Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 has been derived from audited financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are unaudited. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures have been omitted since such items are disclosed in Note 2 in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Provided below is a summary of additional accounting policies that are significant to, or newly adopted by, the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management has made significant estimates in several areas, including fair valuation of its distressed and other residential mortgage loans, multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, multi-family CDOs and CMBS held in securitization trusts, as well as income recognition on distressed residential mortgage loans purchased at a discount. Although the Company’s estimates contemplate current conditions and how it expects those conditions to change in the future, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could be different than anticipated in those estimates, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications – Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to current period presentation.

Principles of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities

Principles of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities – The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a variable interest entity ("VIE") where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A VIE is defined as an entity 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. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE, herein referred to as a "Consolidated VIE". As primary beneficiary, the Company has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification and Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842")

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to all leases that were not completed as of January 1, 2019. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. We elected the practical expedients allowed for under ASC 842 that exempt an entity from reassessing whether existing contracts contain leases, reassessing the lease classification of existing leases, and reassessing the initial direct costs for existing leases. As such, there was no cumulative impact on opening accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2019 of adopting ASC 842 under the modified retrospective transition method. Operating lease right of use assets of $9.6 million and operating lease liabilities of $10.0 million are included in receivables and other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively, as of September 30, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on purchased financial assets with credit deterioration and available-for-sale debt securities, which will require the recognition of credit losses through a valuation allowance when fair value is less than amortized cost. The amendments are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted beginning in 2019.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief ("ASU 2019-05"). The amendments allow an entity to make an irrevocable one-time election to measure financial assets accounted for under ASC 326-20, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses— Measured at Amortized Cost, using the fair value option upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. For the Company, the amendments are effective upon adoption of ASU 2016-13. The amendments in ASU 2019-05 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the date that an entity adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance in conjunction with ASU 2016-13 as the ASUs will affect the Company's accounting for distressed and other residential mortgage loans, net and preferred equity and mezzanine loan investments that are accounted for as loans. It is the Company's intention to elect fair value option for impacted assets but the Company will continue to evaluate the new standards and any changes in our business or additional amendments to these standards could change our intention to elect fair value option.

Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13"). These amendments add, modify, or remove disclosure requirements regarding the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, narrative descriptions of measurement uncertainty, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of ASU 2018-13 and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company anticipates the implementation of this guidance as of the effective date will result in additional and modified disclosures with respect to its Level 3 fair value measurements.