Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies *Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation* The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification™, the authoritative reference for accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, although management believes that the disclosures presented herein are adequate to prevent the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements presented from being misleading. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, partnerships or other joint ventures in which the Company owns a voting interest of greater than 50 percent, and Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which is the party that (i) has the power to control the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Current accounting guidance requires the Company to present a) assets of a consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE, and b) liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary. As a result of this guidance, the Company has separately disclosed parenthetically the assets and liabilities of its three collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) and two collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) subsidiaries on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Entities in which the Company owns a voting interest of 20 percent to 50 percent are accounted for primarily under the equity method. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of consolidated interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated interim financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Further, in connection with the preparation of the consolidated interim financial statements, the Company evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date of June 30, 2013 through the issuance of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company sold a real estate investment that was part of a portfolio of hotel properties, resulting in a reclassification of the operating activity from property operating income and expenses to discontinued operations for all prior periods presented. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. *Cash and Cash Equivalents* All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in high quality financial institutions. The consolidated account balances at each institution periodically exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage and the Company believes that this risk is not significant. *Restricted Cash* At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had restricted cash of $34.1 million and $42.5 million, respectively. Restricted cash primarily represents proceeds from the Company’s second CLO which will be used to purchase underlying assets, loan repayments on deposit with the trustees for the Company’s CDOs which will be used for principal repayments, unfunded loan commitments and interest payments received from loans. As of January 2012, all three of the CDOs have reached their replenishment dates and principal repayments are remitted quarterly to the bond holders and the Company in the month following the quarter. See Note 7 — “Debt Obligations.” The Company’s real estate owned assets also had restricted cash balances totaling $1.1 million and $1.0 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, due to escrow requirements. See Note 6 — “Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale.” *Loans, Investments and Securities* At the time of purchase, the Company designates a security as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, or trading depending on the Company’s ability and intent to hold it to maturity. The Company does not have any securities designated as trading as of June 30, 2013. Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, while securities held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary are recognized in earnings up to their credit component. The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process requiring judgments and assumptions. The process may include, but is not limited to, assessment of recent market events and prospects for near-term recovery, assessment of cash flows, internal review of the underlying assets securing the investments, credit of the issuer and the rating of the security, as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment to maturity. Management closely monitors market conditions on which it bases such decisions. The Company also assesses certain of its securities, other than those of high credit quality, to determine whether significant changes in estimated cash flows or unrealized losses on these securities, if any, reflect a decline in value which is other-than-temporary and, accordingly, should be written down to their fair value against earnings. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews these changes in estimated cash flows, which could occur due to actual prepayment and credit loss experience, to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred. The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process requiring judgments and assumptions and is not necessarily intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. The Company calculates a revised yield based on the current amortized cost of the investment, including any other-than-temporary impairments recognized to date, and the revised yield is then applied prospectively to recognize interest income. Securities that are purchased at a discount and that are not of high credit quality at the time of purchase are accounted for as debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality. Interest income on these securities is recognized using the effective interest method based on the Company’s estimates of expected cash flows to be received, which include assumptions related to fluctuations in prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, loan purchase discounts, and net of the allowance for loan losses when such loan or investment is deemed to be impaired. The Company invests in preferred equity interests that, in some cases, allow the Company to participate in a percentage of the underlying property’s cash flows from operations and proceeds from a sale or refinancing. At the inception of each such investment, management must determine whether such investment should be accounted for as a loan, joint venture or as real estate. To date, management has determined that all such investments are properly accounted for and reported as loans. From time to time, the Company may enter into an agreement to sell a loan. These loans are considered held-for-sale and are valued at the lower of the loan’s carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. For the sale of loans, recognition occurs when ownership passes to the buyer. *Impaired Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses, Loss on Sale and Restructuring of Loans and Charge-offs* The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates each loan in its portfolio on a quarterly basis. The Company’s loans are individually specific and unique as it relates to product type, geographic location, and collateral type, as well as to the rights and remedies and the position in the capital structure the Company’s loans and investments have in relation to the underlying collateral. The Company evaluates all of this information as well as general market trends related to specific classes of assets, collateral type and geographic locations, when determining the appropriate assumptions such as capitalization and market discount rates, as well as the borrower’s operating income and cash flows, in estimating the value of the underlying collateral when determining if a loan is impaired. The Company utilizes internally developed valuation models and techniques primarily consisting of discounted cash flow and direct capitalization models in determining the fair value of the underlying collateral on an individual loan. The Company may also obtain a third party appraisal, which may value the collateral through an “as-is” or “stabilized value” methodology. Such appraisals may be used as an additional source of valuation information only and no adjustments are made to appraisals. Included in the evaluation of the capitalization and market discount rates, the Company considers not only assumptions specific to the collateral but also considers geographical and industry trends that could impact the collateral’s value. If upon completion of the valuation, the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the impaired loan is less than the net carrying value of the loan, an allowance is created with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for each loan is maintained at a level that is believed to be adequate by management to absorb probable losses. The Company had an allowance for loan losses of $146.6 million relating to 20 loans with an aggregate carrying value, before loan loss reserves, of approximately $247.6 million at June 30, 2013 and $161.7 million in allowance for loan losses relating to 20 loans with an aggregate carrying value, before loan loss reserves, of approximately $240.2 million at December 31, 2012. Loan terms may be modified if the Company determines that based on the individual circumstances of a loan and the underlying collateral, a modification would more likely increase the total recovery of the combined principal and interest from the loan. Any loan modification is predicated upon a goal of maximizing the collection of the loan. Typical triggers for a modification would include situations where the projected cash flow is insufficient to cover required debt service, when asset performance is lagging the initial projections, where there is a requirement for rebalancing, where there is an impending maturity of the loan, and where there is an actual loan default. Loan terms that have been modified have included, but are not limited to interest rate, maturity date and in certain cases, principal amount. Length and amounts of each modification have varied based on individual circumstances and are determined on a case by case basis. If the loan modification constitutes a concession whereas the Company does not receive ample consideration in return for the modification, and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and cannot repay the loan under the current terms, then the modification is considered by the Company to be a troubled debt restructuring. If the Company receives a benefit, either monetary or strategic, and the above criteria are not met, the modification is not considered to be a troubled debt restructuring. The Company records interest on modified loans on an accrual basis to the extent that the modified loan is contractually current. Loss on restructured loans is recorded when the Company has granted a concession to the borrower in the form of principal forgiveness related to the payoff or the substitution or addition of a new debtor for the original borrower or when the Company incurs costs on behalf of the borrower related to the modification, payoff or the substitution or addition of a new debtor for the original borrower. When a loan is restructured, the Company records its investment at net realizable value, taking into account the cost of all concessions at the date of restructuring. The reduction in the recorded investment is recorded as a charge to the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which the loan is restructured. In addition, a gain or loss may be recorded upon the sale of a loan to a third party as a charge to the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which the loan was sold. No loss on sale and restructuring of loans was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. Charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses occur when losses are confirmed through the receipt of cash or other consideration from the completion of a sale; when a modification or restructuring takes place in which the Company grants a concession to a borrower or agrees to a discount in full or partial satisfaction of the loan; when the Company takes ownership and control of the underlying collateral in full satisfaction of the loan; when loans are reclassified as other investments; or when significant collection efforts have ceased and it is highly likely that a loss has been realized. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses of $18.5 million and $12.8 million, respectively. *Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale* Real estate owned, shown net of accumulated depreciation and impairment charges, is comprised of real property acquired by foreclosure or through partial or full settlement of mortgage debt. The real estate acquired is recorded at the estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. Costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure of the properties collateralizing the real estate loans are expensed as incurred and costs subsequently incurred to extend the life or improve the assets subsequent to foreclosure are capitalized. The Company allocates the purchase price of its operating properties to land, building, tenant improvements, deferred lease costs for the origination costs of the in-place leases, intangibles for the value of the above or below market leases at fair value and to any other identified intangible assets or liabilities. The Company finalizes its purchase price allocation on these assets within one year of the acquisition date. The Company amortizes the value allocated to the in-place leases over the remaining lease term. The value allocated to the above or below market leases are amortized over the remaining lease term as an adjustment to rental income. Real estate assets, including assets acquired by foreclosure or through partial or full settlement of mortgage debt, that are operated for the production of income are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Ordinary repairs and maintenance which are not reimbursed by the tenants are expensed as incurred. Major replacements and betterments which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life. The Company’s properties are individually reviewed for impairment each quarter, if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes impairment if the undiscounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. Measurement of impairment is based upon the estimated fair value of the asset. Upon evaluating a property for impairment, many factors are considered, including estimated current and expected operating cash flows from the property during the projected holding period, costs necessary to extend the life or improve the asset, expected capitalization rates, projected stabilized net operating income, selling costs, and the ability to hold and dispose of such real estate owned in the ordinary course of business. Valuation adjustments may be necessary in the event that effective interest rates, rent-up periods, future economic conditions, and other relevant factors vary significantly from those assumed in valuing the property. If future evaluations result in a diminution in the value of the property, the reduction will be recognized as an impairment charge at that time. Real estate is classified as held-for-sale when management commits to a plan of sale, the asset is available for immediate sale, there is an active program to locate a buyer, and it is probable the sale will be completed within one year. Properties classified as held-for-sale are not depreciated and the results of their operations are shown in discontinued operations. Real estate assets that are expected to be disposed of are valued, on an individual asset basis, at the lower of their carrying amount or their fair value less costs to sell. The Company recognizes sales of real estate properties upon closing. Payments received from purchasers prior to closing are recorded as deposits. Profit on real estate sold is recognized upon closing using the full accrual method when the collectability of the sale price is reasonably assured and the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale. Profit may be deferred in whole or in part until collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured and the earnings process is complete. *Revenue Recognition* Interest income — Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis as it is earned from loans, investments, and securities. In certain instances, the borrower pays an additional amount of interest at the time the loan is closed, an origination fee, a prepayment fee and/or deferred interest upon maturity. In some cases, interest income may also include the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts arising from the purchase or origination of the loan or security. This additional income, net of any direct loan origination costs incurred, is deferred and accreted into interest income on an effective yield or “interest” method adjusted for actual prepayment activity over the life of the related loan or security as a yield adjustment. Income recognition is suspended for loans when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of all contractual principal is not probable. Income recognition is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is resumed. The Company records interest income on certain impaired loans to the extent cash is received, in which a loan loss reserve has been recorded, as the borrower continues to make interest payments. The Company recorded loan loss reserves related to these loans as it was deemed that full recovery of principal and interest was not probable. Several of the Company’s loans provide for accrual of interest at specified rates, which differ from current payment terms. Interest is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and operations of the asset. If management cannot make this determination, interest income above the current pay rate is recognized only upon actual receipt. Given the transitional nature of some of the Company’s real estate loans, the Company may require funds to be placed into an interest reserve, based on contractual requirements, to cover debt service costs. The Company will analyze these interest reserves on a periodic basis and determine if any additional interest reserves are needed. Recognition of income on loans with funded interest reserves are accounted for in the same manner as loans without funded interest reserves. The Company will not recognize any interest income on loans in which the borrower has failed to make the contractual interest payment due or has not replenished the interest reserve account. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had total interest reserves of $7.4 million on 40 loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $493.9 million and had three non-performing loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $38.4 million with a funded interest reserve of $0.1 million. Income from non-performing loans is generally recognized on a cash basis only to the extent it is received. Full income recognition will resume when the loan becomes contractually current and performance has recommenced. Additionally, interest income is recorded when earned from equity participation interests, referred to as equity kickers. These equity kickers have the potential to generate additional revenues to the Company as a result of excess cash flow distributions and/or as appreciated properties are sold or refinanced. The Company did not record interest income from such investments for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. Property operating income — Property operating income represents income associated with the operations of commercial real estate properties classified as real estate owned. The Company recognizes revenue for these activities when the fees are fixed or determinable, or are evidenced by an arrangement, collection is reasonably assured and the services under the arrangement have been provided. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company recorded approximately $8.2 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of property operating income relating to its real estate owned properties, as compared to approximately $8.1 million and $16.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had two real estate owned properties, a portfolio of multifamily assets that was purchased by the Company out of bankruptcy and a portfolio of hotel assets that was transferred to the Company by the owner, a creditor trust. Both of these portfolios were acquired in the first quarter of 2011. See Note 6 — “Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale” for further details. Other income, net — Other income, net represents net interest income and gains and losses recorded on the Company’s linked transactions, as well as loan structuring, defeasance, and miscellaneous asset management fees associated with the Company’s loans and investments portfolio. The Company recognizes these forms of income 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. *Investment in Equity Affiliates* The Company invests in joint ventures that are formed to acquire, develop, and/or sell real estate assets. These joint ventures are not majority owned or controlled by the Company, or are VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and are not consolidated in its financial statements. These investments are recorded under either the equity or cost method of accounting as deemed appropriate. The Company records its share of the net income and losses from the underlying properties of its equity method investments and any other-than-temporary impairment on these investments on a single line item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as income or losses from equity affiliates. *Stock-Based Compensation* The Company has granted certain of its employees, directors, and employees of ACM, stock awards consisting of shares of the Company’s common stock that vest immediately or annually over a multi-year period, subject to the recipient’s continued service to the Company. The Company records stock-based compensation expense at the grant date fair value of the related stock-based award with subsequent remeasurement for any unvested shares granted to non-employees of the Company with such amounts expensed against earnings, at the grant date (for the portion that vests immediately) or ratably over the respective vesting periods. Dividends are paid on restricted stock as dividends are paid on shares of the Company’s common stock whether or not they are vested. Stock-based compensation is disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations under “employee compensation and benefits” for employees and under “selling and administrative” expense for non-employees. *Income Taxes* The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a REIT and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. A REIT is generally not subject to federal income tax on taxable income which is distributed to its stockholders, provided that the Company distributes at least 90% of its taxable income and meets certain other requirements. Certain REIT income may be subject to state and local income taxes. The Company’s assets or operations that would not otherwise comply with the REIT requirements, are owned or conducted by the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries, the income of which is subject to federal and state income tax. Under current federal tax law, the income and any tax on or distribution requirements attributable to certain debt extinguishment transactions realized in 2009 and 2010 have been deferred to future periods at the Company’s election. Current accounting guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This guidance also provides clarity on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. *Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)* The Company divides comprehensive income or loss into net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. In addition, to the extent the Company’s derivative instruments qualify as hedges, net unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). See “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” below. At June 30, 2013, accumulated other comprehensive loss was $31.3 million and consisted of $31.7 million of net unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and a $0.4 million unrealized gain related to available-for-sale securities. At December 31, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive loss was $39.6 million and consisted of $40.0 million of net unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and a $0.4 million unrealized gain related to available-for-sale securities. *Hedging Activities and Derivatives* Hedging Activities The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at fair value and these amounts are recorded in other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, or net income (loss) depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. The Company uses derivatives for hedging purposes rather than speculation. Fair values are approximated based on current market data received from financial sources that trade such instruments and are based on prevailing market data and derived from third party proprietary models based on well recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions. Derivatives The Company records all derivatives in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. In the normal course of business, the Company may use a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage, or hedge, interest rate risk. These derivative financial instruments must be effective in reducing its interest rate risk exposure in order to qualify for hedge accounting. When the terms of an underlying transaction are modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceases to exist, all changes in the fair value of the instrument are marked-to-market with changes in value included in net income (loss) for each period until the derivative instrument matures or is settled. Any derivative instrument used for risk management that does not meet the hedging criteria is marked-to-market with the changes in value included in net income (loss). In cases where a derivative financial instrument is terminated early, any gain or loss is generally amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item. In certain circumstances, the Company may finance the purchase of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (“RMBS”) investments through a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty which may qualify as a linked transaction. If both transactions are entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of each other, the transactions are presumed to be linked transactions unless certain criteria are met, and the Company accounts for the purchase of such securities and the repurchase agreement on a combined basis as a forward contract derivative at fair value which is reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying linked transactions and associated interest income and expense reported in other income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The analysis of transactions under these rules requires management’s judgment and experience. See Note 8 — “Derivative Financial Instruments” for further details. *Variable Interest Entities* The Company has evaluated its loans and investments, mortgage related securities, investments in equity affiliates, junior subordinated notes, CDOs and CLOs, in order to determine if they qualify as VIEs or as variable interests in VIEs. This evaluation resulted in the Company determining that its bridge loans, junior participation loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, investments in equity affiliates, junior subordinated notes, CDOs, CLOs, and investments in debt securities were potential VIEs or variable interests in VIEs. A VIE is defined as an entity 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 financial support from other parties. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party that (i) has the power to control the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Note 9 — “Variable Interest Entities” for further details. *Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements* In June 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the definition and measurement of investment companies. The guidance does not address the applicability of investment company accounting for real estate entities and thus does not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities which amends U.S. GAAP to conform more to the disclosure requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Under the updated guidance, an entity is required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued further guidance clarifying the scope of disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The scope applies to certain derivatives (including bifurcated embedded derivatives,) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. The guidance is effective as of the first quarter of 2013 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on comprehensive income which amends U.S. GAAP to conform to IFRS disclosure requirements. The amendment eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and requires a separate Statement of Comprehensive Income or two consecutive statements in the Statement of Operations and in a separate Statement of Comprehensive Income. The guidance also requires the presentation of reclassification adjustments for each component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements rather than in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance was effective as of the first quarter of 2012, except for guidance on the disclosure of reclassification adjustments which was postponed for re-deliberation by the FASB, and early adoption was permitted. The Company early adopted the guidance in the fourth quarter of 2011, with the exception of the disclosure of reclassification adjustments postponed for re-deliberation by the FASB. As the guidance only amends existing disclosure requirements, its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the disclosure of reclassification adjustments. The updated guidance requires the Company to disclose, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes to the financial statements, the financial statement effects on earnings from items that are reclassified out of other comprehensive income, by component. This guidance is effective as of the first quarter of 2013 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification™, the authoritative reference for accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, although management believes that the disclosures presented herein are adequate to prevent the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements presented from being misleading.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, partnerships or other joint ventures in which the Company owns a voting interest of greater than 50 percent, and Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which the Company is the primary beneficiary. VIEs are defined as entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which is the party that (i) has the power to control the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Current accounting guidance requires the Company to present a) assets of a consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE, and b) liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary. As a result of this guidance, the Company has separately disclosed parenthetically the assets and liabilities of its three collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) and two collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) subsidiaries on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Entities in which the Company owns a voting interest of 20 percent to 50 percent are accounted for primarily under the equity method.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of consolidated interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated interim financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Further, in connection with the preparation of the consolidated interim financial statements, the Company evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date of June 30, 2013 through the issuance of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company sold a real estate investment that was part of a portfolio of hotel properties, resulting in a reclassification of the operating activity from property operating income and expenses to discontinued operations for all prior periods presented.

The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated annual financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in high quality financial institutions. The consolidated account balances at each institution periodically exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage and the Company believes that this risk is not significant.

Restricted Cash

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had restricted cash of $34.1 million and $42.5 million, respectively. Restricted cash primarily represents proceeds from the Company’s second CLO which will be used to purchase underlying assets, loan repayments on deposit with the trustees for the Company’s CDOs which will be used for principal repayments, unfunded loan commitments and interest payments received from loans. As of January 2012, all three of the CDOs have reached their replenishment dates and principal repayments are remitted quarterly to the bond holders and the Company in the month following the quarter. See Note 7 — “Debt Obligations.” The Company’s real estate owned assets also had restricted cash balances totaling $1.1 million and $1.0 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, due to escrow requirements. See Note 6 — “Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale.”

Loans, Investments and Securities

At the time of purchase, the Company designates a security as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, or trading depending on the Company’s ability and intent to hold it to maturity. The Company does not have any securities designated as trading as of June 30, 2013. Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, while securities held-to-maturity are reported at amortized cost. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary are recognized in earnings up to their credit component. The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process requiring judgments and assumptions. The process may include, but is not limited to, assessment of recent market events and prospects for near-term recovery, assessment of cash flows, internal review of the underlying assets securing the investments, credit of the issuer and the rating of the security, as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment to maturity. Management closely monitors market conditions on which it bases such decisions.

The Company also assesses certain of its securities, other than those of high credit quality, to determine whether significant changes in estimated cash flows or unrealized losses on these securities, if any, reflect a decline in value which is other-than-temporary and, accordingly, should be written down to their fair value against earnings. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews these changes in estimated cash flows, which could occur due to actual prepayment and credit loss experience, to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred. The determination of other-than-temporary impairment is a subjective process requiring judgments and assumptions and is not necessarily intended to indicate a permanent decline in value. The Company calculates a revised yield based on the current amortized cost of the investment, including any other-than-temporary impairments recognized to date, and the revised yield is then applied prospectively to recognize interest income.

Securities that are purchased at a discount and that are not of high credit quality at the time of purchase are accounted for as debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality. Interest income on these securities is recognized using the effective interest method based on the Company’s estimates of expected cash flows to be received, which include assumptions related to fluctuations in prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of credit losses which are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan origination costs and fees, loan purchase discounts, and net of the allowance for loan losses when such loan or investment is deemed to be impaired. The Company invests in preferred equity interests that, in some cases, allow the Company to participate in a percentage of the underlying property’s cash flows from operations and proceeds from a sale or refinancing. At the inception of each such investment, management must determine whether such investment should be accounted for as a loan, joint venture or as real estate. To date, management has determined that all such investments are properly accounted for and reported as loans.

From time to time, the Company may enter into an agreement to sell a loan. These loans are considered held-for-sale and are valued at the lower of the loan’s carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. For the sale of loans, recognition occurs when ownership passes to the buyer.

Impaired Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses, Loss on Sale and Restructuring of Loans and Charge-offs

The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates each loan in its portfolio on a quarterly basis. The Company’s loans are individually specific and unique as it relates to product type, geographic location, and collateral type, as well as to the rights and remedies and the position in the capital structure the Company’s loans and investments have in relation to the underlying collateral. The Company evaluates all of this information as well as general market trends related to specific classes of assets, collateral type and geographic locations, when determining the appropriate assumptions such as capitalization and market discount rates, as well as the borrower’s operating income and cash flows, in estimating the value of the underlying collateral when determining if a loan is impaired. The Company utilizes internally developed valuation models and techniques primarily consisting of discounted cash flow and direct capitalization models in determining the fair value of the underlying collateral on an individual loan. The Company may also obtain a third party appraisal, which may value the collateral through an “as-is” or “stabilized value” methodology. Such appraisals may be used as an additional source of valuation information only and no adjustments are made to appraisals. Included in the evaluation of the capitalization and market discount rates, the Company considers not only assumptions specific to the collateral but also considers geographical and industry trends that could impact the collateral’s value.

If upon completion of the valuation, the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the impaired loan is less than the net carrying value of the loan, an allowance is created with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The allowance for each loan is maintained at a level that is believed to be adequate by management to absorb probable losses. The Company had an allowance for loan losses of $146.6 million relating to 20 loans with an aggregate carrying value, before loan loss reserves, of approximately $247.6 million at June 30, 2013 and $161.7 million in allowance for loan losses relating to 20 loans with an aggregate carrying value, before loan loss reserves, of approximately $240.2 million at December 31, 2012.

Loan terms may be modified if the Company determines that based on the individual circumstances of a loan and the underlying collateral, a modification would more likely increase the total recovery of the combined principal and interest from the loan. Any loan modification is predicated upon a goal of maximizing the collection of the loan. Typical triggers for a modification would include situations where the projected cash flow is insufficient to cover required debt service, when asset performance is lagging the initial projections, where there is a requirement for rebalancing, where there is an impending maturity of the loan, and where there is an actual loan default. Loan terms that have been modified have included, but are not limited to interest rate, maturity date and in certain cases, principal amount. Length and amounts of each modification have varied based on individual circumstances and are determined on a case by case basis. If the loan modification constitutes a concession whereas the Company does not receive ample consideration in return for the modification, and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and cannot repay the loan under the current terms, then the modification is considered by the Company to be a troubled debt restructuring. If the Company receives a benefit, either monetary or strategic, and the above criteria are not met, the modification is not considered to be a troubled debt restructuring. The Company records interest on modified loans on an accrual basis to the extent that the modified loan is contractually current.

Loss on restructured loans is recorded when the Company has granted a concession to the borrower in the form of principal forgiveness related to the payoff or the substitution or addition of a new debtor for the original borrower or when the Company incurs costs on behalf of the borrower related to the modification, payoff or the substitution or addition of a new debtor for the original borrower. When a loan is restructured, the Company records its investment at net realizable value, taking into account the cost of all concessions at the date of restructuring. The reduction in the recorded investment is recorded as a charge to the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which the loan is restructured. In addition, a gain or loss may be recorded upon the sale of a loan to a third party as a charge to the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which the loan was sold. No loss on sale and restructuring of loans was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses occur when losses are confirmed through the receipt of cash or other consideration from the completion of a sale; when a modification or restructuring takes place in which the Company grants a concession to a borrower or agrees to a discount in full or partial satisfaction of the loan; when the Company takes ownership and control of the underlying collateral in full satisfaction of the loan; when loans are reclassified as other investments; or when significant collection efforts have ceased and it is highly likely that a loss has been realized. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses of $18.5 million and $12.8 million, respectively.

Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale

Real estate owned, shown net of accumulated depreciation and impairment charges, is comprised of real property acquired by foreclosure or through partial or full settlement of mortgage debt. The real estate acquired is recorded at the estimated fair value at the time of acquisition.

Costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure of the properties collateralizing the real estate loans are expensed as incurred and costs subsequently incurred to extend the life or improve the assets subsequent to foreclosure are capitalized.

The Company allocates the purchase price of its operating properties to land, building, tenant improvements, deferred lease costs for the origination costs of the in-place leases, intangibles for the value of the above or below market leases at fair value and to any other identified intangible assets or liabilities. The Company finalizes its purchase price allocation on these assets within one year of the acquisition date. The Company amortizes the value allocated to the in-place leases over the remaining lease term. The value allocated to the above or below market leases are amortized over the remaining lease term as an adjustment to rental income.

Real estate assets, including assets acquired by foreclosure or through partial or full settlement of mortgage debt, that are operated for the production of income are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Ordinary repairs and maintenance which are not reimbursed by the tenants are expensed as incurred. Major replacements and betterments which improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful life.

The Company’s properties are individually reviewed for impairment each quarter, if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes impairment if the undiscounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. Measurement of impairment is based upon the estimated fair value of the asset. Upon evaluating a property for impairment, many factors are considered, including estimated current and expected operating cash flows from the property during the projected holding period, costs necessary to extend the life or improve the asset, expected capitalization rates, projected stabilized net operating income, selling costs, and the ability to hold and dispose of such real estate owned in the ordinary course of business. Valuation adjustments may be necessary in the event that effective interest rates, rent-up periods, future economic conditions, and other relevant factors vary significantly from those assumed in valuing the property. If future evaluations result in a diminution in the value of the property, the reduction will be recognized as an impairment charge at that time.

Real estate is classified as held-for-sale when management commits to a plan of sale, the asset is available for immediate sale, there is an active program to locate a buyer, and it is probable the sale will be completed within one year. Properties classified as held-for-sale are not depreciated and the results of their operations are shown in discontinued operations. Real estate assets that are expected to be disposed of are valued, on an individual asset basis, at the lower of their carrying amount or their fair value less costs to sell.

The Company recognizes sales of real estate properties upon closing. Payments received from purchasers prior to closing are recorded as deposits. Profit on real estate sold is recognized upon closing using the full accrual method when the collectability of the sale price is reasonably assured and the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale. Profit may be deferred in whole or in part until collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured and the earnings process is complete.

Revenue Recognition

Interest income — Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis as it is earned from loans, investments, and securities. In certain instances, the borrower pays an additional amount of interest at the time the loan is closed, an origination fee, a prepayment fee and/or deferred interest upon maturity. In some cases, interest income may also include the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts arising from the purchase or origination of the loan or security. This additional income, net of any direct loan origination costs incurred, is deferred and accreted into interest income on an effective yield or “interest” method adjusted for actual prepayment activity over the life of the related loan or security as a yield adjustment. Income recognition is suspended for loans when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of all contractual principal is not probable. Income recognition is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is resumed. The Company records interest income on certain impaired loans to the extent cash is received, in which a loan loss reserve has been recorded, as the borrower continues to make interest payments. The Company recorded loan loss reserves related to these loans as it was deemed that full recovery of principal and interest was not probable.

Several of the Company’s loans provide for accrual of interest at specified rates, which differ from current payment terms. Interest is recognized on such loans at the accrual rate subject to management’s determination that accrued interest and outstanding principal are ultimately collectible, based on the underlying collateral and operations of the asset. If management cannot make this determination, interest income above the current pay rate is recognized only upon actual receipt.

Given the transitional nature of some of the Company’s real estate loans, the Company may require funds to be placed into an interest reserve, based on contractual requirements, to cover debt service costs. The Company will analyze these interest reserves on a periodic basis and determine if any additional interest reserves are needed. Recognition of income on loans with funded interest reserves are accounted for in the same manner as loans without funded interest reserves. The Company will not recognize any interest income on loans in which the borrower has failed to make the contractual interest payment due or has not replenished the interest reserve account. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had total interest reserves of $7.4 million on 40 loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $493.9 million and had three non-performing loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $38.4 million with a funded interest reserve of $0.1 million. Income from non-performing loans is generally recognized on a cash basis only to the extent it is received. Full income recognition will resume when the loan becomes contractually current and performance has recommenced.

Additionally, interest income is recorded when earned from equity participation interests, referred to as equity kickers. These equity kickers have the potential to generate additional revenues to the Company as a result of excess cash flow distributions and/or as appreciated properties are sold or refinanced. The Company did not record interest income from such investments for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Property operating income — Property operating income represents income associated with the operations of commercial real estate properties classified as real estate owned. The Company recognizes revenue for these activities when the fees are fixed or determinable, or are evidenced by an arrangement, collection is reasonably assured and the services under the arrangement have been provided. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company recorded approximately $8.2 million and $17.1 million, respectively, of property operating income relating to its real estate owned properties, as compared to approximately $8.1 million and $16.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had two real estate owned properties, a portfolio of multifamily assets that was purchased by the Company out of bankruptcy and a portfolio of hotel assets that was transferred to the Company by the owner, a creditor trust. Both of these portfolios were acquired in the first quarter of 2011. See Note 6 — “Real Estate Owned and Held-For-Sale” for further details.

Other income, net — Other income, net represents net interest income and gains and losses recorded on the Company’s linked transactions, as well as loan structuring, defeasance, and miscellaneous asset management fees associated with the Company’s loans and investments portfolio. The Company recognizes these forms of income 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.

Investment in Equity Affiliates

The Company invests in joint ventures that are formed to acquire, develop, and/or sell real estate assets. These joint ventures are not majority owned or controlled by the Company, or are VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and are not consolidated in its financial statements. These investments are recorded under either the equity or cost method of accounting as deemed appropriate. The Company records its share of the net income and losses from the underlying properties of its equity method investments and any other-than-temporary impairment on these investments on a single line item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as income or losses from equity affiliates.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has granted certain of its employees, directors, and employees of ACM, stock awards consisting of shares of the Company’s common stock that vest immediately or annually over a multi-year period, subject to the recipient’s continued service to the Company. The Company records stock-based compensation expense at the grant date fair value of the related stock-based award with subsequent remeasurement for any unvested shares granted to non-employees of the Company with such amounts expensed against earnings, at the grant date (for the portion that vests immediately) or ratably over the respective vesting periods. Dividends are paid on restricted stock as dividends are paid on shares of the Company’s common stock whether or not they are vested. Stock-based compensation is disclosed in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations under “employee compensation and benefits” for employees and under “selling and administrative” expense for non-employees.

Income Taxes

The Company is organized and conducts its operations to qualify as a REIT and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. A REIT is generally not subject to federal income tax on taxable income which is distributed to its stockholders, provided that the Company distributes at least 90% of its taxable income and meets certain other requirements. Certain REIT income may be subject to state and local income taxes. The Company’s assets or operations that would not otherwise comply with the REIT requirements, are owned or conducted by the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries, the income of which is subject to federal and state income tax. Under current federal tax law, the income and any tax on or distribution requirements attributable to certain debt extinguishment transactions realized in 2009 and 2010 have been deferred to future periods at the Company’s election.

Current accounting guidance clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This guidance also provides clarity on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure.

Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

The Company divides comprehensive income or loss into net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), which includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. In addition, to the extent the Company’s derivative instruments qualify as hedges, net unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). See “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” below. At June 30, 2013, accumulated other comprehensive loss was $31.3 million and consisted of $31.7 million of net unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and a $0.4 million unrealized gain related to available-for-sale securities. At December 31, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive loss was $39.6 million and consisted of $40.0 million of net unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and a $0.4 million unrealized gain related to available-for-sale securities.

Hedging Activities and Derivatives

Hedging Activities

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at fair value and these amounts are recorded in other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, or net income (loss) depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. The Company uses derivatives for hedging purposes rather than speculation. Fair values are approximated based on current market data received from financial sources that trade such instruments and are based on prevailing market data and derived from third party proprietary models based on well recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions.

Derivatives

The Company records all derivatives in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

In the normal course of business, the Company may use a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage, or hedge, interest rate risk. These derivative financial instruments must be effective in reducing its interest rate risk exposure in order to qualify for hedge accounting. When the terms of an underlying transaction are modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceases to exist, all changes in the fair value of the instrument are marked-to-market with changes in value included in net income (loss) for each period until the derivative instrument matures or is settled. Any derivative instrument used for risk management that does not meet the hedging criteria is marked-to-market with the changes in value included in net income (loss). In cases where a derivative financial instrument is terminated early, any gain or loss is generally amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item.

In certain circumstances, the Company may finance the purchase of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (“RMBS”) investments through a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty which may qualify as a linked transaction. If both transactions are entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of each other, the transactions are presumed to be linked transactions unless certain criteria are met, and the Company accounts for the purchase of such securities and the repurchase agreement on a combined basis as a forward contract derivative at fair value which is reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying linked transactions and associated interest income and expense reported in other income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The analysis of transactions under these rules requires management’s judgment and experience. See Note 8 — “Derivative Financial Instruments” for further details.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company has evaluated its loans and investments, mortgage related securities, investments in equity affiliates, junior subordinated notes, CDOs and CLOs, in order to determine if they qualify as VIEs or as variable interests in VIEs. This evaluation resulted in the Company determining that its bridge loans, junior participation loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, investments in equity affiliates, junior subordinated notes, CDOs, CLOs, and investments in debt securities were potential VIEs or variable interests in VIEs. A VIE is defined as an entity 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 financial support from other parties. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, which is defined as the party that (i) has the power to control the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Note 9 — “Variable Interest Entities” for further details.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the definition and measurement of investment companies. The guidance does not address the applicability of investment company accounting for real estate entities and thus does not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities which amends U.S. GAAP to conform more to the disclosure requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Under the updated guidance, an entity is required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued further guidance clarifying the scope of disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The scope applies to certain derivatives (including bifurcated embedded derivatives,) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. The guidance is effective as of the first quarter of 2013 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance on comprehensive income which amends U.S. GAAP to conform to IFRS disclosure requirements. The amendment eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and requires a separate Statement of Comprehensive Income or two consecutive statements in the Statement of Operations and in a separate Statement of Comprehensive Income. The guidance also requires the presentation of reclassification adjustments for each component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements rather than in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance was effective as of the first quarter of 2012, except for guidance on the disclosure of reclassification adjustments which was postponed for re-deliberation by the FASB, and early adoption was permitted. The Company early adopted the guidance in the fourth quarter of 2011, with the exception of the disclosure of reclassification adjustments postponed for re-deliberation by the FASB. As the guidance only amends existing disclosure requirements, its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the disclosure of reclassification adjustments. The updated guidance requires the Company to disclose, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes to the financial statements, the financial statement effects on earnings from items that are reclassified out of other comprehensive income, by component. This guidance is effective as of the first quarter of 2013 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.