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Consolidated Investment Entities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Consolidated Investment Entities [Abstract]  
Consolidated Investment Entities Consolidated Investment Entities
In the normal course of business, the Company provides investment management services to, invests in and has transactions with, various types of investment entities which may be considered VIEs or VOEs. The Company evaluates its involvement with each entity to determine whether consolidation is required.

The Company holds variable interests in certain investment entities in the form of debt or equity investments, as well as the right to receive management fees, performance fees, and carried interest. The Company consolidates certain entities under the VIE guidance when it is determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary. Alternatively, certain entities are consolidated under the VOE guidance when control is obtained through voting rights.

The Company has no right to the benefits from, nor does it bear the risks associated with consolidated investment entities beyond the Company’s direct equity and debt investments in and management fees generated from these entities. Such direct investments amounted to approximately $167 and $279 on a continuing basis as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. If the Company were to liquidate, the assets held by consolidated investment entities would not be available to the general creditors of the Company as a result of the liquidation.
Consolidated VIEs and VOEs

Collateral Loan Obligations Entities ("CLOs")

The Company is involved in the design, creation, and the ongoing management of CLOs. These entities are created for the purpose of acquiring diversified portfolios of senior secured floating rate leveraged loans, and securitizing these assets by issuing multiple tranches of collateralized debt; thereby providing investors with a broad array of risk and return profiles. Also known as collateralized financing entities under Topic 810, CLOs are variable interest entities by definition.

In return for providing collateral management services, the Company earns investment management fees and contingent performance fees. In addition to earning fee income, the Company often holds an investment in certain of the CLOs it manages, generally within the unrated and most subordinated tranche of each CLO. The fee income earned and investments held are included in the Company's ongoing consolidation assessment for each CLO. The Company was the primary beneficiary of 2 and 3 CLOs as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Limited Partnerships

The Company invests in and manages various limited partnerships, including private equity funds and hedge funds. These entities have been evaluated by the Company and are determined to be VIEs due to the equity holders, as a group, lacking the characteristics of a controlling financial interest.  

In return for serving as the general partner of and providing investment management services to these entities, the Company earns management fees and carried interest in the normal course of business. Additionally, the Company often holds an investment in each limited partnership it manages, generally in the form of general partner and limited partner interests. The fee income, carried interest, and investments held are included in the Company’s ongoing consolidation analysis for each limited partnership. The Company consolidated 12 funds, which were structured as partnerships, as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Registered Investment Companies

The Company deconsolidated one sponsored investment fund accounted for as a VOE as of June 30, 2020, because it is no longer the majority investor in the fund, and as such, does not have a controlling financial interest in the fund. The Company consolidated one sponsored investment fund accounted for as a VOE as of December 31, 2019, because it is the majority investor in the fund, and as such, has a controlling financial interest in the fund.
The following table summarizes the components of the consolidated investment entities as of the dates indicated:
June 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Assets of Consolidated Investment Entities
VIEs
Cash and cash equivalents
$39  $68  
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option274  513  
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value1,459  1,470  
Other assets10  12  
Total VIE assets
1,782  2,063  
VOEs
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value—  162  
Other assets—   
Total VOE assets—  163  
Total assets of consolidated investment entities$1,782  $2,226  
Liabilities of Consolidated Investment Entities
VIEs
CLO notes, at fair value using the fair value option$268  $474  
Other liabilities606  650  
Total VIE liabilities874  1,124  
VOEs
Other liabilities—   
Total VOE liabilities—   
Total liabilities of consolidated investment entities$874  $1,126  

Fair Value Measurement

Upon consolidation, the Company elected to apply the FVO for financial assets and financial liabilities held by CLOs and continued to measure these assets (primarily corporate loans) and liabilities (debt obligations issued by CLOs) at fair value in subsequent periods. The Company has elected the FVO to more closely align its accounting with the economics of its transactions and allows the Company to more effectively align changes in the fair value of CLO assets with a commensurate change in the fair value of CLO liabilities.

Investments held by consolidated private equity funds are measured and reported at fair value in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Changes in the fair value of consolidated investment entities are recorded as a separate line item within Income (loss) related to consolidated investment entities in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The methodology for measuring the fair value of financial assets and liabilities of consolidated investment entities, and the classification of these measurements in the fair value hierarchy is consistent with the methodology and classification applied by the Company to its investment portfolio.

As discussed in more detail below, the Company utilizes valuations obtained from third-party commercial pricing services, brokers and investment sponsors or third-party administrators that supply NAV (or its equivalent) per share used as a practical expedient. The valuations obtained from brokers and third-party commercial pricing services are non-binding. These valuations are reviewed on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the entity and its underlying investments. Procedures include, but are not limited to, a review of underlying fund investor reports, review of top and worst performing funds requiring further scrutiny, review of variance from prior periods and review of variance from benchmarks, where applicable. In addition, the
Company considers both macro and fund specific events that may impact the latest NAV supplied and determines if further adjustments of value should be made. Such changes, if any, are subject to senior management review.

When a price cannot be obtained from a commercial pricing service, independent broker quotes are solicited. Securities priced using independent broker quotes are classified as Level 3. Broker quotes and prices obtained from pricing services are reviewed and validated through an internal valuation committee price variance review, comparisons to internal pricing models, back testing to recent trades or monitoring of trading volumes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts for cash reflect the assets’ fair values. The fair value for cash equivalents is determined based on quoted market prices. These assets are classified as Level 1.

CLOs

Corporate loans: Corporate loan investments, which comprise the majority of consolidated CLO portfolio collateral, are senior secured corporate loans maturing at various dates between 2020 and 2028, paying interest at LIBOR, EURIBOR or PRIME plus a spread of up to 10.8%. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the unpaid principal balance exceeded the fair value of the corporate loans by approximately $33 and $18, respectively. Less than 2.0% and 1.0% of the collateral assets were in default as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The fair values for corporate loans are determined using independent commercial pricing services. Fair value measurement based on pricing services may be classified in Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the type, complexity, observability and liquidity of the asset being measured. The inputs used by independent commercial pricing services, such as benchmark yields and credit risk adjustments, are those that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Hence, the fair value measurement of corporate loans priced by independent pricing service providers is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. In addition, there are assets held with CLO portfolios that represent senior level debt of other third party CLOs. These CLO investments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See description of fair value process for CLO notes below.

CLO notes: The CLO notes are backed by a diversified loan portfolio consisting primarily of senior secured floating rate leveraged loans. Repayment risk is segmented into tranches with credit ratings of these tranches reflecting both the credit quality of underlying collateral as well as how much protection a given tranche is afforded by tranches that are subordinate to it. The most subordinated tranche bears the first loss and receives the residual payments, if any. The interest rates are generally variable rates based on LIBOR plus a pre-defined spread, which varies from 0.7% for the more senior tranches to 5.4% for the more subordinated tranches. CLO notes mature in 2026 and have a weighted average maturity of 6.1 years as of June 30, 2020. The investors in this debt are not affiliated with the Company and have no recourse to the general credit of the Company for this debt.

The fair values of the CLO notes are measured based on the fair value of the CLO's corporate loans, as the Company uses the measurement alternative available under ASU 2014-13 and determined that the inputs for measuring financial assets are more observable. The CLO notes are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, consistent with the classification of the majority of the CLO financial assets.

The Company reviews the detailed prices including comparisons to prior periods for reasonableness. The Company utilizes a formal pricing challenge process to request a review of any price during which time the vendor examines its assumptions and relevant market inputs to determine if a price change is warranted.

The following narrative indicates the sensitivity of inputs:

Default Rate: An increase (decrease) in the expected default rate would likely increase (decrease) the discount margin (increase risk premium) used to value the CLO investments and CLO notes and, as a result, would potentially decrease the value of the CLO investments and CLO notes.
Recovery Rate: A decrease (increase) in the expected recovery of defaulted assets would potentially decrease (increase) the valuation of CLO investments and CLO notes.
Prepayment Rate: A decrease (increase) in the expected rate of collateral prepayments would potentially decrease (increase) the valuation of CLO investments and CLO notes as the expected weighted average life ("WAL") would increase (decrease).
Discount Margin (spread over LIBOR): An increase (decrease) in the discount margin used to value the CLO investments and CLO notes would decrease (increase) the value of the CLO investments and CLO notes.

Private Equity Funds

As prescribed in ASC Topic 820, the unit of account for these investments is the interest in the investee fund. The Company owns an undivided interest in the fund portfolio and does not have the ability to dispose of individual assets and liabilities in the fund portfolio. Rather, the Company would be required to redeem or dispose of its entire interest in the investee fund. There is no current active market for interests in underlying private equity funds.

Valuation is generally based on the valuations provided by the fund's general partner or investment manager. The valuations typically reflect the fair value of the Company's capital account balance of each fund investment, including unrealized capital gains (losses), as reported in the financial statements of the respective investee fund as of the respective year end or the latest available date. In circumstances where fair values are not provided, the Company seeks to determine the fair value of fund investments based upon other information provided by the fund's general partner or investment manager or from other sources.

The fair value of securities received in-kind from fund investments is determined based on the restrictions around the securities.

Unrestricted, publicly traded securities are valued at the closing public market price on the reporting date;
Restricted, publicly traded securities may be valued at a discount from the closing public market price on the reporting date, depending on the circumstances; and
Privately held securities are valued by the directors/general partner of the investee fund, based on a variety of factors, including the price of recent transactions in the company's securities and the company's earnings, revenue and book value.

In the case of direct investments or co-investments in private equity companies, the Company initially recognizes investments at cost and subsequently adjusts investments to fair value. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews the general partner or lead investor's valuation of the investee company, taking into account other available information, such as indications of a market value through subsequent issues of capital or transactions between third parties, performance of the investee company during the period and public, comparable companies' analysis, where appropriate.

Investments in these funds typically may not be fully redeemed at net asset value ("NAV") within 90 days because of inherent restriction on near term redemptions.

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, certain private equity funds maintained term loans and revolving lines of credit of $666 and $669, respectively. The term loans renew every three years and the revolving lines of credit renew annually; all loans bear interest at LIBOR/EURIBOR plus 150 - 200 bps. The lines of credit are used for funding transactions before capital is called from investors, as well as for the financing of certain purchases. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, outstanding borrowings amount to $580 and $602, respectively.

On March 30, 2020, Pomona Investment Fund terminated its three-year revolving credit agreement with Credit Suisse and entered into a five-year revolving credit agreement with Barclays Bank Plc. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 285 bps and has a commitment fee of 85 bps. Pomona Investment Fund deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2020.
The borrowings are reflected in Liabilities related to consolidated investment entities - other liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The borrowings are carried at an amount equal to the unpaid principal balance.
The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy levels of consolidated investment entities as of June 30, 2020:
Level 1Level 2Level 3NAVTotal
Assets
VIEs
Cash and cash equivalents
$39  $—  $—  $—  $39  
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option
—  274  —  —  274  
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value—  —  —  1,459  1,459  
VOEs
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value—  —  —  —  —  
Total assets, at fair value$39  $274  $—  $1,459  $1,772  
Liabilities
VIEs
CLO notes, at fair value using the fair value option
$—  $268  $—  $—  $268  
Total liabilities, at fair value$—  $268  $—  $—  $268  

The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy levels of consolidated investment entities as of December 31, 2019:
Level 1Level 2Level 3NAVTotal
Assets
VIEs
Cash and cash equivalents$68  $—  $—  $—  $68  
Corporate loans, at fair value using the fair value option—  513  —  —  513  
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value—  —  —  1,470  1,470  
VOEs
Limited partnerships/corporations, at fair value—  —  —  162  162  
Total assets, at fair value$68  $513  $—  $1,632  $2,213  
Liabilities
VIEs
CLO notes, at fair value using the fair value option$—  $474  $—  $—  $474  
Total liabilities, at fair value$—  $474  $—  $—  $474  

Transfers of investments out of Level 3 and into Level 2 or Level 1, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the period in which the transfer occurred. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3 or transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
Deconsolidation of Certain Investment Entities

The Company determined its interest in the Pomona Investment Fund was less than a majority of the fund's NAV and therefore did not represent a controlling financial interest. As a result of this determination, the Company deconsolidated one investment entity during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. There were no deconsolidations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Nonconsolidated VIEs

CLOs

In addition to the consolidated CLOs, the Company also holds variable interest in certain CLOs that are not consolidated as it has been determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. With these CLOs, the Company serves as the investment manager and receives investment management fees and contingent performance fees. Generally, the Company does not hold any interest in the nonconsolidated CLOs but if it does, such ownership has been deemed to be insignificant. The Company has not provided, and is not obligated to provide, any financial or other support to these entities.

The Company reviews its assumptions on a periodic basis to determine if conditions have changed such that the projection of these contingent fees becomes significant enough to reconsider the Company's consolidation status as variable interest holder. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company held $396 and $377 ownership interests, respectively, in unconsolidated CLOs on a continuing basis.

Limited Partnerships

The Company manages or holds investments in certain private equity funds and hedge funds. With these entities, the Company serves as the investment manager and is entitled to receive at-market investment management fees and at-market contingent performance fees. The Company does not consolidate any of these investment funds for which it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary.

In addition, the Company does not consolidate the funds in which its involvement takes a form of a limited partner interest and is restricted to a role of a passive investor, as a limited partner's interest does not provide the Company with any substantive kick-out or participating rights, nor does it provide the Company with power to direct the activities of the fund.

The following table presents the carrying amounts of the variable interests in VIEs in which the Company concluded that it holds a variable interest, but is not the primary beneficiary as of the dates indicated. The Company determines its maximum exposure to loss to be: (i) the amount invested in the debt or equity of the VIE and (ii) other commitments and guarantees to the VIE.
Variable Interests on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
June 30, 2020December 31, 2019
 Carrying AmountMaximum exposure to loss Carrying AmountMaximum exposure to loss
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale and fair value option
$396  $396  $377  $377  
Limited partnership/corporations1,376  1,376  1,290  1,290  

Securitizations

The Company invests in various tranches of securitization entities, including RMBS, CMBS and ABS. Through its investments, the Company is not obligated to provide any financial or other support to these entities. Each of the RMBS, CMBS and ABS entities are thinly capitalized by design and considered VIEs. The Company's involvement with these entities is limited to that of a passive investor. The Company has no unilateral right to appoint or remove the servicer, special servicer or investment
manager, which are generally viewed to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the securitization entities' economic performance, in any of these entities, nor does the Company function in any of these roles. The Company, through its investments or other arrangements, does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Therefore, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and does not consolidate any of the RMBS, CMBS and ABS entities in which it holds investments. These investments are accounted for as investments available-for-sale as described in the Fair Value Measurements (excluding Consolidated Investment Entities) Note to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and unrealized capital gains (losses) on these securities are recorded directly in AOCI, except for certain RMBS which are accounted for under the FVO whose change in fair value is reflected in Other net realized gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these structured investments is limited to the amount of its investment. Refer to the Investments (excluding Consolidated Investment Entities) Note to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding the carrying amounts and classifications of these assets.