10-Q 1 a2019q110-q.htm 10-Q Document


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2019
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
Commission File Number 001-14951 

logo2016a17.jpg
FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Federally chartered instrumentality
of the United States
 
52-1578738
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. employer identification number)
 
 
 
1999 K Street, N.W., 4th Floor,
Washington, D.C.
 
20006
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
(202) 872-7700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes        x                              No           o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Yes        x                               No          o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes        o                                No           x

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading symbol
 
Exchange on which registered
Class A voting common stock
 
AGM.A
 
New York Stock Exchange
Class C non-voting common stock
 
AGM
 
New York Stock Exchange
5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
 
AGM.PRA
 
New York Stock Exchange
6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B
 
AGM.PRB
 
New York Stock Exchange
6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
 
AGM.PRC
 
New York Stock Exchange

As of April 25, 2019, the registrant had outstanding 1,030,780 shares of Class A voting common stock, 500,301 shares of Class B voting common stock and 9,167,448 shares of Class C non-voting common stock.



Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


3


PART I

Item 1.    Financial Statements


4


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
As of
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122

 
$
425,256

Investment securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
2,457,978

 
2,217,852

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
45,032

 
45,032

Total Investment Securities
2,503,010

 
2,262,884

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

Available-for-sale, at fair value
6,441,624

 
5,974,497

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,040,415

 
2,096,618

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
8,482,039

 
8,071,115

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

Trading, at fair value
9,487

 
9,999

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
2,125,312

 
2,166,174

Total USDA Securities
2,134,799

 
2,176,173

Loans:
 

 
 

Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
4,480,511

 
4,004,968

Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
1,566,330

 
1,517,101

Allowance for loan losses
(6,753
)
 
(7,017
)
Total loans, net of allowance
6,040,088

 
5,515,052

Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value
1,253

 
128

Financial derivatives, at fair value
6,053

 
7,487

Interest receivable (includes $11,727 and $19,783, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
143,877

 
180,080

Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
39,913

 
40,366

Deferred tax asset, net
3,994

 
6,369

Prepaid expenses and other assets
66,629

 
9,418

Total Assets
$
19,797,777

 
$
18,694,328

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Equity:
 

 
 

Liabilities:
 

 
 

Notes payable:
 

 
 

Due within one year
$
8,571,615

 
$
7,757,050

Due after one year
8,679,287

 
8,486,647

Total notes payable
17,250,902

 
16,243,697

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,567,195

 
1,528,957

Financial derivatives, at fair value
22,203

 
19,633

Accrued interest payable (includes $9,647 and $17,125, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)
94,420

 
96,743

Guarantee and commitment obligation
38,288

 
38,683

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
59,433

 
11,891

Reserve for losses
2,038

 
2,167

Total Liabilities
19,034,479

 
17,941,771

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)


 


Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock:
 

 
 

Series A, par value $25 per share, 2,400,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
58,333

 
58,333

Series B, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,044

 
73,044

      Series C, par value $25 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
73,382

 
73,382

Common stock:
 

 
 

Class A Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 1,030,780 shares outstanding
1,031

 
1,031

Class B Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 500,301 shares outstanding
500

 
500

Class C Non-Voting, $1 par value, no maximum authorization, 9,157,841 shares and 9,137,550 shares outstanding, respectively
9,158

 
9,138

Additional paid-in capital
118,841

 
118,822

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
21,254

 
24,956

Retained earnings
407,755

 
393,351

Total Equity
763,298

 
752,557

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
19,797,777

 
$
18,694,328

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



5


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
 
 
 
Investments and cash equivalents
$
18,707

 
$
11,463

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
85,411

 
62,430

Loans
51,397

 
45,653

Total interest income
155,515

 
119,546

Total interest expense
114,916

 
76,317

Net interest income
40,599

 
43,229

Release of loan losses
264

 
431

Net interest income after release of loan losses
40,863

 
43,660

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
Guarantee and commitment fees
3,513

 
3,499

Losses on financial derivatives
(360
)
 
(3,850
)
Gains on trading securities
44

 
16

Other income
493

 
574

Non-interest income
3,690

 
239

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606

 
6,654

General and administrative
4,596

 
4,326

Regulatory fees
688

 
625

Real estate owned operating costs, net
—

 
16

(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses
(129
)
 
21

Non-interest expense
12,761

 
11,642

Income before income taxes
31,792

 
32,257

Income tax expense
6,622

 
6,438

Net income attributable to Farmer Mac
25,170

 
25,819

Preferred stock dividends
(3,296
)
 
(3,295
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874

 
$
22,524

 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
2.05

 
$
2.12

Diluted earnings per common share
$
2.03

 
$
2.10

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


6


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Net income
$
25,170

 
$
25,819

Other comprehensive income before taxes:
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
3,241

 
21,228

Net changes in held-to-maturity securities
(2,262
)
 
(1,310
)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges
(5,665
)
 
6,663

Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax
(4,686
)
 
26,581

Income tax benefit/(expense) related to other comprehensive (loss)/income
984

 
(5,582
)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax
(3,702
)
 
20,999

Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac
$
21,468

 
$
46,818

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


7


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Comprehensive
 
Retained
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Income/(Loss)
 
Earnings
 
Equity
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
8,400

 
$
204,759

 
10,619

 
$
10,619

 
$
118,979

 
$
51,085

 
$
322,704

 
$
708,146

Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27

 
471

 
498

Balance as of January 1, 2018
8,400

 
$
204,759

 
10,619

 
$
10,619

 
$
118,979

 
$
51,112

 
$
323,175

 
$
708,644

Net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Attributable to Farmer Mac
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,819

 
25,819

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
20,999

 
—

 
20,999

Cash dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Preferred stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,295
)
 
(3,295
)
Common stock (cash dividend of $0.58 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6,161
)
 
(6,161
)
Issuance of Class C Common Stock
—

 
—

 
31

 
31

 
3

 
—

 
—

 
34

Stock-based compensation cost
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
664

 
—

 
—

 
664

Other stock-based award activity
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,438
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,438
)
Balance as of March 31, 2018
8,400

 
$
204,759

 
10,650

 
$
10,650

 
$
118,208

 
$
72,111

 
$
339,538

 
$
745,266

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2018
8,400

 
$
204,759

 
10,669

 
$
10,669

 
$
118,822

 
$
24,956

 
$
393,351

 
$
752,557

Net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to Farmer Mac
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
25,170

 
25,170

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,702
)
 
—

 
(3,702
)
Cash dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,296
)
 
(3,296
)
Common stock (cash dividend of $0.70 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7,470
)
 
(7,470
)
Issuance of Class C Common Stock
—

 
—

 
20

 
20

 
3

 
—

 
—

 
23

Stock-based compensation cost
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
724

 
—

 
—

 
724

Other stock-based award activity
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(708
)
 
—

 
—

 
(708
)
Balance as of March 31, 2019
8,400

 
$
204,759

 
10,689

 
$
10,689

 
$
118,841

 
$
21,254

 
$
407,755

 
$
763,298

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


8


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
25,170

 
$
25,819

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 

Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums, and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities
(2,204
)
 
309

Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs
10,826

 
6,008

Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives
(69,096
)
 
19,174

Total release for losses
(393
)
 
(410
)
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards
127

 
440

Deferred income taxes
2,902

 
(161
)
Stock-based compensation expense
724

 
664

Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale
18,671

 
34,699

Net change in:
 
 
 
Interest receivable
36,204

 
41,219

Guarantee and commitment fees receivable
58

 
(15
)
Other assets
(5,674
)
 
(11,973
)
Accrued interest payable
(2,323
)
 
(4,054
)
Other liabilities
3,528

 
6,111

Net cash provided by operating activities
18,520

 
117,830

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
(473,326
)
 
(242,677
)
Purchases of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
(857,511
)
 
(931,199
)
Purchases of loans held for investment
(748,553
)
 
(267,756
)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities
205,240

 
263,621

Proceeds from repayment of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
554,340

 
472,235

Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment
222,980

 
191,298

Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
116,708

 
131,202

Net cash used by investing activities
(980,122
)
 
(383,276
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from issuance of discount notes
12,773,401

 
10,587,657

Proceeds from issuance of medium-term notes
2,124,252

 
2,060,844

Payments to redeem discount notes
(12,597,517
)
 
(10,941,104
)
Payments to redeem medium-term notes
(1,311,954
)
 
(1,200,936
)
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts
(64,263
)
 
(38,918
)
Proceeds from common stock issuance
3

 
3

Tax payments related to share-based awards
(688
)
 
(1,407
)
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock
(10,766
)
 
(9,457
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
912,468

 
456,682

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(49,134
)
 
191,236

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
425,256

 
302,022

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
376,122

 
$
493,258

Non-cash activity:
 
 
 
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
116,708

 
131,202

Consolidation of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
97,780

 
96,909

Reclassification of defaulted loans from loans held for investment in consolidated trusts to loans held for investment (Table 6.2)
4,721

 
721

Maturity of investment security - not yet settled
(40,310
)
 
—

Purchases of securities - traded, not yet settled
35,100

 
5,640

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



9


FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2018 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2018 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2018 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries during the year: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.



10


The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs:

Table 1.1
 
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
On-Balance Sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
$
1,566,330

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,566,330

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1)
1,567,195

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,567,195

   Unconsolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Carrying value (2)
—

 
27,031

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27,031

      Maximum exposure to loss (3)
—

 
26,794

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26,794

   Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Carrying value (4)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,026,064

 
1,026,064

        Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,030,108

 
1,030,108

Off-Balance Sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unconsolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5)
128,221

 
376,487

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
504,708

(1) 
Includes borrower remittances of $0.9 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of March 31, 2019.
(2) 
Includes $0.2 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business.
(3) 
Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4) 
Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(5) 
The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.




11


 
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
On-Balance Sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost
$
1,517,101

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,517,101

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1)
1,528,957

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,528,957

   Unconsolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Carrying value (2)
—

 
27,627

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27,627

      Maximum exposure to loss (3)
—

 
27,383

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27,383

   Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Carrying value (4)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,000,942

 
1,000,942

        Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,003,968

 
1,003,968

Off-Balance Sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Unconsolidated VIEs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5)
135,862

 
367,684

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
503,546

(1) 
Includes borrower remittances of $11.9 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2018.
(2) 
Includes $0.2 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business.
(3) 
Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
(4) 
Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
(5) 
The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.




12


(a)
Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and unvested restricted stock awards.  The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 1.2
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Net
Income
 
Weighted-Average Shares
 
$ per
Share
 
Net
Income
 
Weighted-Average Shares
 
$ per
Share
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874

 
10,670

 
$
2.05

 
$
22,524

 
10,622

 
$
2.12

Effect of dilutive securities(1)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
SARs and restricted stock
—

 
107

 
(0.02
)
 
—

 
119

 
(0.02
)
Diluted EPS
$
21,874

 
10,777

 
$
2.03

 
$
22,524

 
10,741

 
$
2.10

(1) 
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, SARs and restricted stock of 56,976 and 25,062, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, contingent shares of unvested restricted stock of 12,284 and 13,138, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.

(b)
Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 1.3
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Total
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
(25,360
)
 
$
43,443

 
$
6,873

 
$
24,956

 
$
(1,676
)
 
$
48,236

 
$
4,525

 
$
51,085

Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
27

 
27

Adjusted Beginning Balance
(25,360
)
 
43,443

 
6,873

 
24,956

 
(1,676
)
 
48,236

 
4,552

 
51,112

Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications
3,318

 
—

 
(4,095
)
 
$
(777
)
 
18,187

 
—

 
5,053

 
$
23,240

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(758
)
 
(1,787
)
 
(380
)
 
(2,925
)
 
(1,417
)
 
(1,035
)
 
211

 
(2,241
)
Net comprehensive income/(loss)
2,560

 
(1,787
)
 
(4,475
)
 
(3,702
)
 
16,770

 
(1,035
)
 
5,264

 
20,999

Ending Balance
$
(22,800
)
 
$
41,656

 
$
2,398

 
$
21,254

 
$
15,094

 
$
47,201

 
$
9,816

 
$
72,111



13




The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 1.4
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Before Tax
 
Provision (Benefit)
 
After Tax
 
Before Tax
 
Provision (Benefit)
 
After Tax
 
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale-securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale-securities
$
4,200

 
$
882

 
$
3,318

 
$
23,022

 
$
4,835

 
$
18,187

Less reclassification adjustments included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
(953
)
 
(200
)
 
(753
)
 
(1,787
)
 
(375
)
 
(1,412
)
Other income(2)
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
Total
$
3,241

 
$
681

 
$
2,560

 
$
21,228

 
$
4,458

 
$
16,770

Held-to-maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less reclassification adjustments included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(3)
(2,262
)
 
(475
)
 
(1,787
)
 
(1,310
)
 
(275
)
 
(1,035
)
Total
$
(2,262
)
 
$
(475
)
 
$
(1,787
)
 
$
(1,310
)
 
$
(275
)
 
$
(1,035
)
Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges
$
(5,184
)
 
$
(1,089
)
 
(4,095
)
 
$
6,396

 
$
1,343

 
5,053

Less reclassification adjustments included in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(4)
(481
)
 
(101
)
 
(380
)
 
267

 
56

 
211

Total
$
(5,665
)
 
$
(1,190
)
 
$
(4,475
)
 
$
6,663

 
$
1,399

 
$
5,264

Other comprehensive (loss)/income
$
(4,686
)
 
$
(984
)
 
$
(3,702
)
 
$
26,581

 
$
5,582

 
$
20,999

(1) 
Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
(2) 
Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
(3) 
Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
(4) 
Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.



14


(c)
New Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
Standard
Description
Date of Adoption
Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
This Update provides new guidance intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. This Update requires organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. It also requires new disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.
January 1, 2019
The adoption of this Update did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance, Not Yet Adopted Within Our Consolidated Financial Statements
Standard
Description
Date of Planned Adoption
Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
This Update will require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, as well as require entities to use forward-looking information to form their credit loss estimates.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac is currently developing its accounting policy, planning for changes to its loss estimation methodologies, and evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. The impact will primarily result from the new requirements to recognize all expected losses rather than just incurred losses as of the reporting date.
ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
The amendments in this Update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. There is no required accounting change for securities held at a discount in this ASU.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
The amendments in this Update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, including the consideration of costs and benefits. Certain disclosure requirements were either removed, modified, or added.
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract
The amendments in this Update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license).
January 1, 2020
Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

(d)
Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.



15


2.INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
Table 2.1

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
19,700

 
$
—

 
$
19,700

 
$
—

 
$
(788
)
 
$
18,912

Floating rate asset-backed securities
27,726

 
(130
)
 
27,596

 
—

 
(145
)
 
27,451

Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
1,379,534

 
1,393

 
1,380,927

 
626

 
(5,316
)
 
1,376,237

Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
370

 
—

 
370

 
23

 
—

 
393

Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
1,039,925

 
(5,543
)
 
1,034,382

 
705

 
(102
)
 
1,034,985

Total available-for-sale
2,467,255

 
(4,280
)
 
2,462,975

 
1,354

 
(6,351
)
 
2,457,978

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities(1)
45,032

 
—

 
45,032

 
926

 
—

 
45,958

Total investment securities
$
2,512,287

 
$
(4,280
)
 
$
2,508,007

 
$
2,280

 
$
(6,351
)
 
$
2,503,936

(1) 
The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of 3.8% as of March 31, 2019.


 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
19,700

 
$
—

 
$
19,700

 
$
—

 
$
(985
)
 
$
18,715

Floating rate asset-backed securities
28,940

 
(136
)
 
28,804

 
2

 
(128
)
 
28,678

Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
1,379,472

 
1,528

 
1,381,000

 
721

 
(4,267
)
 
1,377,454

Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
384

 
1

 
385

 
18

 
—

 
403

Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
797,913

 
(4,882
)
 
793,031

 
119

 
(548
)
 
792,602

Total available-for-sale
2,226,409

 
(3,489
)
 
2,222,920

 
860

 
(5,928
)
 
2,217,852

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities(1)
45,032

 
—

 
45,032

 
562

 
—

 
45,594

Total investment securities
$
2,271,441

 
$
(3,489
)
 
$
2,267,952

 
$
1,422

 
$
(5,928
)
 
$
2,263,446

(1) 
The held-to-maturity investment securities had a weighted average yield of 3.5% as of December 31, 2018.

Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.



16


As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:

Table 2.2

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
 
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(dollars in thousands)
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
18,912

 
$
(788
)
Floating rate asset-backed securities
6,179

 
(56
)
 
18,173

 
(89
)
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
715,948

 
(3,368
)
 
381,997

 
(1,948
)
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
262,700

 
(41
)
 
117,382

 
(61
)
Total
$
984,827

 
$
(3,465
)
 
$
536,464

 
$
(2,886
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of securities in loss position
 
 
48
 
 
 
63

 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
 
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(dollars in thousands)
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
18,715

 
$
(985
)
Floating rate asset-backed securities
6,456

 
(38
)
 
19,058

 
(90
)
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
927,416

 
(2,907
)
 
196,416

 
(1,360
)
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
499,581

 
(336
)
 
81,597

 
(212
)
Total
$
1,433,453

 
$
(3,281
)
 
$
315,786

 
$
(2,647
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of securities in loss position
 
 
72
 
 
 
48

The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of market spreads and an increase in the levels of interest rates from the dates of acquisition to March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+."

Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of March 31, 2019 that is, on average, approximately 99.5% of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not "more likely than not" that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.


17



The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2019 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.

Table 2.3

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted-
Average
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
982,026

 
$
982,554

 
1.40%
Due after one year through five years
272,477

 
272,528

 
2.78%
Due after five years through ten years
650,974

 
647,882

 
2.87%
Due after ten years
557,498

 
555,014

 
3.08%
Total
$
2,462,975

 
$
2,457,978

 
2.32%

3.FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES

The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 3.1

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
2,013,619

 
$
(235
)
 
$
2,013,384

 
$
7,035

 
$
(5,932
)
 
$
2,014,487

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
26,794

 
237

 
27,031

 
237

 
—

 
27,268

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,040,413

 
2

 
2,040,415

 
7,272

 
(5,932
)
 
2,041,755

USDA Securities
2,072,411

 
52,901

 
2,125,312

 
1

 
(21,409
)
 
2,103,904

Total held-to-maturity
$
4,112,824

 
$
52,903

 
$
4,165,727

 
$
7,273

 
$
(27,341
)
 
$
4,145,659

Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
6,408,318

 
$
(190
)
 
$
6,408,128

 
$
67,066

 
$
(33,570
)
 
$
6,441,624

Trading:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

USDA Securities(1)
$
9,087

 
$
649

 
$
9,736

 
$
22

 
$
(271
)
 
$
9,487

(1) 
The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of 5.23% as of March 31, 2019.


18


 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
2,069,185

 
$
(194
)
 
$
2,068,991

 
$
2,637

 
$
(11,948
)
 
$
2,059,680

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
27,383

 
244

 
27,627

 
98

 
—

 
27,725

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,096,568

 
50

 
2,096,618

 
2,735

 
(11,948
)
 
2,087,405

USDA Securities
2,110,963

 
55,211

 
2,166,174

 
—

 
(62,227
)
 
2,103,947

Total held-to-maturity
$
4,207,531

 
$
55,261

 
$
4,262,792

 
$
2,735

 
$
(74,175
)
 
$
4,191,352

Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
6,003,733

 
$
(204
)
 
$
6,003,529

 
$
22,335

 
$
(51,367
)
 
$
5,974,497

Trading:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

USDA Securities(1)
$
9,591

 
$
701

 
$
10,292

 
$
20

 
$
(313
)
 
$
9,999

(1) 
The trading USDA securities had a weighted average yield of 5.21% as of December 31, 2018.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows:

Table 3.2

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
 
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
212,783

 
$
(67
)
 
$
1,030,571

 
$
(5,865
)
USDA Securities
33,763

 
(819
)
 
2,069,702

 
(20,590
)
Total held-to-maturity
$
246,546

 
$
(886
)
 
$
3,100,273

 
$
(26,455
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
552,404

 
$
(3,779
)
 
$
1,633,673

 
$
(29,791
)



19


 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Unrealized loss position for
less than 12 months
 
Unrealized loss position for
more than 12 months
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
669,610

 
$
(1,760
)
 
$
976,318

 
$
(10,188
)
USDA Securities
38,203

 
(696
)
 
2,065,743

 
(61,531
)
Total held-to-maturity
$
707,813

 
$
(2,456
)
 
$
3,042,061

 
$
(71,719
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
$
1,480,423

 
$
(9,364
)
 
$
1,599,679

 
$
(42,003
)

The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as applicable. The unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 reflect their increased cost basis resulting from their transfer to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016.

The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States.

The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 28 and 38 available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. There were 32 and 43 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, 24 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. As of December 31, 2018, 21 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities are other-than-temporarily impaired as of either March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.  Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not "more likely than not" that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.



20


The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of March 31, 2019 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.

Table 3.3

 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted-
Average
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
584,884

 
$
585,085

 
3.09
%
Due after one year through five years
2,976,650

 
2,988,640

 
3.16
%
Due after five years through ten years
1,281,673

 
1,291,943

 
3.21
%
Due after ten years
1,564,921

 
1,575,956

 
3.62
%
Total
$
6,408,128

 
$
6,441,624

 
3.28
%
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted-
Average
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year
$
682,586

 
$
681,561

 
2.15
%
Due after one year through five years
1,420,155

 
1,421,423

 
3.07
%
Due after five years through ten years
204,350

 
202,025

 
3.45
%
Due after ten years
1,858,636

 
1,840,650

 
3.62
%
Total
$
4,165,727

 
$
4,145,659

 
3.18
%

4.FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES

Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes.  For more information about Farmer Mac's financial derivatives, see Note 6 in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.



21


The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 4.1
  
As of March 31, 2019
  
 
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted-
Average
Pay Rate
 
Weighted-
Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted-
Average
Forward
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Term (in years)
  
Notional Amount
 
Asset
 
(Liability)
 
 
 
 
  
(dollars in thousands)
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
$
4,085,824

 
$
1,489

 
$
(5,981
)
 
2.49%
 
2.63%
 
 
 
11.95
Receive fixed non-callable
1,760,200

 
807

 
(4,163
)
 
2.61%
 
1.88%
 
 
 
1.42
Receive fixed callable
370,000

 
617

 
(1
)
 
2.36%
 
2.63%
 
 
 
2.48
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
373,000

 
2,043

 
(144
)
 
2.40%
 
2.91%
 
 
 
5.87
No hedge designation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
316,534

 
281

 
(11,785
)
 
3.69%
 
2.74%
 
 
 
6.00
Receive fixed non-callable
2,886,621

 
—

 
—

 
2.56%
 
2.36%
 
 
 
0.97
Basis swaps
2,004,000

 
841

 
(74
)
 
2.58%
 
2.56%
 
 
 
1.22
Treasury futures
12,300

 
 
 
(94
)
 
 
 
 
 
123.46

 
 
Credit valuation adjustment
 
 
(25
)
 
39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total financial derivatives
$
11,808,479

 
$
6,053

 
$
(22,203
)
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
Collateral (held)/pledged
 
 
(3,900
)
 
90,420

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net amount
 
 
$
2,153

 
$
68,217

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


22


  
As of December 31, 2018
  
 
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted-
Average
Pay Rate
 
Weighted-
Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted-
Average
Forward
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Term (in years)
  
Notional Amount
 
Asset
 
(Liability)
 
 
 
 
  
(dollars in thousands)
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
$
3,097,084

 
$
3,004

 
$
(4,326
)
 
2.42%
 
2.58%
 
 
 
9.75
Receive fixed non-callable
1,871,200

 
547

 
(4,484
)
 
2.50%
 
1.84%
 
 
 
1.58
Receive fixed callable
160,000

 
338

 
(28
)
 
2.35%
 
3.06%
 
 
 
2.91
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
373,000

 
2,441

 
(99
)
 
2.40%
 
2.83%
 
 
 
6.12
No hedge designation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay fixed non-callable
316,664

 
796

 
(10,399
)
 
3.69%
 
2.52%
 
 
 
6.25
Receive fixed non-callable
2,347,371

 
—

 
—

 
2.37%
 
2.10%
 
 
 
0.86
Basis swaps
1,770,026

 
421

 
(130
)
 
2.45%
 
2.49%
 
 
 
1.27
Treasury futures
20,400

 
—

 
(188
)
 
 
 
 
 
121.09

 
 
Credit valuation adjustment
 
 
(60
)
 
21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total financial derivatives
$
9,955,745

 
$
7,487

 
$
(19,633
)
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
Collateral (held)/pledged
 
 
(1,778
)
 
47,018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net amount
 
 
$
5,709

 
$
27,385

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac expects to reclassify $1.3 million after tax from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings over the next twelve months. This amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges after March 31, 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it became probable that the original forecasted transaction would not occur.



















23


The following table summarizes the net income/(expense) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations related to derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 4.2
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives
 
Net Interest Income
 
Non-Interest Income
 
Total
 
Interest Income
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
 
Interest Income Loans
 
Total Interest Expense
 
Losses on financial derivatives
 
 
(in thousands)
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations:
$
85,411

 
$
51,397

 
$
(114,916
)
 
$
(360
)
 
$
21,532

Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized on derivatives
1,550

 
(22
)
 
(3,218
)
 
—

 
(1,690
)
Recognized on hedged items
24,565

 
4,555

 
(9,922
)
 
—

 
19,198

Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(149
)
 
—

 
(149
)
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships
$
26,115

 
$
4,533

 
$
(13,289
)
 
$
—

 
$
17,359

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized on derivatives
(58,987
)
 
(20,082
)
 
8,978

 
—

 
(70,091
)
Recognized on hedged items
59,352

 
16,237

 
(8,197
)
 
—

 
67,392

Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships
$
365

 
$
(3,845
)
 
$
781

 
$
—

 
$
(2,699
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives
—

 
—

 
481

 
—

 
481

Recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(2,688
)
 
—

 
(2,688
)
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(2,208
)
 
$
—

 
$
(2,208
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on interest rate swaps
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,168

 
2,168

Interest expense on interest rate swaps
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,300
)
 
(2,300
)
Treasury futures
—

 
—

 
—

 
(228
)
 
(228
)
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(360
)
 
$
(360
)


24


 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives
 
Net Interest Income
 
Non-Interest Income
 
Total
 
 Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
 
Interest Income Loans
 
Total Interest Expense
 
Losses on financial derivatives
 
 
(in thousands)
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations
$
62,430

 
$
45,653

 
$
(76,317
)
 
$
(3,850
)
 
$
27,916

Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized on derivatives
(1,488
)
 
(297
)
 
294

 
—

 
(1,491
)
Recognized on hedged items
13,597

 
1,414

 
(7,915
)
 
—

 
7,096

Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(155
)
 
—

 
(155
)
Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships
$
12,109

 
$
1,117

 
$
(7,776
)
 
$
—

 
$
5,450

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized on derivatives
20,449

 
6,419

 
(9,647
)
 
—

 
17,221

Recognized on hedged items
(18,948
)
 
(6,572
)
 
11,137

 
—

 
(14,383
)
Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships
$
1,501

 
$
(153
)
 
$
1,490

 
$
—

 
$
2,838

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(267
)
 
$
—

 
$
(267
)
Recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(1,780
)
 
—

 
(1,780
)
Discount amortization recognized on hedged items
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(2
)
Expense recognized on cash flow hedges
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(2,049
)
 
$
—

 
$
(2,049
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses on interest rate swaps
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(2,088
)
 
$
(2,088
)
Interest expense on interest rate swaps
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,987
)
 
(1,987
)
Treasury futures
—

 
—

 
—

 
225

 
225

Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(3,850
)
 
$
(3,850
)










25


The following table shows the carrying amount and associated cumulative basis adjustment related to the application of hedge accounting that is included in the carrying amount of hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedging relationships as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 4.3
 
Hedged Items in Fair Value Relationship
 
Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
 
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value
$
3,360,615

 
$
2,882,919

 
$
58,445

 
$
(906
)
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost
726,169

 
194,617

 
8,968

 
(5,287
)
Other Assets
1,981

 
—

 
1,981

 
—

Notes Payable, due after one year(1)(2)
(2,103,633
)
 
(2,021,356
)
 
541

 
8,785

(1) 
Carrying amount represents amortized cost.
(2) 
Includes $0.2 million and $0.3 million of hedging adjustments on a discontinued hedging relationship as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The following table shows Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 4.4
 
March 31, 2019
 
Gross Amount Recognized(1)
 
Counterparty Netting
 
Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
$
42,551

 
$
38,417

 
$
4,134

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
$
139,843

 
$
133,793

 
$
6,050

(1) 
Gross amount excludes netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but includes accrued interest.

 
December 31, 2018
 
Gross Amount Recognized(1)
 
Counterparty Netting
 
Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
51,267

 
$
48,124

 
$
3,143

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
78,437

 
$
64,568

 
$
13,869

(1) 
Gross amount excludes netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but includes accrued interest.



26


As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac held $3.0 million of cash and $0.9 million of investment securities as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.2 million. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac held $0.7 million of cash and $1.1 million of investment securities as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $1.4 million.

Farmer Mac posted no cash and $90.4 million of investment securities as of March 31, 2019 and posted no cash and $47.0 million investment securities as of December 31, 2018.  Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. Any investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets.  If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements, but would not have been required to post additional collateral. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge.

Of Farmer Mac's $11.8 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2019, $9.9 billion were cleared through the swap clearinghouse. Of Farmer Mac's $9.9 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2018, $8.5 billion were cleared through the swap clearinghouse. For more information about interest rate swaps cleared through a clearinghouse, see Note 6 in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

5.LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES

Loans

Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 5.1
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Unsecuritized
 
In Consolidated Trusts
 
Total
 
Unsecuritized
 
In Consolidated Trusts
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch
$
3,044,567

 
$
1,566,330

 
$
4,610,897

 
$
3,071,222

 
$
1,517,101

 
$
4,588,323

Rural Utilities
1,429,101

 
—

 
1,429,101

 
938,843

 
—

 
938,843

Total unpaid principal balance(1)
4,473,668

 
1,566,330

 
6,039,998

 
4,010,065

 
1,517,101

 
5,527,166

Unamortized premiums, discounts, and other cost basis adjustments
6,843

 
—

 
6,843

 
(5,097
)
 
—

 
(5,097
)
Total loans
4,480,511

 
1,566,330

 
6,046,841

 
4,004,968

 
1,517,101

 
5,522,069

Allowance for loan losses
(5,270
)
 
(1,483
)
 
(6,753
)
 
(5,565
)
 
(1,452
)
 
(7,017
)
Total loans, net of allowance
$
4,475,241

 
$
1,564,847

 
$
6,040,088

 
$
3,999,403

 
$
1,515,649

 
$
5,515,052

(1) 
Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.



27


Allowance for Losses

Farm & Ranch

The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 5.2
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
 
Reserve
for Losses
 
Total
Allowance
for Losses
 
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
 
Reserve
for Losses
 
Total
Allowance
for Losses
 
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance
$
7,017

 
$
2,167

 
9,184

 
$
6,796

 
$
2,070

 
8,866

Provision for/(release of) losses
(264
)
 
(129
)
 
(393
)
 
(431
)
 
21

 
(410
)
Charge-offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending Balance
6,753

 
2,038

 
8,791

 
6,365

 
2,091

 
8,456


During first quarter 2019, the net release to the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses was primarily due to a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on loans that Farmer Mac identified as impaired and individually evaluated. This was offset in part by a modest decline in credit quality during the first quarter of 2019. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2019.

During first quarter 2018, the net releases to the allowance for loan losses recorded were primarily attributable to (1) paydowns or payoffs of loans with an existing allowance in amounts that exceeded the increase in the allowance associated with net volume growth in Farm & Ranch loans recorded in first quarter 2018, and (2) paydowns on existing substandard loans or an improvement in the risk ratings of certain substandard loans, which resulted in the reduction of the amount of substandard assets rate in the lowest quality tier. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2018.



28


The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 by commodity type:

Table 5.3
 
March 31, 2019
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
4,394

 
$
2,126

 
$
1,460

 
$
474

 
$
720

 
$
10

 
$
9,184

(Release of)/provision for losses
(161
)
 
(192
)
 
(8
)
 
(61
)
 
17

 
12

 
(393
)
Charge-offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending Balance
$
4,233

 
$
1,934

 
$
1,452

 
$
413

 
$
737

 
$
22

 
$
8,791


 
March 31, 2018
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
4,081

 
$
2,469

 
$
1,211

 
$
481

 
$
606

 
$
18

 
$
8,866

(Release of)/provision for losses
(288
)
 
10

 
25

 
(68
)
 
(84
)
 
(5
)
 
(410
)
Charge-offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending Balance
$
3,793

 
$
2,479

 
$
1,236

 
$
413

 
$
522

 
$
13

 
$
8,456




29



The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 5.4
  
As of March 31, 2019
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
2,450,803

 
$
946,435

 
$
699,333

 
$
341,177

 
$
12,036

 
$
4,586

 
$
4,454,370

Off-balance sheet
1,215,602

 
506,782

 
620,297

 
168,685

 
72,285

 
3,083

 
2,586,734

Total
$
3,666,405

 
$
1,453,217

 
$
1,319,630

 
$
509,862

 
$
84,321

 
$
7,669

 
$
7,041,104

Individually evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
86,299

 
$
36,785

 
$
27,064

 
$
6,379

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
156,527

Off-balance sheet
10,752

 
2,357

 
3,916

 
869

 
—

 
60

 
17,954

Total
$
97,051

 
$
39,142

 
$
30,980

 
$
7,248

 
$
—

 
$
60

 
$
174,481

Total Farm & Ranch loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
2,537,102

 
$
983,220

 
$
726,397

 
$
347,556

 
$
12,036

 
$
4,586

 
$
4,610,897

Off-balance sheet
1,226,354

 
509,139

 
624,213

 
169,554

 
72,285

 
3,143

 
2,604,688

Total
$
3,763,456

 
$
1,492,359

 
$
1,350,610

 
$
517,110

 
$
84,321

 
$
7,729

 
$
7,215,585

Allowance for Losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Collectively evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
1,818

 
$
958

 
$
631

 
$
265

 
$
84

 
$
16

 
$
3,772

Off-balance sheet
665

 
108

 
236

 
26

 
653

 
5

 
1,693

Total
$
2,483

 
$
1,066

 
$
867

 
$
291

 
$
737

 
$
21

 
$
5,465

Individually evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
1,551

 
$
816

 
$
511

 
$
103

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,981

Off-balance sheet
199

 
52

 
74

 
19

 
—

 
1

 
345

Total
$
1,750

 
$
868

 
$
585

 
$
122

 
$
—

 
$
1

 
$
3,326

Total Farm & Ranch loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
3,369

 
$
1,774

 
$
1,142

 
$
368

 
$
84

 
$
16

 
$
6,753

Off-balance sheet
864

 
160

 
310

 
45

 
653

 
6

 
2,038

Total
$
4,233

 
$
1,934

 
$
1,452

 
$
413

 
$
737

 
$
22

 
$
8,791




30


  
As of December 31, 2018
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
2,452,803

 
$
952,719

 
$
705,752

 
$
329,070

 
$
12,097

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,456,918

Off-balance sheet
1,239,094

 
515,520

 
624,522

 
166,907

 
73,084

 
3,286

 
2,622,413

Total
$
3,691,897

 
$
1,468,239

 
$
1,330,274

 
$
495,977

 
$
85,181

 
$
7,763

 
$
7,079,331

Individually evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
66,432

 
$
36,333

 
$
21,361

 
$
7,278

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
131,404

Off-balance sheet
13,298

 
5,249

 
3,737

 
883

 
—

 
69

 
23,236

Total
$
79,730

 
$
41,582

 
$
25,098

 
$
8,161

 
$
—

 
$
69

 
$
154,640

Total Farm & Ranch loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
2,519,235

 
$
989,052

 
$
727,113

 
$
336,348

 
$
12,097

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,588,322

Off-balance sheet
1,252,392

 
520,769

 
628,259

 
167,790

 
73,084

 
3,355

 
2,645,649

Total
$
3,771,627

 
$
1,509,821

 
$
1,355,372

 
$
504,138

 
$
85,181

 
$
7,832

 
$
7,233,971

Allowance for Losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Collectively evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
2,120

 
$
822

 
$
731

 
$
303

 
$
84

 
$
4

 
$
4,064

Off-balance sheet
668

 
170

 
207

 
29

 
636

 
5

 
1,715

Total
$
2,788

 
$
992

 
$
938

 
$
332

 
$
720

 
$
9

 
$
5,779

Individually evaluated for impairment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
1,329

 
$
1,065

 
$
437

 
$
122

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,953

Off-balance sheet
277

 
69

 
85

 
20

 
—

 
1

 
452

Total
$
1,606

 
$
1,134

 
$
522

 
$
142

 
$
—

 
$
1

 
$
3,405

Total Farm & Ranch loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet
$
3,449

 
$
1,887

 
$
1,168

 
$
425

 
$
84

 
$
4

 
$
7,017

Off-balance sheet
945

 
239

 
292

 
49

 
636

 
6

 
2,167

Total
$
4,394

 
$
2,126

 
$
1,460

 
$
474

 
$
720

 
$
10

 
$
9,184




31


The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 5.5
  
As of March 31, 2019
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no specific allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment
$
32,570

 
$
15,531

 
$
7,708

 
$
1,605

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
57,414

Unpaid principal balance
32,501

 
15,498

 
7,691

 
1,602

 
—

 
—

 
57,292

With a specific allowance:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Recorded investment(1)
64,666

 
23,690

 
23,331

 
5,657

 
—

 
60

 
117,404

Unpaid principal balance
64,550

 
23,644

 
23,289

 
5,646

 
—

 
60

 
117,189

Associated allowance
1,750

 
868

 
585

 
122

 
—

 
1

 
3,326

Total:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Recorded investment
97,236

 
39,221

 
31,039

 
7,262

 
—

 
60

 
174,818

Unpaid principal balance
97,051

 
39,142

 
30,980

 
7,248

 
—

 
60

 
174,481

Associated allowance
1,750

 
868

 
585

 
122

 
—

 
1

 
3,326

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status(2)
$
35,879

 
$
12,843

 
$
10,490

 
$
3,760

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
62,972

(1) 
Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $115.0 million (66%) of impaired loans as of March 31, 2019, which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.5 million.
(2) 
Includes $15.8 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
  
As of December 31, 2018
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no specific allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment
$
20,734

 
$
3,592

 
$
5,764

 
$
1,922

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
32,012

Unpaid principal balance
20,632

 
3,573

 
5,737

 
1,912

 
—

 
—

 
31,854

With a specific allowance:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Recorded investment(1)
59,335

 
38,176

 
19,443

 
6,276

 
—

 
70

 
123,300

Unpaid principal balance
59,098

 
38,009

 
19,361

 
6,249

 
—

 
69

 
122,786

Associated allowance
1,606

 
1,134

 
522

 
142

 
—

 
1

 
3,405

Total:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Recorded investment
80,069

 
41,768

 
25,207

 
8,198

 
—

 
70

 
155,312

Unpaid principal balance
79,730

 
41,582

 
25,098

 
8,161

 
—

 
69

 
154,640

Associated allowance
1,606

 
1,134

 
522

 
142

 
—

 
1

 
3,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status(2)
$
26,611

 
$
21,349

 
$
8,803

 
$
4,645

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
61,408

(1) 
Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $120.9 million (78%) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2018, which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million.
(2) 
Includes $41.8 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.


32



The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 5.6
 
March 31, 2019
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
88,653

 
$
40,495

 
$
28,123

 
$
7,730

 
$
—


$
65

 
$
165,066

Income recognized on impaired loans
322

 
299

 
113

 
67

 
—

 
—

 
801


 
March 31, 2018
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average recorded investment in impaired loans
$
72,017

 
$
43,427

 
$
22,274

 
$
8,850

 
$
—

 
$
716

 
$
147,284

Income recognized on impaired loans
392

 
172

 
79

 
55

 
—

 
—

 
698



Net credit losses and 90-day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet securities representing interests in pools of eligible Farm & Ranch loans ("Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities") and LTSPCs are presented in the table below.  As of March 31, 2019, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans.

Table 5.7
 
90-Day Delinquencies(1)
 
Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses
 
As of
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
On-balance sheet assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
47,219

 
$
19,577

 
$
—

 
$
16

Total on-balance sheet
$
47,219

 
$
19,577

 
$
—

 
$
16

Off-balance sheet assets:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Farm & Ranch:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

LTSPCs
$
5,147

 
$
7,304

 
$
—

 
$
—

Total off-balance sheet
$
5,147

 
$
7,304

 
$
—

 
$
—

Total
$
52,366

 
$
26,881

 
$
—

 
$
16

(1) 
Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.

Of the $47.2 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2019, $0.1 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Of the $19.6 million of on-balance


33


sheet loans reported as 90-day delinquencies as of December 31, 2018, $0.1 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.

Credit Quality Indicators

The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:  

Table 5.8
  
As of March 31, 2019
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
2,391,354

 
$
901,684

 
$
682,548

 
$
331,910

 
$
10,539

 
$
4,586

 
$
4,322,621

Special mention(2)
59,594

 
44,751

 
16,786

 
9,267

 
1,497

 
—

 
131,895

Substandard(3)
86,154

 
36,785

 
27,063

 
6,379

 
—

 
—

 
156,381

Total on-balance sheet
$
2,537,102

 
$
983,220

 
$
726,397

 
$
347,556

 
$
12,036

 
$
4,586

 
$
4,610,897

Off-Balance Sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
1,088,307

 
$
476,644

 
$
558,864

 
$
165,020

 
$
71,160

 
$
2,477

 
$
2,362,472

Special mention(2)
80,802

 
24,960

 
45,249

 
870

 
—

 
—

 
151,881

Substandard(3)
57,245

 
7,535

 
20,100

 
3,664

 
1,125

 
666

 
90,335

Total off-balance sheet
$
1,226,354

 
$
509,139

 
$
624,213

 
$
169,554

 
$
72,285

 
$
3,143

 
$
2,604,688

Total Ending Balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
3,479,661

 
$
1,378,328

 
$
1,241,412

 
$
496,930

 
$
81,699

 
$
7,063

 
$
6,685,093

Special mention(2)
140,396

 
69,711

 
62,035

 
10,137

 
1,497

 
—

 
283,776

Substandard(3)
143,399

 
44,320

 
47,163

 
10,043

 
1,125

 
666

 
246,716

Total
$
3,763,456

 
$
1,492,359

 
$
1,350,610

 
$
517,110

 
$
84,321

 
$
7,729

 
$
7,215,585

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity analysis of past due loans(1)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

On-balance sheet
$
30,149

 
$
7,929

 
$
6,745

 
$
2,396

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
47,219

Off-balance sheet
4,360

 
196

 
100

 
491

 
—

 
—

 
5,147

90 days or more past due
$
34,509

 
$
8,125

 
$
6,845

 
$
2,887

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
52,366

(1) 
Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans. 
(2) 
Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.  
(3) 
Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.



34


  
As of December 31, 2018
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
  
(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On-balance sheet:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
2,381,853

 
$
937,793

 
$
679,253

 
$
321,345

 
$
10,604

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,335,325

Special mention(2)
71,096

 
14,926

 
26,499

 
7,725

 
1,493

 
—

 
121,739

Substandard(3)
66,286

 
36,333

 
21,361

 
7,278

 
—

 
—

 
131,258

Total on-balance sheet
$
2,519,235

 
$
989,052

 
$
727,113

 
$
336,348

 
$
12,097

 
$
4,477

 
$
4,588,322

Off-Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
1,128,787

 
$
469,479

 
$
577,708

 
$
162,730

 
$
71,959

 
$
2,656

 
$
2,413,319

Special mention(2)
62,430

 
36,778

 
30,703

 
1,023

 
—

 
—

 
130,934

Substandard(3)
61,175

 
14,512

 
19,848

 
4,037

 
1,125

 
699

 
101,396

Total off-balance sheet
$
1,252,392

 
$
520,769

 
$
628,259

 
$
167,790

 
$
73,084

 
$
3,355

 
$
2,645,649

Total Ending Balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acceptable
$
3,510,640

 
$
1,407,272

 
$
1,256,961

 
$
484,075

 
$
82,563

 
$
7,133

 
$
6,748,644

Special mention(2)
133,526

 
51,704

 
57,202

 
8,748

 
1,493

 
—

 
252,673

Substandard(3)
127,461

 
50,845

 
41,209

 
11,315

 
1,125

 
699

 
232,654

Total
$
3,771,627

 
$
1,509,821

 
$
1,355,372

 
$
504,138

 
$
85,181

 
$
7,832

 
$
7,233,971

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity analysis of past due loans(1)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

On-balance sheet
$
8,345

 
$
2,997

 
$
4,059

 
$
4,176

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
19,577

Off-balance sheet
6,476

 
197

 
—

 
631

 
—

 
—

 
7,304

90 days or more past due
$
14,821

 
$
3,194

 
$
4,059

 
$
4,807

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
26,881

(1) 
Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.  
(2) 
Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.  
(3) 
Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.



35


Concentrations of Credit Risk

The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, the range of original loan-to-value ratios, and the range in the size of borrower exposure for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 5.9
 
As of
  
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
  
(in thousands)
By commodity/collateral type:
 
 
 
Crops
$
3,763,456

 
$
3,771,627

Permanent plantings
1,492,359

 
1,509,821

Livestock
1,350,610

 
1,355,372

Part-time farm
517,110

 
504,138

Ag. Storage and Processing
84,321

 
85,181

Other
7,729

 
7,832

Total
$
7,215,585

 
$
7,233,971

By geographic region(1):
 

 
 

Northwest
$
847,896

 
$
855,596

Southwest
2,282,664

 
2,273,184

Mid-North
2,287,199

 
2,296,073

Mid-South
893,639

 
883,279

Northeast
337,019

 
332,370

Southeast
567,168

 
593,469

Total
$
7,215,585

 
$
7,233,971

By original loan-to-value ratio:
 

 
 

0.00% to 40.00%
$
1,304,411

 
$
1,333,790

40.01% to 50.00%
1,831,552

 
1,811,166

50.01% to 60.00%
2,506,962

 
2,530,484

60.01% to 70.00%
1,250,982

 
1,244,823

70.01% to 80.00%(2)
298,001

 
289,427

80.01% to 90.00%(2)
23,677

 
24,281

Total
$
7,215,585

 
$
7,233,971

By size of borrower exposure(3):
 
 
 
Less than $1,000,000
$
2,446,989

 
$
2,431,296

$1,000,000 to $4,999,999
2,736,397

 
2,755,996

$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
881,847

 
916,422

$10,000,000 to $24,999,999
604,712

 
601,349

$25,000,000 and greater
545,640

 
528,908

Total
$
7,215,585

 
$
7,233,971

(1) 
Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
(2) 
Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with original loan-to-value ratios of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance.
(3) 
Includes multiple loans to the same borrower or borrower-related entities.

The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when


36


available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment.  Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.

Material Related Party Transactions

On February 19, 2019, Farmer Mac purchased a $546.2 million portfolio of participations in seasoned Rural Utilities loans from CoBank, ACB and CoBank, FCB (collectively, "CoBank") under a master loan participation agreement entered into on February 13, 2019. CoBank is a related party to Farmer Mac because of its stock ownership in Farmer Mac. For more information, see the Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on February 20, 2019.

6.GUARANTEES AND LONG-TERM STANDBY PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:

Table 6.1
Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
  
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
  
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
Guaranteed Securities
$
128,221

 
$
135,862

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
376,487

 
367,684

Institutional Credit:
 

 
 

AgVantage Securities
9,898

 
9,898

Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility(1)
300,000

 
300,000

Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
$
814,606

 
$
813,444

(1) 
Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.

Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors.  The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:

Table 6.2
 
For the Three Months Ended
  
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
  
(in thousands)
Proceeds from new securitizations
$
116,708

 
$
131,202

Guarantee fees received
442

 
546

Purchases of assets from the trusts(1)
(4,721
)
 
(721
)
(1) 
Previously reported as loans held for investment in consolidated trust, at amortized cost, on the consolidated balance sheets. Upon purchase, these loans were reclassified to loans held for investment on the consolidated balance sheets.



37


Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets.  This liability approximated $2.7 million and $2.8 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 10.3 years.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 4.8 years and 5.0 years, respectively.

Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments

An LTSPC is a commitment by Farmer Mac to purchase eligible loans from an identified pool of loans under specified circumstances set forth in the applicable agreement, either for cash or in exchange for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, on one or more undetermined future dates.  As consideration for its assumption of the credit risk on loans underlying an LTSPC, Farmer Mac receives a commitment fee payable monthly in arrears.

The maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, was $3.1 billion and $3.2 billion as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 15.4 years and 15.3 years, respectively.  For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets.  This liability approximated $35.6 million and $35.9 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

7.EQUITY

Common Stock

During first quarter 2019, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2018, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share on all classes of its common stock.

Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program during third quarter 2015 authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock for two years. In August 2017, Farmer Mac's board of directors approved the continuation of the share repurchase program on its existing terms through August 2019 for the repurchase of up to $5.4 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock. This is the amount that was remaining under the share repurchase program that Farmer Mac's board of directors originally authorized in third quarter 2015 for the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of outstanding Class C non-voting common stock.

On March 14, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors modified the terms of the existing share repurchase program by increasing the authorization for the repurchase to up to $10.0 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock and extending the term of the program through March 2021. Farmer Mac did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter 2019 under this program. As of


38


March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately 668,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $19.6 million under the share repurchase program, and has not repurchased any shares since first quarter 2016.

Capital Requirements

Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the minimum capital requirement was greater than the risk-based capital requirement. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $572.9 million and its core capital level was $742.0 million, which was $169.1 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $545.0 million and its core capital level was $727.6 million, which was $182.6 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date.

In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.

8. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.5 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values (i.e., level 3).  These financial instruments measured as Level 3 represented 33% of total assets and 72% of financial instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.0 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values.  These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 32% of total assets and 73% of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018.

Transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. During the first three months of both 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives.



39


The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:

Table 8.1
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of March 31, 2019
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Recurring:
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
18,912

 
$
18,912

Floating rate asset-backed securities
—

 
27,451

 
—

 
27,451

Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—

 
1,376,237

 
—

 
1,376,237

Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—

 
393

 
—

 
393

Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
1,034,985

 
—

 
—

 
1,034,985

Total Investment Securities
1,034,985

 
1,404,081

 
18,912

 
2,457,978

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

AgVantage
—

 
—

 
6,441,624

 
6,441,624

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
—

 
—

 
6,441,624

 
6,441,624

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Trading
—

 
—

 
9,487

 
9,487

Total USDA Securities
—

 
—

 
9,487

 
9,487

Financial derivatives
—

 
6,053

 
—

 
6,053

Total Assets at fair value
$
1,034,985

 
$
1,410,134

 
$
6,470,023

 
$
8,915,142

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Financial derivatives
$
94

 
$
22,109

 
$
—

 
$
22,203

Total Liabilities at fair value
$
94

 
$
22,109

 
$
—

 
$
22,203

Non-recurring:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans held for investment
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
339

 
$
339

REO
—

 
—

 
1,253

 
1,253

Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,592

 
$
1,592




40


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Recurring:
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
18,715

 
$
18,715

Floating rate asset-backed securities
—

 
28,678

 
—

 
28,678

Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—

 
1,377,454

 
—

 
1,377,454

Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
—

 
403

 
—

 
403

Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries
792,602

 
—

 
—

 
792,602

Total available-for-sale
792,602

 
1,406,535

 
18,715

 
2,217,852

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

AgVantage
—

 
—

 
5,974,497

 
5,974,497

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
—

 
—

 
5,974,497

 
5,974,497

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Trading
—

 
—

 
9,999

 
9,999

Total USDA Securities
—

 
—

 
9,999

 
9,999

Financial derivatives
—

 
7,487

 
—

 
7,487

Total Assets at fair value
$
792,602

 
$
1,414,022

 
$
6,003,211

 
$
8,209,835

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Financial derivatives
$
188

 
$
19,445

 
$
—

 
$
19,633

Total Liabilities at fair value
$
188

 
$
19,445

 
$
—

 
$
19,633

Non-recurring:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans held for investment
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
317

 
$
317

REO
—

 
—

 
128

 
128

Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
445

 
$
445






41



The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of Level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Table 8.2
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
  
Beginning
Balance
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Realized and
Unrealized Gains included
in Income
 
Unrealized Gains
included in Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Ending
Balance
 
(in thousands)
Recurring:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,715

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
197

 
$
18,912

Total available-for-sale
18,715

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
197

 
18,912

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

AgVantage
5,974,497

 
776,332

 
—

 
(371,733
)
 
59,352

 
3,176

 
6,441,624

Total available-for-sale
5,974,497

 
776,332

 
—

 
(371,733
)
 
59,352

 
3,176

 
6,441,624

USDA Securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Available-for-sale
—

 
18,928

 
(18,928
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Trading
9,999

 
—

 
—

 
(556
)
 
44

 
—

 
9,487

Total USDA Securities
9,999

 
18,928

 
(18,928
)
 
(556
)
 
44

 
—

 
9,487

Total Assets at fair value
$
6,003,211

 
$
795,260

 
$
(18,928
)
 
$
(372,289
)
 
$
59,396

 
$
3,373

 
$
6,470,023










42


Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
  
Beginning
Balance
 
Cumulative Effect from Change in Hedge Accounting
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Realized and
Unrealized (Losses)/Gains included
in Income
 
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other
Comprehen-sive
Income
 
Ending
Balance
 
(in thousands)
Recurring:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
$
18,814

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
196

 
$
19,010

Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities
$
4,333

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(109
)
 
$
—

 
$
(104
)
 
$
4,120

Total available-for-sale
23,147

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(109
)
 
—

 
92

 
23,130

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Available-for-sale:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

AgVantage
5,471,914

 
487

 
655,447

 
—

 
(290,268
)
 
(18,948
)
 
20,755

 
5,839,387

Total available-for-sale
5,471,914

 
487

 
655,447

 
—

 
(290,268
)
 
(18,948
)
 
20,755

 
5,839,387

USDA Securities:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Available-for-sale
—

 
—

 
34,293

 
(34,293
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Trading(1)
13,515

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,973
)
 
16

 
—

 
11,558

Total USDA Securities
13,515

 
—

 
34,293

 
(34,293
)
 
(1,973
)
 
16

 
—

 
11,558

Total Assets at fair value
$
5,508,576

 
$
487

 
$
689,740

 
$
(34,293
)
 
$
(292,350
)
 
$
(18,932
)
 
$
20,847

 
$
5,874,075

(1) 
Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2018 that are recorded in "Gains on trading securities."



43


The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Table 8.3
 
 
As of March 31, 2019
Financial Instruments
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted-Average)
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
 
$
18,912

 
Indicative bids
 
Range of broker quotes
 
96.0% - 96.0% (96.0%)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
 
$
6,441,624

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
1.7% - 4.2% (3.1%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USDA Securities
 
$
9,487

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
3.1% - 5.2% (4.9%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPR
 
7% - 19% (17%)

 
 
As of December 31, 2018
Financial Instruments
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted-Average)
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
 
$
18,715

 
Indicative bids
 
Range of broker quotes
 
95.0% - 95.0% (95.0%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage
 
$
5,974,497

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
3.0% - 4.4% (3.3%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USDA Securities
 
$
9,999

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Discount rate
 
3.2% - 5.2% (4.9%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
CPR
 
7% - 17% (16%)

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurements of AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities is the discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for AgVantage securities because they generally do not pay down principal based on amortization schedules but instead typically have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of USDA Securities are the prepayment rate and discount rate commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates.


44



Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 8.4
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
(in thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122

 
$
376,122

 
$
425,256

 
$
425,256

Investment securities
2,503,936

 
2,503,010

 
2,263,446

 
2,262,884

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
8,483,379

 
8,482,039

 
8,061,903

 
8,071,115

USDA Securities
2,113,391

 
2,134,799

 
2,113,946

 
2,176,173

Loans
6,092,347

 
6,040,088

 
5,512,781

 
5,515,052

Financial derivatives
6,053

 
6,053

 
7,487

 
7,487

Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTSPCs
36,049

 
36,660

 
37,461

 
36,870

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
3,073

 
3,253

 
3,424

 
3,496

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes payable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due within one year
8,564,034

 
8,571,615

 
7,744,388

 
7,757,050

Due after one year
8,726,760

 
8,679,287

 
8,473,558

 
8,486,647

Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties
1,575,585

 
1,567,195

 
1,501,754

 
1,528,957

Financial derivatives
22,203

 
22,203

 
19,633

 
19,633

Guarantee and commitment obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTSPCs
35,026

 
35,637

 
36,471

 
35,880

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
2,472

 
2,651

 
2,731

 
2,803


The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as Level 1. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as Level 3. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as Level 3. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as Level 3. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for Level 3 financial instruments


45


are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.

9.
BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING

The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 9.1
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural 
Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Reconciling
Adjustments
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
15,282

 
$
4,442

 
$
(274
)
 
$
18,187

 
$
2,962

 
$
—

 
$
40,599

Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)
(2,545
)
 
(478
)
 
3,507

 
(1,814
)
 
(468
)
 
1,798

 
—

Net effective spread
12,737

 
3,964

 
3,233

 
16,373

 
2,494

 
1,798

 
—

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,744

 
224

 
363

 
88

 
—

 
(1,906
)
 
3,513

Other income/(expense)(3)
480

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
22

 
(332
)
 
177

Non-interest income/(loss)
5,224

 
224

 
370

 
88

 
22

 
(2,238
)
 
3,690

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release of loan losses
264

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
264

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release of reserve for losses
129

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
129

Other non-interest expense
(4,799
)
 
(1,428
)
 
(866
)
 
(2,159
)
 
(3,638
)
 
—

 
(12,890
)
Non-interest expense(4)
(4,670
)
 
(1,428
)
 
(866
)
 
(2,159
)
 
(3,638
)
 
—

 
(12,761
)
Core earnings before income taxes
13,555

 
2,760

 
2,737

 
14,302

 
(1,122
)
 
(440
)
(5) 
31,792

Income tax (expense)/benefit
(2,847
)
 
(580
)
 
(575
)
 
(3,003
)
 
290

 
93

 
(6,622
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
10,708

 
2,180

 
2,162

 
11,299

 
(832
)
 
(347
)
(5) 
25,170

Preferred stock dividends
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,296
)
 
—

 
(3,296
)
Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
10,708

 
$
2,180

 
$
2,162

 
$
11,299

 
$
(4,128
)
 
$
(347
)
(5) 
$
21,874

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets at carrying value
$
4,698,250

 
$
2,191,896

 
$
1,443,393

 
$
8,502,084

 
$
2,962,154

 
$
—

 
$
19,797,777

Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
7,215,585

 
$
2,484,779

 
$
2,074,714

 
$
8,731,835

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
20,506,913

(1) 
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts
(2) 
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3) 
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4) 
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5) 
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.


46


Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural 
Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Reconciling
Adjustments
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
(in thousands)
Net interest income
$
14,941

 
$
5,070

 
$
2,537

 
$
17,832

 
$
2,849

 
$
—

 
$
43,229

Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)
(2,401
)
 
(670
)
 
413

 
(3,008
)
 
(462
)
 
6,128

 
—

Net effective spread
12,540

 
4,400

 
2,950

 
14,824

 
2,387

 
6,128

 
—

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
4,378

 
166

 
449

 
90

 
—

 
(1,584
)
 
3,499

Other income/(expense)(3)
557

 
5

 
5

 
—

 
(139
)
 
(3,688
)
 
(3,260
)
Non-interest income/(loss)
4,935

 
171

 
454

 
90

 
(139
)
 
(5,272
)
 
239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release of loan losses
431

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
431

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for reserve for losses
(21
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(21
)
Other non-interest expense
(4,520
)
 
(1,193
)
 
(673
)
 
(1,846
)
 
(3,389
)
 
—

 
(11,621
)
Non-interest expense(4)
(4,541
)
 
(1,193
)
 
(673
)
 
(1,846
)
 
(3,389
)
 
—

 
(11,642
)
Core earnings before income taxes
13,365

 
3,378

 
2,731

 
13,068

 
(1,141
)
 
856

(5) 
32,257

Income tax (expense)/benefit
(2,807
)
 
(709
)
 
(574
)
 
(2,744
)
 
575

 
(179
)
 
(6,438
)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest
10,558

 
2,669

 
2,157

 
10,324

 
(566
)
 
677

(5) 
25,819

Preferred stock dividends
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,295
)
 
—

 
(3,295
)
Segment core earnings/(losses)
$
10,558

 
$
2,669

 
$
2,157

 
$
10,324

 
$
(3,861
)
 
$
677

(5) 
$
22,524

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets at carrying value
$
4,306,960

 
$
2,195,714

 
$
1,043,335

 
$
8,066,231

 
$
2,784,996

 
$
—

 
$
18,397,236

Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance
$
6,932,002

 
$
2,391,739

 
$
1,729,797

 
$
8,325,905

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
19,379,443

(1) 
Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
(2) 
Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
(3) 
Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Losses on financial derivatives" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
(4) 
Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount.
(5) 
Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.



47


Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial information included in this report is consolidated to include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries – Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation and Farmer Mac II LLC. This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read together with: (1) the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report; and (2) Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this report, the words "Farmer Mac," "we," "our," and "us" refer to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires.

Some statements made in this report, such as in the "Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section, are "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about management's current expectations for Farmer Mac's future financial results, business prospects, and business developments.  Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. These statements typically include terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "may," "could," "should," and similar phrases.  This report includes forward-looking statements addressing Farmer Mac's:
 
•
prospects for earnings;
•
prospects for growth in business volume;
•
trends in net interest income and net effective spread;
•
trends in portfolio credit quality, delinquencies, substandard assets, credit losses, and provisions for losses;
•
trends in expenses;
•
trends in investment securities;
•
prospects for asset impairments and allowance for losses;
•
changes in capital position;
•
future dividend payments; and
•
other business and financial matters.

Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve assumptions, estimates, and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties.  Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019, and uncertainties about:
 
•
the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;
•
legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or the agricultural or rural utilities industries;
•
fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;


48


•
the rate and direction of development of the secondary market for agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans, including lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;
•
the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness;
•
the effect of economic conditions, including the effects of drought and other weather-related conditions and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values, on agricultural mortgage lending and borrower repayment capacity;
•
the effect of any changes in Farmer Mac's executive leadership;
•
developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
•
changes in the level and direction of interest rates, which could, among other things, affect the value of collateral securing Farmer Mac's agricultural mortgage loan assets;
•
the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to basis risk, which results from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes; and
•
volatility in commodity prices relative to costs of production, changes in U.S. trade policies, or fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products.

Considering these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this report.  Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. The information in this report is not necessarily indicative of future results.


49


Overview

We increased our outstanding business volume by a net $782.4 million, or 4.0%, to $20.5 billion during first quarter 2019. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business.
 
Our overall credit quality as of March 31, 2019 declined modestly compared to December 31, 2018. Our 90-day delinquencies and substandard assets each increased both in dollars and as a percentage of the Farm & Ranch portfolio compared to year-end 2018, though Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate and substandard asset rate each remained below Farmer Mac's historical averages. We released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in our Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million of Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. In first quarter 2018, we also released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses.

On March 14, 2019, Farmer Mac's board of directors modified the terms of the existing share repurchase program by increasing the authorization for the repurchase to up to $10.0 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock and extending the term of the program through March 2021.

The discussion below of Farmer Mac's financial information includes "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."
 
Net Income and Core Earnings

Our net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter 2019 was $21.9 million, compared to $19.6 million in fourth quarter 2018 and $22.5 million in first quarter 2018.

The $2.3 million sequential increase in net income attributable to common stockholders was primarily due to a $2.1 million after-tax decrease in losses on undesignated financial derivatives and a $1.0 million after-tax decrease in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. The sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to the absence of technology implementation costs in the amount of $0.5 million after tax that were incurred in the previous quarter. The remainder of the sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to decreases in servicing advances and hiring expenses. These sequential positive factors were offset in part by a decrease of $1.3 million after tax in net interest income.

The $0.6 million year-over-year decrease in net income attributable to common stockholders was primarily driven by a $2.1 million after-tax decrease in net interest income and a $1.0 million after-tax increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased headcount and continued investments in technology and business infrastructure to expand capacity and efficiency. The year-over-year negative factors were offset in part by a $2.8 million after-tax decrease in losses on undesignated financial derivatives.

Our non-GAAP core earnings for first quarter 2019 were $22.2 million, compared to $20.5 million in fourth quarter 2018 and $21.8 million in first quarter 2018.



50


The $1.7 million sequential increase in core earnings was primarily due to: (1) a $1.0 million after-tax decrease in G&A expenses; (2) a $0.5 million after-tax increase in late fees and other income received; and (3) a $0.4 million after-tax decrease in our provision for losses. The sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to the absence of technology implementation costs in the amount of $0.5 million after tax that were incurred in the previous quarter. The remainder of the sequential decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to decreases in servicing advances and hiring expenses.
  
The $0.4 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $1.3 million after-tax increase in net effective spread. The year-over-year increase was offset in part primarily by a $1.0 million after-tax increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased headcount and continued investments in technology and business infrastructure to expand capacity and efficiency.

For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."

Net Interest Income and Net Effective Spread

Net interest income was $40.6 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $42.2 million for fourth quarter 2018 and $43.2 million in first quarter 2018. The overall net interest yield was 0.86% for first quarter 2019, compared to 0.93% for fourth quarter 2018 and 0.98% for first quarter 2018.

The $1.6 million and 7 basis point sequential decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $1.9 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.6 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume. The 7 basis point sequential decrease was primarily attributable to a 4 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships and a 1 basis point increase in LIBOR-based funding costs.

The $2.6 million and 12 basis point year-over-year decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $5.5 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.5 million increase in LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by: (1) a $2.1 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume; (2) a $0.7 million increase in net yield adjustments related to the amortization of premiums and discounts; and (3) a $0.5 million increase resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. The 12 basis point year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to a 12 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, was $38.8 million in first quarter 2019, compared to $38.9 million in fourth quarter 2018 and $37.1 million in first quarter 2018. In percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.89% in first quarter 2019, compared to 0.93% in fourth quarter 2018 and 0.91% in first quarter 2018. Farmer Mac uses net effective spread as an alternative measure to net interest income because management believes it is a useful metric that reflects the economics of the net spread between all


51


the assets owned by Farmer Mac and all related funding, including any associated derivatives, some of which may not be included in net interest income.

The $0.1 million sequential decrease in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in LIBOR-based funding costs, which was mostly offset by a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities. In percentage terms, net effective spread decreased by 4 basis points from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019, primarily due to a 1 basis point increase in our LIBOR-based funding costs and the 1 basis point effect of fewer interest-earning days in first quarter 2019 than in the previous quarter.

The $1.7 million year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in net effective spread from new business volume and a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. These positive factors were partially offset by $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs and a $0.3 million decrease in cash basis interest income. Net effective spread in percentage terms decreased by 2 basis points in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018, which was primarily due to the increase in funding costs.

For more information about Farmer Mac's use of net effective spread as a financial measure, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures." For a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread, see Table 6 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."

Business Volume

Our outstanding business volume was $20.5 billion as of March 31, 2019, a net increase of $782.4 million from December 31, 2018, after taking into account all new business, maturities, and paydowns on existing assets. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business, partially offset by net decreases of $30.8 million in the USDA Guarantees line of business and $18.4 million in the Farm & Ranch line of business.

For more information about Farmer Mac's business volume, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Business Volume."

Capital

As of March 31, 2019, our core capital level was $742.0 million, which was $169.1 million above the minimum capital level required by our statutory charter.  As of December 31, 2018, our core capital level was $727.6 million, which was $182.6 million above the minimum capital requirement. The decrease in capital above the minimum capital level was due to growth in our outstanding business volume.

Credit Quality

Our overall credit quality as of March 31, 2019 declined modestly compared to December 31, 2018, which is consistent with our stated expectations that our 90-day delinquency and substandard assets rates will revert closer to their respective historical averages. Our 90-day delinquencies and substandard assets each increased both in dollars and as a percentage of the Farm & Ranch portfolio compared to year-end 2018,


52


though Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency rate and substandard asset rate each remained below Farmer Mac's historical averages. We released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million in Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. In first quarter 2018, we also released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's allowance for losses was $8.8 million (0.12% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $9.2 million (0.13% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. The $0.4 million decrease in the total allowance for losses in first quarter 2019 was primarily due to net paydowns in our Farm & Ranch loan portfolio and lower specific allowance amounts on impaired loans.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were $246.7 million (3.4% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $232.7 million (3.2% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. The $14.0 million increase in substandard assets in first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 was due to the downgrade of more assets into the substandard category than those that paid off or migrated to a more favorable category. Of the assets that were downgraded into the substandard category, most consisted of crop and livestock loans, specifically in the corn and soybean, peanut, and cattle and calves commodity sub-groups.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were $52.4 million (0.73% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $26.9 million (0.37% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018 and $47.6 million (0.69% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of March 31, 2018. The sequential increase is primarily due to seasonal delinquencies associated with loans that have annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms, which account for most of the loans in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. As of March 31, 2019, 90-day delinquencies have improved across all major commodity groups other than crops. Although the 90-day delinquency rate for crops remains elevated relative to other commodity groups, idiosyncratic factors also played a significant role in the higher 90-day delinquency rate for crops for first quarter 2019. Specifically, four large delinquent crop loans accounted for nearly 45% of all crop delinquencies during the quarter. Those four loans relate to the alfalfa, barley, peanut, and cotton commodities and not to corn or soybeans, which have experienced continued downward pricing pressures from trade disruptions and increased production.

For more information about Farmer Mac's credit metrics, including 90-day delinquencies, the total allowance for losses, and substandard assets, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac sometimes uses "non-GAAP measures," which are measures of financial performance that are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends.

The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP


53


measures is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Core Earnings and Core Earnings Per Share

Core earnings and core earnings per share principally differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected.

Core earnings and core earnings per share also differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that we believe are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations."

Net Effective Spread

Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. Net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it excludes: (1) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value that are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets; (2) interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, which are presented on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost"; and (3) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in a fair value hedge relationship.

Farmer Mac excludes from net effective spread the premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value because they either do not reflect actual cash premiums paid for the assets at acquisition or are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance if the assets are held to maturity, as is expected. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the interest income and interest expense associated with the consolidated trusts and the average balance of the loans underlying these trusts to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns on the related Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities owned by third parties is effectively a guarantee fee. Accordingly, the excluded interest income and interest expense associated with consolidated trusts is reclassified to guarantee and commitment fees in determining Farmer Mac's core earnings. Farmer Mac also excludes from net effective spread the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in fair value hedge relationships because they are not expected to have an economic effect on Farmer Mac's financial performance, as we expect to hold the financial derivatives and corresponding hedged items to maturity.

Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives


54


that are not designated in hedge relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"). Farmer Mac uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk exposure by synthetically modifying the interest rate reset or maturity characteristics of certain assets and liabilities. The accrual of the contractual amounts due on interest rate swaps designated in hedge relationships is included as an adjustment to the yield or cost of the hedged item and is included in net interest income. For undesignated financial derivatives, Farmer Mac records the income or expense related to the accrual of the contractual amounts due in "Losses on financial derivatives" on the consolidated statements of operations. However, the accrual of the contractual amounts due for undesignated financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's calculation of net effective spread.

Net effective spread also differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, which consist of: (1) the net effects of cash settlements on agency forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury security futures that we use as short-term economic hedges on the issuance of debt; and (2) the net effects of initial cash payments that Farmer Mac receives upon the inception of certain swaps. The inclusion of these items in net effective spread is intended to reflect our view of the complete net spread between an asset and all of its related funding, including any associated derivatives, whether or not they are designated in a hedge accounting relationship.

For a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see Table 6 in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Net Interest Income."

Results of Operations

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for first quarter 2019 was $21.9 million ($2.03 per diluted common share), compared to $22.5 million ($2.10 per diluted common share) for first quarter 2018. Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for first quarter 2019 were $22.2 million ($2.06 per diluted common share), compared to $21.8 million ($2.03 per diluted common share) for first quarter 2018. For more information about the changes in net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Net Income and Core Earnings."

Reconciliations of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with information about the composition of core earnings:



55


Table 1
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders to Core Earnings
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874

 
$
22,524

Less reconciling items:
 

 
 

Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
2,240

 
(2,279
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(2,817
)
 
2,564

Unrealized gains on trading securities
44

 
16

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(16
)
 
(686
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
110

 
1,242

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
92

 
(180
)
Sub-total
(347
)
 
677

Core earnings
$
22,221

 
$
21,847

 
 
 
 
Composition of Core Earnings:
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
Net effective spread(1)
$
38,801

 
$
37,101

Guarantee and commitment fees(2)
5,419

 
5,083

Other(3)
509

 
428

Total revenues
44,729

 
42,612

 
 
 
 
Credit related expense (GAAP):
 
 
 
Release of losses
(393
)
 
(410
)
REO operating expenses
—

 
16

Total credit related expense
(393
)
 
(394
)
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses (GAAP):
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606

 
6,654

General and administrative
4,596

 
4,326

Regulatory fees
688

 
625

Total operating expenses
12,890

 
11,605

 
 
 
 
Net earnings
32,232

 
31,401

Income tax expense(4)
6,715

 
6,259

Preferred stock dividends (GAAP)
3,296

 
3,295

Core earnings
$
22,221

 
$
21,847

 
 
 
 
Core earnings per share:
 
 
 
  Basic
$
2.08

 
$
2.06

  Diluted
2.06

 
2.03

Weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
  Basic
10,670

 
10,622

  Diluted
10,777

 
10,741

(1) 
Net effective spread is a non-GAAP measure. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for an explanation of net effective spread. See Table 6 for a reconciliation of net interest income to net effective spread.


56


(2) 
Includes interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified from net interest income to guarantee and commitment fees to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
(3) 
Reflects reconciling adjustments for the reclassification to exclude expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives, and reconciling adjustments to exclude fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets and the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
(4) 
Includes the tax impact of non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings.


Table 2

Reconciliation of GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Basic Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
  
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Basic EPS
$
2.05

 
$
2.12

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
0.21

 
(0.21
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.26
)
 
0.24

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
—

 
(0.06
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
0.01

 
0.12

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.01

 
(0.03
)
Sub-total
(0.03
)
 
0.06

Core Earnings - Basic EPS
$
2.08

 
$
2.06

 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,670

 
10,622


Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share to Core Earnings - Diluted Earnings Per Share
  
For the Three Months Ended
  
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP - Diluted EPS
$
2.03

 
$
2.10

Less reconciling items:
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes (see Table 8)
0.21

 
(0.21
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(0.26
)
 
0.24

Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
—

 
(0.06
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
0.01

 
0.12

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
0.01

 
(0.02
)
Sub-total
(0.03
)
 
0.07

Core Earnings - Diluted EPS
$
2.06

 
$
2.03

 
 
 
 
Shares used in per share calculation (GAAP and Core Earnings)
10,777

 
10,741




57


The non-GAAP reconciling items between net income attributable to common stockholders and core earnings are:

1. (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives due to fair value changes are presented by two reconciling items in Table 1 above: (1) Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes; and (2) Losses/(gains) on hedging activities due to fair value changes. The table below calculates the non-GAAP reconciling item for (losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes:

Table 3

Non-GAAP Reconciling Items for (Losses)/Gains on Hedging Activities due to Fair Value Changes
  
For the Three Months Ended
  
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
(Losses)/gains due to fair value changes (see Table 4.2)
(2,699
)
 
2,838

Initial cash payment received at inception of swap
(118
)
 
(274
)
(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes

$
(2,817
)
 
$
2,564


2. Unrealized gains on trading securities. The unrealized gains/(losses) on trading securities are reported on Farmer Mac's consolidated statements of operations, which represent changes during the period in fair values for trading assets remaining on Farmer Mac's balance sheet as of the end of the reporting period.
3. Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value. The amount of this non-GAAP reconciling item is the recorded amount of premium, discount, or deferred gain amortization during the reporting period on those assets for which the premium, discount, or deferred gain was based on the application of an accounting principle (e.g., consolidation of variable interest entities) rather than on a cash transaction (e.g., a purchase price premium or discount).
4. The net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. These terminations or net settlements relate to:
•
Forward contracts on the debt of other GSEs and futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities. These contracts are used as a short-term economic hedge of the issuance of debt. For GAAP purposes, realized gains or losses on settlements of these contracts are reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they occur. For core earnings purposes, these realized gains or losses are deferred and amortized as net yield adjustments over the term of the related debt, which generally ranges from 3 to 15 years.
•
Initial cash payments received by Farmer Mac upon the inception of certain swaps. When there is no direct payment arrangement between a swap dealer counterparty and a debt dealer issuing Farmer Mac's medium-term notes for a particular transaction, Farmer Mac may receive an initial cash payment from the swap dealer at the inception of the swap to offset dollar-for-dollar the amount of the discount on the associated hedged debt. For GAAP purposes, changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in "Gains on financial derivatives," while the economically offsetting discount on the associated hedged debt is amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to its yield. For core earnings purposes, these initial cash payments are deferred and amortized as net yield adjustments over the term of the related debt, which generally ranges from 3 to 15 years.
The following sections provide more detail about specific components of Farmer Mac's results of operations.


58


Net Interest Income.  The following table provides information about interest-earning assets and funding for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The average balance of non-accruing loans is included in the average balance of loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities presented, though the related income is accounted for on a cash basis.  Therefore, as the average balance of non-accruing loans and the income received increases or decreases, the net interest income and yield will fluctuate accordingly.  The average balance of loans in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties is disclosed in the net effect of consolidated trusts and is not included in the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The interest income and expense associated with these trusts are shown in the net effect of consolidated trusts. 

Table 4
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Average
Balance
 
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and investments
$
2,815,695

 
$
18,707

 
2.66
%
 
$
2,639,766

 
$
11,463

 
1.74
%
Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities(1)
14,557,209

 
121,781

 
3.35
%
 
13,627,493

 
95,161

 
2.79
%
Total interest-earning assets
17,372,904

 
140,488

 
3.23
%
 
16,267,259

 
106,624

 
2.62
%
Funding:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Notes payable due within one year
3,510,208

 
21,265

 
2.42
%
 
3,902,446

 
13,716

 
1.41
%
Notes payable due after one year(2)
13,187,397

 
80,529

 
2.44
%
 
11,652,847

 
51,263

 
1.76
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities(3)
16,697,605

 
101,794

 
2.44
%
 
15,555,293

 
64,979

 
1.67
%
Net non-interest-bearing funding
675,299

 
—

 
 

 
711,966

 
—

 
 

Total funding
17,372,904

 
101,794

 
2.34
%
 
16,267,259

 
64,979

 
1.60
%
Net interest income/yield prior to consolidation of certain trusts
17,372,904

 
38,694

 
0.89
%
 
16,267,259

 
41,645

 
1.02
%
Net effect of consolidated trusts(4)
1,544,172

 
1,905

 
0.49
%
 
1,381,481

 
1,584

 
0.46
%
Net interest income/yield
$
18,917,076

 
$
40,599

 
0.86
%
 
$
17,648,740

 
$
43,229

 
0.98
%
(1) 
Excludes interest income of $15.0 million and $12.9 million in first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(2) 
Includes current portion of long-term notes.
(3) 
Excludes interest expense of $13.1 million and $11.3 million in first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.
(4) 
Includes the effect of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.

The $2.6 million and 12 basis point year-over-year decrease in net interest income was primarily due to: (1) a $5.5 million net change in fair value on financial derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedge accounting relationships; and (2) a $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs. These negative factors were partially offset by: (1) a $2.1 million increase in interest income generated from new business volume; (2) a $0.7 million increase in net yield adjustments related to the amortization of premiums and discounts; and (3) a $0.5 million increase resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. The 12 basis point sequential decrease was primarily attributable to a 12 basis point increase in losses on financial derivatives that are in fair value hedge accounting relationships.

The following table sets forth information about changes in the components of Farmer Mac's net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts for the periods indicated.  For each category, information is provided on changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate) and changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume).  Combined rate/volume variances, the third element of the calculation, are allocated based on their relative size.  



59


Table 5
  
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to Same Period in 2018
 
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
 
Rate
 
Volume
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Income from interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and investments
$
6,435

 
$
809

 
$
7,244

Loans, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities
19,798

 
6,822

 
26,620

Total
26,233

 
7,631

 
33,864

Expense from other interest-bearing liabilities
31,741

 
5,074

 
36,815

Change in net interest income prior to consolidation of certain trusts(1)
$
(5,508
)
 
$
2,557

 
$
(2,951
)
(1) 
Excludes the effect of debt in consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties.  

The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread.  Net effective spread is measured by: including (1) expenses related to undesignated financial derivatives, which consists of income or expense related to contractual amounts due on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships (the income or expense related to financial derivatives designated in hedge relationships is already included in net interest income), and (2) the amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements of financial derivatives; and excluding (3) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, (4) the net effects of consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, and (5) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and corresponding financial assets or liabilities in fair value hedge relationships. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread" for more information about the explanation of net effective spread.

Table 6
  
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net interest income/yield
$
40,599

 
0.86
 %
 
$
43,229

 
0.98
 %
Net effects of consolidated trusts
(1,905
)
 
0.03
 %
 
(1,584
)
 
0.04
 %
Expense related to undesignated financial derivatives
(2,544
)
 
(0.06
)%
 
(2,302
)
 
(0.06
)%
Amortization of premiums/discounts on assets consolidated at fair value
23

 
—
 %
 
694

 
0.02
 %
Amortization of losses due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
(71
)
 
—
 %
 
(98
)
 
—
 %
Fair value changes on fair value hedge relationships
2,699

 
0.06
 %
 
(2,838
)
 
(0.07
)%
Net effective spread
$
38,801

 
0.89
 %
 
$
37,101

 
0.91
 %

The $1.7 million year-over-year increase in net effective spread in dollars was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in net effective spread from new business volume and a $0.5 million increase in net effective spread resulting from the refinancing of maturing AgVantage securities at higher spreads. These positive factors were partially offset by $0.5 million in increased LIBOR-based funding costs and a $0.3 million decrease in cash basis interest income. Net effective spread in percentage terms decreased by 2 basis points in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018, which was primarily due to the increase in LIBOR-based funding costs.



60


See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about net interest income and net effective spread from Farmer Mac's individual business segments. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Supplemental Information" for quarterly net effective spread by line of business.

Release of and Provision for Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses. The following table summarizes the components of Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table 7
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
 
Reserve
for Losses
 
Total
Allowance
for Losses
 
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
 
Reserve
for Losses
 
Total
Allowance
for Losses
 
(in thousands)
Beginning Balance
$
7,017

 
$
2,167

 
$
9,184

 
$
6,796

 
$
2,070

 
$
8,866

(Release of)/provision for losses
(264
)
 
(129
)
 
(393
)
 
(431
)
 
21

 
(410
)
Charge-offs
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Ending Balance
$
6,753

 
$
2,038

 
$
8,791

 
$
6,365

 
$
2,091

 
$
8,456


Although our overall credit quality declined modestly during the first quarter of 2019, we released $0.4 million from our total allowance for losses because of a decrease in Farm & Ranch outstanding business volume and lower specific allowance amounts on $25 million in Farm & Ranch loans that we identified as impaired and individually evaluated. Specifically, the modest decline in credit quality of the Farm & Ranch portfolio, which contributed $0.2 million to the total allowance for losses, was more than offset by the decline in outstanding Farm & Ranch business volume and the lower specific allowance amounts on the $25 million in impaired Farm & Ranch loans, which reduced the total allowance for losses by $0.5 million, in aggregate.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac individually evaluated $59.8 million of the $174.8 million of recorded investment in impaired assets for collateral shortfalls against updated appraised values, other updated collateral valuations, or discounted values. For the remaining $115.0 million of impaired assets for which updated valuations were not available, Farmer Mac evaluated them in the aggregate in consideration of their similar risk characteristics and historical statistics. Farmer Mac recorded specific allowances of $3.3 million for undercollateralized assets as of March 31, 2019. Farmer Mac's general allowances were $5.5 million as of March 31, 2019.

The releases to the allowance for loan losses recorded during first quarter 2018 were attributable to (1) paydowns or payoffs of loans with an existing allowance in amounts that exceeded the increase in the allowance associated with net volume growth in Farm & Ranch loans recorded in first quarter 2018, and (2) paydowns on existing substandard loans or an improvement in the risk ratings of certain substandard loans, which resulted in the reduction of the amount of substandard assets rated in the lowest credit quality tier.

See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."



61


Guarantee and Commitment Fees.  Guarantee and commitment fees, which compensate Farmer Mac for assuming the credit risk on loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs, were $3.5 million for both first quarter 2019 and 2018.

Guarantee and commitment fees, for the purpose of core earnings, include interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee on the consolidated Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Guarantee and commitment fees, for the purpose of core earnings, were $5.4 million for first quarter 2019 compared to $5.1 million for first quarter 2018.

For more information about net income attributable to common stockholders, the composition of core earnings, and a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations." For more information about the non-GAAP measures Farmer Mac uses, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures."

Losses on financial derivatives.  The components of gains and losses on financial derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the following table:

Table 8
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Losses on financial derivatives:
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) due to fair value changes
$
2,240

 
$
(2,279
)
Accrual of contractual payments
(2,544
)
 
(2,302
)
(Losses)/gains due to terminations or net settlements
(56
)
 
731

Losses on financial derivatives
$
(360
)
 
$
(3,850
)

These changes in fair value are primarily the result of fluctuations in long-term interest rates. The accrual of periodic cash settlements for interest paid or received from Farmer Mac's interest rate swaps that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships is shown as expense related to financial derivatives. Payments or receipts to terminate derivative positions or net cash settled forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs and U.S. Treasury security futures that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships and initial cash payments received upon the inception of certain swaps not designated in hedge accounting relationships are included in "Gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements" in the table above. For swaps not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, when there is no direct payment arrangement between a swap dealer counterparty and a debt dealer issuing Farmer Mac's medium-term notes for a particular transaction, Farmer Mac may receive an initial cash payment from the swap dealer at the inception of the swap to offset dollar-for-dollar the amount of the discount on the associated hedged debt. Changes in the fair value of these swaps are recognized immediately in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives," while the offsetting discount on the hedged debt is amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to its yield. The amounts of initial cash payments received by Farmer Mac vary depending on the number of the aforementioned type of swaps it executes during a quarter.



62


Other Income. Other income totaled $0.5 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $0.6 million for first quarter 2018. Other income includes late fees of $0.4 million and $0.5 million on Farm & Ranch loans, in the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Compensation and Employee Benefits.  Compensation and employee benefits were $7.6 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $6.7 million for first quarter 2018. The increase in compensation and employee benefits in first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018 was due to an increase in headcount and related employee health insurance costs.

General and Administrative Expenses.  G&A expenses were $4.6 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $4.3 million for first quarter 2018. The increase in G&A expenses for first quarter 2019 compared to first quarter 2018 was primarily due to an increase in hiring expenses of $0.2 million.

Regulatory Fees.  Regulatory fees, which consist of the fees paid to the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA"), an independent agency in the executive branch of the United States government that regulates Farmer Mac, were $0.7 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $0.6 million for first quarter 2018. FCA has advised Farmer Mac that its estimated fees for the federal government fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 would increase to $2.75 million ($0.688 million per federal government fiscal quarter).  After the end of a federal government fiscal year, FCA may revise its prior year estimated assessments to reflect actual costs incurred, and has issued both additional assessments and refunds in the past.

Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense was $6.6 million for first quarter 2019, compared to $6.4 million for first quarter 2018. The effective federal tax rate for first quarter 2019 closely approximates the 21.0% statutory federal corporate tax rate. For first quarter 2018, the effective tax rate was 20.0% due to tax benefits associated with stock compensation exercises.

Business Volume.  During first quarter 2019, we added $1.7 billion of gross new business volume, compared to $1.4 billion in first quarter 2018. Specifically, we:

•
purchased $825.4 million of AgVantage securities;
•
purchased $546.2 million of Rural Utilities loans;
•
purchased $203.2 million of newly originated Farm & Ranch loans;
•
added $91.2 million of Farm & Ranch loans under LTSPCs;
•
purchased $38.3 million of USDA Securities; and
•
issued $18.9 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.

Our outstanding business volume was $20.5 billion as of March 31, 2019, a net increase of $782.4 million from December 31, 2018, after taking into account all new business, maturities, and paydowns on existing assets. This increase was driven by net growth of $482.6 million in the Rural Utilities line of business and $349.0 million in the Institutional Credit line of business. This net growth was partially offset by a net decrease of $30.8 million in the USDA Guarantees line of business and a net decrease of $18.4 million in the Farm & Ranch line of business.

The net growth in our Rural Utilities line of business was primarily due to the purchase of a $546.2 million portfolio of participations in seasoned loans from CoBank. Because this transaction settled on February 19, 2019, it contributed less than half a quarter's worth of net effective spread in first quarter 2019. This was the first time we have purchased program assets in any of our lines of business from


63


CoBank.

Within the Institutional Credit line of business, we experienced net business volume growth in AgVantage securities purchased from large counterparties of $333.8 million and net business volume growth purchased from smaller financial fund counterparties of $15.3 million. The net growth from our large counterparties was driven by the purchase of a new $325 million AgVantage security in the rural utilities industry. Because our purchase of this security settled on February 15, 2019, it contributed approximately a half quarter's worth of net effective spread in first quarter 2019.

Our Farm & Ranch line of business experienced a net decrease of $18.4 million, which was comprised of a net decrease of $41.0 million in loans under LTSPCs, partially offset by a $22.6 million net increase in our outstanding loan purchase volume. Based on our analysis of bank and Farm Credit System call report data, the growth rate of the overall agricultural mortgage market declined in 2018. Nevertheless, our net growth of 7.9% in Farm & Ranch loan purchases over the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 compared favorably to the 4.7% net growth of the overall agricultural mortgage loan market over the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Although our gross purchase volume slowed during first quarter 2019, the loan prepayment rate during the quarter was among the lowest we have ever experienced. We believe that the decrease in gross purchase volume correlates with our overall market observations of less demand for mortgage refinancings and fewer agricultural real estate transactions.

Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced a net decrease of $30.8 million in first quarter 2019 compared to net growth of $39.5 million in first quarter 2018. This decrease in growth reflects lower loan volume being processed through the USDA and the impact of the government shutdown during January 2019.

For more information about potential growth opportunities in Farmer Mac's lines of business, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Outlook" in this report.



64


The following table sets forth gross purchase volumes of non-delinquent eligible loans, new loans added under LTSPCs, and new guarantees during the periods indicated in the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, and Rural Utilities lines of business, as well as purchases of AgVantage securities in the Institutional Credit line of business. The table also sets forth the net growth or decrease under Farmer Mac's lines of business, after maturities, principal paydowns, and sales:

Table 9
New Business Volume – Farmer Mac Loan Purchases, Guarantees, LTSPCs, and AgVantage Securities
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
Gross volume
 
Net growth/(decrease)
 
Gross Volume
 
Net growth/(decrease)
 
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
203,156

 
$
22,574

 
$
259,111

 
$
75,626

LTSPCs
91,215

 
(40,962
)
 
159,065

 
(11,210
)
USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USDA Securities
38,296

 
(39,644
)
 
89,232

 
9,307

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
18,927

 
8,803

 
34,293

 
30,218

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
546,198

 
490,258

 
8,645

 
(32,814
)
LTSPCs
—

 
(7,660
)
 
—

 
(120,022
)
Institutional Credit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AgVantage securities
825,417

 
349,018

 
813,337

 
421,027

Total purchases, guarantees, LTSPCs, and AgVantage securities
$
1,723,209

 
$
782,387

 
$
1,363,683

 
$
372,132


During first quarter 2019, we purchased 466 Farm & Ranch term loans and revolving line of credit draws. These purchases consisted of 194 term loans with an average unpaid principal balance of $660,000 and 272 revolving line of credit draws with an average unpaid principal balance of $276,000. During first quarter 2018, we purchased 575 Farm & Ranch term loans and revolving line of credit draws. These purchases consisted of 295 term loans with an average unpaid principal balance of $762,000 and 280 revolving line of credit draws with an average unpaid principal balance of $126,000.

Farmer Mac either retains the loans it purchases or securitizes them and retains or sells Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities backed by those loans.  The weighted-average age of the Farm & Ranch non-delinquent eligible loans purchased and retained (excluding the purchases of defaulted loans) during both first quarter 2019 and 2018 was less than one year. Of those loans, 65% and 68% had principal amortization periods longer than the maturity date, resulting in balloon payments at maturity, with a weighted-average remaining term to maturity of 18.8 years and 22.0 years, respectively.

During first quarter 2019 and 2018, Farmer Mac securitized some of the Farm & Ranch loans it had purchased and sold the resulting Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, as shown below. Farmer Mac consolidates these loans and presents them as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" on the consolidated balance sheets. In first quarter 2019 and 2018, $63.1 million and $29.8 million, respectively, of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities were sold to Zions First National Bank, which is a related party to Farmer Mac.



65


The following table sets forth information about the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issued during the periods indicated:

Table 10
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Loans securitized and sold as Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities
$
97,780

 
$
96,909

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
18,928

 
34,293

AgVantage securities
825,417

 
813,337

Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities issuances
$
942,125

 
$
944,539


The following table sets forth information about outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:

Table 11
Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Farm & Ranch:
 
 
 
Loans
$
3,044,567

 
$
3,071,222

Loans held in trusts:
 
 
 
Beneficial interests owned by third party investors
1,566,330

 
1,517,101

LTSPCs
2,476,467

 
2,509,787

Guaranteed Securities
128,221

 
135,862

USDA Guarantees:
 
 
 
USDA Securities
2,081,498

 
2,120,553

Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
403,281

 
395,067

Rural Utilities:
 
 
 
Loans
1,429,101

 
938,843

LTSPCs(1)
645,613

 
653,272

Institutional Credit
 
 
 
AgVantage Securities
8,431,835

 
8,082,817

Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility(2)
300,000

 
300,000

Total
$
20,506,913

 
$
19,724,524

(1) 
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, includes $20.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively, related to one-year loan purchase commitments on which Farmer Mac receives a nominal unused commitment fee.
(2) 
During first quarter 2019, $100.0 million of this facility was drawn and later repaid. During first quarter 2018, this facility was not utilized. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. If the counterparty draws on the facility, the amounts drawn will be in the form of AgVantage securities, and Farmer Mac will earn interest income on those securities.




66


The following table summarizes by maturity date the scheduled principal amortization of loans held, loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and LTSPCs, USDA Securities, and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities as of March 31, 2019:

Table 12
Schedule of Principal Amortization as of March 31, 2019
 
Loans Held
 
Loans Underlying Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs
 
 USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
2019
$
171,579

 
$
183,307

 
$
78,710

 
$
433,596

2020
257,086

 
243,592

 
114,487

 
615,165

2021
316,532

 
271,347

 
111,069

 
698,948

2022
249,537

 
208,539

 
114,578

 
572,654

2023
261,623

 
195,688

 
119,170

 
576,481

Thereafter
4,783,641

 
2,147,828

 
1,946,765

 
8,878,234

Total
$
6,039,998

 
$
3,250,301

 
$
2,484,779

 
$
11,775,078


Of the $20.5 billion outstanding principal balance of volume included in Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of March 31, 2019, $8.7 billion were AgVantage securities included in the Institutional Credit line of business.  Unlike business volume in the form of purchased loans, USDA Securities, and loans underlying LTSPCs and non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, most AgVantage securities do not require periodic payments of principal based on amortization schedules and instead have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligation is due. The following table summarizes by maturity date the outstanding principal amount of both on- and off-balance sheet AgVantage securities as of March 31, 2019:

Table 13
AgVantage Balances by Year of Maturity
 
As of
 
March 31, 2019
 
(in thousands)
2019
$
1,087,811

2020
1,328,822

2021
1,593,980

2022
1,039,944

2023(1)
1,098,402

Thereafter(2)
2,582,876

Total
$
8,731,835

(1) 
Includes the expiration of the $300.0 million revolving floating rate AgVantage facility.
(2) 
Includes various maturities ranging from 2024 to 2044.

The weighted-average remaining maturity of the outstanding AgVantage securities shown in the table above was 5.4 years as of March 31, 2019.  



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Outlook  

Farmer Mac continues to provide a stable source of liquidity, capital, and risk management tools as the secondary market that helps meet the financing needs of rural America. While the pace of Farmer Mac's growth will depend on the capital and liquidity needs of the participants in the rural financing business, Farmer Mac foresees opportunities for continued growth across our lines of business, driven by several key factors:

•
As agricultural and rural utilities lenders seek to manage equity capital and return on equity capital requirements or seek to reduce exposure due to lending limits or concentration limits, Farmer Mac can provide relief for those institutions through loan purchases, participations, guarantees, LTSPCs, or wholesale funding.
•
Overall loan growth within the rural utilities industry appears to be modest in the near term due to generally flat demand for capital. Future growth opportunities for Farmer Mac related to this industry through its Rural Utilities and Institutional Credit lines of business may arise from transacting business with a new counterparty for Farmer Mac and may include new types of loan products. However, Farmer Mac's growth may be impacted by sector growth, credit quality, and the competitiveness of Farmer Mac's products.
•
As a result of business development efforts, targeted marketing and brand awareness initiatives, product development efforts, and continued interest in the agricultural asset class from institutional investors, Farmer Mac's customer base and product set continue to expand, which may generate more demand for Farmer Mac's products from new sources.
•
Consolidation, expansion, and vertical integration occurring across many sectors of the agricultural industry and in agricultural finance, coupled with Farmer Mac's relationships with larger regional and national lenders, continues to provide opportunities that could influence Farmer Mac's loan demand and the average transaction size within Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch line of business.

We believe that these growth opportunities will be important in replacing income earned on our loans and other assets as they mature, pay down, or are reinvested at potentially lower spreads.

Expense Outlook. Farmer Mac continues to expand its investments in human capital, technology, and business infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency as it seeks to accommodate its growth opportunities and achieve its long-term strategic objectives. Accordingly, Farmer Mac expects the annual increases in its operating expenses to be above historical averages over the next several years. Specifically, Farmer Mac believes that aggregate operating expenses – compensation and employee benefits, general and administrative expenses, and regulatory fees – will increase by approximately 8% to 9% in 2019 relative to 2018, depending on the execution of various growth and strategic initiatives.

Agricultural Industry. The agricultural industry includes many diverse sectors that respond in different ways to changes in economic conditions. Those individual sectors often are affected differently, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively, by prevailing domestic and global economic factors and regional weather conditions. This results in cycles where one or more sectors may be under stress while others are not. The profitability of agricultural sectors is also affected by the demand for and supply of agricultural commodities and products on a domestic and global basis, which can vary largely as a result of global production trends, international trade policies, weather patterns, access to water supply, and harvest conditions.



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Net cash income, one of the USDA's benchmark measures of economic activity in the agricultural industry, has declined significantly since reaching a cyclical peak in 2013. However, changes in farm income levels are largely localized and depend on producer region and commodity production type. The USDA forecasts that aggregate net cash income levels decreased year-over-year in 2018 due to rising farm production expenses that were not entirely offset by higher revenues. The USDA projects net cash income growth will rebound to 4.7% in 2019 due to slight improvements in commodity prices and moderating cash farm expenses. Farmland values appear to have held steady in 2018, even in the Midwest region where producers are most exposed to changes in the grain markets. Data released by the USDA indicates an average increase in farm real estate values of 2.7% in 2018 in Corn Belt states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio), but a decline of 1.4% in Northern Plains states (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). In all other regions, farmland value averages are reported to be flat to increasing. While regional averages for farmland values provide a good barometer for the overall movement in U.S. farmland values, economic forces affecting land markets are highly localized and some markets may experience greater volatility than state or national averages indicate.

Over the past few decades, the U.S. agricultural industry has become increasingly connected to global trade, and agricultural export demand depends significantly on trading relationships in numerous foreign markets, as well as on foreign exchange rates. A slowdown in global economic growth or a tightening in trade policies and agreements could also adversely affect the demand for certain U.S. agricultural exports, which may result in downward pressure on commodity prices. For example, the series of reciprocal import tariffs placed on various agricultural products by China and the U.S. during 2018 has materially affected the export sales for these products, particularly soybeans produced in the U.S. Tariffs placed on imports of U.S. agricultural products into Mexico have also dampened price outlooks for other agricultural products, such as pork and dairy. In August 2018, the USDA released initial details on a potential $12 billion aid package for U.S. agricultural producers designed to help offset expected market losses resulting from trade disruptions. The USDA reports making initial payments to affected producers of nearly $5.9 billion, more than half of which is anticipated to assist soybean growers in the form of cash payments in late 2018 and early 2019 through the USDA's Market Facilitation Program. The USDA announced in December 2018 that a final round of payments for the roughly $6 billion remaining in aid is expected to be delivered throughout the spring months of 2019. If fully realized, the Market Facilitation Program payments would constitute approximately 13% of 2018 net cash income, which equates to approximately three-quarters of the expected decline in net cash income forecasted for 2018. Coincident with the trade stresses, the U.S. dollar (as measured by the U.S. Dollar Index) strengthened by approximately 5% during 2018. This decreased the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural exports and thereby diminished their global demand and contributed to reduced producer profitability. Through first quarter 2019, the U.S. dollar strength remained relatively unchanged from late 2018. We believe that our portfolio is sufficiently diverse by product and production region to be able to withstand any short-term market volatility that may arise because of changes in trade policy or sentiment. However, a prolonged trade dispute between one or more primary agricultural markets without substantial offsetting relief could put significant financial stress on the U.S. agricultural industry, which could have an adverse effect on Farmer Mac's portfolio.

In recent years, the 90-day delinquencies and credit losses in Farmer Mac's portfolio have remained low compared to historical averages. However, some indications of stress have emerged, as the volume of Farmer Mac's substandard assets has generally increased since 2015. To date, the fluctuations in 90-day delinquencies and the increase in substandard assets have not yet translated into rising credit losses. Farmer Mac believes that any losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized. Farmer Mac believes that its portfolio remains sufficiently diversified, both geographically and by


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commodity, and that its portfolio has been underwritten to high credit quality standards. Farmer Mac therefore believes that its portfolio is well-positioned to endure reasonably foreseeable volatility in farmland values and commodity prices. Farmer Mac also continues to closely monitor sector profitability, economic and weather conditions, and agricultural land value and geographic trends to tailor underwriting practices to changing conditions. For example, Farmer Mac is closely monitoring the impacts of spring storms and flooding on producers in the western Corn Belt region. To date, the impact on the loan repayment ability of affected borrowers has been minimal, but the lasting effects of the flooding and other adverse weather conditions could change borrowers' financial outlook and production decisions. For more information about the loan balances, loan-to-value ratios, 90-day delinquencies, and substandard asset rate for the Farm & Ranch loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio as of March 31, 2019, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees."

Farmer Mac continues to monitor the establishment and evolution of legislation and regulations, as well as the status of various international trade agreements and partnerships, that could affect farmers, ranchers, rural lenders, and rural America in general. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also referred to as the "Farm Bill," was signed into law in December 2018. Many provisions in the new Farm Bill are a continuation of existing federal agricultural policies in effect under the previous Farm Bill, including those affecting crop insurance, commodity support programs, and other aspects of agricultural production. We will continue to monitor the effects of any altered federal agricultural policies as the USDA adopts final regulations implementing the new Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill also contains a provision that amends Farmer Mac's charter to expand the acreage exception to the loan amount limitation on Farm & Ranch loans from 1,000 acres to 2,000 acres, subject to FCA's assessment of the feasibility of the change. FCA's assessment must be submitted to Congress no later than June 18, 2019, and the amendment will become effective one year after this assessment is submitted if FCA indicates that the change is feasible. We will continue to evaluate the effect that the potential increase in acreage limitation may have on our business in the future.

Under the Farm Bill, the authorized limit for the amount of new guarantees issued by the USDA under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, which are eligible for Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business, was increased from $3.026 billion to $7.0 billion for each government fiscal year through September 2023. Also, the limit for the size of individual loans to which these guarantees are applied was increased from $1.399 million to $1.75 million, which thereby increases the authorized amount of the USDA-guaranteed portion for an individual loan. These higher loan limits could result in increased new business volume in our USDA Guarantees line of business, and we have already purchased USDA-guaranteed portions allowed under the raised individual loan limit. However, the effects of the new limits may be offset by a continued slowdown in the issuance of new guarantees by the USDA, which could be further exacerbated by the U.S. federal government shutdown that lasted for several weeks in early 2019 or any future shutdowns.

Other legislation and regulations focused on groundwater management practices, including in California, may result in tighter restrictions on groundwater usage that could negatively affect agricultural producers in the future. As the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress continue their review of existing regulations and promote new legislative or regulatory proposals and policies, Farmer Mac will monitor the effects that any changes in legislation or regulation could have on Farmer Mac or its customers.



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Farmer Mac's marketing and brand awareness initiatives directed towards the Farm & Ranch line of business focus on lenders that have demonstrated a commitment to agricultural lending based on their lending history. Farmer Mac conducts its outreach efforts to these lenders through direct personal contact, which is facilitated through Farmer Mac's frequent participation in state and national banking conferences, its alliances with the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America, and its business relationships with members of the Farm Credit System. Farmer Mac's initiatives to increase the awareness of Farmer Mac and its products within the agricultural lender community and the larger agricultural industry have included hosting events on relevant agricultural lending topics, participating on speaker panels at agriculture-related regional and national conferences, and distributing original content about conditions in the agricultural economy. Demand for Farmer Mac's secondary market tools also depends on the fluctuating needs of rural lenders as they seek to maintain liquidity and adequate capital levels.

Farmer Mac also directs marketing efforts towards the agricultural industry by trying to identify and develop relationships with potential issuers of AgVantage securities, including insurance company agricultural lenders, agricultural finance companies, and bank and non-bank agricultural lenders such as agricultural mortgage funds, all of whom can pledge loans as collateral to obtain financing as part of Farmer Mac's Institutional Credit line of business. As part of these efforts, Farmer Mac has increased its focus on wholesale financing for institutional investors in agricultural assets that qualify as eligible collateral under Farmer Mac's charter. Farmer Mac has tailored a version of its AgVantage product to this type of issuer, which is referred to as the Farm Equity AgVantage product. Farmer Mac also offers other AgVantage products tailored to fund investors in agricultural mortgages. Farmer Mac directs its outreach efforts to these potential issuers through its business relationships within the agricultural community and through executive outreach to institutions whose profile presents an opportunity to benefit from wholesale financing. As institutional investment in agricultural assets continues to grow, Farmer Mac believes that it is in a unique position to help increase access to capital for these types of counterparties and thereby provide a new source of capital to benefit rural America. Farmer Mac believes there is opportunity to expand this type of business as both the trend toward institutional investment in agricultural assets and awareness of Farmer Mac's AgVantage product offerings continue to grow. For more information about the AgVantage products, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Institutional."

Rural Utilities Industry. Prospects for loan growth within the rural utilities industry appear to be modest in the near term due to generally flat demand for capital, as capital expenditures for large generation assets have decreased and increased revenues for electrical cooperatives have driven a de-leveraging trend. Future growth opportunities within the rural utilities industry may be impacted by the demand for electric power in rural areas, capital expenditures by electric cooperatives driven by regulatory or technological changes, and competitive dynamics within the rural utilities cooperative finance industry. In the coming years, the retirement of coal generation assets, the growth in renewable energy generation, the deployment of energy storage technologies, and the deepening of relationships with new and existing counterparties, may provide new business opportunities for Farmer Mac.

Balance Sheet Review

Assets.  Farmer Mac's total assets as of March 31, 2019 were $19.8 billion, compared to $18.7 billion as of December 31, 2018.  The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to the purchase of a portfolio of Rural Utilities loan participations from CoBank in the amount of $546.2 million and net growth of $349.0 million in our Institutional Credit line of business.


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As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had $0.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of investment securities, compared to $0.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $2.3 billion of investment securities as of December 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had $8.5 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, $6.0 billion of loans, net of allowance, and $2.1 billion of USDA Securities. This compares to $8.1 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, $5.5 billion of loans, net of allowance, and $2.2 billion of USDA Securities as of December 31, 2018.

Liabilities.  Farmer Mac's total liabilities were $19.0 billion as of March 31, 2019, compared to $17.9 billion as of December 31, 2018.  The increase in total liabilities was primarily attributable to an increase in total notes payable.

Equity.  As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had total equity of $763.3 million, compared to $752.6 million as of December 31, 2018. The increase in total equity was a result of an increase in retained earnings.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

Farmer Mac offers approved lenders two credit enhancement alternatives to increase their liquidity or lending capacity while retaining the cash flow benefits of their loans: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through each of the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business; and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities lines of business. For securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary, the trust assets and liabilities are included on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheet. For securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is not the primary beneficiary and in the event of de-consolidation, both of these alternatives create off-balance sheet obligations for Farmer Mac. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about consolidation and Farmer Mac's off-balance sheet business activities.

Risk Management

Credit Risk – Loans and Guarantees.  Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2019 was $7.2 billion across 48 states. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Farm & Ranch loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Underwriting and Collateral Valuation (Appraisal) Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

Farmer Mac's direct credit exposure to Rural Utilities loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs as of March 31, 2019 was $2.1 billion across 43 states, of which $1.7 billion were loans to electric distribution cooperatives and $0.4 billion were loans to Generation & Transmission cooperatives. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Rural Utilities loans, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Underwriting" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, there were no delinquencies in Farmer Mac's portfolio of Rural Utilities loans, and Farmer Mac has not experienced any credit losses on Rural Utilities loans since Congress authorized Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities line of business in 2008. Based on this performance, Farmer Mac excludes the loans in the Rural Utilities line of business from the credit risk metrics it discloses.


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Farmer Mac has indirect credit exposure to the Farm & Ranch loans and Rural Utilities loans that secure AgVantage securities included in the Institutional Credit line of business. For more information about Farmer Mac's underwriting and collateral valuation standards for Institutional Credit securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Institutional Credit" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.
As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had not experienced any credit losses on any AgVantage securities and does not expect to incur any such losses in the future. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Credit Risk – Institutional" for more information about Farmer Mac's credit risk on AgVantage securities.

The credit exposure on USDA Securities, including those underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities, is covered by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Therefore, Farmer Mac believes that we have little or no credit risk exposure in the USDA Guarantees line of business because of the USDA guarantee.  As of March 31, 2019, we have not experienced any credit losses on any business under the USDA Guarantees line of business, and do not expect to incur any such losses in the future.

Farmer Mac considers a loan's original loan-to-value ratio as one of many factors in evaluating loss severity. Loan-to-value ratios depend on the market value of a property, as determined in accordance with Farmer Mac's collateral valuation standards.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the average unpaid loan balances for loans outstanding in the Farm & Ranch line of business was $633,000 and $640,000, respectively. Farmer Mac calculates the original loan-to-value ratio of a loan by dividing the original loan principal balance by the original appraised property value. This calculation does not reflect any amortization of the original loan balance or any adjustment to the original appraised value to provide a current market value. The original loan-to-value ratio of any cross-collateralized loans is calculated on a consolidated basis rather than on a loan-by-loan basis. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for Farm & Ranch loans purchased during first quarter 2019 was 48%, compared to 54% for loans purchased during first quarter 2018. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all Farm & Ranch loans held and all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately 51% as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The weighted-average original loan-to-value ratio for all 90-day delinquencies was 54% and 52% as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The weighted-average current loan-to-value ratio (the loan-to-value ratio based on original appraised value adjusted to reflect loan amortization since purchase) for Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs was approximately 44% and 45% as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

For more information about the credit quality of Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch portfolio and the associated allowance for losses please refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

Activity affecting the allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Provision for and Release of Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses."

Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquency measure includes loans 90 days or more past due, as well as loans in foreclosure and non-performing loans where the borrower is in bankruptcy. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were $52.4 million (0.73% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $26.9 million (0.37% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018 and $47.6


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million (0.69% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of March 31, 2018. Those 90-day delinquencies were comprised of 71 delinquent loans as of March 31, 2019, compared to 47 delinquent loans as of December 31, 2018 and 65 delinquent loans as of March 31, 2018. The sequential increase is primarily due to seasonal delinquencies associated with loans that have annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms, which account for most of the loans in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. As of March 31, 2019, 90-day delinquencies have improved across all major commodity groups other than crops. Although the 90-day delinquency rate for crops remains elevated relative to other commodity groups, idiosyncratic factors also played a significant role in the higher 90-day delinquency rate for crops for first quarter 2019. Specifically, four large delinquent crop loans account for nearly 45% of all crop delinquencies during the quarter. Those four loans relate to the alfalfa, barley, peanut and cotton commodities and not to corn or soybeans, which have experienced continued downward pricing pressures from trade disruptions and increased production.

Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies have historically fluctuated from quarter to quarter, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding Farm & Ranch portfolio, with higher levels generally observed at the end of the first and third quarters and lower levels generally observed at the end of the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of the annual (January 1st) and semi-annual (January 1st and July 1st) payment terms of most Farm & Ranch loans. Farmer Mac believes that it remains adequately collateralized on its delinquent loans. Farmer Mac expects that over time its 90-day delinquency rate will revert closer to Farmer Mac's historical average, and possibly exceed it (which it did in third quarter 2017), due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy. Farmer Mac's average 90-day delinquency rate as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 1%. The highest 90-day delinquency rate observed during that period occurred in 2009 at approximately 2%, which coincided with increased delinquencies in loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol loan portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds.

The following table presents historical information about Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies in the Farm & Ranch line of business compared to the principal balance of all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs:

Table 14
 
Farm & Ranch Line of Business
 
90-Day
Delinquencies
 
Percentage
 
(dollars in thousands)
As of:
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
December 31, 2018
7,233,971

 
26,881

 
0.37
%
September 30, 2018
7,072,018

 
37,545

 
0.53
%
June 30, 2018
7,045,397

 
43,076

 
0.61
%
March 31, 2018
6,932,002

 
47,560

 
0.69
%
December 31, 2017
6,867,586

 
48,444

 
0.71
%
September 30, 2017
6,557,030

 
66,381

 
1.01
%
June 30, 2017
6,426,518

 
41,901

 
0.65
%
March 31, 2017
6,240,467

 
50,807

 
0.81
%

When analyzing the overall risk profile of its lines of business, Farmer Mac considers more than the Farm & Ranch loan delinquency percentages provided above. The lines of business also include AgVantage securities and Rural Utilities loans held and underlying LTSPCs, neither of which have any delinquencies, and USDA Securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.


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Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.26% of total outstanding business volume as of March 31, 2019, compared to 0.14% as of December 31, 2018 and 0.25% as of March 31, 2018. The following table presents outstanding Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and 90-day delinquencies as of March 31, 2019 by year of origination, geographic region, commodity/collateral type, original loan-to-value ratio, and range in the size of borrower exposure:


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Table 15
Farm & Ranch 90-Day Delinquencies as of March 31, 2019
 
Distribution of Farm & Ranch Line of Business
 
Farm & Ranch Line of Business
 
90-Day Delinquencies(1)
 
Percentage
 
(dollars in thousands)
By year of origination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 and prior
11
%
 
$
771,650

 
$
6,354

 
0.82
%
2010
2
%
 
139,978

 
130

 
0.09
%
2011
3
%
 
208,418

 
2,740

 
1.31
%
2012
7
%
 
500,647

 
529

 
0.11
%
2013
10
%
 
699,694

 
3,322

 
0.47
%
2014
8
%
 
566,143

 
2,239

 
0.40
%
2015
10
%
 
737,940

 
5,511

 
0.75
%
2016
15
%
 
1,084,657

 
10,052

 
0.93
%
2017
17
%
 
1,274,934

 
15,089

 
1.18
%
2018
15
%
 
1,062,886

 
6,400

 
0.60
%
2019
2
%
 
168,638

 
—

 
—
%
Total
100
%
 
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
By geographic region(2):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Northwest
12
%
 
$
847,896

 
$
11,862

 
1.40
%
Southwest
31
%
 
2,282,664

 
4,336

 
0.19
%
Mid-North
32
%
 
2,287,199

 
15,827

 
0.69
%
Mid-South
12
%
 
893,639

 
2,369

 
0.27
%
Northeast
5
%
 
337,019

 
4,128

 
1.22
%
Southeast
8
%
 
567,168

 
13,844

 
2.44
%
Total
100
%
 
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
By commodity/collateral type:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Crops
52
%
 
$
3,763,456

 
$
34,509

 
0.92
%
Permanent plantings
21
%
 
1,492,359

 
8,125

 
0.54
%
Livestock
19
%
 
1,350,610

 
6,845

 
0.51
%
Part-time farm
7
%
 
517,110

 
2,887

 
0.56
%
Ag. Storage and Processing
1
%
 
84,321

 
—

 
—
%
Other
—

 
7,729

 
—

 
—
%
Total
100
%
 
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
By original loan-to-value ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.00% to 40.00%
19
%
 
$
1,304,411

 
$
4,615

 
0.35
%
40.01% to 50.00%
25
%
 
1,831,552

 
8,941

 
0.49
%
50.01% to 60.00%
35
%
 
2,506,962

 
26,018

 
1.04
%
60.01% to 70.00%
17
%
 
1,250,982

 
11,678

 
0.93
%
70.01% to 80.00%(3)
4
%
 
298,001

 
725

 
0.24
%
80.01% to 90.00%(3)
—
%
 
23,677

 
389

 
1.64
%
Total
100
%
 
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
By size of borrower exposure(4):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than $1,000,000
34
%
 
$
2,446,989

 
$
14,470

 
0.59
%
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999
38
%
 
2,736,397

 
31,496

 
1.15
%
$5,000,000 to $9,999,999
12
%
 
881,847

 
6,400

 
0.73
%
$10,000,000 to $24,999,999
8
%
 
604,712

 
—

 
—
%
$25,000,000 and greater
8
%
 
545,640

 
—

 
—
%
Total
100
%
 
$
7,215,585

 
$
52,366

 
0.73
%
(1) 
Includes loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
(2) 
Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
(3) 
Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with an original loan-to-value ratio of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance.
(4) 
Includes aggregated loans to single borrowers or borrower-related entities.



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Another indicator that Farmer Mac considers in analyzing the credit quality of its Farm & Ranch portfolio is the level of internally-rated "substandard" assets, both in dollars and as a percentage of the outstanding Farm & Ranch portfolio. Assets categorized as "substandard" have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses, and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's substandard assets were $246.7 million (3.4% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $232.7 million (3.2% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2018. Those substandard assets were comprised of 336 loans as of March 31, 2019 and 318 loans as of December 31, 2018. The $14.0 million increase in substandard assets in first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 was due to the downgrade of more assets into the substandard category than those that paid off or migrated to a more favorable category. Of the assets that were downgraded into the substandard category, most consisted of crop and livestock loans, specifically in the corn and soybean, peanut, and cattle and calves commodity sub-groups. As of March 31, 2019, substandard asset volume included several large exposures and represents a relatively diverse set of commodities. Farmer Mac did not experience a significant change in the concentration of its substandard assets among commodities during first quarter 2019 compared to December 31, 2018. Feed grains, oilseeds, and cattle and calves continue to be the top three commodity sub-groups represented in the substandard asset category, comprising 59% of substandard assets as of March 31, 2019.

Farmer Mac's average substandard assets as a percentage of its Farm & Ranch portfolio over the last 15 years is approximately 4%. Due to macroeconomic factors and the cyclical nature of the agricultural economy, Farmer Mac expects that over time its substandard asset rate will eventually revert closer to, and possibly exceed, Farmer Mac's historical average. The highest substandard asset rate observed during that period occurred in 2010 at approximately 8%, which coincided with an increase in substandard loans within Farmer Mac's then-held ethanol portfolio that Farmer Mac no longer holds. If Farmer Mac's substandard asset rate increases from current levels, it is likely that Farmer Mac's provision to the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for losses will also increase.

Although some credit losses are inherent to the business of agricultural lending, Farmer Mac believes that any losses associated with the current agricultural credit cycle will be moderated by the strength and diversity of its portfolio, which Farmer Mac believes is adequately collateralized.


77


The following table presents Farmer Mac's cumulative net credit losses relative to the cumulative original balance for all Farm & Ranch loans purchased and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of March 31, 2019 by year of origination, geographic region, and commodity/collateral type.  The purpose of this information is to present information about losses relative to original Farm & Ranch purchases, guarantees, and commitments.

Table 16
Farm & Ranch Credit Losses Relative to Cumulative
Original Loans, Guarantees, and LTSPCs as of March 31, 2019
 
Cumulative Original Loans, Guarantees and LTSPCs
 
 Cumulative Net Credit Losses/(Recoveries)
 
 Cumulative Loss Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
By year of origination:
 
 
 
 
 
2009 and prior
$
14,670,933

 
$
30,082

 
0.21
 %
2010
664,111

 
5

 
—
 %
2011
778,334

 
3,661

 
0.47
 %
2012
1,153,073

 
—

 
—
 %
2013
1,420,260

 
—

 
—
 %
2014
982,847

 
—

 
—
 %
2015
1,110,900

 
(540
)
 
(0.05
)%
2016
1,415,678

 
—

 
—
 %
2017
1,514,386

 
—

 
—
 %
2018
1,229,681

 
—

 
—
 %
2019
209,654

 
—

 
—
 %
Total
$
25,149,857

 
$
33,208

 
0.13
 %
By geographic region(1):
 

 
 

 
 

Northwest
$
3,316,276

 
$
11,191

 
0.34
 %
Southwest
8,826,542

 
8,167

 
0.09
 %
Mid-North
6,321,895

 
12,830

 
0.20
 %
Mid-South
2,996,959

 
(211
)
 
(0.01
)%
Northeast
1,481,385

 
259

 
0.02
 %
Southeast
2,206,800

 
972

 
0.04
 %
Total
$
25,149,857

 
$
33,208

 
0.13
 %
By commodity/collateral type:
 

 
 

 
 

Crops
$
11,514,650

 
$
2,887

 
0.03
 %
Permanent plantings
5,462,591

 
9,368

 
0.17
 %
Livestock
5,826,982

 
3,877

 
0.07
 %
Part-time farm
1,477,112

 
1,403

 
0.09
 %
Ag. Storage and Processing
712,496

 
15,673

 
2.20
 %
Other
156,026

 
—

 
—
 %
Total
$
25,149,857

 
$
33,208

 
0.13
 %
(1) 
Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).




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Analysis of portfolio performance indicates that commodity type is the primary determinant of Farmer Mac's exposure to loss on a given loan. The following tables present concentrations of Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities by commodity type within geographic region and cumulative credit losses by origination year and commodity type:

Table 17
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Farm & Ranch Concentrations by Commodity Type within Geographic Region
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Other
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
By geographic region(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northwest
$
396,218

 
$
133,210

 
$
239,356

 
$
78,715

 
$
—

 
$
397

 
$
847,896

 
5.5
%
 
1.9
%
 
3.3
%
 
1.1
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
11.8
%
Southwest
533,595

 
1,157,741

 
443,238

 
87,650

 
56,440

 
4,000

 
2,282,664

 
7.3
%
 
16.0
%
 
6.0
%
 
1.2
%
 
0.8
%
 
0.1
%
 
31.4
%
Mid-North
1,933,568

 
16,534

 
186,573

 
139,889

 
8,121

 
2,514

 
2,287,199

 
26.8
%
 
0.2
%
 
2.6
%
 
1.9
%
 
0.1
%
 
—
%
 
31.6
%
Mid-South
554,740

 
6,884

 
261,911

 
60,909

 
8,837

 
358

 
893,639

 
7.7
%
 
0.1
%
 
3.6
%
 
0.8
%
 
0.2
%
 
—
%
 
12.4
%
Northeast
163,248

 
24,217

 
70,078

 
75,170

 
4,306

 
—

 
337,019

 
2.4
%
 
0.3
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.1
%
 
0.1
%
 
—
%
 
4.9
%
Southeast
182,087

 
153,773

 
149,454

 
74,777

 
6,617

 
460

 
567,168

 
2.5
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.1
%
 
1.1
%
 
0.1
%
 
—
%
 
7.9
%
Total
$
3,763,456

 
$
1,492,359

 
$
1,350,610

 
$
517,110

 
$
84,321

 
$
7,729

 
$
7,215,585

 
52.2
%
 
20.6
%
 
18.6
%
 
7.2
%
 
1.3
%
 
0.1
%
 
100.0
%
(1) 
Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).



79


Table 18
 
As of March 31, 2019

Farm & Ranch Cumulative Credit Losses by Origination Year and Commodity Type
 
Crops
 
Permanent
Plantings
 
Livestock
 
Part-time
Farm
 
Ag. Storage and
Processing
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
By year of origination:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 and Prior
$
3,427

 
$
9,368

 
$
3,872

 
$
1,403

 
$
12,012

 
$
30,082

2010
—

 
—

 
5

 
—

 
—

 
5

2011
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,661

 
3,661

2012
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2013
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2014
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2015
(540
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(540
)
2016
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2017
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2018
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

2019
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
$
2,887

 
$
9,368

 
$
3,877

 
$
1,403

 
$
15,673

 
$
33,208


Farmer Mac requires approved lenders to make representations and warranties about the conformity of eligible agricultural mortgage and rural utilities loans to Farmer Mac's standards, the accuracy of loan data provided to Farmer Mac, and other requirements related to the loans.  Sellers are responsible to Farmer Mac for breaches of those representations and warranties, and Farmer Mac has the ability to require a seller to cure, replace, or repurchase a loan sold or transferred to Farmer Mac if any breach of a representation or warranty is discovered that was material to Farmer Mac's decision to purchase the loan or that directly or indirectly causes a default or potential loss on a loan sold or transferred by the seller to Farmer Mac. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac has required one seller to repurchase a total of two loans aggregating $0.8 million for breaches of representations and warranties made about those two loans, both of which repurchases occurred during first quarter 2016. In addition to relying on the representations and warranties of lenders, Farmer Mac also underwrites all of the agricultural real estate mortgage loans (other than rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans) and rural utilities loans that it holds in its portfolio. For rural housing and part-time farm mortgage loans, Farmer Mac relies on representations and warranties from the seller that those loans conform to Farmer Mac's specified underwriting criteria without exception. For more information about Farmer Mac's loan eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Loan Eligibility" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Loan Eligibility" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

Under contracts with Farmer Mac and in consideration for servicing fees, Farmer Mac-approved central servicers service loans in accordance with Farmer Mac's requirements.  Central servicers are responsible to Farmer Mac for serious errors in the servicing of those loans.  If a central servicer materially breaches the terms of its servicing agreement with Farmer Mac, such as failing to forward payments received or releasing collateral without Farmer Mac's consent, or experiences insolvency or bankruptcy, Farmer Mac has the right to terminate the servicing relationship for a particular loan or the entire portfolio serviced by the central servicer. Farmer Mac also can proceed against the central servicer in arbitration or exercise any remedies available to it under law. During the previous three years ended March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had not exercised any remedies or taken any formal action against any central servicers. For more


80


information about Farmer Mac's servicing requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Servicing" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Servicing" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

Credit Risk – Institutional.  Farmer Mac is exposed to credit risk arising from its business relationships with other institutions including:
 
•
issuers of AgVantage securities;
•
approved lenders and servicers; and
•
interest rate swap counterparties.

Farmer Mac approves AgVantage counterparties and manages institutional credit risk related to those AgVantage counterparties by requiring them to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness for the particular counterparty and transaction.  The required collateralization level is established when the AgVantage facility is entered into with the counterparty and does not change during the life of the AgVantage securities issued under the facility unless mutually agreed by Farmer Mac and the counterparty. In AgVantage transactions, the corporate obligor is required to remove from the pool of pledged collateral any loan that becomes more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of principal or interest and to substitute an eligible loan that is current in payment to maintain the minimum required collateralization level.  In the event of a default on the general obligation, Farmer Mac would have recourse to the pledged collateral and have rights to the ongoing borrower payments of principal and interest. For Farm Equity AgVantage counterparties and smaller financial funds or entities, Farmer Mac also requires that the counterparty generally (1) maintain a higher collateralization level, through lower loan-to-value ratio thresholds and higher overcollateralization than required for traditional AgVantage securities and (2) comply with specified financial covenants for the life of the related AgVantage security to avoid default. For a more detailed description of AgVantage securities, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Institutional Credit—AgVantage Securities" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

The unpaid principal balance of outstanding on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Farm & Ranch line of business totaled $5.3 billion as of March 31, 2019 and $5.3 billion as of December 31, 2018. The unpaid principal balance of on-balance sheet AgVantage securities secured by loans eligible for the Rural Utilities line of business totaled $3.1 billion as of March 31, 2019 and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2018. The unpaid principal balance of outstanding off-balance sheet AgVantage securities totaled $0.3 billion as of March 31, 2019 and $0.3 billion as of December 31, 2018.



81


The following table provides information about the issuers of AgVantage securities, as well as the required collateralization levels for those transactions as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 19
 
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
Counterparty
 
Balance
 
Credit Rating
 
Required Collateralization
 
Balance
 
Credit Rating
 
Required Collateralization
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
AgVantage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CFC(1)
 
$
3,379,212

 
A
 
100%
 
$
3,070,455

 
A
 
100%
MetLife
 
2,550,000

 
AA-
 
103%
 
2,550,000

 
AA-
 
103%
Rabo AgriFinance
 
2,100,000

 
None
 
110%
 
2,075,000

 
None
 
110%
Other(2)
 
423,207

 
(3) 
 
106% to 125%
 
407,572

 
(3) 
 
106% to 125%
Farm Equity AgVantage(4)
 
279,416

 
None
 
110%
 
279,790

 
None
 
110%
Total outstanding
 
$
8,731,835

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,382,817

 
 
 
 
(1) 
Includes $300.0 million related to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.
(2) 
Consists of AgVantage securities issued by 6 different issuers as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
(3) 
Consists of AgVantage securities from 6 different issuers without a credit rating as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
(4) 
Consists of AgVantage securities from 5 different issuers as of both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to lenders and servicers by requiring those institutions to meet Farmer Mac's standards for creditworthiness.  Farmer Mac monitors the financial condition of those institutions by evaluating financial statements and bank credit rating agency reports.  For more information about Farmer Mac's lender eligibility requirements, see "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Farm & Ranch—Approved Lenders" and "Business—Farmer Mac's Lines of Business—Rural Utilities—Approved Lenders" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

Farmer Mac manages institutional credit risk related to its interest rate swap counterparties through collateralization provisions contained in each of its swap agreements that varies based on the market value of its swaps portfolio with each counterparty. Furthermore, Farmer Mac and its interest rate swap counterparties are required to fully collateralize their derivatives positions without any minimum threshold for cleared swap transactions, as well as for non-cleared swap transactions entered into after March 1, 2017 (the effective date of new rules that established zero threshold requirements for the exchange of variation margin between Farmer Mac and its swap dealer counterparties in such transactions). Farmer Mac transacts interest rate swaps with multiple counterparties to reduce any counterparty credit exposure concentration. Farmer Mac also uses the clearing process for cleared swap transactions as another mechanism for managing its derivative counterparty risk. Credit risk related to interest rate swap contracts is discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Credit Risk – Other Investments. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had $0.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of investment securities. The management of the credit risk inherent in these investments is governed by Farmer Mac's internal policies as well as the Liquidity and Investment Regulations, which establish criteria for investments that are eligible for Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, including limitations on asset class, dollar amount, issuer concentration, and credit quality. In addition to establishing a portfolio of highly liquid investments as an available source of cash, the goals of Farmer Mac's investment policies are designed to minimize Farmer Mac's exposure to financial market volatility, preserve capital, and support Farmer Mac's access to the debt markets.


82



The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies require that investments held in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio meet the following creditworthiness standards: (1) at a minimum, at least one obligor of the investment must have a very strong capacity to meet financial commitments for the life of the investment, even under severely adverse or stressful conditions, and generally present a very low risk of default; (2) if the obligor whose capacity to meet financial commitments is being relied upon to meet the standard set forth in subparagraph (1) is located outside of the United States, the investment must also be fully guaranteed by a U.S. government agency; and (3) the investment must exhibit low credit risk and other risk characteristics consistent with the purpose or purposes for which it is held.

The Liquidity and Investment Regulations and Farmer Mac's internal policies also establish concentration limits, which are intended to limit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor. The Liquidity and Investment Regulations limit Farmer Mac's total credit exposure to any single entity, issuer, or obligor of securities to 10% of Farmer Mac's regulatory capital ($75.1 million as of March 31, 2019). However, Farmer Mac's current policy limits this total credit exposure to 5% of its regulatory capital ($37.5 million as of March 31, 2019). These exposure limits do not apply to obligations of U.S. government agencies or GSEs, although Farmer Mac's current policy restricts investing more than 100% of regulatory capital in the senior non-convertible debt securities of any one GSE.

Although the Liquidity and Investments Regulations do not establish limits on the maximum amount, expressed as a percentage of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, that can be invested in each eligible asset class, Farmer Mac's internal policies set forth asset class limits as part of Farmer Mac's overall risk management framework.

Interest Rate Risk.  Farmer Mac is subject to interest rate risk on all assets retained on its balance sheet because of possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities.  This risk is primarily related to loans held, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities), and USDA Securities due to the ability of borrowers to prepay their loans before the scheduled maturities, thereby increasing the risk of asset and liability cash flow mismatches.  Cash flow mismatches in a changing interest rate environment can reduce the earnings of Farmer Mac if assets repay sooner than expected and the resulting cash flows must be reinvested in lower-yielding investments when Farmer Mac's funding costs cannot be correspondingly reduced, or if assets repay more slowly than expected and the associated debt must be replaced by higher-cost debt. As discussed below, Farmer Mac manages this interest rate risk by funding assets purchased with liabilities matching the duration and cash flow characteristics of the assets purchased.

Interest Rate Risk Management

The goal of interest rate risk management at Farmer Mac is to create and maintain a portfolio that generates stable earnings and value across a variety of interest rate environments. Recognizing that interest rate sensitivity may change with the passage of time and as interest rates change, Farmer Mac assesses this exposure regularly and, if necessary, readjusts its portfolio of assets and liabilities by:
 
•
purchasing assets in the ordinary course of business;
•
refinancing existing liabilities; or
•
using financial derivatives to alter the characteristics of existing assets or liabilities.



83


Farmer Mac's primary strategy for managing interest rate risk is to fund asset purchases with liabilities that have similar duration and cash flow characteristics so that they will perform similarly as interest rates change. To match these characteristics, Farmer Mac issues discount notes and both callable and non-callable medium-term notes across a spectrum of maturities. Farmer Mac issues callable debt to offset the prepayment risk associated with some loans. By using a blend of liabilities that includes callable debt, the interest rate sensitivities of the liabilities tend to increase or decrease as interest rates change in a manner similar to changes in the interest rate sensitivities of the assets. Farmer Mac also uses financial derivatives to better match the durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities, thereby reducing overall interest rate sensitivity.

Taking into consideration the prepayment provisions and the default probabilities associated with its loan assets, Farmer Mac uses prepayment models when projecting and valuing cash flows associated with these assets.  Because borrowers' behaviors in various interest rate environments may change over time, Farmer Mac periodically evaluates the effectiveness of these models compared to actual prepayment experience and adjusts and refines the models as necessary to improve the precision of future prepayment forecasts.

Generally, the values of Farmer Mac's eligible loan assets, and the debt issued to fund these assets, increase when interest rates decline, and their values decrease as interest rates rise. Furthermore, changes in interest rates may affect loan prepayment rates which may, in turn, affect durations and values of the loans. Declining interest rates generally increase prepayment rates, which shortens the duration of these assets, while rising interest rates tend to slow loan prepayments, thereby extending the duration of the loans.

Farmer Mac is also subject to interest rate risk on loans that Farmer Mac has committed to acquire but has not yet purchased, other than delinquent loans purchased through LTSPCs or loans designated for securitization under a forward purchase agreement.  When Farmer Mac commits to purchase these loans, it is exposed to interest rate risk between the time it commits to purchase the loans and the time it issues debt to fund the purchase of those loans.

Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk related to these loans by using futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities and/or forward sale contracts on the debt securities of other GSEs.  Farmer Mac uses U.S. Treasury futures contracts as a hedge against the level of interest rates, while forward sale contracts on GSE securities reduce its interest rate exposure to changes in both U.S. Treasury rates and spreads on Farmer Mac debt and certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Issuing debt to fund the loans as investments does not fully eliminate interest rate risk due to the possible timing differences in the cash flows of the assets and related liabilities, as discussed above.

Farmer Mac's $0.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents mature within three months and are funded with discount notes having similar maturities. As of March 31, 2019, $2.39 billion of the $2.50 billion of investment securities (96%) were floating rate securities with rates that adjust within one year or fixed rate securities with original maturities between three months and one year. Those securities are funded with effectively floating rate debt that closely matches the rate adjustment dates of the associated investments.

Interest Rate Risk Metrics

Farmer Mac regularly stress tests its portfolio for interest rate risk and uses a variety of metrics to quantify and manage its interest rate risk. These metrics include sensitivity to interest rate movements of market value of equity ("MVE") and projected net effective spread ("NES") as well as duration gap analysis.


84


MVE represents management's estimate of the present value of all future cash flows from on- and off-balance sheet assets, liabilities, and financial derivatives, discounted at current interest rates and appropriate spreads. However, MVE is not indicative of the market value of Farmer Mac as a going concern because these market values are theoretical and do not reflect future business activities. MVE sensitivity analysis is used to measure the degree to which the market values of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities change for a given change in interest rates. Because this analysis evaluates the impact of interest rate movements on the value of all future cash flows, this measure provides an evaluation of Farmer Mac's long-term interest rate risk.

Farmer Mac's NES simulation represents the difference between projected income from interest-earning assets and interest expense produced by the related funding, including associated derivatives. Farmer Mac's NES may be affected by changes in market interest rates resulting from timing differences between maturities and re-pricing characteristics of assets and liabilities. The direction and magnitude of any such effect depends on the direction and magnitude of the change in interest rates as well as the composition of Farmer Mac's portfolio. The NES forecast represents an estimate of the net effective spread income that Farmer Mac's current portfolio is expected to produce over a twelve-month horizon. As a result, NES sensitivity statistics provide a short-term view of Farmer Mac's interest rate sensitivity.

Duration is a measure of a financial instrument's sensitivity to small changes in interest rates. Duration gap is the difference between the estimated durations of Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities. Because duration is a measure of market value sensitivity, duration gap summarizes the extent to which estimated market value sensitivities for assets and liabilities are matched. Duration gap provides a relatively concise measure of the interest rate risk inherent in Farmer Mac's outstanding portfolio.

A positive duration gap denotes that the duration of Farmer Mac's assets is greater than the duration of its liabilities. A positive duration gap indicates that the market value of Farmer Mac's assets is more sensitive to small interest rate movements than is the market value of its liabilities. Conversely, a negative duration gap indicates that Farmer Mac's assets are less sensitive to small interest rate movements than are its liabilities.

Each of the metrics is produced using asset/liability models and is derived based on management's best estimates of factors such as projected interest rates, interest rate volatility, and prepayment speeds. Accordingly, these metrics should be understood as estimates rather than as precise measurements. Actual results may differ to the extent there are material changes to Farmer Mac's portfolio or changes in strategies undertaken to mitigate unfavorable sensitivities to interest rate changes.



85


The following schedule summarizes the results of Farmer Mac's MVE and NES sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 to an immediate and instantaneous uniform or "parallel" shift in the yield curve:

Table 20
 
 
Percentage Change in MVE from Base Case
Interest Rate Scenario
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
+100 basis points
 
1.4
 %
 
(0.7
)%
-100 basis points
 
(8.9
)%
 
(5.9
)%

 
 
Percentage Change in NES from Base Case
Interest Rate Scenario
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
+100 basis points
 
1.4
 %
 
3.0
 %
-100 basis points
 
(1.8
)%
 
(3.0
)%

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac's effective duration gap was negative 1.9 months, compared to negative 0.8 months as of December 31, 2018.  During first quarter 2019, interest rates decreased significantly. This rate movement reduced the duration of Farmer Mac's assets relative to its liabilities, thereby widening Farmer Mac's duration gap.

Financial Derivatives Transactions

The economic effects of financial derivatives are included in Farmer Mac's MVE, NES, and duration gap analyses.  Farmer Mac enters into the following financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of assets, future cash flows, credit exposure, and debt issuance, not for trading or speculative purposes:
 
•
"pay-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac pays fixed rates of interest to, and receives floating rates of interest from, counterparties;
•
"receive-fixed" interest rate swaps, in which Farmer Mac receives fixed rates of interest from, and pays floating rates of interest to, counterparties; and
•
"basis swaps," in which Farmer Mac pays variable rates of interest based on one index to, and receives variable rates of interest based on another index from, counterparties.

As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had $11.8 billion combined notional amount of interest rate swaps, with terms ranging from less than one year to thirty years, of which $4.8 billion were pay-fixed interest rate swaps, $5.0 billion were receive-fixed interest rate swaps, and $2.0 billion were basis swaps.

Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts to synthetically adjust the characteristics of its debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its loans and other assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and often deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market.  Specifically, interest rate swaps synthetically convert the variable cash flows related to the forecasted issuance of short-term debt into effectively fixed rate medium-term notes that match the anticipated duration and interest rate characteristics of the corresponding assets.  Farmer Mac evaluates the overall cost of using the swap market as a funding alternative and uses interest rate swaps to manage specific interest rate risks for specific transactions. Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets


86


classified as available for sale or liabilities to protect against fair value changes in the assets or liabilities related to a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR). Furthermore, certain financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt.

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, all financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as derivative assets or as derivative liabilities. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives are reported in "Losses on financial derivatives" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items, primarily fixed rate AgVantage securities and fixed rate medium-term notes, related to the risk being hedged are reported in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships are also recorded in "Net interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on variable rate debt, amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to "Total interest expense" in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt. All of Farmer Mac's financial derivatives transactions are conducted under standard collateralized agreements that limit Farmer Mac's potential credit exposure to any counterparty. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had $0.2 million of uncollateralized net exposures to four counterparties. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac had uncollateralized net exposures of $1.4 million to three counterparties.

Basis Risk

In addition to being exposed to the risk of asset and liability cash flow mismatches, Farmer Mac is exposed to the risk related to changes in its cost of funds relative to floating rate market indexes (such as LIBOR) on some of the floating rate assets it holds. This exposure is referred to as "basis risk." Some of Farmer Mac's floating rate assets reset on rate adjustment dates based on a floating rate market index, while the related debt that Farmer Mac issued to fund those assets until their maturities may be refinanced based on Farmer Mac’s cost of funds at a particular time. Basis risk arises from the potential variability between the rates at which those floating rate assets reset and the rates at which Farmer Mac can issue debt to fund those assets. Farmer Mac can fund these floating rate assets in several ways, including:

•
issuing short-term discount notes with maturities that match the reset period of the assets;
•
issuing floating rate medium-term notes with maturities that match the maturities of the assets;
•
issuing non-maturity matched, floating rate medium-term notes; or
•
issuing non-maturity matched, fixed-rate discount notes or medium-term notes swapped to match the interest rate reset dates of the assets as an alternative source of effectively floating rate funding.

Farmer Mac primarily uses the last two options identified in the list above to fund these floating rate assets because this funding strategy is usually the most effective way to provide an interest rate match, maintain a suitable liquidity profile, and lower Farmer Mac’s cost of funds. As funding for these floating rate assets matures, Farmer Mac seeks to refinance the debt associated with these assets in a similar fashion to achieve an appropriate interest rate match for the remaining life of the assets. However, for example, if the rates on Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes deteriorate relative to LIBOR during the time between when these floating rate assets were first funded and when Farmer Mac refinances the associated debt, Farmer Mac is exposed to a commensurate reduction in its net effective spread on the associated


87


assets. Conversely, if the rates on Farmer Mac’s discount notes or medium-term notes improve relative to LIBOR during that time, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase in its net effective spread on those assets.

Farmer Mac is also subject to basis risk on some of its fixed rate assets as a result of its use of pay-fixed interest rate swaps, combined with a series of discount note or medium-term note issuances, as an alternative source of effectively fixed rate funding. This risk arises because the rates at which Farmer Mac refinances its funding for some fixed rate assets through the issuance of discount notes or medium-term notes may vary from the agreed-upon rates based on the floating rate market index received by Farmer Mac on the associated swaps. In these cases, for example, if the rates on Farmer Mac's discount notes or medium-term notes were to deteriorate relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would be exposed to a commensurate reduction in its net interest income and net effective spread. Conversely, if the rates on Farmer Mac's discount notes or medium-term notes were to improve relative to LIBOR, Farmer Mac would benefit from a commensurate increase in its net interest income and net effective spread.

To mitigate this basis risk, Farmer Mac seeks to issue debt of sufficient maturity to reduce the frequency of required refinancing of that debt over the life of the associated asset. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac held $6.1 billion of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio that reset based on floating rate market indexes, primarily one-month and three-month LIBOR. As of the same date, Farmer Mac also had $4.8 billion of interest rate swaps outstanding where Farmer Mac pays a fixed rate of interest and receives a floating rate of interest.

Farmer Mac's short-term funding costs relative to LIBOR have varied throughout 2018. For the first half of the year, funding costs relative to LIBOR were at levels generally more favorable than Farmer Mac’s historical experience. During first quarter 2019, these levels had deteriorated to levels less favorable than Farmer Mac's historical experience. Farmer Mac adjusts its funding strategies to mitigate the effects of this variability from time to time and seeks to maintain an effective funding cost.

Discontinuation of LIBOR

As described in "Risk Factors—Market Risk," Farmer Mac faces risks associated with the reform, replacement, or discontinuation of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate and the transition to an alternative benchmark interest rate. We are currently evaluating the potential effect on our business of the replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the possibility of SOFR as a dominant replacement. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac held $5.1 billion of floating rate assets in its lines of business and its investment portfolio, $3.7 billion rate debt, and $11.7 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps, each of which reset based on LIBOR. The market transition away from LIBOR and towards SOFR, or any other alternative benchmark interest rate that may be developed, is expected to be complicated and require significant work, possibly requiring the development of term and credit adjustments to accommodate for differences between the benchmark interest rates. The transition may also result in different financial performance for previously booked transactions, require different hedging strategies, or require renegotiation of previously booked transactions. In first quarter 2019, we issued our first SOFR-based medium-term note, which was an $80.0 million one-year note.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Farmer Mac's primary sources of funds to meet its liquidity and funding needs are the proceeds of its debt issuances, guarantee and commitment fees, net effective spread, loan repayments, and maturities of


88


AgVantage securities. Farmer Mac regularly accesses the capital markets for funding, and Farmer Mac has maintained access to the capital markets at favorable rates throughout 2018 and 2019. Farmer Mac funds its purchases of eligible loan assets, USDA Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and investment assets and finances its operations primarily by issuing debt obligations of various maturities in the public capital markets. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac had outstanding discount notes of $1.8 billion, medium-term notes that mature within one year of $6.8 billion, and medium-term notes that mature after one year of $8.7 billion. Farmer Mac's board of directors has authorized the issuance of up to $20.0 billion of discount notes and medium-term notes (of which $17.3 billion was outstanding as of March 31, 2019).

Assuming continued access to the capital markets, Farmer Mac believes it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources to support its operations for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Farmer Mac also has a liquidity contingency plan to manage unanticipated disruptions in its access to the capital markets. That plan involves borrowing through repurchase agreement arrangements and the sale of liquid assets. Farmer Mac must maintain a minimum of 90 days of liquidity under the Liquidity and Investment Regulations. Under the methodology for calculating available days of liquidity prescribed by those regulations, Farmer Mac maintained an average of 194 days of liquidity during first quarter 2019 and had 175 days of liquidity as of March 31, 2019.
 
Farmer Mac maintains cash, cash equivalents (including U.S. Treasury securities and other short-term money market instruments), and other investment securities that can be drawn upon for liquidity needs.  The following table presents these assets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

Table 21
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018

 
(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
376,122

 
$
425,256

Investment securities:
 

 
 

Guaranteed by U.S. Government and its agencies
1,431,914

 
1,216,911

Guaranteed by GSEs
1,038,743

 
1,013,281

Asset-backed securities
32,353

 
32,692

Total
$
2,879,132

 
$
2,688,140


Capital Requirements. Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory capital requirements – minimum, critical, and risk-based. Farmer Mac must comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement. As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its statutory capital requirements and was classified as within "level I" (the highest compliance level).

In accordance with FCA's rule on capital planning, Farmer Mac's board of directors has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of "Tier 1" capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock). That policy restricts Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments if Tier 1 capital falls below specified thresholds. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital ratio was 13.2% and 13.4%, respectively, as growth in risk-weighted assets outpaced capital growth during first quarter 2019.  As of March 31, 2019, Farmer Mac was in compliance with its capital adequacy policy.

For more information about the capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac, its capital adequacy policy, and FCA's rule on capital planning, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements and


89


"Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Capital Standards" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019 for more information on the capital requirements applicable to Farmer Mac.

Regulatory Matters

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, known as the "Farm Bill," was signed into law on December 20, 2018 and contains provisions that affect or may affect Farmer Mac, as discussed in more detail in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019. The Farm Bill requires FCA to prepare a study with two components related to Farmer Mac: (1) an assessment of the feasibility of an increase to the acreage limitation applicable to Farmer Mac's maximum loan size that includes FCA's opinion on alternatives other than the current acreage limitation to adequately address any safety and soundness issues; and (2) an analysis and comparison of the financial risks inherent in loans made, held, securitized, or purchased by Farm Credit System banks and associations and Farmer Mac, and how those risks are required to be capitalized under statutes and regulations currently in effect. As of the date of this report, FCA had not yet submitted its study to Congress. We will continue to monitor any developments that could affect Farmer Mac as a result of the completion of the study, which is due by June 18, 2019.

Other Matters

Common Stock Dividends. For first quarter 2019, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2018, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on common stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. See "Business—Government Regulation of Farmer Mac—Capital Standards—Enforcement Levels" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.

Preferred Stock Dividends. For first quarter 2019 and for each quarter of 2018, Farmer Mac paid the following quarterly dividends on its outstanding preferred stock:
 
•
$0.3672 per share on its 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A;
•
$0.4297 per share on its 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B; and
•
$0.3750 per share on its 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C.



90


Supplemental Information

The following tables present quarterly and annual information about new business volume, repayments, and outstanding business volume:

Table 22
New Business Volume
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
 
 
Loans
 
LTSPCs
 
USDA Securities
 
Loans
 
LTSPCs
 
AgVantage
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
$
203,156

 
$
91,215

 
$
57,223

 
$
546,198

 
$
—

 
$
825,417

 
$
1,723,209

December 31, 2018
285,008

 
80,840

 
90,297

 
3,000

 
—

 
585,814

 
1,044,959

September 30, 2018
192,628

 
64,100

 
116,339

 
—

 
—

 
1,085,953

 
1,459,020

June 30, 2018
224,101

 
126,066

 
129,960

 
—

 
—

 
825,203

 
1,305,330

March 31, 2018
259,111

 
159,065

 
123,525

 
8,645

 
—

 
813,337

 
1,363,683

December 31, 2017
204,917

 
282,809

 
100,024

 
15,000

 
—

 
234,753

 
837,503

September 30, 2017
298,274

 
102,774

 
131,298

 
70,000

 
—

 
290,995

 
893,341

June 30, 2017
312,217

 
55,899

 
169,261

 
25,000

 
—

 
1,296,757

 
1,859,134

March 31, 2017
314,137

 
113,261

 
131,101

 
27,341

 
—

 
561,407

 
1,147,247

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
960,848

 
430,071

 
460,121

 
11,645

 
—

 
3,310,307

 
5,172,992

December 31, 2017
1,129,545

 
554,743

 
531,684

 
137,341

 
—

 
2,383,912

 
4,737,225





91


Table 23
Repayments of Assets by Line of Business
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
 
 
Loans
 
Guaranteed Securities
 
LTSPCs
 
USDA Securities
 
Loans
 
LTSPCs
 
AgVantage
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
112,973

 
$
5,843

 
$
74,054

 
$
41,266

 
$
31,492

 
$
7,660

 
$
470,812

 
$
744,100

Unscheduled
67,608

 
1,798

 
50,482

 
46,798

 
24,448

 
—

 
5,587

 
196,721

March 31, 2019
$
180,581

 
$
7,641

 
$
124,536

 
$
88,064

 
$
55,940

 
$
7,660

 
$
476,399

 
$
940,821

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
36,006

 
$
8,331

 
$
35,682

 
$
24,793

 
$
6,321

 
$
16,062

 
$
568,277

 
$
695,472

Unscheduled
56,299

 
9,257

 
33,319

 
21,135

 
20,538

 
—

 
—

 
140,548

December 31, 2018
$
92,305

 
$
17,588

 
$
69,001

 
$
45,928

 
$
26,859

 
$
16,062

 
$
568,277

 
$
836,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
73,476

 
$
5,677

 
$
21,742

 
$
28,135

 
$
25,640

 
$
8,286

 
$
1,102,798

 
$
1,265,754

Unscheduled
77,492

 
4,562

 
47,159

 
35,068

 
3,476

 
—

 
9,760

 
177,517

September 30, 2018
$
150,968

 
$
10,239

 
$
68,901

 
$
63,203

 
$
29,116

 
$
8,286

 
$
1,112,558

 
$
1,443,271

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
33,075

 
$
8,391

 
$
31,067

 
$
36,983

 
$
353

 
$
8,699

 
$
759,223

 
$
877,791

Unscheduled
86,426

 
8,273

 
69,539

 
66,601

 
51,306

 
—

 
—

 
282,145

June 30, 2018
$
119,501

 
$
16,664

 
$
100,606

 
$
103,584

 
$
51,659

 
$
8,699

 
$
759,223

 
$
1,159,936

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
110,733

 
$
14,085

 
$
70,057

 
$
40,811

 
$
26,507

 
$
—

 
$
392,310

 
$
654,503

Unscheduled
73,502

 
4,929

 
81,204

 
43,189

 
14,952

 
120,022

 
—

 
337,798

March 31, 2018
$
184,235

 
$
19,014

 
$
151,261

 
$
84,000

 
$
41,459

 
$
120,022

 
$
392,310

 
$
992,301

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
25,848

 
$
14,371

 
$
36,806

 
$
22,381

 
$
315

 
$
13,621

 
$
231,717

 
$
345,059

Unscheduled
49,229

 
6,941

 
43,975

 
24,385

 
4,876

 
—

 
—

 
129,406

December 31, 2017
$
75,077

 
$
21,312

 
$
80,781

 
$
46,766

 
$
5,191

 
$
13,621

 
$
231,717

 
$
474,465

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
61,961

 
$
6,735

 
$
21,409

 
$
24,163

 
$
27,191

 
$
39,816

 
$
100,571

 
$
281,846

Unscheduled
49,894

 
5,861

 
124,676

 
45,192

 
457

 
—

 
—

 
226,080

September 30, 2017
$
111,855

 
$
12,596

 
$
146,085

 
$
69,355

 
$
27,648

 
$
39,816

 
$
100,571

 
$
507,926

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
21,687

 
$
9,116

 
$
41,821

 
$
35,169

 
$
—

 
$
9,885

 
$
1,166,922

 
$
1,284,600

Unscheduled
51,442

 
10,737

 
47,262

 
46,776

 
—

 
—

 
4,000

 
160,217

June 30, 2017
$
73,129

 
$
19,853

 
$
89,083

 
$
81,945

 
$
—

 
$
9,885

 
$
1,170,922

 
$
1,444,817

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
70,394

 
$
16,184

 
$
48,375

 
$
36,322

 
$
26,909

 
$
8,934

 
$
161,451

 
$
368,569

Unscheduled
114,811

 
11,985

 
64,486

 
39,457

 
814

 
—

 
102,059

 
333,612

March 31, 2017
$
185,205

 
$
28,169

 
$
112,861

 
$
75,779

 
$
27,723

 
$
8,934

 
$
263,510

 
$
702,181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
253,290

 
$
36,484

 
$
158,548

 
$
130,722

 
$
58,821

 
$
33,047

 
$
2,822,608

 
$
3,493,520

Unscheduled
293,719

 
27,021

 
231,221

 
165,993

 
90,272

 
120,022

 
9,760

 
938,008

December 31, 2018
$
547,009

 
$
63,505

 
$
389,769

 
$
296,715

 
$
149,093

 
$
153,069

 
$
2,832,368

 
$
4,431,528

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scheduled
$
179,890

 
$
46,406

 
$
148,411

 
$
118,035

 
$
54,415

 
$
72,256

 
$
1,660,661

 
$
2,280,074

Unscheduled
265,376

 
35,524

 
280,399

 
155,810

 
6,147

 
—

 
106,059

 
849,315

December 31, 2017
$
445,266

 
$
81,930

 
$
428,810

 
$
273,845

 
$
60,562

 
$
72,256

 
$
1,766,720

 
$
3,129,389





92


Table 24
Lines of Business - Outstanding Business Volume
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
 
 
Loans
 
Guaranteed Securities
 
LTSPCs
 
USDA Securities
 
Loans
 
LTSPCs
 
AgVantage
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
As of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
$
4,610,897

 
$
128,221

 
$
2,476,467

 
$
2,484,779

 
$
1,429,101

 
$
645,613

 
$
8,731,835

 
$
20,506,913

December 31, 2018
4,588,322

 
135,862

 
2,509,787

 
2,515,620

 
938,843

 
653,273

 
8,382,817

 
19,724,524

September 30, 2018
4,420,619

 
287,594

 
2,363,805

 
2,471,251

 
962,702

 
669,335

 
8,365,280

 
19,540,586

June 30, 2018
4,378,958

 
297,833

 
2,368,606

 
2,418,115

 
991,819

 
677,621

 
8,391,885

 
19,524,837

March 31, 2018
4,274,359

 
314,497

 
2,343,146

 
2,391,739

 
1,043,477

 
686,320

 
8,325,905

 
19,379,443

December 31, 2017
4,198,733

 
333,511

 
2,335,342

 
2,352,214

 
1,076,291

 
806,342

 
7,904,878

 
19,007,311

September 30, 2017
4,068,893

 
354,823

 
2,133,314

 
2,298,956

 
1,066,482

 
819,963

 
7,901,842

 
18,644,273

June 30, 2017
3,882,474

 
367,419

 
2,176,625

 
2,237,013

 
1,024,130

 
859,779

 
7,711,418

 
18,258,858

March 31, 2017
3,643,386

 
387,272

 
2,209,809

 
2,149,697

 
999,130

 
869,664

 
7,585,583

 
17,844,541



Table 25
On-Balance Sheet Outstanding Business Volume
 
Fixed Rate
 
5- to 10-Year ARMs & Resets
 
1-Month to 3-Year ARMs
 
Total Held in Portfolio
 
(in thousands)
As of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
$
9,206,082

 
$
2,720,639

 
$
4,643,506

 
$
16,570,227

December 31, 2018
8,325,347

 
2,717,505

 
4,705,169

 
15,748,021

September 30, 2018
7,945,007

 
2,629,612

 
4,986,987

 
15,561,606

June 30, 2018
7,551,149

 
2,594,399

 
5,398,021

 
15,543,569

March 31, 2018
7,507,581

 
2,498,985

 
5,432,923

 
15,439,489

December 31, 2017
7,158,014

 
2,499,203

 
5,309,126

 
14,966,343

September 30, 2017
6,921,477

 
2,447,923

 
5,426,757

 
14,796,157

June 30, 2017
6,722,463

 
2,406,120

 
5,226,982

 
14,355,565

March 31, 2017
5,373,283

 
2,330,819

 
5,255,146

 
12,959,248





93


The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread (a non-GAAP measure) by segment:

Table 26
 
Net Effective Spread by Line of Business
 
 
 
Farm & Ranch
 
USDA Guarantees
 
Rural Utilities
 
Institutional Credit
 
Corporate
 
Net Effective Spread
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
Dollars
 
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
For the quarter ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019(1)
$
12,737

 
1.70
%
 
$
3,964

 
0.74
%
 
$
3,233

 
1.12
%
 
$
16,373

 
0.79
%
 
$
2,494

 
0.35
%
 
$
38,801

 
0.89
%
December 31, 2018
13,288

 
1.79
%
 
4,630

 
0.85
%
 
2,833

 
1.19
%
 
15,751

 
0.80
%
 
2,353

 
0.36
%
 
38,855

 
0.93
%
September 30, 2018
13,887

 
1.91
%
 
4,627

 
0.86
%
 
2,877

 
1.18
%
 
15,642

 
0.78
%
 
2,044

 
0.30
%
 
39,077

 
0.93
%
June 30, 2018
13,347

 
1.86
%
 
4,398

 
0.83
%
 
2,923

 
1.15
%
 
15,220

 
0.76
%
 
274

 
0.04
%
 
36,162

 
0.86
%
March 31, 2018(1)
12,540

 
1.80
%
 
4,400

 
0.82
%
 
2,950

 
1.12
%
 
14,824

 
0.78
%
 
2,387

 
0.36
%
 
37,101

 
0.91
%
December 31, 2017
12,396

 
1.80
%
 
4,979

 
0.93
%
 
3,057

 
1.14
%
 
14,800

 
0.78
%
 
2,235

 
0.35
%
 
37,467

 
0.93
%
September 30, 2017
11,303

 
1.73
%
 
4,728

 
0.90
%
 
2,765

 
1.07
%
 
14,455

 
0.78
%
 
2,725

 
0.41
%
 
35,976

 
0.91
%
June 30, 2017
11,158

 
1.77
%
 
4,551

 
0.87
%
 
2,669

 
1.06
%
 
14,467

 
0.81
%
 
2,489

 
0.36
%
 
35,334

 
0.91
%
March 31, 2017
10,511

 
1.77
%
 
4,561

 
0.89
%
 
2,568

 
1.04
%
 
12,615

 
0.82
%
 
2,271

 
0.32
%
 
32,526

 
0.90
%
(1) 
See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of GAAP net interest income by line of business to net effective spread by line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.






























94


The following table presents quarterly core earnings (a non-GAAP measure) reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders:

Table 27
Core Earnings by Quarter End
 
March 2019
 
December 2018
 
September 2018
 
June 2018
 
March 2018
 
December 2017
 
September 2017
 
June 2017
 
March 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net effective spread
$
38,801

 
$
38,855

 
$
39,077

 
$
36,162

 
$
37,101

 
$
37,467

 
$
35,976

 
$
35,334

 
$
32,526

Guarantee and commitment fees
5,419

 
5,309

 
5,170

 
5,171

 
5,083

 
5,157

 
4,935

 
4,942

 
5,316

Other
509

 
(129
)
 
110

 
111

 
428

 
69

 
274

 
107

 
485

Total revenues
44,729

 
44,035

 
44,357

 
41,444

 
42,612

 
42,693

 
41,185

 
40,383

 
38,327

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit related (income)/expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Release of)/provision for losses
(393
)
 
166

 
(3
)
 
582

 
(410
)
 
464

 
384

 
466

 
444

REO operating expenses
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16

 
—

 
—

 
23

 
—

Losses/(gains) on sale of REO
—

 
—

 
41

 
(34
)
 
—

 
(964
)
 
(32
)
 
(757
)
 
5

Total credit related (income)/expense
(393
)
 
166

 
38

 
548

 
(394
)
 
(500
)
 
352

 
(268
)
 
449

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and employee benefits
7,606

 
7,167

 
6,777

 
6,936

 
6,654

 
5,247

 
5,987

 
6,682

 
6,317

General and administrative
4,596

 
5,829

 
4,350

 
5,202

 
4,326

 
4,348

 
3,890

 
3,921

 
3,800

Regulatory fees
688

 
687

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

Total operating expenses
12,890

 
13,683

 
11,752

 
12,763

 
11,605

 
10,220

 
10,502

 
11,228

 
10,742

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
32,232

 
30,186

 
32,567

 
28,133

 
31,401

 
32,973

 
30,331

 
29,423

 
27,136

Income tax expense
6,715

 
6,431

 
6,891

 
5,477

 
6,259

 
11,796

 
10,268

 
10,307

 
8,844

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(1)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(150
)
 
(15
)
Preferred stock dividends
3,296

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

 
3,296

 
3,295

Core earnings
$
22,221

 
$
20,459

 
$
22,381

 
$
19,360

 
$
21,847

 
$
17,881

 
$
16,768

 
$
15,970

 
$
15,012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciling items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains/(losses) on undesignated financial derivatives due to fair value changes
2,240

 
(96
)
 
3,625

 
6,709

 
(2,279
)
 
(261
)
 
995

 
801

 
8,683

(Losses)/gains on hedging activities due to fair value changes
(2,817
)
 
(853
)
 
1,051

 
1,687

 
2,564

 
(3
)
 
1,742

 
1,420

 
(3,878
)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on trading assets
44

 
57

 
(3
)
 
11

 
16

 
60

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(82
)
Amortization of premiums/discounts and deferred gains on assets consolidated at fair value
(16
)
 
67

 
(38
)
 
196

 
(686
)
 
(129
)
 
(954
)
 
(117
)
 
(127
)
Net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives
110

 
(312
)
 
546

 
232

 
1,242

 
632

 
862

 
232

 
948

Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,365
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Income tax effect related to reconciling items
92

 
238

 
(1,088
)
 
(1,855
)
 
(180
)
 
(105
)
 
(926
)
 
(816
)
 
(1,941
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
21,874

 
$
19,560

 
$
26,474

 
$
26,340

 
$
22,524

 
$
16,710

 
$
18,487

 
$
17,488

 
$
18,615

(1) 
As of May 1, 2017, Farmer Mac transferred its entire 65% ownership interest in AgVisory back to the limited liability company.



95


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Farmer Mac is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates.  Farmer Mac manages this market risk by entering into various financial transactions, including financial derivatives, and by monitoring and measuring its exposure to changes in interest rates.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk" for more information about Farmer Mac's exposure to interest rate risk and its strategies to manage that risk.  For information about Farmer Mac's use of financial derivatives and related accounting policies, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Management's Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Farmer Mac maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Farmer Mac's management on a timely basis to allow decisions about required disclosure. Management, including Farmer Mac's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2019.
  
Farmer Mac carried out the evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Farmer Mac's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Farmer Mac's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019.



96


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

(a)Farmer Mac is a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States whose debt and equity securities are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. During first quarter 2019, the following transactions occurred related to Farmer Mac's equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were not otherwise reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K:

Class C Non-Voting Common Stock. Under Farmer Mac's policy that permits directors of Farmer Mac to elect to receive shares of Class C Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu of their cash retainers, Farmer Mac issued an aggregate of 60 shares of its Class C Non-Voting Common Stock on January 7, 2019 to the three directors who elected to receive stock in lieu of their cash retainers. Farmer Mac calculated the number of shares issued to the directors based on a price of $60.44 per share, which was the closing price of the Class C Non-Voting Common Stock on December 31, 2018 (the last trading day of the year) as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.

(b)
Not applicable.

(c)
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

(a) None.

(b) None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


97


Item 5. Other Information

(a) None.

(b) None.

Item 6.        Exhibits
*
 
3.1
 
—
 
*
 
3.2
 
—
 
*
 
4.1
 
—
 
*
 
4.2
 
—
 
*
 
4.3
 
—
 
*
 
4.4
 
—
 
*
 
4.4.1
 
—
 
*
 
4.5
 
—
 
*
 
4.5.1
 
—
 
*
 
4.6
 
—
 
*
 
4.6.1
 
—
 
*
 
10.1
 
—
 
*
 
10.2
 
—
 
**
 
31.1
 
—
 
**
 
31.2
 
—
 
**
 
32
 
—
 
*
Incorporated by reference to the indicated prior filing.
**
Filed with this report.




98


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION

          /s/ Bradford T. Nordholm
 
May 2, 2019
By:
Bradford T. Nordholm
 
Date
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 

          /s/ R. Dale Lynch
 
May 2, 2019
By:
R. Dale Lynch
 
Date
 
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 



99