10-Q 1 v451666_10q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

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 No. 001-35845

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 45-4966519
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)

 

540 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10022

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 257-5073

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class   Outstanding at November 9, 2016
Common stock, $0.01 par value   14,602,394

 

 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.

 

INDEX

 

PART I - Financial Information      
           
Item 1.   Financial Statements      
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015   1  
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   2  
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   3  
    Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited)   4  
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   5  
    Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6  
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   48  
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks   68  
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   75  
           
PART II - Other Information   76  
           
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings   76  
Item 1A.   Risk Factors    76  
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   78  
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities   78  
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures   79  
Item 5.   Other Information   79  
Item 6.   Exhibits   79  
           
Signatures       80  

 

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements 

  

Financial Statements

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

September 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

    Page
     
Financial Statements    
     
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015   1
     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   2
     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended  September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   3
     
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited)   4
     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2015 (unaudited)   5
     
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6 - 47

 

 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

   9/30/2016 (1)   12/31/2015 (1)   
    (unaudited)       
ASSETS          
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value (includes pledged securities of $822,403,355 and $571,086,035 for  September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)  $817,394,805   $571,466,581 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale, at fair value (includes pledged loans of $8,754,039 and $10,900,402 for September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)   9,274,002    10,900,402 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value   1,267,101,902    1,449,774,383 
Residential loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value   153,356,678    411,881,097 
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   3,025,433    4,268,673 
Cash and cash equivalents   28,590,557    26,140,718 
Restricted cash   14,083,241    8,174,638 
Accrued interest receivable   7,650,823    8,650,986 
Dividends receivable   123    26,022 
Investment related receivable   4,131,073    1,591,343 
Derivative assets, at fair value   -    2,558,350 
FHLB stock   11,300    2,403,000 
Other assets   954,507    530,468 
           
Total assets  $2,305,574,444   $2,498,366,661 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
LIABILITIES:          
Repurchase agreements:          
Available-for-sale securities  $739,500,000   $509,231,000 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   7,125,821    9,504,457 
FHLB Advances   -    49,697,000 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   1,249,163,769    1,364,077,012 
Residential securitized debt obligations   147,407,885    380,638,423 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value   4,613,988    - 
Accrued interest payable   5,363,603    6,574,699 
Dividends payable   29,349    39,132 
Deferred income   6,905    - 
Fees and expenses payable to Manager   691,187    842,903 
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses   2,062,910    267,507 
           
Total liabilities   2,155,965,417    2,320,872,133 
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:          
Preferred Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 8.75% Series A cumulative redeemable, $25 liquidation preference, 1,610,000 and 1,610,000 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively   37,156,972    37,156,972 
Common Stock: par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized, 14,602,394 and 14,656,394 shares issued and outstanding, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively   145,979    146,409 
Additional paid-in capital   188,783,581    189,037,702 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   2,018,361    (395,771)
Cumulative distributions to stockholders   (66,320,787)   (55,803,240)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)   (12,175,079)   7,352,456 
           
Total stockholders' equity   149,609,027    177,494,528 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $2,305,574,444   $2,498,366,661 

 

(1) Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIE's) as the Company is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, assets of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,425,612,641 and $1,868,482,556, respectively, and the liabilities of consolidated VIEs totaled $1,401,605,297 and $1,750,916,265, respectively

 

See Notes 6 and 7 for further discussion

 

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

 

1 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                 
Revenues:                    
Interest income:                    
Available-for-sale securities  $6,549,869    5,460,965    16,780,701    19,020,504 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   121,892    499,335    411,199    1,790,362 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   14,466,946    16,794,338    44,597,652    51,679,542 
Residential loans held in securitization trusts   1,582,090    4,641,887    9,143,343    15,573,046 
Cash and cash equivalents   11,754    4,809    26,409    13,386 
Interest expense:                    
Repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (1,572,062)   (1,490,698)   (4,400,290)   (4,992,998)
Repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   (57,449)   (300,297)   (227,733)   (1,129,284)
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   (13,740,005)   (15,372,832)   (41,667,457)   (47,286,613)
Residential securitized debt obligations   (1,210,186)   (3,137,247)   (6,978,474)   (9,894,956)
                     
Net interest income   6,152,849    7,100,260    17,685,350    24,772,989 
                     
Other-than-temporary impairments                    
(Increase) decrease in credit reserves   (374,124)   (350,924)   (541,342)   (1,761,208)
Additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   (183,790)   -    (183,790)   (2,890,939)
                     
Total impairment losses recognized in earnings   (557,914)   (350,924)   (725,132)   (4,652,147)
                     
Other income:                    
Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net   (749,604)   1,464,308    (3,361,609)   1,834,151 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on fair value option securities   (958,995)   (393,685)   (3,569,744)   (625,958)
Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   (820,974)   (8,262,423)   (3,167,877)   (12,310,301)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   3,340,600    1,631,907    (7,172,338)   782,901 
Realized gain (loss) on mortgage loans held-for-sale   60,427    (13,666)   129,175    1,017,625 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (138,785)   539,456    (2,885)   496,297 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage servicing rights   (204,505)   (488,247)   (1,243,240)   (756,558)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   930,312    1,804,190    (5,604,839)   5,644,774 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on residential loans held in securitization trusts   (764,599)   (1,323,697)   80,511    (7,655,902)
Other interest expense   (1,860,000)   -    (1,860,000)   - 
Servicing income   258,458    64,962    726,011    121,500 
Other income   3    33,374    26,811    59,985 
                     
Total other income (loss)   (907,662)   (4,943,521)   (25,020,024)   (11,391,486)
                     
Expenses:                    
Management fee   623,525    703,167    1,873,486    2,119,571 
General and administrative expenses   1,171,421    1,419,268    4,483,064    4,820,505 
Operating expenses reimbursable to Manager   1,184,391    1,338,272    3,573,445    3,444,914 
Other operating expenses   161,036    (20,377)   1,393,303    1,185,164 
Compensation expense   50,544    64,207    144,431    187,202 
                     
Total expenses   3,190,917    3,504,537    11,467,729    11,757,356 
                     
Net income (loss)   1,496,356    (1,698,722)   (19,527,535)   (3,028,000)
                     
Dividends to preferred stockholders   (880,509)   (880,509)   (2,631,744)   (2,631,744)
                     
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $615,847    (2,579,231)   (22,159,279)   (5,659,744)
                     
Earnings (loss) per share:                    
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (basic and diluted)  $615,847    (2,579,231)   (22,159,279)   (5,659,744)
Weighted average number (loss) of shares of common stock outstanding   14,600,193    14,724,750    14,601,306    14,721,635 
Basic and diluted income per share  $0.04    (0.18)   (1.52)   (0.38)
Dividends declared per share of common stock  $0.18    0.30    0.54    1.05 

 

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

 

2 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                     
Net income (loss)  $1,496,356   $(1,698,722)  $(19,527,535)  $(3,028,000)
                     
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Increase (decrease) in net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net   (979,421)   (1,827,941)   8,396,200    (8,306,431)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain (loss) included in net income (loss)   23,914    2,045,480    (6,523,410)   3,461,294 
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income (loss)   374,124    350,924    541,342    1,761,208 
Reclassification cumulative adjustment for Linked Transactions   -    -    -    4,457,544 
                     
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   (581,383)   568,463    2,414,132    1,373,615 
                     
Less: Dividends to preferred stockholders   (880,509)   (880,509)   (2,631,744)   (2,631,744)
                     
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $34,464   $(2,010,768)  $(19,745,147)   (4,286,129)

 

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

 

3 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

                       Accumulated             
                   Additional   Other   Cumulative   Accumulated   Total 
   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Paid in   Comprehensive   Distributions to   Earnings   Stockholders' 
   Shares   Par Value   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Income (Loss)   Stockholders   (Deficit)   Equity 
Balance at January 1, 2016   1,610,000   $37,156,972    14,656,394   $146,409   $189,037,702   $(395,771)  $(55,803,240)  $7,352,456   $177,494,528 
                                              
Issuance of common stock, net   -    -    15,500    155    (155)   -    -    -    - 
                                              
Cost of issuing common stock   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Issuance of preferred stock, net   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Redemption of preferred stock, net   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Purchase of treasury stock, net   -    -    (58,500)   (585)   (282,980)   -    -    -    (283,565)
                                              
Restricted stock compensation expense   -    -    (11,000)   -    29,014    -    -    -    29,014 
                                              
Net income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (19,527,535)   (19,527,535)
Increase (decrease) in net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net   -    -    -    -    -    8,396,200    -    -    8,396,200 
Reclassification adjustment for net gain (loss) included in net income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    (6,523,410)   -    -    (6,523,410)
Reclassification cumulative adjustments for Linked Transactions   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Reclassification adjustment for other-than-temporary impairments included in net income (loss)   -    -    -    -    -    541,342    -         541,342 
                                              
Common dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    -    (7,885,803)   -    (7,885,803)
                                              
Preferred dividends declared   -    -    -    -    -    -    (2,631,744)   -    (2,631,744)
                                              
Balance at September 30, 2016   1,610,000   $37,156,972    14,602,394   $145,979   $188,783,581   $2,018,361   $(66,320,787)  $(12,175,079)  $149,609,027 

 

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

 

4 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

   Nine   Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
   (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $(19,527,535)  $(3,028,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Other-than-temporary impairment charges   725,132    4,652,147 
Amortization/accretion of available-for-sale securities premiums and discounts, net   (5,257,442)   (11,111,926)
Realized (gain) loss on sale of investments, net   3,361,609    (1,834,151)
Realized (gain) loss on derivative contracts   3,167,877    12,310,301 
Realized (gain) loss on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (129,175)   (1,017,625)
Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value option securities   3,569,744    625,958 
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts   7,172,338    (782,901)
Unrealized (gain) loss on mortgage loans held-for-sale   2,885    (496,297)
Unrealized (gain) loss on mortgage servicing rights   1,243,240    756,558 
Unrealized (gain) loss on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   5,604,839    (5,644,774)
Unrealized (gain) loss on residential loans held in securitization trusts   (80,511)   7,655,902 
Restricted stock compensation expense   29,014    50,535 
Net change in:          
Accrued interest receivable   (672,852)   1,438,767 
Dividends receivable   25,899    (26,022)
Other assets   (424,039)   (290,062)
Accrued interest payable   (43,909)   (608,536)
Deferred income   6,905    - 
Fees and expenses payable to Manager   (151,716)   (142,000)
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses   1,795,403    333,445 
    -    - 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   417,706    2,841,319 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of available-for-sale securities   (454,443,440)   (109,386,478)
Purchase of mortgage loans held-for-sale   (14,772,535)   (297,706,381)
Purchase of mortgage servicing rights   -    (2,671,876)
Purchase of FHLB stock   -    (2,403,000)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities   230,557,084    245,214,358 
Proceeds from mortgage loans held-for-sale   16,289,603    291,898,820 
Proceeds from FHLBI stock   2,391,700    - 
Net proceeds from (payments for) derivative contracts   (3,167,877)   (12,299,683)
Principal payments from available-for-sale securities   66,007,840    53,998,105 
Principal payments from mortgage loans held-for-sale   235,622    - 
Deferred securitization costs   -    (189,244)
Investment related receivable   (2,539,730)   71,006,526 
Restricted cash   (5,908,603)   (144,112)
           
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (165,350,336)   237,317,035 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from issuance of common stock   -    (344,889)
Deferred offering costs   -    (76,766)
Purchase of treasury stock   (283,565)   - 
Dividends paid on common stock   (7,885,803)   (15,457,238)
Dividends paid on preferred stock   (2,641,527)   (2,641,527)
Proceeds from repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   5,603,428,000    4,432,684,999 
Proceeds from repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   16,405,081    57,432,865 
Proceeds from FHLBI advances   -    104,800,000 
Payments for FHLBI advances   (49,697,000)   (53,400,000)
Principal repayments of repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (5,373,159,000)   (4,713,249,999)
Principal repayments of repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   (18,783,717)   (54,697,754)
    -      
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   167,382,469    (244,950,309)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   2,449,839    (4,791,955)
           
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   26,140,718    32,274,285 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $28,590,557   $27,482,330 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Cash paid for interest  $4,671,932   $6,730,818 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities information          
Restricted stock compensation expense  $29,014   $50,585 
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period  $29,349   $29,349 
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities  $2,414,131   $3,638,597 
Consolidation of multi-family loans held in securitization trusts  $1,271,754,540   $1,563,385,916 
Consolidation of residential loans held in securitization trusts  $153,858,101   $445,230,977 
Consolidation of multi-family securitized debt obligations  $1,253,797,808   $1,477,807,591 
Consolidation of residential securitized debt obligations  $147,807,489   $393,218,978 
MBS securities recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing  $-   $210,238,653 
Repurchase agreements recorded upon adoption of revised accounting standard for repurchase agreement financing  $-   $149,293,000 

 

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

 

5 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

Five Oaks Investment Corp. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation focused primarily on investing in, financing and managing residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), multi-family mortgage backed securities (“Multi-Family MBS”, and together with RMBS, “MBS”), residential mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights and other mortgage-related investments. The Company is externally managed by Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC (the “Manager”), an asset management firm incorporated in Delaware. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “OAKS.”

 

The Company was incorporated on March 28, 2012 and commenced operations on May 16, 2012. The Company began trading as a publicly traded company on March 22, 2013.

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and to comply with Sections 856 through 859 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the ("Code"). Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. The Company invests in Agency RMBS, which are RMBS for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The Company also invests in Non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. Additionally, the Company invests in Multi-Family MBS, which are MBS for which the principal and interest may be sponsored by a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or may not be sponsored by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. The Company also invests in residential mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights, and may also invest in other mortgage-related investments.

 

On June 10, 2013, the Company established Five Oaks Acquisition Corp. (“FOAC”) as a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), for the acquisition and disposition of residential mortgage loans. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

On April 30, 2014, the Company established Five Oaks Insurance LLC (“FOI”) as a wholly owned subsidiary. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under GAAP.

 

In September 2014, and October 2014, respectively, the Company acquired first loss tranches issued or backed by two Freddie Mac-sponsored Multi-Family MBS K series securitizations (the “FREMF 2011-K13 Trust” and the “FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust”). The Company determined that each of the trusts was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that in each case the Company remains the primary beneficiary, and accordingly consolidated the assets and liabilities of the trusts into the Company’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP. On April 21, 2016, and April 26, 2016, respectively, the Company completed two re-securitization transactions (the “Re-REMIC transactions”). The Company consolidates the assets and liabilities of the newly established trusts, in each case based upon the Company’s purchase of first-loss securities of the Re-REMIC transactions. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it remains the primary beneficiary of the underlying trusts and continues to consolidate the assets and liabilities of each underlying trust.

 

In October 2014, and December 2014, respectively, the Company also acquired first loss and subordinated tranches issued by two residential mortgage-backed securitizations (the “JPMMT 2014-OAK4 Trust” and the “CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust”). During the second quarter of 2016, the Company sold the first loss and subordinated tranches issued by the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 Trust, and as a result, having determined that it is no longer the primary beneficiary of the trust, no longer consolidates the assets and liabilities of that trust. The Company determined that CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the Company continues to be the primary beneficiary, and accordingly consolidated the assets and liabilities of the trust into the Company’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

On March 23, 2015, the Company established Oaks Funding LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary of FOAC, to fulfill certain functions as depositor in respect of residential mortgage loan securitization transactions. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under GAAP.

 

6 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (continued)

 

On April 20, 2016, the Company established Oaks Funding II LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary of FOAC, to fulfill certain functions as depositor in respect of certain Re-REMIC transactions. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under GAAP.

 

On April 20, 2016, the Company established Oaks Holding I LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary to hold certain investment securities. The Company consolidates this subsidiary under GAAP.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from audited financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, are unaudited.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial reporting and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared under GAAP have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments are considered necessary for a fair presentation 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. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 23, 2016.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiaries which are majority-owned, controlled by the Company or a variable interest entity where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

VIEs

 

An entity is referred to as a VIE if it lacks one or more of the following characteristics: (1) sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by any parties, including the equity holders; (2) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk have (a) the power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of a legal entity that most significantly impacts the entity's economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity and (c) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the legal entity; and (3) the voting rights of these investors are proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected returns of their equity, or both, and whether substantially all of the entity's activities involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately fewer voting rights. An investment that lacks one or more of the above three characteristics is considered to be a VIE. The Company reassesses its initial evaluation of an entity as a VIE based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

 

7 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

VIEs 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 that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This determination may involve complex and subjective analyses. In general, the obligation to absorb losses is a function of holding a majority of the first loss tranche, while the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance will be determined based upon the rights associated with acting as the directing certificate holder, or equivalent, in a given transaction. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.

 

The Company has evaluated its Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS investments to determine if each represents a variable interest in a VIE. The Company monitors these investments and analyzes them for potential consolidation. The Company's real estate securities investments represent variable interests in VIEs. At September 30, 2016, the Company determined that it continues to be the primary beneficiary of two Multi-Family MBS transactions (FREMF 2011-K13 and FREMF 2012-KF01), and one residential mortgage loan transaction (CSMC 2014-OAK1), in each case based on its power to direct the trust’s activities and its obligations to absorb losses derived from the ownership of the first-loss tranches. In the case of the FREMF 2011-K13 and the FREMF 2012-KF01 trusts, the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of certain intermediate trusts that have the power to direct the activities and the obligations to absorb losses of the underlying trusts. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of each of the underlying trusts, and has elected the fair value option in respect of the assets and liabilities of each trust. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, with the exception of the listed transactions, the maximum exposure of the Company to VIEs was limited to the fair value of its investment in Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS as disclosed in Note 4 (Non-Agency RMBS $22,704,056 and $92,107,727, respectively, and Multi-Family MBS $92,691,756 and $104,025,797, respectively).

 

GAAP also requires us to consider whether securitizations we sponsor and other transfers of financial assets should be treated as sales or financings. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company transferred residential mortgage loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $518,455,163 to Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 and Oaks Mortgage Trust 2015-2, and accounted for these transfers as sales for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860. The Company also determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because it lacked the power to direct the activities that will have the most significant economic impact on the entities. The Company’s analysis incorporates the considerations applicable to Consolidation (Topic 810). The Company’s determination involves complex and subjective analysis resulting from the various legal and structural aspects of each transaction. This analysis has focused in particular on ASC 810-10-25-38C and 25-38D, along with ASC 810-10-25-38G and ASC 810-10-15-13A and 15-13B. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these VIEs was limited to the fair value of its investments in Non-Agency RMBS issued by the two VIEs, with an aggregate fair value of $5,258,859 at September 30, 2016 (December 31, 2015: $30,383,343). This amount is included in Available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company is party to customary and standard repurchase obligations in respect of loans that it has sold to the two VIEs to the extent they have breached standard representations and warranties, but is not a party to arrangements to provide financial support to the VIEs that the Company believes could expose it to additional loss.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make a number of significant estimates. These include estimates of fair value of certain assets and liabilities, amount and timing of credit losses, prepayment rates, and other estimates that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during the reported period. It is likely that changes in these estimates (e.g. valuation changes due to supply and demand, credit performance, prepayments, interest rates, or other reasons) will occur in the near term. The Company’s estimates are inherently subjective in nature and actual results could differ from its estimates and the differences may be material.

 

8 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in bank accounts on an overnight basis and other short term deposit accounts with banks having original maturities of 90 days or less. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in highly rated financial institutions, and at times these balances exceed insurable amounts.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents the Company’s cash held by counterparties as collateral against the Company’s securities, derivatives and/or repurchase agreements. Cash held by counterparties as collateral is not available to the Company for general corporate purposes, but may be applied against amounts due to securities, derivatives or repurchase counterparties or returned to the Company when the collateral requirements are exceeded or, at the maturity of the derivative or repurchase agreement.

 

Deferred Income

 

Certain service revenues received in the period are recorded as a liability in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Deferred income”, for subsequent recognition as income in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

In accordance with ASC Subtopic 505-10, the direct costs incurred to issue shares classified as equity, such as legal and accounting fees, should be deducted from the related proceeds and the net amount recorded as stockholders’ equity. Accordingly, payments made by the Company in respect of such costs related to the issuance of shares are recorded as an asset in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Deferred offering costs”, for subsequent deduction from the related proceeds upon closing of the offering.

 

To the extent that certain costs, in particular legal fees, are known to have been accrued but have not yet been invoiced and paid, they are included in “Other accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Deferred Securitization Costs

 

Certain direct costs associated with the acquisition of residential mortgage loans are payable by the Company in advance of the subsequent securitization of these loans. To the extent that such costs, if any, are expected to be recovered at the time of a forthcoming securitization, payments made by the Company in respect of such costs if any are recorded as an asset in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Deferred securitization costs”, for subsequent deduction from the securitization proceeds upon the closing of that securitization.

 

Available-for-Sale Securities, at Fair Value

 

Revenue Recognition, Premium Amortization, and Discount Accretion

 

Interest income on the Company’s AFS securities portfolio, with the exception of Non-Agency RMBS IOs (as further described below), is accrued based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal balance of such securities. The Company recognizes interest income using the effective interest method for all AFS securities. 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, “Investments - Debt and Equity Securities” or ASC 325-40, “Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets”, as applicable. Total interest income is recorded in the “Interest Income” line item on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

On at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 320-10 and ASC 310-20 (generally Agency RMBS), prepayments of the underlying collateral must be estimated, which directly affect the speed at which the Company amortizes such 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.

 

9 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Similarly, the Company also reassesses the cash flows on at least a quarterly basis for securities accounted for under ASC 325-40 and ASC 310-30 (generally Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS). In estimating these cash flows, there are a number of assumptions that are 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 judgmentally 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.

 

For 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 applies the provisions of ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” 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 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 are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the investment’s yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment to the extent that such decreases are due, at least in part, to an increase in credit loss expectations (“credit impairment”). To the extent that decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are the result of factors other than credit impairment, for example a change in rate of prepayments, such changes are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the investment’s yield over its remaining life.

 

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

 

Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded as realized gains (losses) within realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations. Upon the sale of a security, the Company will determine the cost of the security and the amount of unrealized gains or losses to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings based on the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

 

Impairment

 

The Company evaluates its MBS, on a quarterly basis, to assess whether a decline in the fair value of an AFS security below the Company's amortized cost basis is an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). The presence of OTTI is based upon a fair value decline below a security's amortized cost basis and a corresponding adverse change in expected cash flows due to credit related factors as well as non-credit factors, such as changes in interest rates and market spreads. Impairment is considered other-than-temporary if an entity (i) intends to sell the security, (ii) will more likely than not be required to sell the security before it recovers in value or (iii) does not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if the entity does not intend to sell the security. Under these scenarios, the impairment is other-than-temporary and the full amount of impairment should be recognized currently in earnings and the cost basis of the investment security is adjusted. However, if an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery, an OTTI should be recognized to the extent that a decrease in future cash flows expected to be collected is due, at least in part, to an increase in credit impairment. A decrease in future cash flows due to factors other than credit, for example a change in the rate of prepayments, is considered a non-credit impairment. The full amount of the difference between the security’s previous and new cost basis resulting from credit impairment is recognized currently in earnings, and the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted as interest income in accordance with the effective interest method. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected resulting from non-credit impairment are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the investment’s yield over its remaining life.

 

10 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale, at Fair Value

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. See Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements for details on fair value measurement. Mortgage loans are currently classified as held-for-sale based upon the Company’s intent to sell them either in the secondary whole loan market or to include them in a securitization, including transfers to a securitization entity that the Company sponsors and expects them to be accounted for as sales for financial reporting purposes.

 

Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-sale is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Interest income recognition is suspended when mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is considered non-collectible, and in all cases when payment becomes greater than 90 days past due. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

 

Multi-Family and Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts

 

Multi-family and residential mortgage loans held in consolidated securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust, and residential mortgage loans held in the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust, as of September 30, 2016. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIEs underlying the trusts, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, has consolidated the three trusts, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses in its financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within the trusts. See Note 3 - Fair Value Measurement below for additional detail. As the result of the Company’s determination that it is not the primary beneficiary of Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 and Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-2, it does not consolidate these trusts.

 

Interest income on multi-family and residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts is recognized at the loan coupon rate. Interest income recognition is suspended when mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the interest is considered non-collectible, and in all cases when payment becomes greater than 90 days past due. Loans return to accrual status when principal and interest become current and are anticipated to be fully collectible.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights and Excess Servicing Rights, at Fair Value

 

Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) are associated with residential mortgage loans that the Company has purchased and subsequently sold or securitized. MSRs are held and managed at the Company’s TRS. As the owner of MSRs, the Company is entitled to receive a portion of the interest payments from the associated residential mortgage loan, and is obligated to service directly or through a subservicer, the associated loan. MSRs are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. See Note 3 - Fair Value Measurement below for additional detail. Residential mortgage loans for which the Company owns the MSRs are directly serviced by one or more sub-servicers retained by the Company, since the Company does not directly service any residential mortgage loans.

 

MSR income is recognized at the contractually agreed rate, net of the costs of sub-servicers retained by the Company. If a sub-servicer with which the Company contracts were to default, an evaluation of MSR assets for impairment would be undertaken at that time.

 

To the extent that the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a residential mortgage loan securitization trust into which it has sold loans, any associated MSRs are eliminated on the consolidation of the trust. The trust is contractually obligated to pay a portion of the interest payments from the associated residential mortgage loans for the direct servicing of the loans, and after deduction of sub-servicing fees payable to contracted sub-servicers, the net amount, excess servicing rights, represents a liability of the trust. See Note 3 - Fair Value Measurement below for additional detail.

  

11 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Non-Agency RMBS IOs, at Fair Value

 

Non-Agency RMBS IOs that the Company owns are associated with residential mortgage loan securitizations that the Company sponsors, and are reported at fair value as a result of a fair value option election. See Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements for details on fair value measurement. Interest income on IOs is recognized at the contractually agreed rate, and changes in fair value are recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain of its mortgage-backed securities through the use of repurchase agreements. The repurchase agreements are generally short-term debt, which expire within one year. Borrowings under repurchase agreements generally bear interest rates at a specified margin over LIBOR and are generally uncommitted. In accordance with ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing” the Company accounts for the repurchase agreements, other than those that were treated as Linked Transactions (see Note 3 - Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments - Non-Hedging Activity/Linked Transactions below), as collateralized financing transactions and they are carried at their contractual amounts, as specified in the respective agreements. The contractual amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

Residential Loan Warehouse Facilities

 

The Company finances the acquisition of certain of its residential mortgage loans through the use of short-term, uncommitted residential loan warehouse facilities, which are currently structured as repurchase agreements. The Company accounts for outstandings under these facilities as collateralized financing transactions which are carried at its contractual amount, and approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

Secured Loans

 

In February 2015, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, FOI, became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”). As a member of FHLBI, FOI borrowed funds from FHLBI in the form of secured advances (“FHLB advances”). FHLB advances are treated as secured financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts. In connection with FHLB advances, FOI was required to purchase FHLBI stock, which is recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as an asset.

 

See Note 10 for a further discussion of the Company’s FHLB advances and Note 3 for a description of the Company’s FHLB stock balance.

 

Multi-Family and Residential Securitized Debt Obligations

 

Multi-family and residential securitized debt obligations represent third-party liabilities of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust and CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust, and excludes liabilities of the trust acquired by the Company that are eliminated on consolidation. The third-party obligations of each trust do not have any recourse to the Company as the consolidator of each trust.

 

Common Stock

 

At September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company was authorized to issue up to 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company had 14,602,394 shares of common stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and 14,656,394 at December 31, 2015.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

On December 15, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”), to repurchase up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Subject to applicable securities laws, repurchase of common stock under the Repurchase Program may be made at times and in amounts as the Company deems appropriate, using available cash resources. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be canceled and, until reissued by the Company, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time and without prior notice. Through September 30, 2016, the Company had repurchased 126,856 shares of common stock under the Repurchase Program.

 

12 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

  

Preferred Stock

 

At September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company was authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 share of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s Board. The Company had 1,610,000 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes, commencing with the Company’s short taxable period ended December 31, 2012. So long as the Company qualifies as a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its taxable income to the extent it annually distributes at least 90% of its net taxable income to stockholders and maintains its qualification as a REIT.

 

In addition to the Company’s election to be taxed as a REIT, the Company complies with Sections 856 through 859 of the Code. Accordingly, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to stockholders and as long as certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met. To maintain its qualification as a REIT, the Company must distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain other requirements. The Company may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, federal income and excise taxes may be due on its undistributed taxable income. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, which could have a material adverse impact on its results of operations and amounts available for distributions to its stockholders. The Company believes it will meet all of the criteria to maintain the Company's REIT qualification for the applicable periods, but there can be no assurance that these criteria will continue to be met in subsequent periods.

 

The Company assesses its tax positions for all open tax years and determines whether the Company has any material unrecognized liabilities in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company records these liabilities to the extent the Company deems them more likely than not to be incurred. The Company's accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties is to classify these amounts as other interest expense. As further described in Note 19, the Company has declared and will pay in the fourth quarter a deficiency dividend relating to a recent determination of an inability to offset certain net gains on hedging transactions in 2013 against net capital losses on the sale of certain mortgage-backed securities. In connection with this declaration, the Company has provisioned an amount of $1.86 million for interest charges expected to be paid to the IRS following the payment of the dividend. This amount is included in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Other accounts payable and accrued expenses”, and is included in “Other interest expense” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

Certain activities of the Company are conducted through a TRS and therefore are taxed as a standalone U.S. C-Corporation. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

If a TRS generates net income, the TRS can declare dividends to the Company which will be included in its taxable income and necessitate a distribution to its stockholders. Conversely, if the Company retains earnings at a TRS level, no distribution is required and the Company can increase book equity of the consolidated entity.

 

13 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Earnings per Share

 

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders for the period by the weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding for that period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as warrants, stock options, and unvested restricted stock, but use 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. See Note 16 for details of the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company is required to recognize compensation costs relating to stock-based payment transactions in the financial statements. The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to its Manager and non-management directors using the fair value based methodology prescribed by ASC 718, Share-Based Payment (“ASC 718”). Compensation cost related to restricted common stock 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. Additionally, compensation cost related to restricted common stock issued to the non-management directors is measured at its estimated fair value at the grant date and amortized and expensed over the vesting period. See Note 14 for details of stock-based awards issuable under the Manager Equity Plan.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income, as presented in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss), adjusted for changes in unrealized gain or loss on AFS securities (excluding Non-Agency RMBS IOs), reclassification adjustments for net gain (loss) and other-than-temporary impairments included in net income, reclassification adjustment for Linked Transactions, and dividends paid to preferred stockholders.

 

Recently Issued and/or Adopted Accounting Standards

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2014-09, which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance under GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. As a result of the issuance of ASU No. 2015-14 in August 2015, deferring the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year, the ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

 

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting.” The amendments make targeted improvements to clarify the principal versus agent assessment and are intended to make the guidance more operable and lead to more consistent application. The amendments in this update are effective immediately. The Company has analyzed the ASU and its amendments and does not expect its adoption will have a material impact on the financial statements and disclosures of the Company.

 

Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, which requires repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings, eliminated the existing guidance for repurchase financings, and required new disclosures for certain transactions accounted for as secured borrowings and sales. This ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014, except for the disclosures related to transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, which are effective for periods beginning on or after March 15, 2015. Adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on the Company’s financial condition or stockholders’ equity.

 

14 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financing Entity

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-13, which updates the guidance on measuring the financial assets and financial liabilities of consolidated collateralized financing entities, or CFEs. The update allows an entity to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities of a qualifying CFE it consolidates using the fair value of either the CFE’s financial assets or financial liabilities, whichever is more observable. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. Early adoption of this ASU was applied, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, but did impact financial statement disclosures as further described in Note 3.

 

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, which changes the guidance on the consolidation of certain investment funds as well as both the variable interest model and the voting model. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs to be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. Early adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

 

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, which requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial condition. The Company has early adopted ASU 2015-17 as of December 31, 2015, on a retrospective basis, based on the ASU’s intention to simplify the financial presentation of deferred taxes. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, which changes how entities measure certain equity investments and present changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option that are attributable to their own credit. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.

 

Stock Compensation

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, effective January 1, 2017, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions for both public and nonpublic entities. The areas for simplifications in the update involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classifications of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company has determined this ASU will not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operation.

  

15 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Credit Losses

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 which is a comprehensive amendment of credit losses on financial instruments. Currently GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology for recognizing credit losses that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The standard’s core principle is that an entity replaces the “incurred loss” impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. For public business entities that are SEC filers, the amendment in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

 

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which amends ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows (“ASC 230”), to reduce diversity in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

 

Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, to amend the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a VIE should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance.

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company discloses the fair value of its financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (Levels 1, 2 and 3, as defined). In accordance with GAAP, the Company is required to provide enhanced disclosures regarding instruments in the Level 3 category (which require significant management judgment), including a separate reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for each major category of assets and liabilities. Additionally, GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value (the “fair value option”), and the election of such choice is irrevocable. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are irrevocably recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.

 

Available-for-sale Securities

 

The Company currently invests in Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS.

 

Designation

 

The Company classifies its MBS securities as AFS investments. Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its investment securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its investment securities as part of the overall management of its portfolio. All assets classified as AFS, except Non-Agency RMBS IOs, are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, excluding other than temporary impairments, included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity. As the result of a fair value election, unrealized gains and losses on Non-Agency RMBS IOs are recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Determination of MBS Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair values for the Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS in its portfolio based on obtaining a valuation for each Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS from third-party pricing services, and may also obtain dealer quotes, as described below. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps and credit enhancement, as applicable. The dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security, including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security, as applicable.

 

The Company obtains pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service for each Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS. If other available market data indicates that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the primary third-party pricing service, the Company undertakes a review of other available prices and takes additional steps to determine fair value. In all cases, the Company validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used. The Company determines that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate if it is not materially representative of where a specific security can be traded in the normal course of business. In making such determination, the Company follows a series of steps, including review of collateral marks from margin departments of repo counterparties, utilization of bid list, inventory list and extensive unofficial market color, review of other third-party pricing service data and a yield analysis of each Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS based on the pricing data from the primary third-party pricing service and the Company’s cash flow assumptions.

 

16 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The Company reviews all pricing of Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing service for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 securities if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but dealer quotes are, the Company classifies the security as a Level 2 security. If neither is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the security that are received from the issuer and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 3 security.

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale

 

Designation

 

The Company currently classifies its residential mortgage loans as held-for-sale (“HFS”) investments. HFS residential mortgage loans include loans that the Company is marketing for sale to third parties, including transfers to securitization trusts.

 

The Company has elected the fair value option for residential mortgage loans it has acquired and classifies as HFS. The fair value option was elected to help mitigate earnings volatility by better matching the asset accounting with any related hedges. The Company’s policy is to record separately interest income on these fair value elected loans. Additionally, upfront costs related to these loans are not deferred or capitalized. Fair value adjustments are reported in unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage loans held-for-sale on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value option is irrevocable once the loan is acquired.

 

Determination of Mortgage Loan Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair values of the mortgage loans in its portfolio from third-party pricing services. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods which may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps, as applicable. In addition, the third-party pricing services benchmark their pricing models against observable pricing levels being quoted by a range of market participants active in the purchase and sale of residential mortgage loans.

 

The Company obtains pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service for each mortgage loan. If other available market data indicates that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the primary third-party pricing service, the Company undertakes a review of other available prices and takes additional steps to determine fair value. In all cases, the Company validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used. The Company determines that the pricing data from the primary third-party service is materially inaccurate if it is not materially representative of the price at which a specific loan can be traded in the normal course of business, and/or is materially divergent from the price at which the Company would be willing to purchase such a loan in the normal course of its business.

 

The Company reviews all pricing of mortgage loans used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing service for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 assets if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a loan are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but alternative quotes are, the Company classifies the loan as a Level 2 asset. If neither is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the loan and based on other available market information and classifies it as a Level 3 asset.

 

17 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

MSRs and Excess Servicing Rights

 

Designation

 

MSRs are associated with residential mortgage loans that the Company has purchased and subsequently sold or securitized, and are typically acquired directly from loan originators and recognized at the time that loans are transferred to a third party or a securitization, in each case providing such transfer meets the GAAP criteria for sale. The Company retains the rights to service certain loans that it sells or securitizes, but employs one or more sub-servicers to perform the servicing activities.

 

To the extent that the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a residential mortgage loan securitization trust into which it has sold loans, any associated MSRs are eliminated on the consolidation of the trust. The trust is contractually obligated to pay a portion of the interest payments from the associated residential mortgage loans for the direct servicing of the loans, and after deduction of sub-servicing fees payable to contracted sub-servicers, the net amount, excess servicing rights, represents a liability of the trust. Upon consolidation of the trust, the fair value of the excess servicing rights is equal to the related MSRs held at the Company’s TRS.

 

The Company has elected the fair value option in respect of MSRs and excess servicing rights.

 

Determination of Fair Value

 

The Company determines the fair value of its MSRs and excess servicing rights from third-party pricing services. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that include market discount rates, prepayment speeds of serviced loans, the market cost of servicing, and observed market pricing for MSR purchase and sale transactions. Changes in the fair value of MSRs occur primarily as a result of the collection and realization of expected cashflows, as well as changes in valuation inputs and assumptions.

 

The Company obtains MSR pricing data from a primary third-party pricing service, and validates its understanding of methodology and assumptions underlying the fair value used. Fair values are estimated based on applying inputs to generate the net present value of estimated net servicing income, and as a consequence of the fact that these discounted cash flow models utilize certain significant unobservable inputs and observable MSR purchase and sale transactions are relatively infrequent, the Company classifies MSRs as a Level 3 asset.

 

See Note 12 for a further presentation on MSRs.

 

Multi-Family Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts and Multi-Family Securitized Debt Obligations

 

Designation

 

Multi-family mortgage loans held in consolidated securitization trusts are comprised of multi-family mortgage loans held in the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust as of September 30, 2016. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIEs underlying the trusts, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, has consolidated the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust, including their assets, liabilities, income and expenses in its financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within these trusts.

 

18 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Determination of Fair Value

 

As noted, the Company early adopted ASU 2014-13, and has elected the fair value option in respect of the assets and liabilities of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust. The trusts are “static”, that is no reinvestment is permitted and there is very limited active management of the underlying assets. Under the ASU, the Company is required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of each of the trusts is more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the assets of each of the trusts being equal to the fair value of their liabilities. The Company has determined that the fair value of the liabilities of each of the trusts is more observable, since in all cases prices for the liabilities are available from the primary third-party pricing service utilized for Multi-Family MBS, while the individual assets of each of the trusts are inherently incapable of precise measurement given their illiquid nature and the limitations on available information related to these assets. Given that the Company’s methodology for valuing the assets of the trusts is an aggregate value derived from the fair value of the trust liabilities, the Company has determined that the valuation of the trust assets in their entirety should be classified as Level 2 valuations.

 

Residential Mortgage Loans Held in Securitization Trusts and Residential Securitized Debt Obligations

 

Designation

 

Residential mortgage loans held in consolidated securitization trusts are comprised of residential mortgage loans held in the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust as of September 30, 2016. Based on a number of factors, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of the VIE underlying the trust, met the criteria for consolidation and, accordingly, has consolidated the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust including its assets, liabilities, income and expenses in its financial statements. The Company has elected the fair value option on each of the assets and liabilities held within the trust. As the result of the Company’s determination that it is not the primary beneficiary of Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 and Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-2, it does not consolidate these trusts.

 

Determination of Fair Value

 

As noted earlier, the Company has early adopted ASU 2014-13, and has elected the fair value option in respect of the assets and liabilities of the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust. The trust is “static”, that is no reinvestment is permitted and there is very limited active management of the underlying assets. Under the ASU, the Company is required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of the trust is more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the assets of the trust being equal to the fair value of its liabilities. The Company has determined that the fair value of the liabilities of the trust is more observable, since in all cases prices for the liabilities are available from the primary third-party pricing service utilized for Non-Agency RMBS, with the exception of the excess servicing rights, which are available from an alternative third-party pricing service. While the individual assets of the trust, i.e. the underlying residential mortgage loans, are capable of being priced, the Company has determined that the pricing of the liabilities is more easily and readily determined. Given that the Company’s methodology for valuing the assets of the trust is an aggregate value derived from the fair value of the trust’s liabilities, the Company has determined that the valuation of the trust assets in their entirety should be classified as Level 2 valuations.

 

Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In accordance with FASB guidance ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, all derivative financial instruments, whether designated for hedging relationships or not, are recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company obtains valuation information for each derivative financial instrument from the related derivative counterparty. If other available market data indicates that the valuation information from the counterparty is materially inaccurate, or pricing data is unavailable from the counterparty, the Company shall undertake a review of other available valuation information, including third party pricing services and/or dealers, and shall take additional steps to determine fair value. The Company reviews all valuations of derivative financial instruments used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the derivative counterparty, the third-party pricing service or dealers, as appropriate, for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 valuations if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If none of these sources is available, the Company determines the fair value based on characteristics of the instrument and based on available market information received from dealers and classifies it as a Level 3 valuation.

 

19 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company determines whether or not the instrument will be part of a qualifying hedge accounting relationship. Due to the volatility of the credit markets and difficulty in effectively matching pricing or cash flows, the Company has elected to treat all current derivative contracts as trading instruments. The changes in fair value of derivatives accounted for as trading instruments are reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net.

 

The Company enters into interest rate derivative contracts for a variety of reasons, including minimizing significant fluctuations in earnings or market values on certain assets or liabilities that may be caused by changes in interest rates. The Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities (“TBAs”), options, futures, swaps and caps. Due to the nature of these instruments, they may be in a receivable/asset position or a payable/liability position at the end of an accounting period. Amounts payable to, and receivable from, the same party under contracts may be offset as long as the following conditions are met: (a) each of the two parties owes the other determinable amounts; (b) the reporting party has the right to offset the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party; (c) the reporting party intends to offset; and (d) the right of offset is enforceable by law. If the aforementioned conditions are not met, amounts payable to and receivable from are presented by the Company on a gross basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

Non-Hedging Activity – Linked Transactions

 

With effect from January 1, 2015, ASU 2014-11 changed the basis on which the Company accounts for repurchase to maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to be consistent with the basis on which the Company accounts for secured borrowings. Accordingly, the assets and repurchase agreements which encompass linked transactions that were previously accounted for on a net basis and recorded as a forward purchase (derivative) contract are now bifurcated, and the gross amounts are reported in available-for-sale securities and repurchase agreements respectively.

 

Prior to adoption of ASU 2014-11, it was presumed that the initial transfer of a financial asset (i.e. the purchase of an MBS by the Company) and contemporaneous repurchase financing of such MBS with the same counterparty were considered part of the same arrangement, or a “linked transaction”, unless certain criteria were met. The two components of a linked transaction (MBS purchase and repurchase financing) were accounted for on a net basis and recorded as a forward purchase (derivative) contract (each a Linked Transaction) at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet in the line item “Linked Transactions, net, at fair value”. See Notes 10 and 11, for additional detail on the impact of the adoption of this ASU, including a description of the cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of the adoption of the ASU.

 

See Note 11 for specific disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in the financial statements and the accounting for derivative instruments and related hedged items.

 

Other Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of short term instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and repurchase agreements whose term is less than twelve months, generally approximates fair value due to the short term nature of the instruments.

 

At September 30, 2016, the Company had redeemed $2,391,700 of its FHLB stock resulting in a remaining balance of $11,300. FOI was required to purchase the FHLB stock under a borrowing agreement with FHLBI. The FHLB stock has been and will be redeemed at face value which represents the carrying value and fair value of the stock.

 

20 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES

 

The following table presents the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type at fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Mortgage-backed securities:          
Agency          
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation  $319,895,220   $148,760,159 
Federal National Mortgage Association   382,103,773    182,867,134 
Government National Mortgage Association   -    43,705,764 
Non-Agency   22,704,056    92,107,727 
Multi-Family   92,691,756    104,025,797 
Total mortgage-backed securities  $817,394,805   $571,466,581 

 

The following tables present the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s AFS investment securities by collateral type as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Agency   Non-Agency (1)   Multi-Family   Total 
Face Value  $680,547,372   $25,691,061   $120,112,738   $826,351,171 
Unamortized premium   16,183,652    -    -    16,183,652 
Unamortized discount                    
Designated credit reserve and OTTI (2)   -    (2,628,385)   -    (2,628,385)
Net, unamortized   (1,518,366)   (4,366,558)   (27,459,219)   (33,344,143)
Amortized Cost   695,212,658    18,696,118    92,653,519    806,562,295 
Gross unrealized gain   7,073,188    586,712    1,906,356    9,566,256 
Gross unrealized (loss)   (286,853)   (2,956,542)   (1,868,119)   (5,111,514)
Fair Value  $701,998,993   $16,326,288   $92,691,756   $811,017,037 

 

21 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (continued)

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Agency   Non-Agency (1)   Multi - Family   Total 
Face Value  $370,394,525   $116,954,842   $138,829,925   $626,179,292 
Unamortized premium   5,745,862    80,257    -    5,826,119 
Unamortized discount                    
Designated credit reserve and OTTI (2)   -    (8,891,565)   -    (8,891,565)
Net, unamortized   (1,929,145)   (22,101,062)   (33,250,068)   (57,280,275)
Amortized Cost   374,211,242    86,042,472    105,579,857    565,833,571 
Gross unrealized gain   3,234,673    1,099,957    913,556    5,248,186 
Gross unrealized (loss)   (2,112,858)   (1,808,973)   (2,467,616)   (6,389,447)
Fair Value  $375,333,057   $85,333,456   $104,025,797   $564,692,310 

 

(1)Non-Agency AFS does not include interest-only securities with a notional amount of $572,277,838, book value of $14,712,374, unrealized loss of $8,334,605 and a fair value of $6,377,768 at September 30, 2016 and a notional amount of $428,230,275, book value of $7,815,919, unrealized loss of $1,041,649 and a fair value of $6,774,271 as of December 31, 2015.

  

(2)Discount designated as Credit Reserve and amount related to OTTI are generally not expected to be accreted into interest income. Amounts disclosed reflect Credit Reserve of $2,087,043 and $8,146,073, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and OTTI of $541,342 and $745,493 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2016, the Company did not intend to sell any of its MBS that were in an unrealized loss position, and it is “more likely than not” that the Company will not be required to sell these MBS before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be at their maturity.

 

The Company recognized credit-related OTTI losses through earnings of $0.73 million on one Non-Agency RMBS and $4.7 million on six Non-Agency RMBS during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

Non-Agency RMBS on which OTTI is recognized have experienced, or are expected to experience, credit-related adverse cash flow changes, or credit impairment. The Company’s estimate of cash flows for its Non-Agency RMBS is based on its review of the underlying mortgage loans securing these RMBS. The Company considers information available about the structure of the securitization, including structural credit enhancement, if any, and the past and expected future performance of underlying mortgage loans, including timing of expected future cash flows, prepayment rates, default rates, loss severities, delinquency rates, percentage of non-performing loans, FICO scores at loan origination, year of origination, loan-to-value ratios, geographic concentrations, as well as Rating Agency reports, general market assessments, and dialogue with market participants. Significant judgment is used in both the Company’s analysis of the expected cash flows for its Non-Agency RMBS and any determination of OTTI that is the result, at least in part, of credit impairment.

 

22 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (continued)

 

The following tables present the composition of OTTI charges recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2016   2015 
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period  $(3,803,650)  $(4,301,223)
           
Additions:          
Initial (increase) in credit reserves   -    - 
Subsequent (increase) in credit reserves   (374,124)   (350,924)
Initial additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   -    - 
Subsequent additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   (183,790)   - 
           
Reductions:          
For securities sold decrease in credit reserves   -    - 
For securities sold decrease in other-than-temporary impairment   -    - 
           
Cumulative credit (loss) at end of period  $(4,361,564)  $(4,652,147)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2016   2015 
Cumulative credit loss at beginning of period  $(3,636,432)  $- 
           
Additions:          
Initial (increase) in credit reserves   -    (1,761,208)
Subsequent (increase) in credit reserves   (541,342)   - 
Initial additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   -    (2,890,939)
Subsequent additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   (183,790)   - 
           
Reductions:          
For securities sold decrease in credit reserves   -    - 
For securities sold decrease in other-than-temporary impairment   -    - 
           
Cumulative credit (loss) at end of period  $(4,361,564)  $(4,652,147)

 

23 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (continued)

 

Unrealized losses on the Company’s Non-Agency RMBS were $3.0 million at September 30, 2016. Based upon the most recent evaluation, the Company does not consider these unrealized losses to be indicative of OTTI and does not believe that these unrealized losses to be credit related, but are rather due to non-credit factors, including changes in the rate of prepayments.

 

The following table presents the components comprising the carrying value of AFS securities not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired by length of time the securities had an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015. At September 30, 2016 the Company held 49 AFS securities, of which eight were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months and seven were in an unrealized loss for more than twelve months. At December 31, 2015, the Company held 67 AFS securities, of which 35 were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve consecutive months and five were in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months:

 

   Less than 12 months   Greater than 12 months   Total 
   Estimated Fair
Value		   Gross Unrealized
Losses		   Estimated Fair
Value		   Gross Unrealized
Losses		   Estimated Fair
Value		   Gross Unrealized
Losses		 
September 30, 2016  $140,128,347   $(364,535)  $54,628,380   $(4,746,979)  $194,756,727   $(5,111,514)
December 31, 2015  $348,120,251   $(5,983,726)  $6,939,257   $(405,720)  $355,059,508   $(6,389,446)

 

To the extent the Company determines there are likely to be decreases in cash flows expected to be collected, and as a result of non-credit impairment, such changes are generally recognized prospectively through adjustment of the security’s yield over its remaining life.

 

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s net realized gain (loss) from the sale of AFS securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
AFS securities sold, at cost  $41,467,395   $81,417,531 
Proceeds from AFS securities sold   41,283,816    82,865,471 
Net realized gain (loss) on sale of AFS securities  $(183,579)  $1,447,940 

 

   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
AFS securities sold, at cost  $233,054,347   $188,385,533 
Proceeds from AFS securities sold   230,557,238    190,474,737 
Net realized gain (loss) on sale of AFS securities  $(2,497,109)  $2,089,204 

 

24 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (continued)

 

The following tables present the fair value of AFS investment securities by rate type as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Agency   Non-Agency   Multi-Family   Total 
Adjustable rate  $700,452,448   $22,704,056   $-   $723,156,504 
Fixed rate   1,546,545    -    92,691,756    94,238,301 
Total  $701,998,993   $22,704,056   $92,691,756   $817,394,805 

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Agency   Non-Agency   Multi- Family   Total 
Adjustable rate  $360,057,377   $92,107,727   $-   $452,165,104 
Fixed rate   15,275,680    -    104,025,797    119,301,477 
Total  $375,333,057   $92,107,727   $104,025,797   $571,466,581 

 

The following tables present the fair value of AFS investment securities by maturity date as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Less than one year  $-   $- 
Greater than one year and less than five years   639,925,915    211,800,340 
Greater than or equal to five years   177,468,890    359,666,241 
Total  $817,394,805   $571,466,581 

 

As described in Note 2, when the Company purchases a credit-sensitive AFS security at a significant discount to its face value, the Company generally does not amortize into income a significant portion of this discount that the Company is entitled to earn because it does not expect to collect it due to the inherent credit risk of the security. The Company may also record an OTTI for a portion of its investment in the security to the extent the Company believes that the amortized cost will exceed the present value of expected future cash flows. The amount of principal that the Company does not amortize into income is designated as an off balance sheet credit reserve on the security, with unamortized net discounts or premiums amortized into income over time to the extent realizable.

 

25 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued)

 

Actual maturities of AFS securities are affected by the contractual lives of the associated mortgage collateral, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal. Therefore actual maturities of available-for-sale securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities. Stated contractual maturities are generally greater than ten years.

 

The following tables present the changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015 of the unamortized net discount and designated credit reserves on the Company’s MBS.

 

   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2016  $(8,891,565)  $(57,280,275)  $(66,171,840)
Acquisitions   -    -    - 
Dispositions   4,195,361    17,717,879    21,913,240 
Accretion of net discount   -    5,192,130    5,192,130 
Realized gain on paydowns   -    253,821    253,821 
Realized credit losses   3,023,911    (183,790)   2,840,121 
Addition to credit reserves   (1,021,433)   1,021,433    - 
Release of credit reserves   65,341    (65,341)   - 
Ending balance at September  30, 2016  $(2,628,385)  $(33,344,143)  $(35,972,528)

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Designated   Unamortized     
   credit reserve   net discount   Total 
Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2015  $(12,697,796)  $(17,454,022)  $(30,151,818)
Cumulative - effect adjustment for Linked Transactions   (36,627,321)   (47,091,958)   (83,719,279)
Adjusted beginning Balance as of January 1, 2015   (49,325,117)   (64,545,980)   (113,871,097)
Acquisitions   -    (24,446,013)   (24,446,013)
Dispositions   -    20,963,895    20,963,895 
Accretion of net discount   30,201,676    13,061,839    43,263,515 
Realized gain on paydowns   -    226,553    226,553 
Realized credit losses   10,582,246    (2,890,939)   7,691,307 
Addition to credit reserves   (2,669,938)   2,669,938    - 
Release of credit reserves   2,319,568    (2,319,568)   - 
Ending balance at December 31, 2015  $(8,891,565)  $(57,280,275)  $(66,171,840)

 

Gains and losses from the sale of AFS securities are recorded within realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

Unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s AFS securities are recorded as unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company had unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities of $2,414,131.

 

The following tables present components of interest income on the Company’s AFS securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

 

26 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES (Continued)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2016   Three Months Ended September  30, 2015 
       Net (premium           Net (premium     
   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest 
   interest   discount accretion   income   interest   discount accretion   income 
Agency  $4,006,740   $118,440   $4,125,180   $1,338,227   $194,587   $1,532,814 
Non-Agency   581,097    359,052    940,149    623,153    1,607,039    2,230,192 
Multi-Family   239,213    1,245,327    1,484,540    272,455    1,425,504    1,697,959 
Total  $4,827,050   $1,722,819   $6,549,869   $2,233,835   $3,227,130   $5,460,965 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
       Net (premium           Net (premium     
   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest   Coupon   amortization)/   Interest 
   interest   discount accretion   income   interest   discount accretion   income 
Agency  $8,628,918   $222,691   $8,851,609   $5,225,240   $498,392   $5,723,632 
Non-Agency   2,139,698    1,235,030    3,374,728    1,498,360    6,747,357    8,245,717 
Multi-Family   754,522    3,799,842    4,554,364    1,184,978    3,866,177    5,051,155 
Total  $11,523,138   $5,257,563   $16,780,701   $7,908,578   $11,111,926   $19,020,504 

 

NOTE 5 – MORTGAGE LOANS HELD-FOR-SALE, at FAIR VALUE

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale consists of residential mortgage loans carried at fair value as a result of the fair value option. The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-sale as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Unpaid principal balance  $9,138,386   $10,767,856 
Fair value adjustment   135,616    132,546 
Carrying value  $9,274,002   $10,900,402 

 

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company pledged mortgage loans with a fair value of $8.8 million and $10.9 million, respectively, as collateral for repurchase or warehouse agreements. See Note 10 – Borrowings.

 

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to the mortgage loans held-for-sale as of September 30, 2016 are as follows:

 

27 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 – MORTGAGE LOANS HELD-FOR-SALE, at FAIR VALUE (continued)

 

   September 30, 2016 
Texas   32.0%
California   20.2%
Arizona   13.3%
Minnesota   8.0%
Kentucky   7.7%
Georgia   6.9%
North Carolina   6.2%
Colorado   5.6%

 

NOTE 6 – THE FREMF TRUSTS

 

The Company has elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust, which requires that changes in valuations of the trusts be reflected in the Company’s statements of operations. The Company’s net investment in the trusts is limited to the Multi-Family MBS comprised of first loss PO securities and IO securities acquired by the Company in 2014 with an aggregate net carrying value of $17,956,732 at September 30, 2016 and $86,030,550 at December 31, 2015.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of the FREMF trusts at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are set out below:

 

Balance Sheets  September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Assets          
Multi-family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts  $1,267,101,902   $1,449,774,383 
Receivables   4,652,638    5,380,956 
           
Total assets  $1,271,754,540   $1,455,155,339 
           
Liabilities and Equity          
Multi-family securitized debt obligations  $1,249,163,769   $1,364,077,012 
Payables   4,634,039    5,047,777 
   $1,253,797,808   $1,369,124,789 
Equity   17,956,732    86,030,550 
           
Total liabilities and equity  $1,271,754,540   $1,455,155,339 

 

The multi-family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts had an unpaid principal balance of $1,164,952,625 at September 30, 2016 and $1,371,258,074 at December 31, 2015. The multi-family securitized debt obligations had an unpaid principal balance of $1,164,952,625 at September 30, 2016 and $1,371,258,074 at December 31, 2015.

 

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the FREMF trusts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

28 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 – THE FREMF TRUSTS (continued)

 

Statements of Operations  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016		   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015		 
Interest income  $14,466,946   $16,794,338 
Interest expense   13,740,005    15,372,832 
Net interest income  $726,941   $1,421,506 
General and administrative fees   (670,157)   (787,124)
Unrealized gain (loss) on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   930,312    1,804,190 
Net income (loss)  $987,096   $2,438,572 

 

Statements of Operations  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016		   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015		 
Interest income  $44,597,652   $51,679,542 
Interest expense   41,667,457    47,286,613 
Net interest income  $2,930,195   $4,392,929 
General and administrative fees   (2,052,857)   (2,494,015)
Unrealized gain (loss) on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   (5,604,839)   5,644,774 
Net income (loss)  $(4,727,501)  $7,543,688 

 

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to the FREMF trusts as of September 30, 2016 are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2016 
Texas   17.7%
New York   15.5%
Washington   8.3%
Colorado   7.4%
California   5.7%
Georgia   5.4%

 

NOTE 7 – RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN SECURITIZATION TRUSTS

 

The Company has elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities of the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust, which requires that changes in valuations of the trust be reflected in the Company’s statements of operations. The Company’s net investment in the trust is limited to the Non-Agency RMBS comprised of subordinated and first loss securities, IO securities and excess servicing rights acquired by the Company in 2014 with an aggregate net carrying value of $6,050,612 at September 30, 2016 and $31,535,741 at December 31, 2015. The Company previously consolidated the assets and liabilities of the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 Trust, but based on the sale of subordinated and first loss securities during the second quarter of 2016, has determined that it is no longer the primary beneficiary of the trust, and accordingly no longer consolidates the assets and liabilities of this trust.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of the residential mortgage loan securitization trusts at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are set out below:

 

29 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN SECURITIZATION TRUSTS (continued)

 

Balance Sheets  September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Assets          
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts  $153,356,678   $411,881,097 
Receivables   501,423    1,446,120 
           
Total assets  $153,858,101   $413,327,217 
           
Liabilities and Equity          
Residential securitized debt obligations  $147,407,885   $380,638,423 
Payables   399,604    1,153,053 
   $147,807,489   $381,791,476 
Equity   6,050,612    31,535,741 
           
Total liabilities and equity  $153,858,101   $413,327,217 

 

The residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts had an unpaid principal balance of $149,638,891 at September 30, 2016 and $411,650,562 at December 31, 2015. The residential mortgage loan securitized debt obligations had an unpaid principal balance of $149,638,891 at September 30, 2016 and $411,650,562 at December 31, 2015.

 

The condensed consolidated statements of operations of the residential mortgage loan securitization trusts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

Statements of Operations  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016		   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015		 
Interest income  $1,582,090   $4,641,887 
Interest expense   1,210,186    3,137,247 
Net interest income  $371,904   $1,504,640 
General and administrative fees   (13,653)   (146,574)
Unrealized gain (loss) on residential loans held in securitization trusts   (764,599)   (1,323,697)
Net income (loss)  $(406,348)  $34,369 

 

Statements of Operations  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016		   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015		 
Interest income  $9,143,343   $15,573,046 
Interest expense   6,978,474    9,894,956 
Net interest income  $2,164,869   $5,678,090 
General and administrative fees   (254,424)   (495,094)
Unrealized gain (loss) on residential loans held in securitization trusts   80,511    (7,655,902)
Net income (loss)  $1,990,956   $(2,472,906)

 

30 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN SECURITIZATION TRUSTS (continued)

 

The geographic concentrations of credit risk exceeding 5% of the total loan balances related to the residential mortgage loan securitization trusts as of September 30, 2016 are as follows:

 

   September 30, 2016 
California   38.7%
Washington   14.6%
Massachusetts   8.9%
Florida   5.7%

 

NOTE 8 – USE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE ENTITIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

A Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) is an entity designed to fulfill a specific limited purpose of the company that organized it, and a SPE is frequently used for the purpose of securitizing, or re-securitizing, financial assets. SPEs are typically structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to certificate holders. As a consequence of their purpose and design, SPEs are typically VIEs.

 

As further discussed in Notes 2, 6 and 7, the Company has evaluated its investments in Multi-Family MBS and Non-Agency RMBS and has determined that they are VIEs. The Company has then undertaken an analysis of whether it is the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs, and has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust and CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust. Accordingly, the Company consolidated the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these trusts in its financial statements as of and for the periods ending September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. However, the assets of each of the trusts are restricted, and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the respective trusts. Additionally, the obligations of each of the trusts do not have any recourse to the Company as the consolidator of the trusts. The Company has elected the fair value option in respect of the assets and liabilities of the trusts.

 

For the Company’s remaining Multi-Family and Non-Agency MBS investments that are VIEs, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary, and accordingly these investments are accounted for as further described in Notes 2, 6 and 7. As further described in Note 2, GAAP also requires the Company to consider whether securitizations the Company sponsors and other transfers of financial assets should be treated as sales or financings. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company transferred residential mortgage loans to Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 and Oaks Mortgage Trust 2015-2, and accounted for these transfers as sales for financial reporting purposes, in accordance with ASC 860. The Company also determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because it lacked the power to direct the activities that will have the most significant economic impact on the entities. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these VIEs is limited to the fair value of its investments in Non-Agency RMBS issued by the two VIEs, with a fair value of $5,258,859 at September 30, 2016. This amount is included in Available-for-Sale securities, which are further described in Note 4.

 

NOTE 9 – RESTRICTED CASH

 

As of September 30, 2016, the Company is required to maintain certain cash balances with counterparties for broker activity and collateral for the Company's repurchase agreements in non-interest bearing accounts.

 

The following table presents the Company's restricted cash balances as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

31 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 9 – RESTRICTED CASH (continued)

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Restricted cash balance held by:          
Broker counterparties for derivatives trading  $7,276,923   $528,564 
Repurchase counterparties as restricted collateral   6,806,318    7,646,074 
Total  $14,083,241   $8,174,638 

 

NOTE 10 – BORROWINGS

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company has entered into repurchase agreements (including one residential loan warehouse facility) at September 30, 2016 to finance its portfolio of investments. The repurchase agreements bear interest at a contractually agreed rate. The repurchase obligations mature and typically reinvest every 30 days to one year and have a weighted average aggregate interest rate of 0.89% at September 30, 2016. Repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings since the Company maintains effective control of the financed assets. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
       Weighted           Weighted     
   Amount   average   Market value   Amount   average   Market value 
   outstanding   interest rate   of collateral held   outstanding   interest rate   of collateral held 
Agency  $668,713,000    0.72%   701,998,993   $358,239,000    0.66%   374,952,510 
Non-Agency   17,999,000    2.12%   27,712,606    114,512,000    2.24%   121,475,112 
Multi-Family   52,788,000    2.40%   92,691,756    86,177,000    1.83%   190,056,347 
Mortgage loans   7,125,821    2.88%   8,754,039    9,504,457    2.87%   10,900,403 
Total  $746,625,821    0.89%   831,157,394   $568,432,457    1.19%   697,384,372 

 

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities: 

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
< 30 days  $691,810,000   $449,063,000 
31 to 60 days   7,125,821    76,044,000 
61 to 90 days   47,690,000    37,873,540 
> 90 days   -    5,451,917 
Total  $746,625,821   $568,432,457 

 

Under the repurchase agreements (including the residential loan warehouse facility), the respective lender retains the right to mark the underlying collateral to fair value. A reduction in the value of pledged assets would require the Company to provide additional collateral or fund margin calls. In addition, the repurchase agreements are subject to certain financial covenants, the most restrictive of which requires that, on the last day of any fiscal quarter, our total stockholders’ equity shall not be less than the greater of (1) $75,000,000 or (2) 50% of the highest stockholders’ equity on the last day of the preceding eight fiscal quarters. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

The following tables summarize certain characteristics of the Company’s repurchase agreements at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

32 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 10 – BORROWINGS (Continued)

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Amount   Percent of total   Weighted average   Market Value 
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties  Outstanding   amount outstanding   days to maturity   of collateral held 
Wells Fargo Securities  $31,533,000    4.22%   6   $57,255,816 
Other North America   612,603,000    82.05%   15    650,152,017 
Asia (1)   80,272,000    10.75%   18    91,076,628 
Europe (1)   22,217,821    2.98%   20    32,672,933 
Total  $746,625,821    100.00%   15   $831,157,394 

 

(1) Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Amount   Percent of total   Weighted average   Market Value 
Repurchase Agreement Counterparties  Outstanding(1)   amount outstanding   days to maturity   of collateral held 
Merrill Lynch  $99,770,000    17.55%   30   $154,005,234 
Wells Fargo Securities   32,192,000    5.66%   10    53,711,547 
Other North America   291,806,000    51.34%   25    315,040,818 
Asia (1)   88,565,000    15.58%   16    97,970,226 
Europe (1)   56,099,457    9.87%   46    76,656,547 
Total  $568,432,457    100.00%   26   $697,384,372 

 

(1) Counterparties domiciled in Europe and Asia, or their U.S. subsidiaries.

 

Secured Loans

 

On February 24, 2015, our wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary, FOI, became a member of the FHLBI. A condition of FOI’s membership was the purchase of FHLBI membership stock. On January 12, 2016, the regulator of the FHLB system, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or the FHFA, published a Final Rule that amended FHLB membership regulations for captive insurance subsidiaries. Under the new regulations, FOI was required to terminate its membership and repay its advances on or before February 19, 2017 in order to be eligible for timely full stock redemption. In addition, FOI is prohibited from taking new advances or renew existing maturing advances during this one-year transition period. At September 30, 2016, FOI had repaid all secured FHLBI advances and replaced them with repurchase agreements.

 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

The Company enters into a variety of derivative instruments in connection with its risk management activities. The Company's primary objective for executing these derivatives and non-derivative instruments is to mitigate the Company's economic exposure to future events that are outside its control. The Company's derivative financial instruments are utilized principally to manage market risk and cash flow volatility associated with interest rate risk (including associated prepayment risk) related to certain assets and liabilities. As part of its risk management activities, the Company may, at times, enter into various forward contracts, including short securities, Agency to-be-announced securities, or TBAs, options, futures, swaps, swaptions and caps. In executing on the Company's current risk management strategy, the Company has entered into interest rate swap, swaption agreements, TBA’s and futures contracts. Amounts receivable and payable under interest rate swap agreements are accounted for as unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Premiums on swaptions are amortized on a straight line basis between trade date and expiration date and are recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as a realized loss on derivative contracts.

 

33 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The following summarizes the Company's significant asset and liability derivatives, the risk exposure for these derivatives and the Company's risk management activities used to mitigate certain of these risks. While the Company uses derivative instruments to achieve the Company's risk management activities, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of the Company's market rate risk. In addition, the Company might elect, at times, not to enter into certain hedging arrangements in order to maintain compliance with REIT requirements.

 

Balance Sheet Presentation

 

The following tables present the gross fair value and notional amounts of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities 
   Fair value   Notional   Fair value   Notional 
Futures   -    -    (4,613,988)   5,978,000,000 
Total  $-    -   $(4,613,988)   5,978,000,000 

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities 
   Fair value   Notional   Fair value   Notional 
Futures   2,558,350    5,945,000,000    -    - 
Total  $2,558,350    5,945,000,000   $-    - 

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

The Company’s repurchase agreements are governed by underlying agreements that provide for a right of setoff in the event of default of either counterparty to the agreement. The Company also has in place with its counterparties ISDA Master Agreements (“Master Agreements”) for its derivative contracts. In accordance with the Master Agreements with each counterparty, if on any date amounts would otherwise be payable in the same currency and in respect of the same transaction by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, is replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount. The Company has pledged financial collateral as restricted cash to its counterparties for its derivative contracts and repurchase agreements. See Note 2 for specific details on the terms of restricted cash with counterparties and Note 9 for the amounts of restricted cash outstanding.

 

Under GAAP, if the Company has a valid right of setoff, it may offset the related asset and liability and report the net amount. The Company presents repurchase agreements subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements on a gross basis, and derivative assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on derivative type and counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Separately, the company presents cash collateral subject to such arrangements on a net basis, based on counterparty, in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not offset financial assets and liabilities with the associated cash collateral on its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

34 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

The below tables provide a reconciliation of these assets and liabilities that are subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements and can be potentially offset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

As of September 30, 2016 the Company did not have any assets subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements.

 

   December  31, 2015 
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts    in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of assets       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  assets   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged   amount 
Futures  $2,558,350   $-   $2,558,350   $-   $-   $2,558,350 
Total  $2,558,350   $-   $2,558,350   $-   $-   $2,558,350 

 

   September 30, 2016 
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts   in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of liabilities       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  liabilities   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged   amount 
Repurchase agreements  $(746,625,821)  $-   $(746,625,821)  $-   $-   $(746,625,821)
Futures   (4,613,988)   -    (4,613,988)   -    4,613,988    - 
Total  $(751,239,809)  $-   $(751,239,809)  $-   $4,613,988   $(746,625,821)

 

   December 31, 2015 
               Gross amounts not offset     
           Net amounts    in the Balance Sheet (1)     
   Gross amounts   Gross amounts   of liabilities       Cash collateral     
   of recognized   offset in the   presented in the   Financial   (Received)/   Net 
Description  liabilities   Balance Sheet   Balance Sheet   instruments   Pledged   amount 
Repurchase agreements  $(518,735,457)  $-   $(518,735,457)  $-   $-   $(518,735,457)
FHLB Advances   (49,697,000)   -    (49,697,000)   -    -    (49,697,000)
Total  $(568,432,457)  $-   $(568,432,457)  $-   $-   $(568,432,457)

 

(1) Amounts presented are limited in total to the net amount of assets or liabilities presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets by instrument. Excess cash collateral or financial assets that are pledged to counterparties may exceed the financial liabilities subject to Master Agreements or similar agreements, or counterparties may have pledged excess cash collateral to the Company that exceed the corresponding financial assets. These excess amounts are excluded from the tables above.

 

35 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

Income Statement Presentation

 

The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its current derivative portfolio held to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with its debt portfolio. As a result, the Company is subject to volatility in its earnings due to movement in the unrealized gains and losses associated with its interest rate swaps, swaptions and any other derivative instruments.

 

The following table summarizes the underlying hedged risks and the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments reported net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

 

   Three months ended September 30, 2016 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
             
Interest rate:               
Futures   (820,974)   3,340,600    2,519,626 
Total  $(820,974)  $3,340,600   $2,519,626 

 

36 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS HEDGING AND NON-HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
             
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps (1)  $(5,552,898)  $2,777,551   $(2,775,347)
Futures   (2,709,525)   (1,145,644)   (3,855,169)
Total  $(8,262,423)  $1,631,907   $(6,630,516)

 

(1) In the three month period ended September 30, 2015 net swap interest expense totaled $782,870 comprised of $1,233,249 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss)) and $450,379 in accrued interest income (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)).

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
             
Interest rate:               
Futures   (3,167,877)   (7,172,338)   (10,340,215)
Total  $(3,167,877)  $(7,172,338)  $(10,340,215)

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
   Amount of realized   Amount of unrealized     
Primary underlying risk  gain (loss)   appreciation (depreciation)   Total 
             
Interest rate:               
Interest rate swaps (1)  $(6,974,491)  $1,681,725   $(5,292,766)
Swaptions   (84,000)   62,450    (21,550)
Futures   (5,251,810)   (961,274)   (6,213,084)
Total  $(12,310,301)  $782,901   $(11,527,400)

 

(1) In the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, net swap interest expense totaled $2,216,417 comprised of $2,654,405 in interest expense paid (included in realized gain (loss)) and $437,988 in accrued interest expense (included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)).

 

37 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 12 - MSRs

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company retained the servicing rights associated with an aggregate principal balance of $443,380,728 of residential mortgage loans that the Company had previously transferred to four residential mortgage loan securitization trusts. The Company’s MSRs are held and managed at the Company’s TRS, and the Company employs one or more licensed sub-servicers to perform the related servicing activities. To the extent that the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary of a residential mortgage loan securitization trust into which it has sold loans, any associated MSRs are eliminated on the consolidation of the trust. The trust is contractually obligated to pay a portion of the interest payments from the associated residential mortgage loans for the direct servicing of the loans, and after deduction of sub-servicing fees payable to contracted sub-servicers, the net amount, excess servicing rights, represents a liability of the trust. Upon consolidation of the trust, the fair value of the excess servicing rights is equal to the related MSRs held at the Company’s TRS. As a result of the Company’s determination that it is not the primary beneficiary of OAKS Mortgage Trust 2015-1 and OAKS Mortgage Trust 2015-2, it does not consolidate these trusts, and as a consequence, MSRs associated with these trusts are recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016. In addition, the Company previously consolidated the assets and liabilities of the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 Trust, but based on the sale of subordinated and first loss securities during the second quarter of 2016, has determined that it is no longer the primary beneficiary of the trust, and accordingly no longer consolidates its assets and liabilities. As a consequence, MSRs associated with this trust are also recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016.

 

The following table presents the Company’s MSR activity as of September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Balance at beginning of year  $4,268,673   $- 
MSRs retained from sales to securitizations   340,860    4,940,630 
Changes in fair value due to:          
Changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in valuation model   (840,175)   (217,663)
Other changes to fair value (1)   (743,925)   (454,294)
Balance at end of period  $3,025,433   $4,268,673 
           
Loans associated with MSRs (2)  $443,380,728   $472,886,810 
MSR values as percent of loans (3)   0.68%   0.90%

 

(1)Amounts represent changes due to realization of expected cash flows

(2)Amounts represent the principal balance of loans associated with MSRs outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

(3)Amounts represent the carrying value of MSRs at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively divided by the outstanding balance of the loans associated with these MSRs

 

The following table presents the components of servicing income recorded on the Company’s statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September  30, 2015 
Servicing income, net  $258,458   $64,962 
Income from MSRs, net  $258,458   $64,962 

 

   Nine Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
Servicing income, net  $726,011   $121,500 
Income from MSRs, net  $726,011   $121,500 

 

38 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 13 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

GAAP defines fair value and provides a consistent framework for measuring fair value under GAAP. ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” expands fair value financial statement disclosure requirements. ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements and only applies to accounting pronouncements that already require or permit fair value measures, except for standards that relate to share-based payments.

 

Valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

•Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

•Level 2 Inputs – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

•Level 3 Inputs – Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s assets and liabilities at fair value within the fair value hierarchy levels as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Quoted prices in   Significant         
   active markets   other observable   Unobservable     
   for identical assets   inputs   inputs   Balance as of 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   September 30, 2016 
Assets:                    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)  $-   $817,394,805   $-   $817,394,805 
Residential mortgage loans   -    9,274,002    -    9,274,002 
Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts   -    1,267,101,902    -    1,267,101,902 
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts   -    153,356,678    -    153,356,678 
Mortgage servicing rights   -    -    3,025,433    3,025,433 
FHLB stock   11,300    -    -    11,300 
Total  $11,300   $2,247,127,387   $3,025,433   $2,250,164,120 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Multi-family securitized debt obligations  $-   $(1,249,163,769)  $-   $(1,249,163,769)
Residential securitized debt obligations   -    (147,407,885)   -    (147,407,885)
Futures   (4,613,988)   -    -    (4,613,988)
Total  $(4,613,988)  $(1,396,571,654)  $-   $(1,401,185,642)

 

39 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 13 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

 

   December 31, 2015 
   Quoted prices in   Significant         
   active markets   other observable   Unobservable     
   for identical assets   inputs   inputs   Balance as of 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   December 31, 2015 
Assets:                    
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)  $-   $571,466,581   $-   $571,466,581 
Residential mortgage loans   -    10,900,402    -    10,900,402 
Multi-Family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts   -    1,449,774,383    -    1,449,774,383 
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts   -    411,881,097    -    411,881,097 
Mortgage servicing rights   -    -    4,268,673    4,268,673 
FHLB Stock   2,403,000    -    -    2,403,000 
Futures   2,558,350    -    -    2,558,350 
Total  $4,961,350   $2,444,022,463   $4,268,673   $2,453,252,486 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Interest rate swaps  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   -    (1,364,077,012)   -    (1,364,077,012)
Residential securitized debt obligations   -    (380,638,423)   -    (380,638,423)
Futures   -    -    -    - 
Total  $-   $(1,744,715,435)  $-   $(1,744,715,435)

 

(a)For more detail about the fair value of the Company’s MBS and type of securities, see Note 3 and Note 4.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and year ended December 31, 2015, the Company did not have any transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between levels are deemed to take place on the last day of the reporting period in which the transfer takes place.

 

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had $3,025,433 and $4,268,673, respectively, in Level 3 assets. The Company’s Level 3 assets are comprised of MSRs. Accordingly, for more detail about Level 3 assets, also see Note 12.

 

The following table provides quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s MSRs classified as Level 3 fair value assets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

As of September 30, 2016
Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range   Weighted Average 
Discounted cash flow  Constant prepayment rate   8.4 - 30.9%   18.6%
   Discount rate   12.0%   12.0%

 

As of December 31, 2015
Valuation Technique  Unobservable Input  Range   Weighted Average 
Discounted cash flow  Constant prepayment rate   6.5 - 28.6%    13.3%
   Discount rate   12.0%   12.0%

 

40 

 

 

FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Management Fee

 

The Company is externally managed and advised by the Manager. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, the Company pays the Manager a management fee equal to 1.5% per annum, calculated and payable monthly in arrears. For purposes of calculating the management fee, the Company’s stockholders’ equity means the sum of the net proceeds from all issuances of the Company’s equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the fiscal quarter of any such issuance), plus the Company’s retained earnings at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter (without taking into account any non-cash equity compensation expense incurred in current or prior periods), less any amount that the Company pays for repurchases of the Company’s common stock since inception, and excluding any unrealized gains, losses or other items that do not affect realized net income (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income). This amount will be adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash items after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. To the extent asset impairment reduces the Company’s retained earnings at the end of any completed calendar quarter, it will reduce the management fee for such quarter. The Company’s stockholders’ equity for the purposes of calculating the management fee could be greater than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the financial statements. The initial term of the management agreement expired on May 16, 2014, but there continue to be automatic, one-year renewals at the end of the initial term and each year thereafter.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred management fees of $623,525 (2015: $703,167), included in Management Fee in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $208,000 (2015: $470,000) was accrued but had not been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred management fees of $1,873,486 (2015: $2,119,571), included in Management Fee in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $208,000 (2015: $470,000) was accrued but had not been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Expense Reimbursement

 

Pursuant to the management agreement, the Company is required to reimburse the Manager for operating expenses related to the Company incurred by the Manager, including accounting services, auditing and tax services, technology and office facilities, operations, compliance, legal and filing fees, and miscellaneous general and administrative costs, including the cost of non-investment management personnel of the Manager who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred reimbursable expenses of $1,184,391 (2015: $1,338,272), included in operating expenses reimbursable to Manager in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $483,187 (2015: $450,000) was accrued but had not yet been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred reimbursable expenses of $3,573,445 (2015: $3,444,914), included in operating expenses reimbursable to Manager in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, of which $483,187 (2015: $450,000) was accrued but had not yet been paid, included in fees and expenses payable to Manager in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Manager Equity Plan

 

The Company has adopted a Manager Equity Plan under which the Company may compensate the Manager and the Company’s independent directors or consultants, or officers whom it may employ in the future. In turn, the Manager, in its sole discretion, grants such awards to its directors, officers, employees or consultants. The Company will be able to issue under the Manager Equity Plan up to 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award.

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued)

 

Stock based compensation arrangements may include incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards and other awards based on the Company’s common stock.

 

Under the Manager Equity Plan, the Company’s independent directors, as part of their compensation for serving as independent directors, are eligible to receive 1,500 shares of restricted stock annually after the Company’s Annual General Meeting vesting in full one year later. As of the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”), the Company’s board of directors granted to each of the then three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which vested in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $65,250 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 27, 2013 of $14.50. On March 27, 2014, the 4,500 shares of restricted stock granted to the independent directors fully vested. On August 19, 2014, the Company’s board of directors granted each of the then three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which are now fully vested having vested in full one year after the Company’s 2014 Annual General Meeting. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $50,715 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 19, 2014 of $11.27. On May 22, 2015, the Company’s board of directors granted each of the then four independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (6,000 shares in total), each of which are now fully vested having vested in full one year after the Company’s 2015 Annual General Meeting. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $60,420 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 22, 2015 of $10.07. On August 15, 2016, the Company’s board of directors granted each of the three independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock (4,500 shares in total), each of which will vest in full one year after the Company’s 2017 Annual General Meeting. The grant date fair value of these restricted shares was $26,865 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 15, 2016 of $5.97.

 

As of the closing of the IPO on March 27, 2013, the Company’s board of directors granted the Manager 28,500 shares of restricted common stock. One-third of these restricted common stock shares vested on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date and are therefore, as at March 31, 2016, fully vested. The Company accounts for the restricted common stock shares based on their aggregate fair value at the measurement dates and as this value subsequently changes, a cumulative adjustment is made in the current period for prior compensation cost expenses recorded to date. On March 27, 2016, 9,500 shares of restricted stock granted to the Manager fully vested for net proceeds of $49,875.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted common stock of $3,459 and $29,014, respectively.

 

MAXEX

 

The Company’s lead independent director is also an independent director of an entity, MAXEX LLC (“MAXEX”), with which the Company has a commercial business relationship. The objective of MAXEX, together with its subsidiaries, is to create a whole loan mortgage trading platform which encompasses a centralized counterparty with a standardized purchase and sale contract and an independent dispute resolution process. To date, the Company has sold approximately $16 million of residential mortgage loans to a third party buyer that were effected through MAXEX, for which the Company did not receive compensation other than receipt of loan sale proceeds from the third party . As of September 30, 2016, the Company had also received $6,905 in fees relating to its provision to MAXEX of seller eligibility review services. The Company’s services entail evaluating the eligibility of loan sellers to participate in one or more of the loan exchanges operated by MAXEX.

 

NOTE 15 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Ownership and Warrants

 

As a result of the May 2012 and March 2013 private offerings of common stock to XL Investments Ltd, an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of XL Group Ltd, owns a significant minority investment in the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the May 2012 private offering, the Company agreed to issue to XL Investments Ltd warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The warrants were subsequently issued, effective as of September 29, 2012, and entitle XL Investments Ltd, commencing on July 25, 2013 (120 days following the closing of the Company’s IPO) to purchase an aggregate of 3,125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price equal to 105% of the $15.00 IPO price, or $15.75. XL Global, Inc., a subsidiary of XL Group Ltd, holds a minority stake in the Manager.

 

Common Stock

 

The Company has 450,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 14,602,394 and 14,656,394 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

On February 19, 2014, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of common stock for $11.30 per share. Net proceeds to the Company were $31,927,377.

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 15 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares of common stock from the Company at the offering price of $11.30 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of the common stock. The underwriters exercised their right and purchased 300,000 shares of common stock at the offering price of $11.30 per share on March 7, 2014, resulting in additional net proceeds of $3,214,325.

 

On June 19, 2014, the Company issued 3,500,000 shares of common stock for $11.00 per share. Net proceeds to the Company were $38,442,925.

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 525,000 shares of common stock from the Company at the offering price of $11.00 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of the common stock. The underwriters exercised their right and purchased 525,000 shares of common stock at the offering price of $11.00 per share on July 14, 2014, resulting in additional net proceeds of $5,769,750.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

On December 15, 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program (or the “Repurchase Program”), to repurchase up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased in the open market, including through block purchases, or through privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b 18(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined at the Company’s discretion and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. Among other factors, the Company intends to only consider repurchasing shares of the Company’s common stock when the purchase price is less than the Company’s estimate of the Company’s current net asset value per common share. Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company under the Repurchase Program, if any, will be canceled and, until reissued by the Company, will be deemed to be authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock. Through September 30, 2016, the Company had repurchased 126,856 shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $5.06. At September 30, 2016, $9.4 million of common stock remained authorized for future share repurchase under the Repurchase Program.

 

No share repurchases were made during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has 50,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with 1,610,000 shares of 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), par value of $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, issued and outstanding as of both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to receive a dividend rate of 8.75% per year on the $25 liquidation preference and is senior to the common stock with respect to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Company declares quarterly and pays monthly dividends on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, in arrears, on the 27th day of each month to holders of record at the close of business on the 15th day of each month.

 

On December 23, 2013, the Company closed an offering of 800,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The net proceeds to the Company from this issuance were $18,060,897.

 

The Company granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 120,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Company at the offering price of $25.00 per share within 30 days after the issuance date of Series A Preferred Stock. The underwriters fully exercised their right and purchased 120,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at $25.00 per share on January 24, 2014, resulting in additional net proceeds of $2,778,201.

 

On May 27, 2014, the Company closed an offering of 690,000 additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, including the concurrent exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option. The net proceeds to the Company from this issuance were $16,325,373.

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 15 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

 

Distributions to stockholders

 

For the 2016 taxable year to date, the Company has declared dividends to common stockholders totaling $7,885,803, or $0.54 per share. The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Amount   Cash Dividend Per Share 
December 16, 2015  January 15, 2016  January 28, 2016  $878,274   $0.06000 
December 16, 2015  February 16, 2016  February 26, 2016  $875,874   $0.06000 
December 16, 2015  March 15, 2016  March 28, 2016  $875,873   $0.06000 
March 18, 2016  April 15, 2016  April 27, 2016  $875,874   $0.06000 
March 18, 2016  May 16, 2016  May 27, 2016  $875,873   $0.06000 
March 18, 2016  June 15, 2016  June 27, 2016  $875,874   $0.06000 
June 17, 2016  July 15, 2016  July 28, 2016  $875,874   $0.06000 
June 17, 2016  August 15, 2016  August 30, 2016  $876,144   $0.06000 
June 17, 2016  September 15, 2016  September 29, 2016  $876,144   $0.06000 

 

The following table presents cash dividends declared by the Company on its Series A Preferred Stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Declaration Date  Record Date  Payment Date  Dividend Amount   Cash Dividend Per Share 
December 16, 2015  January 15, 2016  January 28, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
December 16, 2015  February 16, 2016  February 26, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
December 16, 2015  March 16, 2016  March 28, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
March 18, 2016  April 15, 2016  April 27, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
March 18, 2016  May 16, 2016  May 27, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
March 18, 2016  June 15, 2016  June 27, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2016  July 15, 2016  July 27, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2016  August 15, 2016  August 29, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 
June 17, 2016  September 15, 2016  September 27, 2016  $293,503   $0.18230 

 

NOTE 16 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

In accordance with ASC 260, outstanding instruments that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends are considered participating securities. The Company is required to apply the two-class method or the treasury stock method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share when there are participating securities outstanding. The Company has determined that outstanding unvested restricted shares issued under the Manager Equity Plan are participating securities, and they are therefore included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The following tables provide additional disclosure regarding the computation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015:

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 16 – EARNINGS PER SHARE (continued)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2016   Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 
Net income (loss)     $1,496,356      $(1,698,722)
                     
Less dividends paid:                    
Common stock  $2,628,161        $4,417,425      
Preferred stock   880,509         880,509      
         3,508,670         5,297,934 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)     $(2,012,314)     $(6,996,656)

 

   Unvested Share-Based       Unvested Share-Based     
   Payment Awards   Common Stock   Payment Awards   Common Stock 
                 
Distributed earnings  $0.18   $0.18   $0.30   $0.30 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)   (0.14)   (0.14)   (0.48)   (0.48)
Total  $0.04   $0.04   $(0.18)  $(0.18)

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
Net income (loss)     $(19,527,535)     $(3,028,000)
                     
Less dividends paid:                    
Common stock  $7,885,803        $15,457,238      
Preferred stock   2,631,744         2,631,744      
         10,517,547         18,088,982 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)     $(30,045,082)     $(21,116,982)

 

   Unvested Share-Based       Unvested Share-Based     
   Payment Awards   Common Stock   Payment Awards   Common Stock 
                 
Distributed earnings  $0.54   $0.54   $1.05   $1.05 
Undistributed earnings (deficit)   (2.06)   (2.06)   (1.43)   (1.43)
Total  $(1.52)  $(1.52)  $(0.38)  $(0.38)

 

No adjustment was required for the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the warrants described in Note 15 because the warrants’ exercise price is greater than the average market price of the common shares for the period, and thereby anti-dilutive.

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 17 – SEGMENT REPORTING

 

The Company invests in a portfolio comprised of MBS, residential mortgage loans, and other mortgage-related investments, and operates as a single reporting segment.

 

NOTE 18 – INCOME TAXES

 

Certain activities of the Company are conducted through a TRS, FOAC, and FOAC is therefore subject to tax as a corporation. Pursuant to ASC 740, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The following table reconciles the Company’s TRS GAAP net income (loss) to taxable income (in thousands):

 

   As of September 30, 2016   As of December 31, 2015 
   (in thousands)   (in thousands) 
GAAP consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Five Oaks Investment Corp   (19,528)   450 
GAAP net loss (income) from REIT operations   17,699    (1,826)
GAAP net income (loss) of taxable subsidiary   (1,829)   (1,376)
Capitalized transaction fees   (31)   (41)
Unrealized gain (loss)   2,372    2,041 
Tax income of taxable subsidiary before utilization of net operating losses   512    624 
Utilizations of net operating losses   (512)   (624)
Net tax income of taxable subsidiaries   -    - 

 

The TRS has a deferred tax asset on which the Company has a 100% valuation allowance, comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

   As of September 30, 2016   As of December 31, 2015 
Accumulated net operating losses of TRS   864    1,058 
Unrealized loss   282    (618)
Capitalized transaction costs   200    210 
AMT Credit   4    9 
Deferred tax asset (liability)   1,350    659 
Valuation allowance   (1,350)   (659)
Net non-current deferred tax asset (liability)   -    - 

 

The Company has provided a valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset that results in no deferred tax asset at September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015. The Company recorded a 100% valuation allowance related to the TRS net deferred tax asset because it believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be fully realized. The valuation allowance increased by $0.7 million as a result of the corresponding increase in the deferred tax asset. The realization of the deferred tax asset associated with net operating losses is dependent on projections of future taxable income, for which there is uncertainty when considering historic results and the nature of the business. Accordingly, no provision or benefit (current or deferred tax expense) for income taxes has been reflected in the accompanying financial statements. At September 30, 2016, the TRS had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $2.3 million, which are available to offset future taxable income and begin expiring in 2034.

 

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FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016 (unaudited)

 

NOTE 18 – INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

The Company has potential nexus in several states in which it did not file a 2015 tax return. The exposure would be immaterial due to the Company being in a Net Operating Loss (NOL) position. The losses incurred in 2015 would be sufficient to offset any taxable income in 2016. For state tax purposes the Company is in the process of determining filing requirements, but anticipates all prior losses to be recognized.

 

As further described in Note 19, the Company has declared and will pay in the fourth quarter a deficiency dividend relating to a recent determination of an inability to offset certain net gains on hedging transactions in 2013 against net capital losses on the sale of certain mortgage-backed securities. In connection with this declaration, the Company has provisioned an amount of $1.86 million for interest charges expected to be paid to the IRS following the payment of the dividend. This amount is included in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in the line item “Other accounts payable and accrued expenses”, and is included in “Other interest expense” in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s estimate of expected interest charges is based on the anticipated timing of the deficiency dividend payment, and the Company’s understanding of the rules, procedures and existing precedent relating to such dividend payments. As such, the actual amount of interest payable may differ from the Company’s estimate.

 

NOTE 19 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On November 1, 2016, following the Company’s earlier announcement that it would no longer aggregate residential mortgage loans, the Company’s remaining residential loan warehouse agreement in the amount of $25 million terminated without renewal.

 

Following further review and analysis after the end of the quarter, on November 9, 2016, the board of directors of the Company declared a deficiency dividend of $19,384,346, representing $1.33 for each common share, payable in a combination of cash and stock with an aggregate maximum payment of 20% of the deficiency dividend, or $3,876,869, in cash. The deficiency dividend is being paid by the Company in order for the Company to reduce its undistributed taxable income from 2013 and satisfy the REIT distribution requirements.  The undistributed taxable income primarily pertains to net gains realized on certain hedging transactions and the Company’s recent determination of an inability to offset such gains for federal income tax purposes with net capital losses realized on the sale of its underlying mortgage-backed securities.  To the extent the cash alternative is oversubscribed, each stockholder electing the cash alternative will receive a pro-rata amount of cash and stock with such cash component being no less than $0.27 per share.  The payment date is December 26, 2016.

 

In connection with this declaration, the Company has provisioned an amount of $1.86 million for interest charges expected to be paid to the IRS following the payment of the dividend.

 

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

 

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or this “report”, we refer to Five Oaks Investment Corp. as “we,” ”us,” or “our,” unless we specifically state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. We refer to our external manager, Oak Circle Capital Partners LLC, as our “Manager” or “Oak Circle”.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to our financial statements which are included in Item 1 of this report, as well as information contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, or our 2015 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 23, 2016.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

We make forward-looking statements in this report that are subject to 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 and objectives. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on those forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in our 2015 10-K which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Overview 

 

We are a Maryland corporation that, together with our subsidiaries, is focused on investing on a leveraged basis in mortgage-backed securities, or MBS, and other real estate-related assets. From our IPO in March 2013 until the second quarter of 2015, we implemented a strategy of transitioning to an operating company focused on credit while maintaining a relative value investment approach across the whole residential mortgage market. Beginning in the second half of 2015, we have made and continue to make what we believe to be necessary and appropriate adjustments to our investment strategy which we present below.

 

Increased bank capital and liquidity constraints have adversely affected the willingness of broker-dealers and banks to issue, hold or finance private-label MBS. In turn, this has negatively impacted the market for cost-effective issuance of debt backed by prime jumbo mortgage loans, particularly since the middle of 2015. This environment has also limited the attractiveness of retaining in our investment portfolio the subordinated tranches of securitizations that we sponsor, especially when financing these with short term repo. In the absence of a profitable exit strategy either for the sale or securitization of these loans, and without a secure long-term source of financing with which to retain them on the balance sheet, due primarily to the FHFA’s Final Rule, the risk-return profile of the loan aggregation business is unattractive. Additionally, a combination of heightened capital charges and other regulatory restrictions continue (and in our view will continue for the foreseeable future) to impact the extent and cost of available financing from a number of traditional repo counterparties, especially for securitized credit. Consequently, we continue to believe that a credit-focused, leveraged investment strategy has become both less attractive, and more risky, than in the past.

 

For many of the same reasons, market conditions for the aggregation and securitization of residential mortgage loans have also become less attractive, and accordingly we determined as of August 1, 2016, that we would no longer aggregate prime jumbo mortgage loans and will effect securitizations off of our proprietary platform only on an opportunistic basis. We do not intend to maintain warehouse financing to acquire prime jumbo loans, but will maintain the ability of our taxable REIT subsidiary, FOAC, to concurrently buy and sell loans and otherwise sponsor securitizations. We currently estimate that through the reduction of personnel and other overhead expenses associated with our current prime jumbo business, over the next three to nine months we can generate annual cost savings of $2 million. We also intend to continue reviewing opportunities to reallocate capital into complimentary business sectors with positive fundamentals that do not rely on short-term repo financing. We are also continuing to review all aspects of our current and projected business infrastructure to identify opportunities for additional cost savings.

 

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Our objective is to provide attractive cash flow returns over time to our investors, while implementing our strategy. To achieve these objectives, we currently invest in the following assets:

 

·Agency RMBS, which are residential mortgage-backed securities, for which a U.S. Government agency such as Ginnie Mae or a federally chartered corporation such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, guarantees payments of principal and interest of the securities;

 

·Securitizations backed by multi-family mortgage loans, or Multi-Family MBS;

 

·Non-Agency RMBS, which are RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government sponsored entity; and

 

·Residential mortgage loans and other mortgage-related investments, including mortgage servicing rights, or MSRs.

 

We currently finance our investments in Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS, Non-Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans primarily through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. Our primary sources of income are net interest income from our investment portfolio and non-interest income from our mortgage loan-related activities. Net interest income represents the interest income we earn on investments less the expenses of funding and hedging these investments.

 

We are externally managed and advised by Oak Circle pursuant to a management agreement between us and Oak Circle. Oak Circle, which was formed for the purpose of becoming our Manager, manages us exclusively and, unless and until Oak Circle agrees to manage any additional investment vehicle, it will not have to allocate investment opportunities in our target assets with any other REIT, investment pool or other entity. As our Manager, Oak Circle implements our business strategy, performs investment advisory services and activities with respect to our assets and is responsible for performing all of our day-to-day operations. Oak Circle is an investment adviser registered with the SEC.

 

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT and comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, we are generally not subject to federal income tax on our REIT taxable income that we currently distribute to our stockholders so long as we maintain our qualification as a REIT. Our continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Internal Revenue Code relating to, among other things, the source of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. Even if we maintain our qualification as a REIT, we may become subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income generated in our wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary, Five Oaks Acquisition Corp., or FOAC.

 

Third Quarter 2016 and Subsequent Events Summary

 

·Absent the one-time provision for interest charges expected to be paid in connection with the fourth quarter deficiency dividend referenced below, we would have reported an economic gain on common equity of 1.7% comprised of a $0.05 decrease in net book value per share more than offset by the $0.18 dividend per common share. Inclusive of the provision, we reported a $0.18 decrease in net book value per share that was exactly offset by $0.18 dividend per common share.

 

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·We further reduced our Non-Agency RMBS exposure from $57.4 million at June 30, 2016 to $27.7 million at September 30, 2016; since quarter end, we have sold an additional $13.4 million in exposure, allowing us substantially to complete the reduction in our Non-Agency RMBS exposure.

 

·We continued to redeploy the capital released from selling down our credit exposure into Agency RMBS, of which increased from $619.8 million as of June 30, 2016 to $702.0 million as of September 30, 2016. In order to minimize the potential impact of interest rate volatility, the increase was composed of purchases of Agency hybrid-ARMs.

 

·On November 9, 2016, we declared a deficiency dividend of $19,384,346, or $1.33 per common share, payable in a combination of cash and stock, with an aggregate maximum payment of 20%, or $3,876,869, in cash. The deficiency dividend is being paid in order to reduce our undistributed taxable income from 2013 and in accordance with REIT rules and regulations, in connection with a recent determination of an inability to offset net gains realized on certain hedging transactions in 2013 against net capital losses realized on the sale of mortgage-backed securities. The dividend payment date is December 26, 2016, and we recorded a charge of $1.86 million in the third quarter for interest charges expected to be payable to the IRS following payment of the dividend.

 

FOAC and Changes to Our Residential Mortgage Loan Business

 

In June 2013, we established FOAC as a Taxable REIT Subsidiary, or TRS, to increase the range of our investments in mortgage-related assets. To date, FOAC has aggregated mortgage loans primarily for sale into securitization transactions, with the expectation that we would purchase the subordinated tranches issued by the related securitization trusts, and that these will represent high quality credit investments for our portfolio. Residential mortgage loans for which FOAC owns the MSRs are directly serviced by one or more licensed sub-servicers since FOAC does not directly service any residential mortgage loans.

 

While we will continue to maintain our proprietary securitization platform, and thus our ability to opportunistically effect securitizations, we have (as noted earlier) determined to cease the aggregation of prime jumbo loans for the foreseeable future. We currently do not and do not intend to maintain warehouse financing to acquire prime jumbo loans. We estimate that through the reduction of personnel and other overhead expenses associated with our current prime jumbo business, we can generate annual cost savings of $2 million over the next three to nine months. We do not expect the projected changes to our mortgage loan business strategy to impact the existing MSRs that we own, or the securitizations we have sponsored to date.

 

Multi-Family and Residential Mortgage Loan Consolidation Reporting Requirements

 

  As of September 30, 2016, we are the primary beneficiary of two Multi-Family MBS securitization trusts, the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust, and one prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trust, CSMC 2014-OAK1, based in each case on our ownership of all or substantially all of the most subordinated, or first-loss, tranches in each transaction as well as the related control rights. While the Re-REMIC transactions described earlier have reduced our maximum exposure to loss from the two Multi-Family MBS trusts, we have determined that we remain the primary beneficiary of both trusts due to our ownership of first-loss tranches and related control rights under the Re-REMIC transactions.

 

We have elected the fair value option on the assets and liabilities held within each of the three trusts. We have also adopted early (see Note 2 to our Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at and for the periods ended September 30, 2016) ASU 2014-13, pursuant to which we are required to determine whether the fair value of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities of each trust is more observable, but in either case, the methodology results in the fair value of the assets of each trust being equal to the fair value of the respective trust’s liabilities

 

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Securitization trusts are structured as pass through entities that receive principal and interest on the underlying collateral and distribute those payments to the certificate holders. Although our condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016 includes the gross assets and liabilities of the three trusts, the assets of each trust are restricted and can only be used to fulfill the obligations of the individual entity. Additionally, the obligations of the trusts do not have any recourse to us as the consolidator of the trusts. Accordingly, we are only exposed to the risk of loss on our net investment in the trusts.

 

We do not have any claims to the assets (other than the security represented by our first loss piece) or obligations for the liabilities of any of the trusts. Our maximum exposure to loss from our consolidation is our carrying value of $24.0 million as of September 30, 2016 which represents our net aggregate investment in the trusts as set out below. As a result, for the purpose of describing our investment activities, we may present them on a net investment basis. The significant reduction in our net aggregate investment in the consolidated trusts compared with $117.6 million as of December 31, 2015, is the result of the two Multi-Family MBS Re-REMIC transactions and the de-consolidation of one residential mortgage loan securitization trust, all effected during the second quarter of 2016.

 

As of September 30, 2016, we had $2,305,574,444 of total assets on a GAAP basis, as compared to $2,498,366,661 as of December 31, 2015. A reconciliation of our net investment in the trusts with our condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 follows:

 

   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
Multi-family mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value (1)  $1,271,754,540   $1,455,155,339 
Multi-family securitized debt obligations (2)  $1,253,797,808   $1,369,124,789 
Net investment amount of Multi-Family MBS trusts held by us  $17,956,732   $86,030,550 
Residential mortgage loans held in securitization trusts, at fair value (1)  $153,858,101   $413,327,217 
Residential securitized debt obligations (2)  $147,807,489   $381,791,476 
Net investment amount of residential mortgage loan trusts held by us  $6,050,612   $31,535,741 

 

(1)       Includes related receivables

 

(2)       Includes related payables

 

Five Oaks Insurance

 

On January 12, 2016, the regulator of the FHLB system, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or the FHFA, published a Final Rule that amended FHLB membership regulations for captive insurance subsidiaries. Under the new regulations, FOI was required to terminate its membership and repay its advances on or before February 19, 2017 in order to be eligible for timely full stock redemption. At December 31, 2015, FOI had $49.7 million of secured FHLBI advances which as of March 15, 2016, had been fully repaid and replaced with repurchase agreements. On February 22, 2016 we initiated the redemption of FOI’s FHLBI stock which had a stated value of $2,403,000, and to date we have received substantially all of the redemption proceeds from FHLBI. On July 18, 2016, the State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services approved FOI’s order for voluntary dissolution. The termination of our membership effectively forecloses our ability to acquire prime jumbo mortgage loans and hold them for investment purposes rather than for sale or securitization.

 

Factors Impacting Our Operating Results

 

Market conditions.    The results of our operations are and will continue to be affected by a number of factors and primarily depend on, among other things, 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. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of purchase discounts, will vary primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates and prepayment speeds, as measured by the constant prepayment rate, or CPR, on our MBS and mortgage loans. Interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results are also impacted by unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans are included in our MBS, or whose loans we own directly. Our operating results will also be affected by general U.S. residential real estate fundamentals and the overall U.S. economic environment. In particular, our strategy is influenced by the specific characteristics of the residential real estate markets, including prepayment rates, credit market conditions and interest rate levels.

 

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  Having raised its target range for the federal funds rate to ¼ to ½ percent in December 2015, the Federal Reserve also indicated that it would likely contemplate additional rate increases in 2016 and beyond in a manner consistent with policy normalization, while indicating that such additional increases would likely be gradual and data dependent. At further meetings on July 27, 2016, September 21, 2016 and November 2, 2016, the Federal Reserve decided against any additional rate increases, while stating that it would continue to reinvest principal payments from agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in mortgage-backed securities until policy normalization of the level of the federal funds rate was well under way. While the majority of market observers expect a rate rise in December, there remains considerable uncertainty concerning the speed at which the Federal Reserve will continue to raise rates, based on renewed economic uncertainty in the US and globally, and this has contributed to persistent market volatility. Such uncertainty and volatility often leads to asset price volatility, wider spreads and increased hedging costs, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

Although credit markets generally exhibited less volatility during the third quarter of 2016 than they had during the first half of the year,and we continued to reduce the amount of our Non-Agency RMBS investments, we expect that volatile market conditions combined with decreased liquidity across many credit markets may continue to impact our operating results and will cause us to continue adjusting our investment and financing strategies over time as the risk and return profiles of our business continue to change.

 

Changes in market interest rates.    With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) the value of our MBS and loan portfolio to decline; (2) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to higher interest rates; (3) prepayments on our MBS and loan portfolio to slow, thereby slowing the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to increase; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements or other derivative contracts as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to increase. Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause: (1) prepayments on our MBS and loan portfolio to increase, thereby accelerating the amortization of our purchase premiums and the accretion of our purchase discounts; (2) the value of our MBS and loan portfolio to increase; (3) coupons on our adjustable-rate and hybrid RMBS to reset, although on a delayed basis, to lower interest rates; (4) the interest expense associated with our borrowings to decrease; and (5) to the extent we enter into interest rate swap agreements or other derivative contracts as part of our hedging strategy, the value of these agreements to decrease. 

 

Credit risk.    We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our Non-Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS investments and residential mortgage loans. Our Manager seeks to mitigate this credit risk by estimating expected losses on these assets and either (i) purchasing such assets at appropriate discounted prices, e.g. for Non-Agency RMBS; or (ii) reviewing credit risk on a loan-by-loan basis and rejecting individual loans when deemed appropriate. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur, which could adversely impact our operating results. Additionally, if the market’s view of credit risk deteriorates, or the yield required to invest in such credit risk increases, this will lead to an increase in credit spreads, and a resultant decline in the market prices of such assets, even if our estimate of expected losses does not change. In turn, this can be expected to lead to a reduction in our stockholders’ equity, and may also trigger margin calls under our repurchase agreements used to finance our credit sensitive assets.

 

Liquidity and financing markets. Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to pay dividends, fund investments and repay borrowings and other general business needs. Given very challenging conditions for the issuance of common and preferred stock, our primary sources of liquidity are net cash provided by operating activities, cash from repurchase agreements, including our warehouse facility, and other financing arrangements. We previously noted a tightening trend in the balance sheet capacity of repurchase agreement counterparties due to a combination of higher capital requirements such as the Basel III capital reforms, other regulatory restrictions, enhanced risk management and generally lower risk appetite among many financial institutions. Consequently, we have observed a reduced willingness of certain financial institutions to commit capital to support the trading of fixed income securities, and in turn, a consequent reduction in certain cases in the availability of financing for certain credit-sensitive MBS. Given the previously referenced FHFA Final Rule regarding the non-availability of FHLB financing going forward, we anticipate our primary sources of financing in 2016 will be repurchase agreements and other similar financing arrangements. However, transactions such as the re-securitization of certain Multi-Family MBS securities that we concluded in April 2016 have allowed us to reduce the amount of our repurchase agreement financing.

 

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Prepayment speeds.    Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the CPR, vary according to interest rates, the type of residential mortgage loan, conditions in financial markets and housing markets, availability of residential mortgages, borrowers' credit profiles, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. CPR, expressed as a percentage over a pool of residential mortgages, is the rate at which principal is expected to prepay in the given year (usually the next one). For example, if a certain residential mortgage loan pool has a CPR of 9%, then 9% of the existing pool principal outstanding is expected to prepay over the next year. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their residential mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, however, prepayment speeds tend to increase. When house price appreciation is positive, prepayment rates may increase, and when house prices depreciate in value, prepayment rates may decline. For RMBS and loans purchased at a premium, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn on these investments will be less than expected because the purchase premium we will pay for the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income greater than expected and can extend the period over which we amortize the purchase premium. For RMBS and loans purchased at a discount, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn will be greater than expected because of the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income less than expected and can extend the period over which we accrete the purchase discount into interest income. Generally, our Multi-Family MBS investments are not subject to prepayment risk, because scheduled repayments on the underlying multi-family mortgage loans are allocated to the most senior security in each transaction, and unscheduled repayments are held in the trust until the maturity date of the MBS securities. As a result, our Multi-Family MBS investments are generally scheduled to be repaid in full on a bullet maturity date.

 

Changes in market value of our assets.    Other than our residential mortgage loans, as discussed below, it is our business strategy to hold our target assets as long-term investments. As such, our investment securities (with the exception of Non-Agency RMBS IOs) are carried at their fair value, as available-for-sale, or AFS, when applicable, in accordance with ASC 320-10 "Investments-Debt and Equity Securities," with changes in fair value recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), a component of stockholders' equity, rather than through earnings. However, at least on a quarterly basis, we monitor our target assets for other-than-temporary impairment, which could result in our recognizing a charge through earnings. See "-Critical Accounting Policies" for further details. The primary exception to this accounting policy relates to residential mortgage loans, which we intend to sell, either into a securitization transaction, or into the secondary market. We have elected the fair value option for mortgage loan assets, as well as Non-Agency RMBS IOs, and as such, changes in the market value of these assets will directly impact our earnings. In addition, to the extent that as a result of our purchase of subordinated securities issued by Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loan securitization trusts, we determine that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts and accordingly consolidate their assets and liabilities; we have elected the fair value option in respect of these trusts. As such, changes in the market values of the consolidated trusts will also directly impact our earnings.

 

Governmental actions. Since 2008, when both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under the conservatorship of the U.S. government, there have been a number of proposals to reform the U.S. housing finance system in general, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in particular. We anticipate debate on residential housing and mortgage reform to continue through 2016, but a deep divide persists between factions in Congress and as such it remains unclear what shape any reform would take and what impact, if any, reform would have on mortgage REITs. We also expect that no reform is likely to occur prior to the end of the current presidential administration.

 

Investment Portfolio

  

On a GAAP basis, we had increased our overall investments in MBS from $754.4 million as of June 30, 2016 to $817.4 million as of September 30, 2016. Within this total, on a quarter-over-quarter basis we had increased our Agency RMBS from $619.8 million to $702.0 million, decreased our Non-Agency RMBS from $43.9 million to $22.7 million and increased our Multi-Family MBS from $90.6 million to $92.7 million. These changes reflect the application of our current investment strategy discussed under “Overview”.

 

On a non-GAAP basis, our MBS investments increased from $784.8 million as of June 30, 2016 to $840.4 million as of September 30, 2016. The non-GAAP total includes our net investment in our consolidated Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loan trusts. Within these totals, on a quarter-over-quarter basis we had increased our Agency RMBS from $619.8 million to $702.0 million, decreased our Non-Agency RMBS from $57.4 million to $27.7 million and increased our Multi-Family MBS from $107.6 million to $110.6 million. On a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, our investment in residential mortgage loans decreased from $12.9 million at June 30, 2016 to $9.3 million September 30, 2016.

 

We use leverage to increase potential returns to our stockholders. To that end, subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act, we use borrowings to fund the origination or acquisition of our target assets. We accomplish this by borrowing against existing assets through repurchase agreements. Neither our organizational documents nor our investment guidelines places any limit on the maximum amount of leverage that we may use, and we are not required to maintain any particular debt-to-equity leverage ratio. We may also change our financing strategy and leverage without the consent of our stockholders.

 

The leverage that we employ is specific to each asset class in which we invest and will be determined based on several factors, including potential asset price volatility, margin requirements, the current cycle for interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, credit, security price, the outlook for interest rates and our ability to use and the effectiveness of interest rate hedges. We analyze both historical interest rate and credit volatility and market-driven implied volatility for each asset class in order to determine potential asset price volatility. Our leverage targets attempt to risk-adjust asset classes based on each asset class's potential price volatility. The goal of our leverage strategy is to ensure that, at all times, our investment portfolio's leverage ratio is appropriate for the level of risk inherent in the investment portfolio and that each asset class has individual leverage targets that are appropriate for its potential price volatility

 

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The following tables summarize certain characteristics of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (i) as reported in accordance with GAAP, which excludes our net investment in Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo mortgage securitization trusts; (ii) to show separately our net investments in Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo mortgage securitization trusts; and (iii) on a non-GAAP combined basis (which reflects the inclusion of our net investment in Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo mortgage securitization trusts combined with our GAAP-reported MBS):   

  

September 30, 2016 

 

GAAP Basis                              

 

   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $1,491   $36   $-   $1,527   $20   $1,547    2.50%   1.89%
30 year fixed-rate   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Hybrid RMBS   679,056    14,630    -    693,686    6,766    700,452    2.52%   2.11%
Total Agency RMBS   680,547    14,666    -    695,213    6,786    701,999    2.52%   2.11%
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   25,691    (4,367)   (2,628)   18,696    (2,370)   16,326    0.70%   6.65%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   572,278    -    -    14,712    (8,335)   6,377    0.32%   12.53%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   597,969    (4,367)   (2,628)   33,408    (10,705)   22,703    0.34%   9.24%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   19,205    (33)   -    19,172    756    19,928    5.35%   5.39%
Multi-Family MBS PO   100,908    (27,426)   -    73,482    (717)   72,765    0.00%   6.77%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   120,113    (27,459)   -    92,654    39    92,693    0.86%   6.49%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   9,057    -    -    9,138    136    9,274    4.18%   4.14%
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $1,407,686   $(17,160)  $(2,628)  $830,413   $(3,744)  $826,669    1.46%   2.91%

 

 

Non-GAAP Adjustments                            

 

   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-    -    - 
30 year fixed-rate   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Hybrid RMBS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total Agency RMBS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   4,345    (1,086)   -    3,259    20    3,279    3.76%   5.01%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   171,806    -    -    7,805    (6,075)   1,730    0.40%   8.81%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   176,151    (1,086)   -    11,064    (6,055)   5,009    0.48%   7.69%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   8,197    (2,690)   -    5,508    722    6,230    2.78%   4.13%
Multi-Family MBS PO   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   21,940    -    -    10,483    1,244    11,727    0.00%   0.00%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   30,137    (2,690)   -    15,991    1,966    17,957    0.75%   1.42%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $206,288   $(3,776)  $-   $27,055   $(4,089)  $22,966    0.52%   3.99%

 

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Non-GAAP Basis                                
                                 
   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                        
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $1,491   $36   $-   $1,527   $20   $1,547    2.50%   1.89%
30 year fixed-rate   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Hybrid RMBS   679,056    14,630    -    693,686    6,766    700,452    2.52%   2.11%
Total Agency RMBS   680,547    14,666    -    695,213    6,786    701,999    2.52%   2.11%
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   30,036    (5,453)   (2,628)   21,955    (2,350)   19,605    1.15%   6.41%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   744,084    -    -    22,517    (14,410)   8,107    0.34%   11.24%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   774,120    (5,453)   (2,628)   44,472    (16,760)   27,712    0.37%   8.85%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   27,402    (2,722)   -    24,680    1,478    26,158    4.58%   5.11%
Multi-Family MBS PO   100,908    (27,426)   -    73,482    (717)   72,765    0.00%   6.77%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   21,940    -    -    10,483    1,244    11,727    0.00%   0.00%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   150,250    (30,148)   -    108,645    2,005    110,650    0.84%   5.74%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   9,057    -    -    9,138    136    9,274    4.18%   4.14%
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $1,613,974   $(20,935)  $(2,628)  $857,468   $(7,833)  $849,635    1.34%   2.94%

 

___________________________

(1)Weighted average coupon is presented net of servicing and other fees.
(2)Average yield incorporates future prepayment assumptions as discussed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

GAAP Basis                                
   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $1,750   $43   $-   $1,793   $(26)  $1,767    2.50%   1.90%
30 year fixed-rate   13,066    772    -    13,838    (329)   13,509    3.50%   2.65%
Hybrid RMBS   355,579    3,002    -    358,581    1,477    360,058    2.41%   2.38%
Total Agency RMBS   370,395    3,817    -    374,212    1,122    375,334    2.45%   2.39%
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   116,955    (22,021)   (8,892)   86,042    (709)   85,333    1.37%   5.23%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   428,230    -    -    7,816    (1,042)   6,774    0.38%   9.33%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   545,185    (22,021)   (8,892)   93,858    (1,751)   92,107    0.59%   5.57%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   19,303    (38)   -    19,265    (117)   19,148    5.35%   5.39%
Multi-Family MBS PO   119,527    (33,212)   -    86,315    (1,437)   84,878    0.00%   6.69%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   138,830    (33,250)   -    105,580    (1,554)   104,026    0.74%   6.45%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   10,651    -    -    10,768    133    10,901    4.21%   4.21%
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $1,065,061   $(51,454)  $(8,892)  $584,418   $(2,050)  $582,368    1.29%   3.67%

 

 55 

 

 

Non-GAAP Adjustments                            
                             
   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-    -    - 
30 year fixed-rate   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Hybrid RMBS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total Agency RMBS   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   27,206    (5,278)   -    21,928    124    22,052    3.90%   5.77%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   550,961    -    -    14,702    (7,386)   7,316    0.32%   7.67%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   578,167    (5,278)   -    36,630    (7,262)   29,368    0.49%   6.53%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   32,103    (9,159)   -    22,944    2,739    25,683    2.67%   21.71%
Multi-Family MBS PO   -    -    -    -    -    -    0.00%   0.00%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   957,049    -    -    7,845    (1,036)   6,809    0.00%   19.10%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   79,746    -    -    47,671    5,867    53,538    0.00%   3.43%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   1,068,898    (9,159)   -    78,460    7,570    86,030    0.08%   10.34%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $1,647,065   $(14,437)  $-   $115,090   $308   $115,398    0.22%   9.13%

 

 

Non-GAAP Basis                                
                                 
   Principal Balance   Unamortized Premium (Discount)   Designated Credit Reserve   Amortized Cost   Unrealized Gain/ (Loss)   Fair Value   Net Weighted Average Coupon(1)   Average Yield(2) 
$ in thousands                                
Agency RMBS                                        
15 year fixed-rate  $1,750   $43   $-   $1,793   $(26)  $1,767    2.50%   1.90%
30 year fixed-rate   13,066    772    -    13,838    (329)   13,509    3.50%   2.65%
Hybrid RMBS   355,579    3,002    -    358,581    1,477    360,058    2.41%   2.38%
Total Agency RMBS   370,395    3,817    -    374,212    1,122    375,334    2.45%   2.39%
                                         
Non-Agency RMBS   144,161    (27,299)   (8,892)   107,970    (585)   107,385    1.85%   5.34%
Non-Agency MBS IO, fair value option   979,191    -    -    22,518    (8,428)   14,090    0.35%   8.25%
Total Non-Agency RMBS   1,123,352    (27,299)   (8,892)   130,488    (9,013)   121,475    0.54%   5.84%
                                         
Multi-Family MBS   51,406    (9,197)   -    42,209    2,622    44,831    3.68%   14.26%
Multi-Family MBS PO   119,527    (33,212)   -    86,315    (1,437)   84,878    0.00%   6.69%
Multi-Family MBS IO, fair value option   957,049    -    -    7,845    (1,036)   6,809    0.18%   19.10%
Multi-Family MBS PO, fair value option   79,746    -    -    47,671    5,867    53,538    0.00%   3.43%
Total Multi-Family MBS,   1,207,728    (42,409)   -    184,040    6,016    190,056    0.30%   8.11%
                                         
Residential Mortgage Loans   10,651    -    -    10,768    133    10,901    4.21%   4.21%
                                         
Total/Weighted Average (GAAP)  $2,712,126   $(65,891)  $(8,892)  $699,508   $(1,742)  $697,766    0.71%   4.57%

 

___________________________

 

(1)Weighted average coupon is presented net of servicing and other fees.
(2)Average yield incorporates future prepayment assumptions as discussed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

  

For financial statement reporting purposes, GAAP requires us to consolidate the assets and liabilities of three Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trusts. Accordingly, the measures in the foregoing tables and charts prepared on a GAAP basis at September 30, 2016 do not include our net investments in the three Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trusts. However, our maximum exposure to loss from consolidation of the three trusts is $24.0 million as of September 30, 2016. Similarly, the tables and charts prepared on a GAAP basis at December 31, 2015 do not include our net investments in four Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trusts; our maximum exposure to loss from consolidation of the four trusts was $117.6 million at December 31, 2015. We therefore have also presented certain information that includes our net investments in the Multi-Family MBS and prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trusts. This information constitutes non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC. We believe that this non-GAAP information enhances the ability of investors to analyze our MBS portfolio and the performance of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS in the same way that we assess our MBS portfolio and such assets. While we believe the non-GAAP information included in this report provides supplemental information to assist investors in analyzing that portion of our portfolio composed of Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, these measures are not in accordance with GAAP, and they should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, our financial information calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

  

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The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our investment portfolio on a non-GAAP combined basis (including our net investments in consolidated Multi-Family MBS and residential loan securitization trusts), at fair value, according to their estimated weighted average life classifications as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively:

 

  

September 30, 2016

Fair Value

   December 31, 2015
Fair Value		 
Less than one year  $216,719   $- 
Greater than one year and less than five years   659,396,044    251,607,684 
Greater than or equal to five years   180,747,323    435,256,830 
Total  $840,360,086   $686,864,514 

 

The increase in shorter maturity assets and the decrease in longer maturity assets year over year is primarily due to the shortening of the weighted average life of the investment portfolio as assets become closer to maturity.

 

Variances between GAAP and tax income.    Due to the potential timing differences in the recognition of GAAP net income compared to REIT taxable income on our investments, our net income and the unamortized amount of purchase discounts and premiums calculated in accordance with GAAP may differ significantly from such amounts calculated for purposes of determining our REIT taxable income. In accordance with GAAP, a portion of the purchase discounts on our Non-Agency RMBS are allocated to a Credit Reserve and, as such, are not expected to be accreted into interest income. Accordingly, potential timing differences arise with respect to the accretion of market discount into income for tax purposes as compared to GAAP. 

 

Financing and other liabilities.    We enter into repurchase agreements to finance the majority of our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. These agreements are secured by our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS and bear interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR. As of September 30, 2016, we had entered into repurchase agreements totaling $739.5 million, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, compared to $677.2 million at June 30, 2016. The increase was a result of the increase in the size of our investment portfolio during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

 

The following tables summarize the average balance, the end of period balance and the maximum balance at month-end of our repurchase agreements for the period from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis:  

  

Period ended September 30, 2016  Repurchase Agreements for Available-for-Sale Securities 
GAAP and non-GAAP basis  Period
Average
Balance		   End of Period
Balance		   Maximum Balance
at Month-End
During the Period		 
Period from January 1, 2016 to September 30,2016  $575,394,657    739,500,000    766,790,000 

 

As of September 30, 2016, we retained one warehouse facility with an aggregate borrowing limit of $25 million structured as a repurchase agreement secured by prime jumbo mortgage loans; this facility subsequently terminated on November 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, we had borrowings totaling $7.1 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis under this agreement, which were fully repaid prior to termination of the facility.  As addressed under “Overview” above, we will for the foreseeable future no longer aggregate prime jumbo mortgage loans, and do not intend to maintain financing capacity to do so.

 

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The following table summarizes the average balance, the end of period balance and the maximum balance at month-end of our repurchase agreements for Mortgage loans held-for-sale for the period from January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016 on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis:

 

Period ended September 30, 2016  Repurchase Agreements for Mortgage loans held-for-sale 
GAAP and non-GAAP  Period
Average
Balance		   End of Period
Balance		   Maximum Balance
at Month-End
During the Period		 
Period from January 1, 2016 to September 30,2016  $10,121,561    7,125,821    16,250,254 

 

Hedging instruments.    Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we generally hedge as much of our interest rate risk as we deem prudent in light of market conditions. As the result of heightened volatility in financial markets, our hedging activities have not had their desired beneficial impact, and there can be no assurance that our hedging activities will have going forward a beneficial impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

Interest rate hedging may continue to fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things: 

 

·our investment policies do not contain specific requirements as to the percentages or amount of interest rate risk that we are required to hedge;

 

·available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

·the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;

 

·the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay;

 

·the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction;

 

·the value of derivatives used for hedging may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with accounting rules to reflect changes in fair value. Downward adjustments or mark-to-market losses would reduce our stockholders' equity; and

 

·changes to our investment or risk management strategy may cause us to reduce the amount of our interest rate hedges at times of greater market volatility, which may in turn cause us to realize losses on such hedges

  

The following tables summarize our hedging activity as of September 30, 2016:

 

September 30, 2016

 

Expiration Year  Contracts   Notional   Fair Value 
Eurodollar Futures Contracts (Short Positions)            
2016   508   $508,000,000   $1,625 
2017   2,385    2,385,000,000    (994,625)
2018   2,148    2,148,000,000    (1,904,500)
2019   822    822,000,000    (1,356,875))
2020   115    115,000,000    (359,613))
Total   5,978   $5,978,000,000(1)  $(4,613,988)

  

(1)       The $5,978,000,000 total notional amount of Eurodollar futures contracts as of September 30, 2016 represents the accumulation of Eurodollar futures contracts that mature on a quarterly basis between December 2016 and September 2020. The maximum notional outstanding for settlement within any single future quarterly period did not exceed $716,000,000 as of September 30, 2016.

 

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Stockholders’ Equity and Book Value Per Share  

 

As of September 30, 2016, our stockholders’ equity was $149.6 million comprised of $37.2 million of preferred equity and $112.4 million of common equity, and our book value per common share was $7.70 on a basic and fully diluted basis. Our stockholders’ equity decreased by $2.6 million compared to our stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2016, while book value per common share declined by 2.3% from the previous quarter-end amount of $7.88.  $1.9 million of the decline in stockholders’ equity related to the one-time provision for expected interest charges in connection with the deficiency dividend declared on November 9, 2016. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities (except those related to Non-Agency RMBS IOs) are reflected in stockholders’ equity rather than in our condensed consolidated statement of operations as a component of other comprehensive income, or OCI.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates  

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. These accounting principles may require us to make some complex and subjective decisions and assessments. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions, assessments and estimates that could affect our reported assets and liabilities, as well as our reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All of our estimates upon which our financial statements are based are based upon information available to us at the time of making the estimate. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, see “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” beginning on page 6 of this report.   

 

Capital Allocation

 

The following tables set forth our allocated capital by investment type at September 30, 2016:

  

Non-GAAP Basis  September 30, 2016 
   Agency MBS   Multi-Family MBS(1)   Non-Agency RMBS(1)   Residential Loans (2)   Unrestricted Cash(3)   Total 
Market Value  $701,998,993   $110,648,488   $27,712,606   $13,341,497   $28,590,557   $882,292,141 
Repurchase Agreements   (668,713,000)   (52,788,000)   (17,999,000)   (7,125,821)   -    (746,625,821)
Hedges   (2,980,326)   (1,633,662)   -    -    -    (4,613,988)
Other(4)   5,991,673    32,584    226,618    58,426    (1,835,847)   4,473,454 
Restricted Cash   11,678,857    2,162,696    241,688    -    -    14,083,241 
Equity Allocated  $47,976,197   $58,422,106   $10,181,912   $6,274,102   $26,754,710   $149,609,027 
% Equity   32.1%   39.0%   6.8%   4.2%   17.9%   100.0%

 

___________________________

 

1.Includes the fair value of our net investments in the FREMF 2011-K13, FREMF 2012-KF01 and CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trusts.

 

2.Includes MSRs with a fair value of $4,067,495.

 

3.Includes cash and cash equivalents.

 

4.Includes interest receivable, prepaid and other assets, interest payable, dividend payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities.

 

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This information constitutes non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC. We believe that this non-GAAP information enhances the ability of investors to better understand the capital necessary to support each income-earning asset category, and thus our ability to generate operating earnings. While we believe the non-GAAP information included in this report provides supplemental information to assist investors in analyzing our portfolio, these measures are not in accordance with GAAP, and they should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, our financial information calculated in accordance with GAAP.

  

Results of Operations  

 

As of September 30, 2016, we continued to consolidate the assets and liabilities of two Multi-Family MBS securitization trusts, the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust and one prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trust, CSMC 2014-OAK1. Our results of operations, and in particular the gross amount of interest income and interest expense reported, were impacted in part by the reduced principal balances of these consolidated securitization trusts, due to amortization of the loans underlying the trusts. In addition, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, both interest income on residential loans held in securitization trusts and interest expense on residential securitized debt obligations were reduced relative to the prior year periods due to de-consolidation of the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 trust during the second quarter of 2016.

 

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The table below presents certain information from our Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively:

 

   Three Months   Three Months   Nine Months   Nine Months 
   Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
                 
Revenues:                    
Interest income:                    
Available-for-sale securities  $6,549,869   $5,460,965   $16,780,701   $19,020,504 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale   121,892    499,335    411,199    1,790,362 
Multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   14,466,946    16,794,338    44,597,652    51,679,542 
Residential loans held in securitization trusts   1,582,090    4,641,887    9,143,343    15,573,046 
Cash and cash equivalents   11,754    4,809    26,409    13,386 
Interest expense:                    
Repurchase agreements - available-for-sale securities   (1,572,062)   (1,490,698)   (4,400,290)   (4,992,998)
Repurchase agreements - mortgage loans held-for-sale   (57,449)   (300,297)   (227,733)   (1,129,284)
Multi-family securitized debt obligations   (13,740,005)   (15,372,832)   (41,667,457)   (47,286,613)
Residential securitized debt obligations   (1,210,186)   (3,137,247)   (6,978,474)   (9,894,956)
                     
Net interest income   6,152,849    7,100,260    17,685,350    24,772,989 
                     
Other-than-temporary impairments                    
                     
Increase in credit reserves   (374,124)   (350,924)   (541,342)   (1,761,208)
Additional other-than-temporary credit impairment losses   (183,790)   -    (183,790)   (2,890,939)
                     
Total impairment losses recognized through earnings   (557,914)   (350,924)   (725,132)   (4,652,147)
                     
Other income:                    
Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments, net   (749,604)   1,464,308    (3,361,609)   1,834,151 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on fair value option securities   (958,995)   (393,685)   (3,569,744)   (625,958)
Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   (820,974)   (8,262,423)   (3,167,877)   (12,310,301)
Change unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net   3,340,600    1,631,907    (7,172,338)   782,901 
Realized gain (loss) on mortgage loans held-for-sale   60,427    (13,666)   129,175    1,017,625 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage loans held-for-sale   (138,785)   539,456    (2,885)   496,297 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage servicing rights, fair value option   (204,505)   (488,247)   (1,243,240)   (756,558)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on multi-family loans held in securitization trusts   930,312    1,804,190    (5,604,839)   5,644,774 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on residential loans held in securitization trusts   (764,599)   (1,323,697)   80,511    (7,655,902)
Other interest expense   (1,860,000)   -    (1,860,000)   - 
Mortgage servicing income   258,458    64,962    726,011    121,500 
Other income   3    33,374    26,811    59,985 
                     
Total other income (loss)   (907,662)   (4,943,521)   (25,020,024)   (11,391,486)
                     
Expenses:                    
Management fee   623,525    703,167    1,873,486    2,119,571 
General and administrative expenses   1,171,421    1,419,268    4,483,064    4,820,505 
Operating expenses reimbursable to Manager   1,184,391    1,338,272    3,573,445    3,444,914 
Other operating expenses   161,036    (20,377)   1,393,303    1,185,164 
Compensation expense   50,544    64,207    144,431    187,202 
                     
Total expenses   3,190,917    3,504,537    11,467,729    11,757,356 
                     
Net income (loss) before provision from income taxes  $1,496,356   $(1,698,722)  $(19,527,535)  $(3,028,000)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes  $-   $-   $-   $- 
Net income (loss)   1,496,356    (1,698,722)   (19,527,535)   (3,028,000)
Dividends to preferred stockholders   (880,509)   (880,509)   (2,631,744)   (2,631,744)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $615,847   $(2,579,231)  $(22,159,279)  $(5,659,744)
                     
Earnings (loss) per share:                    
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders (basic and diluted)  $615,847   $(2,579,231)  $(22,159,279)  $(5,659,744)
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding   14,600,193    14,724,750    14,601,306    14,721,635 
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share  $0.04   $(0.18)  $(1.52)  $(0.38)
Dividends declared per share of common stock  $0.18   $0.30   $0.54   $1.05 

 

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Net Income Summary

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $22,159,279 or $1.52 basic and diluted net income per average share, compared with a net loss of $5,659,744 or $0.38 basic and diluted net income per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The principal drivers of this net loss represent components of other income (loss) as discussed below. 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, our net income attributable to common stockholders was $615,847, or $0.04 basic and diluted net income per average share, compared with a net loss of $2,579,231, or $0.18 basic and diluted net income per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The principal drivers of this net income represent components of other income (loss) as discussed below.

 

Interest Income and Interest Expense 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our interest income was $70,959,304 and $88,076,840 respectively. Our interest expense was $53,273,954 and $63,303,851, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The period-over period decrease in interest income and interest expense was primarily a result of the reduced principal balances of the consolidated multi-family and residential mortgage loan securitization trusts.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015, our interest income was $22,732,551 and $27,401,334, respectively. Our interest expense was $16,579,702 and $20,301,074 respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Net Interest Income

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our net interest income was $17,685,350 and $24,772,989, respectively, with the decrease primarily reflecting the reduced balances of the consolidated trusts noted above.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and the three months ended September 30, 2015, our net interest income was $6,152,849 and $7,100,260, respectively, with the decrease reflecting the reduced balances of the consolidated trusts noted above.

 

Other Income (Loss)

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred a loss of $25,020,024, which primarily reflects the impact of volatile interest rates and investment sales particularly in the first half of the year, Re-REMIC transactions effected during the period and a one-time other interest expense provision, in turn generating net realized losses on sales of investments of $3,361,609, net unrealized losses on interest rate hedges of $7,172,338, net realized losses of $3,167,877 on interest rate hedges and net unrealized losses on mortgage servicing rights of $1,243,240. Additionally, we incurred net unrealized losses on multi-family loans held in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts of $5,604,839, unrealized losses on mortgage loans of $2,885 and net unrealized losses on fair value option securities of $3,569,744. We also incurred a $1,860,000 other interest expense related to our 2013 deficiency dividend. These losses in aggregate more than offset net unrealized gain on residential mortgage loans held in the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 and CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trusts of $80,511, net realized gain on mortgage loans of $129,175, net mortgage servicing income of $726,011 and net other income of $26,811. As noted above, unrealized gains on AFS securities, which typically offset unrealized losses on interest rate hedges, are a component of other comprehensive income, or OCI, and as such are reflected in stockholders’ equity rather than in our statement of operations.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we incurred a loss of $11,391,486 which primarily reflects the impact of volatile interest rates during the third quarter, in turn generating net realized losses of $12,310,301 on interest rate hedges, net unrealized loss on mortgage servicing rights of $756,558 and net unrealized losses on fair value option securities of $625,958. Additionally, net unrealized losses on residential mortgage loans held in the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 and CSMC 2014_OAK1 Trusts were $7,655,902. These losses in aggregate more than offset unrealized gains on multi-family loans held in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts of $5,644,774, net realized gain on mortgage loans of $1,017,625, net realized gains on sales of investments $1,834,151, net unrealized gains on mortgage loans of $496,297, net unrealized gains on interest rate hedges of $782,901, net mortgage servicing income of $121,500 and net other income of $59,985. As noted above, unrealized gains or losses on AFS securities, which typically offset unrealized gains or losses on interest rate hedges, are a component of OCI and as such are reflected in stockholders’ equity rather than in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

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For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred a loss of $907,662, which primarily reflects the impact of net realized losses on sales of investments of $749,604, net unrealized losses on fair value option securities of $958,995, net realized losses of $820,974 on interest rate hedges, unrealized losses on mortgage loans of $138,785, net unrealized losses on mortgage servicing rights of $204,505, net unrealized loss on residential mortgage loans held in the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust of $764,599 and $1,860,000 other interest expense related to our 2013 deficiency dividend, which more than offset net unrealized gain on interest rate hedges of $3,340,600, realized gain on mortgage loans of $60,427, net unrealized gains on multi-family loans held in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts of $930,312 and net mortgage servicing income of $258,458.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we incurred a loss of $4,943,521, which primarily reflects the net unrealized losses on residential mortgage loans held in the JPMMT 2014-OAK4 and CSMC 2014-OAK1Trusts of $1,323,697 net realized losses of $8,262,423 on interest rate hedges, net unrealized losses on fair value option securities of $393,685, net realized loss on mortgage loans held for sale of $13,666 and net unrealized loss on mortgage servicing rights of $488,247 which more than offset net realized gains on sales of investments of $1,464,308, net unrealized gain on interest rate hedges of $1,631,907, net unrealized gain on multi-family loans held in the 2011-K13 and 2012- KF01Trusts of $1,804,190, net unrealized gain on mortgage loans held for sale of $539,456, net mortgage servicing income of $64,962 and net other income of $33,374.

 

Expenses

 

In connection with our consolidation of the consolidated trusts, we are required to include the expenses of the trusts in our condensed consolidated statement of operations, although we are not actually responsible for the payment of these trust expenses.

 

We incurred management fees of $1,873,486 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred operating expense of $9,594,243, of which $3,573,445 was payable to our Manager and $6,020,798 was payable directly by us. 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we incurred management fees of $2,119,571 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred operating expense of $9,637,785, of which $3,444,914 was payable to our Manager and $6,192,871 was payable directly by us.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred management fees of $623,525 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred operating expense of $2,567,392 of which $1,184,391 was payable to our Manager and $1,383,001 was payable directly by us.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we incurred management fees of $703,167 representing amounts payable to our Manager under our management agreement. We also incurred other operating expense of $2,801,370 of which $1,338,272 was payable to our Manager and $1,463,098 was payable directly to us.

 

Our general and administrative expenses represent the cost of legal, accounting, auditing and consulting services and declined as a result of reduced expenses attributed to the consolidation trusts during both the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 at $4,483,064 and $4,820,505, respectively, as well as between the three month periods ended such date at $1,171,421 and $1,419,268, respectively.

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI)

 

We review each of our securities on a quarterly basis to determine if an OTTI charge is necessary. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $557,915 and $725,132, respectively in OTTI losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $350,924 and $4,652,147, respectively in OTTI losses. The OTTI recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 reflected an increase in the Company’s credit loss expectations on certain Non-Agency RMBS with a fair value of $12,459,965 as of period end. For further information about evaluating AFS securities for other-than-temporary impairments, refer to Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Net Income (Loss) and Return on Equity 

 

Our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $22,159,279 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $2,631,744, representing an annualized loss of 15.62 % on average stockholders' equity of $188,991,056.  As noted earlier, unrealized net gains or losses on AFS securities are not reflected in our statement of operations, but are instead a component of OCI. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders was $19,745,147, which included $2,414,131 in total OCI. This represents an annualized loss of 13.92% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $5,659,744 after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $2,631,744, representing an annualized loss of 3.99% on average stockholders' equity of $189,568,834. As noted earlier, unrealized net gains or losses on AFS securities are not reflected in our condensed consolidated statement of operations, but are instead a component of other comprehensive income, or OCI. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders was $4,286,128 which included $1,373,615 in OCI. This represented and annualized loss of 3.02% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, our net income attributable to common stockholders was $615,847 an annualized gain of 1.29 % on average stockholders' equity of $189,026,057.   For the three months ended September 30, 2016, our comprehensive gain attributable to common stockholders was $34,464, which included $581,383 in other comprehensive loss. This represents an annualized gain of 0.07% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $2,579,231 after accounting for preferred stock dividends of $880,509, representing an annualized loss of 5.40 % on average stockholders' equity of $189,415,458. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, our comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders was $2,010,767 which included $568,464 in other comprehensive gain. This represented an annualized loss of 4.21% on average stockholders’ equity.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to pay dividends, fund investments, comply with margin requirements, and repay borrowings and other general business needs. Our primary sources of funds for liquidity consist of net cash provided by operating activities, cash from repurchase agreements, and other financing arrangements. We currently finance Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS primarily through the use of repurchase agreements.

 

Our target assets, excluding those such as Multi-Family MBS that are structured as principal only securities, generate ongoing liquidity through principal and interest payments. In addition, as part of our overall investment and risk management strategies, we may from time to time sell certain assets and these sales are generally expected to provide additional liquidity. Certain of our assets such as Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loans may be subject to longer trade timelines, and as a result, market conditions could significantly and adversely affect the liquidity of our assets.

 

In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we previously recorded our assets. Assets that are illiquid are more difficult to finance, and to the extent that we use leverage to finance assets that become illiquid, we may lose that leverage or have it reduced. Assets tend to become less liquid during times of financial stress, which is often the time that liquidity is most needed. As a result, our ability to sell assets or vary our portfolio in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited by liquidity constraints, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

As noted earlier, our defensive approach includes our efforts to emphasize liquidity, both to meet margin calls (as discussed below) and to be able to better absorb the effects on our financing from potential exits of certain of our repo counterparties from the securities trading and/or financing business. As a result of ongoing capital disintermediation, several large banks have announced significant reductions in personnel and rationalization of their fixed income business.

 

We intend to continue 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 Non-Agency and Agency RMBS, Multi-Family MBS and residential mortgage loans. 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 unfavorable market conditions and harm our operating results.  As of September 30, 2016, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $28.6 million available to meet margin calls on our repurchase agreements and derivative instruments, compared to $25.5 million as of June 30, 2016.

 

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As of September 30, 2016, net proceeds from repurchase agreements related to available-for-sale securities totaled $739.5 million, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, with a weighted-average borrowing rate of 0.88%, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, which we used to finance the acquisition of Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. Repurchase agreements related to held-for-sale mortgage loans totaling $7.1 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, with a weighted-average borrowing rate of 2.88 % which we used to finance the acquisition of prime jumbo mortgage loans. After factoring in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, we generally target a debt-to-equity ratio with respect to our Agency RMBS and residential mortgage loans of six to nine times, between one and two times when acquiring Legacy Non-Agency RMBS and between one and three times when acquiring Multi-Family MBS or New Issue Non-Agency RMBS. As of September 30, 2016, we had an overall debt-to-equity ratio of 5.0:1 on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, compared to 4.5:1 as of June 30, 2016. The increase is due primarily to the portfolio reallocation in favor of Agency RMBS described earlier. The repurchase obligations mature and reinvest every 30 to 360 days. See "-Contractual Obligations and Commitments" below. We expect to continue to borrow funds in the form of repurchase agreements. As of September 30, 2016, for our available-for-sale securities we had established repurchase borrowing arrangements with various investment banking firms and other lenders and had outstanding borrowings with 13 of these lenders totaling $739.5 million, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis.  Additionally, as of September 30, 2016, for our held-for-sale mortgage loans we had one master repurchase agreement with an investment banking firm and had outstanding borrowings thereunder totaling $7.1 million, on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis.

 

Under our repurchase agreements we may be required to pledge additional assets to our repurchase agreement counterparties (lenders) in the event that 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. We are subject to various financial covenants under our borrowing agreements and derivative contracts, which include minimum net worth and/or profitability requirements, maximum debt-to-equity ratios and minimum market capitalization requirements. As of September 30, 2016, we were in compliance with all of our financial covenants in, and were not in default under any of, such agreements and contracts. Generally, our borrowing agreements contain a financing rate, term and trigger levels for margin calls and haircuts depending on the types of collateral and the counterparties involved. If the estimated fair value of the investment securities increases due to changes in market interest rates or market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us. Specifically, margin calls may result from a decline in the value of the investments securing our borrowing agreements, prepayments on the residential mortgages securing our MBS investments and from changes in the estimated fair value of such investments generally due to principal reduction of such investments from scheduled amortization and resulting from changes in market interest rates and other market factors. Counterparties also may choose to increase haircuts based on credit evaluations of us and/or the performance of the bonds in question. Across all of our borrowing facilities, the haircuts range from a low of 5% to a high of 50%, and the weighted average haircut was 7.57% as of September 30, 2016. Declines in the value of our securities or loan portfolio can trigger margin calls by our lenders under our borrowing agreements. Should prepayment speeds on the residential mortgages underlying our MBS investments or market interest rates increase, margin calls on our borrowing agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. 

 

If the decline in market value of our securities collateralizing our borrowing facilities, or the combination of declining market value of our pledged securities and increasing haircuts, were to exceed the amount of our available liquidity, we would have to sell assets and may not realize sufficient proceeds to repay the amounts we owe to our lenders. However, as our liquidity decreased, we would attempt to de-leverage in an effort to avoid such a situation. In the period ended September 30, 2016, we did experience certain margin calls, generally the result of either principal paydowns on, or decreased market prices of, our MBS investments, and all such margin calls were promptly met. In general, periods of heightened market volatility will result in more frequent changes in the prices of MBS investments, and thus increased frequency of margin calls.   

 

Upon repayment of each borrowing under a borrowing agreement, we may use the collateral immediately for borrowing under a new borrowing agreement. We have not at the present time entered into any other commitment agreements under which the lender would be required to enter into new borrowing agreements during a specified period of time.  

 

As of September 30, 2016, we consolidated the assets and liabilities of two Multi-Family MBS securitization trusts, the FREMF 2011-K13 Trust, and the FREMF 2012-KF01 Trust, and one prime jumbo residential mortgage securitization trust, CSMC 2014-OAK1. The assets of the trusts are restricted and can only be used to fulfill their respective obligations. Accordingly, the obligations of the trusts, which we classify as Multi-Family MBS securitized debt obligations and residential securitized debt obligations, do not have any recourse to us as the consolidator of the trusts. As of September 30, 2016, the fair value of these non-recourse liabilities aggregated to $1,396,571,654 and they are excluded from discussion and analysis of our leverage.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements Regarding Liquidity  

 

Based upon our current portfolio, leverage rate and available borrowing arrangements, we believe that the net proceeds of our prior Equity Sales combined with cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to enable us to meet anticipated short-term (one year or less) liquidity requirements to fund our investment activities, pay fees under our management agreement, fund our distributions to stockholders and for other general corporate expenses.  

 

Our ability to meet our long-term (greater than one year) liquidity and capital resource requirements will be subject to obtaining additional debt financing and equity capital. We may increase our capital resources by obtaining long-term credit facilities or making additional public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, possibly including classes of preferred stock, common stock and senior or subordinated notes. Such financing will depend on market conditions for capital raises and for the investment of any proceeds. If we are unable to renew, replace or expand our sources of financing on substantially similar terms, it may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.  

 

To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain). These distribution requirements limit our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital for operations.  

 

  Contractual Obligations and Commitments   

 

We entered into a contractual arrangement with our Manager when we commenced operations on May 16, 2012. Our Manager is entitled to receive a management fee and the reimbursement of certain expenses. Because our management agreement provides that our Manager is responsible for managing our affairs, our executive officers, who are employees of our Manager and not our employees, will not receive cash compensation from us for serving as our executive officers. We have no employees.  

 

The Five Oaks Investment Corp. Manager Equity Plan, or the Manager Equity Plan, includes provisions for grants of restricted common stock and other equity based awards to our Manager and to our independent directors, consultants or officers whom we may directly employ in the future. In turn, our Manager will grant such awards to its employees, officers (including our current officers), members, directors or consultants. Grants to our Manager will be allocated firstly to non-member employees and officers of our Manager, and then the balance of the grants to members (including our officers) proportionally based on each member's respective ownership of our Manager. The grants to be made to our Manager and then by our Manager pursuant to such are intended to provide customary incentive compensation to those persons employed by our Manager on whose performance we rely (including our officers). The total number of shares that may be granted subject to awards under the Manager Equity Plan will be equal to an aggregate of 3.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of each award (other than any shares issued or subject to awards made pursuant to the Manager Equity Plan). No grants were made under the Manager Equity Plan during the period January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016. 

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations for borrowings under repurchase agreements at September 30, 2016:  

 

GAAP and non GAAP

 

   Payments Due by Period 
$ in thousands  Total   Less Than
1 Year		   1 - 3
Years		   3 - 5
Years		   More Than
5 Years		 
Repurchase agreements related to available-for-sale securities  $739,500    739,500    -    -    - 
Repurchase agreements related to held-for-sale mortgage loans  $7,126    7,126                
Total contractual obligations (1)  $746,626    746,626    -    -    - 

   

(1)We exclude multi-family securitized debt obligations, residential securitized debt obligations and related interest expense from the contractual obligations disclosed in the table above as this debt is non-recourse to us, is not cross-collateralized and must be satisfied exclusively from the proceeds of the respective multi-family mortgage loans or residential mortgage loans and related assets held in the securitization trusts.

 

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In addition, we enter into certain contracts that contain a variety of indemnification obligations, principally with our Manager, brokers and counterparties to repurchase agreements. The maximum potential future payment amount we could be required to pay under these indemnification obligations is unlimited. We have not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification obligations. As a result, the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we recorded no liabilities for these agreements as of September 30, 2016. 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements   

 

As of September 30, 2016, we did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Further, as of September 30, 2016, we had not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.   

 

Distributions  

 

We intend to continue to make regular monthly distributions to holders of our common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its "REIT taxable income." We generally intend to make regular monthly distributions to our stockholders in an amount equal to all or substantially all of our taxable income. As FOAC continues to make progress on the strategic initiatives, we expect FOAC to generate taxable income from holding residential mortgage loans, and subsequently selling them while typically retaining the MSRs. This taxable income will be subject to regular corporate income taxes. We generally anticipate the retention of profits generated and taxed at FOAC. Before we make any distribution on our common stock, 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, other debt payable and on our Series A Preferred Stock. If cash available for distribution to our stockholders is less than our 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.   

 

We intend to continue to announce in advance monthly dividends to be paid during each calendar quarter. If substantially all of our taxable income has not been paid by the close of any calendar year, we intend to declare a special dividend prior to the end of such calendar year, to achieve this result. On September 16, 2016, we announced that our board of directors declared monthly cash dividend rates for the fourth quarter of 2016 of $0.06 per share of common stock.  

 

Inflation   

 

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities will be interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance far more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our distributions will be determined by our board of directors consistent with our obligation to distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our "REIT taxable income" (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain) on an annual basis in order to maintain our REIT qualification; in each case, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation. Given the financial nature of substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities, and the very low level of inflation, the Company does not believe inflation has had a material impact on the Company’s results of operations during the last two years.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

 

We seek to manage our risks related to the credit quality of our assets, interest rates, liquidity, prepayment speeds and market value while providing an opportunity to stockholders to realize attractive risk-adjusted returns through ownership of our common stock. Although we do not seek to avoid risk completely, we believe that risk can be quantified from historical experience and we seek to manage our risk levels in order to earn sufficient compensation to justify the risks we undertake and to maintain capital levels consistent with taking such risks.  

 

To reduce the risks to our portfolio, we employ portfolio-wide and security-specific risk measurement and management processes in our daily operations. Our Manager's risk management tools include software and services licensed or purchased from third parties, in addition to proprietary software and analytical methods developed by our Manager. These tools have not fully protected us from market risks, and there can be no assurance that they will do so in the future.

 

While changes in the fair value of our Agency RMBS are generally not credit-related, changes in the fair value of our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including our net investments in consolidated Multi-Family MBS and residential loan securitization trusts, may reflect both market and interest rate conditions as well as credit risk. In evaluating our asset/liability management and Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS credit performance, our Manager considers the credit characteristics underlying our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including our net investments in consolidated Multi-Family MBS and residential loan securitization trusts. The following table presents certain information about our Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS (including our net investments in consolidated Multi-Family MBS and residential loan securitization trusts) as of September 30, 2016 on a combined non-GAAP basis. Information presented with respect to weighted average loan to value, weighted average FICO scores and other information is aggregated based on information reported at the time of mortgage origination and therefore does not reflect changes to home values or borrower characteristics since the mortgage origination.

 

   September 30, 2016 
   Non-Agency RMBS(1)   Multi-Family MBS(2)   Agency RMBS 
Portfolio Characteristics:            
Number of Securities   10   9   33 
Carrying Value/ Estimated Fair Value  $27,712,606   $110,648,488   $701,998,993 
Amortized Cost  $44,472,420   $108,644,608   $695,212,658 
Current Par Value  $774,119,925   $150,249,893   $680,547,372 
Carrying Value to Current Par   3.6%   73.6%   103.2%
Amortized Cost to Current Par   5.7%   72.3%   102.2%
Net Weighted Average Coupon   0.37%   0.84%   2.52%
3 Month CPR (3)   28.4    NA    13.8 

 

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Non-Agency RMBS Characteristics

 

   September 30, 2016(1) 
Collateral Attributes:  Legacy   Prime Jumbo New Issue 
Weighted Average Loan Age (months)   114    26 
Weighted Average Original Loan-to-Value   70.6%   67.1%
Weighted Average Original FICO (4)   690    766 
Weighted Average Loan Size   410.7    840.6 
           
Current Performance:          
60+ Day Delinquencies   25.6%   0.4%
Average Credit Enhancement (5)   0.0%   15.1%

  

   September 30, 2016(1) 
Coupon Type  Carrying Value   % of Non-Agency RMBS 
Fixed Rate  $11,386,318    41.1%
Adjustable Rate  $16,326,288    58.9%
           
Collateral Type          
Prime  $11,386,318    41.1%
Alt-A  $13,651,485    49.3%
Subprime  $2,674,803    9.7%
           
Loan Origination Year          
Post-2011  $11,386,318    41.1%
2007  $13,651,485    49.3%
2006  $2,674,803    9.7%

___________________________

 

1.Includes our net investment in the CSMC 2014-OAK1 Trust at September 30, 2016 on a combined, non-GAAP basis.

 

2.Includes our net investment in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts at September 30, 2016 on a combined, non-GAAP basis.

 

3.Three - month CPR is reflective of the prepayment speed on the underlying securitization; however CPR is not necessarily indicative of the proceeds received on our investments. Proceeds received on our RMBS depend on the location of our RMBS within the payments structure of each underlying security.

 

4.FICO represents a mortgage industry accepted credit score of a borrower, which was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.

 

5.Average credit enhancement remaining on our Non -Agency RMBS portfolio, which is the average amount of protection available to absorb future credit losses due to defaults on the underlying collateral

 

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The following table presents the rating of our Non-Agency RMBS at September 30, 2016, including our net investments in consolidated and residential loan securitization trusts, on a combined non-GAAP basis. The rating indicates the opinion of the rating agency as to the creditworthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor's ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation. A rating of "NR" is assigned when major rating agencies do not provide any rating for such security.    

Current Rating (6)  Fair Value   % of Non-Agency RMBS 
Rated AAA  $8,107,885    29.3%
Rated BBB  $-    0.0%
Rated BB  $-    0.0%
Rated B -  $-    0.0%
Rated CCC -  $-    0.0%
Rated CC  $2,674,803    9.7%
Not Rated  $16,929,918    61.1%

 

___________________________

 

6.Reported based on the lowest rating issued by a rating agency, if more than one rating is issued on the security at the date presented.

 

The mortgages securing our Non-Agency RMBS are collateralized by properties located within many geographic regions across the United States. The following table presents the five largest geographic concentrations of the mortgages collateralizing our Non-Agency RMBS, including our net investments in consolidated residential loan securitization trusts, at September 30, 2016 on a combined, non-GAAP basis: 

 

Property Location  Fair Value   % of Non-Agency RMBS 
California  $12,388,960    44.7%
Florida  $1,590,548    5.7%
Washington  $1,551,189    5.6%
New York  $1,364,158    4.9%
New Jersey  $1,037,174    3.7%

 

Our Multi-Family MBS investments are primarily Freddie Mac Multifamily K Certificates backed by pools of multifamily mortgage loans or re-REMICs of underlying Freddie Mac Multifamily K Certificates. These certificates are not guaranteed by Freddie Mac and therefore, repayment is based solely on the performance of the underlying pool of loans. These loans have prepayment lock-out provisions which reduce the risk of early repayment of our investment.

 

The following table presents the rating of our Multi-Family MBS at September 30, 2016, including our net investment in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts, on a combined non-GAAP basis. The rating indicates the opinion of the rating agency as to the creditworthiness of the investment, indicating the obligor’s ability to meet its full financial commitment on the obligation.

 

Current Rating  Fair Value   % of Multi-Family MBS 
Rated BBB  $19,927,028    18.0%
Rated BBB-  $11,931,421    10.8%
Rated BB-  $60,833,307    55.0%
Not Rated  $17,956,732    16.2%

 

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Weighted Average Life Breakdown  Carrying Value 
     
Less than one year  $216,719 
Greater than one year and less than five years  $659,396,044 
Greater than or equal to five years  $180,747,323 

 

Interest rate risk 

 

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of interest rate management techniques that seek to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on the values of our assets. 

 

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we utilize derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, swaptions, TBAs and futures, to hedge the interest rate and related market risks associated with our portfolio. We seek to hedge interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our assets and the financing of our portfolio. In hedging interest rates with respect to our fixed income assets, we seek to reduce the risk of losses on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets. In utilizing interest rate hedges with respect to our financing, we seek to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to obtain a favorable spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. We rely on our Manager's expertise to manage these risks on our behalf.

 

Interest rate effect on net interest income  

 

Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of leveraged fixed-rate MBS will remain static. Moreover, interest rates may rise at a faster pace than the yields earned on our leveraged adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS. Both of these factors could result in a decline in our net interest spread and net interest margin. The severity of any such decline would depend on our asset/liability composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the interest rate increase. Further, an increase in short-term interest rates could also have a negative impact on the market value of our target assets. If any of these events happen, we could experience a decrease in net income or incur a net loss during these periods, which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations. 

 

Our hedging techniques are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our target assets. If prepayments are slower or faster than assumed, the life of the investment will be longer or shorter, which would reduce the effectiveness of any hedging strategies we may use and may cause losses on such transactions. Hedging strategies involving the use of derivative securities are highly complex and may produce volatile returns. 

 

We acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS. These are assets in which some of the underlying mortgages are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps and floors, which may limit the amount by which the security's interest yield may change during any given period. However, our borrowing costs pursuant to our financing agreements are not subject to similar restrictions. Therefore, in a period of increasing interest rates, interest rate costs on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest-rate yields on our adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS could effectively be limited by caps. This issue will be magnified to the extent we acquire adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS that are not based on mortgages that are fully indexed. In addition, adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. If this happens, we could receive less cash income on such assets than we would need to pay for interest costs on our related borrowings. These factors could lower our net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of rising interest rates, which would harm our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

 

Interest rate mismatch risk 

 

We fund the majority of our adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS assets with borrowings that are based on LIBOR, while the interest rates on these assets may be indexed to other index rates, such as the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury index, the Monthly Treasury Average index or the 11th District Cost of Funds Index. Accordingly, any increase in LIBOR relative to these indices may result in an increase in our borrowing costs that is not matched by a corresponding increase in the interest earnings on these assets. Any such interest rate index mismatch could adversely affect our profitability, which may negatively impact distributions to our stockholders. To mitigate interest rate mismatches, we utilize the hedging strategies discussed above. 

 

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Our analysis of risks is based on our Manager's experience, estimates, models and assumptions. These analyses rely on models that utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity. Actual economic conditions or implementation of decisions by our Manager may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models. 

 

We use a variety of recognized industry models, as well as proprietary models, to perform sensitivity analyses, which are derived from primary assumptions for prepayment rates, discount rates and credit losses. The primary assumption used in this model is implied market volatility of interest rates. The information presented in the following interest sensitivity tables projects the potential impact of sudden parallel changes in interest rates on our financial results and financial condition over the next 12 months, based on our interest sensitive financial instruments at September 30, 2016.

 

September 30, 2016 

 

Change in Interest 

rates

    

Percentage Change in 

Projected Net Interest 

Income(1)

    

Percentage Change in 

Projected Portfolio 

Value(2)

  
  +1.00 %     -63.63 %     -0.26 %
  +0.50 %     -31.82 %                                                  0.07 %
  -0.50 %     31.82 %     -0.43 %
  -1.00 %     47.70 %     -0.53 %

   

___________________________

 

(1)Includes underlying interest income and interest expense associated with our net investment in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts.

 

(2)Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS only. Includes the fair value of our net investment in the FREMF 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01Trusts.

 

The interest rate sensitivity table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, which includes the value of swaps and our other derivatives, should interest rates immediately change. The interest rate sensitivity table presents the estimated impact of interest rates instantaneously rising 50 and 100 basis points and falling 50 and 100 basis points. The cash flows associated with our portfolio of MBS for each rate change are calculated based on assumptions, including prepayment speeds, yield on future acquisitions, slope of the yield curve and size of the portfolio. Assumptions made on the interest rate sensitive liabilities, which are assumed to relate to repurchase agreements, including anticipated interest rates, collateral requirements as a percent of the repurchase agreement, amount and term of borrowing. 

 

The MBS securities, at fair value, included in the foregoing interest rate sensitivity table under "Percentage Change in Projected Portfolio Value" were limited to Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, including the fair value of our net investment in the 2011-K13 and 2012-KF01 Trusts.

 

Due to the significantly discounted prices and underlying credit risks of our Non-Agency RMBS, we believe our Non-Agency RMBS's valuation is inherently de-sensitized to changes in interest rates. As such, we cannot project the impact to these financial instruments and have excluded these RMBS from the interest rate sensitivity analysis. However, these Non-Agency RMBS have been included in the "Percentage Change in Projected Net Interest Income" analysis. 

 

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, 2016. The analysis utilizes assumptions and estimates based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team. 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. 

 

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The change in annualized net interest income does not include any benefit or detriment from faster or slower prepayment rates on our Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS. We anticipate that faster prepayment speeds in lower interest rate scenarios will generate lower realized yields on premium Agency RMBS and higher realized yields on discount Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. Similarly, we anticipate that slower prepayment speeds in higher interest rate scenarios will generate higher realized yields on premium Agency RMBS and lower realized yields on discount Agency and Non-Agency RMBS. Although we have sought to construct our portfolio to limit the effect of changes in prepayment speeds, there can be no assurance this will actually occur, and the realized yield of our portfolio may be significantly different than we anticipate in changing interest rate scenarios. 

 

Given the low interest rates at September 30, 2016, we applied a floor of 0% for all anticipated interest rates included in our assumptions. Because of this floor, we anticipate that any hypothetical interest rate shock decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs; however, because prepayments speeds are unaffected by this floor, we expect that any increase in our prepayment speeds (occurring as a result of any interest rate decrease or otherwise) could result in an acceleration of our premium amortization on Agency RMBS and accretion of discount on our Agency and Non-Agency RMBS purchased at a discount. As a result, because this floor limits the positive impact of any interest rate decrease on our funding costs, hypothetical interest rate decreases could cause the fair value of our financial instruments and our net interest income to decline. 

 

The information set forth in the interest rate sensitivity table and all related disclosures constitutes 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. 

 

 Prepayment risk 

 

Prepayment risk is the risk that principal will be repaid at a different rate than anticipated. As we receive prepayments of principal on our assets, premiums paid on such assets will be amortized against interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the assets. Conversely, discounts on such assets are accreted into interest income. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby increasing the interest income earned on the assets. 

 

  Normally, we believe that we will be able to reinvest proceeds from scheduled principal payments and prepayments at acceptable yields; however, no assurances can be given that, should significant prepayments occur, market conditions would be such that acceptable investments could be identified and the proceeds timely reinvested. 

 

Extension risk  

 

We compute the projected weighted-average life of our investments based upon assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgages. In general, when a fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate security is acquired with borrowings, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap agreement or other hedging instrument that effectively fixes our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates, because the borrowing costs are fixed for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related target asset. 

 

  However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, then the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument, while the income earned on the fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets would remain fixed. This situation could also cause the market value of our fixed-rate or hybrid adjustable-rate assets to decline, with little or no offsetting gain from the related hedging transactions. In extreme situations, we could be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

 

Market risk 

 

Market value risk.    Our AFS securities are reflected at their estimated fair value, with the difference between amortized cost and estimated fair value reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates, market valuation of credit risks and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, we would expect the fair value of these securities to increase. As market volatility increases or liquidity decreases, the fair value of our assets may be adversely impacted. 

 

The sensitivity analysis table presented in "-Interest rate mismatch risk" sets forth the estimated impact of an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve, up and down 50 and 100 basis points, on the market value of our interest rate-sensitive investments and net interest income, at September 30, 2016, assuming a static portfolio. When evaluating the impact of changes in interest rates, prepayment assumptions and principal reinvestment rates are adjusted based on our Manager's expectations. The analysis presented utilized assumptions, models and estimates of our Manager based on the judgment and experience of our Manager's team.  

 

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Real estate risk.    MBS, residential and multi-family property values are subject to volatility and may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including national, regional and local economic conditions; local real estate conditions (such as an oversupply of housing); changes or continued weakness in specific industry segments; 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 for mortgage loans and the potential proceeds available to borrowers to repay the loans, which could cause us to suffer losses on our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS investments. 

 

Liquidity risk 

 

Our liquidity risk is principally associated with our financing of long-maturity assets with short-term borrowings in the form of repurchase agreements. Although the interest rate adjustments of these assets and liabilities fall within the guidelines established by our operating policies, maturities are not required to be nor are they, matched. 

 

Should the value of our assets pledged as collateral suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to our repurchase agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Additionally, if one or more of our repurchase agreement counterparties chose not to provide on-going funding, our ability to finance would decline or exist at possibly less advantageous terms. As such, we cannot assure that we will always be able to roll over our repurchase agreements. See "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further information about our liquidity and capital resource management. 

 

Credit risk  

 

We believe that our investment strategy will generally keep our risk of credit losses low to moderate. However, we retain the risk of potential credit losses on all of the loans underlying our Non-Agency RMBS and Multi-Family MBS, as well as residential mortgage loans that we own. With respect to our Non-Agency RMBS that are senior in the credit structure, credit support contained in RMBS deal structures provides a level of protection from losses. We seek to manage the remaining credit risk through our pre-acquisition due diligence process and by factoring assumed credit losses into the purchase prices we pay for Non-Agency RMBS. In addition, with respect to any particular target asset, our Manager's investment team evaluates relative valuation, supply and demand trends, shape of yield curves, prepayment rates, delinquency and default rates, recovery of various sectors and vintage of collateral. In particular, the evaluation process involves modeling under various different scenarios the future cash flows expected to be generated by a specific security based on the current and projected delinquency and default status of the portfolio, and expected recoveries derived primarily from LTV metrics, relative to the purchase price of the RMBS. At purchase, our Manager estimates the proportion of the discount that we do not expect to recover and incorporates it into our Manager's expected yield and accretion calculations. As part of our Non-Agency RMBS surveillance process, our Manager tracks and compares each security's actual performance over time to the performance expected at the time of purchase or, if our Manager has modified its original purchase assumptions, to its revised performance expectations. To the extent that actual performance of our Non-Agency RMBS deviates materially from our Manager's expected performance parameters, our Manager may revise its performance expectations, such that the amount of purchase discount designated as credit discount may be increased or decreased over time. At times, we may enter into credit default swaps or other derivative instruments in an attempt to manage our credit risk. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could adversely affect our operating results. With respect to our Multi-Family MBS, to date we have purchased subordinated tranches in, or backed by, multi-family securitizations sponsored by Freddie Mac that do not represent the most junior tranche in the capital structure. Our pre-acquisition due diligence process involves an analysis of the multi-family loan portfolio underlying the relevant security, in order to determine the adequacy of available credit enhancement to absorb potential credit losses on the portfolio. 

 

Risk Management  

 

To the extent consistent with maintaining our REIT qualification, we will seek to manage risk exposure to protect our investment portfolio against the effects of major interest rate changes. We may generally seek to manage this risk by:

 

·relying on our Manager's investment selection process;

 

·monitoring and adjusting, if necessary, the reset index and interest rate related to Agency and Non-Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our financings;

 

·attempting to structure our financing agreements to have a range of different maturities, terms, amortizations and interest rate adjustment periods;

 

·using hedging instruments, primarily interest rate swap agreements but also financial futures, options, interest rate cap agreements, floors and forward sales to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and our borrowings; and

 

·actively managing, on an aggregate basis, the interest rate indices, interest rate adjustment periods and gross reset margins of Agency RMBS and other mortgage-related investments and the interest rate indices and adjustment periods of our financings.

 

In executing on our current risk management strategy, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements, a swaption and futures transactions.

 

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ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose 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 SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 as September 30, 2016. Based upon our evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2016, as a result of the material weaknesses described below.

 

In connection with our recent determination of an inability to offset net gains realized on certain hedging transactions in 2013 for federal income tax purposes with net capital losses realized in 2013 on the sale of certain securities, during the period ended September 30, 2016 management and our Audit Committee identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness consisted of a failure to ensure adequate timely technical review of the position proposed and analysis undertaken by our nationally recognized tax consulting specialist and taken by us in calculating our REIT taxable income for 2013. As a result, we have declared on November 9, 2016, and will pay in the fourth quarter of 2016, a deficiency dividend to reduce our 2013 undistributed taxable income, as adjusted, and satisfy the REIT distribution requirements. We also recorded a charge of $1.86 million in the third quarter for interest charges expected to be payable to the IRS following the payment of the dividend. The material weakness did not impact any prior period GAAP financial statements, and thus did not result in any misstatements of our annual audited or interim financial statements. Nonetheless, when taken together with the material weakness described below, management and our Audit Committee have concluded that remediation measures additional to those noted below are necessary to enhance our control environment. Such measures are expected to include use of the tax accounting capabilities of the more robust accounting system that we have contracted to use as disclosed in our 2015 10-K, and the use of additional tax and legal review of material REIT tax matters. We cannot currently estimate when such additional remediation will be complete, nor can we currently ascertain whether additional actions will be required, or the costs thereof.

 

In connection with the preparation of our financial statements for inclusion in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, or our 2015 10-K, management and our Audit Committee identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Such material weakness did not result in any misstatements in our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2015 10-K, but did require adjustments during the 2015 annual audit with respect to net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, total other comprehensive income, and basic and diluted income (loss) per share in our preliminary 2015 consolidated financial statements, and required the restatement of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, originally included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the second and third quarters of 2015, respectively (as described in detail in Note 20 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2015 10-K).

 

The material weakness consisted of a failure of our control over the critical timely review of account balances to determine whether the appropriate accounting policy and methodology had been applied, which in turn resulted in the incorrect reporting of unrealized losses on two Non-Agency RMBS IOs for which we had elected the fair value option at the inception of each transaction. Such losses were incorrectly reported through other comprehensive income (OCI) instead of through our statements of operations for each of the quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. The first IO was acquired in the Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 transaction completed in April 2015, and the second IO was acquired in the Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-2 transaction completed in November 2015.

 

As disclosed in our 2015 10-K, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective at December 31, 2015 even if the material weakness described above did not exist by reason of the inadvertent omission of financial statements for our pre-IPO year from May 16, 2012 (date of commencement) to December 31, 2012 from our 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our management has concluded as of September 30, 2016 that the remediation measures to address this ineffectiveness, as described in our 2015 10-K, have been fully implemented and accordingly that our disclosure controls and procedures would have been effective at September 30, 2016 were it not for the material weaknesses described above.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

To remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting noted above (and consequent deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures), we have continued to implement certain changes to the design of our internal controls. Specifically, we have contracted with a nationally recognized accounting systems and services provider to provide us with a more robust accounting system that will improve the effectiveness of correct accounting treatment for transactions that we enter into. We are also in the process, with the assistance of an internationally recognized accounting firm, of formalizing enhanced written policies and procedures appropriate to the design and operation of controls and procedures applicable to the new system.

 

We believe the actions described above will be sufficient to remediate the identified material weakness and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, as well as our disclosure controls and procedures. However, the new and enhanced systems and controls are not as yet fully operational, and we may determine to take additional measures to address our control deficiencies or to modify the remediation plans described above. The identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting will not be considered remediated until the new controls are fully implemented, in operation for a sufficient period of time, tested and concluded by management to be designed and operating effectively. We cannot currently estimate when such remediation will be complete, nor can we currently ascertain whether additional actions will be required, or the costs therefor.

 

Except as described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

   

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date hereof, neither we nor, to our knowledge, our Manager, are subject to any legal proceedings that we or our Manager considers to be material (individually or in the aggregate). 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Concurrently with the preparation of our financial statements for inclusion in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016, or our 3Q 10-Q, we have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in internal controls or significant deficiencies in the future. If we fail to remediate the identified material weakness and an additional material weakness earlier identified in the preparation of our financial statements for inclusion in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, or our 2015 10-K, or if we otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, detect or prevent fraud, or file our periodic reports in a timely manner, which may, among other adverse consequences, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and lead to a decline in our stock price. In addition, because of our status as an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until after December 31, 2018.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX, requires, among other things, ongoing review of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Section 404 of SOX requires us to include a management report on our internal control over financial reporting in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, which report must include management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we are required, on a quarterly and annual basis, to disclose the conclusions of our principal executive and principal financial officer on the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Concurrently with the preparation of our financial statements for inclusion in our 3Q 10-Q, our Audit Committee determined that we had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

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The material weakness consisted of a failure to ensure adequate timely technical review of the position proposed by our nationally recognized tax consulting specialist and taken by us in calculating our REIT taxable income for 2013. As a result, we have declared on November 9, 2016, and will pay in the fourth quarter of 2016, a deficiency dividend to reduce our undistributed taxable income from 2013 and to maintain retroactively our satisfaction of REIT distribution requirements. Our tax adviser had prepared our 2013 tax return by offsetting net gains realized on certain hedging transactions in 2013 for federal income tax purposes with net capital losses realized in 2013 on the sale of certain securities. The material weakness did not impact any prior period GAAP financial statements, and thus did not result in any misstatements of our annual audited or interim financial statements.

 

Earlier, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements for inclusion in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, or our 2015 10-K, our Audit Committee had determined that we had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or our 2015 10-K material weakness. The 2015 10-K material weakness consisted of the incorrect reporting of unrealized losses on two Non-Agency RMBS IOs for which we had elected the fair value option. Such losses were incorrectly reported through other comprehensive income (OCI) instead of through our statements of operations. The error was identified as the result of ongoing review of financial statement data, and resulted from the Company’s failure to timely notify its third party accounting services provider of the discrepancy between the reporting generated and that required by GAAP. The first IO was acquired in the Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-1 transaction completed in April 2015, and the second IO was acquired in the Oaks Mortgage Trust Series 2015-2 transaction completed in November 2015.

 

As a consequence of the 2015 10-K material weakness, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting, and consequently our disclosure controls and procedures, were not effective as of December 31, 2015, nor were they effective (notwithstanding management’s prior conclusions to the contrary) for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015. In addition, we inadvertently omitted financial statements for our pre-IPO year from May 16, 2012 (date of commencement) to December 31, 2012 from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, or our 2014 10-K. Although it was the initial determination of our management that such omission was an immaterial deficiency in our disclosure controls and procedures, after consultation with the Staff of the SEC on this matter, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that (notwithstanding their prior conclusions to the contrary) such omission rendered our disclosure controls and procedures ineffective for the year ended December 31, 2014, and for all quarterly periods during 2015 (this revised conclusion of ineffective disclosure controls and procedures for all quarters of 2015 would apply even if the material weakness which impacted the second and third quarters of 2015, as described above, did not exist). Management’s revised conclusions with respect to our disclosure controls and procedures (for the year ended December 31, 2014, and all quarterly periods during 2015), are set forth in Item 9A of our 2015 10-K.

 

When taken together with the material weakness described below, our management has concluded that remediation measures additional to those noted below are necessary to enhance our control environment. Such measures are expected to include use of the tax accounting capabilities of the more robust accounting system that we have contracted to use as disclosed in our 2015 10-K, and the implementation of additional procedures for evaluating issues and positions proposed and analysis undertaken by independent professional consultants that are adopted by us, including the use of additional tax and legal opinions or guidance regarding material REIT tax matters. We cannot currently estimate when such additional remediation will be complete, nor can we currently ascertain whether additional actions will be required, or the costs thereof.

 

We also continue to be actively engaged in implementing a remediation plan designed to address the 2015 10-K material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, to improve the design of such controls. We have instituted additional procedures to ensure that any fair value option security cannot be booked by our third party accounting services provider without affirmative income recognition identification, including the appropriate accounting treatment, from the Company. We have also contracted with a nationally recognized accounting systems and services provider to provide us with a more robust accounting system that will improve the effectiveness of correct accounting treatment for transactions we enter into. We are also in the process, with the assistance of an internationally recognized accounting firm, of formalizing enhanced written policies and procedures appropriate to the design and operation of controls and procedures applicable to the new system. However, a control system, no matter how well designed, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. In addition, we cannot assure you that our remedial measures will be sufficient to eliminate the material weakness that have been identified, or to prevent future material weaknesses or significant deficiencies from occurring. We also cannot assure you that we have identified all of our existing material weaknesses and disclosure controls and procedures deficiencies.

 

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We had earlier implemented measures then-designed to remediate a previous material weakness and two significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting identified by our independent registered public accounting firm prior to the filing of our registration statement on Form S-11 for our IPO, and in connection with the preparation of our earlier financial statements as of and for the period from May 16, 2012 (commencement of operations) to July 31, 2012. The earlier material weakness was fully remediated at December 31, 2013 and the two previous significant deficiencies were fully remediated by December 31, 2014. Additionally our principal executive officer and principal financial officer had concluded that as of December 31, 2015 our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective for the year ended December 31, 2014 and for all quarterly periods during 2015 by reason of our inadvertent omission of financial statements for our pre-IPO year from May 16, 2012 (date of commencement) to December 31, 2012 from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. This ineffective disclosure control and procedure was fully remediated in the first quarter of 2016.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until our Annual Report on Form 10-K following the date on which we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) December 31, 2018, (b) the last day of any fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.0 billion, or (c) the last day of any fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. For as long as we remain an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of the exemption permitting us not to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement. At such time that an attestation is required, however, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. Material weaknesses and significant deficiencies may be identified during the audit process or at other times. During the course of the evaluation, documentation or attestation, we or our independent registered public accounting firm may identify weaknesses and deficiencies that we may not be able to remedy in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with Section 404, or at all.

 

If our remedial measures are insufficient, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting and/or our disclosure controls and procedures are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements, we may not be able to detect or prevent fraud, we may be unable to file our periodic reports in a timely manner, and/or we could be required to restate our financial results, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations or financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the weaknesses or deficiencies, subject us to fines, penalties, judgments, investigations and/or sanctions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, harm our reputation or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence, and/or negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.

 

Although we are not aware of any cyber incident, we continually re-evaluate our Risk Factor presentations and have determined in light of well publicized, on-going cybersecurity issues generally to expand and further clarify our cybersecurity risk factor so that it reads as follows.

 

The occurrence of cyber incidents, or a deficiency in our cybersecurity or in those of any of our third party service providers, could negatively impact our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise of our confidential information or damage to our business relationships or reputation, all of which could negatively impact our business and results of operations.

 

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources or those of our third party service providers. A cyber incident may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents may include private data exposure, disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance cost, litigation and damage to our investor relationships. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those we have outsourced. We have implemented processes, procedures and controls to help mitigate these risks, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that our business and results of operations will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed herewith as a part of this report. Such Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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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.

 

  FIVE OAKS INVESTMENT CORP.
   
Dated: November 9, 2016 By /s/ David C. Carroll
    David C. Carroll
    Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Dated: November 9, 2016 By /s/ David Oston
    David Oston
    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and Director (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

   Exhibit Description
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 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

 

*Filed herewith

 

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