VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2013 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2014 presentation.

RSO [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Investment Securities

RSO classifies its investment portfolio as trading or available-for-sale. RSO, from time to time, may sell any of its investments due to changes in market conditions or in accordance with its investment strategy.

RSO’s investment securities, trading and investment securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value. To determine fair value, RSO uses an independent third-party valuation firm utilizing data available in the market as well as market participating assumptions with regard to other data such as prepayment, default, and recovery rates. These valuations are validated utilizing dealer quotes or bids. If the difference between the value indicated by the third-party valuation firm and the dealer quote or bid is over a pre-determined threshold, RSO will evaluate the difference which could result in an updated valuation from the third-party or a revised dealer quote. Based on a prioritization of inputs used in valuation of each position, RSO categorizes these investments as either Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Any changes in fair value to RSO's investment securities, trading are recorded in RSO's consolidated statements of income as net realized and unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities, trading. Any changes in fair value to RSO's investment securities available-for-sale are recorded in RSO's consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.

On a quarterly basis, RSO evaluates its available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary impairment. An available-for-sale investment is impaired when its fair value has declined below its amortized cost basis. An impairment is considered other-than-temporary when the amortized cost basis of the investment or some portion thereof will not be recovered. In addition, RSO’s intent to sell as well as the likelihood that RSO will be required to sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis is considered. Where credit quality is believed to be the cause of the other-than-temporary impairment, that component of the impairment is recognized as an impairment loss in RSO's consolidated statements of income. Where other market components are believed to be the cause of the impairment, that component of the impairment is recognized as other comprehensive loss.

RSO performs an on-going review of third-party reports and updated financial data on the underlying properties in order to analyze current and projected security performance. Rating agency downgrades are considered with respect to RSO's income approach when determining other-than-temporary impairment and, when inputs are subjected to testing for economic changes within possible ranges, the resulting projected cash flows reflect a full recovery of principal and interest indicating no impairment.

The determination of other than temporary impairment is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization. The company reviews its portfolios and makes other-than temporary impairment determinations at least quarterly. The Company considers the following factors when determining if there is an other-than temporary impairment on a security:


•	the length of time the market value has been less than amortized cost;


•	the severity of the impairment;


•	the expected loss of the security as generated by a third-party valuation model;


•	original and current credit ratings from the rating agencies;


•	underlying credit fundamentals of the collateral backing the securities;


•	whether, based upon RSO's intent, it is more likely than not that RSO will sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis; and


•	third-party support for default, for recovery, prepayment speed and reinvestment price assumptions.

Investment security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investment securities are determined on the specific identification method.

Investment Interest Income Recognition

Interest income on RSO’s mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities is accrued using the effective yield method based on the actual coupon rate and the outstanding principal amount of the underlying mortgages or other assets. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the lives of the securities also using the effective yield method, adjusted for the effects of estimated prepayments. For an investment purchased at par, the effective yield is the contractual interest rate on the investment. If the investment is purchased at a discount or at a premium, the effective yield is computed based on the contractual interest rate increased for the accretion of a purchase discount or decreased for the amortization of a purchase premium. The effective yield method requires RSO to make estimates of future prepayment rates for its investments that can be contractually prepaid before their contractual maturity date so that the purchase discount can be accreted, or the purchase premium can be amortized, over the estimated remaining life of the investment. The prepayment estimates that RSO uses directly impact the estimated remaining lives of its investments. Actual prepayment estimates are reviewed as of each quarter end or more frequently if RSO becomes aware of any material information that would lead it to believe that an adjustment is necessary. If prepayment estimates are incorrect, the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts may have to be adjusted, which would have an impact on future income.

Allowance for Loan Loss

RSO maintains an allowance for loan loss. For RSO's bank and CRE loan portfolios, loans held for investment are first individually evaluated for impairment to determine whether a specific reserve is required. Loans that are not determined to be impaired individually are then evaluated for impairment as a homogeneous pool of loans with substantially similar characteristics so that a general reserve can be established, if needed. The reviews are performed at least quarterly.

RSO considers a loan to be impaired if one of two conditions exists. The first condition is if, based on current information and events, management believes it is probable that RSO will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The second condition is if the loan is deemed to be a troubled-debt restructuring (“TDR”) where a concession has been given to a borrower in financial difficulty. These TDRs may not have an associated specific loan loss allowance if the principal and interest amount is considered recoverable based on current market conditions, expected collateral performance and/or guarantees made by the borrowers.

When a loan is impaired under either of these two conditions, the allowance for loan losses is increased by the amount of the excess of the amortized cost basis of the loan over its fair value. Fair value may be determined based on the present value of estimated cash flows; on market price, if available; or on the fair value of the collateral less estimated disposition costs. When a loan, or a portion thereof, is considered uncollectible and pursuit of collection is not warranted, RSO will record a charge-off or write-down of the loan against the allowance for loan losses.

An impaired loan may remain on accrual status during the period in which RSO is pursuing repayment of the loan; however, the loan would be placed on non-accrual status at such time as (i) RSO's management believes that scheduled debt service payments will not be met within the coming 12 months; (ii) the loan becomes 90 days delinquent; (iii) RSO's management determines the borrower is incapable of, or has ceased efforts toward, curing the cause of the impairment; or (iv) the net realizable value of the loan’s underlying collateral approximates RSO’s carrying value for such loan. While on non-accrual status, RSO recognizes interest income only when an actual payment is received. When a loan is placed on non-accrual, previously accrued interest is reversed from interest income.

Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. RSO's management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impaired loans are initially written down to fair value. They are re-measured on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value is determined using unobservable inputs including estimates of selling costs (Level 3).

For RSO's residential mortgage loans, the allowance is based upon management's review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and amount of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The allowance consists of general components. For loans that are identified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan. A general component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect RSO management's estimate of probable losses. The general component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

Investments in Real Estate

Investments in real estate are carried net of accumulated depreciation. Costs directly related to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. Ordinary repairs and maintenance which are not reimbursed by the tenants are expensed as incurred. Costs related to the improvement of the real property are capitalized and depreciated over their useful lives.

Acquisitions of real estate assets and any related intangible assets are recorded initially at fair value under ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” RSO allocates the purchase price of its investments in real estate to land, building, site improvements, the value of in-place leases and the value of above or below market leases. The value allocated to above or below market leases is amortized over the remaining lease term as an adjustment to rental income. RSO amortizes the value allocated to in-place leases over the weighted average remaining lease term to depreciation and amortization expense. RSO depreciates real property using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:



Category	Term
Building	25 - 40 years
Site improvements	Lesser of the remaining life of building or useful lives

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The review of recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) expected to result from the long-lived asset’s use and eventual disposition. If impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the fair value of the asset.

There were no impairment charges recorded with respect to RSO's investments in real estate or intangible assets during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

Linked Transactions

If RSO finances the purchase of securities with repurchase agreements with the same counterparty from whom the securities are purchased and both transactions are entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of each other, the transactions are presumed not to meet sale accounting criteria and RSO will account for the purchase of such securities and the repurchase agreement on a net basis and record a forward purchase commitment to purchase securities (each, a “Linked Transaction”) at fair value on RSO's consolidated balance sheets in the line item Linked Transactions, at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities underlying the Linked Transactions and associated interest income and expense are reported as unrealized (loss) gain and net interest income on linked transactions, net on RSO's consolidated statements of income.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to RSO's 2013 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2014 presentation.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the disclosure may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, basis of assets, depreciation and depletion methods used, including composite deprecation, estimated useful lives, capitalization policy, accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance, capitalized interest and the method it is calculated, disposals and impairments.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for repurchase and resale agreements. This disclosure may address (a) the reasons for entering into repurchase and resale agreements, (b) how securities transferred under such agreements are classified in the entity's financial statements, (c) whether multiple agreements with the same counterparty are offset (d) the entity's accounting policy for requiring collateral or other security for such transactions, and (e) how the entity ensures that the market value of the underlying assets remains sufficient to protect the entity in the event of default by the counterparty.

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