10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission file number 001-35151

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

Maryland	27-5254382
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
245 Park Avenue, 26th Floor New York, New York	10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(212) 692-2000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 and Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filed, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

  Large Accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-Accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company  ¨ Emerging growth company  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes   ¨     No   x

As of October 23, 2017, there were 28,192,541 outstanding shares of common stock of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016	2
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016	4
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	41
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	70
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	74
PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION		74
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	74
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	74
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	74
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	74
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	74
Item 5.	Other Information	75
Item 6.	Exhibits	75

PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Assets
Real estate securities, at fair value:
Agency - $1,857,336,576 and $972,232,174 pledged as collateral, respectively	$	2,057,208,953		$	1,057,663,726
Non-Agency - $905,878,564 and $990,985,143 pledged as collateral, respectively		929,893,801			1,043,017,308
ABS - $35,918,646 and $21,231,956 pledged as collateral, respectively		53,223,788			21,231,956
CMBS - $208,535,553 and $201,464,058 pledged as collateral, respectively		211,835,559			211,652,660
Residential mortgage loans, at fair value - $20,767,883 and $31,031,107 pledged as collateral, respectively		23,867,531			38,195,576
Commercial loans, at fair value - $32,800,000 pledged as collateral		57,398,663			60,068,800
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates		89,081,520			72,215,919
Excess mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		2,680,564			412,648
Cash and cash equivalents		61,716,545			52,469,891
Restricted cash		40,853,714			26,583,527
Interest receivable		11,798,960			8,570,383
Receivable on unsettled trades - $0 and $3,057,814 pledged as collateral, respectively		-			3,633,161
Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements		-			22,680,000
Derivative assets, at fair value		1,027,846			3,703,366
Other assets		3,347,648			5,600,341
Due from broker		538,842			945,304
Total Assets	$	3,544,473,934		$	2,628,644,566
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	$	2,694,551,824		$	1,900,509,806
Securitized debt, at fair value		17,221,071			21,491,710
Loan participation payable, at fair value		-			1,800,000
Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value		-			22,365,000
Payable on unsettled trades		95,429,430			-
Interest payable		5,342,257			2,570,854
Derivative liabilities, at fair value		2,124,550			2,907,255
Dividend payable		16,208,929			13,157,573
Due to affiliates		4,377,194			3,967,622
Accrued expenses		799,895			1,068,779
Taxes payable		1,176,883			1,717,883
Due to broker		616,020			1,211,694
Total Liabilities		2,837,848,053			1,972,768,176
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized:
8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 2,070,000 shares issued and outstanding ($51,750,000 aggregate liquidation preference)		49,920,772			49,920,772
8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, 4,600,000 shares issued and outstanding ($115,000,000 aggregate liquidation preference)		111,293,233			111,293,233
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 28,189,441 and 27,700,154 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively		281,896			277,002
Additional paid-in capital		585,395,566			576,276,322
Retained earnings/(deficit)		(40,265,586	)		(81,890,939	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity		706,625,881			655,876,390
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	$	3,544,473,934		$	2,628,644,566

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	33,592,587		$	30,573,134		$	92,773,014		$	91,470,588
Interest expense		11,959,225			8,525,365			30,322,030			25,482,661
		21,633,362			22,047,769			62,450,984			65,987,927
Other Income
Net realized gain/(loss)		22,286			9,578,488			(12,527,278	)		(8,725,255	)
Realized loss on periodic interest settlements of derivative instruments, net		(2,147,452	)		(1,034,251	)		(5,614,971	)		(5,019,565	)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net		14,892,809			13,461,216			53,189,925			33,260,103
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		2,422,713			6,961,061			4,224,010			(4,792,369	)
Other income		2,325			341,345			34,207			368,731
		15,192,681			29,307,859			39,305,893			15,091,645
Expenses
Management fee to affiliate		2,454,083			2,451,387			7,373,679			7,322,312
Other operating expenses		2,602,473			2,870,662			8,247,060			8,581,726
Servicing fees		22,991			121,806			184,993			359,150
Equity based compensation to affiliate		60,859			75,774			225,877			217,928
Excise tax		375,000			238,167			1,125,000			988,167
		5,515,406			5,757,796			17,156,609			17,469,283
Income/(loss) before equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		31,310,637			45,597,832			84,600,268			63,610,289
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		4,700,800			534,133			9,699,962			1,154,390
Net Income/(Loss)		36,011,437			46,131,965			94,300,230			64,764,679
Dividends on preferred stock		3,367,354			3,367,354			10,102,062			10,102,062
Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders	$	32,644,083		$	42,764,611		$	84,198,168		$	54,662,617
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$	1.17		$	1.54		$	3.03		$	1.95
Diluted	$	1.17		$	1.54		$	3.03		$	1.95
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic		27,841,452			27,802,124			27,756,357			28,036,809
Diluted		27,856,765			27,804,154			27,770,299			28,036,809

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

							8.25 % Series A		8.00 % Series B
							Cumulative		Cumulative
	Common Stock						Redeemable		Redeemable		Additional			Retained
	Shares			Amount			Preferred Stock		Preferred Stock		Paid-in Capital			Earnings/(Deficit)			Total
Balance at January 1, 2016		28,286,210		$	282,863		$	49,920,772	$	111,293,233	$	584,581,995		$	(79,134,150	)	$	666,944,713
Repurchase of common stock		(614,695	)		(6,147	)		-		-		(8,723,881	)		-			(8,730,028	)
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation		26,735			267			-		-		307,567			-			307,834
Common dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(39,812,571	)		(39,812,571	)
Preferred Series A dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(3,202,062	)		(3,202,062	)
Preferred Series B dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(6,900,000	)		(6,900,000	)
Net Income/(Loss)		-			-			-		-		-			64,764,679			64,764,679
Balance at September 30, 2016		27,698,250		$	276,983		$	49,920,772	$	111,293,233	$	576,165,681		$	(64,284,104	)	$	673,372,565
Balance at January 1, 2017		27,700,154		$	277,002		$	49,920,772	$	111,293,233	$	576,276,322		$	(81,890,939	)	$	655,876,390
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		460,932			4,610			-		-		8,713,545			-			8,718,155
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation		28,355			284			-		-		405,699			-			405,983
Common dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(42,572,815	)		(42,572,815	)
Preferred Series A dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(3,202,062	)		(3,202,062	)
Preferred Series B dividends declared		-			-			-		-		-			(6,900,000	)		(6,900,000	)
Net Income/(Loss)		-			-			-		-		-			94,300,230			94,300,230
Balance at September 30, 2017		28,189,441		$	281,896		$	49,920,772	$	111,293,233	$	585,395,566		$	(40,265,586	)	$	706,625,881

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	94,300,230		$	64,764,679
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net amortization of premium		6,264,375			5,671,320
Net realized (gain)/loss		12,527,278			8,725,255
Unrealized (gains)/losses on real estate securities and loans, net		(53,189,925	)		(33,260,103	)
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and other instruments, net		(4,224,010	)		4,792,369
Equity based compensation to affiliate		225,877			217,928
Equity based compensation expense		180,106			89,906
Income from investments in debt and equity of affiliates in excess of distributions received		(1,935,439	)		-
Change in operating assets/liabilities:
Interest receivable		(3,230,086	)		2,284,296
Other assets		69,909			334,590
Due from broker		(6,084	)		273,654
Interest payable		7,729,867			(1,200,911	)
Due to affiliates		409,572			180,446
Accrued expenses		(256,610	)		(633,420	)
Taxes payable		(541,000	)		(521,833	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		58,324,060			51,718,176
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of real estate securities		(1,572,649,795	)		(523,078,732	)
Origination of commercial loans		-			(10,428,437	)
Purchase of commercial loans		(10,270,833	)		-
Purchase of U.S. Treasury securities		-			(358,417,649	)
Purchase of excess mortgage servicing rights		(2,435,617	)		-
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates		(14,861,310	)		(21,170,503	)
Proceeds from sales of real estate securities		467,285,986			278,119,764
Proceeds from sales of residential mortgage loans		13,760,936			35,606,480
Proceeds from sales of U.S. treasury securities		-			487,081,984
Distribution received from investments in debt and equity of affiliates		-			315,983
Principal repayments on real estate securities		319,138,675			291,000,339
Principal repayments on commercial loans		13,478,194			40,000,000
Principal repayments on residential mortgage loans		5,871,829			2,476,335
Net proceeds from/(payments made) on reverse repurchase agreements		22,680,932			(45,942,668	)
Net proceeds from/(payments made) on sales of securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,413,242	)		45,281,749
Net settlement of interest rate swaps and other instruments		(13,728,973	)		(10,613,258	)
Net settlement of TBAs		3,002,891			445,586
Proceeds from redemption of FHLBC Stock		-			8,013,900
Cash flows provided by/(used in) other investing activities		3,366,843			1,271,471
Restricted cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(21,212,643	)		(669,691	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(808,986,127	)		219,292,653
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repurchase of common stock		-			(9,928,615	)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock		8,730,428			-
Borrowings under repurchase agreements		26,155,914,394			64,813,220,211
Borrowings under FHLBC advances		-			147,215,991
Repayments of repurchase agreements		(25,362,642,476	)		(64,621,819,962	)
Repayments of FHLBC advances		-			(544,109,991	)
Proceeds from transfer of loan participation		-			1,564,266
Repayments of loan participation		(1,800,000	)		-
Net collateral received from/(paid to) derivative counterparty		3,358,258			(4,324,597	)
Net collateral received from/(paid to) repurchase counterparty		5,971,639			(2,787,829	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(39,521,460	)		(40,152,041	)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(10,102,062	)		(10,102,062	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		759,908,721			(271,224,629	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		9,246,654			(213,800	)
Cash and cash equivalents, Beginning of Period		52,469,891			46,253,291
Cash and cash equivalents, End of Period	$	61,716,545		$	46,039,491
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest on repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances	$	26,763,198		$	24,187,601
Cash paid for income tax	$	1,732,709		$	1,580,020
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Principal repayments on real estate securities not yet received	$	479,994		$	2,137,131
Common stock dividends declared but not paid	$	16,208,929		$	13,156,669
Decrease in securitized debt	$	4,310,904		$	5,706,520
Transfer from residential mortgage loans to other assets	$	2,305,814		$	1,793,761
Transfer from investments in debt and equity of affiliates to CMBS	$	-		$	3,103,111

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

1. Organization

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Maryland on March 1, 2011. The Company is focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, issued or guaranteed by a government-sponsored entity such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (collectively, “GSEs”), or any agency of the U.S. Government such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency RMBS”), and other real estate-related securities and financial assets, including Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and loans (as defined below).

Non-Agency RMBS represent fixed- and floating-rate RMBS issued by entities or organizations other than a U.S. government-sponsored entity or agency of the U.S. government, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below). The mortgage loan collateral for Non-Agency RMBS consists of residential mortgage loans that do not generally conform to underwriting guidelines issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored entities.

Asset Backed Securities (“ABS”) are securitized investments similar to the aforementioned investments except the underlying assets are diverse, not only representing real estate related assets.

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) represent investments of fixed- and floating-rate CMBS, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below) secured by, or evidence an ownership interest in, a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial mortgage loans.

Collectively, the Company refers to Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS asset types as “real estate securities” or “securities”.

Commercial loans are secured by an interest in commercial real estate and represent a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates. Residential mortgage loans refer to performing, re-performing and non-performing loans secured by a first lien mortgage on residential mortgaged property located in any of the 50 states of the United States or in the District of Columbia. The Company refers to its residential and commercial mortgage loans as “mortgage loans” or “loans.”

The Company is externally managed by AG REIT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. (“Angelo, Gordon”), a privately-held, SEC-registered investment adviser, pursuant to a management agreement. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the management agreement.

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement for the interim period of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is comprised of cash on deposit with financial institutions. The Company classifies highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company held no cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Cash pledged to the Company as collateral is unrestricted in use and, accordingly, is included as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” on the consolidated balance sheets. Any cash held by the Company as collateral is included in the “Due to broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows. Any cash due to the Company in the form of principal payments is included in the “Due from broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

5

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Restricted cash

Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral for clearing and executing trades, derivatives and repurchase agreements and is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement. Restricted cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Restricted cash does not include variation margin on centrally cleared derivatives. See Note 7 for more detail.

Offering costs

The Company incurred offering costs in connection with common stock offerings. The offering costs were paid out of the proceeds of the respective offerings. Offering costs in connection with common stock offerings have been accounted for as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Earnings/(Loss) per share

In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings per Share,” the Company calculates basic income/(loss) per share by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. In periods in which the Company records a loss, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation, as their effect on loss per share is anti-dilutive.

Valuation of financial instruments

The fair value of the financial instruments that the Company records at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable.

The three levels of the hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below: 

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 – Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.

• Level 3 – Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

Transfers between levels are assumed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period.

Accounting for real estate securities

Investments in real estate securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, or ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” for its real estate securities portfolio. Real estate securities are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and the periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Real estate securities acquired through securitizations are shown in the line item “Purchase of real estate securities” on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

6

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25 which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded to other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

When the Company purchases securities with evidence of credit deterioration since origination, it will analyze to determine if the guidance found in ASC 310-30 is applicable.

The Company accounts for its securities under ASC 310 and ASC 325 and evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

When a real estate security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intends to sell the security (i.e., a decision has been made as of the reporting date) or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the real estate security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. Additionally for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 an OTTI is deemed to have occurred when there is an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security is less than its carrying amount. In determining whether an adverse change in cash flows occurred, the present value of the remaining cash flows, as estimated at the initial transaction date (or the last date previously revised), is compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the current reporting date. The estimated cash flows reflect those a “market participant” would use and include observations of current information and events, and assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of potential credit losses. Cash flows are discounted at a rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. Any resulting OTTI adjustments are reflected in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

The determination as to whether an OTTI exists is subjective, given that such determination is based on information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimate of the future performance and cash flow projections for the individual security. As a result, the timing and amount of an OTTI constitutes an accounting estimate that may change materially over time.

Increases in interest income may be recognized on a security on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such security subsequently improves.

Any remaining unrealized losses on securities at September 30, 2017 do not represent other than temporary impairment as the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the amortized cost of the investment, and the Company is not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons. In addition, any unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency RMBS accounted for under ASC 320 are not due to credit losses given their explicit guarantee of principal and interest by the GSEs, but rather are due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. See Note 3 for a summary of OTTI charges recorded.

Sales of securities

Sales of securities are driven by the Manager’s portfolio management process. The Manager seeks to mitigate risks including those associated with prepayments, defaults, severities, amongst others and will opportunistically rotate the portfolio into securities with more favorable attributes. Strategies may also be employed to manage net capital gains, which need to be distributed for tax purposes.

Realized gains or losses on sales of securities, loans and derivatives are included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The cost of positions sold is calculated using a first in, first out, or FIFO, basis. Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings at the time of disposition.

7

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Accounting for mortgage loans

Investments in mortgage loans are recorded in accordance with ASC 310-10. At purchase, the Company aggregates its mortgage loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Once a pool of loans is assembled, its composition is maintained. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its mortgage loan portfolio. Loans are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value will be recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.”

The Company amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each loan, if circumstances warrant, to determine whether they are impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated and recorded accordingly. Income recognition is suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90-days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt, contractual interest is recorded as interest income when received, under the cash basis method until an accrual is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or legally discharged.

When the Company purchases mortgage loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it determines that it is probable it will not collect all contractual cash flows on those loans, it will apply the guidance found in ASC 310-30. Mortgage loans that are delinquent 60 or more days are considered non-performing.

The Company updates its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected on at least a quarterly basis for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies including both the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts, and assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations. If based on the most current information and events it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will recognize these changes prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from the nonaccretable difference. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate in conformity with ASC 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected from previously projected cash flows, which includes all cash flows originally expected to be collected by the investor plus any additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition, are recognized as impairment. Increases in interest income may be recognized on a loan on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such loan subsequently improves.

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

The Company’s unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method. A majority of the Company’s investments held through affiliated entities are comprised of real estate securities and loans. These underlying entities have chosen to make a fair value election on their financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825; as such, the Company will treat these investments consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, these investments had a fair market value of $79.8 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc LLC, one of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries (“AG Arc”), formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election with respect to its investment in AG Arc pursuant to ASC 825. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest in AG Arc had a fair market value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million, respectively. See Note 10 for additional detail.

In August 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Mortgage Acquisition Holding I LLC (“MATH”) to conduct a residential mortgage investment strategy. MATH in turn sponsored the formation of an entity called Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC (“MATT”), which is expected to make an election to be treated as a Real Estate Investment Trust beginning with the 2018 tax year. MATT intends to purchase residential mortgage loans that are not eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. In furtherance of this business, MATH’s sponsoring funds, which include the Company, have agreed to provide up to $75.0 million of capital to MATH for use in this mortgage investment business. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. The Company will invest in MATT through MATH, and these indirect subsidiaries have chosen to make a fair value election on their respective financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825. As such, the Company will treat this investment consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of its commitment to MATH.

8

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The Company’s investments in debt and equity of affiliates are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item and periodic changes in fair market value are recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates.” Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses of such entities are allocated in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements.

Excess mortgage servicing rights

The Company has acquired the right to receive the excess servicing spread related to excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for Excess MSRs. Excess MSRs are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

Investment consolidation and transfers of financial assets

For each investment made, the Company evaluates the underlying entity that issued the securities acquired or to which the Company makes a loan to determine the appropriate accounting. A similar analysis will be performed for each entity with which the Company enters into an agreement for management, servicing or related services. In performing the analysis, the Company refers to guidance in ASC 810-10, “Consolidation.” In situations where the Company is the transferor of financial assets, the Company refers to the guidance in ASC 860-10 “Transfers and Servicing.”

In variable interest entities (“VIEs”), an entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810-10 if the equity investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. VIEs within the scope of ASC 810-10 are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and 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. This determination can sometimes involve complex and subjective analyses. Further, ASC 810-10 also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. In accordance with ASC 810-10, all transferees, including variable interest entities, must be evaluated for consolidation. See Note 3 for more detail.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The company adopted ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 using the modified retrospective approach, which did not require the restatement of prior periods to conform to the post-adoption presentation. The Company concluded the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company has entered into resecuritization transactions which result in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritization were transferred. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company evaluated whether the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and, if so, whether they should be consolidated. Based on its evaluation, the Company concluded that the VIEs should be consolidated. If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP.

The Company may periodically enter into transactions in which it transfers assets to a third party. Upon a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire senior or subordinated interests in the related assets. Pursuant to ASC 860-10, a determination must be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor’s continuing involvement in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer. The financial components approach under ASC 860-10 limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. It defines the term “participating interest” to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.

Under ASC 860-10, after a transfer of financial assets that meets the criteria for treatment as a sale—legal isolation, ability of transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred assets without constraint and transferred control—an entity recognizes the financial and servicing assets it acquired or retained and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognizes financial assets it has sold and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. The transferor would then determine the gain or loss on sale of financial assets by allocating the carrying value of the underlying mortgage between securities or loans sold and the interests retained based on their fair values. The gain or loss on sale is the difference between the cash proceeds from the sale and the amount allocated to the securities or loans sold. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for sale accounting, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.

9

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

On February 12, 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and at closing, transferred a 15% or $1.8 million interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company, as transferor, evaluated the transfer under ASC 860-10, and concluded the transferred participation interest should be accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Company has recorded the $12.0 million commercial loan on its consolidated balance sheets as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item. The Company has recorded a $1.8 million liability in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item representing the transfer of the participation interest. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election on the consolidated interest pursuant to ASC 825. The holder of the participation interest has no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The commercial loan was paid off in full in February 2017. The principal and interest due on the loan participation was paid from these proceeds. See Note 4 for more detail.

From time to time, the Company may securitize mortgage loans it holds if such financing is available. These transactions will be recorded in accordance with ASC 860-10 and will be accounted for as either a “sale” and the loans will be removed from the consolidated balance sheets or as a “financing” and will be classified as “real estate securities” on the consolidated balance sheets, depending upon the structure of the securitization transaction. ASC 860-10 is a standard that may require the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a “sale” or a “financing.”

Interest income recognition

Interest income on the Company’s real estate securities portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all securities accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs,” ASC 320-10 or ASC 325-40 as applicable. Total interest income is recorded in the “Interest income” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest-only securities), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes premiums on its securities. If actual and anticipated cash flows differ from previous estimates, the Company recognizes a “catch-up” adjustment in the current period to the amortization of premiums for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date.

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and interest-only securities). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts (including assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass-through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans have to be estimated. Differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.

Interest income on the Company’s loan portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such loans. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all loans accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). Any amortization will be reflected as an adjustment to interest income in the consolidated statement of operations.

For security and loan investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30. For purposes of income recognition, the Company aggregates loans that have common risk characteristics into pools and uses a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the pool. ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally should be recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected should be recognized as impairment.

The Company’s accrual of interest, discount accretion and premium amortization for U.S. federal and other tax purposes differs from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

10

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances

The Company finances the acquisition of certain assets within its portfolio through the use of repurchase agreements. Prior to March 31, 2016, the Company also financed its Agency RMBS portfolio with advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLBC Advances”) (see the following paragraph regarding the current status of the FHLBC Advances). Repurchase agreements are, and while the Company had them, FHLBC Advances were treated as collateralized financing transactions and carried at primarily their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances approximates fair value.

In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, MITT Insurance Company LLC (“MITT Insurance”), was granted membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, specifically in the FHLB of Cincinnati (“FHLBC”). However, in January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the FHFA, issued RIN 2590-AA39, Members of Federal Home Loan Banks (“the Final Rule”), which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, such as MITT Insurance (“Excluded Captives”), from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC. The Final Rule prevents the FHLBC from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to Excluded Captives, subject to a defined grace period. Upon the termination of membership, the FHLB must liquidate all outstanding advances to Excluded Captives and settle all other business transactions in accordance with the Final Rule. In addition, all FHLB stock held by the terminated Excluded Captive will be repurchased or redeemed at the FHLB’s discretion. Therefore, MITT Insurance must completely wind down all business relationships with the FHLBC, including the repayment of all outstanding advances, prior to or simultaneously with the termination of MITT Insurance’s membership with the FHLBC. As a result of the Final Rule, MITT Insurance exited all FHLBC Advances and as of September 30, 2017, the Company had no outstanding advances with the FHLBC. See the “Other investments” section below for a discussion on FHLBC stock.

The Company pledges certain securities or loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The amounts available to be borrowed are dependent upon the fair value of the securities or loans pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets, lenders may require the Company to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has met all margin call requirements.

Other investments

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company owned FHLBC stock totaling $2,000. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its stock investment in FHLBC which is recorded in the “Other assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. When evaluating FHLBC stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not recognized an impairment charge related to its FHLBC stock. The Company is entitled to a quarterly dividend on the weighted average shares of stock it holds during the period and records the dividend in “Interest income” on its consolidated statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of dividend income on its FHLBC stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded dividend income on its FHLBC stock of approximately $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Accounting for derivative financial instruments

The Company enters into derivative contracts as a means of mitigating interest rate risk rather than to enhance returns. The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging.” ASC 815-10 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, if or when hedge accounting is elected, the fair value adjustments will affect either other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any interest rate derivatives designated as hedges. All derivatives have been recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820-10, with corresponding changes in value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company records derivative asset and liability positions on a gross basis with respect to its counterparties. The Company records the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with the Company’s centrally cleared derivative instruments on a net basis. Refer to Note 7 for a discussion of this accounting treatment. During the period in which the Company unwinds a derivative, it records a realized gain/(loss) in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item in the consolidated statement of operations.

11

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

To-be-announced securities

A to-be-announced security (“TBA”) is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a pair off), net settling the paired off positions for cash, simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a dollar roll. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the price drop. The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as dollar roll income/(loss). Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. Dollar roll income is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

The Company presents the purchase or sale of TBAs net of the corresponding payable or receivable, respectively, until the settlement date of the transaction. Contracts for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS are accounted for as derivatives if they do not qualify for the “regular way” security trade scope exception found in ASC 815-10. To be eligible for this scope exception, the contract must meet the following conditions: (1) there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, (2) delivery of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security, and (3) it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that the contract will not settle net and will result in physical delivery of a security when it is issued. Unrealized gains and losses associated with TBA contracts not meeting the regular-way exception and not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

U.S. Treasury securities

The Company may purchase long or sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may finance its purchase of U.S. Treasury securities with overnight repurchase agreements. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through overnight reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Interest income and expense associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had no positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

Short positions in U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase agreements

The Company may sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities under reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. The Company establishes haircuts to ensure the market value of the underlying assets remain sufficient to protect the Company in the event of a default by a counterparty. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

Manager compensation

The management agreement provides for payment to the Manager of a management fee. The management fee is accrued and expensed during the period for which it is calculated and earned. For a more detailed discussion on the fees payable under the management agreement, see Note 10.

Income taxes

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a REIT. Accordingly, the Company will generally not be subject to federal or state corporate income tax to the extent that the Company makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided that it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

12

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The dividends paid deduction of a REIT for qualifying dividends to its stockholders is computed using the Company’s taxable income/(loss) as opposed to net income/(loss) reported on the Company’s GAAP financial statements. Taxable income/(loss), generally, will differ from net income/(loss) reported on the financial statements because the determination of taxable income/(loss) is based on tax principles and not financial accounting principles.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

A domestic TRS may declare dividends to the Company which will be included in the Company’s taxable income/(loss) and necessitate a distribution to stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the domestic TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes.

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this foreign TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

The Company’s financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation. The Company believes that it will operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify for taxation as a REIT. As a result of the Company’s expected REIT qualification, it does not generally expect to pay federal or state corporate income tax. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet the REIT requirements, it would be subject to federal income taxes and applicable state and local taxes.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company evaluates uncertain income tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. See Note 9 for further details.

Stock-based compensation

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” with regard to its equity incentive plans. ASC 718 covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights and employee stock purchase plans. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. Compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.

Compensation cost related to restricted common shares issued to the Company’s directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date, and is amortized and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Compensation cost related to restricted common shares and restricted stock units issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Restricted stock units granted to the Manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. Restricted stock units are measured at fair value reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at an assumed risk free rate. The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to amortize compensation expense for restricted stock units.

13

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has concluded the guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities, and address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The classification and measurement guidance of investments in debt securities and loans are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted for public business entities, except for a provision related to financial statements of fiscal years or interim periods that have not yet been issued, to recognize in other comprehensive income, the change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk measured using the fair value option. Entities should apply the amendments in this ASU by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on instruments, specifically, financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 amends the current guidance, requiring an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists. As such, it is no longer an other-than-temporary model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. The new guidance also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, and models. In addition, public entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination (i.e., by vintage year). ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing existing diversity of how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented. These specific issues include debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions, among others. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard may reclassify certain items on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.  The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard will require the Company to reconcile changes in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities” (“ASU 2017-08”). The amendments in this update require purchase premiums for investments in debt securities that are noncontingently callable by the issuer (at a fixed price and preset date) to be amortized to the earliest call date. Previously, purchase premiums for such investments were permitted to be amortized to the instrument’s maturity date. ASU 2017-08 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The ASU is effective fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

14

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

3. Real Estate Securities

The following tables detail the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The Company’s Agency RMBS are mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. The Company’s Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS portfolios are primarily not issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or any agency of the U.S. Government and are therefore subject to credit risk. The principal and interest payments on Agency RMBS securities have an explicit guarantee by either an agency of the U.S. government or a U.S government-sponsored entity.

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

			Premium /					Gross Unrealized (1)							Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	1,676,807,359	$	74,022,732		$	1,750,830,091	$	11,807,760	$	(2,255,633	)	$	1,760,382,218		3.77	%		3.11	%
Fixed Rate CMO		54,267,762		427,733			54,695,495		904,953		-			55,600,448		3.00	%		2.79	%
ARM		183,361,500		(1,019,214	)		182,342,286		3,918,224		-			186,260,510		2.35	%		2.83	%
Interest Only		493,398,549		(438,168,547	)		55,230,002		2,065,371		(2,329,596	)		54,965,777		2.85	%		6.51	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,090,004,702		(220,692,385	)		869,312,317		59,663,549		(1,944,549	)		927,031,317		4.55	%		6.27	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		384,799,372		(381,467,836	)		3,331,536		151,223		(620,275	)		2,862,484		0.21	%		8.62	%
ABS		53,497,625		(264,964	)		53,232,661		234,954		(243,827	)		53,223,788		8.34	%		8.73	%
CMBS		209,691,239		(49,523,424	)		160,167,815		1,055,860		(1,359,640	)		159,864,035		5.52	%		6.11	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,948,722,955		(1,900,990,296	)		47,732,659		4,249,838		(10,973	)		51,971,524		0.43	%		6.66	%
Total	$	6,094,551,063	$	(2,917,676,201	)	$	3,176,874,862	$	84,051,732	$	(8,764,493	)	$	3,252,162,101		2.54	%		4.35	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

			Premium /					Gross Unrealized (1)							Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	713,234,586	$	28,338,222		$	741,572,808	$	3,672,057	$	(5,517,144	)	$	739,727,721		3.64	%		2.99	%
Fixed Rate CMO		62,570,005		531,431			63,101,436		595,962		-			63,697,398		3.00	%		2.80	%
ARM		208,592,111		(1,633,175	)		206,958,936		4,385,116		-			211,344,052		2.35	%		2.84	%
Interest Only		416,902,327		(375,843,483	)		41,058,844		3,033,926		(1,198,215	)		42,894,555		2.70	%		8.26	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,255,224,713		(235,346,323	)		1,019,878,390		28,705,591		(9,328,119	)		1,039,255,862		4.31	%		6.03	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		449,759,113		(446,027,313	)		3,731,800		33,512		(3,866	)		3,761,446		0.25	%		12.47	%
ABS		22,025,000		(357,022	)		21,667,978		100,247		(536,269	)		21,231,956		5.43	%		6.32	%
CMBS		217,935,976		(56,549,776	)		161,386,200		959,842		(2,830,108	)		159,515,934		5.15	%		6.16	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,967,685,636		(1,916,198,928	)		51,486,708		1,001,503		(351,485	)		52,136,726		0.41	%		6.48	%
Total	$	5,313,929,467	$	(3,003,086,367	)	$	2,310,843,100	$	42,487,756	$	(19,765,206	)	$	2,333,565,650		2.18	%		4.76	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s real estate securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Less than 12 months					Greater than 12 months
As of	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2017	$	449,405,332	$	(5,631,244	)	$	143,555,637	$	(3,133,249	)
December 31, 2016		756,302,518		(12,017,743	)		203,287,535		(7,747,463	)

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

15

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $2.0 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $2.0 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $2.0 million of OTTI recorded, $0.7 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $6.5 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Of this amount, $1.9 million was recognized on three securities in an unrealized loss position which the Company demonstrated intent to sell, and the charge represents a write-down of cost to fair value as of the reporting date. The Company recorded $4.6 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $4.6 million of OTTI recorded, $1.8 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $1.0 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $1.0 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $1.0 million of OTTI recorded, $0.4 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $13.4 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $13.4 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $13.4 million of OTTI recorded, $6.0 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

The decline in value of the remaining real estate securities is solely due to market conditions and not the credit quality of the assets. The investments in any remaining unrealized loss positions are not considered other than temporarily impaired because the Company currently has the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments and the Company is not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons.

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency Interest-Only (“IO”) and Credit Securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	93,754,194	$	93,920,244		1.62	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		241,860,958		237,037,781		2.50	%		30,432,477		31,393,317		2.38	%		435,916,455		420,829,214		1.09	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		1,709,144,728		1,699,698,089		3.77	%		24,533,300		23,836,685		4.28	%		455,084,524		428,855,357		2.83	%
Greater than ten years		51,237,490		51,132,002		3.50	%		-		-		-			210,197,975		190,172,173		5.80	%
Total	$	2,002,243,176	$	1,987,867,872		3.61	%	$	54,965,777	$	55,230,002		2.85	%	$	1,194,953,148	$	1,133,776,988		1.92	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

 The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency IO and Credit Securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average  Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	169,483,329	$	170,533,908		2.09	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		124,913,463		123,021,262		2.73	%		28,514,942		27,995,835		2.23	%		430,525,739		430,108,024		0.94	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		808,271,767		806,474,038		3.44	%		14,379,613		13,063,009		5.14	%		425,043,315		418,094,774		2.30	%
Greater than ten years		81,583,941		82,137,880		3.10	%		-		-		-			250,849,541		239,414,370		5.88	%
Total	$	1,014,769,171	$	1,011,633,180		3.32	%	$	42,894,555	$	41,058,844		2.70	%	$	1,275,901,924	$	1,258,151,076		1.82	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold 22 securities for total proceeds of $206.4 million, recording realized gains of $2.5 million and realized losses of $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold 52 securities for total proceeds of $467.3 million, recording realized gains of $3.5 million and realized losses of $2.2 million.

16

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 11 securities for total proceeds of $147.1 million, with an additional $0.3 million of proceeds on 1 unsettled security sale as of quarter end, recording realized gains of $9.8 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 21 securities for total proceeds of $278.1 million, with an additional $0.3 million of proceeds on 1 unsettled security sale as of quarter end, recording realized gains of $10.6 million and realized losses of $1.6 million.

See Notes 4 and 7 for amounts realized on sales of loans and the settlement of certain derivatives, respectively.

A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it. SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets. The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms. Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments. Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement, such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. See Note 2 for more detail.

The Company previously entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating the VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company concluded that the entity created to facilitate this transaction was a VIE. The Company also determined that the VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction should be consolidated by the Company and treated as a secured borrowing, based on the Company’s involvement in the VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether the Company’s involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate principal balance of $26.5 million and $31.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate fair value of $23.7 million and $27.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $17.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair market value of the consolidated tranche was $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively, which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as “Non-Agency RMBS.” As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate security has a weighted average coupon of 3.49% and 3.15%, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 7.29% and 6.73%, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has recorded secured financing of $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item. The Company recorded the proceeds from the issuance of the secured financing in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows at the time of securitization. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the consolidated tranche had a weighted average life of 2.92 years and 3.27 years, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 3.72% and 3.87%, respectively. The holders of the consolidated tranche have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The Company has no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE.

17

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

4. Loans

Residential mortgage loans

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

								Gross Unrealized (1)							Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	31,855,577	$	(9,399,640	)	$	22,455,937	$	1,445,123	$	(33,529	)	$	23,867,531		6.00	%		10.87	%		5.90

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

								Gross Unrealized (1)							Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	53,827,336	$	(16,491,472	)	$	37,335,864	$	1,262,223	$	(402,511	)	$	38,195,576		5.60	%		8.74	%		6.71

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

18

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The table below summarizes certain aggregate pool level information pertaining to the Company’s residential mortgage loans:

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Loan Pool	Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance
Re-Performing	$	15,866,356	$	20,364,085	$	26,665,750	$	35,645,382
Non-Performing		8,001,175		11,491,492		11,529,826		18,181,954
	$	23,867,531	$	31,855,577	$	38,195,576	$	53,827,336

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates loans for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a loan is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a loan is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the loan is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” No OTTI was recorded on loans for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized $0.4 million of OTTI on certain loan pools, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded the $0.4 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. The $0.4 million related to non-performing loan pools with an unpaid principal balance of $9.4 million and an average fair market value of $6.6 million and $8.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. No OTTI was recorded on loans for the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with a fair value of $9.1 million and $11.0 million, respectively.

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio consisted of mortgage loans on residential real estate located throughout the U.S. The following is a summary of certain concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio:

Concentration of Credit Risk	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans with unpaid principal balance to current property value in excess of 100%		91	%		98	%
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans secured by properties in the following states:
Representing 5% or more of fair value:
New York		31	%		25	%
California		10	%		9	%
Maryland		6	%		6	%
New Jersey		5	%		4	%
Texas		5	%		4	%
Florida		3	%		5	%

The Company records interest income on a level-yield basis. The accretable discount is determined by the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted principal, interest, and other cash flows expected to be collected over its initial investment in the mortgage loan. The following is a summary of the changes in the accretable portion of discounts for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Beginning Balance	$	10,341,476		$	22,547,949		$	18,281,517		$	24,216,638
Additions		-			-			-			-
Accretion		(505,632	)		(1,051,965	)		(1,968,026	)		(3,296,603	)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference		1,476,386			4,968,753			4,858,094			5,755,350
Disposals		-			(6,522,022	)		(9,859,355	)		(6,732,670	)
Ending Balance	$	11,312,230		$	19,942,715		$	11,312,230		$	19,942,715

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of 163 conventional loans with original loan balances between $9,000 and $1.1 million.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of 277 conventional loans with original loan balances between $9,000 and $1.1 million.

19

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Commercial loans

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on September 30, 2017.

								Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
Loan (3) (7)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (5)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (6)		Initial Stated Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (8)	Location
Loan B (2)		32,800,000		-			32,800,000		-		-		32,800,000		5.98	%		6.36	%		1.79	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan E (4)		14,521,806		(1,096,214	)		13,425,592		756,405		-		14,181,997		9.58	%		12.37	%		3.24	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
Loan F (4)		10,416,666		(90,387	)		10,326,279		90,387		-		10,416,666		11.74	%		13.55	%		0.96	September 9, 2018	September 9, 2019	MN
		57,738,472		(1,186,601	)		56,551,871		846,792		-		57,398,663		7.93	%		9.15	%		2.00

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, Loan B has been extended to the extended maturity date shown above.  

(3) Loan D paid off at par in Q1 2017.

(4) Loan E and Loan F are mezzanine loans. As of September 30, 2017, Loan E has been extended for one year.

(5) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(6) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(7) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(8) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on December 31, 2016.

								Gross Unrealized (1)							Weighted Average
Loan (2) (4) (9)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)			Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Coupon (7)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (8)		Initial Stated Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (10)	Location
Loan B (3)	$	32,800,000	$	(1,294	)	$	32,798,706	$	1,294	$	-		$	32,800,000		5.40	%		5.65	%		0.52	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan D (5) (11)		12,000,000		(211,692	)		11,788,308		296,278		(84,586	)		12,000,000		10.62	%		14.33	%		0.62	February 11, 2017	August 11, 2017	NY
Loan E (6)		16,000,000		(1,291,648	)		14,708,352		560,448		-			15,268,800		9.05	%		12.76	%		4.33	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
	$	60,800,000	$	(1,504,634	)	$	59,295,366	$	858,020	$	(84,586	)	$	60,068,800		7.39	%		9.19	%		1.54

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan A paid off in Q2 2016, with the Company receiving $30.0 million of principal proceeds.

(3) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(4) Loan C paid off in Q3 2016, with the Company receiving $10.0 million of principal proceeds.

(5) Loan D is a first mortgage loan. See below for further information. As of the stated maturity date, Loan D has been extended for an additional 6 months.

(6) Loan E is a mezzanine loan.

(7) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(8) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(9) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(10) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

(11) Loan D paid off in Q1 2017.

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and, at closing, transferred a 15.0%, or $1.8 million, participation interest in the loan (the “Participation Interest”) to an unaffiliated third party. The Participation Interest did not meet the sales criteria established under ASC 860; therefore, the entire commercial loan has been recorded as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, referred to in the above table as “Loan D.” The weighted average coupon and yield on the commercial loan was 10.62% and 14.33%, respectively, at December 31, 2016. A $1.8 million liability was recorded in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets representing the transfer of the Participation Interest. The Company recorded the origination of the commercial loan in the “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” section and the proceeds from the transfer in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. The weighted average coupon and yield on the Participation Interest was 10.62% and 21.70%, respectively, at December 31, 2016. In February 2017, the Company received $12.0 million of proceeds from the pay-off of Loan D. The principal and interest due on the Participation Interest was paid from these proceeds.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million of discount accretion, respectively, on its commercial loans. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million of discount accretion, respectively, on its commercial loans.

5. Fair value measurements

As described in Note 2, the fair value of financial instruments that are recorded at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable.

Values for the Company’s securities, Excess MSRs, securitized debt, and derivatives are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity. The evaluation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporates commonly used market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to various indices such as the one-year constant maturity treasury and LIBOR, which are observable inputs. The evaluation also considers the underlying characteristics of each investment, which are also observable inputs, including: coupon; maturity date; loan age; reset date; collateral type; periodic and life cap; geography; and prepayment speeds. The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available. As part of the Company’s risk management process, the Company reviews and analyzes all prices obtained by comparing prices to recently completed transactions involving the same or similar investments on or near the reporting date. If, in the opinion of the Manager, one or more prices reported to the Company are not reliable or unavailable, the Manager reviews the fair value based on characteristics of the investment it receives from the issuer and available market information.

20

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

In valuing its derivatives, the Company considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from the perspective of both the Company and its counterparties. All of the Company’s derivatives are either subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd Frank Act”). For swaps cleared under the Dodd Frank Act, a Central Counterparty Clearing House (“CCP”) now stands between the Company and the over-the-counter derivative counterparties. In order to access clearing, the Company has entered into clearing agreements with Futures Commissions Merchants (“FCMs”).

The fair value of the Company’s mortgage loans and loan participation considers data such as loan origination information, additional updated borrower information, loan servicing data, as available, forward interest rates, general economic conditions, home price index forecasts and valuations of the underlying properties. The variables considered most significant to the determination of the fair value of the Company’s mortgage loans include market-implied discount rates, projections of default rates, delinquency rates, reperformance rates, loss severity (considering mortgage insurance) and prepayment rates. The Company uses loan level data and macro-economic inputs to generate loss adjusted cash flows and other information in determining the fair value of its mortgage loans. Because of the inherent uncertainty of such valuation, the fair values established for mortgage loans held by the Company may differ from the fair values that would have been established if a ready market existed for these mortgage loans. Accordingly, mortgage loans are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Manager may also engage specialized third party valuation service providers to assess and corroborate the valuation of a selection of investments in the Company’s loan portfolio on a periodic basis. These specialized third party valuation service providers conduct independent valuation analyses based on a review of source documents, available market data, and comparable investments. The analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

TBA instruments are similar in form to the Company’s Agency RMBS portfolio, and the Company therefore estimates fair value based on similar methods.

U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements is based upon the value of the underlying borrowed U.S. Treasury securities as of the reporting date.

The Company entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating a VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the consolidated tranche as Level 3.

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc, formed Arc Home. The Company invests in Arc Home through AG Arc. In June 2016, Arc Home closed on the acquisition of a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of residential mortgages. Through this subsidiary, Arc Home originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers. As a result of this acquisition, the Company transferred its investment in AG Arc from Level 1 into Level 3.

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and transferred a 15% participation interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the commercial loan and consolidated participation interest as Level 3. The commercial loan was paid off in full as in February 2017.

21

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2017:

	Fair Value at September 30, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-	$	1,760,382,218		$	-		$	1,760,382,218
Fixed Rate CMO		-		55,600,448			-			55,600,448
ARM		-		186,260,510			-			186,260,510
Interest Only		-		54,965,777			-			54,965,777
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-		152,800,460			774,230,857			927,031,317
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-		-			2,862,484			2,862,484
ABS		-		-			53,223,788			53,223,788
CMBS		-		13,996,904			145,867,131			159,864,035
CMBS Interest Only		-		-			51,971,524			51,971,524
Residential mortgage loans		-		-			23,867,531			23,867,531
Commercial loans		-		-			57,398,663			57,398,663
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-		-			2,680,564			2,680,564
Derivative assets		94,531		933,315			-			1,027,846
AG Arc		-		-			17,824,219			17,824,219
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	94,531	$	2,224,939,632		$	1,129,926,761		$	3,354,960,924
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-	$	-		$	(17,221,071	)	$	(17,221,071	)
Derivative liabilities		-		(2,124,550	)		-			(2,124,550	)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	-	$	(2,124,550	)	$	(17,221,071	)	$	(19,345,621	)

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2016:

	Fair Value at December 31, 2016
	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-		$	739,727,721		$	-		$	739,727,721
Fixed Rate CMO		-			63,697,398			-			63,697,398
ARM		-			211,344,052			-			211,344,052
Interest Only		-			42,894,555			-			42,894,555
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-			321,495,328			717,760,534			1,039,255,862
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-			-			3,761,446			3,761,446
ABS		-			-			21,231,956			21,231,956
CMBS		-			28,726,319			130,789,615			159,515,934
CMBS Interest Only		-			-			52,136,726			52,136,726
Residential mortgage loans		-			-			38,195,576			38,195,576
Commercial loans		-			-			60,068,800			60,068,800
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-			-			412,648			412,648
Derivative assets		-			3,703,366			-			3,703,366
AG Arc		-			-			12,894,819			12,894,819
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	-		$	1,411,588,739		$	1,037,252,120		$	2,448,840,859
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-		$	-		$	(21,491,710	)	$	(21,491,710	)
Loan participation payable		-			-			(1,800,000	)		(1,800,000	)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,365,000	)		-			-			(22,365,000	)
Derivative liabilities		(636,211	)		(2,271,044	)		-			(2,907,255	)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	(23,001,211	)	$	(2,271,044	)	$	(23,291,710	)	$	(48,563,965	)

The Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

22

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following tables present additional information about the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
	Non-Agency RMBS			Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only			ABS			CMBS			CMBS Interest Only			Residential Mortgage Loans			Commercial Loans		Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights			AG Arc		Securitized debt
Beginning balance	$	863,020,902		$	3,213,397		$	47,917,356		$	137,658,327		$	52,805,639		$	23,455,233		$	57,294,106	$	2,786,501		$	17,712,557	$	(18,778,169	)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		83,490,535			-			-			8,460,348			-			-			-		-			-		-
Purchases/Transfers		137,744,335			-			5,601,252			20,191,250			-			-			-		12,812			-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(297,784,142	)		-			-			-			-			-			-		-			-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,789,302	)		-			(211,551	)		(20,512,436	)		-			(272,933	)		-		(126,749	)		-		1,563,429
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		14,548,529			(350,913	)		(83,269	)		69,642			(834,115	)		685,231			104,557		8,000			111,662		(6,331	)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-			-		-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857		$	2,862,484		$	53,223,788		$	145,867,131		$	51,971,524		$	23,867,531		$	57,398,663	$	2,680,564		$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071	)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	12,110,525		$	(83,718	)	$	(83,269	)	$	(153,096	)	$	(834,115	)	$	825,963		$	104,557	$	8,000		$	111,662	$	(6,331	)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 9 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	13,630,181
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331	)
Net realized gain/(loss)		517,481
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,662
Total	$	14,252,993

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	11,894,849
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331	)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,660
Total	$	12,000,178

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
	Non-Agency RMBS			Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		ABS			CMBS			CMBS Interest Only		Residential Mortgage Loans			Commercial Loans			Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights			AG Arc		Securitized debt			Loan Participation payable
Beginning balance	$	814,005,282		$	2,400,732	$	75,473,169		$	86,762,706		$	43,305,493	$	55,636,606		$	54,800,000		$	346,507		$	4,488,281	$	(25,788,283	)	$	(1,800,000	)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		56,221,422			-		-			-			-		-			-			-			-		-			-
Transfers out of level 3		(150,671,465	)		-		-			-			-		-			-			-			-		-			-
Purchases/Transfers		113,707,564			-		-			40,491,482			6,981,795		-			-			-			-		-			-
Capital contributions		-			-		-			-			-		-			-			-			8,263,963		-			-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(53,290,104	)		-		(5,698,248	)		-			-		-			-			-			-		-			-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,378,566	)		-		(511,323	)		(8,145,244	)		-		(13,751,112	)		(10,000,000	)		(37,426	)		-		1,512,199			-
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		21,910,120			256,638		1,224,038			2,497,245			221,342		762,493			-			-			170,324		(74,431	)		-
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-		-			-			-		-			-			-			-		-			-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253		$	2,657,370	$	70,487,636		$	121,606,189		$	50,508,630	$	42,647,987		$	44,800,000		$	309,081		$	12,922,568	$	(24,350,515	)	$	(1,800,000	)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (3)	$	14,590,173		$	256,638	$	1,099,827		$	2,488,766		$	221,342	$	(2,922,597	)	$	-		$	-			170,324	$	(74,431	)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 4 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 14 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	16,577,429
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431	)
Net realized gain/(loss)		10,294,447
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	26,967,769

(3) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:                                  

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	15,734,149
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431	)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	15,830,042

23

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
	Non-Agency RMBS			Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only			ABS			CMBS			CMBS Interest Only			Residential Mortgage Loans			Commercial Loans			Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights			AG Arc		Securitized debt			Loan Participation payable
Beginning balance	$	717,760,534		$	3,761,446		$	21,231,956		$	130,789,615		$	52,136,726		$	38,195,576		$	60,068,800		$	412,648		$	12,894,819	$	(21,491,710	)	$	(1,800,000	)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		203,851,482			-			-			8,460,348			-			-			-			-			-		-			-
Transfers out of level 3		(51,307,381	)		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-			-
Purchases/Transfers		395,021,146			-			52,048,919			38,760,000			-			-			10,270,833			2,578,156			-		-			-
Capital contributions		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			4,459,000		-			-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(382,543,723	)		-			(16,977,157	)		(4,533,594	)		-			(10,102,590	)		-			-			-		-			-
Proceeds from settlement		(142,165,747	)		-			(4,195,705	)		(29,106,491	)		-			(5,570,282	)		(13,534,402	)		(314,036	)		-		4,310,904			1,954,927
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		33,614,546			(898,962	)		1,115,775			1,497,253			(165,202	)		1,344,827			593,432			3,796			470,400		(40,265	)		(154,927	)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-			-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857		$	2,862,484		$	53,223,788		$	145,867,131		$	51,971,524		$	23,867,531		$	57,398,663		$	2,680,564		$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071	)	$	-
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	32,502,634		$	(631,767	)	$	660,461		$	1,704,666		$	(165,202	)	$	(575,728	)	$	537,223		$	3,796		$	470,400	$	(40,265	)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 18 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 5 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	37,249,857
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(195,192	)
Net realized gain/(loss)		(144,392	)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,400
Total	$	37,380,673

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	34,036,085
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(40,265	)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,398
Total	$	34,466,218

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
	Non-Agency RMBS			Non-Agency RMBS IO			ABS			CMBS			CMBS Interest Only			Residential Mortgage Loans			Commercial Loans			Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights			AG Arc			Securitized debt			Loan Participation payable
Beginning balance	$	451,677,960		$	5,553,734		$	54,761,837		$	91,024,418		$	14,077,716		$	57,080,227		$	72,800,000		$	425,311		$	-		$	-		$	-
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		371,564,212			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(316,580	)		(30,046,861	)		-
Transfers out of level 3		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Purchases/Transfers (2)		125,425,376			-			23,698,802			42,491,482			33,330,554			-			10,428,437			-			-			-			(1,564,266	)
Capital contributions		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			13,570,173			-			-
Reclassification of security type (3)		-			-			-			-			3,103,111			-			-						-			-			-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(82,462,238	)		-			(7,209,752	)		(2,100,960	)		-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from settlement		(102,932,160	)		-			(1,698,431	)		(9,248,447	)		-			(14,815,122	)		(40,000,000	)		(116,230	)		-			5,706,520			-
Total net gains/(losses) (4)
Included in net income		12,231,103			(2,896,364	)		935,180			(560,304	)		(2,751	)		382,882			1,571,563			-			(331,025	)		(10,174	)		(235,734	)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253		$	2,657,370		$	70,487,636		$	121,606,189		$	50,508,630		$	42,647,987		$	44,800,000		$	309,081		$	12,922,568		$	(24,350,515	)	$	(1,800,000	)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (4)	$	11,019,033		$	(1,272,687	)	$	939,673		$	(250,607	)	$	(2,751	)	$	(3,302,208	)	$	1,571,563		$	-		$	(331,025	)	$	(10,174	)	$	(235,734	)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 26 Non-Agency RMBS securities and its securitized debt investment into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and its investment in AG Arc into the Level 3 category from the Level 1 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Transfers represent proceeds from transfer of loan participation.

(3) Represents a reclassification from investments in debt and equity of affiliates.

(4) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	9,761,156
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908	)
Net realized gain/(loss)		1,900,153
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025	)
Total	$	11,084,376

(5) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	8,702,016
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908	)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025	)
Total	$	8,125,083

Refer to the tables above for details on transfers between the Level 3 and Level 2 categories under ASC 820. Transfers into the Level 3 category of the fair value hierarchy occur due to instruments exhibiting indications of reduced levels of market transparency. Transfers out of the Level 3 category of the fair value hierarchy occur due to instruments exhibiting indications of increased levels of market transparency. Indications of increases or decreases in levels of market transparency include a change in observable transactions or executable quotes involving these instruments or similar instruments. Changes in these indications could impact price transparency, and thereby cause a change in level designations in future periods.

24

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following tables present a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of investments for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

Asset Class	Fair Value at September 30, 2017		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	751,813,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.80% - 11.63% (4.37%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.80%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 30.00% (3.07%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	24.64% - 56.76% (41.33%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (34.83%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	18.80 - 22.99 (21.23)
	$	22,416,901	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 102.73 (82.82)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	2,456,181	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.00% - 21.00% (21.00%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	17.25% - 17.25% (17.25%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
	$	406,303	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.80 - 0.80 (0.80)
ABS	$	32,719,493	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.63% - 9.26% (7.72%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	20.00% - 40.00% (22.49%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (1.75%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (43.78%)
	$	20,504,295	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	100.00 - 100.00 (100.00)
CMBS	$	142,567,125	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	-4.24% - 8.32% (5.74%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	3,300,006	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.90 - 7.41 (6.88)
CMBS Interest Only	$	51,971,524	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.56% - 5.85% (4.28%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	23,867,531	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.25% - 9.00% (7.56%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.46% - 6.91% (4.66%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.21% - 7.02% (5.40%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	8.67% - 43.58% (22.59%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	19.73% - 43.24% (35.85%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	14.64 - 29.81 (17.31)
Commercial Loans	$	32,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.36% - 6.36% (6.36%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 4.75 bps (4.75 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	24,598,663	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	97.66 - 100.00 (98.65)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	2,400,760	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	9.34% - 11.65% (10.01%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	8.07% - 12.91% (10.13%)
	$	279,804	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.05 - 0.52 (0.48)
AG Arc	$	17,824,219	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

Liability Class	Fair Value at September 30, 2017			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt					Yield	3.49% - 3.49% (3.49%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
	$	(17,221,071	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)

(1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of September 30, 2017.

25

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Asset Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	694,948,644	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.70% - 18.56% (5.11%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.84%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 38.00% (5.22%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	18.53% - 46.77% (33.39%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (38.57%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	16.13 - 23.09 (20.72)
	$	22,811,890	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 100.07 (78.89)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	3,761,446	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	17.50% - 17.50% (17.50%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	18.00% - 18.00% (18.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
ABS	$	21,231,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	4.16% - 6.47% (4.98%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	1.50% - 40.00% (22.31%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (0.88%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (9.81%)
CMBS	$	121,056,008	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.32% - 9.16% (6.13%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	9,733,607	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.03 - 99.81 (68.64)
CMBS Interest Only	$	52,136,726	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.51% - 9.49% (5.85%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	38,195,576	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.50% - 8.00% (7.42%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.18% - 5.82% (4.51%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.16% - 5.32% (5.18%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	9.59% - 34.53% (22.91%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	25.19% - 84.80% (45.34%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	12.32 - 29.85 (14.33)
Commercial Loans	$	44,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.65% - 21.70% (7.98%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 10 bps (6.16 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	15,268,800	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	95.43 - 95.43 (95.43)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	412,648	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.09 - 0.62 (0.55)
AG Arc	$	12,894,819	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

Liability Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt	$	(21,491,710	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.36% - 3.36% (3.36%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
					Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)
Loan participation payable	$	(1,800,000	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.70% - 21.70% (21.70%)
					Credit Spread	10 bps - 10 bps (10 bps)
					Recovery Percentage*	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)

(1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of December 31, 2016.

As further described above, values for the Company’s securities portfolio are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services. Broker quotations may also be used. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s securities are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

Also, as described above, valuation of the Company’s loan portfolio is determined by the Manager using third-party pricing services where available, specialized third party valuation service providers, or model-based pricing. The evaluation considers the underlying characteristics of each loan, which are observable inputs, including: coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds. These valuations also require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, re-performance 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 management. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently estimated. If applicable, analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

26

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

6. Repurchase agreements

The Company pledges certain real estate securities and loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Repurchase agreements involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets or similar assets at a future date. The amount borrowed generally is equal to the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” The Company calculates haircuts disclosed in the tables below by dividing allocated capital on each borrowing by the current fair market value of each investment. Repurchase agreements entered into by the Company are accounted for as financings and require the repurchase of the transferred assets at the end of each agreement’s term, typically 30 to 90 days. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities or floating rate coupons. If the Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it receives the related principal and interest payments. If the Company does not maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it will have the related principal and interest payments remitted to it by the lender. Interest rates on these borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the borrowing at which time the Company may enter into a new borrowing arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. If the fair value of pledged assets declines due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security paydown factors, lenders typically would require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or establish cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. The fair value of financial instruments pledged as collateral on the Company’s repurchase agreements disclosed in the tables below represent the Company’s fair value of such instruments which may differ from the fair value assigned to the collateral by its counterparties. The Company maintains a level of liquidity in the form of cash and unpledged Agency RMBS and Agency Interest-Only securities in order to meet these obligations. Under the terms of the Company’s master repurchase agreements, the counterparties may, in certain cases, sell or re-hypothecate the pledged collateral.

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	107,066,000		1.26	%		3.0	%	$	110,372,484	$	109,526,493	$	313,586
30 days or less		2,039,853,000		1.77	%		9.6	%		2,297,649,801		2,231,098,823		7,932,198
31-60 days		369,334,000		1.87	%		10.3	%		425,787,109		419,340,738		1,349,706
61-90 days		19,965,000		2.79	%		26.2	%		27,056,415		26,820,517		106,417
91-180 days		111,027,000		1.55	%		10.0	%		124,326,562		124,458,675		341,221
Greater than 180 days		12,105,000		2.89	%		17.9	%		14,804,895		14,808,920		19,952
Total / Weighted Average	$	2,659,350,000		1.76	%		9.6	%	$	2,999,997,266	$	2,926,054,166	$	10,063,080

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	70,899,000		0.66	%		3.5	%	$	73,485,225	$	73,170,802	$	191,554
30 days or less		961,185,000		1.79	%		14.7	%		1,164,241,469		1,152,472,020		3,851,520
31-60 days		465,776,000		1.23	%		8.6	%		514,624,485		512,633,509		1,607,435
61-90 days		129,119,000		1.69	%		13.2	%		151,989,415		151,567,289		399,702
91-180 days		16,897,000		2.81	%		21.6	%		21,554,174		21,892,108		17,056
Greater than 180 days		209,293,104		1.93	%		4.7	%		252,940,437		244,734,715		948,975
Total / Weighted Average	$	1,853,169,104		1.63	%		11.5	%	$	2,178,835,205	$	2,156,470,443	$	7,016,242

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	13,405,824		3.74	%		3.97	%		35.2	%	$	20,767,883	$	19,352,254	$	26,553

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	25,544,702		3.27	%		3.79	%		30.3	%	$	34,088,921	$	32,849,686	$	45,068

27

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in commercial loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		3.39	%		3.39	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,800,000	$	206,986

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average  Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		2.91	%		3.13	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,798,706	$	125,314

Although repurchase agreements are committed borrowings until maturity, the lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets resulting from changes in market conditions or factor changes would require the Company to provide additional collateral or cash to fund margin calls. See Note 7 for details on collateral posted/received against certain derivatives. The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s posting of collateral under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Agency RMBS	$	1,849,664,503	$	965,154,048
Non-Agency RMBS		905,878,564		990,985,143
ABS		35,918,646		21,231,956
CMBS		208,535,553		201,464,058
Residential Mortgage Loans		20,767,883		31,031,107
Commercial Mortgage Loans		32,800,000		32,800,000
Cash pledged (i.e., restricted cash) under repurchase agreements		10,855,418		17,149,022
Fair Value of unsettled trades pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements:		-		3,057,814
Total collateral pledged under Repurchase agreements	$	3,064,420,567	$	2,262,873,148

The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s total borrowings under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Repurchase agreements secured by investments:
Agency RMBS	$	1,752,725,000	$	907,041,000
Non-Agency RMBS		721,638,000		776,459,104
ABS		26,248,000		15,283,000
CMBS		158,739,000		154,386,000
Residential Mortgage Loans		13,405,824		25,544,702
Commercial Mortgage Loans		21,796,000		21,796,000
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	1,900,509,806

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial Instruments Posted		Cash Collateral Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	2,694,551,824	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	-

28

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial Instruments Posted		Cash Collateral Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	1,900,509,806	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	-

The Company seeks to obtain financing from several different counterparties in order to reduce the financing risk related to any single counterparty. The Company has entered into master repurchase agreements (“MRAs”) or loan agreements with such financing counterparties. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company had 39 and 37 financing counterparties, respectively, under which it had outstanding debt with 28 and 23 counterparties, respectively.

The following table presents information at September 30, 2017 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average Maturity (days)		Percentage of Stockholders’ Equity
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation	$	40,066,058		22		6	%
Barclays Capital Inc		37,669,214		11		5	%

The following table presents information at December 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average Maturity (days)		Percentage of Stockholders’ Equity
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	$	50,917,158		357		8	%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC		34,885,263		160		5	%

On April 13, 2015, the Company, AG MIT, LLC (“AG MIT”) and AG MIT CMO, LLC (“AG MIT CMO”), each a subsidiary of the Company, entered into Amendment Number 2 to the Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (the “Second Renewal”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”). The Company elected not to renew the Second Renewal as of September 30, 2017, and the securities that were financed under this facility have since been financed with different counterparties. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $93.4 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

On February 23, 2017, AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC (“AG MIT WFB1”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into Amendment Number Five of the Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (as amended, the “WFB1 Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance the ownership and acquisition of certain beneficial interests in trusts owning participation interests in one or more pools of residential mortgage loans. Each transaction under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement has its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending February 23, 2018 and a facility termination date of February 22, 2019. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement is $50.0 million. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $13.4 million of debt outstanding under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $25.5 million of debt outstanding under Amendment Number Four of the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement.

On September 17, 2014, AG MIT CREL, LLC (“AG MIT CREL”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (the “CREL Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance AG MIT CREL’s acquisition of certain beneficial interests in one or more commercial mortgage loans. Each transaction under the CREL Repurchase Agreement will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The CREL Repurchase Agreement provided for a funding period ending September 17, 2016 and an initial facility termination date of September 17, 2016 (the “Initial Termination Date”), subject to the satisfaction of certain terms of the extensions described below. AG MIT CREL had three (3) one-year options to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement: (i) the first for an additional one year period (the “First Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2017 (the “First Extended Termination Date”), (ii) the second for an additional one year period (the “Second Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2018 (the “Second Extended Termination Date”) and (iii) the third for an additional one year period ending September 17, 2019 (the “Third Extended Termination Date”). For each of the Initial Termination Date, the First Extended Termination Date, the Second Extended Termination Date and the Third Extended Termination Date, if such day is not a Business Day, such date would be the next succeeding Business Day. Each option was exercisable in each case no more than ninety (90) days and no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the initial facility termination date, the First Extended Termination Date or the Second Extended Termination Date, as the case may be.

29

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

On August 4, 2015, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “First Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The First Amendment amended certain terms in the CREL Repurchase Agreement, the Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 2014, delivered by the Company and AG MIT to Wells Fargo and the Fee and Pricing Letter, dated as of September 17, 2014, between AG MIT CREL and Wells Fargo. The First Amendment lowered the maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement from $150 million to approximately $42.8 million. The First Amendment also provided that the CREL Repurchase Agreement become full recourse to the Company and AG MIT, LLC. By amending the recourse of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the Company and AG MIT, the Company was able to remove certain financial covenants on AG MIT CREL that limited the amount that AG MIT CREL could borrow under the CREL Repurchase Agreement. The First Amendment also eliminated the fee for the portion of the repurchase facility that was unused. The CREL Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $21.8 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

In September 2016, the Company exercised its option to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the First Extended Termination Date. In June 2017, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 2 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “Second Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The Second Amendment amended the CREL Repurchase Agreement to extend the facility termination date to July 1, 2019 and remove the second and third extension options.

The Company’s MRAs generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each MRA, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios.

7. Derivatives

The Company’s derivatives may include interest rate swaps (“swaps”), TBAs, and Eurodollar Futures and U.S. Treasury Futures, (collectively, “Futures”). Derivatives have not been designated as hedging instruments. The Company may also utilize other instruments to manage interest rate risk, including long and short positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

The Company exchanges cash “variation margin” with the counterparties to its derivative instruments at least on a daily basis based upon daily changes in fair value as measured by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), the central clearinghouse through which those derivatives are cleared. In addition, the CME requires market participants to deposit and maintain an “initial margin” amount which is determined by the CME and is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the CME from the maximum estimated single-day price movement in that market participant’s contracts.

Receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the first quarter of 2017, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with centrally cleared derivative instruments was considered a pledge of collateral. For these prior periods, receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash variation margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected to offset any payables recognized for the obligation to return cash variation margin received from a derivative instrument counterparty against receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted by the Company to that same counterparty.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2017, as a result of a CME amendment to their rule book which governs their central clearing activities, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with a centrally cleared derivative instrument is legally characterized as the daily settlement of the derivative instrument itself, as opposed to a pledge of collateral. Accordingly, beginning in 2017, the Company accounts for the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with its centrally cleared derivative instruments as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability, respectively. Beginning in 2017, the carrying amount of centrally cleared derivative instruments reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets approximates the unsettled fair value of such instruments; because variation margin is exchanged on a one-day lag, the unsettled fair value of such instruments represents the change in fair value that occurred on the last day of the reporting period. Non-exchange traded derivatives were not affected by these legal interpretations and continue to be reported at fair value including accrued interest.

30

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative and other instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Derivatives and Other Instruments	Designation	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$	(587,383	)	$	(1,847,219	)
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		815,622			3,703,366
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		(1,537,167	)		(423,825	)
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		117,693			-
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		75,000			-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		-			(636,211	)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		19,531			-
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Non-Hedge	Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value (1)		-			(22,365,000	)

(1) The Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2016 relates to securities borrowed to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The change in fair value of the borrowed securities is recorded in the “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives and other instruments, net” line item in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

The following table summarizes information related to derivatives and other instruments:

Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments held long/(short):	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Notional amount of Pay Fix/Receive Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements	$	1,862,000,000		$	644,000,000
Notional amount of TBAs		116,000,000			(25,000,000	)
Notional amount of short positions on Eurodollar Futures (1)		(150,000,000	)		-
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures (2)		(25,000,000	)		(141,500,000	)
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasuries		-			(24,000,000	)

(1) Each Eurodollar Future contract embodies $1.0 million of notional value.

(2) Each U.S. Treasury Future contract embodies $100,000 of notional value.

The following table summarizes gains/(losses) related to derivatives and other instruments:

		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments gain/(loss):	Statement of Operations Location	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	$	2,954,860		$	9,700,438		$	6,213,709		$	(9,816,031	)
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Net realized gain/(loss)		(1,813,293	)		(5,205,405	)		(9,896,031	)		(10,938,839	)
Long positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			2,997			-			2,997
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		74,624			146,044			74,624			(4,503	)
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		323,059			242,006			323,059			242,006
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			126,468			-			106,094
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		-			(351,329	)		-			(224,410	)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(721,752	)		(21,123	)		658,059			-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		(223,953	)		292,930			(4,054,532	)		307,986
TBAs (1)	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		53,913			(409,021	)		(995,626	)		32,225
TBAs (1)	Net realized gain/(loss)		1,671,836			420,547			3,002,891			445,586
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			(3,081,289	)		-			4,498,750
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain/(loss)		-			1,412,695			-			1,836,523
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			415,782			(1,724,922	)		215,391
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain		-			-			1,730,547			-

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $1.5 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.2 million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $2.6 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.6) million due to price changes. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.1 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.1) million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.2 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.3 million due to price changes.

31

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative and other instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

									Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received		Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received			Net Amount
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	1,151,090		$	-	$	1,151,090		$	-	$	598,139		$	552,951
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		19,531			-		19,531			-		-			19,531
Eurodollar Futures - Short		75,000			-		75,000			-		-			75,000
TBAs		117,693			-		117,693			-		-			117,693
Total Derivative Assets	$	1,363,314		$	-	$	1,363,314		$	-	$	598,139		$	765,175
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(534,763	)	$	-	$	(534,763	)	$	-	$	(534,763	)	$	-
TBAs		(1,537,167	)		-		(1,537,167	)		-		(1,537,167	)		-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,071,930	)	$	-	$	(2,071,930	)	$	-	$	(2,071,930	)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $1,363,314 less accrued interest of $(335,468) for a total of $1,027,846.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,071,930) less accrued interest of $(52,620) for a total of $(2,124,550).

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

									Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)			Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received			Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received			Net Amount
Receivable Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements	$	22,680,000		$	-	$	22,680,000		$	22,365,000		$	-		$	315,000
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	4,559,134		$	-	$	4,559,134		$	-		$	879,575		$	3,679,559
Total Derivative Assets	$	4,559,134		$	-	$	4,559,134		$	-		$	879,575		$	3,679,559
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(1,705,865	)	$	-	$	(1,705,865	)	$	-		$	(1,705,865	)	$	-
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		(636,211	)		-		(636,211	)		-			(636,211	)		-
TBAs		(423,824	)		-		(423,824	)		(423,824	)		-			-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,765,900	)	$	-	$	(2,765,900	)	$	(423,824	)	$	(2,342,076	)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $4,559,134 less accrued interest of $(855,768) for a total of $3,703,366.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,765,900) plus accrued interest of $(141,355) for a total of $(2,907,255).

The Company must post cash or securities as collateral on its derivative instruments when their fair value declines. This typically occurs when prevailing market rates change adversely, with the severity of the change also dependent on the term of the derivatives involved. The posting of collateral is generally bilateral, meaning that if the fair value of the Company’s derivatives increases, its counterparty will post collateral to it. On September 30, 2017, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $7.7 million and cash of $26.5 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties posted cash of $0.6 million to it as collateral for certain derivatives. On December 31, 2016, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $7.1 million and cash of $9.4 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties posted cash of $0.9 million to it as collateral for certain derivatives.

Interest rate swaps

To help mitigate exposure to increases in short-term interest rates, the Company uses currently-paying and may use forward-starting, one- or three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements. This arrangement hedges our exposure to higher short-term interest rates because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements largely offset additional interest accruing on the related borrowings due to the higher interest rate, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as the Company’s effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates.

32

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2017:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		1.31	%		0.09
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		1.31	%		2.13
2020		620,000,000		1.64	%		1.31	%		2.63
2022		606,000,000		1.87	%		1.32	%		4.78
2024		205,000,000		2.03	%		1.31	%		6.71
2026		75,000,000		2.12	%		1.31	%		9.14
2027		150,000,000		2.26	%		1.32	%		9.63
Total/Wtd Avg	$	1,862,000,000		1.79	%		1.32	%		4.51

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2016:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		0.89	%		0.84
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		0.91	%		2.88
2020		115,000,000		1.59	%		0.90	%		3.20
2021		60,000,000		1.86	%		0.96	%		4.94
2022		53,000,000		1.69	%		0.94	%		5.69
2023		85,000,000		2.30	%		0.94	%		6.43
2025		30,000,000		2.48	%		0.94	%		8.43
2026		95,000,000		2.17	%		0.92	%		9.90
Total/Wtd Avg	$	644,000,000		1.74	%		0.92	%		5.01

TBAs

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has entered into TBAs. The following table presents information about the Company’s TBAs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning Notional Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts			Ending Notional Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker			Derivative Asset		Derivative Liability
TBAs - Long	$	300,000,000	$	738,000,000	$	(922,000,000	)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789	)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167	)
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning  Notional Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts			Ending Notional Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker			Derivative Asset		Derivative Liability
TBAs - Long	$	100,000,000	$	102,000,000	$	(202,000,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	168,000,000	$	(168,000,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375	)	$	312,500	$	(421,875	)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning Notional Amount			Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts			Ending Notional Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker			Derivative Asset		Derivative Liability
TBAs - Long	$	50,000,000		$	1,914,000,000	$	(1,848,000,000	)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789	)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167	)
TBAs - Short	$	(75,000,000	)	$	75,000,000	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning Notional Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts			Ending Notional Amount		Fair Value as of Period End		Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker			Derivative Asset		Derivative Liability
TBAs - Long	$	75,000,000	$	379,000,000	$	(454,000,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	393,000,000	$	(393,000,000	)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375	)	$	312,500	$	(421,875	)

33

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

8. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted- average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period that participate in the Company’s common dividends. Diluted EPS takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

As of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company’s outstanding warrants and unvested restricted stock units were as follows:

	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Outstanding warrants		1,007,500		1,007,500
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager		60,000		20,003

Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase half a share of the Company’s common stock at a fixed price upon exercise of the warrant. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company excluded the effects of such from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Restricted stock units granted to the manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. The dilutive effects of the restricted stock units are only included in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	32,644,083	$	42,764,611	$	84,198,168	$	54,662,617
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		27,841,452		27,802,124		27,756,357		28,036,809
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		15,313		2,030		13,942		-
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		27,856,765		27,804,154		27,770,299		28,036,809
Basic Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95

The following tables detail our common stock dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2017	3/21/2017	4/28/2017	$	0.475
6/8/2017	6/19/2017	7/31/2017		0.475
9/11/2017	9/29/2017	10/31/2017		0.575	*

*The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

2016
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2016	3/21/2016	4/29/2016	$	0.475
6/9/2016	6/20/2016	7/29/2016		0.475
9/12/2016	9/23/2016	10/31/2016		0.475

34

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

The following tables detail our preferred stock dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.50

2016
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.50

9. Income taxes

As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. Most states follow U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recorded excise tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recorded excise tax expense of $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Excise tax represents a four percent tax on the required amount of the Company’s ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the year. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

The Company files tax returns in several U.S jurisdictions. There are no ongoing U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as TRSs and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly, and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

Cash distributions declared by the Company that do not exceed its current or accumulated earnings and profits will be considered ordinary income to stockholders for income tax purposes unless all or a portion of a distribution is designated by the Company as a capital gain dividend. Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be characterized as return of capital or capital gains.

Based on the Company’s analysis of any potential uncertain income tax positions, the Company concluded it did not have any uncertain tax positions that meet the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC 740 as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the last three tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In the event that the Company incurs income tax related interest and penalties, its policy is to classify them as a component of provision for income taxes.

35

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

10. Related party transactions

The Company has entered into a management agreement with the Manager, which provided for an initial term and will be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period, subject to certain termination rights. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no event of termination had occurred. The Company is externally managed and advised by the Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, which became effective July 6, 2011 (upon the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”)), the Manager provides the Company with its management team, including its officers, along with appropriate support personnel. Each of the Company’s officers is an employee of Angelo, Gordon. The Company does not have any employees. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the Company’s management agreement.

Management fee

The Manager is entitled to a management fee equal to 1.50% per annum, calculated and paid quarterly, of the Company’s Stockholders’ Equity. For purposes of calculating the management fee, “Stockholders’ Equity” means the sum of the net proceeds from any issuances of equity securities (including preferred securities) since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance, and excluding any future equity issuance to the Manager), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of such quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense or other non-cash items described below incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of its common stock, excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and excluding one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Stockholders’ Equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the Company’s financial statements.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred management fees of approximately $2.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred management fees of approximately $2.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Termination fee

The termination fee, payable upon the occurrence of (i) the Company’s termination of the management agreement without cause or (ii) the Manager’s termination of the management agreement upon a breach of any material term of the management agreement, will be equal to three times the average annual management fee during the 24-month period prior to such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no event of termination of the management agreement had occurred.

Expense reimbursement

The Company is required to reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for operating expenses which are incurred by the Manager or its affiliates on behalf of the Company, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. The Company’s reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation; however, the reimbursement is subject to an annual budget process which combines guidelines from the Management Agreement with oversight by the Company’s board of directors.

The Company reimburses the Manager or its affiliates for the Company’s allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, annual base salary, bonus, any related withholding taxes and employee benefits paid to (i) the Company’s chief financial officer based on the percentage of time spent on Company affairs, (ii) the Company’s general counsel based on the percentage of time spent on the Company’s affairs, and (iii) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company’s affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, they devote such portion of their time to the Company’s affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business.

Of the $2.6 million and $8.2 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, the Company has accrued $1.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses. Of the $2.9 million and $8.6 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, the Company has accrued $1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses.

36

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Restricted stock grants

Pursuant to the Company’s Manager Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan adopted on July 6, 2011, the Company can award up to 277,500 shares of its common stock in the form of restricted stock, stock options, restricted stock units or other types of awards to the directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel of the Company and to the Manager. As of September 30, 2017, 65,238 shares of common stock were available to be awarded under the equity incentive plans. Awards under the equity incentive plans are forfeitable until they become vested. An award will become vested only if the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement (as determined by the compensation committee) are satisfied. The vesting conditions may include performance of services for a specified period, achievement of performance goals, or a combination of both. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of an award upon the occurrence of certain events in its discretion.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company has granted an aggregate of 52,012 shares of restricted common stock to its independent directors and 160,250 shares of restricted common stock to its Manager under its equity incentive plans. As of September 30, 2017, 52,012 and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock granted to the Company’s independent directors and Manager, respectively, have vested.

On July 1, 2014, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued if and when such units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units occurred on each of July 1, 2015, July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017.

On July 1, 2017, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock if and when the units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units will occur on each of July 1, 2018, July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020. The units do not entitle the participant the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The vesting of such units is subject to the continuation of the management agreement. If the management agreement terminates, all unvested units then held by the Manager or the Manager’s transferee shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited without consideration.

Director compensation

The Company pays a $120,000 annual base director’s fee to each independent director. Base director’s fees are paid 50% in cash and 50% in restricted common stock. The number of shares of restricted common stock to be issued each quarter to each independent director is determined based on the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of each fiscal quarter. To the extent that any fractional shares would otherwise be issuable and payable to each independent director, a cash payment is made to each independent director in lieu of any fractional shares. All directors’ fees are paid pro rata (and restricted stock grants determined) on a quarterly basis in arrears, and shares issued are fully vested and non-forfeitable. These shares may not be sold or transferred by such director during the time of his service as an independent member of the Company’s board.

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

The Company invests in credit sensitive residential and commercial real estate assets through affiliated entities which hold an ownership interest in the assets. The Company is one investor, amongst other investors managed by affiliates of Angelo, Gordon, in such entities and has applied the equity method of accounting for such investments. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s share of these investments had a fair market value of $79.8 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

The Company’s investment in AG Arc is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on its consolidated balance sheets at a fair value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. On March 8, 2016, an affiliate of the Manager (“the Affiliate”) became a member of AG Arc. The Affiliate acquired an ownership interest in AG Arc which resulted in the Company’s ownership interest being reduced on a pro-rata basis.

In June 2016, Arc Home closed on the acquisition of a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veteran’s Administration (“VA”) and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of mortgages with licenses to conduct business in 47 states, including Washington D.C. Through this subsidiary, Arc Home originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers. Arc Home is led by an external management team.

Arc Home may sell loans to the Company, to third parties, or to affiliates of the Manager. Arc Home may also enter into agreements with third parties or affiliates of the Manager to sell rights to receive the excess servicing spread related to MSRs that it either purchases from third parties or originates. In March of 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Arc Home to purchase rights to receive the excess servicing spread related to certain of its MSRs and as of September 30, 2017, these Excess MSRs had fair value of approximately $2.6 million.

In August 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon entered into MATH’s Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “MATH LLC Agreement”), which requires that MATH fund a capital commitment of $75.0 million to MATT. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of its commitment to MATH.

37

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

Transactions with affiliates

In May 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length securitization with other investors managed by an affiliate of the Manager (the “Related Parties”) by combining the assets of a prior private securitization, in which the Company held a 10.0% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of $3.1 million as of the date of the securitization. The Company completed another similar arm’s-length securitization in July 2015 with the Related Parties by combining the assets of a private securitization, in which the Company held a 7.5% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of a fair value of $5.1 million as of the date of the securitization. The remaining interests in each securitization were owned by certain of the Related Parties. Each securitization was backed by collateral consisting of seasoned NPLs and RPLs. The Company obtained third party pricing for each transaction.

In July 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length purchase at fair value. Certain entities managed by an affiliate of the Company’s Manager (“Related Entities”) had previously formed a joint venture (“Joint Venture”) with an unaffiliated third party. The Joint Venture owns certain multi-family properties for which the mortgages partly collateralize a securitization wherein the Company purchased certain bond tranches. To ensure an arm’s-length transaction, an affiliate of the Manager delegated its decision making rights with respect to the securitization to a third party servicer. In addition, the members of the Joint Venture agreed to cease sharing material non-public information with the Company’s investment team regarding the collateral. The investment by the Company in these bond tranches was reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on the consolidated balance sheets with a fair value of $7.1 million as of the date of the purchase.

In connection with the Company’s investments in residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans in securitized form that it purchases from an affiliate (or affiliates) of the Manager (“Securitized Whole Loans”), the Company may engage asset managers to provide advisory, consultation, asset management and other services to formulate and implement strategic plans to manage, collect and dispose of loans in a manner that is reasonably expected to maximize the amount of proceeds from each loan. Beginning in November 2015, the Company engaged Red Creek Asset Management LLC (“Asset Manager”), a related party of the Manager and direct subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, as the asset manager for certain of its residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans. The Asset Manager acknowledges that the Company will at all times have and retain ownership and control of all loans and that the Asset Manager will not acquire (i) title to any loan, (ii) any security interest in any loan, or (iii) any other rights or interests of any kind or any nature whatsoever in or to any loan. The Company pays separate arm’s-length asset management fees as assessed and confirmed by a third party valuation firm for (i) non-performing loans and (ii) reperforming loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the fees paid by the Company to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $41,732 and $137,022, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the fees paid by the Company to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $67,189 and $202,715, respectively.

In connection with the Company’s investments in Excess MSRs purchased through Arc Home, the Company pays a sourcing fee to Arc Home based on the net equity invested by the Company in these investments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the sourcing fees paid by the Company to Arc Home totaled $2,921 and $6,364, respectively. No sourcing fees were paid by the Company to Arc Home for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

In June 2016, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company executed two trades whereby the Company acquired real estate securities from two separate affiliates of the Manager (the “June Selling Affiliates”). As of the date of the trades, the securities acquired from the June Selling Affiliates had a total fair value of $6.9 million. In each case, the June Selling Affiliates sold the real estate securities through a BWIC (Bids Wanted in Competition). Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the June Selling Affiliates, the Company submitted its bid for the real estate securities to the June Selling Affiliates. The Company’s pre-submission of its bid allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

In February 2017, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company executed one trade whereby the Company acquired a real estate security from a separate affiliate of the Manager (the “February Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the security acquired from the February Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $2.0 million. The February Selling Affiliate sold the real estate security through a BWIC. Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the February Selling Affiliate, the Company submitted its bid for the real estate security to the February Selling Affiliate. The Company’s pre-submission of its bid allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

In July 2017, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company acquired certain real estate securities from an affiliate of the Manager (the “July Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the securities acquired from the July Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $0.2 million. As procuring market bids for the real estate securities was determined to be impracticable in the Manager’s reasonable judgement, appropriate pricing was based on a valuation prepared by an independent third-party pricing vendor. The third-party pricing vendor allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

38

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

11. Equity

On May 6, 2015, the Company filed a shelf registration statement, registering up to $750.0 million of its securities, including capital stock. On September 30, 2017, $650.0 million of the Company’s securities, including capital stock, was available for issuance under the registration statement.

Concurrently with the IPO, the Company offered a private placement of 3,205,000 units at $20.00 per share to a limited number of investors qualifying as “accredited investors” under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each unit consisted of one share of common stock (“private placement share”) and a warrant (“private placement warrant”) to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock. Each private placement warrant had an exercise price of $20.50 per share (as adjusted for reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or other dispositions) and is set to expire on July 6, 2018. No warrants were exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

The Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no stated maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Under certain circumstances upon a change of control, the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are convertible to shares of the Company’s common stock. Holders of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except under limited conditions, and holders are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% and 8.00% per annum on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference before holders of the common stock are entitled to receive any dividends. Shares of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are currently redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at the Company’s option. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on the 17th day of each March, June, September and December. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had declared all required quarterly dividends on the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.

On November 3, 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding common stock. Such authorization does not have an expiration date. As part of the Repurchase Program, shares may be purchased in open market transactions, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. Open market repurchases will be made in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of open market stock repurchases. Subject to applicable securities laws, the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be determined by the Company in its discretion, using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of its common stock as required by Maryland law. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice and the authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock. The cost of the acquisition by the Company of shares of its own stock in excess of the aggregate par value of the shares first reduces additional paid-in capital, to the extent available, with any residual cost applied against retained earnings. No shares were repurchased under the Repurchase Program during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and approximately $14.6 million of common stock remained authorized for future share repurchases under the Repurchase Program.

The following table presents a summary of our common stock repurchases under the Repurchase Program for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Month Purchased (1)	Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Weighted Average Price per Share Paid (2)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program		Maximum Number (or approximate dollar value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (3)
March 2016		119,606	$	12.86		246,321	$	21,790,786
May 2016		276,522		13.75		522,843		17,988,891
June 2016		36,725		14.38		559,568		17,460,743
August 2016		165,842		15.74		725,410		14,850,605
September 2016		16,000		15.76		741,410		14,598,493
Total		614,695	$	14.20		741,410	$	14,598,493

(1) Based on trade date. The Program was announced on November 4, 2015. The Program does not have an expiration date.

(2) Includes brokerage commissions and clearing fees.

(3) The maximum dollar amount authorized was $25.0 million.

39

AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

September 30, 2017

On May 5, 2017, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with each of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and JMP Securities LLC (collectively, the “Sales Agents”), which the Company refers to as the “Equity Distribution Agreements”, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $100.0 million aggregate offering price of shares of its common stock from time to time through the Sales Agents, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. As of September 30, 2017, the Company sold 460,932 shares of common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreements for net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

On December 9, 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc, entered into Arc Home’s LLC Agreement and agreed to fund an initial capital commitment of $30.0 million. On April 25, 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, agreed to fund an additional capital commitment to Arc Home in the amount of $10.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s share of Arc Home’s total capital commitment was $17.8 million. The Company had funded all of its capital commitment to Arc Home as of September 30, 2017.

On August 29, 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon entered into the MATH LLC Agreement, which requires that MATH fund a capital commitment of $75.0 million to MATT. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of this commitment.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements where payment may become due if certain events occur. Management believes that the probability of making such payments is remote.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or this “report,” we refer to AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. as “we,” “us,” the “Company,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our external manager, AG REIT Management, LLC, as our “Manager,” and we refer to the direct parent company of our Manager, Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P., as “Angelo, Gordon.”

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 1 of this report, as well as the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in this report that are subject to substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, the composition of our portfolio, actions by governmental entities, including the Federal Reserve, and the potential effects of actual and proposed legislation on us. When we use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon information presently available to our management and are inherently subjective, uncertain and subject to change. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Some, but not all, of the factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the yield curve, changes in prepayment rates, the availability and terms of financing, changes in the market value of our assets, general economic conditions, conditions in the market for Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS securities and loans, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect us. We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and urge you to carefully consider the risks noted above and identified under the captions “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and any subsequent filings. If any change described above occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements that we make, or that are attributable to us, are expressly qualified by this cautionary notice.

Our company

We are a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage assets, other real estate-related securities and financial assets, which we refer to as our target assets. We are externally managed by our Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, pursuant to a management agreement. Our Manager, pursuant to the delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the management agreement. We conduct our operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income that we distribute currently to our stockholders as long as we maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. We also operate our business in a manner that permits us to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol MITT. Our 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and our 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock trade on the NYSE under the symbols MITT-PA and MITT-PB, respectively.

Our investment portfolio

Our investment portfolio is comprised of Agency RMBS, Residential Investments, Commercial Investments, and ABS, each of which is described below.

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Agency RMBS

Our investment portfolio is comprised primarily of residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS. Certain of the assets in our RMBS portfolio have an explicit guarantee of principal and interest by a U.S. government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association, or Ginnie Mae, or by a government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac (each, a “GSE”). We refer to these securities as Agency RMBS. Our Agency RMBS portfolio includes:

· Fixed rate securities (held as mortgage pass-through securities);

· Sequential pay fixed rate collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”),

· CMOs where the holder is entitled only to the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) whose coupon has an inverse relationship to its benchmark rate, such as LIBOR (“Inverse interest-only securities”);

· CMOs where the holder is entitled only to the interest payments made on the mortgages underlying certain MBS “interest-only strips” (“Interest-only securities”);

· Excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”) whose underlying collateral is securitized in a trust held by a U.S. government agency or GSE (grouped with Agency RMBS interest-only securities throughout this Item 2); and

· Certain Agency RMBS for which the underlying collateral is not identified until shortly (generally two days) before the purchase or sale settlement date (“TBAs”).

Residential Investments

Our investment portfolio also includes a significant portion of Residential Investments. The Residential Investments that we own include RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae or a GSE, which we refer to as our Non-Agency RMBS. Our Non-Agency RMBS include investment grade and non-investment grade fixed and floating-rate securities. We categorize certain of our Residential Investments by weighted average credit score at origination:

· Prime (weighted average credit score above 700)

· Alt-A (weighted average credit score between 700 and 620); and

· Subprime (weighted average credit score below 620)

The Residential Investments that we do not categorize by weighted average credit score at origination include our:

· RMBS Interest-Only securities (Non-Agency RMBS backed by interest-only strips)

· Excess MSRs whose underlying collateral is securitized in a trust not held by a U.S. government agency or GSE (grouped with RMBS Interest-Only securities throughout this Item 2)

· CRTs (defined below)

· RPL/NPL (described below); and

· Residential Whole Loans (described below).

Credit Risk Transfer securities (“CRTs”) include:

· Unguaranteed and unsecured mezzanine, junior mezzanine and first loss securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to transfer their exposure to mortgage default risk to private investors. These securities reference a specific pool of newly originated single family mortgages from a specified time period (typically around the time of origination). The risk of loss on the reference pool of mortgages is transferred to investors who may experience losses when adverse credit events such as defaults, liquidations or delinquencies occur in the underlying mortgages. Owners of these securities receive an uncapped floating interest rate equal to a predetermined spread over one-month LIBOR.

RPL/NPL include:

· Mortgage-backed securities collateralized by re-performing mortgage loans (“RPL”) and/or non-performing mortgage loans (“NPL”). The RPL/NPL that we own represent the senior and mezzanine tranches of such securitizations. These RPL/NPL securitizations are structured with significant credit enhancement (typically, approximately 50% to the senior tranche and 40% to the mezzanine tranche), which mitigates our exposure to credit risk on these securities. “Credit enhancement” refers to the value of the subordinated tranches available to absorb all credit losses prior to those losses being allocated to more senior tranches. For a senior tranche in this type of securitization to experience loss, the value of the collateral underlying the securitization would have to decrease by 50%. Subordinate tranches typically receive no cash flow (interest or principal) until the senior and mezzanine tranches have been paid off. In addition, the RPL/NPL that we own contain an “interest rate step-up” feature, whereby the interest rate or “coupon” on the senior tranche increases by typically 300 basis points or typically 400 basis points in the case of mezzanine tranches (a “step up”) if the security that we hold has not been redeemed or repurchased by the issuer within 36 months of issuance. We expect that the combination of the priority cash flow of the senior and mezzanine tranches and the 36-month step-up feature will result in these securities exhibiting short average lives and, accordingly, reduced interest rate sensitivity.

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Residential Whole Loans include:

· RPLs or NPLs in securitized form that we purchase from an affiliate (or affiliates) of the Manager. The securitizations typically take the form of various classes of notes and a trust certificate.

· RPLs or NPLs that we hold through interests in certain consolidated trusts. These investments are included in the “Residential mortgage loans, at fair value” line item on our consolidated balance sheets.

Commercial Investments

We also invest in Commercial Investments. Our Commercial Investments include commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS (described below), CMBS interest-only securities (CMBS backed by interest-only strips) and commercial mortgage loans.

Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS (“K-Series CMBS”) include:

· CMBS, CMBS interest-only and CMBS principal-only securities which are regularly-issued by Freddie Mac as pass-through securities backed by multifamily mortgage loans. These K-Series CMBS feature a wide range of investor options which include guaranteed senior and interest-only bonds as well as unguaranteed senior, mezzanine, subordinate and interest-only bonds. Our K-Series CMBS portfolio includes unguaranteed senior, mezzanine, subordinate and interest-only bonds. Throughout Item 2, we categorize our Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS interest-only bonds as part of our “CMBS Interest-Only” assets.

ABS

We also invest in asset backed securities, or ABS. Our ABS portfolio may include securities collateralized by various asset classes, including automobiles, credit cards and student loans, among others.

Investment classification

Throughout this Item 2, (1) we use the terms “credit portfolio” and “credit investments” to refer to our Residential Investments, Commercial Investments and ABS, inclusive of investments held within affiliated entities but exclusive of AG Arc (discussed below); (2) we refer to our residential mortgage loans (exclusive of our Residential Whole Loans) and commercial mortgage loans, collectively, as our “loans”; (3) we use the term “credit securities” to refer to our credit portfolio, excluding Excess MSRs and loans; and (4) we use the term “real estate securities” or “securities” to refer to our Agency RMBS portfolio, exclusive of Excess MSRs, and our credit securities. Our “investment portfolio” refers to our combined Agency RMBS portfolio and credit portfolio and encompasses all of the investments described above.

We also use the term “GAAP investment portfolio” which consists of (i) our Agency RMBS, exclusive of TBAs (our “GAAP Agency RMBS portfolio”) and (ii) our credit portfolio, exclusive of (x) all investments held within affiliated entities (our “GAAP credit portfolio”), and (y) any investments classified as “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our investments held within affiliated entities.

This presentation of our investment portfolio is consistent with how our management evaluates our business, and we believe this presentation, when considered with the GAAP presentation, provides supplemental information useful for investors in evaluating our investment portfolio and financial condition.

Arc Home LLC

In December 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc LLC, one of our indirect subsidiaries (“AG Arc”), formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”). In June 2016, Arc Home closed on the acquisition of a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veteran’s Administration (“VA”) and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of mortgages with licenses to conduct business in 47 states, including Washington D.C. Through this subsidiary, Arc Home originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans that it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers.

Market overview

Spreads for most Agency RMBS, Residential Investment and ABS markets tightened during the third quarter, resulting in a 3.5% increase in our book value. Legacy RMBS securities continue to benefit from a combination of strong demand and stable fundamentals. Additionally, the supply/demand imbalance in legacy RMBS help fuel a further tightening in new issue spreads. During the quarter, the Federal Reserve laid out its plan for implementing the gradual reduction of its balance sheet reinvestment. This allowed for Agency RMBS to realize their best spread performance of the year, with nominal spreads tightening to benchmark rates by eight to ten basis points during the quarter. Relatively rangebound interest rates, subdued implied volatility and modest supply have continued to serve as a favorable backdrop for Agency RMBS and support our tactical rotation of capital to the sector. The Credit Risk Transfer (“CRT”) sector initially rallied during the quarter, but the arrival of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma put heavy pressure on spreads. Relatively benign loss estimates following the hurricanes caused spreads to retrace some of the widening and the mezzanine tranches that we own ultimately ended the quarter unchanged.

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Housing, economic and interest rate trends

Inclusive of distressed sales, home prices nationwide increased by 6.9% on a year-over-year basis in August 2017 as compared with August 2016, according to data released by CoreLogic. This marks the 67th consecutive monthly increase year-over-year in national home prices. The housing market remains strong, and we expect home price appreciation to persist around current levels due to tight supply conditions across most of the nation. The U.S. government agencies and the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) policy sponsorship of housing via lower mortgage rates coupled with a stable broader domestic economy have provided support for the housing market recovery.

According to CoreLogic, the aggregate negative equity value (homes where the homeowner owes more on the home than the home is worth) decreased $700 million to $284.4 billion in the second quarter of 2017, from $285.1 billion in the second quarter of 2016, a decrease of 0.2%. For much of the country, the negative equity epidemic that developed during the 2008-2009 recession has lifted due to the rise in home prices over the past five years. Additionally, credit performance in terms of serious delinquencies and subsequent default rates continued to be stable-to-improving in 2017 and is anticipated to remain stable in the near future.

At its September meeting, the Fed maintained the federal funds interest rate but commenced its previously communicated plan for reducing the size of its balance sheet. Progress continues to be made with respect to the Fed’s dual mandate of full employment and price stability, as unemployment remains below 5%, however inflation has softened recently in response to a series of transitory factors. In the September update of its Summary of Economic Projections, the Fed increased its median forecast for real GDP growth in 2017 and 2019 and maintained its median forecast for 2018 as well decreased its median forecast for the unemployment rate in 2018 and 2019. Ultimately, in light of both a cyclically and structurally depressed neutral interest rate, the Fed may not be able to raise the federal funds rate in-line with its median projected rate of 2.1% by the end of 2018. This, combined with a persistent global bid for high quality fixed income securities, supports a benign range bound outlook for interest rates through year end.

The rise in savings rates since the financial crisis, continued low interest rates, steady employment gains and low energy costs have all contributed to significant improvement in the consumer’s balance sheet. This continues to fuel our optimism about the prospects of further housing recovery and longer term moderate home price appreciation. However, we expect that, without an increase in median income, the pace of home price appreciation is likely to moderate over the coming years.

The market movements outlined above may have a meaningful impact on our operating results and our existing portfolio and may cause us to adjust our investment and financing strategies over time as new opportunities emerge and the risk profiles of our business changes.

Recent government activity

The current regulatory environment may be impacted by future legislative developments, such as amendments to key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act or significant reform of the Internal Revenue Code, including significant changes to the taxation of business entities. There is a lack of clarity around both the timing and the exact details of any such tax or regulatory reform and the impact of such potential reform on our operations.

Results of operations

Our operating results can be affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on the size and composition of our investment portfolio, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of, and demand for, our target assets in the marketplace, which can be impacted by unanticipated credit events, such as defaults, liquidations or delinquencies, experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans are included in our RMBS. Our primary source of net income available to common stockholders is our net interest income, less our cost of hedging, which represents the difference between the interest earned on our investment portfolio and the costs of financing and hedging our investment portfolio. Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates, prepayment speeds, as measured by the Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”) on the Agency RMBS in our investment portfolio, and our funding and hedging costs.

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The table below presents certain information from our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Statement of Operations Data:
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$	33,592,587		$	30,573,134		$	92,773,014		$	91,470,588
Interest expense		11,959,225			8,525,365			30,322,030			25,482,661
		21,633,362			22,047,769			62,450,984			65,987,927
Other Income
Net realized gain/(loss)		22,286			9,578,488			(12,527,278	)		(8,725,255	)
Realized loss on periodic interest settlements of derivative instruments, net		(2,147,452	)		(1,034,251	)		(5,614,971	)		(5,019,565	)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net		14,892,809			13,461,216			53,189,925			33,260,103
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		2,422,713			6,961,061			4,224,010			(4,792,369	)
Other income		2,325			341,345			34,207			368,731
		15,192,681			29,307,859			39,305,893			15,091,645
Expenses
Management fee to affiliate		2,454,083			2,451,387			7,373,679			7,322,312
Other operating expenses		2,602,473			2,870,662			8,247,060			8,581,726
Servicing fees		22,991			121,806			184,993			359,150
Equity based compensation to affiliate		60,859			75,774			225,877			217,928
Excise tax		375,000			238,167			1,125,000			988,167
		5,515,406			5,757,796			17,156,609			17,469,283
Income/(loss) before equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		31,310,637			45,597,832			84,600,268			63,610,289
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		4,700,800			534,133			9,699,962			1,154,390
Net Income/(Loss)		36,011,437			46,131,965			94,300,230			64,764,679
Dividends on preferred stock		3,367,354			3,367,354			10,102,062			10,102,062
Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders	$	32,644,083		$	42,764,611		$	84,198,168		$	54,662,617
Share Data:
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$	1.17		$	1.54		$	3.03		$	1.95
Diluted	$	1.17		$	1.54		$	3.03		$	1.95

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders

Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders decreased $10.2 million from $42.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $32.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to one time realized gains taken on certain real estate securities and loans for the three months ended September 30, 2016, lower derivative prices, which decreased our “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” and higher financing costs, which increased our “Interest expense.”

Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders increased $29.5 million from $54.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $84.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to higher prices on our securities, which increased our “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net,” coupled with higher derivative prices, which increased our “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” offset by higher financing costs, which increased our “Interest expense.”

Interest income

Interest income is calculated using the effective interest method for our GAAP investment portfolio and calculated based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance on our U.S. Treasury securities.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Interest income increased by $3.0 million from $30.6 million at September 30, 2016 to $33.6 million at September 30, 2017 primarily due to an increase in the weighted average cost of our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities period over period by $0.4 billion from $2.8 billion at September 30, 2016 to $3.2 billion at September 30, 2017. This was offset by a decrease in the weighted average yield on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable, during the period of 0.10% from 4.35% at September 30, 2016 to 4.25% at September 30, 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Interest income increased by $1.3 million from $91.5 million at September 30, 2016 to $92.8 million at September 30, 2017 primarily due to an increase in the weighted average yield on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities during the period of 0.33% from 4.19% at September 30, 2016 to 4.52% at September 30, 2017. This was offset by a decrease in the weighted average cost of our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable, period over period by $0.2 billion from $2.9 billion at September 30, 2016 to $2.7 billion at September 30, 2017.

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Interest expense

Interest expense is calculated based on the actual financing rate and the outstanding financing balance of our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Interest expense increased by $3.5 million from $8.5 million at September 30, 2016 to $12.0 million at September 30, 2017 primarily due to an increase in the weighted average financing rate on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable, during the period, by 0.40% from 1.49% at September 30, 2016 to 1.89% at September 30, 2017. This was coupled with an increase in the weighted average financing balance on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities during the period of $0.2 billion from $2.3 billion at September 30, 2016 to $2.5 billion at September 30, 2017. Refer to the “Financing activities” section below for a discussion of our cost of funds.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Interest expense increased by $4.8 million from $25.5 million at September 30, 2016 to $30.3 million at September 30, 2017 primarily due to an increase in the weighted average financing rate on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable, during the period, by 0.44% from 1.42% at September 30, 2016 to 1.86% at September 30, 2017. This was offset by a decrease in the weighted average financing balance on our GAAP investment portfolio and U.S. Treasury securities during the period of $0.2 billion from $2.4 billion at September 30, 2016 to $2.2 billion at September 30, 2017. Refer to the “Financing activities” section below for a discussion of our cost of funds.

Net realized gain/(loss)

Net realized gain/(loss) represents the net gain or loss recognized on any sales out of our GAAP investment portfolio, Other assets, derivatives, or other instruments, other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) charges recorded during the period, as well as transfers from Residential mortgage loans to Other assets. Refer to Note 2, Note 3 and Note 4 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” for further discussion on OTTI. The following table presents a summary of Net realized gain/(loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Real Estate Securities		2,365,126			9,806,146			1,274,428			9,050,494
Loans		-			3,407,112			2,333,855			3,407,112
Loans transferred to Other assets		(140,733	)		277,978			(56,764	)		277,978
Sale of Other assets		(189,957	)		295,919			(374,613	)		295,918
Settlement of TBAs		1,671,836			420,547			3,002,891			445,586
Settlement of certain derivatives and other instruments		(1,714,187	)		(3,609,103	)		(11,896,957	)		(8,776,734	)
OTTI		(1,969,799	)		(1,020,111	)		(6,810,118	)		(13,425,609	)
Total Net realized gain/(loss)		22,286			9,578,488			(12,527,278	)		(8,725,255	)

Realized loss on periodic interest settlement of derivative instruments, net

Realized loss on periodic interest settlement of derivative instruments, net represents the net interest expense paid on our interest rate swaps.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Realized loss on periodic interest settlement of derivative instruments, net increased by $1.1 million from $1.0 million at September 30, 2016 to $2.1 million at September 30, 2017 due to an increase in the weighted average swap notional from $0.4 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $1.8 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This was offset by an increase in the average three-month LIBOR rate from 0.787% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to 1.315% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Realized loss on periodic interest settlement of derivative instruments, net increased by $0.6 million from $5.0 million at September 30, 2016 to $5.6 million at September 30, 2017 due to an increase in the weighted average swap notional from $0.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This was offset by an increase in the average three-month LIBOR rate from 0.686% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to 1.197% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

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Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net

Refer to the “Market overview” section of this Item 2 for a discussion of the changes in market pricing which drive our “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net” line items. Realized gains and losses on sales also generally impact unrealized gains and losses.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net was $14.9 million and $13.5 million, respectively. The $14.9 million at September 30, 2017 was comprised of unrealized gains on securities and loans of $14.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, during the period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net was $53.2 million and $33.3 million, respectively. The $53.2 million at September 30, 2017 was comprised of unrealized gains on securities and loans of $52.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, during the period.

Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net

Refer to the “Market overview” section of this Item 2 for a discussion of the changes in market pricing which drive our “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net” line items. Realized gains and losses on sales also generally impact unrealized gains and losses.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net was $2.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The $2.4 million at September 30, 2017 was comprised primarily of unrealized gains on interest rate swaps during the period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net was $4.2 million and $(4.8) million, respectively. The $4.2 million at September 30, 2017 was comprised of unrealized gains on certain derivatives of $5.2 million, offset by unrealized losses on TBAs of $1.0 million during the period.

Other income

Other income pertains to certain fees we receive on our residential mortgage loans.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Other income was $2,325 and $341,345, respectively. The decrease in Other income pertains to increased fees we received on one of our residential mortgage loan pools during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, Other income was $34,207 and $368,731, respectively. The decrease in Other income pertains to increased fees we received on one of our residential mortgage loan pools during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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Management fee to affiliate

Our management fee is based upon a percentage of our Stockholders’ Equity after excluding unrealized gains or losses and other non-cash items. See the “Contractual obligations” section of this Item 2 for further detail on the calculation of our management fee and for the definition of Stockholders’ Equity.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, our management fees were $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Management fees increased slightly due to the increase in our Stockholders’ Equity as calculated pursuant to our Management Agreement.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, our management fees were $7.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Management fees increased slightly due to the increase in our Stockholders’ Equity as calculated pursuant to our Management Agreement.

Other operating expenses

These amounts are primarily comprised of professional fees, directors’ and officers’ (“D&O”) insurance and directors’ fees, as well as certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager. We are required to reimburse our Manager or its affiliates for operating expenses which are incurred by our Manager or its affiliates on our behalf, including certain salary expenses and other expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. Refer to the “Contractual obligations” section below for more detail on certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 other operating expenses were $2.6 million. This balance, exclusive of certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager, was comprised primarily of (i) $0.3 million related to professional fees, (ii) $0.2 million related to residential mortgage loan related expenses (iii) $0.1 million related to D&O insurance, and (iv) $0.1 million related to directors’ fees and stock compensation.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 other operating expenses were $2.9 million. This balance, exclusive of certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager, was comprised primarily of (i) $0.4 million related to professional fees, (ii) $0.2 million related to residential mortgage loan related expenses (iii) $0.2 million related to D&O insurance, and (iv) $0.1 million related to directors’ fees and stock compensation.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 other operating expenses were $8.2 million. This balance, exclusive of certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager, was comprised primarily of (i) $1.1 million related to professional fees, (ii) $0.6 million related to residential mortgage loan related expenses (iii) $0.5 million related to D&O insurance, and (iv) $0.4 million related to directors’ fees and stock compensation.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 other operating expenses were $8.6 million. This balance, exclusive of certain expenses reimbursable to the Manager, was comprised primarily of (i) $1.2 million related to professional fees, (ii) $0.6 million related to residential mortgage loan related expenses (iii) $0.6 million related to D&O insurance, and (iv) $0.3 million related to directors’ fees and stock compensation.

Servicing fees

We incur servicing fee expenses in connection with the servicing of our residential mortgage loans. As of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we owned Residential mortgage loans with fair market value of $23.9 million and $42.6 million, respectively.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 our servicing fees were $22,991 and $121,806, respectively. The decrease in fees primarily pertains to sales of residential mortgage loans from prior periods.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 our servicing fees were $184,993 and $359,150, respectively. The decrease in fees primarily pertains to sales of residential mortgage loans during the period.

Equity based compensation to affiliate

Equity based compensation to affiliates represents the amortization of the fair value of our restricted stock units remeasured quarterly, less the present value of dividend expected to be paid on the underlying shares through the requisite period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

Equity based compensation to affiliates remained relatively flat period over period for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Equity based compensation to affiliates remained relatively flat period over period for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

Excise tax

Excise tax represents a four percent tax on the required amount of our ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the year. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 we recorded excise tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The increase pertains to the receipt of a tax refund in 2016 as a result of filing our 2015 tax return.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 we recorded excise tax expense of $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The increase pertains to the receipt of a tax refund in 2016 as a result of filing our 2015 tax return.

Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates

Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates represents our share of earnings and profits of investments held within affiliated entities. A majority of these investments are comprised of real estate securities, loans and our investment in AG Arc.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we recorded Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates of $4.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The increase primarily pertains to a larger portfolio due to additions to investments held within affiliated entities, coupled with increased security prices.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we recorded Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates of $9.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The increase primarily pertains to gains recognized on a sold security, additions to the portfolio of investments held within affiliated entities and increased security prices.

Book value per share

As of September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, our book value per common share was $19.35, $17.86 and $18.49, respectively.

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Presentation of investment, financing and hedging activities

In the “Investment activities,” “Financing activities,” “Hedging activities” and “Liquidity and capital resources” sections of this Item 2, where we disclose our investment portfolio and the related repurchase agreements that finance it, we have presented this information inclusive of (i) unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates that are accounted for under GAAP using the equity method and (ii) TBAs, which are accounted for as derivatives under GAAP. Our investment portfolio and the related repurchase agreements that finance it are presented along with a reconciliation to GAAP. This presentation of our investment portfolio is consistent with how our management evaluates the business, and we believe this presentation, when considered with the GAAP presentation, provides supplemental information useful for investors in evaluating our investment portfolio and financial condition. See Note 2 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)” for a discussion of investments in debt and equity of affiliates and TBAs.

Net interest margin

Net interest margin is calculated by subtracting the weighted average cost of funds from the weighted average yield for our investment portfolio, which excludes cash held by us and any net TBA position. The weighted average yield on our investment portfolio represents an effective interest rate, which utilizes all estimates of future cash flows and adjusts for actual prepayment and cash flow activity as of quarter-end. The weighted average cost of funds is the sum of the weighted average funding costs on total financing outstanding at quarter-end and our weighted average hedging cost, which is the weighted average of the net pay rate on our interest rate swaps, the net receive/pay rate on our Treasury long and short positions, respectively, and the net receivable rate on our IO index derivatives, if any. Both elements of cost of funds are weighted by the outstanding repurchase agreements on our investment portfolio, securitized debt, and loan participation payable at quarter-end, exclusive of repurchase agreements associated with U.S. Treasury securities.

Our GAAP net interest margin is calculated by subtracting the weighted average cost of funds on our GAAP investment portfolio from the weighted average yield for our GAAP investment portfolio, which excludes cash held by us and any net TBA position. Both elements of cost of funds on our GAAP investment portfolio are weighted by the outstanding repurchase agreements on our GAAP investment portfolio, securitized debt, and loan participation payable at quarter-end, exclusive of repurchase agreements associated with U.S. Treasury securities.

See below for a chart setting forth the net interest margin from our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 and for a reconciliation to our GAAP investment portfolio:

September 30, 2017
Weighted Average	GAAP Investment Portfolio			Other Assets			Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates			Investment Portfolio (1)
Yield		4.49	%		7.58	%		13.74	%		4.69	%
Cost of Funds		2.12	%		-			3.51	%		2.12	%
Net Interest Margin		2.37	%		7.58	%		10.23	%		2.57	%
September 30, 2016
Weighted Average	GAAP Investment Portfolio			Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates			Investment Portfolio (1)
Yield		4.57	%		13.08	%		4.73	%
Cost of Funds		1.74	%		3.30	%		1.76	%
Net Interest Margin		2.83	%		9.78	%		2.97	%

(1) Excludes any net TBA position.

Core Earnings

We define core earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, as Net Income/(loss) available to common stockholders excluding both unrealized and realized gains/(losses) on the sale or termination of securities and the related tax expense/benefit or disposition expense, if any, on such sale, including (i) investments held in affiliated entities and (ii) derivatives. As defined, Core Earnings include the net interest and other income earned on these investments on a yield adjusted basis, including credit derivatives, investments in debt and equity of affiliates, inverse Agency Interest-Only securities, interest rate derivatives, TBA drop income or any other investment activity that may earn or pay net interest or its economic equivalent. One of our objectives is to generate net income from net interest margin on the portfolio, and management uses Core Earnings to measure this objective. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure, when considered with the Company’s GAAP financials, provides supplemental information useful for investors in evaluating our results of operations. This metric, in conjunction with related GAAP measures, provides greater transparency into the information used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making. Our presentation of Core Earnings may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies, who may use different calculations. This non-GAAP measure should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section above for a detailed discussion of our GAAP financial results.

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A reconciliation of “Net Income/(loss) available to common stockholders” to Core Earnings for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 is set forth below:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Net Income/(loss) available to common stockholders	$	32,644,083		$	42,764,611		$	84,198,168		$	54,662,617
Add (Deduct):
Net realized (gain)/loss		(22,286	)		(9,578,488	)		12,527,278			8,725,255
Drop income		1,525,466			129,883			2,626,313			216,927
Equity in (earnings)/loss from affiliates		(4,700,800	)		(534,133	)		(9,699,962	)		(1,154,390	)
Net interest income and expenses from equity method investments (1)		2,195,983			1,653,043			6,457,822			3,218,360
Unrealized (gain)/loss on real estate securities and loans, net		(14,892,809	)		(13,461,216	)		(53,189,925	)		(33,260,103	)
Unrealized (gain)/loss on derivative and other instruments, net		(2,422,713	)		(6,961,061	)		(4,224,010	)		4,792,369
Core Earnings	$	14,326,924		$	14,012,639		$	38,695,684		$	37,201,035
Core Earnings, per Diluted Share	$	0.51		$	0.50		$	1.39		$	1.33

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized $0.1 million or $0.00 per share of net income/(loss) attributed to our investment in AG Arc. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized $0.5 million or $0.02 per share of net income/(loss) attributed tko our investment in AG Arc. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $0.2 million or $0.01 per share of net income/(loss) attributed to our investment in AG Arc. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $(0.3) million or $(0.01) per share of net income/(loss) attributed to our investment in AG Arc.

Investment activities

We evaluate investments in Agency RMBS using factors including expected future prepayment trends, supply of and demand for Agency RMBS, costs of financing, costs of hedging, expected future interest rate volatility and the overall shape of the U.S. Treasury and interest rate swap yield curves. Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the CPR and interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, as prepayment speeds on our Agency RMBS portfolio increase, the related purchase premium amortization increases, thereby reducing the net yield on such assets.

Our credit investments are subject to risk of loss with regard to principal and interest payments. We evaluate each investment in our credit portfolio based on the characteristics of the underlying collateral and the securitization structure. We maintain a comprehensive portfolio management process that generally includes day-to-day oversight by the portfolio management team and a quarterly credit review process for each investment that examines the need for a potential reduction in accretable yield, missed or late contractual payments, significant declines in collateral performance, prepayments, projected defaults, loss severities and other data which may indicate a potential issue in our ability to recover our capital from the investment. These processes are designed to enable our Manager to evaluate and proactively manage asset-specific credit issues and identify credit trends on a portfolio-wide basis. Nevertheless, we cannot be certain that our review will identify all issues within our portfolio due to, among other things, adverse economic conditions or events adversely affecting specific assets. Therefore, potential future losses may also stem from issues with our investments that are not identified by our credit reviews.

The risk-reward profile of our investment opportunities changes continuously with the market, including with labor, housing and economic fundamentals and U.S. monetary policy. As a result, in reacting to market conditions and taking into account a variety of other factors, including liquidity, duration, interest rate expectations and hedging, the mix of our assets changes over time. Our portfolio management and investment decisions have led to a decrease in the size of our portfolio over time.

As of September 30, 2017, we had a $3.3 billion GAAP investment portfolio, which consisted of $2.1 billion, or 61.7%, of assets in our GAAP Agency RMBS portfolio and $1.2 billion, or 38.3%, of assets in our GAAP credit portfolio. As of September 30, 2017, our investment portfolio totaled $3.5 billion, which consisted of $2.2 billion, or 61.7%, of assets in our Agency RMBS portfolio and $1.3 billion, or 38.3%, of assets in our credit portfolio. This compares with a $2.4 billion GAAP investment portfolio as of December 31, 2016, which consisted of $1.1 billion, or 43.5%, of assets in our GAAP Agency RMBS portfolio and $1.3 billion, or 56.5%, of assets in our GAAP credit portfolio. As of December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio was $2.5 billion, which consisted of $1.1 billion, or 43.5%, of assets in our Agency RMBS portfolio and $1.4 billion, or 56.5%, of assets in our credit portfolio.

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The following table presents a general summary of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Weighted Average Yield						Weighted Average Funding Cost (a)						Net Interest Margin (a)						Leverage Ratio (b)
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016			September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016			September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016			September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Agency RMBS	$	2,167,255,767	$	1,104,119,758	$	2,180,978,238	$	1,108,913,726		3.18	%		3.17	%		1.33	%		0.97	%		1.85	%		2.20	%		7.1	x		5.1	x
Residential Investments		904,548,485		1,071,183,137		963,278,080		1,091,168,253		6.42	%		6.31	%		2.64	%		2.37	%		3.78	%		3.94	%		3.1	x		2.7	x
Commercial Investments		329,828,326		327,333,471		336,535,328		325,740,321		8.39	%		7.91	%		2.72	%		2.50	%		5.67	%		5.41	%		1.1	x		1.2	x
ABS		53,232,661		21,667,978		53,223,788		21,231,956		8.73	%		6.32	%		2.98	%		2.33	%		5.75	%		3.99	%		1.0	x		2.4	x
Total: Investment Portfolio	$	3,454,865,239	$	2,524,304,344	$	3,534,015,434	$	2,547,054,256		4.69	%		5.18	%		2.12	%		2.02	%		2.57	%		3.16	%		4.2	x		2.9	x
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	74,575,924	$	65,120,616	$	76,538,053	$	63,561,582		13.74	%		14.54	%		3.51	%		3.51	%		10.23	%		11.03	%		(c	)		(c	)
Other Assets	$	248,103	$	-	$	243,207	$	-		7.58	%		-			N/A			N/A			7.58	%		-			N/A			N/A
TBAs	$	121,583,125	$	51,427,734	$	121,125,315	$	51,250,000		N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			(c	)		(c	)
Total: GAAP Investment Portfolio	$	3,258,458,087	$	2,407,755,994	$	3,336,108,859	$	2,432,242,674		4.49	%		4.94	%		2.12	%		2.01	%		2.37	%		2.93	%		4.0	x		2.9	x

(a) Total weighted average funding cost and total net interest margin includes cost of hedging.

(b) Leverage ratio is calculated off of allocated equity. Total leverage ratio includes any net receivables on TBAs.

(c) Refer to the “Financing activities” section below for an aggregate breakout of leverage.

In managing our portfolio, we allocate our equity by investment using the fair market value of our investment portfolio, less any associated leverage, inclusive of any long TBA position (at cost). We allocate all non-investment portfolio related items based on their respective characteristics in order to sum to stockholders’ equity per the consolidated balance sheets. Our equity allocation method is a non-GAAP methodology and may not be comparable to the similarly titled measure or concepts of other companies, who may use different calculations.

The following table presents a summary of the allocated equity of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Allocated Equity				Percent of Equity
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016		September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Agency RMBS		279,215,794		189,280,511		39.5	%		28.9	%
Residential Investments		242,870,226		306,911,537		34.4	%		46.8	%
Commercial Investments		157,641,180		153,225,309		22.3	%		23.4	%
ABS		26,898,681		6,459,033		3.8	%		0.9	%
Total		706,625,881		655,876,390		100.0	%		100.0	%

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The following table presents a reconciliation of our investment portfolio to our GAAP investment portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

Instrument	Current Face		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Mark-to- Market			Fair Value (1)		Weighted Average Coupon (2)			Weighted Average Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (3) (8)
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	1,676,807,359	$	1,750,830,091	$	9,552,127		$	1,760,382,218		3.77	%		3.11	%		8.62
Fixed Rate CMO		54,267,762		54,695,495		904,953			55,600,448		3.00	%		2.79	%		4.17
ARM		183,361,500		182,342,286		3,918,224			186,260,510		2.35	%		2.83	%		4.82
Inverse Interest Only		125,517,421		16,904,789		246,358			17,151,147		3.85	%		7.06	%		4.43
Interest Only and Excess MSR (4)		862,279,325		40,899,981		(441,381	)		40,458,600		2.51	%		6.49	%		5.30
Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA (5)		116,000,000		121,583,125		(457,810	)		121,125,315		3.80	%		N/A			N/A
Credit Investments:
Residential Investments
Prime (6)		552,016,023		438,241,782		34,739,648			472,981,430		4.39	%		6.40	%		9.51
Alt-A (6)		255,419,594		162,125,599		12,685,083			174,810,682		4.57	%		5.95	%		7.07
Subprime (6)		87,300,355		83,392,128		1,323,989			84,716,117		4.71	%		5.72	%		6.45
Credit Risk Transfer		121,512,326		121,586,944		7,010,289			128,597,233		5.03	%		5.24	%		6.56
RPL/NPL		43,235,382		43,183,788		95,915			43,279,703		4.82	%		6.15	%		1.83
RMBS Interest Only and Excess MSR (7)		433,681,726		3,580,289		(438,001	)		3,142,288		0.21	%		10.26	%		3.34
Residential Whole Loans		78,512,741		52,437,955		3,312,672			55,750,627		5.32	%		11.74	%		4.51
Commercial Investments
CMBS		202,106,820		152,578,776		(553,507	)		152,025,269		5.42	%		6.02	%		3.81
Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS		194,814,918		63,474,420		2,267,011			65,741,431		5.98	%		14.81	%		9.88
CMBS Interest Only (9)		3,264,829,223		57,223,259		4,146,706			61,369,965		0.30	%		6.69	%		3.79
Commercial Whole Loans		57,738,472		56,551,871		846,792			57,398,663		7.93	%		9.15	%		2.00
ABS		53,497,625		53,232,661		(8,873	)		53,223,788		8.34	%		8.73	%		5.32
Total: Investment Portfolio	$	8,362,898,572	$	3,454,865,239	$	79,150,195		$	3,534,015,434		2.20	%		4.69	%		5.63
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	1,519,472,909	$	74,575,924	$	1,962,129		$	76,538,053		0.18	%		13.74	%		6.00
Other Assets	$	56,727,627	$	248,103	$	(4,896	)	$	243,207		N/A			7.58	%		5.64
TBAs	$	116,000,000	$	121,583,125	$	(457,810	)	$	121,125,315		3.80	%		N/A			N/A
Total: GAAP Investment Portfolio	$	6,670,698,036	$	3,258,458,087	$	77,650,772		$	3,336,108,859		2.61	%		4.49	%		5.55

(1) Included in Residential Investments and Commercial Investments are $9.2 million fair market value and $67.3 million fair market value, respectively, that are included in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on our consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Equity residuals, principal only securities and MSRs with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

(3) Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA are excluded from this calculation.

(4) Excess MSRs whose underlying collateral is securitized in a trust held by a U.S. government agency or GSE.

(5) Represents long positions in Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA.

(6) Non-Agency RMBS with credit scores above 700, between 700 and 620 and below 620 at origination are classified as Prime, Alt-A, and Subprime, respectively. The weighted average credit scores of our Prime, Alt-A and Subprime Non-Agency RMBS were 724, 667 and 602, respectively.

(7) Excess MSRs whose underlying collateral is securitized in a trust not held by a U.S. government agency or GSE.

(8) Actual maturities of investments and loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(9) Includes Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS interest-only bonds.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of our investment portfolio to our GAAP investment portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

Instrument	Current Face		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Mark-to- Market			Fair Value (1)		Weighted Average Coupon (1)			Weighted Average Yield (2)			Weighted Average Life (Years) (3) (7)
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	713,234,586	$	741,572,808	$	(1,845,087	)	$	739,727,721		3.64	%		2.99	%		8.68
Fixed Rate CMO		62,570,005		63,101,436		595,962			63,697,398		3.00	%		2.80	%		4.73
ARM		208,592,111		206,958,936		4,385,116			211,344,052		2.35	%		2.84	%		5.07
Inverse Interest Only		99,127,607		11,977,729		377,150			12,354,879		3.50	%		7.30	%		4.35
Interest Only		317,774,720		29,081,115		1,458,561			30,539,676		2.46	%		8.65	%		4.09
Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA (4)		50,000,000		51,427,734		(177,734	)		51,250,000		3.50	%		N/A			N/A
Credit Investments:
Residential Investments
Prime (5)		619,345,362		497,837,476		14,920,082			512,757,558		4.17	%		5.98	%		10.44
Alt-A (5)		279,857,391		181,398,827		4,012,575			185,411,402		4.54	%		5.57	%		7.82
Subprime (5)		127,967,069		122,497,412		135,065			122,632,477		4.04	%		5.31	%		4.93
Credit Risk Transfer		60,682,441		60,592,617		1,969,919			62,562,536		5.57	%		6.82	%		6.98
RPL/NPL		114,976,337		114,301,187		(1,141,699	)		113,159,488		4.39	%		4.88	%		1.12
RMBS Interest Only and Excess MSR (6)		508,621,868		4,013,463		160,630			4,174,093		0.25	%		14.68	%		3.45
Residential Whole Loans		125,543,596		90,542,155		(71,456	)		90,470,699		4.89	%		12.07	%		4.13
Commercial Investments
CMBS		209,526,282		152,985,726		(2,150,419	)		150,835,307		5.04	%		6.03	%		3.22
Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS		158,976,049		57,058,621		(733,708	)		56,324,913		5.66	%		13.06	%		9.21
CMBS Interest Only (8)		2,855,494,786		57,993,758		517,543			58,511,301		0.31	%		6.48	%		3.76
Commercial Whole Loans		60,800,000		59,295,366		773,434			60,068,800		7.39	%		9.19	%		1.54
ABS		22,025,000		21,667,978		(436,022	)		21,231,956		5.43	%		6.32	%		4.50
Total: Investment Portfolio	$	6,595,115,210	$	2,524,304,344	$	22,749,912		$	2,547,054,256		1.99	%		5.18	%		5.26
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	1,057,695,652	$	65,120,616	$	(1,559,034	)	$	63,561,582		0.22	%		14.54	%		5.93
TBAs	$	50,000,000	$	51,427,734	$	(177,734	)	$	51,250,000		3.50	%		N/A			N/A
Total: GAAP Investment Portfolio	$	5,487,419,558	$	2,407,755,994	$	24,486,680		$	2,432,242,674		2.28	%		4.94	%		5.14

(1) Included in Residential Investments and Commercial Investments are $9.5 million fair market value and $54.1 million fair market value, respectively, that are included in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on our consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Equity residuals, principal only securities and MSRs with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

(3) Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA are excluded from this calculation.

(4) Represents long positions in Fixed Rate 30 Year TBA.

(5) Non-Agency RMBS with credit scores above 700, between 700 and 620 and below 620 at origination are classified as Prime, Alt-A, and Subprime, respectively. The weighted average credit scores of our Prime, Alt-A and Subprime Non-Agency RMBS were 725, 667 and 603, respectively.

(7) Excess MSRs whose underlying collateral is securitized in a trust not held by a U.S. government agency or GSE.

(8) Actual maturities of investments and loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(9) Includes Freddie Mac K-Series CMBS interest-only bonds.

The following table presents certain information grouped by vintage as it relates to our credit securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017. We have also presented a reconciliation to GAAP.

Credit Securities:	Current Face		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Mark-to- Market		Fair Value		Weighted Average Coupon (1)			Weighted Average Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Pre 2005	$	47,516,970	$	46,115,243	$	784,694	$	46,899,937		4.76	%		7.02	%		4.25
2005		172,092,744		135,741,627		15,958,747		151,700,374		4.42	%		6.92	%		9.48
2006		236,946,515		152,839,840		14,140,725		166,980,565		4.38	%		6.21	%		8.02
2007		154,419,472		117,192,616		10,953,009		128,145,625		4.41	%		6.53	%		12.80
2008		22,512,421		18,667,752		297,249		18,965,001		6.98	%		6.66	%		8.25
2011		7,070,577		5,971,316		24,009		5,995,325		3.49	%		4.68	%		5.97
2012		73,267,348		10,932,546		123,019		11,055,565		2.04	%		5.80	%		2.57
2013		136,865,174		69,253,204		1,470,214		70,723,418		3.19	%		5.76	%		4.25
2014		1,078,393,986		70,718,411		3,605,128		74,323,539		0.41	%		10.87	%		1.55
2015		1,260,994,472		241,907,151		4,662,672		246,569,823		1.06	%		6.39	%		4.13
2016		1,372,824,219		170,598,918		8,019,946		178,618,864		0.97	%		6.76	%		5.46
2017		641,273,839		167,156,338		3,029,333		170,185,671		1.52	%		7.02	%		6.45
Total: Credit Securities	$	5,204,177,737	$	1,207,094,962	$	63,068,745	$	1,270,163,707		1.45	%		6.82	%		4.84
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	1,517,461,844	$	73,317,974	$	1,892,585	$	75,210,559		0.17	%		13.81	%		5.99
Total: GAAP Basis	$	3,686,715,893	$	1,133,776,988	$	61,176,160	$	1,194,953,148		1.92	%		6.38	%		4.37

(1) Equity residual investments and principal only securities are excluded from this calculation.

(2) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

54

The following table presents certain information grouped by vintage as it relates to our credit securities portfolio as of December 31, 2016. We have also presented a reconciliation to GAAP.

Credit Securities:	Current Face		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Mark-to- Market			Fair Value		Weighted Average Coupon (1)			Weighted Average Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Pre 2005	$	88,697,196	$	86,085,152	$	376,229		$	86,461,381		3.68	%		6.44	%		4.70
2005		193,951,980		154,998,772		6,941,224			161,939,996		4.31	%		5.95	%		11.37
2006		280,083,255		182,839,758		6,743,899			189,583,657		4.14	%		6.02	%		9.50
2007		188,265,662		148,015,242		4,266,444			152,281,686		4.17	%		6.27	%		11.73
2008		16,424,000		13,638,581		491,993			14,130,574		7.00	%		5.73	%		9.06
2011		7,113,232		5,716,817		(276,523	)		5,440,294		3.14	%		5.77	%		7.66
2012		81,928,364		20,325,054		(178,093	)		20,146,961		2.43	%		6.04	%		2.93
2013		140,878,507		72,931,048		335,727			73,266,775		2.92	%		5.46	%		4.43
2014		1,149,462,384		122,144,577		(62,871	)		122,081,706		0.56	%		9.13	%		1.76
2015		1,376,578,039		286,726,007		(3,060,150	)		283,665,857		1.10	%		6.58	%		4.09
2016		1,443,943,577		227,893,324		650,169			228,543,493		1.06	%		6.31	%		5.69
Total: Credit Portfolio	$	4,967,326,196	$	1,321,314,332	$	16,228,048		$	1,337,542,380		1.51	%		6.48	%		4.92
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	1,054,695,758	$	63,163,256	$	(1,522,800	)	$	61,640,456		0.21	%		14.74	%		5.93
Total: GAAP Basis	$	3,912,630,438	$	1,258,151,076	$	17,750,848		$	1,275,901,924		1.82	%		6.09	%		4.64

(1) Equity residual investments and principal only securities are excluded from this calculation.

(2) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The following table presents the fair value of our credit securities portfolio by credit rating as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

Credit Rating - Credit Securities (1)	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
AAA	$	71,730,504	$	88,002,613
A		63,068,142		101,877,530
BBB		10,709,344		21,304,102
BB		76,178,009		33,965,384
B		133,604,088		71,712,259
Below B		400,889,930		503,636,658
Not Rated		513,983,690		517,043,834
Total: Credit Securities	$	1,270,163,707	$	1,337,542,380
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	75,210,559	$	61,640,456
Total: GAAP Basis	$	1,194,953,148	$	1,275,901,924

(1) Represents the minimum rating for rated assets of S&P, Moody and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent.

The following table presents the CPR experienced on our GAAP Agency RMBS portfolio, on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented:

	Three Months Ended (1) (2)
Agency RMBS	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
30 Year Fixed Rate		6	%		10	%
Fixed Rate CMO		12	%		10	%
ARM		13	%		19	%
Interest Only		14	%		17	%
Weighted Average		7	%		12	%

(1) Represents the weighted average monthly CPRs published during the quarter for our in-place portfolio during the same period.

(2) Source: Bloomberg

55

The following tables present the geographic concentration of the underlying collateral for our Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS portfolios:

September 30, 2017
Non-Agency RMBS				CMBS
State	Percentage			State	Percentage
California		22.9	%	California		10.3	%
Florida		7.9	%	Texas		8.5	%
New York		7.0	%	New York		8.3	%
Texas		4.1	%	New Jersey		7.4	%
Georgia		3.5	%	Nevada		5.8	%
Other		54.6	%	Other		59.7	%
Total		100.0	%	Total		100.0	%

December 31, 2016
Non-Agency RMBS				CMBS
State	Percentage			State	Percentage
California		23.6	%	California		11.4	%
Florida		8.1	%	Texas		9.7	%
New York		7.7	%	Florida		7.7	%
Texas		4.1	%	New Jersey		6.7	%
New Jersey		3.9	%	Nevada		6.0	%
Other		52.6	%	Other		58.5	%
Total		100.0	%	Total		100.0	%

The following tables present certain information regarding credit quality for certain categories within our Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS portfolios:

September 30, 2017
Non-Agency RMBS (1)
Category	Weighted Average 60+ Days Delinquent			Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)		Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
Prime		9.7	%		115.64		14.8	%
Alt-A		14.2	%		142.08		22.8	%
Subprime		18.1	%		150.87		57.9	%
Credit Risk Transfer		0.1	%		17.04		1.0	%
RPL/NPL		55.0	%		137.38		54.3	%

CMBS (1)
Category	Weighted Average 60+ Days Delinquent			Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)		Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
CMBS		3.4	%		36.89		16.3	%
Freddie Mac K Series CMBS		0.0	%		29.51		0.9	%

December 31, 2016
Non-Agency RMBS (1)
Category	Weighted Average 60+ Days Delinquent			Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)		Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
Prime		10.5	%		107.29		15.7	%
Alt-A		13.9	%		127.18		22.7	%
Subprime		17.9	%		158.67		69.4	%
Credit Risk Transfer		0.1	%		16.10		0.8	%
RPL/NPL		63.4	%		108.06		46.0	%

CMBS (1)
Category	Weighted Average 60+ Days Delinquent			Weighted Average Loan Age (Months)		Weighted Average Credit Enhancement
CMBS		3.0	%		41.00		14.7	%
Freddie Mac K Series CMBS		0.0	%		26.24		1.5	%

(1) Sources: Intex, Trepp

56

Financing activities

We use leverage to complete the purchase of real estate securities and loans in our investment portfolio. Through September 30, 2017, our leverage has been in the form of repurchase agreements, securitized debt, and loan participations. Repurchase agreements involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets or similar assets at a future date. The amount borrowed generally is equal to the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” The size of the haircut reflects the perceived risk associated with the pledged asset. Haircuts may change as our repurchase agreements mature or roll and are sensitive to governmental regulations. We have not experienced fluctuations in our haircuts that altered our business and financing strategies for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, but we continue to monitor the regulatory environment, which may influence the timing and amount of our repurchase agreement activity. We seek to obtain financing from several different counterparties in order to reduce our financing risk related to any single counterparty. We had outstanding debt with 28 and 23 counterparties at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, on a GAAP basis.

Our repurchase agreements are accounted for as financings and require the repurchase of the transferred securities or loans or repayment of the advance at the end of each agreement’s term, typically 30 to 90 days. If we maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, we receive the related principal and interest payments. If we do not maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, we will have the related principal and interest payments remitted to us by the lender. Interest rates on borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the borrowing at which time we may enter into a new borrowing arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security paydown factors, lenders typically require us to post additional assets as collateral, pay down borrowings or establish cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have met all margin call requirements.

For the year ended September 30, 2017, we noted changes in the spread of our financing arrangements, particularly on the financing of our credit portfolio. Spreads on credit repos tightened as a result of increased availability of credit financing. In addition, as a result of the rotation from credit investments to Agency RMBS in our investment portfolio, the financing on our investment portfolio is more weighted on Agency RMBS, which carry cheaper financing than credit securities. As a result, despite an increase of 25bps in the federal-funds rate in March 2017 and again in June 2017, the cost of financing increased by only 8bps from 1.72% at December 31, 2016 to 1.80% at September 30, 2017.

57

The following table presents the quarter-end balance, average quarterly balance and maximum balance at any month-end for the Company’s (i) repurchase agreements on its investment portfolio, U.S Treasury securities, and FHLBC Advances, (ii) unlinked repurchase agreements and (iii) repurchase agreements through affiliated entities, excluding any financing utilized in our investment in AG Arc, with a reconciliation of all quarterly figures to GAAP. Refer to the “Hedging Activities” section below for more information on repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Treasury securities.

Quarter Ended	Quarter-End Balance		Average Quarterly Balance		Maximum Balance at Any Month-End
September 30, 2017
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,703,068,550	$	2,596,533,544	$	2,746,150,804
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		8,516,726		8,697,487		8,868,455
GAAP Basis	$	2,694,551,824	$	2,587,836,057	$	2,737,282,349
June 30, 2017
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,265,226,741	$	2,209,990,873	$	2,339,132,696
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		8,484,353		8,805,678		9,115,429
GAAP Basis	$	2,256,742,388	$	2,201,185,195	$	2,330,017,267
March 31, 2017
Non-GAAP Basis	$	1,887,766,585	$	1,813,668,360	$	1,887,766,585
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		8,424,063		8,787,942		9,172,241
GAAP Basis	$	1,879,342,522	$	1,804,880,418	$	1,878,594,344
December 31, 2016
Non-GAAP Basis	$	1,910,508,715	$	1,972,784,763	$	2,009,130,688
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		9,998,909	$	10,525,232		11,019,272
GAAP Basis	$	1,900,509,806	$	1,962,259,531	$	1,998,111,416
September 30, 2016
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,237,848,414	$	2,242,396,467	$	2,275,367,639
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		11,484,705	$	12,147,413		12,842,577
GAAP Basis	$	2,226,363,709	$	2,230,249,054	$	2,262,525,062
June 30, 2016
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,263,590,848	$	2,305,132,749	$	2,368,334,965
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		13,594,846	$	14,627,811		15,534,683
GAAP Basis	$	2,249,996,002	$	2,290,504,938	$	2,352,800,282
March 31, 2016
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,573,321,330	$	2,559,321,654	$	2,582,943,709
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		16,405,130	$	17,168,967		17,982,309
GAAP Basis	$	2,556,916,200	$	2,542,152,687	$	2,564,961,400
December 31, 2015
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,450,495,579	$	2,611,418,224	$	2,737,440,514
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		18,638,119	$	19,119,157		19,643,832
GAAP Basis	$	2,431,857,460	$	2,592,299,067	$	2,717,796,682
September 30, 2015
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,585,828,163	$	2,509,992,155	$	2,585,828,163
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		20,212,522	$	20,566,999		20,876,667
GAAP Basis	$	2,565,615,641	$	2,489,425,156	$	2,564,951,496
June 30, 2015
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,534,309,367	$	2,618,201,220	$	2,689,179,519
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		21,091,153	$	21,209,044		21,267,990
GAAP Basis	$	2,513,218,214	$	2,596,992,176	$	2,667,911,529
March 31, 2015
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,691,920,394	$	2,713,017,544	$	2,807,851,545
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		21,305,161	$	21,305,161		21,305,161
GAAP Basis	$	2,670,615,233	$	2,691,712,383	$	2,786,546,384
December 31, 2014
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,779,624,982	$	2,809,867,811	$	2,838,591,258
Less: Linked Transactions		113,363,873	$	130,264,304		142,279,249
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates		21,305,161	$	18,880,600		21,305,161
GAAP Basis	$	2,644,955,948	$	2,660,722,907	$	2,675,006,848
September 30, 2014
Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,871,453,629	$	2,956,548,421	$	3,102,782,512
Less: Linked Transactions		131,106,935	$	142,459,846		149,986,999
GAAP Basis	$	2,740,346,694	$	2,814,088,575	$	2,952,795,513

As noted, we finance the purchase of our investments with repurchase agreements. Our repurchase agreement balance can reasonably be expected to increase as the size of our portfolio increases through equity capital raises and as we increase our investment allocation to Agency RMBS and decrease as the size of our portfolio decreases through asset sales, principal paydowns, and as we increase our investment allocation to credit investments. Credit investments, due to their elevated risk profile, have lower allowable leverage ratios than Agency RMBS, which restricts our financing counterparties from providing as much repurchase agreement financing to us and lowers our total repurchase agreement balance.

58

Master repurchase agreements on our investment portfolio

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have entered into master repurchase agreements on our investment portfolio with 39 and 37 counterparties, respectively, under which we had outstanding debt with 28 and 23 counterparties, respectively, inclusive of repurchase agreements in affiliated entities. See Note 6 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)” for a description of our material master repurchase agreements.

Our MRAs generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each MRA, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios.

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities to information on a GAAP basis as of September 30, 2017:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Overnight		107,066,000		1.26	%		2		3.0	%
30 days or less		2,041,360,000		1.77	%		12		9.6	%
31-60 days		369,334,000		1.87	%		43		10.3	%
61-90 days		19,965,000		2.79	%		76		26.2	%
91-180 days		111,027,000		1.55	%		107		10.0	%
Greater than 180 days		15,935,164		3.06	%		464		21.7	%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,664,687,164		1.77	%		23		9.6	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	5,337,164		3.45	%		503		29.8	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	2,659,350,000		1.76	%		22		9.6	%

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities to information on a GAAP basis as of December 31, 2016:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Overnight	$	70,899,000		0.66	%		3		3.5	%
30 days or less		961,185,000		1.79	%		11		14.7	%
31-60 days		465,776,000		1.23	%		47		8.6	%
61-90 days		129,119,000		1.69	%		72		13.2	%
91-180 days		16,897,000		2.81	%		151		21.6	%
Greater than 180 days		214,175,906		1.97	%		293		5.2	%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis	$	1,858,051,906		1.63	%		57		11.6	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	4,882,802		3.51	%		350		26.0	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	1,853,169,104		1.63	%		57		11.5	%

The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by residential mortgage loans and real estate owned to information on a GAAP basis as of September 30, 2017:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Greater than 180 days: Non-GAAP Basis		16,585,386		3.72	%		3.90	%		545		34.2	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	3,179,562		3.61	%		3.61	%		694		30.0	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	13,405,824		3.74	%		3.97	%		510		35.2	%

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The following table presents the reconciliation of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by residential mortgage loans and real estate owned to information on a GAAP basis as of December 31, 2016:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Greater than 180 days: Non-GAAP Basis	$	30,660,809		3.31	%		3.75	%		407		29.8	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	5,116,107		3.51	%		3.51	%		350		27.6	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	25,544,702		3.27	%		3.79	%		419		30.3	%

The primary difference between the balance of our repurchase agreements at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2017 is due to financing repaid in 2017 on certain sold residential mortgage loans.

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of September 30, 2017:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		3.39	%		3.39	%		639		33.5	%

The following table presents certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2016:

Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Days to Maturity		Weighted Average Haircut
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		2.91	%		3.13	%		990		33.5	%

The following table presents a summary of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by our Investment Portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

	Agency					Credit
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within: (1)	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Balance		Weighted Average Rate
Overnight	$	107,066,000		1.26	%	$	-		-
30 days or less		1,315,563,000		1.33	%		725,797,000		2.56	%
31-60 days		230,096,000		1.35	%		139,238,000		2.73	%
61-90 days		-		-			19,965,000		2.79	%
91-180 days		100,000,000		1.40	%		11,027,000		2.96	%
Greater than 180 days		-		-			54,316,550		3.45	%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis	$	1,752,725,000		1.33	%	$	950,343,550		2.65	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	-		-		$	8,516,726		3.61	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	1,752,725,000		1.33	%	$	941,826,824		2.64	%

(1) As of September 30, 2017, our weighted average days to maturity is 31 days and our weighted average original days to maturity is 119 days.

60

The following table presents a summary of certain financial information related to repurchase agreements secured by our Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

	Agency					Credit
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within: (1)	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Balance		Weighted Average Rate
Overnight	$	70,899,000		0.66	%	$	-		-
30 days or less		300,041,000		0.95	%		661,144,000		2.18	%
31-60 days		368,362,000		0.94	%		97,414,000		2.33	%
61-90 days		67,739,000		0.94	%		61,380,000		2.51	%
91-180 days		-		-			16,897,000		2.81	%
Greater than 180 days		100,000,000		1.40	%		166,632,715		2.79	%
Total: Non-GAAP Basis	$	907,041,000		0.97	%	$	1,003,467,715		2.33	%
Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	-		-			9,998,909		3.51	%
Total: GAAP Basis	$	907,041,000		0.97	%	$	993,468,806		2.31	%

(1) As of December 31, 2016, our weighted average days to maturity is 74 days and our weighted average original days to maturity is 155 days.

Other financing transactions

In 2014, we entered into a resecuritization transaction, pursuant to which we created a special purpose entity (“SPE”) to facilitate the transaction (the “Resecuritization”). We determined that the SPE was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the VIE should be consolidated by us under ASC 810-10 and treated as a secured borrowing (the “Consolidated VIE”). As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $17.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of the consolidated tranche issued by the Consolidated VIE was $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively, which is classified as an asset in the “Non-Agency” line item and as a liability in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item on our consolidated balance sheets. The cost of financing on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 on the consolidated tranche was 3.72% and 3.87%, respectively. See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

In February 2016, we originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and, at closing, transferred a 15.0% or $1.8 million participation interest in the loan (the “Participation Interest”) to an unaffiliated third party. The Participation Interest bears interest at a rate of LIBOR+ 10.00% with a LIBOR floor of 0.25%. We determined that the Participation Interest should be consolidated under ASC 860 due to the fact that the sale of the Participation Interest did not meet the sales criteria established under ASC 860. The commercial loan was paid off in full in February 2017. The principal and interest due on the Participation Interest was paid from these proceeds.

Leverage

We define non-GAAP “at-risk” leverage as the sum of: (i) our GAAP repurchase agreements, (ii) repurchase agreements held through affiliated entities but exclusive of any financing utilized through AG Arc (iii) the amount payable on purchases that have not yet settled less the financing remaining on sales that have not yet settled, (iv) the consolidated tranche issued by the Consolidated VIE, (v) the Participation Interest and (vi) our net TBA position (at cost). Our calculations of each type of leverage exclude repurchase agreements and net receivables/payables on unsettled trades pertaining to U.S. Treasury securities due to the highly liquid and temporary nature of these investments. The calculations in the tables below divide our leverage calculations by our GAAP stockholders’ equity to derive our leverage ratios. The following tables present a reconciliation of our non-GAAP “at-risk” leverage ratio back to GAAP.

			Stockholders’
September 30, 2017	Leverage		Equity		Leverage Ratio
GAAP Leverage	$	2,807,088,863	$	706,625,881		4.0	x
Repurchase agreements through affiliated entities		8,516,726
Net TBA receivable/(payable) adjustment		121,583,160
Non-GAAP “At Risk” Leverage	$	2,937,188,749	$	706,625,881		4.2	x

				Stockholders’
December 31, 2016	Leverage			Equity		Leverage Ratio
GAAP Leverage	$	1,921,225,560		$	655,876,390		2.9	x
Repurchase agreements through affiliated entities		9,861,515
Net TBA receivable/(payable) adjustment		(22,916,016	)
Non-GAAP “At Risk” Leverage	$	1,908,171,059		$	655,876,390		2.9	x

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Hedging activities

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our Investment Company Act exemption, to the extent leverage is deployed, we utilize hedging instruments, including interest rate swaps, Futures, and other financial instruments such as short positions in U.S. Treasury securities, in an effort to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the financing of our portfolio. Specifically, we may seek to hedge our exposure to potential interest rate mismatches between the interest we earn on our investments and our borrowing costs caused by fluctuations in short-term interest rates. In utilizing leverage and interest rate hedges, our objectives are to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to lock in, on a long-term basis, a spread between the yield on our assets and the costs of our financing and hedging.

We utilize multiple hedging instruments as a means to mitigate the interest rate risk of our investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2017 we had entered into $1.9 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps, $150.0 million notional amount of short positions in Eurodollar futures and $25.0 million notional amount of short positions in U.S. Treasury futures. As of December 31, 2016, we had entered into $644.0 million notional amount of interest rate swaps, $24.0 million notional amount of short positions in U.S. Treasury securities and $141.5 million notional amount of short positions in U.S. Treasury Futures.

We exchange cash “variation margin” with the counterparties to our derivative instruments at least on a daily basis based upon daily changes in fair value as measured by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), the central clearinghouse through which those derivatives are cleared. In addition, the CME requires market participants to deposit and maintain an “initial margin” amount which is determined by the CME and is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the CME from the maximum estimated single-day price movement in that market participant’s contracts. 

Receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the first quarter of 2017, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with centrally cleared derivative instruments was considered a pledge of collateral. For these prior periods, receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash variation margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. We elected to offset any payables recognized for the obligation to return cash variation margin received from a derivative instrument counterparty against receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted by us to that same counterparty.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2017, as a result of a CME amendment to their rule book which governs their central clearing activities, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with a centrally cleared derivative instrument is legally characterized as the daily settlement of the derivative instrument itself, as opposed to a pledge of collateral. Accordingly, beginning in 2017, we account for the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with our centrally cleared derivative instruments as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability, respectively. Beginning in 2017, the carrying amount of centrally cleared derivative instruments reflected in our consolidated balance sheets approximates the unsettled fair value of such instruments; because variation margin is exchanged on a one-day lag, the unsettled fair value of such instruments represents the change in fair value that occurred on the last day of the reporting period. Non-exchange traded derivatives were not affected by these legal interpretations and continue to be reported at fair value including accrued interest.

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative and other instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Derivatives and Other Instruments	GAAP Designation	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$	(587,383	)	$	(1,847,219	)
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		815,622			3,703,366
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		75,000
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		-			(636,211	)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		19,531			-
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Non-Hedge	Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value (1)		-			(22,365,000	)

(1) The Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2016 relates to securities borrowed to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The change in fair value of the borrowed securities is recorded in the “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives and other instruments, net” line item in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

The following table summarizes the notional amount of certain of our non-hedge derivatives and other instruments:

Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments held long/(short):	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Notional amount of Pay Fix/Receive Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements	$	1,862,000,000		$	644,000,000
Notional amount of short positions on Eurodollar Futures (1)		(150,000,000	)		-
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures (2)		(25,000,000	)		(141,500,000	)
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasuries		-			(24,000,000	)

(1) Each Eurodollar Future contract embodies $1.0 million of notional value.

(2) Each U.S. Treasury Future contract embodies $100,000 of notional value.

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The following table summarizes gains/(losses) related to derivatives and other instruments:

		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments gain/(loss):	Statement of Operations Location	September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	$	2,954,860		$	9,700,438		$	6,213,709		$	(9,816,031	)
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Net realized gain/(loss)		(1,813,293	)		(5,205,405	)		(9,896,031	)		(10,938,839	)
Long positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			2,997			-			2,997
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		74,624			146,044			74,624			(4,503	)
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		323,059			242,006			323,059			242,006
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			126,468			-			106,094
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		-			(351,329	)		-			(224,410	)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(721,752	)		(21,123	)		658,059			-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		(223,953	)		292,930			(4,054,532	)		307,986
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			(3,081,289	)		-			4,498,750
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain/(loss)		-			1,412,695			-			1,836,523
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-			415,782			(1,724,922	)		215,391
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain		-			-			1,730,547			-

The following table summarizes the weighted average life related to derivatives and other instruments:

Weighted Average Life (Years) on non-hedge derivatives and other instruments	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps		4.51		5.01
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures		0.28		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures		10.03		9.19
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries		-		9.38

Interest rate swaps

To help mitigate exposure to increases in short-term interest rates, we use currently-paying and may use forward-starting, one- or three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements. This arrangement helps hedge our exposure to higher short-term interest rates because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements help to offset additional interest accruing on the related borrowings due to the higher interest rate, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as our effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates.

As of September 30, 2017, our interest rate swap positions consisted of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2017:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		1.31	%		0.09
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		1.31	%		2.13
2020		620,000,000		1.64	%		1.31	%		2.63
2022		606,000,000		1.87	%		1.32	%		4.78
2024		205,000,000		2.03	%		1.31	%		6.71
2026		75,000,000		2.12	%		1.31	%		9.14
2027		150,000,000		2.26	%		1.32	%		9.63
Total/Wtd Avg	$	1,862,000,000		1.79	%		1.32	%		4.51

As of December 31, 2016, our interest rate swap positions consisted of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2016: 

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		0.89	%		0.84
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		0.91	%		2.88
2020		115,000,000		1.59	%		0.90	%		3.20
2021		60,000,000		1.86	%		0.96	%		4.94
2022		53,000,000		1.69	%		0.94	%		5.69
2023		85,000,000		2.30	%		0.94	%		6.43
2025		30,000,000		2.48	%		0.94	%		8.43
2026		95,000,000		2.17	%		0.92	%		9.90
Total/Wtd Avg	$	644,000,000		1.74	%		0.92	%		5.01

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Dividends

We intend to continue to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of our common stock if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors. Federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT ordinary taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income. Before we pay any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, we must first meet both our operating requirements and debt service on our repurchase agreements and other debt payable. If our cash available for distribution is less than our net taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or we may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities. In addition, prior to the time we have fully deployed the net proceeds of our follow-on offerings to acquire assets in our target asset classes we may fund our quarterly distributions out of such net proceeds.

As mentioned above, our distribution requirements are based on taxable income rather than GAAP net income. The primary differences between taxable income and GAAP net income include (i) unrealized gains and losses associated with investment and derivative portfolios which are marked-to-market in current income for GAAP purposes, but excluded from taxable income until realized or settled, (ii) temporary differences related to amortization of premiums and discounts paid on investments, (iii) the timing and amount of deductions related to stock-based compensation, (iv) temporary differences related to the recognition of certain terminated derivatives and (v) taxes. Undistributed taxable income is based on current estimates and is not finalized until we file our annual tax return, typically in September of the following year. As of September 30, 2017 the Company had estimated undistributed taxable income of approximately $1.59 per share.

The following table details our common stock dividends during the nine month ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

2017
Declaration Date		Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
	3/10/2017	3/21/2017	4/28/2017	$	0.475
	6/8/2017	6/19/2017	7/31/2017		0.475
	9/11/2017	9/29/2017	10/31/2017		0.575	*

*The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

2016
Declaration Date		Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
	3/10/2016	3/21/2016	4/29/2016	$	0.475
	6/9/2016	6/20/2016	7/29/2016		0.475
	9/12/2016	9/23/2016	10/31/2016		0.475

The following tables detail our preferred stock dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

2017
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.50

2016
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.50

Liquidity and capital resources

Our liquidity determines our ability to meet our cash obligations, including commitments to make distributions to our stockholders, pay our expenses, finance our investments and satisfy other general business needs. Our principal sources of cash as of September 30, 2017 consisted of borrowings under repurchase agreements, payments of principal and interest we receive on our Agency RMBS and credit portfolio, cash generated from our operating results, and proceeds from capital market transactions. We typically use cash to repay principal and interest on our repurchase agreements, to purchase real estate securities, loans and other real estate related assets, to make dividend payments on our capital stock, and to fund our operations. At September 30, 2017, we had $166.3 million available to support our liquidity needs, comprised of $61.7 million of cash, $82.5 million of Agency RMBS, and $22.1 million of Agency Interest-Only securities that have not been pledged as collateral under any of our financing agreements. Refer to the “Contractual obligations” section of this Item 2 for additional obligations that could impact our liquidity.

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Leverage

The amount of leverage we may deploy for particular assets depends upon our Manager’s assessment of the credit and other risks of those assets, and also depends on any limitations placed upon us through covenants contained in our master repurchase agreements. We generate income principally from the yields earned on our investments and, to the extent that leverage is deployed, on the difference between the yields earned on our investments and our cost of borrowing and the cost of any hedging activities. Subject to maintaining both our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and our Investment Company Act exemption, to the extent leverage is deployed, we may use a number of sources to finance our investments.

As of September 30, 2017, we had MRAs with 39 counterparties, allowing us to utilize leverage in our operations. As of September 30, 2017, we had debt outstanding of $2.7 billion from 28 counterparties, inclusive of repurchase agreements through affiliated entities. The borrowings under repurchase agreements have maturities between October 2, 2017 and September 5, 2019. These agreements generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each lending agreement, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios. If we fail to meet or satisfy any covenants, supplemental terms or representations and warranties, we would be in default under these agreements and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreements to be immediately due and payable, enforce their respective interests against collateral pledged under such agreements and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. Certain financing agreements may contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any one agreement, the lenders under our other agreements could also declare a default.

Under our repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to our lenders in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral, which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Certain securities that are pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements are in unrealized loss positions.

The following table presents contractual maturity information for our repurchase agreements at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Overnight	$	107,066,000	$	70,899,000
30 days or less		2,041,360,000		961,185,000
31-60 days		369,334,000		465,776,000
61-90 days		19,965,000		129,119,000
91-180 days		111,027,000		16,897,000
Greater than 180 days		54,316,550		266,632,715
Total: Non-GAAP Basis	$	2,703,068,550	$	1,910,508,715
Less: Investments in Debt and Equity of Affiliates	$	8,516,726	$	9,998,909
Total: GAAP Basis	$	2,694,551,824	$	1,900,509,806

As described above in the “Financing activities” section of this Item 2, we entered into the Resecuritization in 2014 that resulted in the consolidation of the VIE created with the SPE. We recorded the proceeds from the issuance of the secured financing in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. See Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for more detail.

As described above in the “Financing activities” section of this Item 2, we originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and transferred the Participation Interest to an unaffiliated third party. We recorded proceeds from the transfer in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. The commercial loan was paid off in full in February 2017. The principal and interest due on the loan participation was paid from these proceeds.

The following table presents information at September 30, 2017 with respect to each counterparty that provides us with financing for which we had greater than 5% of our stockholders’ equity at risk.

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Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average Maturity (days)		Percentage of Stockholders’ Equity
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation	$	40,066,058		22		6	%
Barclays Capital Inc		37,669,214		11		5	%

The following table presents information at December 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides us with financing for which we had greater than 5% of our stockholders’ equity at risk.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average Maturity (days)		Percentage of Stockholders’ Equity
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	$	50,917,158		357		8	%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC		34,885,263		160		5	%

Margin requirements

The fair value of our real estate securities and loans fluctuate according to market conditions. When the fair value of the assets pledged as collateral to secure a repurchase agreement decreases to the point where the difference between the collateral fair value and the repurchase agreement amount is less than the haircut, our lenders may issue a “margin call,” which requires us to post additional collateral to the lender in the form of additional assets or cash. Under our repurchase facilities, our lenders have full discretion to determine the fair value of the securities we pledge to them. Our lenders typically value assets based on recent trades in the market. Lenders also issue margin calls as the published current principal balance factors change on the pool of mortgages underlying the securities pledged as collateral when scheduled and unscheduled paydowns are announced monthly. We experience margin calls in the ordinary course of our business. In seeking to manage effectively the margin requirements established by our lenders, we maintain a position of cash and unpledged Agency RMBS. We refer to this position as our “liquidity.” The level of liquidity we have available to meet margin calls is directly affected by our leverage levels, our haircuts and the price changes on our securities. If interest rates increase or if credit spreads widen, then the prices of our collateral (and our unpledged assets that constitute our liquidity) will decline, we will experience margin calls, and we will need to use our liquidity to meet the margin calls. There can be no assurance that we will maintain sufficient levels of liquidity to meet any margin calls. If our haircuts increase, our liquidity will proportionately decrease. In addition, if we increase our borrowings, our liquidity will decrease by the amount of additional haircut on the increased level of indebtedness. We intend to maintain a level of liquidity in relation to our assets that enables us to meet reasonably anticipated margin calls but that also allows us to be substantially invested in securities. We may misjudge the appropriate amount of our liquidity by maintaining excessive liquidity, which would lower our investment returns, or by maintaining insufficient liquidity, which would force us to liquidate assets into potentially unfavorable market conditions and harm our results of operations and financial condition. Further, an unexpected rise in interest rates and a corresponding fall in the fair value of our securities may also force us to liquidate assets under difficult market conditions, thereby harming our results of operations and financial condition, in an effort to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet increased margin calls.

Similar to the margin calls that we receive on our borrowing agreements, we may also receive margin calls on our derivative instruments when their fair values decline. This typically occurs when prevailing market rates change adversely, with the severity of the change also dependent on the terms of the derivatives involved. Our posting of collateral with our counterparties can be done in cash or securities, and is generally bilateral, which means that if the fair value of our interest rate hedges increases, our counterparty will be required to post collateral with us.

Equity distribution agreement

On May 5, 2017, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with each of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and JMP Securities LLC (collectively, the “Sales Agents”), which we refer to as the “Equity Distribution Agreements”, pursuant to which we may sell up to $100.0 million aggregate offering price of shares of our common stock from time to time through the Sales Agents, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. As of September 30, 2017, we have sold 460,932 shares of common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreements for net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million.

Real estate securities

Real estate securities in any remaining unrealized loss position as of the balance sheet date are not considered other than temporarily impaired as we have the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the cost of the investment and we are not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons.

Forward-looking statements regarding liquidity

Based upon our current portfolio, leverage and available borrowing arrangements, we believe that the net proceeds of our common equity offerings, preferred equity offerings, and private placements, combined with cash flow from operations and our available borrowing capacity will be sufficient to enable us to meet our anticipated liquidity requirements, including funding our investment activities, paying fees under our management agreement, funding our distributions to stockholders and paying general corporate expenses.

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Contractual obligations

Management agreement

On June 29, 2011, we entered into an agreement with our Manager pursuant to which our Manager is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses. The management fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount equal to 1.50% of our Stockholders’ Equity, per annum.

For purposes of calculating the management fee, “Stockholders’ Equity” means the sum of the net proceeds from any issuances of equity securities (including preferred securities) since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance, and excluding any future equity issuance to the Manager), plus our retained earnings at the end of such quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense or other non-cash items described below incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that we pay for repurchases of our common stock, excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and excluding one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and our independent directors and after approval by a majority of our independent directors. Stockholders’ Equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on our financial statements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred management fees of approximately $2.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred management fees of approximately $2.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Our Manager uses the proceeds from its management fee in part to pay compensation to its officers and personnel, who, notwithstanding that certain of them also are our officers, receive no compensation directly from us. We are required to reimburse our Manager or its affiliates for operating expenses which are incurred by our Manager or its affiliates on our behalf, including certain salary expenses and other expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. Our reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation; however, the reimbursement is subject to an annual budget process which combines guidelines from the Management Agreement with oversight by our board of directors. Of the $2.6 million and $8.2 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, we have accrued $1.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses. Of the $2.9 million and $8.6 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, we have accrued $1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses.

Share-based compensation

Pursuant to the Manager Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan, we can award up to 277,500 shares of common stock in the form of restricted stock, stock options, restricted stock units or other types of awards to our directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel and to our Manager. As of September 30, 2017, 65,238 shares of common stock were available to be awarded under the equity incentive plans. Awards under the equity incentive plans are forfeitable until they become vested. An award will become vested only if the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement (as determined by the compensation committee) are satisfied. The vesting conditions may include performance of services for a specified period, achievement of performance goals, or a combination of both. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of an award upon the occurrence of certain events in its discretion.

As of September 30, 2017, we have granted an aggregate of 52,012 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors and 160,250 shares of restricted common stock to our Manager under our equity incentive plans. As of September 30, 2017, 52,012 and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock granted to our independent directors and Manager, respectively, have vested.

On July 1, 2017, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock if and when the units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units will occur on each of July 1, 2018, July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020. The units do not entitle the participant the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The vesting of such units is subject to the continuation of the management agreement. If the management agreement terminates, all unvested units then held by the Manager or the Manager’s transferee shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited without consideration.

Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC

In August 2017, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Mortgage Acquisition Holding I LLC (“MATH”) to conduct a residential mortgage investment strategy. MATH in turn sponsored the formation of an entity called Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC (“MATT”), which is expected to make an election to be treated as a Real Estate Investment Trust beginning with the 2018 tax year. MATT intends to purchase residential mortgage loans that are not eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. In furtherance of this business, MATH’s sponsoring funds, which include us, have agreed to provide up to $75.0 million of capital to MATH for use in this mortgage investment business. Our share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. We will invest in MATT through MATH and as of September 30, 2017, we had not funded any of our commitment to MATH.

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Other

We have presented a table that details the contractual maturity of our financing arrangements at September 30, 2017 in the “Liquidity and capital resources” section for this Item 2. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we are obligated to pay accrued interest on our repurchase agreements in the amount of $5.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, inclusive of accrued interest accounted for through investments in debt and equity of affiliates, and exclusive of accrued interest on any financing utilized through AG Arc. The change in accrued interest on our repurchase agreements resulted from the increase in our repurchase agreement balance from $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2016 to $2.7 billion as of September 30, 2017.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We have committed to invest up to $33.4 million in MATT through our ownership of MATH. As of September 30, 2017, we have not funded any of this commitment.

We have entered into TBA positions to facilitate the future purchase or sale of Agency RMBS. We record TBA purchases and sales on the trade date and present the purchase or receipt net of the corresponding payable or receivable until the settlement date of the transaction. As of September 30, 2017, we had a net long TBA position with a net payable amount of $122.5 million and fair market value of $121.1 million. We recorded $0.1 million and $1.5 million, in the “Derivative assets, at fair value” and “Derivative liabilities, at fair value” line items, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets.

Our investments in debt and equity of affiliates are comprised of real estate securities and loans, our interest in AG Arc, associated repurchase agreements and interest receivable/payable on such accounts. Investments in debt and equity of affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2017, our real estate securities and loans, and interest in AG Arc had a fair market value of $97.6 million. As of September 30, 2017, these investments, inclusive of associated repurchase agreements and interest receivable/payable had a fair market value of $89.1 million which is included in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on our consolidated balance sheets.

Certain related person transactions

Our board of directors has adopted a policy regarding the approval of any “related person transaction,” which is any transaction or series of transactions in which (i) we or any of our subsidiaries is or are to be a participant, (ii) the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and (iii) a “related person” (as defined under SEC rules) has a direct or indirect material interest. Under the policy, a related person would need to promptly disclose to our Secretary or Assistant Secretary any related person transaction and all material facts about the transaction. Our Secretary or Assistant Secretary, in consultation with outside counsel, to the extent appropriate, would then assess and promptly communicate that information to the audit committee of our board of directors. Based on its consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the audit committee will review, approve or ratify such transactions as appropriate. The audit committee will not approve or ratify a related person transaction unless it shall have determined that such transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and does not create a conflict of interest. If we become aware of an existing related person transaction that has not been approved under this policy, the transaction will be referred to the audit committee which will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. Our policy requires any director who may be interested in a related person transaction to recuse himself or herself from any consideration of such related person transaction.

Grants of restricted common stock

As of September 30, 2017, we have granted an aggregate of 52,012 shares of restricted common stock to our independent directors and 160,250 shares of restricted common stock to our Manager under our equity incentive plans. As of September 30, 2017, 52,012 and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock granted to our independent directors and Manager, respectively, have vested. See Note 10 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for further detail on restricted stock grants.

Red Creek

In connection with our investments in residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans, we may engage asset managers to provide advisory, consultation, asset management and other services to formulate and implement strategic plans to manage, collect and dispose of loans in a manner that is reasonably expected to maximize the amount of proceeds from each loan. Beginning in November 2015, we engaged Red Creek Asset Management LLC (“Asset Manager”), an affiliate of the Manager and direct subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, as the asset manager for certain of our residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans. The Asset Manager acknowledges that we will at all times have and retain ownership and control of all loans and that the Asset Manager will not acquire (i) title to any loan, (ii) any security interest in any loan, or (iii) any other rights or interests of any kind or any nature whatsoever in or to any loan. We pay separate arm’s-length asset management fees (as assessed and confirmed by a third party valuation firm) for the Asset Manager’s services related to non-performing loans and reperforming loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the fees paid by us to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $41,732 and $137,022, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the fees paid by us to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $67,189 and $202,175, respectively.

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Arc Home

On December 9, 2015, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc, entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Arc Home, a Delaware limited liability company. Arc Home, through its subsidiary, originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers.

Our investment in Arc Home, which is conducted through AG Arc, one of our indirect subsidiaries, is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on our consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. On March 8, 2016, an affiliate of the Manager (“the Affiliate”) became a member of AG Arc. The Affiliate acquired an ownership interest in AG Arc which resulted in our ownership interest being reduced on a pro-rata basis.

Arc Home may sell loans to affiliates of our Manager. Arc Home may also enter into agreements with us, third parties, or affiliates of our Manager to sell Excess MSRs on the mortgage loans that it either purchases from third parties or originates. In March of 2017, we entered into an agreement with Arc Home to purchase rights to receive the excess servicing spread related to certain of its MSRs and as of September 30, 2017, these Excess MSRs had fair value of approximately $2.6 million.

In connection with our investments in Excess MSRs purchased through Arc Home, we pay a sourcing fee to Arc Home based on the net equity invested by us for these investments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the sourcing fees paid by us to Arc Home totaled $2,921 and $6,364, respectively. No sourcing fees were paid by us to Arc Home for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC

In August 2017, we, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon entered into the MATH LLC Agreement which requires that MATH fund a capital commitment of $75.0 million to MATT. Our share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. As of September 30, 2017, we had not funded any of our commitment to MATH.

Management agreement

On June 29, 2011 we entered into a management agreement with our Manager, which governs the relationship between us and our Manager and describes the services to be provided by our Manager and its compensation for those services. The terms of our management agreement, including the fees payable by us to Angelo, Gordon, were not negotiated at arm’s length, and its terms may not be as favorable to us as if they had been negotiated with an unaffiliated party. Our Manager, pursuant to the delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under our management agreement. For further detail on the Management Agreement, see the “Contractual obligations–Management agreement” section of this Item 2. 

Other transactions with affiliates

In May 2015, we completed an arm’s-length securitization with other investors managed by an affiliate of the Manager (the “Related Parties”) by combining the assets of a prior private securitization, in which we held a 10.0% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. Our investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of $3.1 million as of the date of the securitization. We completed another similar arm’s-length securitization in July 2015 with the Related Parties by combining the assets of a private securitization, in which we held a 7.5% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. Our investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of $5.1 million as of the date of the securitization. The remaining interests in each securitization were owned by certain of the Related Parties. Each securitization was backed by collateral consisting of seasoned NPLs and RPLs. We obtained third party pricing for each transaction.

In July 2015, we completed an arm’s-length investment purchase at fair value. Certain entities managed by an affiliate of our Manager (“Related Entities”) had previously formed a joint venture (“Joint Venture”) with an unaffiliated third party. The Joint Venture owns certain multi-family properties for which the mortgages partly collateralize a securitization wherein we purchased certain bond tranches. To ensure an arm’s-length transaction, the Manager delegated its decision making rights with respect to the securitization to a third party servicer. In addition, the members of the Joint Venture agreed to cease sharing material non-public information with our investment team regarding the collateral. Our investment in these bond tranches was reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on the consolidated balance sheets with a fair value of $7.1 million as of the date of the purchase.

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In June 2016, in accordance with our Affiliated Transactions Policy, we executed two trades whereby we acquired real estate securities from two separate affiliates of the Manager (the “June Selling Affiliates”). As of the date of the trades, the securities acquired from the June Selling Affiliates had a total fair value of $6.9 million. In each case, the June Selling Affiliates sold the real estate securities through a BWIC (Bids Wanted in Competition). Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the June Selling Affiliates, we submitted our bid for the real estate securities to the June Selling Affiliates. The pre-submission of our bid allowed us to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.  

In February 2017, in accordance with our Affiliated Transactions Policy, we executed one trade whereby we acquired a real estate security from a separate affiliate of the Manager (the “February Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the security acquired from the February Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $2.0 million. The February Selling Affiliate sold the real estate security through a BWIC. Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the February Selling Affiliate, we submitted its bid for the real estate security to the February Selling Affiliate. The pre-submission of our bid allowed us to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

In July 2017, in accordance with our Affiliated Transactions Policy, we acquired certain real estate securities from an affiliate of the Manager (the “July Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the securities acquired from the July Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $0.2 million. As procuring market bids for the real estate securities was determined to be impracticable in the Manager’s reasonable judgement, appropriate pricing was based on a valuation prepared by an independent third-party pricing vendor. The third-party pricing vendor us to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

Critical accounting policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the use of estimates that involve the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions and assessments that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. We believe that all of the decisions and assessments upon which our consolidated financial statements are based are reasonable at the time made and based upon information available to us at that time. We rely upon independent pricing of our assets at each quarter end to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates of fair market value, whenever available. For more information on our fair value measurements, see Note 5 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).” For a review of our significant accounting policies and the recent accounting pronouncements that may impact our results of operations, see Note 2 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).”

Inflation

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more than inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates.

Other matters

We intend to conduct our business so as to maintain our exempt status under, and not to become regulated as an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act. If we failed to maintain our exempt status under the Investment Company Act and became regulated as an investment company, our ability to, among other things, use leverage would be substantially reduced and, as a result, we would be unable to conduct our business as described in this report. Accordingly, we monitor our compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Test of the Investment Company Act in order to maintain our exempt status. As of December 31, 2016, we determined that we maintained compliance with both the 55% Test and the 80% Test requirements.

We calculate that at least 75% of our assets were real estate assets, cash and cash items and government securities for the year ended December 31, 2016. We also calculate that our revenue qualifies for the 75% gross income test and for the 95% gross income test rules for the year ended December 31, 2016. Overall, we believe that we met the REIT income and asset tests. We also believe that we met all other REIT requirements, including the ownership of our common stock and the distribution of our net income. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2016, we believe that we qualified as a REIT under the Code.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The primary components of our market risk relate to interest rates, liquidity, prepayment rates and credit risk. While we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we seek to assume risk that can be quantified from historical experience and to actively manage that risk, to earn sufficient returns to justify taking those risks and to maintain capital levels consistent with the risks we undertake.

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Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary, fiscal and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with both our investments and the financing under our repurchase agreements. We generally seek to manage this risk by monitoring, the reset index and interest rate related to our target assets and our financings; by structuring our financing agreements to have a range of maturity terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods; and using hedging instruments to adjust interest rate sensitivity of our target assets and borrowings.

Interest rate effects on net interest income

Our operating results depend in large part upon differences between the yields earned on our investments and our cost of borrowing and upon the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging activities. The majority of our repurchase agreements are short term in nature with an initial term of between 30 and 90 days. The financing rate on these agreements will generally be determined at the outset of each transaction by reference to prevailing short-term rates plus a spread. As a result, our borrowing costs will tend to increase during periods of rising short-term interest rates as we renew, or “roll”, maturing transactions at the higher prevailing rates. When combined with the fact that the income we earn on our fixed interest rate investments will remain substantially unchanged, this will result in a narrowing of the net interest spread between the related assets and borrowings and may even result in losses. We have obtained term financing on certain borrowing arrangements. The financing on term facilities generally are fixed at the outset of each transaction by reference to a pre-determined interest rate plus a spread.

In an attempt to offset the increase in funding costs related to rising short term interest rates, our Manager enters into hedging transactions structured to provide us with positive cash flow in the event short term interest rates rise. Our Manager accomplishes this through the use of interest rate derivatives. Some hedging strategies involving the use of derivatives are highly complex, may produce volatile returns and may expose us to increased risks relating to counterparty defaults.

Interest rate effects on fair value

Another component of interest rate risk is the effect that changes in interest rates will have on the market value of the assets that we acquire.

Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, the fair value of our real estate securities and loan portfolios would be expected to decrease, all other factors being held constant. In particular, the portion of our real estate securities and loan portfolios with fixed-rate coupons would be expected to decrease in value more severely than that portion with a floating-rate coupon. This is because fixed-rate coupon assets tend to have significantly more duration or price sensitivity to changes in interest rates, than floating-rate coupon assets. Fixed-rate assets currently comprise a majority of our portfolio.

The fair value of our investment portfolio could change at a different rate than the fair value of our liabilities when interest rates change. We measure the sensitivity of our portfolio to changes in interest rates by estimating the duration of our assets and liabilities. Duration is the approximate percentage change in fair value for a 100 basis point parallel shift in the yield curve. In general, our assets have higher duration than our liabilities. In order to reduce this exposure we use hedging instruments to reduce the gap in duration between our assets and liabilities.

We calculate estimated effective duration (i.e., the price sensitivity to changes in risk-free interest rates) to measure the impact of changes in interest rates on portfolio value. We estimate duration based on third-party models. Different models and methodologies can produce different effective duration estimates for the same securities. We allocate the net duration by asset type based on the interest rate sensitivity.

On September 30, 2017, we computed an estimated net effective duration of 1.36 years, comprised of 2.68 Agency RMBS duration, 0.92 of credit investment duration, (2.20) hedge duration and (0.04) liability duration.

The following table quantifies the estimated changes in net interest income and GAAP equity should interest rates go up or down by 50 and 100 basis points, assuming (i) the yield curves of the rate shocks will be parallel to each other and the current yield curve and (ii) all other market risk factors remain constant. These estimates were compiled using a combination of third-party services and models, market data and internal models. All changes in income and equity are measured as percentage changes from the projected net interest income and GAAP equity from our base interest rate scenario. The base interest rate scenario assumes spot and forward interest rates, which existed as of September 30, 2017. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Agency RMBS assumptions attempt to predict default and prepayment activity at projected interest rate levels. To the extent that these estimates or other assumptions do not hold true, actual results will likely differ materially from projections and could be larger or smaller than the estimates in the table below. Moreover, if different models were employed in the analysis, materially different projections could result. In addition, while the table below reflects the estimated impact of interest rate increases and decreases on a static portfolio as of September 30, 2017, our Manager may from time to time sell any of our investments as a part of the overall management of our investment portfolio. 

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Change in Interest Rates (basis points) (1)(2)	Change in Market Value as a Percentage of GAAP Equity			Change in Market Value as a Percentage of Assets			Percentage Change in Projected Net Interest Income
+100		-10.4	%		-2.1	%		-4.7	%
+50		-4.6	%		-0.9	%		-2.2	%
-50		2.7	%		0.5	%		1.6	%
-100		3.0	%		0.6	%		2.7	%

(1) Includes investments held through affiliated entities that are reported as “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” on our consolidated balance sheet, but excludes AG Arc.

(2)  Does not include cash investments, which typically have overnight maturities and are not expected to change in value as interest rates change.

Certain assumptions have been made in connection with the calculation of the information set forth in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table and, as such, there can be no assurance that assumed events will occur or that other events will not occur that would affect the outcomes. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at September 30, 2017. Furthermore, while we generally expect to retain such assets and the associated interest rate risk to maturity, future purchases and sales of assets could materially change our interest rate risk profile.

The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table above and all related disclosures constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimated in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table.

Liquidity risk

Our primary liquidity risk arises from financing long-maturity assets with shorter-term borrowing primarily in the form of repurchase agreements.

Liquidity risk – repurchase agreements

We pledge real estate securities or mortgage loans and cash as collateral to secure our repurchase transactions. Should the fair value of our real estate securities or mortgage loans pledged as collateral decrease (as a result of rising interest rates, changes in prepayment speeds, widening of credit spreads or otherwise), we will likely be subject to margin calls for additional collateral from our financing counterparties. Should the fair value of our real estate securities or mortgage loans decrease materially and suddenly, margin calls will likely increase causing an adverse change to our liquidity position which could result in substantial losses. In addition, we cannot be assured that we will always be able to roll our repurchase transactions at their scheduled maturities which could cause material additional harm to our liquidity position and result in substantial losses. Further, should funding conditions tighten as they did in 2007 - 2009, our repurchase agreement counterparties may increase our margin requirements on new financings, including repurchase transactions that we roll at maturity with the same counterparty, which would require us to post additional collateral and would reduce our ability to use leverage and could potentially cause us to incur substantial losses.

In January 2016, the FHFA issued the Final Rule, which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, including our captive insurance company, from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC and prohibits the FHLBC from making any more advances or extending any existing advances to our captive insurance company. Under the Final Rule, the FHLBC must wind down its relationships with our captive insurance company by February 19, 2017. The FHLBC cannot make any new advances or extend any existing advances to our captive insurance company. On September 30, 2017, we had no advances outstanding with the FHLBC and do not consider them a source for liquidity.

Liquidity risk - derivatives

The terms of our interest rate swaps and futures require us to post collateral in the form of cash or Agency RMBS to our counterparties to satisfy two types of margin requirements: variation margin and initial margin.

We and our swap and futures counterparties are both required to post variation margin to each other depending upon the daily moves in prevailing benchmark interest rates. The amount of this variation margin is derived from the mark to market valuation of our swap or futures. Hence, as our swaps or futures lose value in a falling interest rate environment, we are required to post additional variation margin to our counterparties on a daily basis; conversely, as our swaps or futures gain value in a rising interest rate environment, we are able to recall variation margin from our counterparties. By recalling variation margin from our swap or futures counterparties, we are able to partially mitigate the liquidity risk created by margin calls on our repurchase transactions during periods of rising interest rates.

Initial margin works differently. Collateral posted to meet initial margin requirements is intended to create a safety buffer to benefit our counterparties if we were to default on our payment obligations under the terms of the swap or futures and our counterparties were forced to unwind the swap or futures. For our non-centrally cleared instruments, the initial margin is set at the outset of each trade as a fixed percentage of the notional amount of the instrument. This means that once we post initial margin at the outset of a non-centrally cleared instrument, we will have no further posting obligations as it pertains to initial margin. However, the initial margin on our centrally cleared instruments varies from day to day depending upon various factors, including the absolute level of interest rates and the implied volatility of interest rates. There is a distinctly positive correlation between initial margin, on the one hand, and the absolute level of interest rates and implied volatility of interest rates, on the other hand. As a result, in times of rising interest rates or increasing rate volatility, we anticipate that the initial margin required on our centrally-cleared instruments will likewise increase, potentially by a substantial amount. These margin increases will have a negative impact on our liquidity position and will likely impair the intended liquidity risk mitigation effect of our swaps and futures discussed above.

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Our TBA dollar roll contracts are also subject to margin requirements governed by the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (“MBSD”) of the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation and by our prime brokerage agreements, which may establish margin levels in excess of the MBSD. Such provisions require that we establish an initial margin based on the notional value of the TBA contract, which is subject to increase if the estimated fair value of our TBA contract or the estimated fair value of our pledged collateral declines. The MBSD has the sole discretion to determine the value of our TBA contracts and of the pledged collateral securing such contracts. In the event of a margin call, we must generally provide additional collateral, either securities or cash, on the same business day.

Our Manager seeks to mitigate our liquidity risks by maintaining a prudent level of leverage, monitoring our liquidity position on a daily basis and maintaining a substantial cushion of cash and unpledged real estate securities and loans in our portfolio in order to meet future margin calls. In addition, our Manager seeks to further mitigate our liquidity risk by (i) diversifying our exposure across a broad number of financing counterparties, (ii) limiting our exposure to any single financing counterparty and (iii) monitoring the ongoing financial stability of our financing counterparties.

Prepayment risk

Premiums arise when we acquire real estate assets at a price in excess of the principal balance of the mortgages securing such assets (i.e., par value). Conversely, discounts arise when we acquire assets at a price below the principal balance of the mortgages securing such assets. Premiums paid on our assets are amortized against interest income and accretable purchase discounts on our assets are accreted to interest income. Purchase premiums on our assets, which are primarily carried on our Agency RMBS, are amortized against interest income over the life of each respective asset using the effective yield method, adjusted for actual prepayment activity. An increase in the prepayment rate, as measured by the CPR, will typically accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the yield or interest income earned on such assets. Generally, if prepayments on our Non-Agency RMBS or mortgage loans are less than anticipated, we expect that the income recognized on such assets would be reduced due to the slower accretion of purchase discounts, and impairments could result.

As further discussed in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section above, differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows caused by changes to prepayment or other assumptions are adjusted retrospectively through a “catch up” adjustment for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 (generally, Agency RMBS) or adjusted prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the investment for investments accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and interest-only securities) and mortgage loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.

In addition, our interest rate hedges are structured in part based upon assumed levels of future prepayments within our real estate securities or mortgage loan portfolio. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the real estate securities or mortgage loans will be longer or shorter than assumed, respectively, which could reduce the effectiveness of our Manager’s hedging strategies and may cause losses on such transactions.

Our Manager seeks to mitigate our prepayment risk by investing in real estate assets with a variety of prepayment characteristics as well as by attempting to maintain in our portfolio a mix of assets purchased at a premium with assets purchased at a discount. 

Real estate value risk

Residential and commercial property values are subject to volatility and may be affected adversely by a number of factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local economic conditions (which may be adversely affected by industry slowdowns and other factors); local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing or commercial real estate); construction quality, age and design; demographic factors; and retroactive changes to building or similar codes. Decreases in property values reduce the value of the collateral underlying our RMBS and CMBS portfolios as well as the potential sale proceeds available to repay our loans in the event of a default. In addition, substantial decreases in property values can increase the rate of strategic defaults by residential mortgage borrowers which can impact and create significant uncertainty in the recovery of principal and interest on our investments.

Credit risk

Although we expect to encounter only de minimis credit risk in our Agency RMBS portfolio, we are exposed to the risk of potential credit losses from an unanticipated increase in borrower defaults as well as general credit spread widening on any Non-Agency assets in our portfolio, including residential and commercial mortgage loans as well as Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS. We seek to manage this risk through our Manager’s pre-acquisition due diligence process and, if available, through the use of non-recourse financing, which limits our exposure to credit losses to the specific pool of collateral which is the subject of the non-recourse financing. Our Manager’s pre-acquisition due diligence process includes the evaluation of, among other things, relative valuation, supply and demand trends, the shape of various yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral.

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Basis risk

Basis risk refers to the possible decline in our book value triggered by the risk of incurring losses on the fair value of our Agency RMBS as a result of widening market spreads between the yields on our Agency RMBS and the yields on comparable duration Treasury securities. The basis risk associated with fluctuations in fair value of our Agency RMBS may relate to factors impacting the mortgage and fixed income markets other than changes in benchmark interest rates, such as actual or anticipated monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve, market liquidity, or changes in required rates of return on different assets. Consequently, while we use interest rate swaps and other hedges to protect against moves in interest rates, such instruments will generally not protect our net book value against basis risk.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We have evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

No change occurred in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this quarterly report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are at times subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this report, we are not party to any litigation or legal proceedings, or to our knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings, which we believe, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Refer to the risks identified under the caption “Risk Factors”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and our subsequent filings, which are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, and in the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections herein.

Financial institutions, in their capacity as trustee, may withhold funds to cover legal costs that would otherwise be due to owners of certain residential mortgage-backed securities.

In June 2017, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in its capacity as trustee in 20 residential mortgage-backed securitizations, withheld more than $90 million due to the bondholders of the securities in those securitizations. The funds were withheld to cover potential legal costs in suits brought by investors to recover losses suffered during the financial crisis in which the investors claim that the trustees breached certain duties to such investors. It is not clear if Wells Fargo, as trustee in other deals, will withhold funds to cover legal expenses in these other deals or whether other financial institutions, as trustees in these types of securitizations, will withhold funds for similar reasons. We do not hold the bonds in any of the 20 residential mortgage-backed securitizations where Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. withheld funds. However, if funds are withheld by trustees in securitizations where we hold securities, we could incur losses that may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

Exhibit No.	Description
*3.1	Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2”).
*3.2	Articles of Amendment to Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2017.
*3.3	Amended and Restated Bylaws of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
*3.4	Articles Supplementary of 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
*3.5	Articles Supplementary of 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
*4.1	Specimen Stock Certificate of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
*4.2	Specimen 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
*4.3	Specimen 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
*10.1	Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers of units and shares in the private placement, dated June 29, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Amendment No. 7 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7”).
*10.2	Form of Management Agreement, dated June 29, 2011 by and between the Company and AG REIT Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2011.**
*10.3	Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.4	Manager Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.5	Form of Manager Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.6	Form of Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.7	Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, by and between the Company and the Company’s directors and officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7.
*10.8	Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of April 12, 2013 between AG MIT, LLC, AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2013.

75

*10.9	Guarantee Agreement dated as of April 9, 2012 by AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012.
*10.10	Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of February 11, 2014 between AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.
*10.11	Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 11, 2014 by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.
*10.12	Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of September 17, 2014, as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT CREL LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

*10.13	Guarantee Agreement dated as of September 17, 2014 as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.
*10.14	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2014.**
*10.15	Omnibus Amendment No.1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter dated as of August 4, 2015 between AG MIT CREL, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015.
*10.16	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2017.**
31.1	Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Fully or partly previously filed.
**	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

76

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ David N. Roberts
	David N. Roberts
	Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
November 1, 2017	By:	/s/ Brian C. Sigman
	Brian C. Sigman
	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

77

AG MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

FORM 10-Q
September 30, 2017

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
*3.1	Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2”).
*3.2	Articles of Amendment to Articles of Amendment and Restatement of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2017.
*3.3	Amended and Restated Bylaws of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
*3.4	Articles Supplementary of 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
*3.5	Articles Supplementary of 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
*4.1	Specimen Stock Certificate of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
*4.2	Specimen 8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
*4.3	Specimen 8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2012.
*10.1	Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers of units and shares in the private placement, dated June 29, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Amendment No. 7 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2011 (“Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7”).
*10.2	Form of Management Agreement, dated June 29, 2011 by and between the Company and AG REIT Management, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2011.**
*10.3	Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.4	Manager Equity Incentive Plan, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.5	Form of Manager Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.6	Form of Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.**
*10.7	Form of Indemnification Agreement, dated July 6, 2011, by and between the Company and the Company’s directors and officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 7.
*10.8	Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of April 12, 2013 between AG MIT, LLC, AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2013.

78

*10.9	Guarantee Agreement dated as of April 9, 2012 by AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012.
*10.10	Amended and Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of February 11, 2014 between AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.
*10.11	Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 11, 2014 by AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Invest Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2014.
*10.12	Restated Master Repurchase and Securities Contract dated as of September 17, 2014, as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT CREL LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.

*10.13	Guarantee Agreement dated as of September 17, 2014 as amended by Omnibus Amendment No.1, dated as of August 4, 2015, between AG MIT, LLC and AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2014.
*10.14	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2014.**
*10.15	Omnibus Amendment No.1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter dated as of August 4, 2015 between AG MIT CREL, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015.
*10.16	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated July 1, 2017.**
31.1	Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of David N. Roberts pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Brian C. Sigman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Fully or partly previously filed.
**	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

79

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

I, David N. Roberts, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 1, 2017
	/s/ David N. Roberts
	David N. Roberts
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

I, Brian C. Sigman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 1, 2017
	/s/ Brian C. Sigman
	Brian C. Sigman
	Chief Financial Officer and
	Treasurer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David N. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates of, and for the periods covered by, the Report.

It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

/s/ David N. Roberts

David N. Roberts

Chief Executive Officer

November 1, 2017

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brian C. Sigman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates of, and for the periods covered by, the Report.

It is not intended that this statement be deemed to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

/s/ Brian C. Sigman

Brian C. Sigman

Chief Financial Officer and

Treasurer

November 1, 2017

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 23, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001514281
Trading Symbol	MITT
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,192,541

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Residential mortgage loans, at fair value - $20,767,883 and $31,031,107 pledged as collateral, respectively	$ 23,867,531	$ 38,195,576
Commercial loans, at fair value - $32,800,000 pledged as collateral	57,398,663	60,068,800
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates	89,081,520	72,215,919
Excess mortgage servicing rights, at fair value	2,680,564	412,648
Cash and cash equivalents	61,716,545	52,469,891
Restricted cash	40,853,714	26,583,527
Interest receivable	11,798,960	8,570,383
Receivable on unsettled trades - $0 and $3,057,814 pledged as collateral, respectively	0	3,633,161
Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	0	22,680,000
Derivative assets, at fair value	1,027,846	3,703,366
Other assets	3,347,648	5,600,341
Due from broker	538,842	945,304
Total Assets	3,544,473,934	2,628,644,566
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements	2,694,551,824	1,900,509,806
Securitized debt, at fair value	17,221,071	21,491,710
Loan participation payable, at fair value	0	1,800,000
Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value	0	22,365,000
Payable on unsettled trades	95,429,430	0
Interest payable	5,342,257	2,570,854
Derivative liabilities, at fair value	2,124,550	2,907,255
Dividend payable	16,208,929	13,157,573
Due to affiliates	4,377,194	3,967,622
Accrued expenses	799,895	1,068,779
Taxes payable	1,176,883	1,717,883
Due to broker	616,020	1,211,694
Total Liabilities	2,837,848,053	1,972,768,176
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 28,189,441 and 27,700,154 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	281,896	277,002
Additional paid-in capital	585,395,566	576,276,322
Retained earnings/(deficit)	(40,265,586)	(81,890,939)
Total Stockholders' Equity	706,625,881	655,876,390
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	3,544,473,934	2,628,644,566
8.25 % Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized:	49,920,772	49,920,772
8.00 % Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized:	111,293,233	111,293,233
Agency [Member]
Assets
Real estate securities, at fair value:	2,057,208,953	1,057,663,726
Non-Agency [Member]
Assets
Real estate securities, at fair value:	929,893,801	1,043,017,308
ABS [Member]
Assets
Real estate securities, at fair value:	53,223,788	21,231,956
CMBS [Member]
Assets
Real estate securities, at fair value:	$ 211,835,559	$ 211,652,660

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	28,189,441	27,700,154
Common stock, shares outstanding	28,189,441	27,700,154
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Investments Pledged As Collateral (in dollars)	$ 0	$ 3,057,814
Residential mortgage loans [Member]
Loans Pledged as Collateral (in dollars)	20,767,883	31,031,107
Commercial loans [Member]
Loans Pledged as Collateral (in dollars)	32,800,000	32,800,000
Agency [Member]
Real estate securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	1,857,336,576	972,232,174
Non-Agency [Member]
Real estate securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	905,878,564	990,985,143
ABS [Member]
Real estate securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	35,918,646	21,231,956
CMBS [Member]
Real estate securities, at fair value, pledged as collateral (in dollars)	$ 208,535,553	$ 201,464,058
8.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	2,070,000	2,070,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,070,000	2,070,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value (in dollars)	$ 51,750,000	$ 51,750,000
8.00% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	4,600,000	4,600,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value (in dollars)	$ 115,000,000	$ 115,000,000

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net Interest Income
Interest income	$ 33,592,587	$ 30,573,134	$ 92,773,014	$ 91,470,588
Interest expense	11,959,225	8,525,365	30,322,030	25,482,661
Interest Income (Expense), Net	21,633,362	22,047,769	62,450,984	65,987,927
Other Income
Net realized gain/(loss)	22,286	9,578,488	(12,527,278)	(8,725,255)
Realized loss on periodic interest settlements of derivative instruments, net	(2,147,452)	(1,034,251)	(5,614,971)	(5,019,565)
Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	14,892,809	13,461,216	53,189,925	33,260,103
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	2,422,713	6,961,061	4,224,010	(4,792,369)
Other income	2,325	341,345	34,207	368,731
Total other income (loss)	15,192,681	29,307,859	39,305,893	15,091,645
Expenses
Management fee to affiliate	2,454,083	2,451,387	7,373,679	7,322,312
Other operating expenses	2,602,473	2,870,662	8,247,060	8,581,726
Servicing fees	22,991	121,806	184,993	359,150
Equity based compensation to affiliate	60,859	75,774	225,877	217,928
Excise tax	375,000	238,167	1,125,000	988,167
Total expenses	5,515,406	5,757,796	17,156,609	17,469,283
Income/(loss) before equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates	31,310,637	45,597,832	84,600,268	63,610,289
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates	4,700,800	534,133	9,699,962	1,154,390
Net Income/(Loss)	36,011,437	46,131,965	94,300,230	64,764,679
Dividends on preferred stock	3,367,354	3,367,354	10,102,062	10,102,062
Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders	$ 32,644,083	$ 42,764,611	$ 84,198,168	$ 54,662,617
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Basic	$ 1.17	$ 1.54	$ 3.03	$ 1.95
Diluted	$ 1.17	$ 1.54	$ 3.03	$ 1.95
Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
Basic	27,841,452	27,802,124	27,756,357	28,036,809
Diluted	27,856,765	27,804,154	27,770,299	28,036,809

XML

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	8.25 % Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	8.00 % Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 666,944,713	$ 282,863	$ 49,920,772	$ 111,293,233	$ 584,581,995	$ (79,134,150)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		28,286,210
Repurchase of common stock	(8,730,028)	$ (6,147)	0	0	(8,723,881)	0
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(614,695)
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation	307,834	$ 267	0	0	307,567	0
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation (in shares)		26,735
Common dividends declared	(39,812,571)	$ 0	0	0	0	(39,812,571)
Preferred Series A dividends declared	(3,202,062)	0	0	0	0	(3,202,062)
Preferred Series B dividends declared	(6,900,000)	0	0	0	0	(6,900,000)
Net Income/(Loss)	64,764,679	0	0	0	0	64,764,679
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	673,372,565	$ 276,983	49,920,772	111,293,233	576,165,681	(64,284,104)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016		27,698,250
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	655,876,390	$ 277,002	49,920,772	111,293,233	576,276,322	(81,890,939)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		27,700,154
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,718,155	$ 4,610	0	0	8,713,545	0
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock (in shares)		460,932
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation	405,983	$ 284	0	0	405,699	0
Grant of restricted stock and amortization of equity based compensation (in shares)		28,355
Common dividends declared	(42,572,815)	$ 0	0	0	0	(42,572,815)
Preferred Series A dividends declared	(3,202,062)	0	0	0	0	(3,202,062)
Preferred Series B dividends declared	(6,900,000)	0	0	0	0	(6,900,000)
Net Income/(Loss)	94,300,230	0	0	0	0	94,300,230
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 706,625,881	$ 281,896	$ 49,920,772	$ 111,293,233	$ 585,395,566	$ (40,265,586)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017		28,189,441

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$ 94,300,230	$ 64,764,679
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net amortization of premium	6,264,375	5,671,320
Net realized (gain)/loss	12,527,278	8,725,255
Unrealized (gains)/losses on real estate securities and loans, net	(53,189,925)	(33,260,103)
Unrealized (gains)/losses on derivative and other instruments, net	(4,224,010)	4,792,369
Equity based compensation to affiliate	225,877	217,928
Equity based compensation expense	180,106	89,906
Income from investments in debt and equity of affiliates in excess of distributions received	(1,935,439)	0
Change in operating assets/liabilities:
Interest receivable	(3,230,086)	2,284,296
Other assets	69,909	334,590
Due from broker	(6,084)	273,654
Interest payable	7,729,867	(1,200,911)
Due to affiliates	409,572	180,446
Accrued expenses	(256,610)	(633,420)
Taxes payable	(541,000)	(521,833)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	58,324,060	51,718,176
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of real estate securities	(1,572,649,795)	(523,078,732)
Origination of commercial loans	0	(10,428,437)
Purchase of commercial loans	(10,270,833)	0
Purchase of U.S. Treasury securities	0	(358,417,649)
Purchase of excess mortgage servicing rights	(2,435,617)	0
Investments in debt and equity of affiliates	(14,861,310)	(21,170,503)
Proceeds from sales of real estate securities	467,285,986	278,119,764
Proceeds from sales of residential mortgage loans	13,760,936	35,606,480
Proceeds from sales of U.S. treasury securities	0	487,081,984
Distribution received from investments in debt and equity of affiliates	0	315,983
Principal repayments on real estate securities	319,138,675	291,000,339
Principal repayments on commercial loans	13,478,194	40,000,000
Principal repayments on residential mortgage loans	5,871,829	2,476,335
Net proceeds from/(payments made) on reverse repurchase agreements	22,680,932	(45,942,668)
Net proceeds from/(payments made) on sales of securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements	(22,413,242)	45,281,749
Net settlement of interest rate swaps and other instruments	(13,728,973)	(10,613,258)
Net settlement of TBAs	3,002,891	445,586
Proceeds from redemption of FHLBC Stock	0	8,013,900
Cash flows provided by/(used in) other investing activities	3,366,843	1,271,471
Restricted cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(21,212,643)	(669,691)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(808,986,127)	219,292,653
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repurchase of common stock	0	(9,928,615)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	8,730,428	0
Borrowings under repurchase agreements	26,155,914,394	64,813,220,211
Borrowings under FHLBC advances	0	147,215,991
Repayments of repurchase agreements	(25,362,642,476)	(64,621,819,962)
Repayments of FHLBC advances	0	(544,109,991)
Proceeds from transfer of loan participation	0	1,564,266
Repayments of loan participation	(1,800,000)	0
Net collateral received from/(paid to) derivative counterparty	3,358,258	(4,324,597)
Net collateral received from/(paid to) repurchase counterparty	5,971,639	(2,787,829)
Dividends paid on common stock	(39,521,460)	(40,152,041)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(10,102,062)	(10,102,062)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	759,908,721	(271,224,629)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	9,246,654	(213,800)
Cash and cash equivalents, Beginning of Period	52,469,891	46,253,291
Cash and cash equivalents, End of Period	61,716,545	46,039,491
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest on repurchase agreements and FHLBC advances	26,763,198	24,187,601
Cash paid for income tax	1,732,709	1,580,020
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Principal repayments on real estate securities not yet received	479,994	2,137,131
Common stock dividends declared but not paid	16,208,929	13,156,669
Decrease in securitized debt	4,310,904	5,706,520
Transfer from residential mortgage loans to other assets	2,305,814	1,793,761
Transfer from investments in debt and equity of affiliates to CMBS	$ 0	$ 3,103,111

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Organization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

1. Organization

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Maryland on March 1, 2011. The Company is focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, issued or guaranteed by a government-sponsored entity such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (collectively, “GSEs”), or any agency of the U.S. Government such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, “Agency RMBS”), and other real estate-related securities and financial assets, including Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and loans (as defined below).

Non-Agency RMBS represent fixed- and floating-rate RMBS issued by entities or organizations other than a U.S. government-sponsored entity or agency of the U.S. government, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below). The mortgage loan collateral for Non-Agency RMBS consists of residential mortgage loans that do not generally conform to underwriting guidelines issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored entities.

Asset Backed Securities (“ABS”) are securitized investments similar to the aforementioned investments except the underlying assets are diverse, not only representing real estate related assets.

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (“CMBS”) represent investments of fixed- and floating-rate CMBS, including investment grade (AAA through BBB) and non-investment grade classes (BB and below) secured by, or evidence an ownership interest in, a single commercial mortgage loan or a pool of commercial mortgage loans.

Collectively, the Company refers to Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS asset types as “real estate securities” or “securities”.

Commercial loans are secured by an interest in commercial real estate and represent a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates. Residential mortgage loans refer to performing, re-performing and non-performing loans secured by a first lien mortgage on residential mortgaged property located in any of the 50 states of the United States or in the District of Columbia. The Company refers to its residential and commercial mortgage loans as “mortgage loans” or “loans.”

The Company is externally managed by AG REIT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. (“Angelo, Gordon”), a privately-held, SEC-registered investment adviser, pursuant to a management agreement. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the management agreement.

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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Summary of significant accounting policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement for the interim period of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is comprised of cash on deposit with financial institutions. The Company classifies highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company held no cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Cash pledged to the Company as collateral is unrestricted in use and, accordingly, is included as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” on the consolidated balance sheets. Any cash held by the Company as collateral is included in the “Due to broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows. Any cash due to the Company in the form of principal payments is included in the “Due from broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral for clearing and executing trades, derivatives and repurchase agreements and is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement. Restricted cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Restricted cash does not include variation margin on centrally cleared derivatives. See Note 7 for more detail.

Offering costs

The Company incurred offering costs in connection with common stock offerings. The offering costs were paid out of the proceeds of the respective offerings. Offering costs in connection with common stock offerings have been accounted for as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Earnings/(Loss) per share

In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings per Share,” the Company calculates basic income/(loss) per share by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. In periods in which the Company records a loss, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation, as their effect on loss per share is anti-dilutive.

Valuation of financial instruments

The fair value of the financial instruments that the Company records at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable.

The three levels of the hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below: 

· Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

· Level 2 – Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.

· Level 3 – Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

Transfers between levels are assumed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period.

Accounting for real estate securities

Investments in real estate securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, or ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” for its real estate securities portfolio. Real estate securities are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and the periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Real estate securities acquired through securitizations are shown in the line item “Purchase of real estate securities” on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25 which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded to other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

When the Company purchases securities with evidence of credit deterioration since origination, it will analyze to determine if the guidance found in ASC 310-30 is applicable.

The Company accounts for its securities under ASC 310 and ASC 325 and evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

When a real estate security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intends to sell the security (i.e., a decision has been made as of the reporting date) or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the real estate security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. Additionally for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 an OTTI is deemed to have occurred when there is an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security is less than its carrying amount. In determining whether an adverse change in cash flows occurred, the present value of the remaining cash flows, as estimated at the initial transaction date (or the last date previously revised), is compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the current reporting date. The estimated cash flows reflect those a “market participant” would use and include observations of current information and events, and assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of potential credit losses. Cash flows are discounted at a rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. Any resulting OTTI adjustments are reflected in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

The determination as to whether an OTTI exists is subjective, given that such determination is based on information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimate of the future performance and cash flow projections for the individual security. As a result, the timing and amount of an OTTI constitutes an accounting estimate that may change materially over time.

Increases in interest income may be recognized on a security on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such security subsequently improves.

Any remaining unrealized losses on securities at September 30, 2017 do not represent other than temporary impairment as the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the amortized cost of the investment, and the Company is not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons. In addition, any unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency RMBS accounted for under ASC 320 are not due to credit losses given their explicit guarantee of principal and interest by the GSEs, but rather are due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. See Note 3 for a summary of OTTI charges recorded.

Sales of securities

Sales of securities are driven by the Manager’s portfolio management process. The Manager seeks to mitigate risks including those associated with prepayments, defaults, severities, amongst others and will opportunistically rotate the portfolio into securities with more favorable attributes. Strategies may also be employed to manage net capital gains, which need to be distributed for tax purposes.

Realized gains or losses on sales of securities, loans and derivatives are included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The cost of positions sold is calculated using a first in, first out, or FIFO, basis. Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings at the time of disposition.

Accounting for mortgage loans

Investments in mortgage loans are recorded in accordance with ASC 310-10. At purchase, the Company aggregates its mortgage loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Once a pool of loans is assembled, its composition is maintained. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its mortgage loan portfolio. Loans are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value will be recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.”

The Company amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each loan, if circumstances warrant, to determine whether they are impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated and recorded accordingly. Income recognition is suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90-days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt, contractual interest is recorded as interest income when received, under the cash basis method until an accrual is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or legally discharged.

When the Company purchases mortgage loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it determines that it is probable it will not collect all contractual cash flows on those loans, it will apply the guidance found in ASC 310-30. Mortgage loans that are delinquent 60 or more days are considered non-performing.

The Company updates its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected on at least a quarterly basis for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies including both the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts, and assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations. If based on the most current information and events it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will recognize these changes prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from the nonaccretable difference. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate in conformity with ASC 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected from previously projected cash flows, which includes all cash flows originally expected to be collected by the investor plus any additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition, are recognized as impairment. Increases in interest income may be recognized on a loan on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such loan subsequently improves.

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

The Company’s unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method. A majority of the Company’s investments held through affiliated entities are comprised of real estate securities and loans. These underlying entities have chosen to make a fair value election on their financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825; as such, the Company will treat these investments consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, these investments had a fair market value of $79.8 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc LLC, one of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries (“AG Arc”), formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election with respect to its investment in AG Arc pursuant to ASC 825. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest in AG Arc had a fair market value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million, respectively. See Note 10 for additional detail.

In August 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Mortgage Acquisition Holding I LLC (“MATH”) to conduct a residential mortgage investment strategy. MATH in turn sponsored the formation of an entity called Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC (“MATT”), which is expected to make an election to be treated as a Real Estate Investment Trust beginning with the 2018 tax year. MATT intends to purchase residential mortgage loans that are not eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. In furtherance of this business, MATH’s sponsoring funds, which include the Company, have agreed to provide up to $75.0 million of capital to MATH for use in this mortgage investment business. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT  is $33.4 million. The Company will invest in MATT through MATH, and these indirect subsidiaries have chosen to make a fair value election on their respective financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825. As such, the Company will treat this investment consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of its commitment to MATH.

The Company’s investments in debt and equity of affiliates are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item and periodic changes in fair market value are recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates.” Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses of such entities are allocated in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements.

Excess mortgage servicing rights

The Company has acquired the right to receive the excess servicing spread related to excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for Excess MSRs. Excess MSRs are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

Investment consolidation and transfers of financial assets

For each investment made, the Company evaluates the underlying entity that issued the securities acquired or to which the Company makes a loan to determine the appropriate accounting. A similar analysis will be performed for each entity with which the Company enters into an agreement for management, servicing or related services. In performing the analysis, the Company refers to guidance in ASC 810-10, “Consolidation.” In situations where the Company is the transferor of financial assets, the Company refers to the guidance in ASC 860-10 “Transfers and Servicing.”

In variable interest entities (“VIEs”), an entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810-10 if the equity investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. VIEs within the scope of ASC 810-10 are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and 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. This determination can sometimes involve complex and subjective analyses. Further, ASC 810-10 also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. In accordance with ASC 810-10, all transferees, including variable interest entities, must be evaluated for consolidation. See Note 3 for more detail.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The company adopted ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 using the modified retrospective approach, which did not require the restatement of prior periods to conform to the post-adoption presentation. The Company concluded the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company has entered into resecuritization transactions which result in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritization were transferred. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company evaluated whether the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and, if so, whether they should be consolidated. Based on its evaluation, the Company concluded that the VIEs should be consolidated. If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP.

The Company may periodically enter into transactions in which it transfers assets to a third party. Upon a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire senior or subordinated interests in the related assets. Pursuant to ASC 860-10, a determination must be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor’s continuing involvement in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer. The financial components approach under ASC 860-10 limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. It defines the term “participating interest” to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.

Under ASC 860-10, after a transfer of financial assets that meets the criteria for treatment as a sale—legal isolation, ability of transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred assets without constraint and transferred control—an entity recognizes the financial and servicing assets it acquired or retained and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognizes financial assets it has sold and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. The transferor would then determine the gain or loss on sale of financial assets by allocating the carrying value of the underlying mortgage between securities or loans sold and the interests retained based on their fair values. The gain or loss on sale is the difference between the cash proceeds from the sale and the amount allocated to the securities or loans sold. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for sale accounting, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.

On February 12, 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and at closing, transferred a 15% or $1.8 million interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company, as transferor, evaluated the transfer under ASC 860-10, and concluded the transferred participation interest should be accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Company has recorded the $12.0 million commercial loan on its consolidated balance sheets as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item. The Company has recorded a $1.8 million liability in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item representing the transfer of the participation interest. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election on the consolidated interest pursuant to ASC 825. The holder of the participation interest has no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The commercial loan was paid off in full in February 2017. The principal and interest due on the loan participation was paid from these proceeds. See Note 4 for more detail.

 

From time to time, the Company may securitize mortgage loans it holds if such financing is available. These transactions will be recorded in accordance with ASC 860-10 and will be accounted for as either a “sale” and the loans will be removed from the consolidated balance sheets or as a “financing” and will be classified as “real estate securities” on the consolidated balance sheets, depending upon the structure of the securitization transaction. ASC 860-10 is a standard that may require the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a “sale” or a “financing.”

Interest income recognition

Interest income on the Company’s real estate securities portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all securities accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs,” ASC 320-10 or ASC 325-40 as applicable. Total interest income is recorded in the “Interest income” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest-only securities), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes premiums on its securities. If actual and anticipated cash flows differ from previous estimates, the Company recognizes a “catch-up” adjustment in the current period to the amortization of premiums for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date.

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and interest-only securities). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts (including assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass-through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans have to be estimated. Differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.

Interest income on the Company’s loan portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such loans. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all loans accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). Any amortization will be reflected as an adjustment to interest income in the consolidated statement of operations.

For security and loan investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30. For purposes of income recognition, the Company aggregates loans that have common risk characteristics into pools and uses a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the pool. ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally should be recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected should be recognized as impairment.

The Company’s accrual of interest, discount accretion and premium amortization for U.S. federal and other tax purposes differs from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances

The Company finances the acquisition of certain assets within its portfolio through the use of repurchase agreements. Prior to March 31, 2016, the Company also financed its Agency RMBS portfolio with advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLBC Advances”) (see the following paragraph regarding the current status of the FHLBC Advances). Repurchase agreements are, and while the Company had them, FHLBC Advances were treated as collateralized financing transactions and carried at primarily their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances approximates fair value.

In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, MITT Insurance Company LLC (“MITT Insurance”), was granted membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, specifically in the FHLB of Cincinnati (“FHLBC”). However, in January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the FHFA, issued RIN 2590-AA39, Members of Federal Home Loan Banks (“the Final Rule”), which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, such as MITT Insurance (“Excluded Captives”), from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC. The Final Rule prevents the FHLBC from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to Excluded Captives, subject to a defined grace period. Upon the termination of membership, the FHLB must liquidate all outstanding advances to Excluded Captives and settle all other business transactions in accordance with the Final Rule. In addition, all FHLB stock held by the terminated Excluded Captive will be repurchased or redeemed at the FHLB’s discretion. Therefore, MITT Insurance must completely wind down all business relationships with the FHLBC, including the repayment of all outstanding advances, prior to or simultaneously with the termination of MITT Insurance’s membership with the FHLBC. As a result of the Final Rule, MITT Insurance exited all FHLBC Advances and as of September 30, 2017, the Company had no outstanding advances with the FHLBC. See the “Other investments” section below for a discussion on FHLBC stock.

The Company pledges certain securities or loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The amounts available to be borrowed are dependent upon the fair value of the securities or loans pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets, lenders may require the Company to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has met all margin call requirements. 

Other investments

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company owned FHLBC stock totaling $2,000. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its stock investment in FHLBC which is recorded in the “Other assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. When evaluating FHLBC stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not recognized an impairment charge related to its FHLBC stock. The Company is entitled to a quarterly dividend on the weighted average shares of stock it holds during the period and records the dividend in “Interest income” on its consolidated statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of dividend income on its FHLBC stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded dividend income on its FHLBC stock of approximately $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Accounting for derivative financial instruments

The Company enters into derivative contracts as a means of mitigating interest rate risk rather than to enhance returns. The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging.” ASC 815-10 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, if or when hedge accounting is elected, the fair value adjustments will affect either other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any interest rate derivatives designated as hedges. All derivatives have been recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820-10, with corresponding changes in value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company records derivative asset and liability positions on a gross basis with respect to its counterparties. The Company records the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with the Company’s centrally cleared derivative instruments on a net basis. Refer to Note 7 for a discussion of this accounting treatment. During the period in which the Company unwinds a derivative, it records a realized gain/(loss) in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item in the consolidated statement of operations.

To-be-announced securities

A to-be-announced security (“TBA”) is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a pair off), net settling the paired off positions for cash, simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a dollar roll. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the price drop. The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as dollar roll income/(loss). Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. Dollar roll income is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

The Company presents the purchase or sale of TBAs net of the corresponding payable or receivable, respectively, until the settlement date of the transaction. Contracts for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS are accounted for as derivatives if they do not qualify for the “regular way” security trade scope exception found in ASC 815-10. To be eligible for this scope exception, the contract must meet the following conditions: (1) there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, (2) delivery of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security, and (3) it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that the contract will not settle net and will result in physical delivery of a security when it is issued. Unrealized gains and losses associated with TBA contracts not meeting the regular-way exception and not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

U.S. Treasury securities

The Company may purchase long or sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may finance its purchase of U.S. Treasury securities with overnight repurchase agreements. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through overnight reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Interest income and expense associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had no positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

Short positions in U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase agreements

The Company may sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities under reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. The Company establishes haircuts to ensure the market value of the underlying assets remain sufficient to protect the Company in the event of a default by a counterparty. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

Manager compensation

The management agreement provides for payment to the Manager of a management fee. The management fee is accrued and expensed during the period for which it is calculated and earned. For a more detailed discussion on the fees payable under the management agreement, see Note 10.

Income taxes

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a REIT. Accordingly, the Company will generally not be subject to federal or state corporate income tax to the extent that the Company makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided that it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

The dividends paid deduction of a REIT for qualifying dividends to its stockholders is computed using the Company’s taxable income/(loss) as opposed to net income/(loss) reported on the Company’s GAAP financial statements. Taxable income/(loss), generally, will differ from net income/(loss) reported on the financial statements because the determination of taxable income/(loss) is based on tax principles and not financial accounting principles.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

A domestic TRS may declare dividends to the Company which will be included in the Company’s taxable income/(loss) and necessitate a distribution to stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the domestic TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes.

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this foreign TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

The Company’s financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation. The Company believes that it will operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify for taxation as a REIT. As a result of the Company’s expected REIT qualification, it does not generally expect to pay federal or state corporate income tax. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet the REIT requirements, it would be subject to federal income taxes and applicable state and local taxes.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company evaluates uncertain income tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. See Note 9 for further details.

Stock-based compensation

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” with regard to its equity incentive plans. ASC 718 covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights and employee stock purchase plans. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. Compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.

Compensation cost related to restricted common shares issued to the Company’s directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date, and is amortized and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Compensation cost related to restricted common shares and restricted stock units issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Restricted stock units granted to the Manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. Restricted stock units are measured at fair value reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at an assumed risk free rate. The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to amortize compensation expense for restricted stock units. 

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has concluded the guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities, and address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The classification and measurement guidance of investments in debt securities and loans are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted for public business entities, except for a provision related to financial statements of fiscal years or interim periods that have not yet been issued, to recognize in other comprehensive income, the change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk measured using the fair value option. Entities should apply the amendments in this ASU by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on instruments, specifically, financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 amends the current guidance, requiring an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists. As such, it is no longer an other-than-temporary model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. The new guidance also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, and models. In addition, public entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination (i.e., by vintage year). ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing existing diversity of how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented. These specific issues include debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions, among others. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard may reclassify certain items on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.  The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard will require the Company to reconcile changes in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities” (“ASU 2017-08”). The amendments in this update require purchase premiums for investments in debt securities that are noncontingently callable by the issuer (at a fixed price and preset date) to be amortized to the earliest call date. Previously, purchase premiums for such investments were permitted to be amortized to the instrument’s maturity date. ASU 2017-08 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The ASU is effective fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

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Real Estate Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Mortgage-Backed Securities Disclosure [Text Block]

3. Real Estate Securities

The following tables detail the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The Company’s Agency RMBS are mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. The Company’s Non-Agency RMBS, ABS and CMBS portfolios are primarily not issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or any agency of the U.S. Government and are therefore subject to credit risk. The principal and interest payments on Agency RMBS securities have an explicit guarantee by either an agency of the U.S. government or a U.S government-sponsored entity.

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

			Premium /				Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	1,676,807,359	$	74,022,732	$	1,750,830,091	$	11,807,760	$	(2,255,633)	$	1,760,382,218		3.77	%		3.11	%
Fixed Rate CMO		54,267,762		427,733		54,695,495		904,953		-		55,600,448		3.00	%		2.79	%
ARM		183,361,500		(1,019,214)		182,342,286		3,918,224		-		186,260,510		2.35	%		2.83	%
Interest Only		493,398,549		(438,168,547)		55,230,002		2,065,371		(2,329,596)		54,965,777		2.85	%		6.51	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,090,004,702		(220,692,385)		869,312,317		59,663,549		(1,944,549)		927,031,317		4.55	%		6.27	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		384,799,372		(381,467,836)		3,331,536		151,223		(620,275)		2,862,484		0.21	%		8.62	%
ABS		53,497,625		(264,964)		53,232,661		234,954		(243,827)		53,223,788		8.34	%		8.73	%
CMBS		209,691,239		(49,523,424)		160,167,815		1,055,860		(1,359,640)		159,864,035		5.52	%		6.11	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,948,722,955		(1,900,990,296)		47,732,659		4,249,838		(10,973)		51,971,524		0.43	%		6.66	%
Total	$	6,094,551,063	$	(2,917,676,201)	$	3,176,874,862	$	84,051,732	$	(8,764,493)	$	3,252,162,101		2.54	%		4.35	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

			Premium /				Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	713,234,586	$	28,338,222	$	741,572,808	$	3,672,057	$	(5,517,144)	$	739,727,721		3.64	%		2.99	%
Fixed Rate CMO		62,570,005		531,431		63,101,436		595,962		-		63,697,398		3.00	%		2.80	%
ARM		208,592,111		(1,633,175)		206,958,936		4,385,116		-		211,344,052		2.35	%		2.84	%
Interest Only		416,902,327		(375,843,483)		41,058,844		3,033,926		(1,198,215)		42,894,555		2.70	%		8.26	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,255,224,713		(235,346,323)		1,019,878,390		28,705,591		(9,328,119)		1,039,255,862		4.31	%		6.03	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		449,759,113		(446,027,313)		3,731,800		33,512		(3,866)		3,761,446		0.25	%		12.47	%
ABS		22,025,000		(357,022)		21,667,978		100,247		(536,269)		21,231,956		5.43	%		6.32	%
CMBS		217,935,976		(56,549,776)		161,386,200		959,842		(2,830,108)		159,515,934		5.15	%		6.16	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,967,685,636		(1,916,198,928)		51,486,708		1,001,503		(351,485)		52,136,726		0.41	%		6.48	%
Total	$	5,313,929,467	$	(3,003,086,367)	$	2,310,843,100	$	42,487,756	$	(19,765,206)	$	2,333,565,650		2.18	%		4.76	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s real estate securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months
As of	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2017	$	449,405,332	$	(5,631,244)	$	143,555,637	$	(3,133,249)
December 31, 2016		756,302,518		(12,017,743)		203,287,535		(7,747,463)

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $2.0 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $2.0 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $2.0 million of OTTI recorded, $0.7 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $6.5 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Of this amount, $1.9 million was recognized on three securities in an unrealized loss position which the Company demonstrated intent to sell, and the charge represents a write-down of cost to fair value as of the reporting date. The Company recorded $4.6 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $4.6 million of OTTI recorded, $1.8 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $1.0 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $1.0 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $1.0 million of OTTI recorded, $0.4 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recognized an OTTI charge of $13.4 million on its securities, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $13.4 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows on certain securities where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. Of the $13.4 million of OTTI recorded, $6.0 million related to securities where OTTI was not recognized in a prior year.

 

The decline in value of the remaining real estate securities is solely due to market conditions and not the credit quality of the assets. The investments in any remaining unrealized loss positions are not considered other than temporarily impaired because the Company currently has the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments and the Company is not required to sell the investments for regulatory or other reasons.

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency Interest-Only (“IO”) and Credit Securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	93,754,194	$	93,920,244		1.62	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		241,860,958		237,037,781		2.50	%		30,432,477		31,393,317		2.38	%		435,916,455		420,829,214		1.09	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		1,709,144,728		1,699,698,089		3.77	%		24,533,300		23,836,685		4.28	%		455,084,524		428,855,357		2.83	%
Greater than ten years		51,237,490		51,132,002		3.50	%		-		-		-			210,197,975		190,172,173		5.80	%
Total	$	2,002,243,176	$	1,987,867,872		3.61	%	$	54,965,777	$	55,230,002		2.85	%	$	1,194,953,148	$	1,133,776,988		1.92	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency IO and Credit Securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	169,483,329	$	170,533,908		2.09	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		124,913,463		123,021,262		2.73	%		28,514,942		27,995,835		2.23	%		430,525,739		430,108,024		0.94	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		808,271,767		806,474,038		3.44	%		14,379,613		13,063,009		5.14	%		425,043,315		418,094,774		2.30	%
Greater than ten years		81,583,941		82,137,880		3.10	%		-		-		-			250,849,541		239,414,370		5.88	%
Total	$	1,014,769,171	$	1,011,633,180		3.32	%	$	42,894,555	$	41,058,844		2.70	%	$	1,275,901,924	$	1,258,151,076		1.82	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold 22 securities for total proceeds of $206.4 million, recording realized gains of $2.5 million and realized losses of $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold 52 securities for total proceeds of $467.3 million, recording realized gains of $3.5 million and realized losses of $2.2 million.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 11 securities for total proceeds of $147.1 million, with an additional $0.3 million of proceeds on 1 unsettled security sale as of quarter end, recording realized gains of $9.8 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 21 securities for total proceeds of $278.1 million, with an additional $0.3 million of proceeds on 1 unsettled security sale as of quarter end, recording realized gains of $10.6 million and realized losses of $1.6 million.

See Notes 4 and 7 for amounts realized on sales of loans and the settlement of certain derivatives, respectively.

A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited need of the company that organized it. SPEs are often used to facilitate transactions that involve securitizing financial assets or resecuritizing previously securitized financial assets. The objective of such transactions may include obtaining non-recourse financing, obtaining liquidity or refinancing the underlying securitized financial assets on improved terms. Securitization involves transferring assets to a SPE to convert all or a portion of those assets into cash before they would have been realized in the normal course of business through the SPE’s issuance of debt or equity instruments. Investors in an SPE usually have recourse only to the assets in the SPE and depending on the overall structure of the transaction, may benefit from various forms of credit enhancement, such as over-collateralization in the form of excess assets in the SPE, priority with respect to receipt of cash flows relative to holders of other debt or equity instruments issued by the SPE, or a line of credit or other form of liquidity agreement that is designed with the objective of ensuring that investors receive principal and/or interest cash flow on the investment in accordance with the terms of their investment agreement. See Note 2 for more detail.

The Company previously entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating the VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company concluded that the entity created to facilitate this transaction was a VIE. The Company also determined that the VIE created to facilitate the resecuritization transaction should be consolidated by the Company and treated as a secured borrowing, based on the Company’s involvement in the VIE, including the design and purpose of the SPE, and whether the Company’s involvement reflected a controlling financial interest that resulted in the Company being deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate principal balance of $26.5 million and $31.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the resecuritized asset had an aggregate fair value of $23.7 million and $27.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the principal balance of the consolidated tranche was $17.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair market value of the consolidated tranche was $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively, which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as “Non-Agency RMBS.” As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate security has a weighted average coupon of 3.49% and 3.15%, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 7.29% and 6.73%, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has recorded secured financing of $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets in the “Securitized debt, at fair value” line item. The Company recorded the proceeds from the issuance of the secured financing in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows at the time of securitization. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the consolidated tranche had a weighted average life of 2.92 years and 3.27 years, respectively, and a weighted average yield of 3.72% and 3.87%, respectively. The holders of the consolidated tranche have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The Company has no obligation to provide any other explicit or implicit support to any VIE.

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Loans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Receivables [Abstract]

Financing Receivables [Text Block]

4. Loans

Residential mortgage loans

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	31,855,577	$	(9,399,640)	$	22,455,937	$	1,445,123	$	(33,529)	$	23,867,531		6.00	%		10.87	%		5.90

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	53,827,336	$	(16,491,472)	$	37,335,864	$	1,262,223	$	(402,511)	$	38,195,576		5.60	%		8.74	%		6.71

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The table below summarizes certain aggregate pool level information pertaining to the Company’s residential mortgage loans:

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Loan Pool	Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance
Re-Performing	$	15,866,356	$	20,364,085	$	26,665,750	$	35,645,382
Non-Performing		8,001,175		11,491,492		11,529,826		18,181,954
	$	23,867,531	$	31,855,577	$	38,195,576	$	53,827,336

As described in Note 2, the Company evaluates loans for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a loan is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a loan is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the loan is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” No OTTI was recorded on loans for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recognized $0.4 million of OTTI on certain loan pools, which is included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded the $0.4 million of OTTI due to an adverse change in cash flows where the fair values of the securities were less than their carrying amounts. The $0.4 million related to non-performing loan pools with an unpaid principal balance of $9.4 million and an average fair market value of $6.6 million and $8.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. No OTTI was recorded on loans for the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company had residential mortgage loans that were in the process of foreclosure with a fair value of $9.1 million and $11.0 million, respectively.

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio consisted of mortgage loans on residential real estate located throughout the U.S. The following is a summary of certain concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio:

Concentration of Credit Risk	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans with unpaid principal balance to current property value in excess of 100%		91	%		98	%
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans secured by properties in the following states:
Representing 5% or more of fair value:
New York		31	%		25	%
California		10	%		9	%
Maryland		6	%		6	%
New Jersey		5	%		4	%
Texas		5	%		4	%
Florida		3	%		5	%

The Company records interest income on a level-yield basis. The accretable discount is determined by the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted principal, interest, and other cash flows expected to be collected over its initial investment in the mortgage loan. The following is a summary of the changes in the accretable portion of discounts for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Beginning Balance	$	10,341,476	$	22,547,949	$	18,281,517	$	24,216,638
Additions		-		-		-		-
Accretion		(505,632)		(1,051,965)		(1,968,026)		(3,296,603)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference		1,476,386		4,968,753		4,858,094		5,755,350
Disposals		-		(6,522,022)		(9,859,355)		(6,732,670)
Ending Balance	$	11,312,230	$	19,942,715	$	11,312,230	$	19,942,715

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of 163 conventional loans with original loan balances between $9,000 and $1.1 million.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of 277 conventional loans with original loan balances between $9,000 and $1.1 million.

Commercial loans

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on September 30, 2017.

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
Loan (3) (7)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (5)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (6)		Initial Stated  Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (8)	Location
Loan B (2)		32,800,000		-		32,800,000		-		-		32,800,000		5.98	%		6.36	%		1.79	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan E (4)		14,521,806		(1,096,214)		13,425,592		756,405		-		14,181,997		9.58	%		12.37	%		3.24	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
Loan F (4)		10,416,666		(90,387)		10,326,279		90,387		-		10,416,666		11.74	%		13.55	%		0.96	September 9, 2018	September 9, 2019	MN
		57,738,472		(1,186,601)		56,551,871		846,792		-		57,398,663		7.93	%		9.15	%		2.00

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, Loan B has been extended to the extended maturity date shown above.

(3) Loan D paid off at par in Q1 2017.

(4) Loan E and Loan F are mezzanine loans. As of September 30, 2017, Loan E has been extended for one year.

(5) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(6) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(7) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(8) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on December 31, 2016.

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
Loan (2) (4) (9)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (7)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (8)		Initial Stated  Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (10)	Location
Loan B (3)	$	32,800,000	$	(1,294)	$	32,798,706	$	1,294	$	-	$	32,800,000		5.40	%		5.65	%		0.52	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan D (5) (11)		12,000,000		(211,692)		11,788,308		296,278		(84,586)		12,000,000		10.62	%		14.33	%		0.62	February 11, 2017	August 11, 2017	NY
Loan E (6)		16,000,000		(1,291,648)		14,708,352		560,448		-		15,268,800		9.05	%		12.76	%		4.33	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
	$	60,800,000	$	(1,504,634)	$	59,295,366	$	858,020	$	(84,586)	$	60,068,800		7.39	%		9.19	%		1.54

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan A paid off in Q2 2016, with the Company receiving $30.0 million of principal proceeds.

(3) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(4) Loan C paid off in Q3 2016, with the Company receiving $10.0 million of principal proceeds.

(5) Loan D is a first mortgage loan. See below for further information. As of the stated maturity date, Loan D has been extended for an additional 6 months.

(6) Loan E is a mezzanine loan.

(7) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(8) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(9) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(10) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

(11) Loan D paid off in Q1 2017.

 

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and, at closing, transferred a 15.0%, or $1.8 million, participation interest in the loan (the “Participation Interest”) to an unaffiliated third party. The Participation Interest did not meet the sales criteria established under ASC 860; therefore, the entire commercial loan has been recorded as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, referred to in the above table as “Loan D.” The weighted average coupon and yield on the commercial loan was 10.62% and 14.33%, respectively, at December 31, 2016. A $1.8 million liability was recorded in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets representing the transfer of the Participation Interest. The Company recorded the origination of the commercial loan in the “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” section and the proceeds from the transfer in the “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. The weighted average coupon and yield on the Participation Interest was 10.62% and 21.70%, respectively, at December 31, 2016. In February 2017, the Company received $12.0 million of proceeds from the pay-off of Loan D. The principal and interest due on the Participation Interest was paid from these proceeds.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million of discount accretion, respectively, on its commercial loans. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million of discount accretion, respectively, on its commercial loans.

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Fair value measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

5. Fair value measurements

As described in Note 2, the fair value of financial instruments that are recorded at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable. 

Values for the Company’s securities, Excess MSRs, securitized debt, and derivatives are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services, which are indicative of market activity. The evaluation methodology of the Company’s third-party pricing services incorporates commonly used market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to various indices such as the one-year constant maturity treasury and LIBOR, which are observable inputs. The evaluation also considers the underlying characteristics of each investment, which are also observable inputs, including: coupon; maturity date; loan age; reset date; collateral type; periodic and life cap; geography; and prepayment speeds. The Company collects and considers current market intelligence on all major markets, including benchmark security evaluations and bid-lists from various sources, when available. As part of the Company’s risk management process, the Company reviews and analyzes all prices obtained by comparing prices to recently completed transactions involving the same or similar investments on or near the reporting date. If, in the opinion of the Manager, one or more prices reported to the Company are not reliable or unavailable, the Manager reviews the fair value based on characteristics of the investment it receives from the issuer and available market information.

In valuing its derivatives, the Company considers the creditworthiness of both the Company and its counterparties, along with collateral provisions contained in each derivative agreement, from the perspective of both the Company and its counterparties. All of the Company’s derivatives are either subject to bilateral collateral arrangements or clearing in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd Frank Act”). For swaps cleared under the Dodd Frank Act, a Central Counterparty Clearing House (“CCP”) now stands between the Company and the over-the-counter derivative counterparties. In order to access clearing, the Company has entered into clearing agreements with Futures Commissions Merchants (“FCMs”).

The fair value of the Company’s mortgage loans and loan participation considers data such as loan origination information, additional updated borrower information, loan servicing data, as available, forward interest rates, general economic conditions, home price index forecasts and valuations of the underlying properties. The variables considered most significant to the determination of the fair value of the Company’s mortgage loans include market-implied discount rates, projections of default rates, delinquency rates, reperformance rates, loss severity (considering mortgage insurance) and prepayment rates. The Company uses loan level data and macro-economic inputs to generate loss adjusted cash flows and other information in determining the fair value of its mortgage loans. Because of the inherent uncertainty of such valuation, the fair values established for mortgage loans held by the Company may differ from the fair values that would have been established if a ready market existed for these mortgage loans. Accordingly, mortgage loans are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Manager may also engage specialized third party valuation service providers to assess and corroborate the valuation of a selection of investments in the Company’s loan portfolio on a periodic basis. These specialized third party valuation service providers conduct independent valuation analyses based on a review of source documents, available market data, and comparable investments. The analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

TBA instruments are similar in form to the Company’s Agency RMBS portfolio, and the Company therefore estimates fair value based on similar methods.

U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements is based upon the value of the underlying borrowed U.S. Treasury securities as of the reporting date.

The Company entered into a resecuritization transaction that resulted in the Company consolidating a VIE created with the SPE which was used to facilitate the transaction. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the consolidated tranche as Level 3.

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc, formed Arc Home. The Company invests in Arc Home through AG Arc. In June 2016, Arc Home closed on the acquisition of a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of residential mortgages. Through this subsidiary, Arc Home originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers. As a result of this acquisition, the Company transferred its investment in AG Arc from Level 1 into Level 3.

In February 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and transferred a 15% participation interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company categorizes the fair value measurement of the commercial loan and consolidated participation interest as Level 3. The commercial loan was paid off in full as in February 2017.

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2017:

	Fair Value at September 30, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-	$	1,760,382,218	$	-	$	1,760,382,218
Fixed Rate CMO		-		55,600,448		-		55,600,448
ARM		-		186,260,510		-		186,260,510
Interest Only		-		54,965,777		-		54,965,777
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-		152,800,460		774,230,857		927,031,317
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-		-		2,862,484		2,862,484
ABS		-		-		53,223,788		53,223,788
CMBS		-		13,996,904		145,867,131		159,864,035
CMBS Interest Only		-		-		51,971,524		51,971,524
Residential mortgage loans		-		-		23,867,531		23,867,531
Commercial loans		-		-		57,398,663		57,398,663
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-		-		2,680,564		2,680,564
Derivative assets		94,531		933,315		-		1,027,846
AG Arc		-		-		17,824,219		17,824,219
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	94,531	$	2,224,939,632	$	1,129,926,761	$	3,354,960,924
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-	$	-	$	(17,221,071)	$	(17,221,071)
Derivative liabilities		-		(2,124,550)		-		(2,124,550)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	-	$	(2,124,550)	$	(17,221,071)	$	(19,345,621)

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2016:

	Fair Value at December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-	$	739,727,721	$	-	$	739,727,721
Fixed Rate CMO		-		63,697,398		-		63,697,398
ARM		-		211,344,052		-		211,344,052
Interest Only		-		42,894,555		-		42,894,555
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-		321,495,328		717,760,534		1,039,255,862
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-		-		3,761,446		3,761,446
ABS		-		-		21,231,956		21,231,956
CMBS		-		28,726,319		130,789,615		159,515,934
CMBS Interest Only		-		-		52,136,726		52,136,726
Residential mortgage loans		-		-		38,195,576		38,195,576
Commercial loans		-		-		60,068,800		60,068,800
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-		-		412,648		412,648
Derivative assets		-		3,703,366		-		3,703,366
AG Arc		-		-		12,894,819		12,894,819
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	-	$	1,411,588,739	$	1,037,252,120	$	2,448,840,859
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-	$	-	$	(21,491,710)	$	(21,491,710)
Loan participation payable		-		-		(1,800,000)		(1,800,000)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,365,000)		-		-		(22,365,000)
Derivative liabilities		(636,211)		(2,271,044)		-		(2,907,255)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	(23,001,211)	$	(2,271,044)	$	(23,291,710)	$	(48,563,965)

The Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

The following tables present additional information about the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value: 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt
Beginning balance	$	863,020,902	$	3,213,397	$	47,917,356	$	137,658,327	$	52,805,639	$	23,455,233	$	57,294,106	$	2,786,501	$	17,712,557	$	(18,778,169)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		83,490,535		-		-		8,460,348		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		137,744,335		-		5,601,252		20,191,250		-		-		-		12,812		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(297,784,142)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,789,302)		-		(211,551)		(20,512,436)		-		(272,933)		-		(126,749)		-		1,563,429
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		14,548,529		(350,913)		(83,269)		69,642		(834,115)		685,231		104,557		8,000		111,662		(6,331)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857	$	2,862,484	$	53,223,788	$	145,867,131	$	51,971,524	$	23,867,531	$	57,398,663	$	2,680,564	$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	12,110,525	$	(83,718)	$	(83,269)	$	(153,096)	$	(834,115)	$	825,963	$	104,557	$	8,000	$	111,662	$	(6,331)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 9 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	13,630,181
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331)
Net realized gain/(loss)		517,481
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,662
Total	$	14,252,993

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	11,894,849
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,660
Total	$	12,000,178

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2016

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS  Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	814,005,282	$	2,400,732	$	75,473,169	$	86,762,706	$	43,305,493	$	55,636,606	$	54,800,000	$	346,507	$	4,488,281	$	(25,788,283)	$	(1,800,000)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		56,221,422		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Transfers out of level 3		(150,671,465)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		113,707,564		-		-		40,491,482		6,981,795		-		-		-		-		-		-
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		8,263,963		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(53,290,104)		-		(5,698,248)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,378,566)		-		(511,323)		(8,145,244)		-		(13,751,112)		(10,000,000)		(37,426)		-		1,512,199		-
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		21,910,120		256,638		1,224,038		2,497,245		221,342		762,493		-		-		170,324		(74,431)		-
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253	$	2,657,370	$	70,487,636	$	121,606,189	$	50,508,630	$	42,647,987	$	44,800,000	$	309,081	$	12,922,568	$	(24,350,515)	$	(1,800,000)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (3)	$	14,590,173	$	256,638	$	1,099,827	$	2,488,766	$	221,342	$	(2,922,597)	$	-	$	-		170,324	$	(74,431)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 4 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 14 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	16,577,429
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431)
Net realized gain/(loss)		10,294,447
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	26,967,769

(3) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	15,734,149
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	15,830,042

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2017

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS  Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	717,760,534	$	3,761,446	$	21,231,956	$	130,789,615	$	52,136,726	$	38,195,576	$	60,068,800	$	412,648	$	12,894,819	$	(21,491,710)	$	(1,800,000)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		203,851,482		-		-		8,460,348		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Transfers out of level 3		(51,307,381)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		395,021,146		-		52,048,919		38,760,000		-		-		10,270,833		2,578,156		-		-		-
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		4,459,000		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(382,543,723)		-		(16,977,157)		(4,533,594)		-		(10,102,590)		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(142,165,747)		-		(4,195,705)		(29,106,491)		-		(5,570,282)		(13,534,402)		(314,036)		-		4,310,904		1,954,927
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		33,614,546		(898,962)		1,115,775		1,497,253		(165,202)		1,344,827		593,432		3,796		470,400		(40,265)		(154,927)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857	$	2,862,484	$	53,223,788	$	145,867,131	$	51,971,524	$	23,867,531	$	57,398,663	$	2,680,564	$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071)	$	-
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	32,502,634	$	(631,767)	$	660,461	$	1,704,666	$	(165,202)	$	(575,728)	$	537,223	$	3,796	$	470,400	$	(40,265)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 18 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 5 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	37,249,857
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(195,192)
Net realized gain/(loss)		(144,392)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,400
Total	$	37,380,673

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	34,036,085
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(40,265)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,398
Total	$	34,466,218

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2016

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS IO		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	451,677,960	$	5,553,734	$	54,761,837	$	91,024,418	$	14,077,716	$	57,080,227	$	72,800,000	$	425,311	$	-	$	-	$	-
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		371,564,212		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		(316,580)		(30,046,861)		-
Transfers out of level 3		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers (2)		125,425,376		-		23,698,802		42,491,482		33,330,554		-		10,428,437		-		-		-		(1,564,266)
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		13,570,173		-		-
Reclassification of security type (3)		-		-		-		-		3,103,111		-		-				-		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(82,462,238)		-		(7,209,752)		(2,100,960)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(102,932,160)		-		(1,698,431)		(9,248,447)		-		(14,815,122)		(40,000,000)		(116,230)		-		5,706,520		-
Total net gains/(losses) (4)
Included in net income		12,231,103		(2,896,364)		935,180		(560,304)		(2,751)		382,882		1,571,563		-		(331,025)		(10,174)		(235,734)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253	$	2,657,370	$	70,487,636	$	121,606,189	$	50,508,630	$	42,647,987	$	44,800,000	$	309,081	$	12,922,568	$	(24,350,515)	$	(1,800,000)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (4)	$	11,019,033	$	(1,272,687)	$	939,673	$	(250,607)	$	(2,751)	$	(3,302,208)	$	1,571,563	$	-	$	(331,025)	$	(10,174)	$	(235,734)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 26 Non-Agency RMBS securities and its securitized debt investment into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and its investment in AG Arc into the Level 3 category from the Level 1 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Transfers represent proceeds from transfer of loan participation.

(3) Represents a reclassification from investments in debt and equity of affiliates.

(4) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	9,761,156
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908)
Net realized gain/(loss)		1,900,153
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025)
Total	$	11,084,376

(5) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	8,702,016
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025)
Total	$	8,125,083

Refer to the tables above for details on transfers between the Level 3 and Level 2 categories under ASC 820. Transfers into the Level 3 category of the fair value hierarchy occur due to instruments exhibiting indications of reduced levels of market transparency. Transfers out of the Level 3 category of the fair value hierarchy occur due to instruments exhibiting indications of increased levels of market transparency. Indications of increases or decreases in levels of market transparency include a change in observable transactions or executable quotes involving these instruments or similar instruments. Changes in these indications could impact price transparency, and thereby cause a change in level designations in future periods.

The following tables present a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of investments for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

Asset Class	Fair Value at September 30, 2017		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	751,813,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.80% - 11.63% (4.37%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.80%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 30.00% (3.07%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	24.64% - 56.76% (41.33%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (34.83%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	18.80 - 22.99 (21.23)
	$	22,416,901	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 102.73 (82.82)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	2,456,181	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.00% - 21.00% (21.00%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	17.25% - 17.25% (17.25%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
	$	406,303	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.80 - 0.80 (0.80)
ABS	$	32,719,493	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.63% - 9.26% (7.72%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	20.00% - 40.00% (22.49%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (1.75%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (43.78%)
	$	20,504,295	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	100.00 - 100.00 (100.00)
CMBS	$	142,567,125	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	-4.24% - 8.32% (5.74%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	3,300,006	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.90 - 7.41 (6.88)
CMBS Interest Only	$	51,971,524	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.56% - 5.85% (4.28%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	23,867,531	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.25% - 9.00% (7.56%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.46% - 6.91% (4.66%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.21% - 7.02% (5.40%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	8.67% - 43.58% (22.59%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	19.73% - 43.24% (35.85%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	14.64 - 29.81 (17.31)
Commercial Loans	$	32,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.36% - 6.36% (6.36%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 4.75 bps (4.75 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	24,598,663	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	97.66 - 100.00 (98.65)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	2,400,760	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	9.34% - 11.65% (10.01%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	8.07% - 12.91% (10.13%)
	$	279,804	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.05 - 0.52 (0.48)
AG Arc	$	17,824,219	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

 

Liability Class	Fair Value at  September 30, 2017			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt	$	(17,221,071	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.49% - 3.49% (3.49%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
					Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)

 (1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of September 30, 2017.

Asset Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	694,948,644	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.70% - 18.56% (5.11%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.84%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 38.00% (5.22%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	18.53% - 46.77% (33.39%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (38.57%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	16.13 - 23.09 (20.72)
	$	22,811,890	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 100.07 (78.89)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	3,761,446	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	17.50% - 17.50% (17.50%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	18.00% - 18.00% (18.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
ABS	$	21,231,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	4.16% - 6.47% (4.98%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	1.50% - 40.00% (22.31%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (0.88%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (9.81%)
CMBS	$	121,056,008	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.32% - 9.16% (6.13%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	9,733,607	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.03 - 99.81 (68.64)
CMBS Interest Only	$	52,136,726	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.51% - 9.49% (5.85%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	38,195,576	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.50% - 8.00% (7.42%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.18% - 5.82% (4.51%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.16% - 5.32% (5.18%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	9.59% - 34.53% (22.91%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	25.19% - 84.80% (45.34%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	12.32 - 29.85 (14.33)
Commercial Loans	$	44,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.65% - 21.70% (7.98%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 10 bps (6.16 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	15,268,800	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	95.43 - 95.43 (95.43)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	412,648	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.09 - 0.62 (0.55)
AG Arc	$	12,894,819	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

Liability Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt	$	(21,491,710	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.36% - 3.36% (3.36%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
					Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)
Loan participation payable	$	(1,800,000	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.70% - 21.70% (21.70%)
					Credit Spread	10 bps - 10 bps (10 bps)
					Recovery Percentage*	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)

(1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of December 31, 2016.

As further described above, values for the Company’s securities portfolio are based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services. Broker quotations may also be used. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s securities are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

Also, as described above, valuation of the Company’s loan portfolio is determined by the Manager using third-party pricing services where available, specialized third party valuation service providers, or model-based pricing. The evaluation considers the underlying characteristics of each loan, which are observable inputs, including: coupon, maturity date, loan age, reset date, collateral type, periodic and life cap, geography, and prepayment speeds. These valuations also require significant judgments, which include assumptions regarding capitalization rates, re-performance 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 management. Changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently estimated. If applicable, analyses provided by valuation service providers are reviewed and considered by the Manager.

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Repurchase agreements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]

Repurchase Agreements, Resale Agreements, Securities Borrowed, and Securities Loaned Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Repurchase agreements

The Company pledges certain real estate securities and loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Repurchase agreements involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets or similar assets at a future date. The amount borrowed generally is equal to the fair value of the assets pledged less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” The Company calculates haircuts disclosed in the tables below by dividing allocated capital on each borrowing by the current fair market value of each investment. Repurchase agreements entered into by the Company are accounted for as financings and require the repurchase of the transferred assets at the end of each agreement’s term, typically 30 to 90 days. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities or floating rate coupons. If the Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it receives the related principal and interest payments. If the Company does not maintain the beneficial interest in the specific assets pledged during the term of the borrowing, it will have the related principal and interest payments remitted to it by the lender. Interest rates on these borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the borrowing at which time the Company may enter into a new borrowing arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. If the fair value of pledged assets declines due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security paydown factors, lenders typically would require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or establish cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. The fair value of financial instruments pledged as collateral on the Company’s repurchase agreements disclosed in the tables below represent the Company’s fair value of such instruments which may differ from the fair value assigned to the collateral by its counterparties. The Company maintains a level of liquidity in the form of cash and unpledged Agency RMBS and Agency Interest-Only securities in order to meet these obligations. Under the terms of the Company’s master repurchase agreements, the counterparties may, in certain cases, sell or re-hypothecate the pledged collateral. 

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	107,066,000		1.26	%		3.0	%	$	110,372,484	$	109,526,493	$	313,586
30 days or less		2,039,853,000		1.77	%		9.6	%		2,297,649,801		2,231,098,823		7,932,198
31-60 days		369,334,000		1.87	%		10.3	%		425,787,109		419,340,738		1,349,706
61-90 days		19,965,000		2.79	%		26.2	%		27,056,415		26,820,517		106,417
91-180 days		111,027,000		1.55	%		10.0	%		124,326,562		124,458,675		341,221
Greater than 180 days		12,105,000		2.89	%		17.9	%		14,804,895		14,808,920		19,952
Total / Weighted Average	$	2,659,350,000		1.76	%		9.6	%	$	2,999,997,266	$	2,926,054,166	$	10,063,080

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	70,899,000		0.66	%		3.5	%	$	73,485,225	$	73,170,802	$	191,554
30 days or less		961,185,000		1.79	%		14.7	%		1,164,241,469		1,152,472,020		3,851,520
31-60 days		465,776,000		1.23	%		8.6	%		514,624,485		512,633,509		1,607,435
61-90 days		129,119,000		1.69	%		13.2	%		151,989,415		151,567,289		399,702
91-180 days		16,897,000		2.81	%		21.6	%		21,554,174		21,892,108		17,056
Greater than 180 days		209,293,104		1.93	%		4.7	%		252,940,437		244,734,715		948,975
Total / Weighted Average	$	1,853,169,104		1.63	%		11.5	%	$	2,178,835,205	$	2,156,470,443	$	7,016,242

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	13,405,824		3.74	%		3.97	%		35.2	%	$	20,767,883	$	19,352,254	$	26,553

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	25,544,702		3.27	%		3.79	%		30.3	%	$	34,088,921	$	32,849,686	$	45,068

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in commercial loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average  Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		3.39	%		3.39	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,800,000	$	206,986

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average  Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		2.91	%		3.13	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,798,706	$	125,314

Although repurchase agreements are committed borrowings until maturity, the lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets resulting from changes in market conditions or factor changes would require the Company to provide additional collateral or cash to fund margin calls. See Note 7 for details on collateral posted/received against certain derivatives. The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s posting of collateral under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Agency RMBS	$	1,849,664,503	$	965,154,048
Non-Agency RMBS		905,878,564		990,985,143
ABS		35,918,646		21,231,956
CMBS		208,535,553		201,464,058
Residential Mortgage Loans		20,767,883		31,031,107
Commercial Mortgage Loans		32,800,000		32,800,000
Cash pledged (i.e., restricted cash) under repurchase agreements		10,855,418		17,149,022
Fair Value of unsettled trades pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements:		-		3,057,814
Total collateral pledged under Repurchase agreements	$	3,064,420,567	$	2,262,873,148

The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s total borrowings under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Repurchase agreements secured by investments:
Agency RMBS	$	1,752,725,000	$	907,041,000
Non-Agency RMBS		721,638,000		776,459,104
ABS		26,248,000		15,283,000
CMBS		158,739,000		154,386,000
Residential Mortgage Loans		13,405,824		25,544,702
Commercial Mortgage Loans		21,796,000		21,796,000
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	1,900,509,806

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of  Recognized  Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  Posted		Cash Collateral  Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	2,694,551,824	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	-

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of  Recognized  Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance  Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  Posted		Cash Collateral  Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	1,900,509,806	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	-

The Company seeks to obtain financing from several different counterparties in order to reduce the financing risk related to any single counterparty. The Company has entered into master repurchase agreements (“MRAs”) or loan agreements with such financing counterparties. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company had 39 and 37 financing counterparties, respectively, under which it had outstanding debt with 28 and 23 counterparties, respectively.

The following table presents information at September 30, 2017 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average  Maturity (days)		Percentage of  Stockholders’ Equity
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation	$	40,066,058		22		6	%
Barclays Capital Inc		37,669,214		11		5	%

The following table presents information at December 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average  Maturity (days)		Percentage of  Stockholders’ Equity
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	$	50,917,158		357		8	%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC		34,885,263		160		5	%

On April 13, 2015, the Company, AG MIT, LLC (“AG MIT”) and AG MIT CMO, LLC (“AG MIT CMO”), each a subsidiary of the Company, entered into Amendment Number 2 to the Master Repurchase and Securities Contract (the “Second Renewal”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”). The Company elected not to renew the Second Renewal as of September 30, 2017, and the securities that were financed under this facility have since been financed with different counterparties. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $93.4 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

On February 23, 2017, AG MIT WFB1 2014 LLC (“AG MIT WFB1”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into Amendment Number Five of the Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (as amended, the “WFB1 Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance the ownership and acquisition of certain beneficial interests in trusts owning participation interests in one or more pools of residential mortgage loans. Each transaction under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement has its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement provides for a funding period ending February 23, 2018 and a facility termination date of February 22, 2019. The maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement is $50.0 million. The WFB1 Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $13.4 million of debt outstanding under the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $25.5 million of debt outstanding under Amendment Number Four of the WFB1 Repurchase Agreement.

On September 17, 2014, AG MIT CREL, LLC (“AG MIT CREL”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and Securities Contract (the “CREL Repurchase Agreement”) with Wells Fargo to finance AG MIT CREL’s acquisition of certain beneficial interests in one or more commercial mortgage loans. Each transaction under the CREL Repurchase Agreement will have its own specific terms, such as identification of the assets subject to the transaction, sale price, repurchase price and rate. The CREL Repurchase Agreement provided for a funding period ending September 17, 2016 and an initial facility termination date of September 17, 2016 (the “Initial Termination Date”), subject to the satisfaction of certain terms of the extensions described below. AG MIT CREL had three (3) one-year options to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement: (i) the first for an additional one year period (the “First Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2017 (the “First Extended Termination Date”), (ii) the second for an additional one year period (the “Second Extension Period”) ending September 17, 2018 (the “Second Extended Termination Date”) and (iii) the third for an additional one year period ending September 17, 2019 (the “Third Extended Termination Date”). For each of the Initial Termination Date, the First Extended Termination Date, the Second Extended Termination Date and the Third Extended Termination Date, if such day is not a Business Day, such date would be the next succeeding Business Day. Each option was exercisable in each case no more than ninety (90) days and no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the initial facility termination date, the First Extended Termination Date or the Second Extended Termination Date, as the case may be.

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “First Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The First Amendment amended certain terms in the CREL Repurchase Agreement, the Guarantee, dated as of September 17, 2014, delivered by the Company and AG MIT to Wells Fargo and the Fee and Pricing Letter, dated as of September 17, 2014, between AG MIT CREL and Wells Fargo. The First Amendment lowered the maximum aggregate borrowing capacity available under the CREL Repurchase Agreement from $150 million to approximately $42.8 million. The First Amendment also provided that the CREL Repurchase Agreement become full recourse to the Company and AG MIT, LLC. By amending the recourse of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the Company and AG MIT, the Company was able to remove certain financial covenants on AG MIT CREL that limited the amount that AG MIT CREL could borrow under the CREL Repurchase Agreement. The First Amendment also eliminated the fee for the portion of the repurchase facility that was unused. The CREL Repurchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnities that are customary for agreements of this type. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $21.8 million of debt outstanding under this facility.

 

In September 2016, the Company exercised its option to extend the term of the CREL Repurchase Agreement to the First Extended Termination Date. In June 2017, the Company, AG MIT CREL and AG MIT entered into an Omnibus Amendment No. 2 to Master Repurchase and Securities Contract, Guarantee Agreement and Fee and Pricing Letter (the “Second Amendment”) with Wells Fargo. The Second Amendment amended the CREL Repurchase Agreement to extend the facility termination date to July 1, 2019 and remove the second and third extension options.

The Company’s MRAs generally include customary representations, warranties, and covenants, but may also contain more restrictive supplemental terms and conditions. Although specific to each MRA, typical supplemental terms include requirements of minimum equity, leverage ratios, performance triggers or other financial ratios.

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Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivatives [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

7. Derivatives

The Company’s derivatives may include interest rate swaps (“swaps”), TBAs, and Eurodollar Futures and U.S. Treasury Futures, (collectively, “Futures”). Derivatives have not been designated as hedging instruments. The Company may also utilize other instruments to manage interest rate risk, including long and short positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

The Company exchanges cash “variation margin” with the counterparties to its derivative instruments at least on a daily basis based upon daily changes in fair value as measured by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”), the central clearinghouse through which those derivatives are cleared. In addition, the CME requires market participants to deposit and maintain an “initial margin” amount which is determined by the CME and is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the CME from the maximum estimated single-day price movement in that market participant’s contracts. 

Receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. Prior to the first quarter of 2017, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with centrally cleared derivative instruments was considered a pledge of collateral. For these prior periods, receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash variation margin posted in respect of derivative instruments are included in the “Restricted cash” line item in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected to offset any payables recognized for the obligation to return cash variation margin received from a derivative instrument counterparty against receivables recognized for the right to reclaim cash initial margin posted by the Company to that same counterparty.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2017, as a result of a CME amendment to their rule book which governs their central clearing activities, the daily exchange of variation margin associated with a centrally cleared derivative instrument is legally characterized as the daily settlement of the derivative instrument itself, as opposed to a pledge of collateral. Accordingly, beginning in 2017, the Company accounts for the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with its centrally cleared derivative instruments as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability, respectively. Beginning in 2017, the carrying amount of centrally cleared derivative instruments reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets approximates the unsettled fair value of such instruments; because variation margin is exchanged on a one-day lag, the unsettled fair value of such instruments represents the change in fair value that occurred on the last day of the reporting period. Non-exchange traded derivatives were not affected by these legal interpretations and continue to be reported at fair value including accrued interest.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative and other instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Derivatives and Other Instruments	Designation	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$	(587,383)	$	(1,847,219)
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		815,622		3,703,366
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		(1,537,167)		(423,825)
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		117,693		-
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		75,000		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		-		(636,211)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		19,531		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Non-Hedge	Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value (1)		-		(22,365,000)

(1) The Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2016 relates to securities borrowed to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The change in fair value of the borrowed securities is recorded in the “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives and other instruments, net” line item in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

The following table summarizes information related to derivatives and other instruments:

Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments held long/(short):	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Notional amount of Pay Fix/Receive Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements	$	1,862,000,000	$	644,000,000
Notional amount of TBAs		116,000,000		(25,000,000)
Notional amount of short positions on Eurodollar Futures (1)		(150,000,000)		-
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures (2)		(25,000,000)		(141,500,000)
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasuries		-		(24,000,000)

(1) Each Eurodollar Future contract embodies $1.0 million of notional value.

(2) Each U.S. Treasury Future contract embodies $100,000 of notional value.

The following table summarizes gains/(losses) related to derivatives and other instruments:

		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments gain/(loss):	Statement of Operations Location	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	$	2,954,860	$	9,700,438	$	6,213,709	$	(9,816,031)
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Net realized gain/(loss)		(1,813,293)		(5,205,405)		(9,896,031)		(10,938,839)
Long positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		2,997		-		2,997
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		74,624		146,044		74,624		(4,503)
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		323,059		242,006		323,059		242,006
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		126,468		-		106,094
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		-		(351,329)		-		(224,410)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(721,752)		(21,123)		658,059		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		(223,953)		292,930		(4,054,532)		307,986
TBAs (1)	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		53,913		(409,021)		(995,626)		32,225
TBAs (1)	Net realized gain/(loss)		1,671,836		420,547		3,002,891		445,586
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		(3,081,289)		-		4,498,750
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain/(loss)		-		1,412,695		-		1,836,523
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		415,782		(1,724,922)		215,391
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain		-		-		1,730,547		-

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $1.5 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.2 million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $2.6 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.6) million due to price changes. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.1 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.1) million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.2 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.3 million due to price changes.

 

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative and other instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets  (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance  Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets  (Liabilities) Presented in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  (Posted)/Received		Cash Collateral  (Posted)/Received		Net Amount
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	1,151,090	$	-	$	1,151,090	$	-	$	598,139	$	552,951
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		19,531		-		19,531		-		-		19,531
Eurodollar Futures - Short		75,000		-		75,000		-		-		75,000
TBAs		117,693		-		117,693		-		-		117,693
Total Derivative Assets	$	1,363,314	$	-	$	1,363,314	$	-	$	598,139	$	765,175
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(534,763)	$	-	$	(534,763)	$	-	$	(534,763)	$	-
TBAs		(1,537,167)		-		(1,537,167)		-		(1,537,167)		-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,071,930)	$	-	$	(2,071,930)	$	-	$	(2,071,930)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $1,363,314 less accrued interest of $(335,468) for a total of $1,027,846.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,071,930) less accrued interest of $(52,620) for a total of $(2,124,550).

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets  (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets  (Liabilities) Presented in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  (Posted)/Received		Cash Collateral  (Posted)/Received		Net Amount
Receivable Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements	$	22,680,000	$	-	$	22,680,000	$	22,365,000	$	-	$	315,000
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	879,575	$	3,679,559
Total Derivative Assets	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	879,575	$	3,679,559
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(1,705,865)	$	-	$	(1,705,865)	$	-	$	(1,705,865)	$	-
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		(636,211)		-		(636,211)		-		(636,211)		-
TBAs		(423,824)		-		(423,824)		(423,824)		-		-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,765,900)	$	-	$	(2,765,900)	$	(423,824)	$	(2,342,076)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $4,559,134 less accrued interest of $(855,768) for a total of $3,703,366.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,765,900) plus accrued interest of $(141,355) for a total of $(2,907,255).

The Company must post cash or securities as collateral on its derivative instruments when their fair value declines. This typically occurs when prevailing market rates change adversely, with the severity of the change also dependent on the term of the derivatives involved. The posting of collateral is generally bilateral, meaning that if the fair value of the Company’s derivatives increases, its counterparty will post collateral to it. On September 30, 2017, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $7.7 million and cash of $26.5 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties posted cash of $0.6 million to it as collateral for certain derivatives. On December 31, 2016, the Company pledged real estate securities with a fair value of $7.1 million and cash of $9.4 million as collateral against certain derivatives. The Company’s counterparties posted cash of $0.9 million to it as collateral for certain derivatives.

 

Interest rate swaps

To help mitigate exposure to increases in short-term interest rates, the Company uses currently-paying and may use forward-starting, one- or three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements. This arrangement hedges our exposure to higher short-term interest rates because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements largely offset additional interest accruing on the related borrowings due to the higher interest rate, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as the Company’s effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2017:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average  Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average  Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average  Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		1.31	%		0.09
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		1.31	%		2.13
2020		620,000,000		1.64	%		1.31	%		2.63
2022		606,000,000		1.87	%		1.32	%		4.78
2024		205,000,000		2.03	%		1.31	%		6.71
2026		75,000,000		2.12	%		1.31	%		9.14
2027		150,000,000		2.26	%		1.32	%		9.63
Total/Wtd Avg	$	1,862,000,000		1.79	%		1.32	%		4.51

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2016:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average  Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average  Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average  Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		0.89	%		0.84
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		0.91	%		2.88
2020		115,000,000		1.59	%		0.90	%		3.20
2021		60,000,000		1.86	%		0.96	%		4.94
2022		53,000,000		1.69	%		0.94	%		5.69
2023		85,000,000		2.30	%		0.94	%		6.43
2025		30,000,000		2.48	%		0.94	%		8.43
2026		95,000,000		2.17	%		0.92	%		9.90
Total/Wtd Avg	$	644,000,000		1.74	%		0.92	%		5.01

TBAs

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has entered into TBAs. The following table presents information about the Company’s TBAs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016: 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	300,000,000	$	738,000,000	$	(922,000,000)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167)
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	100,000,000	$	102,000,000	$	(202,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	168,000,000	$	(168,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375)	$	312,500	$	(421,875)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	50,000,000	$	1,914,000,000	$	(1,848,000,000)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167)
TBAs - Short	$	(75,000,000)	$	75,000,000	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	75,000,000	$	379,000,000	$	(454,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	393,000,000	$	(393,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375)	$	312,500	$	(421,875)

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Earnings per share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

8. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted- average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period that participate in the Company’s common dividends. Diluted EPS takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding.

As of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company’s outstanding warrants and unvested restricted stock units were as follows:

	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Outstanding warrants		1,007,500		1,007,500
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager		60,000		20,003

Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase half a share of the Company’s common stock at a fixed price upon exercise of the warrant. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company excluded the effects of such from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Restricted stock units granted to the manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. The dilutive effects of the restricted stock units are only included in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.  

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	32,644,083	$	42,764,611	$	84,198,168	$	54,662,617
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		27,841,452		27,802,124		27,756,357		28,036,809
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		15,313		2,030		13,942		-
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		27,856,765		27,804,154		27,770,299		28,036,809
Basic Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95

The following tables detail our common stock dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2017	3/21/2017	4/28/2017	$	0.475
6/8/2017	6/19/2017	7/31/2017		0.475
9/11/2017	9/29/2017	10/31/2017		0.575	*

*The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

2016
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2016	3/21/2016	4/29/2016	$	0.475
6/9/2016	6/20/2016	7/29/2016		0.475
9/12/2016	9/23/2016	10/31/2016		0.475

The following tables detail our preferred stock dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.50

2016
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.50

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Income taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

9. Income taxes

As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. Most states follow U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recorded excise tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company recorded excise tax expense of $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Excise tax represents a four percent tax on the required amount of the Company’s ordinary income and net capital gains not distributed during the year. The quarterly expense is calculated in accordance with applicable tax regulations.

The Company files tax returns in several U.S jurisdictions. There are no ongoing U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as TRSs and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly, and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

Cash distributions declared by the Company that do not exceed its current or accumulated earnings and profits will be considered ordinary income to stockholders for income tax purposes unless all or a portion of a distribution is designated by the Company as a capital gain dividend. Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be characterized as return of capital or capital gains.

Based on the Company’s analysis of any potential uncertain income tax positions, the Company concluded it did not have any uncertain tax positions that meet the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC 740 as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the last three tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In the event that the Company incurs income tax related interest and penalties, its policy is to classify them as a component of provision for income taxes.

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Related party transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

10. Related party transactions

The Company has entered into a management agreement with the Manager, which provided for an initial term and will be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period, subject to certain termination rights. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no event of termination had occurred. The Company is externally managed and advised by the Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, which became effective July 6, 2011 (upon the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”)), the Manager provides the Company with its management team, including its officers, along with appropriate support personnel. Each of the Company’s officers is an employee of Angelo, Gordon. The Company does not have any employees. The Manager, pursuant to a delegation agreement dated as of June 29, 2011, has delegated to Angelo, Gordon the overall responsibility of its day-to-day duties and obligations arising under the Company’s management agreement.

Management fee

The Manager is entitled to a management fee equal to 1.50% per annum, calculated and paid quarterly, of the Company’s Stockholders’ Equity. For purposes of calculating the management fee, “Stockholders’ Equity” means the sum of the net proceeds from any issuances of equity securities (including preferred securities) since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance, and excluding any future equity issuance to the Manager), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of such quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense or other non-cash items described below incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of its common stock, excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items that have impacted stockholders’ equity as reported in the Company’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, and excluding one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and certain other non-cash charges after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. Stockholders’ Equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the Company’s financial statements.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred management fees of approximately $2.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred management fees of approximately $2.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Termination fee

The termination fee, payable upon the occurrence of (i) the Company’s termination of the management agreement without cause or (ii) the Manager’s termination of the management agreement upon a breach of any material term of the management agreement, will be equal to three times the average annual management fee during the 24-month period prior to such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no event of termination of the management agreement had occurred.

Expense reimbursement

The Company is required to reimburse the Manager or its affiliates for operating expenses which are incurred by the Manager or its affiliates on behalf of the Company, including expenses relating to legal, accounting, due diligence and other services. The Company’s reimbursement obligation is not subject to any dollar limitation; however, the reimbursement is subject to an annual budget process which combines guidelines from the Management Agreement with oversight by the Company’s board of directors.

The Company reimburses the Manager or its affiliates for the Company’s allocable share of the compensation, including, without limitation, annual base salary, bonus, any related withholding taxes and employee benefits paid to (i) the Company’s chief financial officer based on the percentage of time spent on Company affairs, (ii) the Company’s general counsel based on the percentage of time spent on the Company’s affairs, and (iii) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal, risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment personnel of the Manager and its affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel to the Company’s affairs. In their capacities as officers or personnel of the Manager or its affiliates, they devote such portion of their time to the Company’s affairs as is necessary to enable the Company to operate its business.

Of the $2.6 million and $8.2 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, the Company has accrued $1.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses. Of the $2.9 million and $8.6 million of Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, the Company has accrued $1.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively, representing a reimbursement of expenses.

Restricted stock grants

Pursuant to the Company’s Manager Equity Incentive Plan and the Equity Incentive Plan adopted on July 6, 2011, the Company can award up to 277,500 shares of its common stock in the form of restricted stock, stock options, restricted stock units or other types of awards to the directors, officers, advisors, consultants and other personnel of the Company and to the Manager. As of September 30, 2017, 65,238 shares of common stock were available to be awarded under the equity incentive plans. Awards under the equity incentive plans are forfeitable until they become vested. An award will become vested only if the vesting conditions set forth in the applicable award agreement (as determined by the compensation committee) are satisfied. The vesting conditions may include performance of services for a specified period, achievement of performance goals, or a combination of both. The compensation committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of an award upon the occurrence of certain events in its discretion.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company has granted an aggregate of 52,012 shares of restricted common stock to its independent directors and 160,250 shares of restricted common stock to its Manager under its equity incentive plans. As of September 30, 2017, 52,012 and 100,250 shares of restricted common stock granted to the Company’s independent directors and Manager, respectively, have vested.

On July 1, 2014, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued if and when such units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units occurred on each of July 1, 2015, July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017.

On July 1, 2017, the Company granted 60,000 restricted stock units to the Manager that represent the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock if and when the units vest. Annual vesting of approximately 20,000 units will occur on each of July 1, 2018, July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020. The units do not entitle the participant the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The vesting of such units is subject to the continuation of the management agreement. If the management agreement terminates, all unvested units then held by the Manager or the Manager’s transferee shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited without consideration.

Director compensation

The Company pays a $120,000 annual base director’s fee to each independent director. Base director’s fees are paid 50% in cash and 50% in restricted common stock. The number of shares of restricted common stock to be issued each quarter to each independent director is determined based on the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of each fiscal quarter. To the extent that any fractional shares would otherwise be issuable and payable to each independent director, a cash payment is made to each independent director in lieu of any fractional shares. All directors’ fees are paid pro rata (and restricted stock grants determined) on a quarterly basis in arrears, and shares issued are fully vested and non-forfeitable. These shares may not be sold or transferred by such director during the time of his service as an independent member of the Company’s board.

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

The Company invests in credit sensitive residential and commercial real estate assets through affiliated entities which hold an ownership interest in the assets. The Company is one investor, amongst other investors managed by affiliates of Angelo, Gordon, in such entities and has applied the equity method of accounting for such investments. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s share of these investments had a fair market value of $79.8 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

The Company’s investment in AG Arc is reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on its consolidated balance sheets at a fair value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. On March 8, 2016, an affiliate of the Manager (“the Affiliate”) became a member of AG Arc. The Affiliate acquired an ownership interest in AG Arc which resulted in the Company’s ownership interest being reduced on a pro-rata basis.

In June 2016, Arc Home closed on the acquisition of a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veteran’s Administration (“VA”) and Ginnie Mae seller/servicer of mortgages with licenses to conduct business in 47 states, including Washington D.C. Through this subsidiary, Arc Home originates conforming, Government, Jumbo and other non-conforming residential mortgage loans, retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the loans it originates, and purchases additional mortgage servicing rights from third-party sellers. Arc Home is led by an external management team.

Arc Home may sell loans to the Company, to third parties, or to affiliates of the Manager. Arc Home may also enter into agreements with third parties or affiliates of the Manager to sell rights to receive the excess servicing spread related to MSRs that it either purchases from third parties or originates. In March of 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Arc Home to purchase rights to receive the excess servicing spread related to certain of its MSRs and as of September 30, 2017, these Excess MSRs had fair value of approximately $2.6 million.

In August 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon entered into MATH’s Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “MATH LLC Agreement”), which requires that MATH fund a capital commitment of $75.0 million to MATT. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of its commitment to MATH.

Transactions with affiliates

In May 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length securitization with other investors managed by an affiliate of the Manager (the “Related Parties”) by combining the assets of a prior private securitization, in which the Company held a 10.0% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of $3.1 million as of the date of the securitization. The Company completed another similar arm’s-length securitization in July 2015 with the Related Parties by combining the assets of a private securitization, in which the Company held a 7.5% ownership interest, with the assets of another private securitization held entirely by the Related Parties. The Company’s investment in this securitization is reflected on the “Non-Agency” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and had a fair value of a fair value of $5.1 million as of the date of the securitization. The remaining interests in each securitization were owned by certain of the Related Parties. Each securitization was backed by collateral consisting of seasoned NPLs and RPLs. The Company obtained third party pricing for each transaction.

In July 2015, the Company completed an arm’s-length purchase at fair value. Certain entities managed by an affiliate of the Company’s Manager (“Related Entities”) had previously formed a joint venture (“Joint Venture”) with an unaffiliated third party. The Joint Venture owns certain multi-family properties for which the mortgages partly collateralize a securitization wherein the Company purchased certain bond tranches. To ensure an arm’s-length transaction, an affiliate of  the Manager delegated its decision making rights with respect to the securitization to a third party servicer. In addition, the members of the Joint Venture agreed to cease sharing material non-public information with the Company’s investment team regarding the collateral. The investment by the Company in these bond tranches was reflected on the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item on the consolidated balance sheets with a fair value of $7.1 million as of the date of the purchase.

In connection with the Company’s investments in residential mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans in securitized form that it purchases from an affiliate (or affiliates) of the Manager (“Securitized Whole Loans”), the Company may engage asset managers to provide advisory, consultation, asset management and other services to formulate and implement strategic plans to manage, collect and dispose of loans in a manner that is reasonably expected to maximize the amount of proceeds from each loan. Beginning in November 2015, the Company engaged Red Creek Asset Management LLC (“Asset Manager”), a related party of the Manager and direct subsidiary of Angelo, Gordon, as the asset manager for certain of its residential loans and Securitized Whole Loans. The Asset Manager acknowledges that the Company will at all times have and retain ownership and control of all loans and that the Asset Manager will not acquire (i) title to any loan, (ii) any security interest in any loan, or (iii) any other rights or interests of any kind or any nature whatsoever in or to any loan. The Company pays separate arm’s-length asset management fees as assessed and confirmed by a third party valuation firm for (i) non-performing loans and (ii) reperforming loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the fees paid by the Company to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $41,732 and $137,022, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the fees paid by the Company to the Asset Manager, inclusive of fees paid through affiliated entities, totaled $67,189 and $202,715, respectively.

In connection with the Company’s investments in Excess MSRs purchased through Arc Home, the Company pays a sourcing fee to Arc Home based on the net equity invested by the Company in these investments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the sourcing fees paid by the Company to Arc Home totaled $2,921 and $6,364, respectively. No sourcing fees were paid by the Company to Arc Home for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016.

In June 2016, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company executed two trades whereby the Company acquired real estate securities from two separate affiliates of the Manager (the “June Selling Affiliates”). As of the date of the trades, the securities acquired from the June Selling Affiliates had a total fair value of $6.9 million. In each case, the June Selling Affiliates sold the real estate securities through a BWIC (Bids Wanted in Competition). Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the June Selling Affiliates, the Company submitted its bid for the real estate securities to the June Selling Affiliates. The Company’s pre-submission of its bid allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

In February 2017, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company executed one trade whereby the Company acquired a real estate security from a separate affiliate of the Manager (the “February Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the security acquired from the February Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $2.0 million. The February Selling Affiliate sold the real estate security through a BWIC. Prior to the submission of the BWIC by the February Selling Affiliate, the Company submitted its bid for the real estate security to the February Selling Affiliate. The Company’s pre-submission of its bid allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

In July 2017, in accordance with the Company’s Affiliated Transactions Policy, the Company acquired certain real estate securities from an affiliate of the Manager (the “July Selling Affiliate”). As of the date of the trade, the securities acquired from the July Selling Affiliate had a total fair value of $0.2 million. As procuring market bids for the real estate securities was determined to be impracticable in the Manager’s reasonable judgement, appropriate pricing was based on a valuation prepared by an independent third-party pricing vendor. The third-party pricing vendor allowed the Company to confirm third-party market pricing and best execution.

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Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

11. Equity

On May 6, 2015, the Company filed a shelf registration statement, registering up to $750.0 million of its securities, including capital stock. On September 30, 2017, $650.0 million of the Company’s securities, including capital stock, was available for issuance under the registration statement.

Concurrently with the IPO, the Company offered a private placement of 3,205,000 units at $20.00 per share to a limited number of investors qualifying as “accredited investors” under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each unit consisted of one share of common stock (“private placement share”) and a warrant (“private placement warrant”) to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock. Each private placement warrant had an exercise price of $20.50 per share (as adjusted for reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales, transfers or other dispositions) and is set to expire on July 6, 2018. No warrants were exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

 

The Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no stated maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Under certain circumstances upon a change of control, the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are convertible to shares of the Company’s common stock. Holders of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except under limited conditions, and holders are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.25% and 8.00% per annum on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference before holders of the common stock are entitled to receive any dividends. Shares of the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock are currently redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at the Company’s option. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on the 17th day of each March, June, September and December. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had declared all required quarterly dividends on the Company’s Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.

On November 3, 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding common stock. Such authorization does not have an expiration date. As part of the Repurchase Program, shares may be purchased in open market transactions, including through block purchases, through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. Open market repurchases will be made in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10b-18, which sets certain restrictions on the method, timing, price and volume of open market stock repurchases. Subject to applicable securities laws, the timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be determined by the Company in its discretion, using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be cancelled and, until reissued by the Company, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of its common stock as required by Maryland law. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice and the authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock. The cost of the acquisition by the Company of shares of its own stock in excess of the aggregate par value of the shares first reduces additional paid-in capital, to the extent available, with any residual cost applied against retained earnings. No shares were repurchased under the Repurchase Program during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and approximately $14.6 million of common stock remained authorized for future share repurchases under the Repurchase Program.

The following table presents a summary of our common stock repurchases under the Repurchase Program for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Month Purchased (1)	Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Weighted Average  Price per Share Paid (2)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program		Maximum Number (or approximate dollar value) of  Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (3)
March 2016		119,606	$	12.86		246,321	$	21,790,786
May 2016		276,522		13.75		522,843		17,988,891
June 2016		36,725		14.38		559,568		17,460,743
August 2016		165,842		15.74		725,410		14,850,605
September 2016		16,000		15.76		741,410		14,598,493
Total		614,695	$	14.20		741,410	$	14,598,493

(1) Based on trade date. The Program was announced on November 4, 2015. The Program does not have an expiration date.

(2) Includes brokerage commissions and clearing fees.

(3) The maximum dollar amount authorized was $25.0 million.

On May 5, 2017, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement with each of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and JMP Securities LLC (collectively, the “Sales Agents”), which the Company refers to as the “Equity Distribution Agreements”, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $100.0 million aggregate offering price of shares of its common stock from time to time through the Sales Agents, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. As of September 30, 2017, the Company sold 460,932 shares of common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreements for net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million.

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

12. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

On December 9, 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc, entered into Arc Home’s LLC Agreement and agreed to fund an initial capital commitment of $30.0 million. On April 25, 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, agreed to fund an additional capital commitment to Arc Home in the amount of $10.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s share of Arc Home’s total capital commitment was $17.8 million. The Company had funded all of its capital commitment to Arc Home as of September 30, 2017.

On August 29, 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon entered into the MATH LLC Agreement, which requires that MATH fund a capital commitment of $75.0 million to MATT. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT is $33.4 million. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of this commitment.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements where payment may become due if certain events occur. Management believes that the probability of making such payments is remote.

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Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is comprised of cash on deposit with financial institutions. The Company classifies highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase as cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company held no cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions to minimize credit risk exposure. Cash pledged to the Company as collateral is unrestricted in use and, accordingly, is included as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents” on the consolidated balance sheets. Any cash held by the Company as collateral is included in the “Due to broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows. Any cash due to the Company in the form of principal payments is included in the “Due from broker” line item on the consolidated balance sheets and in cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Restricted cash

Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral for clearing and executing trades, derivatives and repurchase agreements and is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Restricted cash may be returned to the Company when the related collateral requirements are exceeded or at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement. Restricted cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Restricted cash does not include variation margin on centrally cleared derivatives. See Note 7 for more detail.

Offering and Organization Costs [Policy Text Block]

Offering costs

The Company incurred offering costs in connection with common stock offerings. The offering costs were paid out of the proceeds of the respective offerings. Offering costs in connection with common stock offerings have been accounted for as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings/(Loss) per share

In accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings per Share,” the Company calculates basic income/(loss) per share by dividing net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for the period by weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted income per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units but uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of incremental shares that are to be added to the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. In periods in which the Company records a loss, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation, as their effect on loss per share is anti-dilutive.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Valuation of financial instruments

The fair value of the financial instruments that the Company records at fair value will be determined by the Manager, subject to oversight of the Company’s board of directors, and in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” When possible, the Company determines fair value using independent data sources. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable.

The three levels of the hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below: 

· Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

· Level 2 – Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others.

· Level 3 – Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable (for example, when there is little or no market activity for an investment at the end of the period), unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

Transfers between levels are assumed to occur at the beginning of the reporting period.

Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for real estate securities

Investments in real estate securities are recorded in accordance with ASC 320-10, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, or ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” for its real estate securities portfolio. Real estate securities are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and the periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.” Real estate securities acquired through securitizations are shown in the line item “Purchase of real estate securities” on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

These investments meet the requirements to be classified as available for sale under ASC 320-10-25 which requires the securities to be carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded to other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Electing the fair value option allows the Company to record changes in fair value in the consolidated statement of operations, which, in management’s view, more appropriately reflects the results of operations for a particular reporting period as all securities activities will be recorded in a similar manner.

When the Company purchases securities with evidence of credit deterioration since origination, it will analyze to determine if the guidance found in ASC 310-30 is applicable.

The Company accounts for its securities under ASC 310 and ASC 325 and evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When the fair value of a real estate security is less than its amortized cost at the balance sheet date, the security is considered impaired, and the impairment is designated as either “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”

When a real estate security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if (i) the Company intends to sell the security (i.e., a decision has been made as of the reporting date) or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the real estate security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. Additionally for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 an OTTI is deemed to have occurred when there is an adverse change in the expected cash flows to be received and the fair value of the security is less than its carrying amount. In determining whether an adverse change in cash flows occurred, the present value of the remaining cash flows, as estimated at the initial transaction date (or the last date previously revised), is compared to the present value of the expected cash flows at the current reporting date. The estimated cash flows reflect those a “market participant” would use and include observations of current information and events, and assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds and the timing and amount of potential credit losses. Cash flows are discounted at a rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. Any resulting OTTI adjustments are reflected in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

The determination as to whether an OTTI exists is subjective, given that such determination is based on information available at the time of assessment as well as the Company’s estimate of the future performance and cash flow projections for the individual security. As a result, the timing and amount of an OTTI constitutes an accounting estimate that may change materially over time.

Increases in interest income may be recognized on a security on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such security subsequently improves.

Any remaining unrealized losses on securities at September 30, 2017 do not represent other than temporary impairment as the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or above the amortized cost of the investment, and the Company is not required to sell the security for regulatory or other reasons. In addition, any unrealized losses on the Company’s Agency RMBS accounted for under ASC 320 are not due to credit losses given their explicit guarantee of principal and interest by the GSEs, but rather are due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. See Note 3 for a summary of OTTI charges recorded.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Sales of securities

Sales of securities are driven by the Manager’s portfolio management process. The Manager seeks to mitigate risks including those associated with prepayments, defaults, severities, amongst others and will opportunistically rotate the portfolio into securities with more favorable attributes. Strategies may also be employed to manage net capital gains, which need to be distributed for tax purposes.

Realized gains or losses on sales of securities, loans and derivatives are included in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item on the consolidated statement of operations. The cost of positions sold is calculated using a first in, first out, or FIFO, basis. Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings at the time of disposition.

Accounting For Loans [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for mortgage loans

Investments in mortgage loans are recorded in accordance with ASC 310-10. At purchase, the Company aggregates its mortgage loans into pools based on common risk characteristics. Once a pool of loans is assembled, its composition is maintained. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its mortgage loan portfolio. Loans are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value will be recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net.”

The Company amortizes or accretes any premium or discount over the life of the related loan utilizing the effective interest method. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each loan, if circumstances warrant, to determine whether they are impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated and recorded accordingly. Income recognition is suspended for loans at the earlier of the date at which payments become 90-days past due or when, in the opinion of management, a full recovery of income and principal becomes doubtful. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is in doubt, all payments are applied to principal under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt, contractual interest is recorded as interest income when received, under the cash basis method until an accrual is resumed when the loan becomes contractually current and performance is demonstrated to be resumed. A loan is written off when it is no longer realizable and/or legally discharged.

When the Company purchases mortgage loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it determines that it is probable it will not collect all contractual cash flows on those loans, it will apply the guidance found in ASC 310-30. Mortgage loans that are delinquent 60 or more days are considered non-performing.

The Company updates its estimate of the cash flows expected to be collected on at least a quarterly basis for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies including both the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts, and assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations. If based on the most current information and events it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will recognize these changes prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from the nonaccretable difference. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate in conformity with ASC 250, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected from previously projected cash flows, which includes all cash flows originally expected to be collected by the investor plus any additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after acquisition, are recognized as impairment. Increases in interest income may be recognized on a loan on which the Company previously recorded an OTTI charge if the performance of such loan subsequently improves.

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates Schedule Of Investments [Policy Text Block]

Investments in debt and equity of affiliates

The Company’s unconsolidated ownership interests in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method. A majority of the Company’s investments held through affiliated entities are comprised of real estate securities and loans. These underlying entities have chosen to make a fair value election on their financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825; as such, the Company will treat these investments consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, these investments had a fair market value of $79.8 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

In December 2015, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, through AG Arc LLC, one of the Company’s indirect subsidiaries (“AG Arc”), formed Arc Home LLC (“Arc Home”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election with respect to its investment in AG Arc pursuant to ASC 825. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest in AG Arc had a fair market value of $17.8 million and $12.9 million, respectively. See Note 10 for additional detail.

In August 2017, the Company, alongside private funds under the management of Angelo, Gordon, formed Mortgage Acquisition Holding I LLC (“MATH”) to conduct a residential mortgage investment strategy. MATH in turn sponsored the formation of an entity called Mortgage Acquisition Trust I LLC (“MATT”), which is expected to make an election to be treated as a Real Estate Investment Trust beginning with the 2018 tax year. MATT intends to purchase residential mortgage loans that are not eligible for delivery to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. In furtherance of this business, MATH’s sponsoring funds, which include the Company, have agreed to provide up to $75.0 million of capital to MATH for use in this mortgage investment business. The Company’s share of MATH’s total capital commitment to MATT  is $33.4 million. The Company will invest in MATT through MATH, and these indirect subsidiaries have chosen to make a fair value election on their respective financial instruments pursuant to ASC 825. As such, the Company will treat this investment consistently with this election. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not funded any of its commitment to MATH.

The Company’s investments in debt and equity of affiliates are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets in the “Investments in debt and equity of affiliates” line item and periodic changes in fair market value are recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates.” Capital contributions, distributions and profits and losses of such entities are allocated in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements.

Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights, Basis Of Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]

Excess mortgage servicing rights

The Company has acquired the right to receive the excess servicing spread related to excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”). The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for Excess MSRs. Excess MSRs are recorded at fair market value on the consolidated balance sheets and any periodic change in fair market value is recorded in current period earnings on the consolidated statement of operations as a component of “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investment consolidation and transfers of financial assets

For each investment made, the Company evaluates the underlying entity that issued the securities acquired or to which the Company makes a loan to determine the appropriate accounting. A similar analysis will be performed for each entity with which the Company enters into an agreement for management, servicing or related services. In performing the analysis, the Company refers to guidance in ASC 810-10, “Consolidation.” In situations where the Company is the transferor of financial assets, the Company refers to the guidance in ASC 860-10 “Transfers and Servicing.”

In variable interest entities (“VIEs”), an entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810-10 if the equity investors either do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity’s activities or are not exposed to the entity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns. VIEs within the scope of ASC 810-10 are required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and 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. This determination can sometimes involve complex and subjective analyses. Further, ASC 810-10 also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. In accordance with ASC 810-10, all transferees, including variable interest entities, must be evaluated for consolidation. See Note 3 for more detail.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The company adopted ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 using the modified retrospective approach, which did not require the restatement of prior periods to conform to the post-adoption presentation. The Company concluded the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company has entered into resecuritization transactions which result in the Company consolidating the VIEs that were created to facilitate the transactions and to which the underlying assets in connection with the resecuritization were transferred. In determining the accounting treatment to be applied to these resecuritization transactions, the Company evaluated whether the entities used to facilitate these transactions were VIEs and, if so, whether they should be consolidated. Based on its evaluation, the Company concluded that the VIEs should be consolidated. If the Company had determined that consolidation was not required, it would have then assessed whether the transfer of the underlying assets would qualify as a sale or should be accounted for as secured financings under GAAP.

The Company may periodically enter into transactions in which it transfers assets to a third party. Upon a transfer of financial assets, the Company will sometimes retain or acquire senior or subordinated interests in the related assets. Pursuant to ASC 860-10, a determination must be made as to whether a transferor has surrendered control over transferred financial assets. That determination must consider the transferor’s continuing involvement in the transferred financial asset, including all arrangements or agreements made contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of, the transfer, even if they were not entered into at the time of the transfer. The financial components approach under ASC 860-10 limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. It defines the term “participating interest” to establish specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale.

Under ASC 860-10, after a transfer of financial assets that meets the criteria for treatment as a sale—legal isolation, ability of transferee to pledge or exchange the transferred assets without constraint and transferred control—an entity recognizes the financial and servicing assets it acquired or retained and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognizes financial assets it has sold and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. The transferor would then determine the gain or loss on sale of financial assets by allocating the carrying value of the underlying mortgage between securities or loans sold and the interests retained based on their fair values. The gain or loss on sale is the difference between the cash proceeds from the sale and the amount allocated to the securities or loans sold. When a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for sale accounting, ASC 860-10 requires the transfer to be accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.

On February 12, 2016, the Company originated a $12.0 million commercial loan and at closing, transferred a 15% or $1.8 million interest in the loan to an unaffiliated third party. The Company, as transferor, evaluated the transfer under ASC 860-10, and concluded the transferred participation interest should be accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Company has recorded the $12.0 million commercial loan on its consolidated balance sheets as an asset in the “Commercial loans, at fair value” line item. The Company has recorded a $1.8 million liability in the “Loan participation payable, at fair value” line item representing the transfer of the participation interest. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election on the consolidated interest pursuant to ASC 825. The holder of the participation interest has no recourse to the general credit of the Company. The commercial loan was paid off in full in February 2017. The principal and interest due on the loan participation was paid from these proceeds. See Note 4 for more detail.

 

From time to time, the Company may securitize mortgage loans it holds if such financing is available. These transactions will be recorded in accordance with ASC 860-10 and will be accounted for as either a “sale” and the loans will be removed from the consolidated balance sheets or as a “financing” and will be classified as “real estate securities” on the consolidated balance sheets, depending upon the structure of the securitization transaction. ASC 860-10 is a standard that may require the Company to exercise significant judgment in determining whether a transaction should be recorded as a “sale” or a “financing.”

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Interest income recognition

Interest income on the Company’s real estate securities portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all securities accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). As such, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities in accordance with ASC 310-20, “Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs,” ASC 320-10 or ASC 325-40 as applicable. Total interest income is recorded in the “Interest income” line item on the consolidated statement of operations.

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS, exclusive of interest-only securities), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes premiums on its securities. If actual and anticipated cash flows differ from previous estimates, the Company recognizes a “catch-up” adjustment in the current period to the amortization of premiums for the impact of the cumulative change in the effective yield through the reporting date.

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 (generally Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and interest-only securities). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that will be subject to uncertainties and contingencies. These include the rate and timing of principal and interest receipts (including assumptions of prepayments, repurchases, defaults and liquidations), the pass-through or coupon rate and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, interest payment shortfalls due to delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans have to be estimated. Differences between previously estimated cash flows and current actual and anticipated cash flows are recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the yield over the remaining life of the security based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.

Interest income on the Company’s loan portfolio is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such loans. The Company has elected to record interest in accordance with ASC 835-30-35-2 using the effective interest method for all loans accounted for under the fair value option (ASC 825). Any amortization will be reflected as an adjustment to interest income in the consolidated statement of operations.

For security and loan investments purchased with evidence of deterioration of credit quality for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable, the Company will apply the provisions of ASC 310-30. For purposes of income recognition, the Company aggregates loans that have common risk characteristics into pools and uses a composite interest rate and expectation of cash flows expected to be collected for the pool. ASC 310-30 addresses accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities (loans) acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the investor’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at acquisition to be collected) over the investor’s initial investment in the loan. ASC 310-30 requires that the excess of contractual cash flows over cash flows expected to be collected (nonaccretable difference) not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual or valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally should be recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the loan’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected should be recognized as impairment.

The Company’s accrual of interest, discount accretion and premium amortization for U.S. federal and other tax purposes differs from the financial accounting treatment of these items as described above.

Repurchase Agreements, Valuation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances

The Company finances the acquisition of certain assets within its portfolio through the use of repurchase agreements. Prior to March 31, 2016, the Company also financed its Agency RMBS portfolio with advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLBC Advances”) (see the following paragraph regarding the current status of the FHLBC Advances). Repurchase agreements are, and while the Company had them, FHLBC Advances were treated as collateralized financing transactions and carried at primarily their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements. The carrying amount of the Company’s repurchase agreements and FHLBC Advances approximates fair value.

In July 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, MITT Insurance Company LLC (“MITT Insurance”), was granted membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, specifically in the FHLB of Cincinnati (“FHLBC”). However, in January 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the FHFA, issued RIN 2590-AA39, Members of Federal Home Loan Banks (“the Final Rule”), which expressly excludes captive insurance companies, such as MITT Insurance (“Excluded Captives”), from being eligible for membership in the FHLBC. The Final Rule prevents the FHLBC from making any new advances or extending any existing advances to Excluded Captives, subject to a defined grace period. Upon the termination of membership, the FHLB must liquidate all outstanding advances to Excluded Captives and settle all other business transactions in accordance with the Final Rule. In addition, all FHLB stock held by the terminated Excluded Captive will be repurchased or redeemed at the FHLB’s discretion. Therefore, MITT Insurance must completely wind down all business relationships with the FHLBC, including the repayment of all outstanding advances, prior to or simultaneously with the termination of MITT Insurance’s membership with the FHLBC. As a result of the Final Rule, MITT Insurance exited all FHLBC Advances and as of September 30, 2017, the Company had no outstanding advances with the FHLBC. See the “Other investments” section below for a discussion on FHLBC stock.

The Company pledges certain securities or loans as collateral under repurchase agreements with financial institutions, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The amounts available to be borrowed are dependent upon the fair value of the securities or loans pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In response to declines in fair value of pledged assets, lenders may require the Company to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has met all margin call requirements. 

Other Investments [Policy Text Block]

Other investments

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company owned FHLBC stock totaling $2,000. The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its stock investment in FHLBC which is recorded in the “Other assets” line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. When evaluating FHLBC stock for impairment, the Company considers the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than recognizing temporary declines in value. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had not recognized an impairment charge related to its FHLBC stock. The Company is entitled to a quarterly dividend on the weighted average shares of stock it holds during the period and records the dividend in “Interest income” on its consolidated statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of dividend income on its FHLBC stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded dividend income on its FHLBC stock of approximately $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for derivative financial instruments

The Company enters into derivative contracts as a means of mitigating interest rate risk rather than to enhance returns. The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging.” ASC 815-10 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, if or when hedge accounting is elected, the fair value adjustments will affect either other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any interest rate derivatives designated as hedges. All derivatives have been recorded at fair value in accordance with ASC 820-10, with corresponding changes in value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company records derivative asset and liability positions on a gross basis with respect to its counterparties. The Company records the daily receipt or payment of variation margin associated with the Company’s centrally cleared derivative instruments on a net basis. Refer to Note 7 for a discussion of this accounting treatment. During the period in which the Company unwinds a derivative, it records a realized gain/(loss) in the “Net realized gain/(loss)” line item in the consolidated statement of operations.

To Be Announced Securities [Policy Text Block]

To-be-announced securities

A to-be-announced security (“TBA”) is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS delivered into or received from the contract upon the settlement date, published each month by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, are not known at the time of the transaction. The Company may also choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting short or long position (referred to as a pair off), net settling the paired off positions for cash, simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date. This transaction is commonly referred to as a dollar roll. The Agency RMBS purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference, or discount, is referred to as the price drop. The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as dollar roll income/(loss). Consequently, forward purchases of Agency RMBS and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. Dollar roll income is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

The Company presents the purchase or sale of TBAs net of the corresponding payable or receivable, respectively, until the settlement date of the transaction. Contracts for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS are accounted for as derivatives if they do not qualify for the “regular way” security trade scope exception found in ASC 815-10. To be eligible for this scope exception, the contract must meet the following conditions: (1) there is no other way to purchase or sell that security, (2) delivery of that security and settlement will occur within the shortest period possible for that type of security, and (3) it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the individual contract that the contract will not settle net and will result in physical delivery of a security when it is issued. Unrealized gains and losses associated with TBA contracts not meeting the regular-way exception and not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the line item “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net.”

Us Treasury Securities [Policy Text Block]

U.S. Treasury securities

The Company may purchase long or sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may finance its purchase of U.S. Treasury securities with overnight repurchase agreements. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through overnight reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Interest income and expense associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Interest income” and “Interest expense”, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had no positions in U.S. Treasury securities.

Short Positions in U.S Treasury Securities Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Policy Text Block]

Short positions in U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase agreements

The Company may sell short U.S. Treasury securities to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates. The Company may borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities under reverse repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as borrowing transactions, and the Company recognizes an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on its consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. The Company establishes haircuts to ensure the market value of the underlying assets remain sufficient to protect the Company in the event of a default by a counterparty. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are recognized in “Net realized gain/(loss)” and “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net,” respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

Manager Remuneration [Policy Text Block]

Manager compensation

The management agreement provides for payment to the Manager of a management fee. The management fee is accrued and expensed during the period for which it is calculated and earned. For a more detailed discussion on the fees payable under the management agreement, see Note 10.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income taxes

The Company conducts its operations to qualify and be taxed as a REIT. Accordingly, the Company will generally not be subject to federal or state corporate income tax to the extent that the Company makes qualifying distributions to its stockholders, and provided that it satisfies on a continuing basis, through actual investment and operating results, the REIT requirements including certain asset, income, distribution and stock ownership tests. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT, and does not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and may be precluded from qualifying as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT.

The dividends paid deduction of a REIT for qualifying dividends to its stockholders is computed using the Company’s taxable income/(loss) as opposed to net income/(loss) reported on the Company’s GAAP financial statements. Taxable income/(loss), generally, will differ from net income/(loss) reported on the financial statements because the determination of taxable income/(loss) is based on tax principles and not financial accounting principles.

The Company elected to treat certain domestic subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) and may elect to treat other subsidiaries as TRSs. In general, a TRS may hold assets and engage in activities that the Company cannot hold or engage in directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business.

A domestic TRS may declare dividends to the Company which will be included in the Company’s taxable income/(loss) and necessitate a distribution to stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at the domestic TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity. A domestic TRS is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes.

The Company elected to treat one of its foreign subsidiaries as a TRS and, accordingly, taxable income generated by this foreign TRS may not be subject to local income taxation, but generally will be included in the Company’s income on a current basis as Subpart F income, whether or not distributed.

The Company’s financial results are generally not expected to reflect provisions for current or deferred income taxes, except for any activities conducted through one or more TRSs that are subject to corporate income taxation. The Company believes that it will operate in a manner that will allow it to qualify for taxation as a REIT. As a result of the Company’s expected REIT qualification, it does not generally expect to pay federal or state corporate income tax. Many of the REIT requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet the REIT requirements, it would be subject to federal income taxes and applicable state and local taxes.

As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.

The Company evaluates uncertain income tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes. See Note 9 for further details.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-based compensation

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” with regard to its equity incentive plans. ASC 718 covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted stock plans, performance-based awards, stock appreciation rights and employee stock purchase plans. ASC 718 requires that compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. Compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.

Compensation cost related to restricted common shares issued to the Company’s directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date, and is amortized and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Compensation cost related to restricted common shares and restricted stock units issued to the Manager is initially measured at estimated fair value at the grant date, and is remeasured on subsequent dates to the extent the awards are unvested. Restricted stock units granted to the Manager do not entitle the participant the rights of a shareholder of the Company’s common stock, such as dividend and voting rights, until shares are issued in settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock units are not considered to be participating shares. Restricted stock units are measured at fair value reduced by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at an assumed risk free rate. The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to amortize compensation expense for restricted stock units. 

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Additionally, this guidance requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has concluded the guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities, and address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The classification and measurement guidance of investments in debt securities and loans are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted for public business entities, except for a provision related to financial statements of fiscal years or interim periods that have not yet been issued, to recognize in other comprehensive income, the change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk measured using the fair value option. Entities should apply the amendments in this ASU by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 introduces a new model related to the accounting for credit losses on instruments, specifically, financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 amends the current guidance, requiring an OTTI charge only when fair value is below the amortized cost of an asset. The length of time the fair value of an available-for-sale debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists. As such, it is no longer an other-than-temporary model. In addition, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will now be limited to the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. The new debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses. The new guidance also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, and models. In addition, public entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination (i.e., by vintage year). ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its method of adoption and the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing existing diversity of how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented. These specific issues include debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions, among others. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard may reclassify certain items on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.  The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this standard will require the Company to reconcile changes in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows but does not affect the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities” (“ASU 2017-08”). The amendments in this update require purchase premiums for investments in debt securities that are noncontingently callable by the issuer (at a fixed price and preset date) to be amortized to the earliest call date. Previously, purchase premiums for such investments were permitted to be amortized to the instrument’s maturity date. ASU 2017-08 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides clarity and reduces both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The ASU is effective fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

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Real Estate Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule Of Real Estate Securities [Table Text Block]

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

			Premium /				Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	1,676,807,359	$	74,022,732	$	1,750,830,091	$	11,807,760	$	(2,255,633)	$	1,760,382,218		3.77	%		3.11	%
Fixed Rate CMO		54,267,762		427,733		54,695,495		904,953		-		55,600,448		3.00	%		2.79	%
ARM		183,361,500		(1,019,214)		182,342,286		3,918,224		-		186,260,510		2.35	%		2.83	%
Interest Only		493,398,549		(438,168,547)		55,230,002		2,065,371		(2,329,596)		54,965,777		2.85	%		6.51	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,090,004,702		(220,692,385)		869,312,317		59,663,549		(1,944,549)		927,031,317		4.55	%		6.27	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		384,799,372		(381,467,836)		3,331,536		151,223		(620,275)		2,862,484		0.21	%		8.62	%
ABS		53,497,625		(264,964)		53,232,661		234,954		(243,827)		53,223,788		8.34	%		8.73	%
CMBS		209,691,239		(49,523,424)		160,167,815		1,055,860		(1,359,640)		159,864,035		5.52	%		6.11	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,948,722,955		(1,900,990,296)		47,732,659		4,249,838		(10,973)		51,971,524		0.43	%		6.66	%
Total	$	6,094,551,063	$	(2,917,676,201)	$	3,176,874,862	$	84,051,732	$	(8,764,493)	$	3,252,162,101		2.54	%		4.35	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table details the Company’s real estate securities portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

			Premium /				Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Current Face		(Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (2)			Yield
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	713,234,586	$	28,338,222	$	741,572,808	$	3,672,057	$	(5,517,144)	$	739,727,721		3.64	%		2.99	%
Fixed Rate CMO		62,570,005		531,431		63,101,436		595,962		-		63,697,398		3.00	%		2.80	%
ARM		208,592,111		(1,633,175)		206,958,936		4,385,116		-		211,344,052		2.35	%		2.84	%
Interest Only		416,902,327		(375,843,483)		41,058,844		3,033,926		(1,198,215)		42,894,555		2.70	%		8.26	%
Credit Securities:
Non-Agency RMBS		1,255,224,713		(235,346,323)		1,019,878,390		28,705,591		(9,328,119)		1,039,255,862		4.31	%		6.03	%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		449,759,113		(446,027,313)		3,731,800		33,512		(3,866)		3,761,446		0.25	%		12.47	%
ABS		22,025,000		(357,022)		21,667,978		100,247		(536,269)		21,231,956		5.43	%		6.32	%
CMBS		217,935,976		(56,549,776)		161,386,200		959,842		(2,830,108)		159,515,934		5.15	%		6.16	%
CMBS Interest Only		1,967,685,636		(1,916,198,928)		51,486,708		1,001,503		(351,485)		52,136,726		0.41	%		6.48	%
Total	$	5,313,929,467	$	(3,003,086,367)	$	2,310,843,100	$	42,487,756	$	(19,765,206)	$	2,333,565,650		2.18	%		4.76	%

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

(2) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

Available-For-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s real estate securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Less than 12 months				Greater than 12 months
As of	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2017	$	449,405,332	$	(5,631,244)	$	143,555,637	$	(3,133,249)
December 31, 2016		756,302,518		(12,017,743)		203,287,535		(7,747,463)

Weighted Average Life Of Real Estate Securities [Table Text Block]

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency Interest-Only (“IO”) and Credit Securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	93,754,194	$	93,920,244		1.62	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		241,860,958		237,037,781		2.50	%		30,432,477		31,393,317		2.38	%		435,916,455		420,829,214		1.09	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		1,709,144,728		1,699,698,089		3.77	%		24,533,300		23,836,685		4.28	%		455,084,524		428,855,357		2.83	%
Greater than ten years		51,237,490		51,132,002		3.50	%		-		-		-			210,197,975		190,172,173		5.80	%
Total	$	2,002,243,176	$	1,987,867,872		3.61	%	$	54,965,777	$	55,230,002		2.85	%	$	1,194,953,148	$	1,133,776,988		1.92	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

The following table details weighted average life broken out by Agency RMBS, Agency IO and Credit Securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Agency RMBS (1)							Agency IO							Credit Securities (2)
Weighted Average Life (3)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Coupon (4)
Less than or equal to 1 year	$	-	$	-		-		$	-	$	-		-		$	169,483,329	$	170,533,908		2.09	%
Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years		124,913,463		123,021,262		2.73	%		28,514,942		27,995,835		2.23	%		430,525,739		430,108,024		0.94	%
Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years		808,271,767		806,474,038		3.44	%		14,379,613		13,063,009		5.14	%		425,043,315		418,094,774		2.30	%
Greater than ten years		81,583,941		82,137,880		3.10	%		-		-		-			250,849,541		239,414,370		5.88	%
Total	$	1,014,769,171	$	1,011,633,180		3.32	%	$	42,894,555	$	41,058,844		2.70	%	$	1,275,901,924	$	1,258,151,076		1.82	%

(1) For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

(2) For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

(3) Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

(4) Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

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Loans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	31,855,577	$	(9,399,640)	$	22,455,937	$	1,445,123	$	(33,529)	$	23,867,531		6.00	%		10.87	%		5.90

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The table below details certain information regarding the Company’s residential mortgage loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (2)
Residential mortgage loans	$	53,827,336	$	(16,491,472)	$	37,335,864	$	1,262,223	$	(402,511)	$	38,195,576		5.60	%		8.74	%		6.71

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes certain aggregate pool level information pertaining to the Company’s residential mortgage loans:

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Loan Pool	Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Fair Value		Unpaid Principal Balance
Re-Performing	$	15,866,356	$	20,364,085	$	26,665,750	$	35,645,382
Non-Performing		8,001,175		11,491,492		11,529,826		18,181,954
	$	23,867,531	$	31,855,577	$	38,195,576	$	53,827,336

Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio consisted of mortgage loans on residential real estate located throughout the U.S. The following is a summary of certain concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio:

Concentration of Credit Risk	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans with unpaid principal balance to current property value in excess of 100%		91	%		98	%
Percentage of fair value of mortgage loans secured by properties in the following states:
Representing 5% or more of fair value:
New York		31	%		25	%
California		10	%		9	%
Maryland		6	%		6	%
New Jersey		5	%		4	%
Texas		5	%		4	%
Florida		3	%		5	%

Schedule Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Accretable Yield [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of the changes in the accretable portion of discounts for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Beginning Balance	$	10,341,476	$	22,547,949	$	18,281,517	$	24,216,638
Additions		-		-		-		-
Accretion		(505,632)		(1,051,965)		(1,968,026)		(3,296,603)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference		1,476,386		4,968,753		4,858,094		5,755,350
Disposals		-		(6,522,022)		(9,859,355)		(6,732,670)
Ending Balance	$	11,312,230	$	19,942,715	$	11,312,230	$	19,942,715

Commercial Loans [Member]

Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on September 30, 2017.

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
Loan (3) (7)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (5)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (6)		Initial Stated  Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (8)	Location
Loan B (2)		32,800,000		-		32,800,000		-		-		32,800,000		5.98	%		6.36	%		1.79	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan E (4)		14,521,806		(1,096,214)		13,425,592		756,405		-		14,181,997		9.58	%		12.37	%		3.24	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
Loan F (4)		10,416,666		(90,387)		10,326,279		90,387		-		10,416,666		11.74	%		13.55	%		0.96	September 9, 2018	September 9, 2019	MN
		57,738,472		(1,186,601)		56,551,871		846,792		-		57,398,663		7.93	%		9.15	%		2.00

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, Loan B has been extended to the extended maturity date shown above.

(3) Loan D paid off at par in Q1 2017.

(4) Loan E and Loan F are mezzanine loans. As of September 30, 2017, Loan E has been extended for one year.

(5) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(6) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(7) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(8) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

The following table presents detail on the Company’s commercial loan portfolio on December 31, 2016.

							Gross Unrealized (1)						Weighted Average
Loan (2) (4) (9)	Current Face		Premium (Discount)		Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value		Coupon (7)			Yield			Weighted Average Life (Years) (8)		Initial Stated  Maturity Date	Extended Maturity Date (10)	Location
Loan B (3)	$	32,800,000	$	(1,294)	$	32,798,706	$	1,294	$	-	$	32,800,000		5.40	%		5.65	%		0.52	July 1, 2016	July 1, 2019	TX
Loan D (5) (11)		12,000,000		(211,692)		11,788,308		296,278		(84,586)		12,000,000		10.62	%		14.33	%		0.62	February 11, 2017	August 11, 2017	NY
Loan E (6)		16,000,000		(1,291,648)		14,708,352		560,448		-		15,268,800		9.05	%		12.76	%		4.33	April 9, 2017	April 9, 2021	Various
	$	60,800,000	$	(1,504,634)	$	59,295,366	$	858,020	$	(84,586)	$	60,068,800		7.39	%		9.19	%		1.54

(1) The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

(2) Loan A paid off in Q2 2016, with the Company receiving $30.0 million of principal proceeds.

(3) Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(4) Loan C paid off in Q3 2016, with the Company receiving $10.0 million of principal proceeds.

(5) Loan D is a first mortgage loan. See below for further information. As of the stated maturity date, Loan D has been extended for an additional 6 months.

(6) Loan E is a mezzanine loan.

(7) Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

(8) Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

(9) The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

(10) Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

(11) Loan D paid off in Q1 2017.

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Fair value measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2017:

	Fair Value at September 30, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-	$	1,760,382,218	$	-	$	1,760,382,218
Fixed Rate CMO		-		55,600,448		-		55,600,448
ARM		-		186,260,510		-		186,260,510
Interest Only		-		54,965,777		-		54,965,777
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-		152,800,460		774,230,857		927,031,317
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-		-		2,862,484		2,862,484
ABS		-		-		53,223,788		53,223,788
CMBS		-		13,996,904		145,867,131		159,864,035
CMBS Interest Only		-		-		51,971,524		51,971,524
Residential mortgage loans		-		-		23,867,531		23,867,531
Commercial loans		-		-		57,398,663		57,398,663
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-		-		2,680,564		2,680,564
Derivative assets		94,531		933,315		-		1,027,846
AG Arc		-		-		17,824,219		17,824,219
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	94,531	$	2,224,939,632	$	1,129,926,761	$	3,354,960,924
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-	$	-	$	(17,221,071)	$	(17,221,071)
Derivative liabilities		-		(2,124,550)		-		(2,124,550)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	-	$	(2,124,550)	$	(17,221,071)	$	(19,345,621)

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2016:

	Fair Value at December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Agency RMBS:
30 Year Fixed Rate	$	-	$	739,727,721	$	-	$	739,727,721
Fixed Rate CMO		-		63,697,398		-		63,697,398
ARM		-		211,344,052		-		211,344,052
Interest Only		-		42,894,555		-		42,894,555
Credit Investments:
Non-Agency RMBS		-		321,495,328		717,760,534		1,039,255,862
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		-		-		3,761,446		3,761,446
ABS		-		-		21,231,956		21,231,956
CMBS		-		28,726,319		130,789,615		159,515,934
CMBS Interest Only		-		-		52,136,726		52,136,726
Residential mortgage loans		-		-		38,195,576		38,195,576
Commercial loans		-		-		60,068,800		60,068,800
Excess mortgage servicing rights		-		-		412,648		412,648
Derivative assets		-		3,703,366		-		3,703,366
AG Arc		-		-		12,894,819		12,894,819
Total Assets Carried at Fair Value	$	-	$	1,411,588,739	$	1,037,252,120	$	2,448,840,859
Liabilities:
Securitized debt	$	-	$	-	$	(21,491,710)	$	(21,491,710)
Loan participation payable		-		-		(1,800,000)		(1,800,000)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,365,000)		-		-		(22,365,000)
Derivative liabilities		(636,211)		(2,271,044)		-		(2,907,255)
Total Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	$	(23,001,211)	$	(2,271,044)	$	(23,291,710)	$	(48,563,965)

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The following tables present additional information about the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value: 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt
Beginning balance	$	863,020,902	$	3,213,397	$	47,917,356	$	137,658,327	$	52,805,639	$	23,455,233	$	57,294,106	$	2,786,501	$	17,712,557	$	(18,778,169)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		83,490,535		-		-		8,460,348		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		137,744,335		-		5,601,252		20,191,250		-		-		-		12,812		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(297,784,142)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,789,302)		-		(211,551)		(20,512,436)		-		(272,933)		-		(126,749)		-		1,563,429
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		14,548,529		(350,913)		(83,269)		69,642		(834,115)		685,231		104,557		8,000		111,662		(6,331)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857	$	2,862,484	$	53,223,788	$	145,867,131	$	51,971,524	$	23,867,531	$	57,398,663	$	2,680,564	$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	12,110,525	$	(83,718)	$	(83,269)	$	(153,096)	$	(834,115)	$	825,963	$	104,557	$	8,000	$	111,662	$	(6,331)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 9 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	13,630,181
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331)
Net realized gain/(loss)		517,481
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,662
Total	$	14,252,993

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	11,894,849
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(6,331)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		111,660
Total	$	12,000,178

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2016

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS  Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	814,005,282	$	2,400,732	$	75,473,169	$	86,762,706	$	43,305,493	$	55,636,606	$	54,800,000	$	346,507	$	4,488,281	$	(25,788,283)	$	(1,800,000)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		56,221,422		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Transfers out of level 3		(150,671,465)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		113,707,564		-		-		40,491,482		6,981,795		-		-		-		-		-		-
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		8,263,963		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(53,290,104)		-		(5,698,248)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(26,378,566)		-		(511,323)		(8,145,244)		-		(13,751,112)		(10,000,000)		(37,426)		-		1,512,199		-
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		21,910,120		256,638		1,224,038		2,497,245		221,342		762,493		-		-		170,324		(74,431)		-
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253	$	2,657,370	$	70,487,636	$	121,606,189	$	50,508,630	$	42,647,987	$	44,800,000	$	309,081	$	12,922,568	$	(24,350,515)	$	(1,800,000)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (3)	$	14,590,173	$	256,638	$	1,099,827	$	2,488,766	$	221,342	$	(2,922,597)	$	-	$	-		170,324	$	(74,431)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 4 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 14 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	16,577,429
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431)
Net realized gain/(loss)		10,294,447
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	26,967,769

(3) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	15,734,149
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(74,431)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		170,324
Total	$	15,830,042

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS  Interest Only		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	717,760,534	$	3,761,446	$	21,231,956	$	130,789,615	$	52,136,726	$	38,195,576	$	60,068,800	$	412,648	$	12,894,819	$	(21,491,710)	$	(1,800,000)
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		203,851,482		-		-		8,460,348		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Transfers out of level 3		(51,307,381)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers		395,021,146		-		52,048,919		38,760,000		-		-		10,270,833		2,578,156		-		-		-
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		4,459,000		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(382,543,723)		-		(16,977,157)		(4,533,594)		-		(10,102,590)		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(142,165,747)		-		(4,195,705)		(29,106,491)		-		(5,570,282)		(13,534,402)		(314,036)		-		4,310,904		1,954,927
Total net gains/(losses) (2)
Included in net income		33,614,546		(898,962)		1,115,775		1,497,253		(165,202)		1,344,827		593,432		3,796		470,400		(40,265)		(154,927)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	774,230,857	$	2,862,484	$	53,223,788	$	145,867,131	$	51,971,524	$	23,867,531	$	57,398,663	$	2,680,564	$	17,824,219	$	(17,221,071)	$	-
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held as of September 30, 2017 (3)	$	32,502,634	$	(631,767)	$	660,461	$	1,704,666	$	(165,202)	$	(575,728)	$	537,223	$	3,796	$	470,400	$	(40,265)	$	-

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 18 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 5 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	37,249,857
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(195,192)
Net realized gain/(loss)		(144,392)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,400
Total	$	37,380,673

(3) Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	34,036,085
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(40,265)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		470,398
Total	$	34,466,218

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2016

	Non-Agency  RMBS		Non-Agency  RMBS IO		ABS		CMBS		CMBS Interest  Only		Residential  Mortgage  Loans		Commercial  Loans		Excess  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights		AG Arc		Securitized  debt		Loan  Participation  payable
Beginning balance	$	451,677,960	$	5,553,734	$	54,761,837	$	91,024,418	$	14,077,716	$	57,080,227	$	72,800,000	$	425,311	$	-	$	-	$	-
Transfers (1):
Transfers into level 3		371,564,212		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		(316,580)		(30,046,861)		-
Transfers out of level 3		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Purchases/Transfers (2)		125,425,376		-		23,698,802		42,491,482		33,330,554		-		10,428,437		-		-		-		(1,564,266)
Capital contributions		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		13,570,173		-		-
Reclassification of security type (3)		-		-		-		-		3,103,111		-		-				-		-		-
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(82,462,238)		-		(7,209,752)		(2,100,960)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Proceeds from settlement		(102,932,160)		-		(1,698,431)		(9,248,447)		-		(14,815,122)		(40,000,000)		(116,230)		-		5,706,520		-
Total net gains/(losses) (4)
Included in net income		12,231,103		(2,896,364)		935,180		(560,304)		(2,751)		382,882		1,571,563		-		(331,025)		(10,174)		(235,734)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Ending Balance	$	775,504,253	$	2,657,370	$	70,487,636	$	121,606,189	$	50,508,630	$	42,647,987	$	44,800,000	$	309,081	$	12,922,568	$	(24,350,515)	$	(1,800,000)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 2016 (4)	$	11,019,033	$	(1,272,687)	$	939,673	$	(250,607)	$	(2,751)	$	(3,302,208)	$	1,571,563	$	-	$	(331,025)	$	(10,174)	$	(235,734)

(1) Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 26 Non-Agency RMBS securities and its securitized debt investment into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and its investment in AG Arc into the Level 3 category from the Level 1 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

(2) Transfers represent proceeds from transfer of loan participation.

(3) Represents a reclassification from investments in debt and equity of affiliates.

(4) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	9,761,156
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908)
Net realized gain/(loss)		1,900,153
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025)
Total	$	11,084,376

(5) Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

Unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net	$	8,702,016
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(245,908)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates		(331,025)
Total	$	8,125,083

Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]

The following tables present a summary of quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of investments for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

Asset Class	Fair Value at September 30, 2017		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	751,813,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.80% - 11.63% (4.37%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.80%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 30.00% (3.07%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	24.64% - 56.76% (41.33%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (34.83%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	18.80 - 22.99 (21.23)
	$	22,416,901	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 102.73 (82.82)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	2,456,181	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.00% - 21.00% (21.00%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	17.25% - 17.25% (17.25%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
	$	406,303	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.80 - 0.80 (0.80)
ABS	$	32,719,493	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.63% - 9.26% (7.72%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	20.00% - 40.00% (22.49%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (1.75%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (43.78%)
	$	20,504,295	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	100.00 - 100.00 (100.00)
CMBS	$	142,567,125	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	-4.24% - 8.32% (5.74%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	3,300,006	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.90 - 7.41 (6.88)
CMBS Interest Only	$	51,971,524	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.56% - 5.85% (4.28%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	23,867,531	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.25% - 9.00% (7.56%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.46% - 6.91% (4.66%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.21% - 7.02% (5.40%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	8.67% - 43.58% (22.59%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	19.73% - 43.24% (35.85%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	14.64 - 29.81 (17.31)
Commercial Loans	$	32,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.36% - 6.36% (6.36%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 4.75 bps (4.75 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	24,598,663	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	97.66 - 100.00 (98.65)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	2,400,760	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	9.34% - 11.65% (10.01%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	8.07% - 12.91% (10.13%)
	$	279,804	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.05 - 0.52 (0.48)
AG Arc	$	17,824,219	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

 

Liability Class	Fair Value at  September 30, 2017			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt	$	(17,221,071	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.49% - 3.49% (3.49%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
					Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)

 (1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of September 30, 2017.

Asset Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Non-Agency RMBS	$	694,948,644	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	1.70% - 18.56% (5.11%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 35.00% (9.84%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 38.00% (5.22%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	18.53% - 46.77% (33.39%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 100.00% (38.57%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	16.13 - 23.09 (20.72)
	$	22,811,890	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	21.50 - 100.07 (78.89)
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only	$	3,761,446	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	17.50% - 17.50% (17.50%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	18.00% - 18.00% (18.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.50% - 0.50% (0.50%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	10.00% - 10.00% (10.00%)
ABS	$	21,231,956	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	4.16% - 6.47% (4.98%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	1.50% - 40.00% (22.31%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 2.00% (0.88%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 50.00% (9.81%)
CMBS	$	121,056,008	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.32% - 9.16% (6.13%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
	$	9,733,607	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	5.03 - 99.81 (68.64)
CMBS Interest Only	$	52,136,726	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	2.51% - 9.49% (5.85%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	0.00% - 0.00% (0.00%)
Residential Mortgage Loans	$	38,195,576	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	6.50% - 8.00% (7.42%)
				Projected Collateral Prepayments	3.18% - 5.82% (4.51%)
				Projected Collateral Losses	5.16% - 5.32% (5.18%)
				Projected Reperforming Rates	9.59% - 34.53% (22.91%)
				Projected Collateral Severities	25.19% - 84.80% (45.34%)
				Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)	12.32 - 29.85 (14.33)
Commercial Loans	$	44,800,000	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	5.65% - 21.70% (7.98%)
				Credit Spread	4.75 bps - 10 bps (6.16 bps)
				Recovery Percentage (1)	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)
	$	15,268,800	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	95.43 - 95.43 (95.43)
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights	$	412,648	Consensus Pricing	Offered Quotes	0.09 - 0.62 (0.55)
AG Arc	$	12,894,819	Comparable Multiple	Book Value Multiple	1.0x

Liability Class	Fair Value at December 31, 2016			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Securitized debt	$	(21,491,710	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	3.36% - 3.36% (3.36%)
					Projected Collateral Prepayments	14.00% - 14.00% (14.00%)
					Projected Collateral Losses	7.00% - 7.00% (7.00%)
					Projected Collateral Severities	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)
Loan participation payable	$	(1,800,000	)	Discounted Cash Flow	Yield	21.70% - 21.70% (21.70%)
					Credit Spread	10 bps - 10 bps (10 bps)
					Recovery Percentage*	100.00% - 100.00% (100.00%)

(1) Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of December 31, 2016.

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Repurchase agreements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]

Schedule of Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	107,066,000		1.26	%		3.0	%	$	110,372,484	$	109,526,493	$	313,586
30 days or less		2,039,853,000		1.77	%		9.6	%		2,297,649,801		2,231,098,823		7,932,198
31-60 days		369,334,000		1.87	%		10.3	%		425,787,109		419,340,738		1,349,706
61-90 days		19,965,000		2.79	%		26.2	%		27,056,415		26,820,517		106,417
91-180 days		111,027,000		1.55	%		10.0	%		124,326,562		124,458,675		341,221
Greater than 180 days		12,105,000		2.89	%		17.9	%		14,804,895		14,808,920		19,952
Total / Weighted Average	$	2,659,350,000		1.76	%		9.6	%	$	2,999,997,266	$	2,926,054,166	$	10,063,080

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by real estate securities as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements								Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Overnight	$	70,899,000		0.66	%		3.5	%	$	73,485,225	$	73,170,802	$	191,554
30 days or less		961,185,000		1.79	%		14.7	%		1,164,241,469		1,152,472,020		3,851,520
31-60 days		465,776,000		1.23	%		8.6	%		514,624,485		512,633,509		1,607,435
61-90 days		129,119,000		1.69	%		13.2	%		151,989,415		151,567,289		399,702
91-180 days		16,897,000		2.81	%		21.6	%		21,554,174		21,892,108		17,056
Greater than 180 days		209,293,104		1.93	%		4.7	%		252,940,437		244,734,715		948,975
Total / Weighted Average	$	1,853,169,104		1.63	%		11.5	%	$	2,178,835,205	$	2,156,470,443	$	7,016,242

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	13,405,824		3.74	%		3.97	%		35.2	%	$	20,767,883	$	19,352,254	$	26,553

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in residential mortgage loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	25,544,702		3.27	%		3.79	%		30.3	%	$	34,088,921	$	32,849,686	$	45,068

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by interests in commercial loans as of September 30, 2017:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average  Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		3.39	%		3.39	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,800,000	$	206,986

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the Company’s repurchase agreements secured by commercial loans as of December 31, 2016:

	Repurchase Agreements											Collateral Pledged
Repurchase Agreements Maturing Within:	Balance		Weighted Average  Rate			Weighted Average  Funding Cost			Weighted Average  Haircut			Fair Value  Pledged		Amortized Cost		Accrued Interest
Greater than 180 days	$	21,796,000		2.91	%		3.13	%		33.5	%	$	32,800,000	$	32,798,706	$	125,314

Schedule Of Securities Collateral Information [Table Text Block]

The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s posting of collateral under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Agency RMBS	$	1,849,664,503	$	965,154,048
Non-Agency RMBS		905,878,564		990,985,143
ABS		35,918,646		21,231,956
CMBS		208,535,553		201,464,058
Residential Mortgage Loans		20,767,883		31,031,107
Commercial Mortgage Loans		32,800,000		32,800,000
Cash pledged (i.e., restricted cash) under repurchase agreements		10,855,418		17,149,022
Fair Value of unsettled trades pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements:		-		3,057,814
Total collateral pledged under Repurchase agreements	$	3,064,420,567	$	2,262,873,148

Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]

The following table presents information with respect to the Company’s total borrowings under repurchase agreements on September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, broken out by investment type:

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Repurchase agreements secured by investments:
Agency RMBS	$	1,752,725,000	$	907,041,000
Non-Agency RMBS		721,638,000		776,459,104
ABS		26,248,000		15,283,000
CMBS		158,739,000		154,386,000
Residential Mortgage Loans		13,405,824		25,544,702
Commercial Mortgage Loans		21,796,000		21,796,000
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	1,900,509,806

Schedule Of Gross and Net Information About Repurchase Agreements [Table Text Block]

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of  Recognized  Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  Posted		Cash Collateral  Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	2,694,551,824	$	2,694,551,824	$	-	$	-

The following table presents both gross information and net information about repurchase agreements eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets
Description	Gross Amounts of  Recognized  Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance  Sheets		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated  Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  Posted		Cash Collateral  Posted		Net Amount
Repurchase Agreements	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	1,900,509,806	$	1,900,509,806	$	-	$	-

Schedule Of Repurchase Agreement Counterparty [Table Text Block]

The following table presents information at September 30, 2017 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average  Maturity (days)		Percentage of  Stockholders’ Equity
RBC (Barbados) Trading Bank Corporation	$	40,066,058		22		6	%
Barclays Capital Inc		37,669,214		11		5	%

The following table presents information at December 31, 2016 with respect to each counterparty that provides the Company with financing for which the Company had greater than 5% of its stockholders’ equity at risk, excluding stockholders’ equity at risk under financing through affiliated entities.

Counterparty	Stockholders’ Equity at Risk		Weighted Average  Maturity (days)		Percentage of  Stockholders’ Equity
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	$	50,917,158		357		8	%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC		34,885,263		160		5	%

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Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivatives [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative and other instruments and their balance sheet location at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Derivatives and Other Instruments	Designation	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value	$	(587,383)	$	(1,847,219)
Interest rate swaps	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		815,622		3,703,366
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		(1,537,167)		(423,825)
TBAs	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		117,693		-
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		75,000		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative liabilities, at fair value		-		(636,211)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Non-Hedge	Derivative assets, at fair value		19,531		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Non-Hedge	Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value (1)		-		(22,365,000)

(1) The Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2016 relates to securities borrowed to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The change in fair value of the borrowed securities is recorded in the “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives and other instruments, net” line item in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes information related to derivatives and other instruments:

Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments held long/(short):	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Notional amount of Pay Fix/Receive Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements	$	1,862,000,000	$	644,000,000
Notional amount of TBAs		116,000,000		(25,000,000)
Notional amount of short positions on Eurodollar Futures (1)		(150,000,000)		-
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures (2)		(25,000,000)		(141,500,000)
Notional amount of short positions on U.S. Treasuries		-		(24,000,000)

(1) Each Eurodollar Future contract embodies $1.0 million of notional value.

(2) Each U.S. Treasury Future contract embodies $100,000 of notional value.

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes gains/(losses) related to derivatives and other instruments:

		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
Non-hedge derivatives and other instruments gain/(loss):	Statement of Operations Location	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	$	2,954,860	$	9,700,438	$	6,213,709	$	(9,816,031)
Interest rate swaps, at fair value	Net realized gain/(loss)		(1,813,293)		(5,205,405)		(9,896,031)		(10,938,839)
Long positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		2,997		-		2,997
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		74,624		146,044		74,624		(4,503)
Short positions on Eurodollar Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		323,059		242,006		323,059		242,006
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		126,468		-		106,094
Long positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		-		(351,329)		-		(224,410)
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(721,752)		(21,123)		658,059		-
Short positions on U.S. Treasury Futures	Net realized gain/(loss)		(223,953)		292,930		(4,054,532)		307,986
TBAs (1)	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		53,913		(409,021)		(995,626)		32,225
TBAs (1)	Net realized gain/(loss)		1,671,836		420,547		3,002,891		445,586
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		(3,081,289)		-		4,498,750
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain/(loss)		-		1,412,695		-		1,836,523
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		-		415,782		(1,724,922)		215,391
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries	Net realized gain		-		-		1,730,547		-

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $1.5 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.2 million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $2.6 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.6) million due to price changes. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.1 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.1) million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.2 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.3 million due to price changes.

Schedule Of Gross and Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative and other instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets  (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance  Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets  (Liabilities) Presented in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  (Posted)/Received		Cash Collateral  (Posted)/Received		Net Amount
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	1,151,090	$	-	$	1,151,090	$	-	$	598,139	$	552,951
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		19,531		-		19,531		-		-		19,531
Eurodollar Futures - Short		75,000		-		75,000		-		-		75,000
TBAs		117,693		-		117,693		-		-		117,693
Total Derivative Assets	$	1,363,314	$	-	$	1,363,314	$	-	$	598,139	$	765,175
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(534,763)	$	-	$	(534,763)	$	-	$	(534,763)	$	-
TBAs		(1,537,167)		-		(1,537,167)		-		(1,537,167)		-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,071,930)	$	-	$	(2,071,930)	$	-	$	(2,071,930)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $1,363,314 less accrued interest of $(335,468) for a total of $1,027,846.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,071,930) less accrued interest of $(52,620) for a total of $(2,124,550).

The following table presents both gross information and net information about derivative instruments eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016:

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheet
Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized  Assets  (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts Offset in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Net Amounts of Assets  (Liabilities) Presented in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets		Financial  Instruments  (Posted)/Received		Cash Collateral  (Posted)/Received		Net Amount
Receivable Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements	$	22,680,000	$	-	$	22,680,000	$	22,365,000	$	-	$	315,000
Derivative Assets (1)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	879,575	$	3,679,559
Total Derivative Assets	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	4,559,134	$	-	$	879,575	$	3,679,559
Derivative Liabilities (2)
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(1,705,865)	$	-	$	(1,705,865)	$	-	$	(1,705,865)	$	-
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short		(636,211)		-		(636,211)		-		(636,211)		-
TBAs		(423,824)		-		(423,824)		(423,824)		-		-
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	(2,765,900)	$	-	$	(2,765,900)	$	(423,824)	$	(2,342,076)	$	-

(1) Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $4,559,134 less accrued interest of $(855,768) for a total of $3,703,366.

(2) Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,765,900) plus accrued interest of $(141,355) for a total of $(2,907,255).

Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives [Table Text Block]

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2017:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average  Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average  Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average  Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		1.31	%		0.09
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		1.31	%		2.13
2020		620,000,000		1.64	%		1.31	%		2.63
2022		606,000,000		1.87	%		1.32	%		4.78
2024		205,000,000		2.03	%		1.31	%		6.71
2026		75,000,000		2.12	%		1.31	%		9.14
2027		150,000,000		2.26	%		1.32	%		9.63
Total/Wtd Avg	$	1,862,000,000		1.79	%		1.32	%		4.51

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s interest rate swap positions consist of pay-fixed interest rate swaps. The following table presents information about the Company’s interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2016:

Maturity	Notional Amount		Weighted Average  Pay-Fixed Rate			Weighted Average  Receive-Variable Rate			Weighted Average  Years to Maturity
2017	$	36,000,000		0.88	%		0.89	%		0.84
2019		170,000,000		1.36	%		0.91	%		2.88
2020		115,000,000		1.59	%		0.90	%		3.20
2021		60,000,000		1.86	%		0.96	%		4.94
2022		53,000,000		1.69	%		0.94	%		5.69
2023		85,000,000		2.30	%		0.94	%		6.43
2025		30,000,000		2.48	%		0.94	%		8.43
2026		95,000,000		2.17	%		0.92	%		9.90
Total/Wtd Avg	$	644,000,000		1.74	%		0.92	%		5.01

Schedule Of To Be Announced Securities Activity [Table Text Block]

As discussed in Note 2, the Company has entered into TBAs. The following table presents information about the Company’s TBAs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016: 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	300,000,000	$	738,000,000	$	(922,000,000)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167)
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	100,000,000	$	102,000,000	$	(202,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	168,000,000	$	(168,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375)	$	312,500	$	(421,875)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	50,000,000	$	1,914,000,000	$	(1,848,000,000)	$	116,000,000	$	121,125,315	$	(122,544,789)	$	117,693	$	(1,537,167)
TBAs - Short	$	(75,000,000)	$	75,000,000	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Beginning  Notional  Amount		Buys or Covers		Sales or Shorts		Ending Notional  Amount		Fair Value as of  Period End		Receivable/(Payable)  from/to Broker		Derivative  Asset		Derivative  Liability
TBAs - Long	$	75,000,000	$	379,000,000	$	(454,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
TBAs - Short	$	-	$	393,000,000	$	(393,000,000)	$	-	$	-	$	(109,375)	$	312,500	$	(421,875)

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Earnings per share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block]

As of September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company’s outstanding warrants and unvested restricted stock units were as follows:

	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Outstanding warrants		1,007,500		1,007,500
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager		60,000		20,003

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:

	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	32,644,083	$	42,764,611	$	84,198,168	$	54,662,617
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		27,841,452		27,802,124		27,756,357		28,036,809
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		15,313		2,030		13,942		-
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		27,856,765		27,804,154		27,770,299		28,036,809
Basic Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$	1.17	$	1.54	$	3.03	$	1.95

Common Stock [Member]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following tables detail our common stock dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2017	3/21/2017	4/28/2017	$	0.475
6/8/2017	6/19/2017	7/31/2017		0.475
9/11/2017	9/29/2017	10/31/2017		0.575	*

*The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

2016
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
3/10/2016	3/21/2016	4/29/2016	$	0.475
6/9/2016	6/20/2016	7/29/2016		0.475
9/12/2016	9/23/2016	10/31/2016		0.475

Preferred Stock [Member]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following tables detail our preferred stock dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016:

2017
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/16/2017	2/28/2017	3/17/2017	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/15/2017	5/31/2017	6/19/2017		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/16/2017	8/31/2017	9/18/2017		0.50

2016
Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.25% Series A	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.51563
8.25% Series A	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.51563
8.25% Series A	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.51563

Dividend	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividend Per Share
8.00% Series B	2/12/2016	2/29/2016	3/17/2016	$	0.50
8.00% Series B	5/13/2016	5/31/2016	6/17/2016		0.50
8.00% Series B	8/15/2016	8/31/2016	9/19/2016		0.50

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Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block]

The following table presents a summary of our common stock repurchases under the Repurchase Program for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Month Purchased (1)	Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Weighted Average  Price per Share Paid (2)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program		Maximum Number (or approximate dollar value) of  Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (3)
March 2016		119,606	$	12.86		246,321	$	21,790,786
May 2016		276,522		13.75		522,843		17,988,891
June 2016		36,725		14.38		559,568		17,460,743
August 2016		165,842		15.74		725,410		14,850,605
September 2016		16,000		15.76		741,410		14,598,493
Total		614,695	$	14.20		741,410	$	14,598,493

(1) Based on trade date. The Program was announced on November 4, 2015. The Program does not have an expiration date.

(2) Includes brokerage commissions and clearing fees.

(3) The maximum dollar amount authorized was $25.0 million.

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Summary of significant accounting policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 09, 2015	Aug. 31, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 12, 2016
Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Description Of Real Estate Investment Trust For Federal Income Tax Purposes					As a REIT, if the Company fails to distribute in any calendar year (subject to specific timing rules for certain dividends paid in January) at least the sum of (i) 85% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from the prior year, the Company would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed and (ii) the amounts of income retained and on which the Company has paid corporate income tax.
Amount Of Loans And Leases Receivable Commercial Transferred To Unaffiliated Third Party							$ 1,800,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 1,800,000
Investments in affiliates					$ 89,081,520		72,215,919
Investments fair market value					79,800,000		69,000,000
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment	$ 30,000,000		$ 10,000,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross								$ 12,000,000	$ 12,000,000
Mortgage Acquisition Trust [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment		$ 75,000,000
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount		$ 33,400,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock					2,000		2,000
Interest Income, Deposits with Other Federal Home Loan Banks				$ 0		$ 100,000
ARC Home LLC [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Investments in affiliates					$ 17,800,000		$ 12,900,000

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Real Estate Securities (Details) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 6,094,551,063	$ 5,313,929,467
Premium/(Discount)		(2,917,676,201)	(3,003,086,367)
Amortized Cost		3,176,874,862	2,310,843,100
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	84,051,732	42,487,756
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(8,764,493)	(19,765,206)
Fair Value		$ 3,252,162,101	$ 2,333,565,650
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	2.54%	2.18%
Weighted Average Yield		4.35%	4.76%	[2]
Agency RMBS: 30 Year Fixed Rate [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 1,676,807,359	$ 713,234,586
Premium/(Discount)		74,022,732	28,338,222
Amortized Cost		1,750,830,091	741,572,808
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	11,807,760	3,672,057
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(2,255,633)	(5,517,144)
Fair Value		$ 1,760,382,218	$ 739,727,721
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	3.77%	3.64%
Weighted Average Yield		3.11%	2.99%	[2]
Agency RMBS: Fixed Rate CMO [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 54,267,762	$ 62,570,005
Premium/(Discount)		427,733	531,431
Amortized Cost		54,695,495	63,101,436
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	904,953	595,962
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	0	0
Fair Value		$ 55,600,448	$ 63,697,398
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	3.00%	3.00%
Weighted Average Yield		2.79%	2.80%	[2]
Agency RMBS: ARM [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 183,361,500	$ 208,592,111
Premium/(Discount)		(1,019,214)	(1,633,175)
Amortized Cost		182,342,286	206,958,936
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	3,918,224	4,385,116
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	0	0
Fair Value		$ 186,260,510	$ 211,344,052
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	2.35%	2.35%
Weighted Average Yield		2.83%	2.84%	[2]
Agency RMBS: Interest Only [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 493,398,549	$ 416,902,327
Premium/(Discount)		(438,168,547)	(375,843,483)
Amortized Cost		55,230,002	41,058,844
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	2,065,371	3,033,926
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(2,329,596)	(1,198,215)
Fair Value		$ 54,965,777	$ 42,894,555
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	2.85%	2.70%
Weighted Average Yield		6.51%	8.26%	[2]
Credit Securities: Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 1,090,004,702	$ 1,255,224,713
Premium/(Discount)		(220,692,385)	(235,346,323)
Amortized Cost		869,312,317	1,019,878,390
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	59,663,549	28,705,591
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(1,944,549)	(9,328,119)
Fair Value		$ 927,031,317	$ 1,039,255,862
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	4.55%	4.31%
Weighted Average Yield		6.27%	6.03%	[2]
Credit Securities: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 384,799,372	$ 449,759,113
Premium/(Discount)		(381,467,836)	(446,027,313)
Amortized Cost		3,331,536	3,731,800
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	151,223	33,512
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(620,275)	(3,866)
Fair Value		$ 2,862,484	$ 3,761,446
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	0.21%	0.25%
Weighted Average Yield		8.62%	12.47%	[2]
Credit Securities: ABS [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 53,497,625	$ 22,025,000
Premium/(Discount)		(264,964)	(357,022)
Amortized Cost		53,232,661	21,667,978
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	234,954	100,247
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(243,827)	(536,269)
Fair Value		$ 53,223,788	$ 21,231,956
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	8.34%	5.43%
Weighted Average Yield		8.73%	6.32%	[2]
Credit Securities: CMBS [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 209,691,239	$ 217,935,976
Premium/(Discount)		(49,523,424)	(56,549,776)
Amortized Cost		160,167,815	161,386,200
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	1,055,860	959,842
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(1,359,640)	(2,830,108)
Fair Value		$ 159,864,035	$ 159,515,934
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	5.52%	5.15%
Weighted Average Yield		6.11%	6.16%	[2]
Credit Securities: CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Current Face		$ 1,948,722,955	$ 1,967,685,636
Premium/(Discount)		(1,900,990,296)	(1,916,198,928)
Amortized Cost		47,732,659	51,486,708
Gross Unrealized Gains	[1]	4,249,838	1,001,503
Gross Unrealized Losses	[1]	(10,973)	(351,485)
Fair Value		$ 51,971,524	$ 52,136,726
Weighted Average Coupon	[2]	0.43%	0.41%
Weighted Average Yield		6.66%	6.48%	[2]

[1] The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for our real estate securities portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The gross unrealized stated above represents inception to date unrealized gains/(losses).

[2] Equity residual investments and principal only securities with a zero coupon rate are excluded from this calculation.

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Real Estate Securities (Details 1) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 449,405,332	$ 756,302,518
Less than 12 months, Unrealized Losses	(5,631,244)	(12,017,743)
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	143,555,637	203,287,535
Greater than 12 months, Unrealized Losses	$ (3,133,249)	$ (7,747,463)

XML

Real Estate Securities (Details 2) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Agency RMBS [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Total	[1],[2]	$ 2,002,243,176	$ 1,014,769,171
Amortized Cost Total	[1],[2]	$ 1,987,867,872	$ 1,011,633,180
Weighted Average Coupon Total	[1],[2]	3.61%	3.32%
Agency RMBS [Member] | Less than or equal to 1 year [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[2]	$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[2]	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Coupon Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[2]	0.00%	0.00%
Agency RMBS [Member] | Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[2]	$ 241,860,958	$ 124,913,463
Amortized Cost Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[2]	$ 237,037,781	$ 123,021,262
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[2]	2.50%	2.73%
Agency RMBS [Member] | Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[2]	$ 1,709,144,728	$ 808,271,767
Amortized Cost Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[2]	$ 1,699,698,089	$ 806,474,038
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[2]	3.77%	3.44%
Agency RMBS [Member] | Greater than ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than ten years	[1],[2]	$ 51,237,490	$ 81,583,941
Amortized Cost Greater than ten years	[1],[2]	$ 51,132,002	$ 82,137,880
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than ten years	[1],[2]	3.50%	3.10%
Agency IO [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Total	[1]	$ 54,965,777	$ 42,894,555
Amortized Cost Total	[1]	$ 55,230,002	$ 41,058,844
Weighted Average Coupon Total	[1]	2.85%	2.70%
Agency IO [Member] | Less than or equal to 1 year [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than or equal to 1 year	[1]	$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost Less than or equal to 1 year	[1]	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Coupon Less than or equal to 1 year	[1]	0.00%	0.00%
Agency IO [Member] | Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1]	$ 30,432,477	$ 28,514,942
Amortized Cost Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1]	$ 31,393,317	$ 27,995,835
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1]	2.38%	2.23%
Agency IO [Member] | Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1]	$ 24,533,300	$ 14,379,613
Amortized Cost Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1]	$ 23,836,685	$ 13,063,009
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1]	4.28%	5.14%
Agency IO [Member] | Greater than ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than ten years	[1]	$ 0	$ 0
Amortized Cost Greater than ten years	[1]	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than ten years	[1]	0.00%	0.00%
Credit Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Total	[1],[3]	$ 1,194,953,148	$ 1,275,901,924
Amortized Cost Total	[1],[3]	$ 1,133,776,988	$ 1,258,151,076
Weighted Average Coupon Total	[1],[3]	1.92%	1.82%
Credit Securities [Member] | Less than or equal to 1 year [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[3]	$ 93,754,194	$ 169,483,329
Amortized Cost Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[3]	$ 93,920,244	$ 170,533,908
Weighted Average Coupon Less than or equal to 1 year	[1],[3]	1.62%	2.09%
Credit Securities [Member] | Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[3]	$ 435,916,455	$ 430,525,739
Amortized Cost Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[3]	$ 420,829,214	$ 430,108,024
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than one year and less than or equal to five years	[1],[3]	1.09%	0.94%
Credit Securities [Member] | Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[3]	$ 455,084,524	$ 425,043,315
Amortized Cost Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[3]	$ 428,855,357	$ 418,094,774
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than five years and less than or equal to ten years	[1],[3]	2.83%	2.30%
Credit Securities [Member] | Greater than ten years [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value Greater than ten years	[1],[3]	$ 210,197,975	$ 250,849,541
Amortized Cost Greater than ten years	[1],[3]	$ 190,172,173	$ 239,414,370
Weighted Average Coupon Greater than ten years	[1],[3]	5.80%	5.88%

[1] Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

[2] For purposes of this table, Agency RMBS represent securities backed by Fixed Rate 30 Year mortgages, ARMs and Fixed Rate CMOs.

[3] For purposes of this table, Credit Securities represent Non-Agency RMBS, ABS, CMBS and Interest Only credit securities.

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Real Estate Securities (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds From Sale Of Mortgage Backed Securities (Mbs) Categorized As Trading			$ 467,285,986	$ 278,119,764
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,000,000	4,600,000	13,400,000
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	3,354,960,924		3,354,960,924		$ 2,448,840,859
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 26,500,000		$ 26,500,000		$ 31,500,000
Weighted Average Life Of Securitized Debt			2 years 11 months 1 day		3 years 3 months 7 days
Weighted Average Rate Of Securitized Debt	3.72%		3.72%		3.87%
Other Secured Financings	$ 17,221,071		$ 17,221,071		$ 21,491,710
Weighted Average Yield of Aggregate Security	7.29%		7.29%		6.73%
Weighted Average Coupon of Aggregate Security	3.49%		3.49%		3.15%
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 6,500,000	$ 13,400,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	17,300,000		17,300,000		$ 21,600,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 17,200,000		$ 17,200,000		21,500,000
Settled Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Securities Sold	22	11	52	21
Securities, Gross Realized Gains	$ 2,500,000		$ 3,500,000
Securities, Gross Realized Losses	100,000		2,200,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Mortgage Backed Securities (Mbs) Categorized As Trading	206,400,000	$ 147,100,000	467,300,000	$ 278,100,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	700,000	$ 400,000	1,800,000	$ 6,000,000
Unsettled Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Securities Sold		1		1
Securities, Gross Realized Gains		$ 9,800,000		$ 10,600,000
Securities, Gross Realized Losses				1,600,000
Proceeds From Sale Of Mortgage Backed Securities (Mbs) Categorized As Trading		300,000		300,000
Resecuritization [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	23,700,000		23,700,000		$ 27,400,000
Fair Values of Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 13,400,000

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Loans (Details) - Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] - USD ($)		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 31,855,577		$ 53,827,336
Premium (Discount)		(9,399,640)		(16,491,472)
Amortized Cost		22,455,937		37,335,864
Gross Unrealized Gains		1,445,123	[1]	1,262,223
Gross Unrealized Losses		(33,529)	[1]	(402,511)
Fair Value		$ 23,867,531		$ 38,195,576
Weighted Average Coupon		6.00%		5.60%
Weighted Average Yield		10.87%		8.74%
Weighted Average Useful Life (in years)	[2]	5 years 10 months 24 days		6 years 8 months 16 days

[1] The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

[2] Actual maturities of residential mortgage loans are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

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Loans (Details 1) - Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value	$ 23,867,531	$ 38,195,576
Unpaid Principal Balance	31,855,577	53,827,336
Re-Performing Financing Receivable [Member]
Fair Value	15,866,356	26,665,750
Unpaid Principal Balance	20,364,085	35,645,382
Non-Performing Financing Receivable [Member]
Fair Value	8,001,175	11,529,826
Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 11,491,492	$ 18,181,954

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Loans (Details 2) - Accounts Receivable [Member]	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	91.00%	98.00%
New York [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	31.00%	25.00%
California [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%	9.00%
Maryland [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	6.00%	6.00%
New Jersey [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	5.00%	4.00%
Florida [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	3.00%	5.00%
Texas [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	5.00%	4.00%

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Loans (Details 3) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 10,341,476	$ 22,547,949	$ 18,281,517	$ 24,216,638
Additions	0	0	0	0
Accretion	(505,632)	(1,051,965)	(1,968,026)	(3,296,603)
Reclassifications from/(to) non-accretable difference	1,476,386	4,968,753	4,858,094	5,755,350
Disposals	0	(6,522,022)	(9,859,355)	(6,732,670)
Ending Balance	$ 11,312,230	$ 19,942,715	$ 11,312,230	$ 19,942,715

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Loans (Details 4) - Commercial Loan [Member] - Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] - USD ($)		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Face, Commerical Loans	[2]	$ 57,738,472	[1]	$ 60,800,000	[3],[4]
Premium (Discount), Commercial Loans	[2]	(1,186,601)	[1]	(1,504,634)	[3],[4]
Amortized Cost, Commercial Loans	[2]	56,551,871	[1]	59,295,366	[3],[4]
Gross Unrealized Gains, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	846,792	[1]	858,020	[3],[4]
Gross Unrealized Losses, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	0	[1]	(84,586)	[3],[4]
Fair Value, Commercial Loans	[2]	$ 57,398,663	[1]	$ 60,068,800	[3],[4]
Weighted Average Coupon, Commercial Loans	[2],[6]	7.93%	[1]	7.39%	[3],[4]
Weighted Average Yield, Commercial Loans	[2]	9.15%	[1]	9.19%	[3],[4]
Weighted Average Life (in years), Commercial Loans	[2],[7]	2 years	[1]	1 year 6 months 14 days	[3],[4]
Loan B [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Face, Commerical Loans	[2]	$ 32,800,000	[1],[8]	$ 32,800,000	[3],[4],[9]
Premium (Discount), Commercial Loans	[2]	0	[1],[8]	(1,294)	[3],[4],[9]
Amortized Cost, Commercial Loans	[2]	32,800,000	[1],[8]	32,798,706	[3],[4],[9]
Gross Unrealized Gains, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	0	[1],[8]	1,294	[3],[4],[9]
Gross Unrealized Losses, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	0	[1],[8]	0	[3],[4],[9]
Fair Value, Commercial Loans	[2]	$ 32,800,000	[1],[8]	$ 32,800,000	[3],[4],[9]
Weighted Average Coupon, Commercial Loans	[2],[6]	5.98%	[1],[8]	5.40%	[3],[4],[9]
Weighted Average Yield, Commercial Loans	[2]	6.36%	[1],[8]	5.65%	[3],[4],[9]
Weighted Average Life (in years), Commercial Loans	[2],[7]	1 year 9 months 14 days	[1],[8]	6 months 7 days	[3],[4],[9]
Stated Maturity Date	[2]	Jul. 01, 2016	[1],[8]	Jul. 01, 2016	[3],[4],[9]
Extended Maturity Date	[2],[10]	Jul. 01, 2019	[1],[8]	Jul. 01, 2019	[3],[4],[9]
Loan D [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Face, Commerical Loans	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			$ 12,000,000
Premium (Discount), Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			(211,692)
Amortized Cost, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			11,788,308
Gross Unrealized Gains, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[5],[11],[12]			296,278
Gross Unrealized Losses, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[5],[11],[12]			(84,586)
Fair Value, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			$ 12,000,000
Weighted Average Coupon, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[6],[11],[12]			10.62%
Weighted Average Yield, Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			14.33%
Weighted Average Life (in years), Commercial Loans	[2],[3],[4],[7],[11],[12]			7 months 13 days
Stated Maturity Date	[2],[3],[4],[11],[12]			Feb. 11, 2017
Extended Maturity Date	[2],[3],[4],[10],[11],[12]			Aug. 11, 2017
Loan E [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Face, Commerical Loans	[2]	$ 14,521,806	[1],[13]	$ 16,000,000	[3],[4],[14]
Premium (Discount), Commercial Loans	[2]	(1,096,214)	[1],[13]	(1,291,648)	[3],[4],[14]
Amortized Cost, Commercial Loans	[2]	13,425,592	[1],[13]	14,708,352	[3],[4],[14]
Gross Unrealized Gains, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	756,405	[1],[13]	560,448	[3],[4],[14]
Gross Unrealized Losses, Commercial Loans	[2],[5]	0	[1],[13]	0	[3],[4],[14]
Fair Value, Commercial Loans	[2]	$ 14,181,997	[1],[13]	$ 15,268,800	[3],[4],[14]
Weighted Average Coupon, Commercial Loans	[2],[6]	9.58%	[1],[13]	9.05%	[3],[4],[14]
Weighted Average Yield, Commercial Loans	[2]	12.37%	[1],[13]	12.76%	[3],[4],[14]
Weighted Average Life (in years), Commercial Loans	[2],[7]	3 years 2 months 26 days	[1],[13]	4 years 3 months 29 days	[3],[4],[14]
Stated Maturity Date	[2]	Apr. 09, 2017	[1],[13]	Apr. 09, 2017	[3],[4],[14]
Extended Maturity Date	[2],[10]	Apr. 09, 2021	[1],[13]	Apr. 09, 2021	[3],[4],[14]
Loan F [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Current Face, Commerical Loans	[1],[2],[13]	$ 10,416,666
Premium (Discount), Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[13]	(90,387)
Amortized Cost, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[13]	10,326,279
Gross Unrealized Gains, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[5],[13]	90,387
Gross Unrealized Losses, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[5],[13]	0
Fair Value, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[13]	$ 10,416,666
Weighted Average Coupon, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[6],[13]	11.74%
Weighted Average Yield, Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[13]	13.55%
Weighted Average Life (in years), Commercial Loans	[1],[2],[7],[13]	11 months 16 days
Stated Maturity Date	[1],[2],[13]	Sep. 09, 2018
Extended Maturity Date	[1],[2],[10],[13]	Sep. 09, 2019

[1] Loan D paid off at par in Q1 2017.

[2] The Company has the contractual right to receive a balloon payment.

[3] Loan A paid off in Q2 2016, with the Company receiving $30.0 million of principal proceeds.

[4] Loan C paid off in Q3 2016, with the Company receiving $10.0 million of principal proceeds.

[5] The Company has chosen to make a fair value election pursuant to ASC 825 for its loan portfolio. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings in the unrealized gain/(loss) on real estate securities and loans, net line item. The gross unrealized columns above represent inception to date unrealized gains (losses).

[6] Each commercial loan investment has a variable coupon rate.

[7] Actual maturities of commercial mortgage loans may be shorter than stated contractual maturities. Maturities are affected by prepayments of principal.

[8] Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, Loan B has been extended to the extended maturity date shown above.

[9] Loan B is comprised of a first mortgage and mezzanine loan of $31.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

[10] Represents the maturity date of the last possible extension option.

[11] Loan D is a first mortgage loan. See below for further information. As of the stated maturity date, Loan D has been extended for an additional 6 months.

[12] Loan D paid off in Q1 2017.

[13] Loan E and Loan F are mezzanine loans. As of September 30, 2017, Loan E has been extended for one year.

[14] Loan E is a mezzanine loan.

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Loans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 12, 2016
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Of Loans And Leases Receivable Commercial Transferred To Unaffiliated Third Party								15.00%
Amount Of Loans And Leases Receivable Commercial Transferred To Unaffiliated Third Party							$ 1,800,000	$ 1,800,000	$ 1,800,000
Proceeds from Collection of Loans Receivable				$ 30,000,000
Accretion of Purchase, Discount		$ 100,000	$ 100,000		$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount		9,100,000			9,100,000		$ 11,000,000
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross								$ 12,000,000	$ 12,000,000
Nonperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		6,600,000			6,600,000
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance		9,400,000			9,400,000
Reperforming Financing Receivable [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		8,200,000			8,200,000
Loans [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Loan, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities		0			400,000
Loan C [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Loan Receivable Commercial Weighted Average Coupon Rate							10.62%
Loan Receivable Commercial Weighted Average Yield							21.70%
Loan D [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Collection of Loans Receivable	$ 12,000,000
Loans Pools [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Loan, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities		400,000			$ 400,000
Current Property Value In Excess Of Hundred Percentage [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage					100.00%
Secured By Properties [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage					5.00%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total		31,855,577			$ 31,855,577		$ 53,827,336
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		23,867,531			23,867,531		38,195,576
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total		1,100,000			1,100,000		1,100,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total		9,000			9,000		9,000
Mezzanine Loan [Member] | Loan B [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total		31,800,000			31,800,000		31,800,000
Mezzanine Loan [Member] | Loan B [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total		$ 1,000,000			$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Mezzanine Loan [Member] | Loan C [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding of Loans Held-in-portfolio, Total			$ 10,000,000			$ 10,000,000
Participation Interest [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Loan Receivable Commercial Weighted Average Coupon Rate							10.62%
Loan Receivable Commercial Weighted Average Yield							14.33%

XML

Fair value measurements (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,354,960,924	$ 2,448,840,859
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(19,345,621)	(48,563,965)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,365,000)
AG Arc LLC [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	17,824,219	12,894,819
Derivative Assets [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,027,846	3,703,366
Securitized Debt [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(17,221,071)	(21,491,710)
Loan Participation Payable [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		(1,800,000)
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(2,124,550)	(2,907,255)
Agency RMBS: 30 Year Fixed Rate [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,760,382,218	739,727,721
Agency RMBS: Fixed Rate CMO [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	55,600,448	63,697,398
Agency RMBS: ARM [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	186,260,510	211,344,052
Agency RMBS: Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	54,965,777	42,894,555
Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	927,031,317	1,039,255,862
Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,862,484	3,761,446
Credit Investments: ABS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	53,223,788	21,231,956
Credit Investments: CMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	159,864,035	159,515,934
Credit Investment: CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	51,971,524	52,136,726
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	23,867,531	38,195,576
Commercial Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	57,398,663	60,068,800
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,680,564	412,648
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	94,531	0
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	(23,001,211)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		(22,365,000)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | AG Arc LLC [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	94,531	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Loan Participation Payable [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	(636,211)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Agency RMBS: 30 Year Fixed Rate [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Fixed Rate CMO [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Agency RMBS: ARM [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Credit Investments: ABS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Credit Investments: CMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Credit Investment: CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,224,939,632	1,411,588,739
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(2,124,550)	(2,271,044)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | AG Arc LLC [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	933,315	3,703,366
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Loan Participation Payable [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(2,124,550)	(2,271,044)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Agency RMBS: 30 Year Fixed Rate [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,760,382,218	739,727,721
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Fixed Rate CMO [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	55,600,448	63,697,398
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Agency RMBS: ARM [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	186,260,510	211,344,052
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	54,965,777	42,894,555
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	152,800,460	321,495,328
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Credit Investments: ABS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Credit Investments: CMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	13,996,904	28,726,319
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Credit Investment: CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,129,926,761	1,037,252,120
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(17,221,071)	(23,291,710)
Securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | AG Arc LLC [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	17,824,219	12,894,819
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(17,221,071)	(21,491,710)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Loan Participation Payable [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure		(1,800,000)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities:
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Agency RMBS: 30 Year Fixed Rate [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Fixed Rate CMO [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Agency RMBS: ARM [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Agency RMBS: Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	774,230,857	717,760,534
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,862,484	3,761,446
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Credit Investments: ABS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	53,223,788	21,231,956
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Credit Investments: CMBS [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	145,867,131	130,789,615
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Credit Investment: CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	51,971,524	52,136,726
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	23,867,531	38,195,576
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Loans [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	57,398,663	60,068,800
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Assets:
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,680,564	$ 412,648

XML

Fair value measurements (Details 1) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		$ 23,455,233		$ 55,636,606		$ 38,195,576		$ 57,080,227
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	(10,102,590)	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		(272,933)	[1]	(13,751,112)	[2]	(5,570,282)	[3]	(14,815,122)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	685,231		762,493		1,344,827		382,882
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	23,867,531		42,647,987		23,867,531		42,647,987
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		825,963	[8]	(2,922,597)	[7]	(575,728)	[8]	(3,302,208)	[7]
Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		863,020,902		814,005,282		717,760,534		451,677,960
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		83,490,535	[1]	56,221,422	[2]	203,851,482	[3]	371,564,212	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				(150,671,465)	[2]	(51,307,381)	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		137,744,335	[1]	113,707,564	[2]	395,021,146	[3]	125,425,376	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		(297,784,142)	[1]	(53,290,104)	[2]	(382,543,723)	[3]	(82,462,238)
Proceeds from settlement		(26,789,302)	[1]	(26,378,566)	[2]	(142,165,747)	[3]	(102,932,160)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	14,548,529		21,910,120		33,614,546		12,231,103
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	774,230,857		775,504,253		774,230,857		775,504,253
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		12,110,525	[8]	14,590,173	[7]	32,502,634	[8]	11,019,033	[7]
Credit Investments: Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		3,213,397		2,400,732		3,761,446		5,553,734
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	(350,913)		256,638		(898,962)		(2,896,364)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	2,862,484		2,657,370		2,862,484		2,657,370
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		(83,718)	[8]	256,638	[7]	(631,767)	[8]	(1,272,687)	[7]
Credit Investments: ABS [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		47,917,356		75,473,169		21,231,956		54,761,837
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		5,601,252	[1]	0	[2]	52,048,919	[3]	23,698,802	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	(5,698,248)	[2]	(16,977,157)	[3]	(7,209,752)
Proceeds from settlement		(211,551)	[1]	(511,323)	[2]	(4,195,705)	[3]	(1,698,431)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	(83,269)		1,224,038		1,115,775		935,180
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	53,223,788		70,487,636		53,223,788		70,487,636
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		(83,269)	[8]	1,099,827	[7]	660,461	[8]	939,673	[7]
CMBS [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		137,658,327		86,762,706		130,789,615		91,024,418
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		8,460,348	[1]	0	[2]	8,460,348	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		20,191,250	[1]	40,491,482	[2]	38,760,000	[3]	42,491,482	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	(4,533,594)	[3]	(2,100,960)
Proceeds from settlement		(20,512,436)	[1]	(8,145,244)	[2]	(29,106,491)	[3]	(9,248,447)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	69,642		2,497,245		1,497,253		(560,304)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	145,867,131		121,606,189		145,867,131		121,606,189
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		(153,096)	[8]	2,488,766	[7]	1,704,666	[8]	(250,607)	[7]
Credit Investment: CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		52,805,639		43,305,493		52,136,726		14,077,716
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	6,981,795	[2]	0	[3]	33,330,554	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							3,103,111
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	(834,115)		221,342		(165,202)		(2,751)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	51,971,524		50,508,630		51,971,524		50,508,630
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		(834,115)	[8]	221,342	[7]	(165,202)	[8]	(2,751)	[7]
Commercial Loans [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		57,294,106		54,800,000		60,068,800		72,800,000
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	0	[2]	10,270,833	[3]	10,428,437	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		0	[1]	(10,000,000)	[2]	(13,534,402)	[3]	(40,000,000)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	104,557		0		593,432		1,571,563
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	57,398,663		44,800,000		57,398,663		44,800,000
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		104,557	[8]	0	[7]	537,223	[8]	1,571,563	[7]
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		2,786,501		346,507		412,648		425,311
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		12,812	[1]	0	[2]	2,578,156	[3]	0	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		(126,749)	[1]	(37,426)	[2]	(314,036)	[3]	(116,230)
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	8,000		0		3,796		0
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	2,680,564		309,081		2,680,564		309,081
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		8,000	[8]	0	[7]	3,796	[8]	0
AG Arc [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		17,712,557		4,488,281		12,894,819		0
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	(316,580)	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[5]
Capital contributions				8,263,963	[2]	4,459,000	[3]	13,570,173
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	111,662		170,324		470,400		(331,025)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	17,824,219		12,922,568		17,824,219		12,922,568
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		111,662	[8]	170,324	[7]	470,400	[8]	(331,025)
Securitized Debt [Member]
Total net gains/(losses)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held				(74,431)
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		(18,778,169)		(25,788,283)		(21,491,710)		0
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	(30,046,861)	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions		0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement		1,563,429	[1]	1,512,199	[2]	4,310,904	[3]	5,706,520
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]	(6,331)		(74,431)		(40,265)		(10,174)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]	0		0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	(17,221,071)		(24,350,515)		(17,221,071)		(24,350,515)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held		(6,331)	[8]			(40,265)	[8]	(10,174)
Loan Participation Payable [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance				(1,800,000)		(1,800,000)		0
Transfers:
Transfers into level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers out of level 3				0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Purchases/Transfers				0	[2]	0	[3]	(1,564,266)	[5]
Capital contributions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Reclassification of security type	[6]							0
Proceeds from sales/redemptions				0	[2]	0	[3]	0
Proceeds from settlement				0	[2]	1,954,927	[3]	0
Total net gains/(losses)
Included in net income	[7]			0		(154,927)		(235,734)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	[7]			0		0		0
Ending Balance	[7]	$ 0		(1,800,000)		0		(1,800,000)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 assets/liabilities still held				$ 0	[7]	$ 0	[8]	$ (235,734)

[1] Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 9 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

[2] Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 4 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 14 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

[3] Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company transferred 18 Non-Agency RMBS securities and 1 CMBS security into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and 5 Non-Agency RMBS securities into the Level 2 category from the Level 3 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

[4] Transfers are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company transferred 26 Non-Agency RMBS securities and its securitized debt investment into the Level 3 category from the Level 2 category and its investment in AG Arc into the Level 3 category from the Level 1 category under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

[5] Transfers represent proceeds from transfer of loan participation.

[6] Represents a reclassification from investments in debt and equity of affiliates.

[7] Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

[8] Unrealized gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

XML

Fair value measurements (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings, Total	$ 12,000,178	$ 15,830,042	$ 34,466,218	$ 8,125,083
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net			4,224,010	(4,792,369)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates	4,700,800	534,133	9,699,962	1,154,390
Interest Income [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	(6,331)	(74,431)	(40,265)	(245,908)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	14,252,993	26,967,769	37,380,673	11,084,376
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates	111,660	170,324	470,398	(331,025)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Trading Securities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings, Total	517,481	10,294,447	(144,392)	1,900,153
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Income [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	(6,331)	(74,431)	(195,192)	(245,908)
Equity in earnings/(loss) from affiliates	111,662	170,324	470,400	(331,025)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Real Estate Securities And Loans [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings, Total	13,630,181	16,577,429	37,249,857	9,761,156
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ 11,894,849	$ 15,734,149	$ 34,036,085	$ 8,702,016

XML

Fair value measurements (Details 3) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($)		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Non-Agency RMBS
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 774,230,857	[1]	$ 717,760,534		$ 863,020,902	$ 775,504,253		$ 814,005,282	$ 451,677,960
Non-Agency RMBS | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 751,813,956		$ 694,948,644
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
Non-Agency RMBS | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 22,416,901		$ 22,811,890
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing		Consensus Pricing
Non-Agency RMBS | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
Non-Agency RMBS | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		11.63%		18.56%
Non-Agency RMBS | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		1.80%		1.70%
Non-Agency RMBS | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		4.37%		5.11%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		35.00%		35.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		0.00%		0.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		9.80%		9.84%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		30.00%		38.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		3.07%		5.22%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		100.00%		100.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		34.83%		38.57%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Reperforming Rates		Projected Reperforming Rates
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		56.76%		46.77%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		24.64%		18.53%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		41.33%		33.39%
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)		Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		22 months 29 days		23 months 2 days
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		18 months 24 days		16 months 3 days
Non-Agency RMBS | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		21 months 6 days		20 months 21 days
Non-Agency RMBS | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes		Offered Quotes
Non-Agency RMBS | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 102.73		$ 100.07
Non-Agency RMBS | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		21.50		21.50
Non-Agency RMBS | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 82.82		$ 78.89
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 2,862,484	[1]	$ 3,761,446		3,213,397	2,657,370		2,400,732	5,553,734
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 2,456,181		$ 3,761,446
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 406,303
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		21.00%		17.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		21.00%		17.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		21.00%		17.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		17.25%		18.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		17.25%		18.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		17.25%		18.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.50%		0.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.50%		0.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.50%		0.50%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		10.00%		10.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		10.00%		10.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		10.00%		10.00%
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 0.80
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		0.80
Non-Agency RMBS Interest Only [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 0.80
ABS [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 53,223,788	[1]	$ 21,231,956		47,917,356	70,487,636		75,473,169	54,761,837
ABS [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 32,719,493		$ 21,231,956
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
ABS [Member] | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 20,504,295
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing
ABS [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
ABS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		9.26%		6.47%
ABS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		5.63%		4.16%
ABS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		7.72%		4.98%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		40.00%		40.00%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		20.00%		1.50%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		22.49%		22.31%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		2.00%		2.00%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		1.75%		0.88%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		50.00%		50.00%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
ABS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		43.78%		9.81%
ABS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes
ABS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 100
ABS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		100
ABS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 100
CMBS [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 145,867,131	[1]	$ 130,789,615		137,658,327	121,606,189		86,762,706	91,024,418
CMBS [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 142,567,125		$ 121,056,008
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
CMBS [Member] | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 3,300,006		$ 9,733,607
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing		Consensus Pricing
CMBS [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
CMBS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		8.32%		9.16%
CMBS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		24.00%		3.32%
CMBS [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		5.74%		6.13%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes		Offered Quotes
CMBS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 7.41		$ 99.81
CMBS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		5.90		5.03
CMBS [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 6.88		$ 68.64
CMBS Interest Only [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 51,971,524	[1]	$ 52,136,726		52,805,639	50,508,630		43,305,493	14,077,716
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 51,971,524		$ 52,136,726
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		5.85%		9.49%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		2.56%		2.51%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		4.28%		5.85%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		100.00%		100.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		100.00%		100.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		100.00%		100.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
CMBS Interest Only [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		0.00%		0.00%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 23,867,531		$ 38,195,576
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		9.00%		8.00%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		6.25%		6.50%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		7.56%		7.42%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		6.91%		5.82%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		3.46%		3.18%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		4.66%		4.51%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		7.02%		5.32%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		5.21%		5.16%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		5.40%		5.18%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		43.24%		84.80%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		19.73%		25.19%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		35.85%		45.34%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Reperforming Rates		Projected Reperforming Rates
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		43.58%		34.53%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		8.67%		9.59%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Reperforming Rates [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Reperforming Rates		22.59%		22.91%
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)		Projected Timeline to Liquidation (Months)
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		29 months 24 days		29 months 25 days
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		14 months 19 days		12 months 9 days
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Projected Timeline To Liquidation Months [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Projected Timeline to Liquidation Term		17 months 9 days		14 months 9 days
Commercial Loans [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 57,398,663	[1]	$ 60,068,800		57,294,106	44,800,000		54,800,000	72,800,000
Commercial Loans [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 32,800,000		$ 44,800,000
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
Commercial Loans [Member] | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 24,598,663		$ 15,268,800
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing		Consensus Pricing
Commercial Loans [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
Commercial Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		6.36%		21.70%
Commercial Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		6.36%		5.65%
Commercial Loans [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		6.36%		7.98%
Commercial Loans [Member] | Credit Spread [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Credit Spread		Credit Spread
Commercial Loans [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread		4.75bps		10bps
Commercial Loans [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread		4.75bps		4.75bps
Commercial Loans [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread		4.75bps		6.16bps
Commercial Loans [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Recovery Percentage		Recovery Percentage
Commercial Loans [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage		100.00%	[2]	100.00%	[3]
Commercial Loans [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage		100.00%	[2]	100.00%	[3]
Commercial Loans [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage		100.00%	[2]	100.00%	[3]
Commercial Loans [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes		Offered Quotes
Commercial Loans [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 100		$ 95.43
Commercial Loans [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		97.66		95.43
Commercial Loans [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 98.65		$ 95.43
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 2,680,564	[1]	$ 412,648		2,786,501	309,081		346,507	425,311
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 2,400,760
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Consensus Pricing [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 279,804		$ 412,648
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Consensus Pricing		Consensus Pricing
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		11.65%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		9.34%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		10.01%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		12.91%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		8.07%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		10.13%
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Offered Quotes		Offered Quotes
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 0.52		$ 0.62
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		0.05		0.09
Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] | Offered Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Offered Quotes		$ 0.48		$ 0.55
Securitized debt [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ (17,221,071)	[1]	$ (21,491,710)		(18,778,169)	(24,350,515)		(25,788,283)	0
Securitized debt [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ (17,221,071)		$ (21,491,710)
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Discounted Cash Flow		Discounted Cash Flow
Securitized debt [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Yield		Yield
Securitized debt [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		3.49%		3.36%
Securitized debt [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		3.49%		3.36%
Securitized debt [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate		3.49%		3.36%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Prepayments		Projected Collateral Prepayments
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		14.00%		14.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		14.00%		14.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Prepayments [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate		14.00%		14.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Losses		Projected Collateral Losses
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		7.00%		7.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		7.00%		7.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Losses [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Default		7.00%		7.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Projected Collateral Severities		Projected Collateral Severities
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		40.00%		40.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		40.00%		40.00%
Securitized debt [Member] | Projected Collateral Severities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Loss Severity		40.00%		40.00%
Loan participation payable [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 0	[1]	$ (1,800,000)			(1,800,000)		(1,800,000)	0
Loan participation payable [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value				$ (1,800,000)
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques				Discounted Cash Flow
Loan participation payable [Member] | Yield [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description				Yield
Loan participation payable [Member] | Yield [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate				21.70%
Loan participation payable [Member] | Yield [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate				21.70%
Loan participation payable [Member] | Yield [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate				21.70%
Loan participation payable [Member] | Credit Spread [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description				Credit Spread
Loan participation payable [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread				10bps
Loan participation payable [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread				10bps
Loan participation payable [Member] | Credit Spread [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Credit Spread				10bps
Loan participation payable [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description	[3]			Recovery Percentage
Loan participation payable [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage				100.00%
Loan participation payable [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage				100.00%
Loan participation payable [Member] | Recovery Percentage [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Recovery Percentage				100.00%
AG Arc [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		17,824,219	[1]	$ 12,894,819		$ 17,712,557	$ 12,922,568		$ 4,488,281	$ 0
AG Arc [Member] | Comparable Multiple [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value		$ 17,824,219		$ 12,894,819
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques		Comparable Multiple		Comparable Multiple
AG Arc [Member] | Book Value Multiple [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements Unobservable Input Description		Book Value Multiple		Book Value Multiple

[1] Gains/(losses) are recorded in the following line items in the consolidated statement of operations:

[2] Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of September 30, 2017.

[3] Represents the proportion of the principal expected to be collected relative to the loan balances as of December 31, 2016.

XML

Fair value measurements (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 12, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Percentage Of Loans And Leases Receivable Commercial Transferred To Unaffiliated Third Party	15.00%
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable before Fees, Gross	$ 12.0	$ 12.0

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 2,659,350,000	$ 1,853,169,104
Weighted Average Rate	1.76%	1.63%
Weighted Average Haircut	9.60%	11.50%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 2,999,997,266	$ 2,178,835,205
Amortized Cost	2,926,054,166	2,156,470,443
Accrued Interest	10,063,080	7,016,242
Overnight
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 107,066,000	$ 70,899,000
Weighted Average Rate	1.26%	0.66%
Weighted Average Haircut	3.00%	3.50%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 110,372,484	$ 73,485,225
Amortized Cost	109,526,493	73,170,802
Accrued Interest	313,586	191,554
30 days or less [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 2,039,853,000	$ 961,185,000
Weighted Average Rate	1.77%	1.79%
Weighted Average Haircut	9.60%	14.70%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 2,297,649,801	$ 1,164,241,469
Amortized Cost	2,231,098,823	1,152,472,020
Accrued Interest	7,932,198	3,851,520
31-60 days [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 369,334,000	$ 465,776,000
Weighted Average Rate	1.87%	1.23%
Weighted Average Haircut	10.30%	8.60%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 425,787,109	$ 514,624,485
Amortized Cost	419,340,738	512,633,509
Accrued Interest	1,349,706	1,607,435
61-90 days [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 19,965,000	$ 129,119,000
Weighted Average Rate	2.79%	1.69%
Weighted Average Haircut	26.20%	13.20%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 27,056,415	$ 151,989,415
Amortized Cost	26,820,517	151,567,289
Accrued Interest	106,417	399,702
Maturity 91 to 180 Days [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 111,027,000	$ 16,897,000
Weighted Average Rate	1.55%	2.81%
Weighted Average Haircut	10.00%	21.60%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 124,326,562	$ 21,554,174
Amortized Cost	124,458,675	21,892,108
Accrued Interest	341,221	17,056
Maturity Over 180 Days [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 12,105,000	$ 209,293,104
Weighted Average Rate	2.89%	1.93%
Weighted Average Haircut	17.90%	4.70%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 14,804,895	$ 252,940,437
Amortized Cost	14,808,920	244,734,715
Accrued Interest	19,952	948,975
Maturity Over 180 Days [Member] | Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 13,405,824	$ 25,544,702
Weighted Average Rate	3.74%	3.27%
Weighted Average Funding Cost	3.97%	3.79%
Weighted Average Haircut	35.20%	30.30%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 20,767,883	$ 34,088,921
Amortized Cost	19,352,254	32,849,686
Accrued Interest	26,553	45,068
Maturity Over 180 Days [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Balance	$ 21,796,000	$ 21,796,000
Weighted Average Rate	3.39%	2.91%
Weighted Average Funding Cost	3.39%	3.13%
Weighted Average Haircut	33.50%	33.50%
Fair Value Pledged	$ 32,800,000	$ 32,800,000
Amortized Cost	32,800,000	32,798,706
Accrued Interest	$ 206,986	$ 125,314

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details 1) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Cash pledged (i.e., restricted cash) under repurchase agreements	$ 10,855,418	$ 17,149,022
Fair Value of unsettled trades pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements:	0	3,057,814
Total collateral pledged under Repurchase agreements	3,064,420,567	2,262,873,148
Agency RMBS [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Trading Securities Pledged as Collateral	1,849,664,503	965,154,048
Non-Agency RMBS [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Trading Securities Pledged as Collateral	905,878,564	990,985,143
ABS [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Trading Securities Pledged as Collateral	35,918,646	21,231,956
CMBS [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Trading Securities Pledged as Collateral	208,535,553	201,464,058
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Loans Pledged as Collateral	20,767,883	31,031,107
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member]
Fair Value of investments pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements
Loans Pledged as Collateral	$ 32,800,000	$ 32,800,000

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details 2) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	$ 2,694,551,824	$ 1,900,509,806
Agency RMBS [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	1,752,725,000	907,041,000
Non-Agency RMBS [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	721,638,000	776,459,104
ABS [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	26,248,000	15,283,000
CMBS [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	158,739,000	154,386,000
Residential Mortgage Loans [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	13,405,824	25,544,702
Commercial Mortgage Loans [Member] | Repurchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Total Borrowings Under Repurchase Agreements [Line Items]
Gross Liability for Repurchase agreements	$ 21,796,000	$ 21,796,000

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details 3) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	$ 2,694,551,824	$ 1,900,509,806
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	2,694,551,824	1,900,509,806
Gross Amounts Offset In The Consolidated Balance Sheets [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	0	0
Net Amounts Of Liabilities Presented In The Consolidated Balance Sheets [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	2,694,551,824	1,900,509,806
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Financial Instruments Posted [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	2,694,551,824	1,900,509,806
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Cash Collateral Posted [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	0	0
Net Amount [Member]
Gross And Net Information About Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase Agreements	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details 4) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Counterparty [Line Items]
Amount at Risk		$ 50,917,158
Weighted Average Maturity (days)		357 days
Percentage of Stockholders' Equity		8.00%
JP Morgan Securities, LLC [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Counterparty [Line Items]
Amount at Risk		$ 34,885,263
Weighted Average Maturity (days)		160 days
Percentage of Stockholders' Equity		5.00%
RBC Capital Markets [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Counterparty [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 40,066,058
Weighted Average Maturity (days)	22 days
Percentage of Stockholders' Equity	6.00%
Barclays Capital Inc [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Counterparty [Line Items]
Amount at Risk	$ 37,669,214
Weighted Average Maturity (days)	11 days
Percentage of Stockholders' Equity	5.00%

XML

Repurchase agreements (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Feb. 23, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 04, 2015
Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 93.4
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity on renewal of repurchase agreement		$ 50.0
AG MIT WFB1 [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 13.4		25.5
AG MIT CREL [Member]
Repurchase Agreement Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity on renewal of repurchase agreement				$ 150.0
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 21.8		$ 21.8	$ 42.8

XML

Derivatives (Details) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liabilities at Fair Value		$ (587,383)	$ (1,847,219)
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Assets at Fair Value		815,622	3,703,366
TBAs [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liabilities at Fair Value		(1,537,167)	(423,825)
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Assets at Fair Value		117,693	0
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liabilities at Fair Value	[1]	0	(22,365,000)
US Treasury Futures [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Assets at Fair Value		19,531	0
US Treasury Futures [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liabilities at Fair Value		0	(636,211)
Eurodollar Futures [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Assets at Fair Value		$ 75,000	$ 0

[1] The Company’s obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2016 relates to securities borrowed to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities. The change in fair value of the borrowed securities is recorded in the “Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives and other instruments, net” line item in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

XML

Derivatives (Details 1) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 1,862,000,000	$ 644,000,000
Long [Member] | Float Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		1,862,000,000	644,000,000
Notional amount of TBAs [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		116,000,000
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount			(25,000,000)
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount		0	(24,000,000)
Eurodollar Futures [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	[1]	(150,000,000)	0
US Treasury Futures [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	[2]	$ (25,000,000)	$ (141,500,000)

[1] Each Eurodollar Future contract embodies $1.0 million of notional value.

[2] Each U.S. Treasury Future contract embodies $100,000 of notional value.

XML

Derivatives (Details 2) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Interest rate swaps, at fair value [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		$ 2,954,860	$ 9,700,438	$ 6,213,709	$ (9,816,031)
Net realized gain/(loss)		(1,813,293)	(5,205,405)	(9,896,031)	(10,938,839)
Eurodollar Futures [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		0	2,997	0	2,997
Eurodollar Futures [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		74,624	146,044	74,624	(4,503)
Net realized gain/(loss)		323,059	242,006	323,059	242,006
US Treasury Futures [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		0	126,468	0	106,094
Net realized gain/(loss)		0	(351,329)	0	(224,410)
US Treasury Futures [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		(721,752)	(21,123)	658,059	0
Net realized gain/(loss)		(223,953)	292,930	(4,054,532)	307,986
TBAs [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net	[1]	53,913	(409,021)	(995,626)	32,225
Net realized gain/(loss)	[1]	1,671,836	420,547	3,002,891	445,586
Long positions on U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		0	(3,081,289)	0	4,498,750
Net realized gain/(loss)		0	1,412,695	0	1,836,523
Short positions on U.S. Treasuries [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivative and other instruments, net		0	415,782	(1,724,922)	215,391
Net realized gain/(loss)		$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,730,547	$ 0

[1] For the three months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $1.5 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.2 million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $2.6 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.6) million due to price changes. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.1 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net losses of $(0.1) million due to price changes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, gains and losses from purchases and sales of TBAs consisted of $0.2 million of net TBA dollar roll net interest income and net gains of $0.3 million due to price changes.

XML

Derivatives (Details 3) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)		$ 1,363,314	[1]	$ 4,559,134	[2]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0	[1]	0	[2]
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		1,363,314	[1]	4,559,134	[2]
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received		0	[1]	0	[2]
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received		598,139	[1]	879,575	[2]
Derivative Assets, Net Amount		765,175	[1]	3,679,559	[2]
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)		(2,071,930)	[3]	(2,765,900)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0	[3]	0	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		(2,071,930)	[3]	(2,765,900)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received		0	[3]	(423,824)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received		(2,071,930)	[3]	(2,342,076)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amount		0	[3]	0	[4]
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)		1,151,090	[1]	4,559,134	[2]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0	[1]	0	[2]
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		1,151,090	[1]	4,559,134	[2]
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received		0	[1]	0	[2]
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received		598,139	[1]	879,575	[2]
Derivative Assets, Net Amount		552,951	[1]	3,679,559	[2]
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[4]			(1,705,865)
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[4]			0
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[4]			(1,705,865)
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[4]			0
Derivative Liabilities, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[4]			(1,705,865)
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amount	[4]			0
Interest Rate Swaps One [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[3]	(534,763)
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[3]	0
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[3]	(534,763)
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[3]	0
Derivative Liabilities, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[3]	(534,763)
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amount	[3]	0
TBAs [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[1]	117,693
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	117,693
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amount	[1]	117,693
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)		(1,537,167)	[3]	(423,824)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		0	[3]	0	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		(1,537,167)	[3]	(423,824)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received		0	[3]	(423,824)	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received		(1,537,167)	[3]	0	[4]
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amount		0	[3]	0	[4]
Receivable Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)				22,680,000
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				0
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				22,680,000
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received				22,365,000
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received				0
Derivative Assets, Net Amount				315,000
U.S. Treasury Futures - Short [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[1]	19,531
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	19,531
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amount	[1]	19,531
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[4]			(636,211)
Derivative Liabilities, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[4]			0
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[4]			(636,211)
Derivative Liabilities, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[4]			0
Derivative Liabilities, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[4]			(636,211)
Derivative Liabilities, Net Amount	[4]			$ 0
Eurodollar Futures Short [Member]
Schedule Of Gross And Net Information About Derivative Instruments [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)	[1]	75,000
Derivative Assets, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	[1]	75,000
Derivative Assets, Financial Instruments (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Cash Collateral (Posted)/Received	[1]	0
Derivative Assets, Net Amount	[1]	$ 75,000

[1] Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $1,363,314 less accrued interest of $(335,468) for a total of $1,027,846.

[2] Included in Derivative Assets on the consolidated balance sheet is $4,559,134 less accrued interest of $(855,768) for a total of $3,703,366.

[3] Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,071,930) less accrued interest of $(52,620) for a total of $(2,124,550).

[4] Included in Derivative Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet is $(2,765,900) plus accrued interest of $(141,355) for a total of $(2,907,255).

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Derivatives (Details 4) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 1,862,000,000	$ 644,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	1.79%	1.74%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.32%	0.92%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	4 years 6 months 4 days	5 years 4 days
2017 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 36,000,000	$ 36,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	0.88%	0.88%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.31%	0.89%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	1 month 2 days	10 months 2 days
2019 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 170,000,000	$ 170,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	1.36%	1.36%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.31%	0.91%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	2 years 1 month 17 days	2 years 10 months 17 days
2020 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 620,000,000	$ 115,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	1.64%	1.59%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.31%	0.90%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	2 years 7 months 17 days	3 years 2 months 12 days
2021 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 60,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate		1.86%
Weighted Average Receive Rate		0.96%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity		4 years 11 months 8 days
2022 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 606,000,000	$ 53,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	1.87%	1.69%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.32%	0.94%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	4 years 9 months 11 days	5 years 8 months 8 days
2023 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 85,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate		2.30%
Weighted Average Receive Rate		0.94%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity		6 years 5 months 5 days
2024 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 205,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	2.03%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.31%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	6 years 8 months 16 days
2025 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount		$ 30,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate		2.48%
Weighted Average Receive Rate		0.94%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity		8 years 5 months 5 days
2026 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 75,000,000	$ 95,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	2.12%	2.17%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.31%	0.92%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	9 years 1 month 20 days	9 years 10 months 24 days
2027 [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 150,000,000
Weighted Average Pay Rate	2.26%
Weighted Average Receive Rate	1.32%
Weighted Average Years to Maturity	9 years 7 months 17 days

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Derivatives (Details 5) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of To Be Announced Securities Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Notional Amount			$ 644,000,000
Ending Net Notional Amount	$ 1,862,000,000		1,862,000,000
Net Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker	(616,020)		(616,020)		$ (1,211,694)
Derivative Asset	1,027,846		1,027,846		3,703,366
Derivative Liabilities, At Fair Value	(2,124,550)		(2,124,550)		$ (2,907,255)
To Be Announced Securities [Member] | Long [Member]
Schedule Of To Be Announced Securities Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Notional Amount	300,000,000	$ 100,000,000	50,000,000	$ 75,000,000
Buys or Covers	738,000,000	102,000,000	1,914,000,000	379,000,000
Sales or Shorts	(922,000,000)	(202,000,000)	(1,848,000,000)	(454,000,000)
Ending Net Notional Amount	116,000,000	0	116,000,000	0
Net Fair Value as of Year End	121,125,315	0	121,125,315	0
Net Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker	(122,544,789)	0	(122,544,789)	0
Derivative Asset	117,693	0	117,693	0
Derivative Liabilities, At Fair Value	(1,537,167)	0	(1,537,167)	0
To Be Announced Securities [Member] | Short [Member]
Schedule Of To Be Announced Securities Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Notional Amount	0	0	(75,000,000)	0
Buys or Covers	0	168,000,000	75,000,000	393,000,000
Sales or Shorts	0	(168,000,000)	0	(393,000,000)
Ending Net Notional Amount	0	0	0	0
Net Fair Value as of Year End	0	0	0	0
Net Receivable/(Payable) from/to Broker	0	(109,375)	0	(109,375)
Derivative Asset	0	312,500	0	312,500
Derivative Liabilities, At Fair Value	$ 0	$ (421,875)	$ 0	$ (421,875)

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Derivatives (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,862,000,000		$ 1,862,000,000		$ 644,000,000
Derivative Assets Before Accrued Interest	1,363,314		1,363,314		4,559,134
Derivative Assets Accrued Interest	(335,468)		(335,468)		(855,768)
Derivative Assets, At Fair Value	1,027,846		1,027,846		3,703,366
Derivative Liabilities Before Accrued Interest	(2,071,930)		(2,071,930)		(2,765,900)
Derivative Liabilities Accrued Interest	(52,620)		(52,620)		(141,355)
Derivative Liabilities, At Fair Value	(2,124,550)		(2,124,550)		(2,907,255)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			53,189,925	$ 33,260,103
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Real Estate Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	7,700,000		7,700,000		7,100,000
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Assets Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	600,000		600,000		900,000
Proceeds Pledged To Serve Collateral Against Certain Derivatives			26,500,000		$ 9,400,000
Eurodollar Futures [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,000,000		1,000,000
US Treasury Futures [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	100,000		100,000
TBA [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities	1,500,000	$ 100,000	2,600,000	200,000
Unrealized Gain on Securities	$ 200,000			$ 300,000
Unrealized Loss on Securities		$ 100,000	$ 600,000

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Earnings per share (Details) - shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants	1,007,500		1,007,500
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager	28,189,441	27,700,154
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Manager [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Unvested restricted stock units previously granted to the Manager	60,000		20,003

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Earnings per share (Details 1) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 32,644,083	$ 42,764,611	$ 84,198,168	$ 54,662,617
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	27,841,452	27,802,124	27,756,357	28,036,809
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units	15,313	2,030	13,942	0
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	27,856,765	27,804,154	27,770,299	28,036,809
Basic Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$ 1.17	$ 1.54	$ 3.03	$ 1.95
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:	$ 1.17	$ 1.54	$ 3.03	$ 1.95

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Earnings per share (Details 2) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Common Stock One [Member]
Declaration Date	Jun. 08, 2017		Jun. 09, 2016
Record Date	Jun. 19, 2017		Jun. 20, 2016
Payment Date	Jul. 31, 2017		Jul. 29, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.475		$ 0.475
Common Stock Two [Member]
Declaration Date	Sep. 11, 2017		Sep. 12, 2016
Record Date	Sep. 29, 2017		Sep. 23, 2016
Payment Date	Oct. 31, 2017		Oct. 31, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.575	[1]	$ 0.475
Common Stock [Member]
Declaration Date	Mar. 10, 2017		Mar. 10, 2016
Record Date	Mar. 21, 2017		Mar. 21, 2016
Payment Date	Apr. 28, 2017		Apr. 29, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.475		$ 0.475

[1] The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

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Earnings per share (Details 3) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Series A Preferred Stock One [Member]
Dividend	8.25%	8.25%
Declaration Date	Feb. 16, 2017	Feb. 12, 2016
Record Date	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Payment Date	Mar. 17, 2017	Mar. 17, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.51563	$ 0.51563
Series A Preferred Stock Two [Member]
Dividend	8.25%	8.25%
Declaration Date	May 15, 2017	May 13, 2017
Record Date	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Payment Date	Jun. 19, 2017	Jun. 17, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.51563	$ 0.51563
Series A Preferred Stock Three [Member]
Dividend	8.25%	8.25%
Declaration Date	Aug. 16, 2017	Aug. 15, 2016
Record Date	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Payment Date	Sep. 18, 2017	Sep. 19, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.51563	$ 0.51563
Series B Preferred Stock one [Member]
Dividend	8.00%	8.00%
Declaration Date	Feb. 16, 2017	Feb. 12, 2016
Record Date	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 29, 2016
Payment Date	Mar. 17, 2017	Mar. 17, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Series B Preferred Stock Two [Member]
Dividend	8.00%	8.00%
Declaration Date	May 15, 2017	May 13, 2016
Record Date	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Payment Date	Jun. 19, 2017	Jun. 17, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Series B Preferred Stock Three [Member]
Dividend	8.00%	8.00%
Declaration Date	Aug. 16, 2017	Aug. 15, 2016
Record Date	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Payment Date	Sep. 18, 2017	Sep. 19, 2016
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.50	$ 0.50

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Earnings per share (Details Textual) - Common Stock Two [Member] - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share	$ 0.575	[1]	$ 0.475
Dividends Declared Common Stock Outstanding Regular Common Dividend	0.475
Dividends Declared Common Stock Outstanding Special Cash Dividend	$ 0.10

[1] The combined dividend of $0.575 includes a dividend of $0.475 per common share and a special cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

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Income taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Excise Tax Expenses	$ 0.3	$ 0.2	$ 1.1	$ 1.0

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Related party transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 09, 2015	Aug. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	May 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fee to affiliate						$ 2,454,083	$ 2,451,387		$ 7,373,679	$ 7,322,312
Noninterest Expense Directors Fees									120,000
Non Reimbursable expenses Incurred By Manager						$ 1,400,000	1,800,000		$ 4,800,000	5,300,000
Management Fee Percentage						1.50%			1.50%
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value						$ 89,081,520			$ 89,081,520			$ 72,215,919
Fees Paid to Asset Manager						41,732	67,189		137,022	202,715
Other Cost and Expense, Operating						2,602,473	$ 2,870,662		$ 8,247,060	$ 8,581,726
Noninterest Expense Directors Fees Paid In Cash,Percentage									50.00%
Noninterest Expense Directors Fees Paid In Restricted Common Stock ,Percentage									50.00%
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment	$ 30,000,000			$ 10,000,000
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Assets [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value						79,800,000			$ 79,800,000			69,000,000
AG Arc LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value						17,800,000			17,800,000			$ 12,900,000
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount				$ 17,800,000
Mortgage Servicing Rights, Fair Value						2,600,000			2,600,000
ARC Home LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party						$ 2,921			$ 6,364
Mortgage Acquisition Trust [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount		$ 33,400,000
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment		$ 75,000,000
Arms Length Transaction One [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership Interest in Assets Contributed to Securitization															10.00%
Arms Length Transaction One [Member] | Non-Agency [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value															$ 3,100,000
Arms Length Transaction Two [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership Interest in Assets Contributed to Securitization														7.50%
Arms Length Transaction Two [Member] | Non-Agency [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value															$ 5,100,000
Selling Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Total													$ 6,900,000
July Selling Affiliate [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value			$ 200,000
Bond Tranches [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value														$ 7,100,000
BWIC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value											$ 2,000,000
Manager Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued In Period									277,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant						65,238			65,238
Manager [Member] | July 1, 2015 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Number of Shares								20,000
Manager [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			60,000		60,000				160,250
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period									100,250
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Beginning Balance			20,000
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period									52,012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period									52,012

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Equity (Details) - $ / shares		1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	May 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017
Maximum [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]						14,598,493
Publicly Announced Program [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]						741,410
Repurchase [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]						614,695
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]						$ 14.20
Repurchase [Member] | September Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]	16,000
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]	$ 15.76
Repurchase [Member] | August Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]		165,842
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]		$ 15.74
Repurchase [Member] | June Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]			36,725
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]			$ 14.38
Repurchase [Member] | Maximum [Member] | September Purchases [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]	14,598,493
Repurchase [Member] | Maximum [Member] | August Purchases [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]		14,850,605
Repurchase [Member] | Maximum [Member] | June Purchases [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]			17,460,743
Repurchase [Member] | May Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]				276,522
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]				$ 13.75
Repurchase [Member] | May Purchases [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]				17,988,891
Repurchase [Member] | Publicly Announced Program [Member] | September Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]	741,410
Repurchase [Member] | Publicly Announced Program [Member] | August Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]		725,410
Repurchase [Member] | Publicly Announced Program [Member] | June Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]			559,568
Repurchase [Member] | Publicly Announced Program [Member] | May Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]				522,843
Repurchase [Member] | March Purchases [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]					119,606
Shares Issued, Price Per Share	[1],[3]					$ 12.86
Repurchase [Member] | March Purchases [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares, Common Stock Subject to Repurchase or Cancellation	[1],[2]					21,790,786
Repurchase [Member] | March Purchases [Member] | Publicly Announced Program [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	[1]					246,321

[1] Based on trade date. The Program was announced on November 4, 2015. The Program does not have an expiration date.

[2] The maximum dollar amount authorized was $25.0 million.

[3] Includes brokerage commissions and clearing fees.

XML

Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($)		9 Months Ended
	May 05, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 03, 2015	May 06, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Capital Available For Issuance		$ 650,000,000		$ 750,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		25,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 8,718,155
Repurchase [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		14,600,000
Sale Agents [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues		460,932
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	$ 100,000,000	$ 8,700,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00
Dividend		8.25%
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value (in dollars per share)		$ 25.00
Dividend		8.00%
Private Placement [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share		$ 20.00
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction		3,205,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right		0.5
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights		$ 20.50
Class Of Warrant Or Right Expiration Date		Jul. 06, 2018

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended
	Dec. 09, 2015	Aug. 31, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment	$ 30.0		$ 10.0
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment	$ 30.0		10.0
AG Arc LLC [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount			$ 17.8
Mortgage Acquisition Trust [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount		$ 33.4
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment		75.0
Amount Committed Under Long Term Purchase Commitment		$ 75.0