferred stock units, divided by the weighted-average number of shares of our class A common stock, including restricted class A common stock and deferred stock units outstanding during the period. Our restricted class A common stock is considered a participating security, as defined by GAAP, and has been included in our Basic EPS under the

two-class

method as these restricted shares have the same rights as our other shares of class A common stock, including participating in any gains or losses.

Diluted earnings per share, or Diluted EPS, is determined using the treasury stock method, and is based on the net earnings allocable to our class A common stock, including restricted class A common stock and deferred stock units, divided by the weighted-average number of shares of our class A common stock, including restricted class A common stock and deferred stock units. Refer to Note 10 for additional discussion of earnings per share.

Foreign Currency

In the normal course of business, we enter into transactions not denominated in United States, or U.S., dollars. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising on such transactions are recorded as a gain or loss in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, we consolidate entities that have a

non-U.S.

dollar functional currency.

Non-U.S.

dollar denominated assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the reporting date and income, expenses, gains, and losses are translated at the average exchange rate over the applicable period. Cumulative translation adjustments arising from the translation of

non-U.S.

dollar denominated subsidiaries are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Underwriting Commissions and Offering Costs

Underwriting Commissions and Offering

Costs

Underwriting commissions and offering costs incurred in connection with common stock offerings are reflected as a reduction of additional

paid-in

capital. Costs incurred that are not directly associated with the completion of a common stock offering are expensed when incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU

2016-13

“Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326),” or ASU

2016-13.

ASU

2016-13

significantly changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU

2016-13

replaced the incurred loss model under previous guidance with a CECL model for instruments measured at amortized cost, and requires entities to record reserves for

available-for-sale

debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount, as they did previously under the other-than-temporary impairment model. It also simplified the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. We adopted ASU

2016-13

on January 1, 2020, and recorded a $17.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU

2020-04

“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” or ASU

2020-04.

ASU

2020-04

provides optional expedients and exceptions to GAAP requirements for modifications on debt instruments, leases, derivatives, and other contracts, related to the expected market transition from LIBOR, and certain other floating rate benchmark indices, or collectively, IBORs, to alternative reference rates. ASU

2020-04

generally considers contract modifications related to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date nor a reassessment of a previous accounting determination. The guidance in ASU

2020-04

is optional and may be elected over time, through December 31, 2022, as reference rate reform activities occur. Once ASU

2020-04

is elected, the guidance must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications. In the first quarter of 2020, we have elected to apply the hedge accounting expedients, related to probability and the assessments of effectiveness, for future IBOR-indexed cash flows, to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. Application of these expedients preserves the presentation of derivatives consistent with our past presentation. We continue to evaluate the impact of ASU

2020-04

and may apply other elections, as applicable, as the expected market transition from IBORs to alternative reference rates continues to develop.