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PART I
“Annaly,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Annaly Capital Management, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where it is made clear that the term means only the parent company.
Refer to the section titled “Glossary of Terms” located at the end of Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” for definitions of certain of the commonly used terms in this annual report on Form 10-K.
The following description of our business should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto, and the information set forth under the heading “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
INDEX TO ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Business Overview
Introduction
We are a leading diversified capital manager with investment strategies across mortgage finance. Our principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders and optimize our returns through prudent management of our diversified investment strategies. We are an internally-managed Maryland corporation founded in 1997 that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NLY.”
We use our capital coupled with borrowed funds to invest primarily in real estate related investments, earning the spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our borrowings and hedging activities.
We believe that our business objectives are supported by our size and conservative financial posture relative to the industry, the extensive experience of our employees, the diversity of our investment strategy, a comprehensive risk management approach, the availability and diversification of financing sources and our operational efficiencies.
Investment Groups
Our three investment groups are primarily comprised of the following:
| | | | | |
| Investment Groups | Description |
| Annaly Agency Group | Invests in Agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) collateralized by residential mortgages which are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae and complementary investments within the Agency market, including Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities. |
| Annaly Residential Credit Group | Invests primarily in non-Agency residential whole loans and securitized products within the residential and commercial markets. |
| Annaly Mortgage Servicing Rights Group | Invests in MSR, which provide the right to service residential mortgage loans in exchange for a portion of the interest payments made on the loans. |
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In April 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets that comprise our Middle Market Lending (“MML”) portfolio, including assets held on balance sheet as well as assets managed for third parties. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the assets comprising the MML portfolio were legally transferred. For additional information about this transaction, see the Note titled “Sale of Middle Market Lending Portfolio” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15. “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.”
In March 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell and exit our Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) business with the platform and the significant majority of the assets transferred during the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the remaining CRE assets and associated liabilities were transferred. For additional information about this transaction, see the Note titled “Sale of Commercial Real Estate Business” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15. “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.”
Operating Platform
Our operating platform reflects our investments in systems, infrastructure and personnel. Our technology investments have led to the development of proprietary portfolio analytics, financial and capital allocation modeling, portfolio cash and accounting sub-ledger systems, and other risk and reporting tools, which, coupled with cutting-edge digital transformation applications, support the diversification and operating efficiency of our business and our ability to implement new investment strategies. Our operating platform supports our investments in Agency assets as well as residential credit assets, commercial real estate assets, residential mortgage loans, and mortgage servicing rights. We believe that the diversity of our investment alternatives provides us the flexibility to adapt to changes in market conditions and to take advantage of potential opportunities.
Business and Investment Strategy
Shared Capital Model
Our company is comprised of three investment groups, each of which has multiple investment options to capitalize on attractive relative returns and market opportunities. In aggregate, we maintain numerous investment options across our investment groups. Our shared capital model drives our capital allocation strategy allowing us to rotate our investments based on relative value while also managing risk.
Strategic Relationships
A key element of our strategy is to establish and grow strategic relationships with industry leading partners in order to develop and broaden access to quality originations flow as well as to leverage third party operations to efficiently manage operating
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costs, all in an effort to generate attractive risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. Additionally, we have attracted capital partners to our business, augmenting our public capital markets efforts, which has resulted in increased scale without sacrificing balance sheet liquidity. Certain of our strategic relationships also afford us the opportunity to support communities through socially responsible investing.
We have created multiple strategic and capital partnerships across our investment groups including the following:
–Annaly Residential Credit Group has established relationships with key mortgage loan originators and aggregators including well-known money center banks, allowing us to efficiently source proprietary originations suited to our risk parameters.
–We have partnered with GIC Private Limited (“GIC”), a leading Sovereign Wealth Fund, through the creation of a joint venture with the purpose of investing in residential credit assets, including newly-originated residential loans and securities issued by our subsidiaries.
–We have partnered with Capital Impact Partners, a national community development financial institution, to create a social impact joint venture supporting projects in underserved communities across the country.
–We have partnered with Fifth Wall Ventures, the largest venture capital firm focused on technology for the real estate industry, through a commitment to invest in their funds that target investments in North American early- and late-stage real estate software and marketplace companies. The partnership aims to identify innovative platforms and services that provide efficiencies across our core investment strategies.
Our Portfolio and Capital Allocation Policy
Under our capital allocation policy and subject to oversight by our Board of Directors (“Board”), we may allocate our investments within our target asset classes as we determine to be appropriate from time to time.
Our Board may adopt changes to our capital allocation policy and targeted assets at its discretion.
The nature of our assets and our operations are intended to meet our REIT qualification requirements and our exemption from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”).
Our portfolio composition and capital allocation at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
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| | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Asset Classes | Percentage of Portfolio | | Capital Allocation (1)(3) | | Percentage of Portfolio | | Capital Allocation (1)(3) |
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Agency (2)(3) | 90% | | 66% | | 91% | | 63% |
Residential Credit (3) | 7% | | 19% | | 5% | | 24% |
| MSR | 2% | | 14% | | 1% | | 5% |
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Commercial Real Estate (4) | 1% | | 1% | | 1% | | —% |
Corporate Debt (5) | —% | | —% | | 2% | | 8% |
(1) Capital allocation for each of the investment strategies is calculated as the difference between each of the investment strategy’s allocated assets and liabilities. It represents the percentage of equity allocated to each category. Dedicated capital allocations as of December 31, 2021 assume capital related to held for sale assets will be redeployed with the Agency business. Dedicated capital allocations as of December 31, 2021 exclude commercial real estate assets. (2) Includes to-be-announced forward contracts (“TBAs”). (3) Assets exclude assets transferred or pledged to securitization vehicles, include TBA purchase contracts (market value), unsettled MSR commitments, CMBX derivatives (market value), and retained securities that are eliminated in consolidation and are shown net of participations issued. (4) During the year ended December 31, 2021, a significant majority of assets were transferred in connection with a definitive agreement to sell and exit our CRE business. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the remaining CRE assets and liabilities were transferred. (5) During the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold all of the assets that comprised the MML portfolio. |
Risk Appetite
We maintain a firm-wide risk appetite statement which defines the types and levels of risk we are willing to take in order to achieve our business objectives, and reflects our risk management philosophy. We engage in risk activities based on our core expertise that aim to enhance value for our stockholders. Our activities focus on income generation and capital preservation through proactive portfolio management, supported by a conservative liquidity and leverage posture.
The risk appetite statement asserts the following key risk parameters to guide our investment management activities:
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| Risk Parameter | Description |
| Portfolio Composition | We will maintain a portfolio comprised of target assets approved by our Board and in accordance with our capital allocation policy. |
| Leverage | We generally expect to maintain an economic leverage ratio no greater than 10:1 considerate of our overall capital allocation framework. |
| Liquidity Risk | We will seek to maintain an unencumbered asset portfolio sufficient to meet our liquidity needs under adverse market conditions. |
| Interest Rate Risk | We will seek to manage interest rate risk to protect the portfolio from adverse rate movements utilizing derivative instruments targeting both income and capital preservation. |
| Credit Risk | We will seek to manage credit risk by making investments which conform within our specific investment policy parameters and optimize risk-adjusted returns. |
| Capital Preservation | We will seek to protect our capital base through disciplined risk management practices. |
| Operational Risk | We will seek to limit impacts to our business through disciplined operational risk management practices addressing areas including but not limited to, management of key third party relationships (i.e. originators, sub-servicers), human capital management, cybersecurity and technology related matters, business continuity and financial reporting risk. |
| Compliance, Regulatory and Legal | We will seek to comply with regulatory requirements needed to maintain our REIT status and our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act and the licenses and approvals of our regulated and licensed subsidiaries. |
Our Board has reviewed and approved the investment and operating policies and strategies that support our risk appetite statement set forth in this Form 10-K. Our Board has the power to modify or waive these policies and strategies to the extent that our Board, in its discretion, determines that the modification or waiver is in our best interests. Among other factors, market developments that affect our policies and strategies or that change our assessment of the market may cause our Board to revise our policies and strategies.
We may seek to expand our capital base in order to further increase our ability to acquire new and different types of assets when the potential returns from new investments appear attractive relative to the targeted risk-adjusted returns. We may in the future acquire assets or companies by offering our debt or equity securities in exchange for such opportunities.
Target Assets
Within the confines of the risk appetite statement, we seek to generate the highest risk-adjusted returns on capital invested, after consideration of the following:
•The amount, nature and variability of anticipated cash flows from the asset across a variety of interest rate, yield, spread, financing cost, credit loss and prepayment scenarios;
•The liquidity of the asset;
•The ability to pledge the asset to secure collateralized borrowings;
•When applicable, the credit of the underlying borrower;
•The costs of financing, hedging and managing the asset;
•The impact of the asset to our REIT compliance and our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act; and
•The capital and operational requirements associated with the purchase and financing of the asset.
We target the purchase and sale of the assets listed below as part of our investment strategy. Our targeted assets and asset acquisition strategy may change over time as market conditions change and as our business evolves.
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| Investment Group | Targeted Asset Class | Description |
| Annaly Agency Group | Agency mortgage-backed securities | Agency pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by Agencies. Other Agency MBS include collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), interest-only securities and inverse floaters |
| To-be-announced forward contracts (“TBAs”) | Forward contracts for Agency pass-through certificates |
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | Pass-through certificates collateralized by commercial mortgages guaranteed by the Agencies |
| Annaly Residential Credit Group | Residential mortgage loans | Residential mortgage loans that are not guaranteed by the Agencies |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | Securities collateralized by pools of residential loans that are not guaranteed by one of the Agencies |
| Agency or private label credit risk transfer securities (“CRT”) | Risk sharing transactions issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and similarly structured transactions arranged by third party market participants, designed to synthetically transfer mortgage credit risk to private investors |
| Annaly Mortgage Servicing Rights Group | Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”) | Rights to service a pool of residential mortgage loans in exchange for a portion of the interest payments made on the loans |
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We believe that future interest rates and mortgage prepayment rates are very difficult to predict. Therefore, we seek to acquire assets which we believe will provide attractive returns over a broad range of interest rate and prepayment scenarios.
Capital Structure and Financing
Our capital structure is designed to offer an efficient complement of funding sources to generate positive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders while maintaining appropriate liquidity to support our business and meet our financial obligations under periods of market stress. To maintain our desired capital profile, we utilize a mix of debt and equity funding. Debt funding may include the use of repurchase agreements, loans, securitizations, participations issued, lines of credit, asset backed lending facilities, corporate bond issuance, convertible bonds, mortgages payable or other liabilities. Equity capital primarily consists of common and preferred stock.
We finance our Agency mortgage-backed securities and residential credit investments primarily with repurchase agreements. We seek to diversify our exposure and limit concentrations by entering into repurchase agreements with multiple counterparties. We enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, commercial banks and other lenders that typically offer this type of financing. We enter into collateralized borrowings with financial institutions meeting internal credit standards and we monitor the financial condition of these institutions on a regular basis. At December 31, 2022, we had $59.5 billion of repurchase agreements outstanding.
Additionally, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Arcola Securities, Inc. (“Arcola”), provides direct access to third party funding as a member broker-dealer of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). As an eligible institution, Arcola also raises funds through the General Collateral Finance Repo service offered by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”), with FICC acting as the central counterparty. Arcola provides us greater depth and diversity of repurchase agreement funding while also limiting our counterparty exposure.
To reduce our liquidity risk we maintain a laddered approach to our repurchase agreements. At December 31, 2022, the weighted average days to maturity was 27 days.
We also finance our investments in residential mortgage loans through the issuance of securitization transactions sponsored by our wholly-owned subsidiary Onslow Bay Financial LLC (“Onslow Bay”) under the Onslow Bay private-label securitization program (“OBX”). We are a programmatic securitization sponsor of new origination, residential whole loans with 39 deals comprising $15.5 billion of issuance since the beginning of 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 16 OBX securitizations backed by $6.2 billion of residential whole loans.
We utilize leverage to enhance the risk-adjusted returns generated for our stockholders. We generally expect to maintain an economic leverage ratio of no greater than 10:1 considerate of our overall capital allocation framework. This ratio varies from time to time based upon various factors, including our management’s opinion of the level of risk of our assets and liabilities, our mix of assets, our liquidity position, our level of unused borrowing capacity, the availability of credit, over-collateralization levels required by lenders when we pledge assets to secure borrowings and, lastly, our assessment of domestic and international market conditions. Since the financial crisis beginning in 2007, we have maintained an economic leverage ratio below 8:1, and since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic began an economic leverage ratio closer to or below 7:1. For
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purposes of calculating this ratio, our economic leverage ratio is equal to the sum of Recourse Debt, cost basis of TBA and CMBX derivatives outstanding, and net forward purchases (sales) of investments divided by total equity.
Our target economic leverage ratio is determined under our capital management policy. Should our actual economic leverage ratio increase above the target level, we will consider appropriate measures. Our actions may include asset sales, changes in asset mix, reductions in asset purchases or originations, issuance of capital or other capital enhancing or risk reduction strategies.
The following table presents our leverage and capital ratios as of the periods presented.
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| | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| GAAP leverage ratio | 6.0:1 | | 4.7:1 |
Economic leverage ratio * | 6.3:1 | | 5.7:1 |
| GAAP capital ratio | 13.9% | | 17.2% |
Economic capital ratio * | 13.4% | | 14.4% |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for additional information. |
Operating Platform
We maintain a flexible and scalable operating platform to support the management and maintenance of our diverse asset portfolio. We have invested in our infrastructure to enhance resiliency, efficiency, cybersecurity and scalability while also ensuring coverage of our target assets. Our information technology applications span the portfolio life-cycle including pre-trade analysis, trade execution and capture, trade settlement and financing, monitoring, management and financial accounting and reporting.
Technology applications also support our control functions including risk, compliance, and middle- and back-offices. We have added breadth to our operating platform to accommodate diverse asset classes and drive automation-based efficiencies. Our business operations include a centralized collateral management function that permits in-house settlement and self-clearing, thereby creating greater control and management of our collateral. Through technology, we have also incorporated exception based processing, critical data assurance and paperless workflows. Our infrastructure investment has driven operating efficiencies while expanding the platform. Routine disaster recovery and penetration testing enhances our systems resiliency, security and recovery of critical systems throughout the computing estate.
Risk Management
Risk is a natural element of our business. Effective risk management is of critical importance to our business strategy. The objective of our risk management framework is to identify, measure, monitor and control the key risks to which we are subject. Our approach to risk management is comprehensive and has been designed to foster a holistic view of risk. For a full discussion of our risk management process and policies please refer to the section titled “Risk Management” of Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 16, 2023 concerning our executive officers:
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| Name | Age | Title |
| David L. Finkelstein | 50 | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer |
| Serena Wolfe | 43 | Chief Financial Officer |
| Steven F. Campbell | 50 | President and Chief Operating Officer |
| Anthony C. Green | 48 | Chief Corporate Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
David L. Finkelstein has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Annaly since March 2020 and Chief Investment Officer since November 2022. Mr. Finkelstein previously served as President of Annaly from March 2020 until December 2022 and Annaly’s Chief Investment Officer from November 2016 until December 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Finkelstein served as Annaly’s Chief Investment Officer, Agency and RMBS beginning in February 2015 and as Annaly’s Head of Agency Trading beginning in August 2013. Prior to joining Annaly in 2013, Mr. Finkelstein served for four years as an Officer in the Markets Group of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where he was the primary strategist and policy advisor for the MBS purchase
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program. Mr. Finkelstein has over 25 years of experience in fixed income investments. Prior to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Mr. Finkelstein held Agency MBS trading positions at Salomon Smith Barney, Citigroup Inc. and Barclays PLC. Mr. Finkelstein is a member of the Treasury Market Practices Group sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Mr. Finkelstein received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Mr. Finkelstein also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Serena Wolfe has served as Chief Financial Officer of Annaly since December 2019. Prior to joining Annaly in 2019, Ms. Wolfe served as a Partner at Ernst & Young (“EY”) since 2011 and as its Central Region Real Estate Hospitality & Construction (“RHC”) leader from 2017 to November 2019, managing the go-to-market efforts and client relationships across the sector. Ms. Wolfe was previously also EY’s Global RHC Assurance Leader. Ms. Wolfe practiced with EY for over 20 years, including six years with EY Australia and 16 years with the U.S. practice. Ms. Wolfe currently serves on the boards of Berkshire Grey, Inc. and Doma Holdings, Inc. Ms. Wolfe graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the states of New York, California, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
Steven F. Campbell has served as President of Annaly since December 2022 and Chief Operating Officer of Annaly since June 2020. Prior to these positions, Mr. Campbell served in a number of other senior roles at Annaly, including as Head of Business Operations from September 2019 to June 2020, Head of Credit Operations and Enterprise Risk from February 2018 to September 2019, Chief Operating Officer of Annaly Commercial Real Estate Group from December 2016 to February 2018 and Head of Credit Strategy from April 2015 to February 2018. Mr. Campbell has over 25 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining Annaly in 2015, Mr. Campbell held various roles over six years at Fortress Investment Group LLC, including serving as a Managing Director in the Credit Funds business. Prior to that, Mr. Campbell held positions at General Electric Capital Corporation and D.B. Zwirn & Co., L.P. with a focus on credit and debt restructuring. Mr. Campbell received a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business.
Anthony C. Green has served as Chief Corporate Officer of Annaly since January 2019 and as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Annaly since March 2017. Mr. Green previously served as Annaly’s Deputy General Counsel from 2009 until February 2017. Prior to joining Annaly, Mr. Green was a partner in the Corporate, Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions Group at the law firm K&L Gates LLP. Mr. Green has over 20 years of experience in corporate and securities law. Mr. Green holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. and LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from Cornell Law School.
Human Capital
Our Human Capital team oversees our company’s workforce management to ensure its objectives are strategically integrated with the firm’s goals and business plans. We proactively review human capital management best practices on an ongoing basis to continually enhance our employee experience. In addition, the Management Development and Compensation (“MDC”) Committee of the Board provides independent oversight of our policies and strategies related to human capital management. Further, the Chair of the MDC Committee liaises on certain human capital topics with the Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board as appropriate.
As of December 31, 2022, we had 161 employees.
Our People and Culture
Our employees are the driving force behind Annaly’s success, and we are committed to promoting their well-being, engagement, and development to help them reach their highest potential. Our culture is focused on fostering a diverse, inclusive and rewarding work environment for all employees, with ongoing opportunities for career development, wellness support, and empowerment.
Our culture is built on five core values: ownership, humility, accountability, collaboration, and diversity, equity and inclusion. These values are embedded in our professional and personal conduct and are crucial to how we operate our business. All employees are responsible for upholding these values, which form the bedrock of our culture and are vital to the continued success of our company. Guided by these values, we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best talent, with diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
We utilize employee surveys, including an engagement survey, to create open and honest feedback channels that foster our ability to actively involve our employees in the design and evolution of our culture, enhance our overall productivity, and mitigate risk. Our leaders review and incorporate survey feedback to increase employee engagement and drive positive changes throughout our company. We remain committed to maintaining an environment of consistent feedback as we strive for high employment satisfaction levels.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The diversity of our employees enables our company to cultivate innovation, fresh perspectives and agility. Diversity, equity and inclusion are essential tenets of our corporate culture. Our Human Capital team, in coordination with an Inclusion Support
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Committee of Executive Sponsors, is responsible for overseeing and continuing to improve our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
We are committed to promoting diversity, including gender and racial/ethnic diversity, across all levels of our company. With 53% of total employees in 2022 identifying as either female or racially/ethnically diverse, we are driven by the belief that having a diverse group of employees supports our continued long-term growth. Our seven employee network groups, which include the Women’s Interactive Network (“WIN”), the Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Network, the Black Employee Network, the Latin American Employee Network, the Disabilities Within a Family Network, the Veteran’s Employee Network and the Annaly Pride Network, provide targeted development and networking opportunities, knowledge exchanges, mentorship, coaching and volunteer efforts. Further, we recognize and understand that education, training and candid conversations are key to embedding and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and culture. To further promote and foster such a foundation, our efforts also include offering firm-wide training on topics such as unconscious bias and allyship, hosting various forums for employees to openly discuss their views and providing opportunities for employee connection and networking, as well as actively seeking out feedback through periodic employee surveys.
Compensation, Benefits and Wellness
Our employee compensation program includes base salary, annual incentive bonuses and stock-based awards. Employee compensation packages are designed to align employee and stockholder interests and to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate talented employees.
In addition, we invest in a wide range of benefits and wellness initiatives that support healthy lifestyles and choices for our employees. We offer benefits including health and insurance coverage, health savings and flexible spending accounts, telemedicine benefits, 401(k) plans, paid time off and family care resources. We also sponsor a wide range of initiatives that promote employee wellness and mental well-being, including access to talk therapy, health coaching and stress management support. Over the last few years, we have enhanced our parental and family care benefits to provide extended leave and fertility assistance.
COVID-19 has challenged the way we work and operate. It has tested our resiliency, nimbleness and flexibility of our people and culture. At Annaly, we understand that we must continue to provide an environment where our employees feel safe, motivated, empowered, and prepared, regardless of whatever challenges arise in the future. In addition to addressing physical health and safety concerns, we recognize that people’s daily emotional lives and mental health play a key role in their overall wellness. As such, we continue to evaluate ways to promote and expand our mental health offerings. Additionally, we recognize that part of meeting employee needs includes institutionalizing broader and longer-term flexibility where appropriate. Flexibility comes in many forms at Annaly, including vacation and sick time, hybrid work options, and location strategy. We remain committed to evaluating the evolving definition of flexibility and promoting programs and practices that foster inclusivity and well-being both personally and professionally.
Learning and Development
We seek to invest in and promote talent to cultivate a high-performance culture and build on the capabilities and full potential of our employees.
We offer a number of learning and development programs tailored to our employees’ needs and interests as well as our overall strategic business objectives. We also have a tuition reimbursement plan that provides financial support toward the cost of furthering employee education in a field directly related to their job. In 2022, we began offering individual style and culture sessions to new employees to promote professional awareness and understanding of our company’s culture initiatives. Additionally, we continue to offer knowledge share sessions to all employees that focus on core business strategies and initiatives in an effort to foster holistic and inclusive learning.
Corporate and Employee Philanthropy and Volunteerism
Our corporate giving has been focused on high-impact programs that seek to advance social issues we are committed to, including combating homelessness and advancing the professional development of women and underrepresented groups. Annaly and our employees endeavor to meaningfully contribute to the communities where we live, work, and invest by partnering with well-established non-profit organizations and through Annaly’s corporate giving, employee volunteerism and our employee charity match program.
Regulatory Requirements
We have elected, organized and operated in a manner that qualifies us to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”). So long as we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we
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generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income that is distributed to our stockholders. Furthermore, substantially all of our assets, other than our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”), consists of qualified REIT real estate assets (of the type described in Section 856(c)(5) of the Code).
We regularly monitor our investments and the income from these investments and, to the extent we enter into hedging transactions, we monitor income from our hedging transactions as well, so as to ensure at all times that we maintain our qualification as a REIT and our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act.
Arcola is a member of FINRA and is subject to regulations of the securities business that include but are not limited to trade practices, use and safekeeping of funds and securities, capital structure, recordkeeping and conduct of directors, officers and employees. As a self-clearing, registered broker dealer, Arcola is required to maintain minimum net capital by FINRA. Arcola consistently operates with capital in excess of its regulatory capital requirements as defined by SEC Rule 15c3-1.
We have a subsidiary that is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act. As a result, we are subject to the anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act and to fiduciary duties derived from these provisions that apply to our relationships with that subsidiary’s clients. These provisions and duties impose restrictions and obligations on us with respect to our dealings with our subsidiary’s clients, including, for example, restrictions on agency, cross and principal transactions. Our registered investment adviser subsidiary is subject to periodic SEC examinations and other requirements under the Investment Advisers Act and related regulations primarily intended to benefit advisory clients. These additional requirements relate to, among other things, maintaining an effective and comprehensive compliance program, recordkeeping and reporting requirements and disclosure requirements.
We also have a subsidiary that operates as a licensed mortgage aggregator and master servicer, which compels it to follow individual state licensing laws and subjects it to supervision and examination by federal authorities, including the CFPB, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), the SEC as well as various state licensing, supervisory and administrative agencies. We and our subsidiaries must also comply with a large number of federal, state and local consumer protection laws including, among others, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as well as state foreclosure laws and federal and local bankruptcy rules. These laws and regulations, which are frequently amended and adjusted, have, in recent years, led to an increase in both the scope of the requirements and the intensity of the supervision to which we are subject.
The financial services industry is subject to extensive regulation and supervision in the U.S. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) and the rules thereunder significantly altered the financial regulatory regime within which financial institutions operate. Other reforms have been adopted or are being considered by other regulators and policy makers worldwide. We will continue to assess our business, risk management and compliance practices to conform to developments in the regulatory environment.
Competition
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. Competition may limit our ability to acquire desirable investments in our target assets and could also affect the pricing of these investments. In acquiring our target assets, we will compete with financial institutions, institutional investors, other lenders, government entities and certain other REITs. For a full discussion of the risks associated with competition see the “Risks Related to Our Investing, Portfolio Management and Financing Activities” section in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”
Corporate Governance
We strive to conduct our business in accordance with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. Our notable governance practices and policies include:
•Our Board is composed of a majority of independent directors, and our Audit, Management Development and Compensation, and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees are composed exclusively of independent directors.
•We have separated the roles of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and appointed an independent Chair of the Board.
•All directors are elected on an annual basis.
•We have adopted an enhanced director refreshment policy, which provides that an independent director may not stand for re-election at the next annual meeting of stockholders taking place at the end of his or her term following the earlier of his or her: (i) 15th anniversary of service on our Board or (ii) 73rd birthday.
•We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which sets forth the basic principles and guidelines for resolving various legal and ethical
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questions that may arise in the workplace and in the conduct of our business. This code is applicable to our directors, officers and employees.
•We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which, in conjunction with the charters of our Board committees, provide the framework for the governance of our company.
•We have procedures by which any of our employees, officers or directors may raise concerns confidentially about our company’s conduct, accounting, internal controls or auditing matters with the Chair of the Board, the independent directors, or the Chair of the Audit Committee or through our whistleblower phone hotline or e-mail inbox.
•We have an Insider Trading Policy that prohibits our directors, officers and employees, as well as those of our subsidiaries from buying or selling our securities on the basis of material nonpublic information and
prohibits communicating material nonpublic information about our company to others. Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors, officers and employees, from (1) holding our stock in a margin account as eligible collateral, or otherwise pledging our stock as collateral for a loan, or (2) engaging in any hedging transactions with respect to our equity securities held by them.
•Our executive officers are subject to a robust clawback policy, which includes triggers for financial restatements and misconduct.
•Our executive officers are subject to stock ownership guidelines and holding restrictions.
•In February 2022, we amended our bylaws to allow stockholders holding 25% of our common stock to call a special meeting, reducing the previous majority threshold.
Distributions
In accordance with the requirements for maintaining REIT status, we intend to distribute to stockholders aggregate dividends equaling at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction of dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain) for each taxable year and will endeavor to distribute at least 100% of our REIT taxable income so as not to be subject to tax. Distributions of economic profits from our enterprise could be classified as return of capital due to differences between book and tax accounting rules. We may make additional returns of capital when the potential risk-adjusted returns from new investments fail to exceed our cost of capital. Subject to the limitations of applicable securities and state corporation laws, we can return capital by making purchases of our own capital stock or through payment of dividends.
Available Information
Our website is www.annaly.com. We make available on this website under “Investors - SEC Filings,” free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Securities Exchange Act”). Our website and the information contained therein are not incorporated into this annual report on Form 10-K.
Also posted on our website, and available in print upon request of any stockholder to our Investor Relations Department, are charters for our Audit Committee, Management Development and Compensation Committee, Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, Risk Committee and Corporate Responsibility Committee, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Within the time period required by the SEC, we will post on our website any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver applicable to any executive officer, director or senior financial officer.
Our Investor Relations Department can be contacted at:
Annaly Capital Management, Inc.
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attn: Investor Relations
Telephone: 888-8ANNALY
E-mail: investor@annaly.com
The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our stock involves a number of risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider all of the risks described in this annual report on Form 10-K. If any of the risks discussed in this annual report on Form 10-K actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If this were to occur, the trading price of our stock could decline significantly and you may lose all or part of your investment. Readers should not consider any descriptions of these factors to be a complete set of all potential risks that could affect us.
INDEX TO ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Summary of Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Funding
•Our strategy involves the use of leverage, which increases the risk that we may incur substantial losses.
•Our use of leverage may result in margin calls and defaults and force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions.
•We may exceed our target leverage ratios.
•We may not be able to achieve our optimal leverage.
•Failure to procure or renew funding on favorable terms, or at all, would adversely affect our results and financial condition.
•Failure to effectively manage our liquidity would adversely affect our results and financial condition.
•Volatile market conditions for our assets can result in contraction in liquidity for those assets and the related financing.
•An increase in the interest payments on our borrowings relative to the interest we earn on our interest earning assets may adversely affect our profitability.
•Differences in timing of interest rate adjustments on our interest earning assets and our borrowings may adversely affect our profitability.
•The discontinuation of LIBOR may affect our results.
•It may be uneconomical to “roll” our TBA dollar roll transactions or we may be unable to meet margin calls on our TBA contracts.
•Our use of derivatives may expose us to counterparty and liquidity risks.
•Securitizations expose us to additional risks.
•Our use of non-recourse securitizations may expose us to risks which could result in losses to us.
•Counterparties may require us to enter into covenants that restrict our investment strategy.
•We may be unable to profitably execute or participate in future securitization transactions.
Risks of Ownership of Our Common Stock
•Our charter does not permit ownership of over 9.8% in number of shares or value of our common stock or any class of our preferred stock.
•Provisions contained in Maryland law may have anti-takeover effects, potentially preventing investors from receiving a “control premium” for their shares.
•We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and cannot assure stockholders of our ability to pay dividends in the future.
•Our reported GAAP financial results may not be an accurate indicator of future taxable income and dividend distributions.
Compliance, Regulatory & Legal Risks
•Accounting rules related to certain of our transactions are highly complex and involve significant judgment and assumptions. Our application of GAAP may produce financial results that fluctuate from one period to another.
•New laws may be passed affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the federal government.
•We may be subject to liability for potential violations of truth-in-lending or other similar consumer protection laws and regulations.
•We may not be able to maintain compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our Residential Credit and MSR businesses, including through the manner in which we oversee the compliance obligations of our third-party service providers.
•Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or our failure to comply with those laws or regulations may adversely affect our business.
•We are subject to risks and liabilities in connection with sponsoring, investing in and managing new funds and other investment accounts, including potential regulatory risks.
•Loss of our Investment Company Act exemption from registration would adversely affect us.
Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT
•Our failure to maintain our qualification as a REIT would have adverse tax consequences.
•Our distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
•Distributions to tax-exempt investors may be classified as unrelated business taxable income.
•We may choose to pay dividends in our own stock.
•Our TRSs cannot constitute more than 20% of our total assets.
•TRSs are subject to tax at the regular corporate rates, are not required to distribute dividends, and the amount of dividends a TRS can pay to its parent REIT may be limited by REIT gross income tests.
•If transactions between a REIT and a TRS are entered into on other than arm’s-length terms, the REIT may be subject to a penalty tax.
•Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
•Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities and may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
•Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification or create additional tax liability for us.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
•The failure of assets subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to remain qualified as a REIT.
•Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
•The failure of a mezzanine loan or similar debt to qualify as a real estate asset could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
•Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code.
•The tax on prohibited transactions limits our ability to engage in certain transactions.
•Certain financing activities may subject us to U.S. federal income tax and could have negative tax consequences for our stockholders.
•Uncertainty exists with respect to the treatment of our TBAs for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
•Dividends payable by REITs generally receive different tax treatment than dividend income from regular corporations.
•New legislation or administrative or judicial action, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to remain qualified as a REIT.
Counterparty Risks
•The soundness of our counterparties and other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
•We are subject to counterparty risk and may be unable to seek indemnity or require counterparties to repurchase residential whole loans if they breach representations and warranties, which could cause us to suffer losses.
Investment and Market Related Risks
•We may experience declines in the market value of our assets.
•Investments in MSR may expose us to additional risks.
•A prolonged economic slowdown or declining real estate values could impair the assets we may own.
•An increase in interest rates may adversely affect the market value of our interest earning assets and, therefore, also our book value.
•Actions by the Federal Reserve may affect the price and returns of our assets.
•We invest in securities that are subject to mortgage credit risk.
•Geographic concentration exposes investors to greater risk of default and loss.
•Inadequate property insurance coverage could have an adverse impact on our operating results.
•Our assets may become non-performing or sub-performing assets in the future.
•We may be required to repurchase residential mortgage loans or indemnify investors if we breach representations and warranties.
•Our and our third party service providers’ and servicers’ due diligence of potential assets may not reveal all of the weaknesses in such assets.
•When we foreclose on an asset, we may come to own the property securing the loan.
•Proposals to acquire mortgage loans by eminent domain may adversely affect the value of our assets.
•Subordinated tranches of non-Agency mortgage-backed securities are subordinate in right of payment to more senior securities.
•Our hedging strategies may be costly, and may not hedge our risks as intended.
•We are subject to risks of loss from weather conditions, man-made or natural disasters and climate change.
Operational and Cybersecurity Risks
•Inaccurate models or the data used by models may expose us to risk.
•We are highly dependent on information systems that may expose us to cybersecurity risks.
•We depend on third-party service providers, including mortgage loan servicers and sub-servicers, for a variety of services related to our business.
•Our investments in residential whole loans subject us to servicing-related risks.
•The performance of loans underlying our MSR related assets may be adversely affected by the performance of the related mortgage servicer.
•An increase or decrease in prepayment rates may adversely affect our profitability.
•We are subject to reinvestment risk.
•Competition may affect ability and pricing of our target assets.
•We may enter into new lines of business, acquire other companies or engage in other strategic initiatives.
•Some of our investments, including those related to non-prime loans, involve credit risk.
•We face possible increased instances of business interruption associated with the effects of climate change and severe weather.
•If we are unable to attract, motivate and retain qualified talent, including our key personnel, it could materially and adversely affect us.
Other Risks
•The market price and trading volume of our shares of common stock may be volatile.
•We may change our policies without stockholder approval.
•COVID-19 has affected the U.S. economy and our business.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Liquidity and Funding
Our strategy involves the use of leverage, which increases the risk that we may incur substantial losses.
We expect our leverage to vary with market conditions and our assessment of risk/return on investments. We incur this leverage by borrowing against a substantial portion of the market value of our assets. Leverage, which is fundamental to our investment strategy, creates significant risks. The risks associated with leverage are more acute during periods of economic slowdown or recession.
Because of our leverage, we may incur substantial losses if our borrowing costs increase, and we may be unable to execute our investment strategy if leverage is unavailable or is unavailable on attractive terms. The reasons our borrowing costs may increase or our ability to borrow may decline include, but are not limited to, the following:
•short-term interest rates increase;
•the market value of our investments available to collateralize borrowings decreases;
•the “haircut” applied to our assets under the repurchase agreements or other secured financing arrangements increases;
•interest rate volatility increases;
•forced sales, particularly under adverse market conditions, such as those which occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•disruption in the repo market generally or the infrastructure, including technology infrastructure, that supports it; or
•the availability of financing in the market decreases.
Our use of leverage may result in margin calls and defaults and force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions.
Because of our leverage, a decline in the value of our interest earning assets may result in our lenders initiating margin calls. A margin call means that the lender requires us to pledge additional collateral to re-establish the ratio of the value of the collateral to the amount of the borrowing. Borrowings secured by our fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities generally are more susceptible to margin calls as increases in interest rates tend to more negatively affect the market value of fixed-rate securities. Margin calls are most likely in market conditions in which the unencumbered assets that we would use to meet the margin calls have also decreased in value. The risks associated with margin calls are more acute during periods of economic slowdown or recession. We experienced margin calls much higher than historical norms during the onset of COVID-19.
If we are unable to satisfy margin calls, our lenders may foreclose on our collateral. This could force us to sell our interest earning assets under adverse market conditions, or allow lenders to sell those assets on our behalf at prices that could be below our estimation of their value. Additionally, in the event of our bankruptcy, our borrowings, which are generally made under repurchase agreements, may qualify for special treatment under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This special treatment would allow the lenders under these agreements to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and to liquidate the collateral under these agreements without delay.
We may exceed our target leverage ratios.
We generally expect to maintain an economic leverage ratio of less than 10:1. However, we are not required to stay below this economic leverage ratio. We may exceed this ratio by incurring additional debt without increasing the amount of equity we have. For example, if we increase the amount of borrowings under our master repurchase agreements with our existing or new counterparties or the market value of our portfolio declines, our economic leverage ratio would increase. If we increase our economic leverage ratio, the adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations from the types of risks associated with the use of leverage would likely be more severe. Our target economic leverage ratio is set for the portfolio as a whole, rather than separately for each asset type. The economic leverage ratio on Agency mortgage-backed securities may exceed the target ratio for the portfolio as a whole. Because credit assets are generally less levered than Agency mortgage-backed securities, at a given economic leverage ratio an increased allocation to credit assets generally means an increase in economic leverage on Agency mortgage-backed securities. The economic leverage on our Agency mortgage-backed securities is the primary driver of the risk of being unable to meet margin calls discussed above.
We may not be able to achieve our optimal leverage.
We use leverage as a strategy to increase the return to our investors. However, we may not be able to achieve our desired leverage if we determine that the leverage would expose us to excessive risk; our lenders do not make funding available to us at acceptable rates; or our lenders require that we provide additional collateral to cover our borrowings.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Failure to procure or renew funding on favorable terms, or at all, would adversely affect our results and financial condition.
One or more of our lenders could be unwilling or unable to provide us with financing. This could potentially increase our financing costs and reduce our liquidity. Furthermore, if any of our potential lenders or existing lenders is unwilling or unable to provide us with financing or if we are not able to renew or replace maturing borrowings, we could be forced to sell our assets at an inopportune time when prices are depressed. Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the financial markets. We cannot assure you that, under such extreme conditions, these markets will remain an efficient source of financing for our assets. If our strategy is not viable, we will have to find alternative forms of financing for our assets, which may not be available. Further, as a REIT, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to our stockholders and are, therefore, not able to retain significant amounts of our earnings for new investments. We cannot assure you that any, or sufficient, funding or capital will be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us. If we cannot obtain sufficient funding on acceptable terms, there may be a negative impact on the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Moreover, our ability to grow will be dependent on our ability to procure additional funding. To the extent we are not able to raise additional funds through the issuance of additional equity or borrowings, our growth will be constrained.
Failure to effectively manage our liquidity would adversely affect our results and financial condition.
Our ability to meet cash needs depends on many factors, several of which are beyond our control. Ineffective management of liquidity levels could cause us to be unable to meet certain financial obligations. Potential conditions that could impair our liquidity include: unwillingness or inability of any of our potential lenders to provide us with or renew financing, margin calls, additional capital requirements applicable to our lenders, a disruption in the financial markets or declining confidence in our creditworthiness or in financial markets in general. These conditions could force us to sell our assets at inopportune times or otherwise cause us to potentially revise our strategic business initiatives.
Volatile market conditions for our assets can result in contraction in liquidity for those assets and the related financing.
Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the markets for mortgages and mortgage-related assets, including Agency mortgage-backed securities, as well as the broader financial markets and the economy generally.
Significant adverse changes in financial market conditions can result in a deleveraging of the global financial system and the forced sale of large quantities of mortgage-related and other financial assets. Concerns over economic recession, COVID-19 or other pandemic diseases, geopolitical issues including events such as the war in Ukraine, trade wars, unemployment, inflation, rising interest rates, the availability and cost of financing, the mortgage market, the repurchase agreement market and a declining real estate market or prolonged government shutdown may contribute to increased volatility and diminished expectations for the economy and markets.
For example, as a result of the financial crises beginning in the summer of 2007 and through the subsequent credit and housing crisis, many traditional mortgage investors suffered severe losses in their residential mortgage portfolios and several major market participants failed or were impaired, resulting in a significant contraction in market liquidity for mortgage-related assets. This illiquidity negatively affected both the terms and availability of financing for all mortgage-related assets.
Further increased volatility and deterioration in the markets for mortgages and mortgage-related assets as well as the broader financial markets may adversely affect the performance and market value of our Agency mortgage-backed securities. If these conditions exist, institutions from which we seek financing for our investments may tighten their lending standards or become insolvent, which could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. Our profitability and financial condition may be adversely affected if we are unable to obtain cost-effective financing for our investments.
An increase in the interest payments on our borrowings relative to the interest we earn on our interest earning assets may adversely affect our profitability.
We generally earn money based upon the spread between the interest payments we earn on our interest earning assets and the interest payments we must make on our borrowings. If the interest payments on our borrowings increase relative to the interest we earn on our interest earning assets, our profitability may be adversely affected. A significant portion of our assets are longer-term, fixed-rate interest earning assets, and a significant portion of our borrowings are shorter-term, floating-rate borrowings. Periods of rising interest rates or a relatively flat or inverted yield curve could decrease or eliminate the spread between the interest payments we earn on our interest earning assets and the interest payments we must make on our borrowings.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Differences in timing of interest rate adjustments on our interest earning assets and our borrowings may adversely affect our profitability.
We rely primarily on short-term borrowings to acquire interest earning assets with long-term maturities. Some of the interest earning assets we acquire are adjustable-rate interest earning assets. This means that their interest rates may vary over time based upon changes in an objective index, such as:
•LIBOR. The rate banks charge each other for short-term Eurodollar loans.
•Treasury Rate. A monthly or weekly average yield of benchmark U.S. Treasury securities, as published by the Federal Reserve Board.
•Secured Overnight Financing Rate. A measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
•Term SOFR. A benchmark based on Secured Overnight Financing Rate futures, administered by CME Group.
These indices generally reflect short-term interest rates. The interest rates on our borrowings similarly reflect short-term interest rates. Nevertheless, the interest rates on our borrowings generally adjust more frequently than the interest rates on our adjustable-rate interest earning assets, which are also typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps. Accordingly, in a period of rising interest rates, we could experience a decrease in net income or a net loss because the interest rates on our borrowings adjust faster than the interest rates on our adjustable-rate interest earning assets.
The discontinuation of LIBOR may affect our results.
The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, or FCA, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that all LIBOR tenors relevant to us will cease to be published or will no longer be representative after June 30, 2023. The FCA's announcement coincided with the March 5, 2021, announcement of LIBOR's administrator, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, or IBA, indicating that, as a result of not having access to input data necessary to calculate LIBOR tenors relevant to us on a representative basis after June 30, 2023, IBA would have to cease publication of such LIBOR tenors immediately after the last publication on June 30, 2023. These announcements mean that any of our LIBOR-based borrowings and assets that mature beyond June 30, 2023 need to be converted to alternative interest rates. Many of our counterparties are now subject to regulatory guidance not to enter new U.S. Dollar LIBOR contracts except in limited circumstances.
The Alternative Reference Rates Committee, or ARRC, a committee of private sector entities with ex-officio official sector members convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, has recommended the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), and in some cases, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR published by CME Group Benchmark Administration Ltd. (“CME Term SOFR”) plus, in each case, a recommended spread adjustment as the replacement for LIBOR. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve has also named CME Term SOFR as the Board-selected replacement rate for most cash products under the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act of 2021 (the “LIBOR Act”), which governs instruments for which there is no determining person to choose a LIBOR replacement or which have no fallback provisions specifying an alternate replacement rate. There are significant differences between LIBOR and SOFR, such as LIBOR being an unsecured lending rate while SOFR is a secured lending rate, and SOFR is an overnight rate while LIBOR reflects term rates at different maturities. If our LIBOR-based borrowings are converted to SOFR or CME Term SOFR, the differences between LIBOR and SOFR, plus the recommended spread adjustment, could result in interest costs that are higher than if LIBOR remained available, which could have a material adverse effect on our results. Although SOFR or CME Term SOFR are the ARRC's recommended replacement rates, it is also possible that lenders may instead choose alternative replacement rates that may differ from LIBOR in ways similar to SOFR or in other ways that would result in higher borrowing costs for us.
Many floating-rate instruments, including some transactions in which we are issuer or sponsor, reference LIBOR. US regulators and the ARRC have recommended that all LIBOR-based instruments include robust fallback language dictating what rate will apply when LIBOR ends. The fallbacks recommended by the ARRC are different for various non-derivative instruments, and not all LIBOR-based instruments will incorporate the recommended fallbacks. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) has implemented fallback language and a protocol that will ensure LIBOR-based derivatives amongst protocol participants fall back to compounded SOFR. We have opted into the ISDA 2020 IBOR Fallbacks protocol. However, the variations in fallback language in different financial instruments and the adoption of different replacement rates or methodologies in such fallback language could result in unexpected differences between our LIBOR-based assets and our LIBOR-based interest rate hedges or borrowings. Certain instruments may be affected by the LIBOR Act.
It is expected that switching existing financial instruments and hedging transactions from LIBOR to SOFR or other replacement rates will include a spread adjustment. ISDA has described the spread calculation methodology that will apply to derivatives
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
that adopt the ISDA recommendations for derivatives, and the ARRC has recommended the same methodology for all cash products, with a one year transition period for consumer assets. These same spread adjustments will be applied to contracts that transition to a SOFR-based rate under the LIBOR Act. The adjustment calculation is intended to minimize value transfer between counterparties, borrowers, and lenders, but there is no assurance that the calculated spread adjustment will be fair and accurate or that it will not result in higher interest costs.
We and other market participants have less experience understanding and modeling SOFR-based assets and liabilities than LIBOR-based assets and liabilities, increasing the difficulty of investing, hedging, and risk management. We use service providers to validate the fair values of certain financial instruments. These service providers take various approaches to modelling LIBOR cessation.
The process of transition involves operational risks. References to LIBOR may be embedded in computer code or models, and we may not identify and correct all of those references.
Holders of our fixed-to-floating preferred shares should refer to the relevant prospectus, the LIBOR Act, and related regulation to understand the LIBOR-cessation provisions applicable to that class. We are considering all available options with respect to our preferred stock, which include liability management actions such as tenders, calls, exchange offers, language amendments, changing the calculation agent, and/or allowing fallbacks to trigger. Each such class that is currently outstanding becomes callable at the same time it begins to pay a LIBOR-based rate.
It may be uneconomical to “roll” our TBA dollar roll transactions or we may be unable to meet margin calls on our TBA contracts.
From time to time, we enter into TBAs as an alternate means of investing in and financing Agency mortgage-backed securities. A TBA contract is an agreement to purchase or sell, for future delivery, an Agency mortgage-backed security with a specified issuer, term and coupon. A TBA dollar roll represents a transaction where TBA contracts with the same terms but different settlement dates are simultaneously bought and sold. The TBA contract settling in the later month typically prices at a discount to the earlier month contract with the difference in price commonly referred to as the “drop”. The drop is a reflection of the expected net interest income from an investment in similar Agency mortgage-backed securities, net of an implied financing cost, that would be foregone as a result of settling the contract in the later month rather than in the earlier month. The drop between the current settlement month price and the forward settlement month price occurs because in the TBA dollar roll market, the party providing the implied financing is the party that would retain all principal and interest payments accrued during the financing period. Accordingly, TBA dollar roll income generally represents the economic equivalent of the net interest income earned on the underlying Agency mortgage-backed security less an implied financing cost. Consequently, dollar roll transactions and such forward purchases of Agency securities represent a form of off-balance sheet financing and increase our “at risk” leverage.
The economic return of a TBA dollar roll generally equates to interest income on a generic TBA-eligible security less an implied financing cost, and there may be situations in which the implied financing cost exceeds the interest income, resulting in a negative carry on the position. If we roll our TBA dollar roll positions when they have a negative carry, the positions would decrease net income and amounts available for distributions to shareholders.
There may be situations in which we are unable or unwilling to roll our TBA dollar roll positions. The TBA transaction could have a negative carry or otherwise be uneconomical, we may be unable to find counterparties with whom to trade in sufficient volume, or we may be required to collateralize the TBA positions in a way that is uneconomical. Because TBA dollar rolls represent implied financing, an inability or unwillingness to roll has effects similar to any other loss of financing. If we do not roll our TBA positions prior to the settlement date, we would have to take physical delivery of the underlying securities and settle our obligations for cash. We may not have sufficient funds or alternative financing sources available to settle such obligations. Counterparties may also make margin calls as the value of a generic TBA-eligible security (and therefore the value of the TBA contract) declines. Margin calls on TBA positions or failure to roll TBA positions could have the effects described in the liquidity risks described above.
Our use of derivatives may expose us to counterparty and liquidity risks.
Most swaps that we enter into must be cleared by a Derivatives Clearing Organization (“DCO”). DCOs are subject to regulatory oversight, use extensive risk management processes, and might receive “too big to fail” support from the government in the case of insolvency. We access the DCO through several Futures Commission Merchants (“FCMs”). For any cleared swap, we bear the credit risk of both the DCO and the relevant FCM, in the form of potential late or unrecoverable payments, potential difficulty or delay in accessing collateral that we have posted, and potential loss of any positive market value of the swap
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
position. In the event of a default by the DCO or FCM, we also bear market risk, because the asset or liability being hedged is no longer effectively hedged.
Most swaps must be or are traded on a Swap Execution Facility. We bear additional fees for use of the DCO. We also bear fees for use of the Swap Execution Facility. We continue to bear risk of trade errors. Because the standardized swaps available on Swap Execution Facilities and cleared through DCOs are not as customizable as the swaps available before the implementation of Dodd-Frank Act, we may bear additional basis risk from hedge positions that do not exactly reflect the interest rate risk on the asset being hedged.
Futures transactions are subject to risks analogous to those of cleared swaps, except that for futures transactions we bear a higher risk that collateral we have posted is unavailable to us if the FCM defaults.
Some derivatives transactions, such as swaptions, are not currently required to be cleared through a DCO. Therefore, we bear the credit risk of the dealer with which we executed the swaption. TBA contracts and swaps on CMBX indexes are also not cleared, and we bear the credit risk of the dealer.
Derivative transactions are subject to margin requirements. The relevant contract or clearinghouse rules dictate the method of determining the required amount of margin, the types of collateral accepted and the timing required to meet margin calls. Additionally, for cleared swaps and futures, FCMs may have the right to require more margin than the clearinghouse requires. The requirement to meet margin calls can create liquidity risks, and we bear the cost of funding the margin that we post. Also, as discussed above, we bear credit risk if a dealer, FCM, or clearinghouse is holding collateral we have posted.
Generally, we attempt to retain the ability to close out of a hedging position or create an offsetting position. However, in some cases we may not be able to do so at economically viable prices, or we may be unable to do so without consent of the counterparty. Therefore, in some situations a derivative position can be illiquid, forcing us to hold it to its maturity or scheduled termination date.
It is possible that new regulations could be issued governing the derivatives market, or that additional types of derivatives switch to being executed on Swap Execution Facilities or cleared on a DCO. Ongoing regulatory change in this area could increase costs, increase risks, and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Securitizations expose us to additional risks.
In a securitization structure, we convey a pool of assets to a special purpose vehicle, the issuing entity, and in turn the issuing entity issues one or more classes of non-recourse notes pursuant to the terms of an indenture. The notes are secured by the pool of assets. In exchange for the transfer of assets to the issuing entity, we receive the cash proceeds of the sale of non-recourse notes and a 100% interest in certain subordinate interests of the issuing entity. The securitization of all or a portion of our residential loan portfolio might magnify our exposure to losses because any subordinate interest we retain in the issuing entity would be subordinate to the notes issued to investors and we would, therefore, absorb all of the losses sustained with respect to a securitized pool of assets before the owners of the notes experience any losses. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we will be able to access the securitization market or be able to do so at favorable rates. The inability to securitize our portfolio could adversely affect our performance and our ability to grow our business.
Our use of non-recourse securitizations may expose us to risks which could result in losses to us.
We utilize non-recourse securitizations of our assets in mortgage loans, especially loans that we originate, when they are available. Prior to any such financing, we may seek to finance assets with relatively short-term facilities until a sufficient portfolio is accumulated. As a result, we would be subject to the risk that we would not be able to acquire, during the period that any short-term facilities are available, sufficient eligible assets to maximize the efficiency of a securitization. We also would bear the risk that we would not be able to obtain a new short-term facility or would not be able to renew any short-term facilities after they expire should we need more time to seek and acquire sufficient eligible assets for a securitization. In addition, conditions in the capital markets, including potential volatility and disruption in the capital and credit markets, may not permit a non-recourse securitization at any particular time or may make the issuance of any such securitization less attractive to us even when we do have sufficient eligible assets. While we would intend to retain the non-investment grade tranches of securitizations and, therefore, still have exposure to any assets included in such securitizations, our inability to enter into such securitizations would increase our overall exposure to risks associated with direct ownership of such assets, including the risk of default. Our inability to refinance any short-term facilities would also increase our risk because borrowings thereunder would likely be recourse to us as an entity. If we are unable to obtain and renew short-term facilities or to consummate securitizations to finance our assets on a long-term basis, we may be required to seek other forms of potentially less attractive financing or to liquidate assets at an inopportune time or price. To the extent that we are unable to obtain
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
financing for our assets, to the extent that we retain such assets in our portfolio, our returns on investment and earnings will be negatively impacted.
Counterparties may require us to enter into covenants that restrict our investment strategy.
If or when we obtain debt financing, lenders (especially in the case of credit facilities) may impose restrictions on us that would affect our ability to incur additional debt, make certain allocations or acquisitions, reduce liquidity below certain levels, make distributions to our stockholders, or redeem debt or equity securities, and may impact our flexibility to determine our operating policies and strategies. We may sell assets or reduce leverage at an inopportune time to avoid breaching these restrictions. If we fail to meet or satisfy any of these covenants, we would be in default under these agreements, and our lenders could elect to declare outstanding amounts due and payable, terminate their commitments, require the posting of additional collateral and enforce their interests against existing collateral. We may also be subject to cross-default and acceleration rights and, with respect to collateralized debt, the posting of additional collateral and foreclosure rights upon default. A default and resulting repayment acceleration could significantly reduce our liquidity, which could require us to sell our assets to repay amounts due and outstanding. This could also significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions, which could cause our share price to decline. A default could also significantly limit our financing alternatives such that we would be unable to pursue our leverage strategy, which could adversely affect our returns.
We may be unable to profitably execute or participate in future securitization transactions.
There are a number of factors that can have a significant impact on whether we are able to execute or participate in a securitization transaction, and whether such a transaction is profitable to us or results in a loss. One of these factors is the price we pay for the mortgage loans that we securitize, which, in the case of residential mortgage loans, is impacted by the level of competition in the marketplace for acquiring mortgage loans and the relative desirability to originators of retaining mortgage loans as investments or selling them to third parties such as us. As such, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments in residential mortgage loans at attractive levels and pricing, which could adversely affect our ability to execute future securitizations in this space. Another factor that impacts the profitability of a securitization transaction is the cost to us of the short-term warehouse financing facilities that we use to finance our holdings of mortgage loans prior to securitization, which cost is affected by a number of factors including the availability of this type of financing to us, the interest rate on this type of financing, the duration of the financing we incur, and the percentage of our mortgage loans for which third parties are willing to provide short-term financing. After we acquire mortgage loans that we intend to securitize, we can also suffer losses if the value of those loans declines prior to securitization. Declines in the value of a mortgage loan, for example, can be due to, among other things, changes in interest rates, changes in the credit quality of the loan, and changes in the projected yields required by investors to invest in securitization transactions. To the extent we seek to hedge against a decline in loan value due to changes in interest rates, there is a cost of hedging that also affects whether a securitization is profitable. Other factors that can significantly affect whether a securitization transaction is profitable to us include the criteria and conditions that rating agencies apply and require when they assign ratings to the mortgage-backed securities issued in our securitization transactions, including the percentage of mortgage-backed securities issued in a securitization transaction that the rating agencies will assign a triple-A rating to, which is also referred to as a rating agency subordination level. Rating agency subordination levels can be impacted by numerous factors, including, without limitation, the credit quality of the loans securitized, the geographic distribution of the loans to be securitized, the structure of the securitization transaction and other applicable rating agency criteria. All other factors being equal, the greater the percentage of the mortgage-backed securities issued in a securitization transaction that the rating agencies will assign a triple-A rating to, the more profitable the transaction will be to us.
The price that investors in mortgage-backed securities will pay for securities issued in our securitization transactions also has a significant impact on the profitability of the transactions to us, and these prices are impacted by numerous market forces and factors. In addition, the underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) we select for securitization transactions, and the terms of their engagement, can also impact the profitability of our securitization transactions. Also, transaction costs incurred in executing transactions impact the profitability of our securitization transactions and any liability that we may incur, or may be required to reserve for, in connection with executing a transaction can cause a loss to us. To the extent that we are not able to profitably execute future securitizations of residential mortgage loans or other assets, including for the reasons described above or for other reasons, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial results.
Risks of Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our charter does not permit ownership of over 9.8% in number of shares or value of our common stock or any class of our preferred stock.
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To maintain our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares of our capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the federal tax laws to include certain entities). For the purpose of preserving our REIT qualification and for other reasons, our charter prohibits direct or constructive ownership by any person of more than 9.8% of the total number or value of any class of our outstanding common stock or any class of our preferred stock. Our charter’s constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of any class of common stock or any class of our preferred stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding shares of such class of stock and thus be subject to our charter’s ownership limit. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock or preferred stock in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of the Board shall be void, or, alternatively, will result in the shares being transferred by operation of law to a charitable trust. Our Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive or modify the ownership limit with respect to one or more persons who would not be treated as “individuals” if it is satisfied that ownership in excess of this limit will not otherwise jeopardize our status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The ownership limit may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control and, therefore, could adversely affect our stockholders’ ability to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for our stock in connection with a change in control.
Provisions contained in Maryland law may have anti-takeover effects, potentially preventing investors from receiving a “control premium” for their shares.
Provisions contained in our charter and bylaws, as well as the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), may have anti-takeover effects that delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt, which may prevent stockholders from receiving a “control premium” for their shares. For example, these provisions may defer or prevent tender offers for our common stock or purchases of large blocks of our common stock, thereby limiting the opportunities for our stockholders to receive a premium for their common stock over then-prevailing market prices. These provisions include the following:
•Ownership limit. The ownership limit in our charter limits related investors including, among other things, any voting group, from acquiring over 9.8% of any class our common stock or of our preferred stock, in each case, in number of shares or value, without the consent of our Board.
•Preferred Stock. Our charter authorizes our Board to issue preferred stock in one or more classes and to establish the preferences and rights of any class of preferred stock issued. These actions can be taken without soliciting stockholder approval.
•Maryland Business Combination Act. The Maryland Business Combination Act provides that, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, certain business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our then outstanding shares of stock) or an affiliate of any interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter imposes two super-majority stockholder voting requirements on these combinations, unless, among other conditions, our common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined in the MGCL, for their shares of stock and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the
interested stockholder for its shares of stock. We have opted out of the Maryland Business Combination Act in our charter. However, if we amend our charter to opt back in to the statute, subject to stockholder approval, the Maryland Business Combination Act could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if our acquisition would be in our stockholders’ best interests.
•Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provides that, subject to certain exceptions, holders of “control shares” (defined as voting shares that, when aggregated with all other shares controlled by the stockholder, entitle the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of issued and outstanding “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquirer, by our officers, or by our employees who are also directors of our company. We are currently subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.
•Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL: These provisions of the MGCL permit our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is provided in our charter or bylaws, to implement
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certain takeover defenses, including adopting a classified board or increasing the vote required to remove a director.
We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and cannot assure stockholders of our ability to pay dividends in the future.
We intend to pay quarterly dividends and to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year (subject to certain adjustments) is distributed. This enables us to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Code. We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected for the reasons described in this section. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time.
Our reported GAAP financial results may not be an accurate indicator of future taxable income and dividend distributions.
Generally, the cumulative net income we report over the life of an asset will be the same for GAAP and tax purposes, although the timing of this income recognition over the life of the asset could be materially different. Differences exist in the accounting for GAAP net income and REIT taxable income that can lead to significant variances in the amount and timing of when income and losses are recognized under these two measures. Due to these differences, our reported GAAP financial results could materially differ from our determination of taxable income.
Compliance, Regulatory & Legal Risks
Accounting rules related to certain of our transactions are highly complex and involve significant judgment and assumptions. Our application of GAAP may produce financial results that fluctuate from one period to another.
Accounting rules for valuations of investments, mortgage loan sales and securitizations, investment consolidations, acquisitions of real estate and other aspects of our operations are highly complex and involve significant judgment and assumptions. These complexities could lead to a delay in preparation of financial information and the delivery of this information to our stockholders. Changes in accounting interpretations or assumptions could impact our financial statements and our ability to prepare our financial statements in a timely fashion. Our inability to prepare our financial statements in a timely fashion in the future would likely adversely affect our share price significantly. The fair value at which our assets may be recorded may not be an indication of their realizable value. Ultimate realization of the value of an asset depends to a great extent on economic and other conditions. Further, fair value is only an estimate based on good faith judgment of the price at which an investment can be sold since market prices of investments can only be determined by negotiation between a willing buyer and seller. If we were to liquidate a particular asset, the realized value may be more than or less than the amount at which such asset was recorded. Accordingly, the value of our common shares could be adversely affected by our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments, whether in the applicable period or in the future. Additionally, such valuations may fluctuate over short periods of time.
We have made certain accounting elections which may result in volatility in our periodic net income, as computed in accordance with GAAP. For example, changes in fair value of certain instruments are reflected in GAAP net income (loss) while others are reflected in Other comprehensive income (loss).
New laws may be passed affecting the relationship between Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the federal government.
The interest and principal payments we expect to receive on the Agency mortgage-backed securities in which we invest are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. Principal and interest payments on Ginnie Mae certificates are directly guaranteed by the U.S. government. Principal and interest payments relating to the securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are only guaranteed by each respective Agency.
In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into the conservatorship of the FHFA, their federal regulator, pursuant to its powers under The Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, a part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. In addition to FHFA becoming the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the U.S. Department of the Treasury entered into Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements with the FHFA and have taken various actions intended to provide Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with additional liquidity in an effort to ensure their financial stability. In
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September 2019, FHFA and the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to modifications to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements that will permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to maintain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively.
Shortly after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed in federal conservatorship, the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury suggested that the guarantee payment structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the U.S. housing finance market should be re-examined. The future roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be significantly reduced and the nature of their guarantees could be eliminated or considerably limited relative to historical measurements. The U.S. Treasury could also stop providing credit support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the future. Any changes to the nature of the guarantees provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could redefine what constitutes an Agency mortgage-backed security and could have broad adverse market implications. While the likelihood that major mortgage finance system reform will be enacted in the short term remains uncertain, it is possible that the adoption of any such reforms could adversely affect the types of assets we can buy, the costs of these assets and our business operations. A reduction in the ability of mortgage loan originators to access Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sell their mortgage loans may adversely affect the mortgage markets generally and adversely affect the ability of mortgagors to refinance their mortgage loans. In addition, any decline in the value of securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may affect the value of MBS in general. If Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac was eliminated, or their structures were to change in a material manner that is not compatible with our business model, we would not be able to acquire Agency mortgage-backed securities from these entities, which could adversely affect our business operations.
We may be subject to liability for potential violations of truth-in-lending or other similar consumer protection laws and regulations.
Federal consumer protection laws and regulations regulate residential mortgage loan underwriting and originators’ lending processes, standards, and disclosures to borrowers. These laws and regulations include, among others, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (“CFPB”) “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations. In addition, there are various other federal, state, and local laws and regulations that are intended to discourage predatory lending practices by residential mortgage loan originators. For example, the federal Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (“HOEPA”) which was expanded under the Dodd Frank Act, prohibits inclusion of certain provisions in residential mortgage loans that have mortgage rates or origination costs in excess of prescribed levels and requires that borrowers be given certain disclosures prior to origination. The Dodd-Frank Act grants enforcement authority and broad discretionary regulatory authority to the CFPB to prohibit or condition terms, acts or practices relating to residential mortgage loans that the CFPB finds abusive, unfair, deceptive or predatory, as well as to take other actions that the CFPB finds are necessary or proper to ensure responsible affordable mortgage credit remains available to consumers. The Dodd-Frank Act also affects the securitization of mortgages (and other assets) with requirements for risk retention by securitizers and requirements for regulating rating agencies.
Numerous regulations have been issued pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, including regulations regarding mortgage loan servicing, underwriting and loan originator compensation and others could be issued in the future. These requirements can and do change as statutes and regulations are enacted, promulgated, amended, and interpreted, and the recent trends among federal and state lawmakers and regulators have been toward increasing laws, regulations, and investigative procedures concerning the mortgage industry generally. As a result, we are unable to fully predict at this time how the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as other laws or regulations that may be adopted in the future, will affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, or the environment for repurchase financing and other forms of borrowing, the investing environment for Agency MBS, non-Agency mortgage-backed securities and/or residential mortgage and MSR. We believe that the Dodd-Frank Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder are likely to continue to increase the economic and compliance costs for participants in the mortgage and securitization industries, including us.
Some states have enacted, or may enact, similar laws or regulations, which in some cases may impose restrictions and requirements greater than those in place under federal laws and regulations. In addition, under the anti-predatory lending laws of some states, the origination of certain residential mortgage loans, including loans that are classified as “high cost” loans under applicable law, must satisfy a net tangible benefits test with respect to the borrower. This test, as well as certain standards set forth in the “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” regulations, may be highly subjective and open to interpretation. As a result, a court may determine that a residential mortgage loan did not meet the applicable standard or test even if the originator reasonably believed such standard or test had been satisfied. Failure of residential mortgage loan originators or servicers to comply with federal consumer protection laws and regulations could subject us, as an assignee or purchaser of these loans (or as an investor in securities backed by these loans), to monetary penalties and defenses to foreclosure, including by recoupment or setoff of damages and costs, which for some violations included the sum of all finance charges and fees paid by the consumer, and could result in rescission of the affected residential mortgage loans, which could adversely impact our business and financial results. On December 10, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau adopted a set of “bright-line” loan pricing thresholds to replace the previous qualified mortgage 43% debt-to-income threshold calculated in accordance with “Appendix Q”. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also created a new category of a qualified mortgage, referred to as a “Seasoned QM”, which consists of first-lien, fixed rate loans that met certain performance requirements over a seasoning period of at least
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36 months, are held in portfolio until the end of the seasoning period by the originating creditor or first purchaser, comply with general restrictions on product features and points and fees, and meet certain underwriting requirements. At this time, however, there can be no assurance what impact the final rules will have on the mortgage market and the “ability-to-repay” rules. Furthermore, the temporary qualified mortgage provision applicable to certain mortgage loans eligible for purchase or guarantee by the GSEs under the ability-to-repay, commonly referred to as the “GSE patch” expired on October 1, 2022. The impact of the expiration of the patch on the mortgage market is still unclear.
Various regulatory measures enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic affect mortgage servicing and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. The Federal, state, or local governments may pass additional stimulus bills, foreclosure relief measures and may reinstate foreclosure and eviction moratoriums that may continue to adversely impact the cash flow on mortgage loans.
The CFPB Director has publicly stated that CFPB is carefully monitoring conditions in the mortgage market and taking steps to minimize avoidable foreclosures and address any compliance failures, including by conducting prioritized assessments, or targeted supervisory reviews, designed to obtain real-time information from mortgage servicers due to the elevated risk of consumer harm because of the COVID 19 pandemic. On June 28, 2021, the CFPB finalized amendments to the federal mortgage servicing regulations designed to support the housing market’s transition to post-pandemic operation. The rules established temporary special safeguards to help ensure that borrowers have time before foreclosure to explore their options, including loan modifications and selling their homes. The rules cover loans on principal residences, generally exclude small servicers, and took effect on August 31, 2021. On November 10, 2021, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the CFPB, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the state financial regulators (collectively, agencies) announced that they were discontinuing the more flexible supervisory approach announced in April 2020, concluding that servicers have had sufficient time to adjust their operations by, among other things, taking steps to work with consumers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and developing more robust business continuity and remote work capabilities. CFPB’s December 2021 Supervisory Highlights shows, among other things, that CFPB is prioritizing compliance with Regulation Z and Regulation X, as well as unfair and deceptive acts or practices prohibited by the CFPA. The Fall 2022 Supervisory Highlights report published by the CFPB illustrated enhanced scrutiny continued throughout the first half of 2022 and, while some COVID-related provisions sunset in October, its approach is likely to continue to increase the economic and compliance costs for participants in the mortgage and securitization industries, including us, as its examinations remain focused on credit reporting, mortgage servicing fees charged to consumers, and proper handling of COVID-19 protections.
We may not be able to maintain compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our Residential Credit or MSR businesses, including through the manner in which we oversee the compliance obligations of our third-party service providers.
While we are not required to obtain licenses to purchase mortgage-backed securities, the purchase of residential mortgage loans and certain business purpose mortgage loans in the secondary market may, in some circumstances, require us to maintain various state licenses. Acquiring the right to service residential mortgage loans and certain business purpose mortgage loans may also, in some circumstances, require us to maintain various state licenses even though we currently do not expect to directly engage in loan servicing ourselves. As a result, we could be delayed in conducting certain business if we were first required to obtain a state license. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain all of the licenses we need or that we would not experience significant delays in obtaining these licenses. Furthermore, once licenses are issued we are required to comply with various information reporting and other regulatory requirements to maintain those licenses, and there is no assurance that we will be able to satisfy those requirements or other regulatory requirements applicable to our business of acquiring mortgage loans on an ongoing basis. Our failure to obtain or maintain required licenses or our failure to comply with regulatory requirements that are applicable to our business of acquiring mortgage loans may restrict our residential credit business and investment options and could harm our business and expose us to penalties or other claims.
Although we utilize unaffiliated servicing companies to carry out the actual servicing of MSR and the loans we purchase together with the related MSR (including all direct interface with the borrowers), we are ultimately responsible, vis-à-vis the borrowers and state and federal regulators, for ensuring that the loans and MSR are serviced in accordance with the terms of the related notes and mortgages and applicable law and regulation. To manage this risk, we have a robust oversight process that monitors the activities of the third-party servicers. This oversight process is also subject to regulatory requirements and expectations that we are expected to meet.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or our failure to comply with those laws or regulations may adversely affect our business.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
We are subject to regulation by laws at the local, state and federal level, including securities and tax laws and financial accounting and reporting standards. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time and result in enhanced disclosure obligations, including with respect to climate change or other environmental, social, or governance (“ESG”) topics, increasing our regulatory burden. Moreover, government efforts to address climate change may impact our business.
Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations or the failure to comply with these laws or regulations could have a material adverse impact on our business. Certain of these laws and regulations pertain specifically to REITs.
We are subject to risks and liabilities in connection with sponsoring, investing in and managing new funds and other investment accounts, including potential regulatory risks.
We have, and may in the future, sponsor, manage and serve as general partner and/or manager of new funds or investment accounts. Such sponsorship and management of, and investment in, such funds and accounts may involve risks not otherwise present with a direct investment in such funds’ and accounts’ target investments, including, for example:
•the possibility that investors in the funds/accounts might become bankrupt or otherwise be unable to meet their capital commitment obligations;
•that operating and/or management agreements of a fund/account may restrict our ability to transfer or liquidate our interest when we desire or on advantageous terms;
•that our relationships with the investors will be generally contractual in nature and may be terminated or dissolved under the terms of the agreements, or we may be removed as general partner and/or manager (with or without cause), and
in such event, we may not continue to manage or invest in the applicable fund/account;
•that disputes between us and the investors may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and directors from focusing their time and effort on our business and result in subjecting the investments owned by the applicable fund/account to additional risk; and
•that we may incur liability for obligations of a fund/account by reason of being its general partner or manager.
We have a subsidiary that is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act. As a result, we are subject to the anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act and to fiduciary duties derived from these provisions that apply to our relationships with that subsidiary’s clients. These provisions and duties impose restrictions and obligations on us with respect to our dealings with our subsidiary’s clients, including, for example, restrictions on agency, cross and principal transactions. Our registered investment adviser subsidiary is subject to periodic SEC examinations and other requirements under the Investment Advisers Act and related regulations primarily intended to benefit advisory clients. These additional requirements relate to, among other things, maintaining an effective and comprehensive compliance program, recordkeeping and reporting requirements and disclosure requirements. The Investment Advisers Act generally grants the SEC broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict an investment adviser from conducting advisory activities in the event it fails to comply with federal securities laws. Additional sanctions that may be imposed for failure to comply with applicable requirements under the Investment Advisers Act include the prohibition of individuals from associating with an investment adviser, the revocation of registrations and other censures and fines. We may in the future be required to register one or more entities as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading adviser, subjecting those entities to the regulations and oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. We may also become subject to various international regulations on the asset management industry.
Loss of our Investment Company Act exemption from registration would adversely affect us.
We intend to conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. We currently rely on the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires us to invest at least 55% of our assets in “mortgages and other liens on and interest in real estate” (“Qualifying Real Estate Assets”) and at least 80% of our assets in Qualifying Real Estate Assets plus our interests in MSR and other real estate related assets. The assets that we acquire, therefore, are limited by this provision of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Investment Company Act.
We rely on an SEC interpretation that “whole pool certificates” that are issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae (“Agency Whole Pool Certificates”) are Qualifying Real Estate Assets under Section 3(c)(5)(C). This interpretation was promulgated by the SEC staff in a no-action letter in the 1980s, was reaffirmed by the SEC in 1992 and has been commonly relied upon by mortgage REITs.
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On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release titled “Companies Engaged in the Business of Acquiring Mortgages and Mortgage-Related Instruments” (SEC Release No. IC-29778). In this concept release, the SEC announced it was reviewing interpretive issues related to the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exemption. Among other things, the SEC requested comments on whether it should revisit whether Agency Whole Pool Certificates may be treated as interests in real estate (and presumably Qualifying Real Estate Assets) and whether companies, such as us, whose primary business consists of investing in Agency Whole Pool Certificates are the type of entities that Congress intended to be encompassed by the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C).
If the SEC changes its views regarding which securities are Qualifying Real Estate Assets or real estate related assets, adopts a contrary interpretation with respect to Agency Whole Pool Certificates or otherwise believes we do not satisfy the exemption under Section 3(c)(5)(C), we could be required to restructure our activities or sell certain of our assets. The net effect of these factors will be to lower our net interest income, which could negatively affect the market price of shares of our capital stock and our ability to distribute dividends. If we fail to qualify for exemption from registration as an investment company, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced, and we would not be able to conduct our business as described. Our business will be materially and adversely affected if we fail to qualify for this exemption.
Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT
Our failure to maintain our qualification as a REIT would have adverse tax consequences.
We believe that since 1997 we have qualified for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. We plan to continue to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT. The determination that we are a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control. For example, to maintain our qualification as a REIT, at least 75% of our gross income must come from real estate sources and 95% of our gross income must come from real estate sources and certain other sources that are itemized in the REIT tax laws. Additionally, our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. The proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. We are also required to distribute to stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain). Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize our REIT status. Furthermore, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) might make changes to the tax laws and regulations, and the courts might issue new rulings that make it more difficult or impossible for us to remain qualified as a REIT.
We also indirectly own interests in entities that have elected to be taxed as REITs under the U.S. federal income tax laws, or “Subsidiary REITs.” Subsidiary REITs are subject to the various REIT qualification requirements that are applicable to us. If any Subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then (i) that Subsidiary REIT would become subject to regular U.S. federal, state, and local corporate income tax, (ii) our interest in such Subsidiary REIT would cease to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and (iii) it is possible that we would fail certain of the REIT asset tests, in which event we also would fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT unless we could avail ourselves of certain relief provisions. While we believe that the Subsidiary REITs have qualified as REITs under the Code, we have joined each Subsidiary REIT in filing “protective” TRS elections under Section 856(l) of the Code. We cannot assure you that such “protective” TRS elections would be effective to avoid adverse consequences to us. Moreover, even if the “protective” elections were to be effective, the Subsidiary REITs would be subject to regular corporate income tax, and we cannot assure you that we would not fail to satisfy the requirement that not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more TRSs. If we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Also, unless the IRS were to grant us relief under certain statutory provisions, we would remain disqualified as a REIT for four years following the year we first fail to qualify. If we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we would have to pay significant income taxes and would therefore have less money available for investments or for distributions to our stockholders. This would likely have a significant adverse effect on the value of our equity. In addition, the tax law would no longer require us to make distributions to our stockholders.
A REIT that fails the quarterly asset tests for one or more quarters will not lose its REIT status as a result of such failure if either (i) the failure is regarded as a de minimis failure under standards set out in the Code, or (ii) the failure is greater than a de minimis failure but is attributable to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. In the case of a greater than de minimis failure, however, the REIT must pay a tax and must remedy the failure within six months of the close of the quarter in which the failure was identified. In addition, the Code provides relief for failures of other tests imposed as a condition of REIT qualification, as long as the failures are attributable to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. A REIT would be required to pay a penalty of $50,000, however, in the case of each failure.
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Our distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain). The required distribution limits the amount we have available for other business purposes, including amounts to fund our growth. Also, it is possible that because of the differences between the time we actually receive revenue or pay expenses and the period we report those items for distribution purposes, we may have to borrow funds on a short-term basis to meet the 90% distribution requirement.
To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT qualification requirements of the Code.
From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our income for financial reporting purposes prepared in accordance with GAAP, or differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash may occur. For example, if we purchase Agency or non-Agency securities at a discount, we generally are required to accrete the discount into taxable income prior to receiving the cash proceeds of the accreted discount at maturity, and in some cases, potentially recognize the discount in taxable income once such amounts are reflected in our financial statements. If we do not have other funds available in these situations we could be required to (i) borrow funds on unfavorable terms, (ii) sell investments at disadvantageous prices, (iii) distribute our own stock, or (iv) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid the corporate income tax and 4% excise tax in a particular year. Also, we or our subsidiaries may hold debt investments that could require subsequent modifications. If an amendment to an outstanding debt is a “significant modification” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the modified debt may be deemed to have been reissued in a debt-for-debt taxable exchange with the borrower. This deemed reissuance could result in a portion of the modified debt not qualifying as a good REIT asset if the underlying security has declined in value, and would cause us to recognize income to the extent the principal amount of the modified debt exceeds our adjusted tax basis in the unmodified debt. These scenarios could increase our costs or reduce our stockholders’ equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our stock.
Conversely, from time to time, we may generate taxable income less than our income for financial reporting purposes due to GAAP and tax accounting differences or, as mentioned above, the timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash. In such circumstances we may make distributions according to our business plan that are within our wherewithal from an economic or cash management perspective, but that are labeled as return of capital for tax reporting purposes, as they are in excess of taxable income in that period.
Distributions to tax-exempt investors may be classified as unrelated business taxable income.
Neither ordinary nor capital gain distributions with respect to our stock nor gain from the sale of our stock are anticipated to constitute unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. In particular:
•part of the income and gain recognized by certain qualified employee pension trusts with respect to our stock may be treated as unrelated business taxable income if shares of our stock are predominantly held by qualified employee pension trusts, and we are required to rely on a special look-through rule for purposes of meeting one of the REIT ownership tests, and we are not operated in a manner to avoid treatment of such income or gain as unrelated business taxable income;
•part of the income and gain recognized by a tax-exempt investor with respect to our stock would constitute unrelated business taxable income if the investor incurs debt in order to acquire the stock;
•part or all of the income or gain recognized with respect to our stock by social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans which are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under the Code may be treated as unrelated business taxable income;
•to the extent that we (or a part of us, or a disregarded subsidiary of ours) are a “taxable mortgage pool,” or if we hold residual interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit or a CLO;
•a portion of the distributions paid to a tax-exempt stockholder that is allocable to excess inclusion income may be treated as unrelated business taxable income.
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We may choose to pay dividends in our own stock.
We may in the future distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash or shares of our stock at the election of each stockholder. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect to all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.
Our TRSs cannot constitute more than 20% of our total assets.
A TRS is a corporation, other than a REIT or a qualified REIT subsidiary, in which a REIT owns stock and with which the REIT jointly elects TRS status. The term also includes a corporate subsidiary in which the TRS owns more than a 35% interest.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs. A TRS may earn income that would not be qualifying income if it was earned directly by the parent REIT. Overall, at the close of any calendar quarter, no more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs.
The stock and securities of our TRSs are expected to represent less than 20% of the value of our total assets. Furthermore, we intend to monitor the value of our investments in the stock and securities of our TRSs to ensure compliance with the above-described limitation. We cannot assure you, however, that we will always be able to comply with the limitation so as to maintain REIT status.
TRSs are subject to tax at the regular corporate rates, are not required to distribute dividends, and the amount of dividends a TRS can pay to its parent REIT may be limited by REIT gross income tests.
A TRS must pay income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In certain circumstances, the ability of our TRSs to deduct interest expenses for U.S. federal income tax may be limited. Such income, however, is not required to be distributed. Our TRSs will pay corporate income tax on their taxable income, and their after-tax net income will be available for distribution to us.
Moreover, the annual gross income tests that must be satisfied to maintain our REIT qualification may limit the amount of dividends that we can receive from our TRSs. Generally, not more than 25% of our gross income can be derived from non-real estate related sources, such as dividends from a TRS. If, for any taxable year, the dividends we receive from our TRSs, when added to our other items of non-real estate related income, were to represent more than 25% of our total gross income for the year, we could be denied REIT status, unless we were able to demonstrate, among other things, that our failure of the gross income test was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
The limitations imposed by the REIT gross income tests may impede our ability to distribute assets from our TRSs to us in the form of dividends. Certain asset transfers may, therefore, have to be structured as purchase and sale transactions upon which our TRSs recognize a taxable gain.
If transactions between a REIT and a TRS are entered into on other than arm’s-length terms, the REIT may be subject to a penalty tax.
If interest accrues on an indebtedness owed by a TRS to its parent REIT at a rate in excess of a commercially reasonable rate, then the REIT would be subject to tax at a rate of 100% on the excess of (i) interest payments made by a TRS to its parent REIT over (ii) the amount of interest that would have been payable had interest accrued on the indebtedness at a commercially reasonable rate. A tax at a rate of 100% is also imposed on any transaction between a TRS and its parent REIT to the extent the transaction gives rise to deductions to the TRS that are in excess of the deductions that would have been allowable had the transaction been entered into on arm’s-length terms. While we will scrutinize all of our transactions with our TRSs in an effort to ensure that we do not become subject to these taxes, there is no assurance that we will be successful. We may not be able to avoid application of these taxes.
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Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, excise taxes, state or local income, property and transfer taxes, such as mortgage recording taxes, and other taxes. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, prevent the recognition of certain types of non-cash income, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we may hold some of our assets through our TRSs or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to corporate level income tax at regular rates.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities and may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To remain qualified as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts that we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. Our ability to acquire and hold our investments is subject to the applicable REIT qualification tests. We must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than U.S. Government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than U.S. Government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs.
Changes in the values or other features of our assets could cause inadvertent violations of the REIT requirements. If we fail to comply with the REIT requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. Additionally, we may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution.
Accordingly we may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us or be required to liquidate from our investment portfolio otherwise attractive investments if we feel it is necessary to satisfy the source-of-income, asset-diversification or distribution requirements for qualifying as a REIT. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification or create additional tax liability for us.
To remain qualified as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding the composition of our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.
The failure of assets subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to remain qualified as a REIT.
We enter into certain financing arrangements that are structured as sale and repurchase agreements pursuant to which we nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase these assets at a later date in exchange for a purchase price. Economically, these agreements are financings that are secured by the assets sold pursuant thereto, and we treat them as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe that we would be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such sale and repurchase agreement notwithstanding that such agreement may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to remain qualified as a REIT.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code could substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a properly designated hedging transaction we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be
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made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets generally does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may have to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through our TRSs. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRSs would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRSs generally will not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward potentially to offset taxable income in the TRSs for future periods.
The failure of a mezzanine loan or similar debt to qualify as a real estate asset could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
From time to time, we have invested and may in the future invest in mezzanine loans and similar debt (including preferred equity investments that we treat as mezzanine loans for U.S. federal income tax purposes), for which the IRS has provided a safe harbor but not rules of substantive law. Pursuant to the safe harbor, if a mezzanine loan meets certain requirements, it will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the REIT 75% income test. The mezzanine loans or similar debt that we may acquire may not have met all of the requirements of this safe harbor. In the event we owned a mezzanine loan or similar debt that does not meet the safe harbor, the IRS could challenge such loan’s treatment as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests and, if such a challenge were sustained, we could fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT.
Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our continued qualification as a REIT depends on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements depends in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence, including in cases where we own an equity interest in an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The tax on prohibited transactions limits our ability to engage in certain transactions.
The 100% tax on prohibited transactions will limit our ability to engage in transactions, including certain methods of structuring CMOs, which would be treated as prohibited transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (including mortgage loans, but other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We could be subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or structure CMOs in a manner that was treated as a prohibited transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We intend to conduct our operations at the REIT level so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. As a result, we may choose not to engage in certain transactions at the REIT level, and may limit the structures we utilize for our CMO transactions, even though the sales or structures might otherwise be beneficial to us. In addition, whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid the prohibited transaction tax.
Certain financing activities may subject us to U.S. federal income tax and could have negative tax consequences for our stockholders.
We may enter into securitization transactions and other financing transactions that could result in us, or a portion of our assets, being treated as a taxable mortgage pool for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we enter into such a transaction in the future,
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we could be taxable at the highest corporate income tax rate on a portion of the income arising from a taxable mortgage pool, referred to as “excess inclusion income,” that is allocable to the percentage of our shares held in record name by disqualified organizations (generally tax-exempt entities that are exempt from the tax on unrelated business taxable income, such as state pension plans and charitable remainder trusts and government entities). In that case, we could reduce distributions to such stockholders by the amount of tax paid by us that is attributable to such stockholder's ownership.
If we were to realize excess inclusion income, IRS guidance indicates that the excess inclusion income would be allocated among our stockholders in proportion to the dividends paid. Excess inclusion income cannot be offset by losses of a stockholder. If the stockholder is a tax-exempt entity and not a disqualified organization, then this income would be fully taxable as unrelated business taxable income under Section 512 of the Code. If the stockholder is a foreign person, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the maximum tax rate and withholding will be required on this income without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty.
Uncertainty exists with respect to the treatment of our TBAs for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
We purchase and sell Agency mortgage-backed securities through TBAs and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise, and may continue to do so in the future. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, based on an opinion of counsel substantially to the effect that (i) for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of real estate assets, and (ii) for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of an interest in mortgages on real property. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, it must be emphasized that the opinion of counsel is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of counsel, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to remain qualified as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs or a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
Dividends payable by REITs generally receive different tax treatment than dividend income from regular corporations.
Qualified dividend income payable to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is subject to the reduced maximum tax rate applicable to capital gains. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced qualified dividend rates. Non-corporate taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain pass-through business income, including “qualified REIT dividends” (generally, dividends received by a REIT shareholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations, resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income. Although the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our stock. Tax rates could be changed in future legislation.
New legislation or administrative or judicial action, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to remain qualified as a REIT.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, which could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in us. The U.S. federal income tax rules dealing with REITs constantly are under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury, which results in statutory changes as well as frequent revisions to regulations and interpretations. Future revisions in federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could affect or cause us to change our investments and commitments and affect the tax considerations of an investment in us.
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Counterparty Risks
The soundness of our counterparties and other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, borrower, or other relationships. We have exposure to many different counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit or counterparty risk in the event of default of our counterparty or, in certain instances, our counterparty’s customers. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely impact our revenues, financial condition and earnings.
We are subject to counterparty risk and may be unable to seek indemnity or require counterparties to repurchase residential whole loans if they breach representations and warranties, which could cause us to suffer losses.
When selling or securitizing mortgage loans, sellers typically make customary representations and warranties about such loans. Residential mortgage loan purchase agreements may entitle the purchaser of the loans to seek indemnity or demand repurchase or substitution of the loans in the event the seller of the loans breaches a representation or warranty given to the purchaser. There can be no assurance that a mortgage loan purchase agreement will contain appropriate representations and warranties, that we or the trust that purchases the mortgage loans would be able to enforce a contractual right to repurchase or substitution, or that the seller of the loans will remain solvent or otherwise be able to honor its obligations under its mortgage loan purchase agreements. The inability to obtain or enforce an indemnity or require repurchase of a significant number of loans could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and business.
Investment and Market Related Risks
We may experience declines in the market value of our assets.
We may experience declines in the market value of our assets due to interest rate changes, deterioration of the credit of the borrower or counterparty, or other reasons described in other risk factors. These declines can result in fair value adjustments, impairments, decreases in reported asset and earnings, margin calls, liquidity risks, and other adverse impacts.
Investments in MSR may expose us to additional risks.
We invest in MSR and financial instruments whose cash flows are considered to be largely dependent on underlying MSR that either directly or indirectly act as collateral for the investment. We expect to increase our exposure to MSR-related investments in 2023. Generally, we have the right to receive certain cash flows from the owner of the MSR that are generated from the servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread associated with the MSR. Our investments in MSR-related assets expose us to risks associated with MSR, including the following:
•Investments in MSR are highly illiquid and subject to numerous restrictions on transfer and, as a result, there is risk that we would be unable to locate a willing buyer or get required approval to sell MSR in the future should we desire to do so.
•Our rights to the excess servicing spread are subordinate to the interests of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, and are subject to extinguishment. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each require approval of the sale of excess servicing spreads pertaining to their respective MSR. We have entered into acknowledgment agreements or subordination of interest agreements with them, which acknowledge our subordinated rights.
•Changes in minimum servicing compensation for agency loans could occur at any time and could negatively impact the value of the income derived from MSR.
•The value of MSR is highly sensitive to changes in prepayment rates. Decreasing market interest rates are generally associated with increases in prepayment rates as borrowers are able to refinance their loans at lower costs. Prepayments result in the partial or complete loss of the cash flows from the related MSR. Accordingly, an increase in prepayments can result in a reduction in the value and income we may earn of our MSR related assets and negatively affect our profitability.
•While we have executed recapture agreements with our subservicers to attempt to retain the MSR investment resulting from a refinance transaction, the effectiveness of these efforts is impacted by borrower, subservicer, and unaffiliated lender behavior.
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•Servicers are responsible for advancing the payment of principal, interest, and escrow items on mortgage loans when those payments are not timely made by the borrower (including during periods of forbearance) and the timing and amount of recovery of those advances is unpredictable.
•The ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the exposure resulting from loans that are delinquent, defaulted or in foreclosure. The federal CARES Act as well as various state laws and foreclosure and eviction moratoria have increased the cost and complexity of operational controls, expanded the scope and duration of loss mitigation options, and impacted the timing and process of foreclosure and foreclosure alternatives. These limitations can cause delayed or reduced collections and generally increase costs.
If we are not able to successfully manage these and other risks related to investing in MSR, it may adversely affect the value of our MSR-related assets.
A prolonged economic slowdown or declining real estate values could impair the assets we may own.
Our non-Agency mortgage-backed securities, mortgage loans, and MSR may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions, which could lead to financial losses in our assets and a decrease in revenues, net income and asset values.
Owners of Agency mortgage-backed securities are protected from the risk of default on the underlying mortgages by guarantees from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or, in the case of the Ginnie Mae, the U.S. Government. A default on those underlying mortgages exposes us to prepayment risk described above, but not a credit loss. However, we also acquire CRTs, non-Agency mortgage-backed securities and residential loans, which are backed by residential real property but, in contrast to Agency mortgage-backed securities, the principal and interest payments are not guaranteed by GSEs or the U.S. Government. Our CRT, non-Agency mortgage-backed securities and residential loan investments are therefore particularly sensitive to recessions and declining real estate values.
In the event of a default on one of the residential mortgage loans that we hold in our portfolio or a mortgage loan underlying CRT or non-Agency mortgage-backed securities in our portfolio, we bear the risk of loss as a result of the potential deficiency between the value of the collateral and the debt owed, as well as the costs and delays of foreclosure or other remedies, and the costs of maintaining and ultimately selling a property after foreclosure. Delinquencies and defaults on mortgage loans for which we own the servicing rights will adversely affect the amount of servicing fee income we receive and may result in increased servicing costs and operational risks due to the increased complexity of servicing delinquent and defaulted mortgage loans.
An increase in interest rates may adversely affect the market value of our interest earning assets and, therefore, also our book value.
Increases in interest rates may negatively affect the market value of our interest earning assets because in a period of rising interest rates, the value of certain interest earning assets may fall and reduce our book value. For example, our fixed-rate interest earning assets are generally negatively affected by increases in interest rates because in a period of rising rates, the coupon we earn on our fixed-rate interest earning assets would not change. Our book value would be reduced by the amount of a decline in the market value of our interest earning assets.
Actions by the Federal Reserve may affect the price and returns of our assets.
The Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) owns approximately $2.6 trillion of Agency mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2022. Certain actions taken by the U.S. government, including the Fed, may have a negative a impact on our results. For example, rising short-term interest rates as the Fed lifts its monetary policy rate to slow the currently elevated rate of inflation may have a negative impact on our results. Meanwhile, any potential future reduction of the Fed’s balance sheet might lead to higher interest rate volatility and wider mortgage-backed security spreads that could negatively impact Annaly’s portfolio.
We invest in securities that are subject to mortgage credit risk.
We invest in securities in the credit risk transfer CRT sector. The CRT sector is comprised of the risk sharing transactions issued by Fannie Mae (“CAS”) and Freddie Mac (“STACR”), and similarly structured transactions arranged by third party market participants. The securities issued in the CRT sector are designed to synthetically transfer mortgage credit risk from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to private investors. The holder of the securities in the CRT sector has the risk that the borrowers may default on their obligations to make full and timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in securities in the CRT sector could cause us to incur losses of income from, and/or losses in market value relating to, these assets if there are
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defaults of principal and/or interest on the pool of mortgages referenced in the transaction. The holder of the CRT may also bear the risk of the default of the issuer of the security.
Geographic concentration exposes investors to greater risk of default and loss.
Repayments by borrowers and the market value of the related assets could be affected by economic conditions generally or specific to geographic areas or regions of the United States, and concentrations of mortgaged residential properties in particular geographic areas may increase the risk that adverse economic or other developments or natural or man-made disasters affecting a particular region of the country could increase the frequency and severity of losses on mortgage loans or other real estate debt secured by those properties. From time to time, regions of the United States experience significant real estate downturns when others do not. Regional economic declines or conditions in regional real estate markets could adversely affect the income from, and market value of, the mortgaged properties. In addition, local or regional economies may be adversely affected to a greater degree than other areas of the country by developments affecting industries concentrated in such area. A decline in the general economic condition in the region in which mortgaged properties securing the related mortgage loans are located would result in a decrease in consumer demand in the region, and the income from and market value of the mortgaged properties may be adversely affected.
Other regional factors – e.g., rising sea levels, earthquakes, floods, forest fires, hurricanes or changes in governmental rules (including rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic) or fiscal policies – also may adversely affect the mortgaged properties. Assets in certain regional areas may be more susceptible to certain hazards (such as earthquakes, widespread fires, floods or hurricanes) than properties in other parts of the country and collateral properties located in coastal states may be more susceptible to hurricanes than properties in other parts of the country. As a result, areas affected by such events often experience disruptions in travel, transportation and tourism, loss of jobs and an overall decrease in consumer activity, and often a decline in real estate-related investments. These types of occurrences may increase over time or become more severe due to changes in weather patterns and other climate changes. There can be no assurance that the economies in such impacted areas will recover sufficiently to support income producing real estate at pre-event levels or that the costs of the related clean-up will not have a material adverse effect on the local or national economy.
Inadequate property insurance coverage could have an adverse impact on our operating results.
Residential real estate assets may suffer casualty losses due to risks (including acts of terrorism) that are not covered by insurance or for which insurance coverage requirements have been contractually limited by the related loan documents. Moreover, if reconstruction or major repairs are required following a casualty, changes in laws that have occurred since the time of original construction may materially impair the borrower’s ability to effect such reconstruction or major repairs or may materially increase the cost thereof.
There is no assurance that borrowers have maintained or will maintain the insurance required under the applicable loan documents or that such insurance will be adequate. In addition, since the residential mortgage loans generally do not require maintenance of terrorism insurance, we cannot assure you that any property will be covered by terrorism insurance. Therefore, damage to a collateral property caused by acts of terror may not be covered by insurance and may result in substantial losses to us.
Our assets may become non-performing or sub-performing assets in the future.
Our assets may in the near or the long term become non-performing or sub-performing assets, which are subject to increased risks relative to performing assets. Residential mortgage loans may become non-performing or sub-performing for a variety of reasons that result in the borrower being unable to meet its debt service and/or repayment obligations, such as the underlying property being too highly leveraged or the financial distress of the borrower. Such non-performing or sub-performing assets may require a substantial amount of workout negotiations and/or restructuring, which may involve substantial cost and divert the attention of our management from other activities and may entail, among other things, a substantial reduction in interest rate, the capitalization of interest payments and/or a substantial write-down of the principal of the loan. Even if a restructuring were successfully accomplished, the borrower may not be able or willing to maintain the restructured payments or refinance the restructured loan upon maturity.
From time to time we may find it necessary or desirable to foreclose the liens of loans we acquire or originate, and the foreclosure process may be lengthy and expensive. Borrowers may resist foreclosure actions by asserting numerous claims, counterclaims and defenses to payment against us (such as lender liability claims and defenses) even when such assertions may have no basis in fact or law, in an effort to prolong the foreclosure action and force the lender into a modification of the loan or a favorable buy-out of the borrower’s position. In some states, foreclosure actions can take several years or more to litigate. At
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any time prior to or during the foreclosure proceedings, the borrower may file for bankruptcy, which would have the effect of staying the foreclosure actions and further delaying the resolution of our claims. Foreclosure may create a negative public perception of the related property, resulting in a diminution of its value. Even if we are successful in foreclosing on a loan, the liquidation proceeds upon sale of the underlying real estate may not be sufficient to recover our cost basis in the loan, resulting in a loss to us. Furthermore, any costs or delays involved in the foreclosure of a loan or a liquidation of the underlying property will further reduce the proceeds and thus increase our loss. Any such reductions could materially and adversely affect the value of the residential mortgage loans in which we invest.
Whether or not we have participated in the negotiation of the terms of a loan, there can be no assurance as to the adequacy of the protection of the terms of the loan, including the validity or enforceability of the loan and the maintenance of the anticipated priority and perfection of the applicable security interests. Furthermore, claims may be asserted that might interfere with enforcement of our rights. In the event of a foreclosure, we may assume direct ownership of the underlying real estate. The liquidation proceeds upon sale of that real estate may not be sufficient to recover our cost basis in the loan, resulting in a loss to us. Any costs or delays involved in the effectuation of a foreclosure of the loan or a liquidation of the underlying property will further reduce the proceeds and increase our loss.
Whole loan mortgages are also subject to “special hazard” risk (property damage caused by hazards, such as earthquakes or environmental hazards, not covered by standard property insurance policies), and to bankruptcy risk (reduction in a borrower’s mortgage debt by a bankruptcy court). In addition, claims may be assessed against us on account of our position as mortgage holder or property owner, as applicable, including responsibility for tax payments, environmental hazards and other liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We may be required to repurchase residential mortgage loans or indemnify investors if we breach representations and warranties.
When we sell or securitize loans, we will be required to make customary representations and warranties about such loans to the loan purchaser. Our mortgage loan sale agreements will require us to repurchase or substitute loans in the event we breach a representation or warranty given to the loan purchaser. In addition, we may be required to repurchase loans as a result of borrower fraud or in the event of early payment default on a mortgage loan. Likewise, we may be required to repurchase or substitute loans if we breach a representation or warranty in connection with our securitizations. The remedies available to a purchaser of mortgage loans are generally broader than those available to us against the originating broker or correspondent. Further, if a purchaser enforces its remedies against us, we may not be able to enforce the remedies we have against the sellers. The repurchased loans typically can only be financed at a steep discount to their repurchase price, if at all. They are also typically sold at a significant discount to the unpaid principal balance. Significant repurchase activity could adversely affect our cash flow, results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.
Our and our third party service providers’ and servicers’ due diligence of potential assets may not reveal all weaknesses in such assets.
Before acquiring a residential real estate debt asset, we will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the borrower, originator or issuer of the asset as well as other factors and characteristics that are material to the performance of the asset. In making the assessment and otherwise conducting customary due diligence, we will rely on resources available to us, including our third party service providers and servicers. This process is particularly important with respect to newly formed originators or issuers because there may be little or no information publicly available about these entities and assets. There can be no assurance that our due diligence process will uncover all relevant facts or that any asset acquisition will be successful.
When we foreclose on an asset, we may come to own the property securing the loan.
When we foreclose on a residential real estate asset, we may take title to the property securing that asset, and if we do not or cannot sell the property, we would then come to own and operate it as “real estate owned.” Owning and operating real property involves risks that are different (and in many ways more significant) than the risks faced in owning a debt instrument secured by that property. In addition, we may end up owning a property that we would not otherwise have decided to acquire directly at the price of our original investment or at all. If we foreclose on and come to own property, our financial performance and returns to investors could suffer.
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Proposals to acquire mortgage loans by eminent domain may adversely affect the value of our assets.
Local governments have taken steps to consider how the power of eminent domain could be used to acquire residential mortgage loans. There can be no certainty whether any mortgage loans sought to be purchased will be mortgage loans held in securitization trusts and what purchase price would be paid for any such mortgage loans. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on the market value of our mortgage-backed securities, mortgage loans and MSR. There is also no certainty as to whether any such action without the consent of investors would face legal challenge, and, if so, the outcome of any such challenge.
Subordinated tranches of non-Agency mortgage-backed securities are subordinate in right of payment to more senior securities.
Our investments may include subordinated tranches of non-Agency mortgage-backed securities, which are subordinated classes of securities in a structure of securities collateralized by a pool of mortgage loans and, accordingly, are the first or among the first to bear the loss upon a restructuring or liquidation of the underlying collateral and the last to receive payment of interest and principal. Additionally, estimated fair values of these subordinated interests tend to be more sensitive to changes in economic conditions than more senior securities. As a result, such subordinated interests generally are not actively traded and may not be liquid investments.
Our hedging strategies may be costly, and may not hedge our risks as intended.
Our policies permit us to enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors, interest rate swaptions, interest rate futures, and other derivative transactions to help us mitigate our interest rate and prepayment risks described above subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and our Investment Company Act exemption. We have used interest rate swaps and options to enter into interest rate swaps (commonly referred to as interest rate swaptions) to provide a level of protection against interest rate risks. We may also purchase or sell TBAs on Agency mortgage-backed securities, purchase or write put or call options on TBAs and invest in other types of mortgage derivatives, such as interest-only securities. No hedging strategy can protect us completely. Interest rate hedging may fail to protect or could adversely affect us because, among other things: interest rate hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of volatile interest rates; available hedges may not correspond directly with the risk for which protection is sought; and the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related asset or liability. The expected transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates adds additional complication to our hedging strategies.
We are subject to risks of loss from weather conditions, man-made or natural disasters and climate change.
To the extent that climate change impacts changes in weather patterns, assets in which we hold a direct or indirect interest could experience severe weather, including hurricanes, severe winter storms, and flooding due to increases in storm intensity and rising sea levels, among other effects that could impact house prices and housing-related costs and/or disrupt borrowers’ ability to pay their mortgage and or loan. Moreover, long term climate change could trigger extreme weather conditions that result in macroeconomic and demographic shifts. Over time, these conditions could result in repricing of the assets (land, property, securities) that we hold. There can be no assurance that climate change and severe weather will not have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Operational and Cybersecurity Risks
Inaccurate models or the data used by models may expose us to risk.
Given our strategies and the complexity of the valuation of our assets, we must rely heavily on analytical models (both proprietary models developed by us and those supplied by third parties) and information and data supplied by our third party vendors and servicers. Models and data are used to value assets or potential asset purchases and also in connection with hedging our assets. When models and data prove to be incorrect, misleading or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose us to potential risks. For example, by relying on models and data, especially valuation models, we may be induced to buy certain assets at prices that are too high, to sell certain other assets at prices that are too low or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty models and data may prove to be unsuccessful. Furthermore, despite our valuation validation processes our models may nevertheless prove to be incorrect.
Some of the risks of relying on analytical models and third-party data are particular to analyzing tranches from securitizations, such as commercial or residential mortgage-backed securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) collateral cash flows and/or liability structures may be incorrectly modeled in all or only certain scenarios, or may be modeled
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based on simplifying assumptions that lead to errors; (ii) information about collateral may be incorrect, incomplete, or misleading; (iii) collateral or bond historical performance (such as historical prepayments, defaults, cash flows, etc.) may be incorrectly reported, or subject to interpretation (e.g., different issuers may report delinquency statistics based on different definitions of what constitutes a delinquent loan); or (iv) collateral or bond information may be outdated, in which case the models may contain incorrect assumptions as to what has occurred since the date information was last updated.
Some of the analytical models used by us, such as mortgage prepayment models or mortgage default models, are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. For example, such models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, the predictive models used by us may differ substantially from those models used by other market participants, with the result that valuations based on these predictive models may be substantially higher or lower for certain assets than actual market prices. Furthermore, since predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data and the ability of these historical models to accurately reflect future periods. Additionally, such models may be more prone to inaccuracies in light of the unprecedented conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the economic, financial and related impacts of COVID-19 have been very difficult to model (including as related to the housing and mortgage markets), as the catalyst for these conditions (i.e., a global pandemic) is an event that is unparalleled in modern history and therefore is subject to wide variables, assumptions and inputs. Therefore, historical data used in analytical models may be less reliable in predicting future conditions. Further, the conditions created by COVID-19 increased volatility across asset classes. Extreme volatility in any asset class, including real estate and mortgage-related assets, increases the likelihood of analytical models being inaccurate as market participants attempt to value assets that have frequent, significant swings in pricing.
Many of the models we use include LIBOR as an input. The expected transition away from LIBOR may require changes to models, may change the underlying economic relationships being modeled, and may require the models to be run with less historical data than is currently available for LIBOR.
All valuation models rely on correct market data inputs. If incorrect market data is entered into even a well-founded valuation model, the resulting valuations will be incorrect. However, even if market data is inputted correctly, “model prices” will often differ substantially from market prices, especially for securities with complex characteristics, such as derivative instruments or structured notes.
We are highly dependent on information systems that may expose us to cybersecurity risks.
Our business is highly dependent on communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of our systems or cyber-attacks or security breaches of our networks or systems could cause delays or other problems in our securities trading activities, including mortgage-backed securities trading activities. A disruption or breach could also lead to unauthorized access to and release, misuse, loss or destruction of our confidential information or personal or confidential information of our employees or third parties, which could lead to regulatory fines, costs of remediating the breach, reputational harm, financial losses, litigation and increased difficulty doing business with third parties that rely on us to meet their own data protection requirements. In addition, we also face the risk of operational failure, termination or capacity constraints of any of the third parties with which we do business or that facilitate our business activities, including clearing agents or other financial intermediaries we use to facilitate our securities transactions, if their respective systems experience failure, interruption, cyber-attacks, or security breaches. Certain third parties provide information needed for our financial statements that we cannot obtain or verify from other sources. If one of those third parties experiences a system failure or cybersecurity incident, we may not have access to that information or may not have confidence in its accuracy. We may face increased costs as we continue to evolve our cyber defenses in order to contend with changing risks, and possible increased costs of complying with cyber laws and regulations. These costs and losses associated with these risks are difficult to predict and quantify, but could have a significant adverse effect on our operating results. Additionally, the legal and regulatory environment surrounding information privacy and security in the U.S. and international jurisdictions is constantly evolving. New business initiatives have increased, and may continue to increase, the extent to which we are subject to such U.S. and international information privacy and security regulations.
Computer malware, viruses, computer hacking and phishing attacks have become more prevalent in our industry and we are subject to such attempted attacks. We rely heavily on our financial, accounting and other data processing systems. Although we have not detected a material cybersecurity breach to date, other financial institutions have reported material breaches of their systems, some of which have been significant. Even with all reasonable security efforts, not every breach can be prevented or even detected. It is possible that we have experienced an undetected breach. There is no assurance that we, or the third parties that facilitate our business activities, have not or will not experience a breach. We may be held responsible if certain third parties that facilitate our business activities experience a breach. It is difficult to determine what, if any, negative impact may directly result from any specific interruption or cyber-attacks or security breaches of our networks or systems (or the networks
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or systems of third parties that facilitate our business activities) or any failure to maintain performance, reliability and security of our technical infrastructure, but such computer malware, viruses, and computer hacking and phishing attacks may negatively affect our operations.
We depend on third-party service providers, including mortgage loan servicers and sub-servicers, for a variety of services related to our business.
We depend on a variety of services provided by third-party service providers related to our investments in MSR as well as for general operating purposes. For example, we rely on the mortgage servicers who service the mortgage loans underlying our MSR to, among other things, collect principal and interest payments on such mortgage loans and perform loss mitigation services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Mortgage servicers and other service providers, such as trustees, bond insurance providers, due diligence vendors and document custodians, may fail to perform or otherwise not perform in a manner that promotes our interests.
For example, any legislation or regulation intended to reduce or prevent foreclosures through, among other things, loan modifications may reduce the value of mortgage loans, including those underlying our MSR. Mortgage servicers may be required or otherwise incentivized by the Federal or state governments to pursue actions designed to assist mortgagors, such as loan modifications, forbearance plans and other actions intended to prevent foreclosure even if such loan modifications and other actions are not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the mortgage loans. Similarly, legislation delaying the initiation or completion of foreclosure proceedings on specified types of residential mortgage loans or otherwise limiting the ability of mortgage servicers to take actions that may be essential to preserve the value of the mortgage loans may also reduce the value of mortgage loans underlying our MSR. Any such limitations are likely to cause delayed or reduced collections from mortgagors and generally increase servicing costs. As a consequence of the foregoing matters, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our investments in residential whole loans subject us to servicing-related risks.
In connection with the acquisition and securitization of residential whole loans, we rely on unaffiliated servicing companies to service and manage the mortgages underlying our non-Agency mortgage-backed securities and our residential whole loans. If a servicer is not vigilant in seeing that borrowers make their required monthly payments, borrowers may be less likely to make these payments, resulting in a higher frequency of default. If a servicer takes longer to liquidate non-performing mortgages, our losses related to those loans may be higher than originally anticipated.
Any failure by servicers to service these mortgages and related real estate owned (“REO”) properties could negatively impact the value of these investments and our financial performance. In addition, while we have contracted, and will continue to contract, with unaffiliated servicing companies to carry out the actual servicing of the loans we purchase together with the related MSR (including all direct interface with the borrowers), we are nevertheless ultimately responsible, vis-à-vis the borrowers and state and federal regulators, for ensuring that the loans are serviced in accordance with the terms of the related notes and mortgages and applicable law and regulation. In light of the current regulatory environment, such exposure could be significant even though we might have contractual claims against our servicers for any failure to service the loans to the required standard.
A default by the mortgage servicer in its capacity as servicer and/or failure of the mortgage servicer to perform its obligations related to any MSR could result in a loss of value of servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread. Mortgage servicers are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations and administrative decisions and failure to comply with such regulations can expose the servicer to fines, damages and losses. In its capacity as servicer, mortgage servicers operate in a highly litigious industry that subject it to potential lawsuits related to billing and collections practices, modification protocols or foreclosure practices.
When a residential whole loan we own is foreclosed upon, title to the underlying property would be taken by one of our subsidiaries. The foreclosure process, especially in judicial foreclosure states such as New York, Florida and New Jersey can be lengthy and expensive, and the delays and costs involved in completing a foreclosure, and then liquidating the property through sale, may materially increase any related loss. Finally, at such time as title is taken to a foreclosed property, it may require more extensive rehabilitation than we estimated at acquisition or a previously unknown environmental liability may be discovered that would require expensive and time-consuming remediation.
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The performance of loans underlying our MSR related assets may be adversely affected by the performance of the related mortgage servicer.
The performance of the loans underlying our MSR related assets is subject to risks associated with inadequate or untimely servicing. If our mortgage servicers commit a material breach of their obligations as a servicer, we may be subject to damages if the breach is not cured within a specified period of time following notice. In addition, poor performance by a mortgage servicer may result in greater than expected delinquencies and foreclosures and losses on the mortgage loans underlying our MSR related assets. A substantial increase in our delinquency or foreclosure rate or the inability to process claims could adversely affect our ability to access the capital and secondary markets for our financing needs.
Similarly to the way in which we service residential whole loans, we have also contracted, and will continue to contract, with unaffiliated servicing companies to carry out the actual servicing activities (including all direct interface with the borrowers). However, we are nevertheless ultimately responsible, vis-à-vis the borrowers and state and federal regulators, for ensuring that these activities are performed in accordance with the terms of the related notes and mortgages and applicable laws and regulations. In light of the current regulatory environment, such exposure could be significant even though we might have contractual claims against our servicers for any failure to service the loans to the required standard.
A default by the mortgage servicer in its capacity as servicer and/or failure of the mortgage servicer to perform its obligations related to any MSR could result in a loss of value of servicing fees and/or excess servicing spread. Mortgage servicers are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations and administrative decisions and failure to comply with such regulations can expose the servicer to fines, damages and losses. In its capacity as servicer, mortgage servicers operate in a highly litigious industry that subject them to potential lawsuits related to billing and collections practices, modification protocols or foreclosure practices.
An increase or decrease in prepayment rates may adversely affect our profitability.
The mortgage-backed securities we acquire are backed by pools of mortgage loans. We receive payments, generally, from the payments that are made on the underlying mortgage loans. We often purchase mortgage-backed securities that have a higher coupon rate than the prevailing market interest rates. In exchange for a higher coupon rate, we typically pay a premium over par value to acquire these mortgage-backed securities. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we amortize the premiums on our mortgage-backed securities over the expected life of the related mortgage-backed securities. If the mortgage loans securing these mortgage-backed securities prepay at a more rapid rate than anticipated, we will have to amortize our premiums on an accelerated basis that may adversely affect our profitability.
Defaults on mortgage loans underlying Agency mortgage-backed securities typically have the same effect as prepayments because of the underlying Agency guarantee.
Prepayment rates generally increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise, but changes in prepayment rates are difficult to predict. Prepayment rates also may be affected by conditions in the housing and financial markets, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans. We may seek to minimize prepayment risk to the extent practical, and in selecting investments we must balance prepayment risk against other risks and the potential returns of each investment. No strategy can completely insulate us from prepayment risk. We may choose to bear increased prepayment risk if we believe that the potential returns justify the risk.
Conversely, a decline in prepayment rates on our investments will reduce the amount of principal we receive and therefore reduce the amount of cash we otherwise could have reinvested in higher yielding assets at that time, which could negatively impact our future operating results.
We are subject to reinvestment risk.
We are subject to reinvestment risk as a result of changes in interest rates. Declines in interest rates are generally accompanied by increased prepayments of mortgage loans, which in turn results in a prepayment of the related mortgage-backed securities. An increase in prepayments could result in the reinvestment of the proceeds we receive from such prepayments into lower yielding assets. Conversely, increases in interest rates are generally accompanied by decreased prepayments of mortgage loans, which could reduce our capital available to reinvest into higher-yielding assets.
Competition may affect ability and pricing of our target assets.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. Our profitability depends, in large part, on our ability to acquire our target assets at attractive prices. In acquiring our target assets, we compete with a variety of institutional investors, including other REITs, specialty finance companies, public and private funds, government entities, commercial and
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investment banks, commercial finance and insurance companies and other financial institutions. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, technological, marketing and other resources than we do. Other REITs with investment objectives that overlap with ours may elect to raise significant amounts of capital, which may create additional competition for investment opportunities. Some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that may not be available to us. Many of our competitors are not subject to the operating constraints associated with REIT compliance or maintenance of an exemption from the Investment Company Act. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, competition for investments in our target assets may lead to the price of such assets increasing, which may further limit our ability to generate desired returns. We cannot provide assurance that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, desirable investments in our target assets may be limited in the future and we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, as we can provide no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objectives.
We may enter into new lines of business, acquire other companies or engage in other strategic initiatives, each of which may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our businesses.
We may pursue growth through acquisitions of other companies or other strategic initiatives. To the extent we pursue strategic investments or acquisitions, undertake other strategic initiatives or consider new lines of business, we will face numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with:
•the availability of suitable opportunities;
•the level of competition from other companies that may have greater financial resources;
•our ability to assess the value, strengths, weaknesses, liabilities and potential profitability of potential acquisition opportunities accurately and negotiate acceptable terms for those opportunities;
•the required investment of capital and other resources;
•the lack of availability of financing and, if available, the terms of any financings;
•the possibility that we have insufficient expertise to engage in such activities profitably or without incurring inappropriate amounts of risk;
•the diversion of management’s attention from our core businesses;
•the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business;
•assumption of liabilities in any acquired business;
•the disruption of our ongoing businesses;
•the increasing demands on or issues related to the combining or integrating operational and management systems and controls;
•compliance with additional regulatory requirements;
•costs associated with integrating and overseeing the operations of the new businesses;
•failure to realize the full benefits of an acquisition, including expected synergies, cost savings, or growth opportunities, within the anticipated timeframe or at all; and
•post-acquisition deterioration in an acquired business that could result in lower or negative earnings contribution and/or goodwill impairment charges.
Entry into certain lines of business may subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar, or from which we are currently exempt, and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk. The decision to increase or decrease investments within a line of business may lead to additional risks and uncertainties. In addition, if a new or acquired business generates insufficient revenues or if we are unable to efficiently manage our expanded operations, our results of operations will be adversely affected. Our strategic initiatives may include joint ventures, in which case we will be subject to additional risks and uncertainties in that we may be dependent upon, and subject to liability for, losses or reputational damage relating to systems, controls and personnel that are not under our control.
Some of our investments, including those related to non-prime loans, involve credit risk.
Our current investment strategy includes seeking growth in our residential credit business. The holder of a mortgage or mortgage-backed securities assumes the risk that the related borrowers may default on their obligations to make full and timely payments of principal and interest. Under our investment policy, we have the ability to acquire non-Agency mortgage-backed securities, residential whole loans, MSR and other investment assets of lower credit quality. In general, non-Agency mortgage-backed securities carry greater investment risk than Agency mortgage-backed securities because they are not guaranteed as to
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principal or interest by the U.S. Government, any federal agency or any federally chartered corporation. Non-investment grade, non-Agency securities tend to be less liquid, may have a higher risk of default and may be more difficult to value than investment grade bonds. Higher-than-expected rates of default and/or higher-than-expected loss severities on the mortgages underlying our non-Agency mortgage-backed securities, MSR or on our residential whole loan investments may adversely affect the value of those assets. Accordingly, defaults in the payment of principal and/or interest on our non-Agency mortgage-backed securities, residential whole loan investments, MSR and other investment assets of lower credit quality would likely result in our incurring losses of income from, and/or losses in market value relating to, these assets.
We have certain investments in non-Agency mortgage-backed securities backed by collateral pools containing mortgage loans that were originated under underwriting standards that were less strict than those used in underwriting “prime mortgage loans.” These lower standards permitted mortgage loans, often with LTV ratios in excess of 80%, to be made to borrowers having impaired credit histories, lower credit scores, higher debt-to-income ratios and/or unverified income. Difficult economic conditions, including increased interest rates and lower home prices, can result in non-prime and subprime mortgage loans having increased rates of delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss (including such as during the credit crisis of 2007-2008 and the housing crisis that followed), and are likely to otherwise experience delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss rates that are higher, and that may be substantially higher, than those experienced by mortgage loans underwritten in a more traditional manner. Thus, because of higher delinquency rates and losses associated with non-prime and subprime mortgage loans, the performance of our non-Agency mortgage-backed securities that are backed by these types of loans could be correspondingly adversely affected, which could materially adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and business.
We face possible increased instances of business interruption associated with the effects of climate change and severe weather.
The physical effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our operations. To the extent that climate change impacts changes in weather patterns, our operations could experience disruptions. There can be no assurance that climate change and severe weather will not have a material adverse effect on our operations.
If we are unable to attract, motivate and retain qualified talent, including our key personnel, it could materially and adversely affect us.
Our success and our ability to manage anticipated future growth depend, in large part, upon the efforts of our highly-skilled employees, and particularly on our key personnel, including our executive officers. Our executive officers have extensive experience and strong reputations in the sectors in which we operate and have been instrumental in setting our strategic direction, operating our business, identifying, recruiting, and training our other key personnel, and arranging necessary financing. The departure of any of our executive officers or other key personnel, or our inability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees at all levels of the firm in light of the intense competition for talent, could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition; diminish our investment opportunities; or weaken our relationships with lenders, business partners and industry personnel.
Other Risks
The market price and trading volume of our shares of common stock may be volatile and issuances of large amounts of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
If we issue a significant number of shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock in a short period of time, there could be a dilution of the existing common stock and a decrease in the market price of the common stock.
The market price of our shares of common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our shares of common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the market price of our shares of common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our shares of common stock include those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” as well as:
•actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results or business prospects;
•changes in our earnings estimates or publication of research reports about us or the real estate industry;
•an inability to meet or exceed securities analysts’ estimates or expectations;
•increases in market interest rates;
•hedging or arbitrage trading activity in our shares of common stock;
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•capital commitments;
•changes in market valuations of similar companies;
•adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;
•additions or departures of management personnel;
•actions by institutional stockholders or activist investors;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•changes in our distribution policy;
•government action or regulation;
•general market and economic conditions;
•market dislocations related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
•future sales of our shares of common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, our shares of common stock.
Holders of our shares of common stock will be subject to the risk of volatile market prices and wide fluctuations in the market price of our shares of common stock. These factors may cause the market price of our shares of common stock to decline, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects. It is impossible to assure you that the market prices of our shares of common stock will not fall in the future.
Under our charter, we have 3,000,000,000 authorized shares of capital stock, par value of $0.01 per share. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market, or any hedging or arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving our common stock, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
We may change our policies without stockholder approval.
Our Board has established very broad investment guidelines that may be amended from time to time. Our Board and management determine all of our significant policies, including our investment, financing, capital and asset allocation and distribution policies. They may amend or revise these policies at any time without a vote of our stockholders, or otherwise initiate a change in asset allocation. Policy changes could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, the market price of our common stock or our ability to pay dividends or distributions.
COVID-19 has affected the U.S. economy and our business.
General
COVID-19 has caused significant disruptions to the U.S. and global economies and has contributed to volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The pace, timing and strength of any recovery are still unknown and difficult to predict and, in general, COVID-19 continues to cause a great deal of uncertainty in the U.S.
Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. federal government, as well as many state and local governments, have adopted a number of emergency measures and recommendations, including moratoriums to stop evictions and foreclosures and guidance to regulated servicers requiring them to formulate policies to assist mortgagors in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of states have enacted laws which impose significant limits on the default remedies of lenders secured by real property. While some states have relaxed certain of these measures, substantial restrictions on economic activity remain in place or may be put in place. Although it cannot be predicted, additional policy action at the federal, state and local level is possible in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic (and any future COVID-19 or other public health outbreaks) and resulting emergency measures have led (and may continue to lead) to significant disruptions in the global supply chain, global capital markets, the economy of the United States and the economies of other nations. Concern about the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effectiveness of measures being put in place by governmental bodies and reserve banks at various levels as well as by private enterprises to contain or mitigate its spread has adversely affected economic conditions and capital markets globally, and have led to significant volatility in global financial markets. There can be no assurance that the vaccination efforts, containment measures or other measures implemented from time to time will be successful, including against new strains of COVID-19, and what effect those measures will have on the economy. Disruption and volatility in the credit markets and the reduction of economic activity in severely affected sectors may occur in the United States and/or globally.
Economic Conditions
The conditions related to COVID-19 discussed above have also adversely affected our business and we expect these conditions to continue to some extent during 2023. The significant decrease in economic activity could have an adverse effect on the value of our investments in mortgage real estate-related assets, particularly residential real estate assets. In light of COVID-19’s impact on the overall economy, such as a possible return to rising unemployment levels or changes in consumer behavior
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 1A. Risk Factors
related to loans as well as government policies and pronouncements, borrowers may experience difficulties meeting their obligations or seek to forbear payment on or refinance their mortgage loans to avail themselves of lower rates. Elevated levels of delinquency or default would have an adverse impact on the value of our mortgage real estate related-assets. To the extent current conditions persist or worsen, there may be a negative effect on our results of operations, which may reduce earnings and, in turn, cash available for distribution to our stockholders. COVID-19 or other public health outbreaks could also negatively impact the availability of key personnel necessary to conduct our business.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
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None.
Our executive and administrative office is located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036, telephone 212-696-0100. This office is leased under a non-cancelable lease expiring September 30, 2025.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
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From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2022, we were not party to any pending material legal proceedings.
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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
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None.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities
PART II
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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
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Our common stock began trading publicly on October 8, 1997 and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “NLY.” As of January 31, 2023, we had 493,615,144 shares of common stock issued and outstanding which were held by approximately 566,479 beneficial holders. The equity compensation plan information called for by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Form 10-K under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
Dividends
We intend to pay quarterly dividends and to distribute to our stockholders all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year (subject to certain adjustments) consistent with the distribution requirements applicable to REITs. This will enable us to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Code. We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by factors beyond our control. In addition, unrealized changes in the estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments may have a direct effect on dividends. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. See also Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” No dividends can be paid on our common stock unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on our preferred stock. From the date of issuance of our preferred stock through December 31, 2022, we have paid full cumulative dividends on our preferred stock.
Share Performance Graph
The following graph and table set forth certain information comparing the yearly percentage change in cumulative total return on our common stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s Composite 500 stock Index or S&P 500 Index, and the Bloomberg Mortgage REIT Index, or BBG REIT index, an industry index of mortgage REITs. The comparison is for the five-year period ended December 31, 2022 and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested in our common stock and the two other indices on the last trading day of the initial year shown in the graph. Upon written request we will provide stockholders with a list of the REITs included in the BBG REIT Index.
Five-Year Share Performance
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities
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| | 12/31/2017 | | 12/31/2018 | | 12/31/2019 | | 12/31/2020 | | 12/31/2021 | | 12/31/2022 |
| Annaly Capital Management, Inc. | 100 | | 93 | | 99 | | 102 | | 104 | | 82 |
| S&P 500 Index | 100 | | 96 | | 126 | | 149 | | 191 | | 157 |
| BBG REIT Index | 100 | | 97 | | 120 | | 93 | | 110 | | 83 |
The information in the share performance graph and table has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but neither the accuracy nor completeness can be guaranteed. The historical information set forth above is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Accordingly, we do not make or endorse any predictions as to future share performance.
The above performance graph and related information shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing.
Share Repurchase
In January 2022, we announced that our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of our outstanding common shares through December 31, 2024. The new share repurchase program replaces our previous $1.5 billion share repurchase program, which expired on December 31, 2021. No shares were repurchased with respect to this share repurchase program during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was $1.5 billion.
In November 2022, we announced that our Board authorized a repurchase plan for all of our existing outstanding Preferred Stock (as defined below, the “Preferred Stock Repurchase Program”). Under the terms of the plan, we are authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate of 63,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, comprised of up to (i) 28,800,000 shares of our 6.95% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), (ii) 17,000,000 shares of our 6.50% Series G Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series G Preferred Stock”), and (iii) 17,700,000 shares of our 6.75% Series I Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series I Preferred Stock”, and together with Series F Preferred Stock and Series G Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”). The aggregate liquidation value of the Preferred Stock that may be repurchased by us pursuant to the Preferred Stock Repurchase Program, as of November 3, 2022, was approximately $1.6 billion. The Preferred Stock Repurchase Program became effective on November 3, 2022, and shall expire on December 31, 2024. No shares were repurchased to with respect to the Preferred Stock Repurchase Program during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under this plan was $1.6 billion.
Purchases made pursuant to the Preferred Stock Repurchase Program will be made in either the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined by us in our discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The authorization does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of Preferred Stock and the program may be suspended or discontinued at our discretion without prior notice.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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All references to “Annaly,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Annaly Capital Management, Inc. and all entities owned by us, except where it is made clear that the term means only the parent company. Refer to the section titled “Glossary of Terms” located at the end of this Item 7 for definitions of commonly used terms in this annual report on Form 10-K.
This section of our Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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| INDEX TO ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Overview
We are a leading diversified capital manager with investment strategies across mortgage finance. Our principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders and optimize our returns through prudent management of our diversified investment strategies. We are an internally-managed Maryland corporation founded in 1997 that has elected to be taxed as a REIT. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NLY.”
We use our capital coupled with borrowed funds to invest primarily in real estate related investments, earning the spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our borrowings and hedging activities.
For a full discussion of our business, refer to the section titled “Business Overview” of Part I, Item 1. “Business.”
Reverse Stock Split
On September 8, 2022, we announced that our Board had unanimously approved a reverse stock split of our common stock at a ratio of 1-for-4 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split was effective following the close of business on September 23, 2022 (the “Effective Time”). Accordingly, at the Effective Time, every four issued and outstanding shares of our common stock were converted into one share of our common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, each stockholder that would have held fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split received cash in lieu of such fractional shares. The par value per share of our common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share after the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, for all historical periods presented, an amount equal to the par value of the reduced number of shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split was reclassified from Common stock to Additional paid in capital in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. All references made to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the Reverse Stock Split.
Business Environment
Financial markets saw meaningful volatility in 2022 as high inflation readings led the Federal Reserve to conduct the most notable tightening in monetary policy in over 40 years. The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) raised the Federal Funds Target Rate by 4.25 percentage points between March and December 2022. In addition, the FOMC announced runoff of its balance sheet, opting to allow up to $95 billion in Treasury and Agency mortgage-backed securities mature on a monthly basis. The meaningful increase in policy rates, which was emulated by many developed market central banks globally, led to sharp underperformance in fixed income assets, best seen by the negative 13% total return for the Bloomberg Aggregate Fixed Income Index in 2022, underperforming the second worst year in index history by more than four-fold.
With respect to the housing market, activity slowed meaningfully over the course of 2022 given the upward shock in mortgage rates and the resulting reduced affordability. Existing home sales, for example, are now one-third lower than at the end of 2021. However, the slowdown in activity has also coincided with a reduction in available inventories. According to data from the real estate brokerage Redfin, new home listings have declined 18% year-over-year as borrowers opt to stay in their homes in the current higher rate environment. As long as the labor market remains robust, we foresee few forced sellers, keeping inventories below historical averages. Home prices have been slower to decline than initially anticipated with the Case-Shiller National Home Price index falling 3.6% from its peak level in June through November 2022, the last month for which data is available. Despite the weaker activity, the state of the housing market remains relatively robust as consumer balance sheets and lending standards are sound, and the shortage of supply supports prices all else equal.
In light of the extremely turbulent year in financial markets, Annaly delivered an economic return of negative 23.7% for the full year. Of note, the fourth quarter saw a meaningful slowdown in inflation data and a subsequent decline in interest rate volatility that resulted in a strong finish to the year, generating an 8.7% economic return in the final quarter. While 2022 was particularly challenging, we are proud of a number of key strategic accomplishments throughout the year, including: the accretive disposition of our Middle Market Lending portfolio, the successful continued expansion of our Residential Credit and Mortgage Servicing Rights platforms, inclusion in the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and the 25th anniversary of our initial public offering.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we generated GAAP net income (loss) of ($1.96) per share and earnings available for distribution of $0.89 per share compared to GAAP net income (loss) of ($0.70) per share and earnings available for distribution of $1.06 per share for the prior quarter. While earnings available for distribution covered our common stock dividend of $0.88 per share for the fourth quarter of 2022, given the moderation in earnings available for distribution and anticipated further pressure on this measure, we expect to reduce the common stock dividend for the first quarter of 2023 to a level closer to our historical yield on book value of 11 – 12%. We believe that this would set the dividend at a level that is more sustainable in the prevailing environment given current new money returns.
Shifting to portfolio activity, we continued to rotate the Agency MBS portfolio up in coupon to take advantage of wider spreads and improved carry in production coupons. We grew our allocation to 4.5% coupons and higher, which now represent over 50% of our portfolio, up from 12% at the end of 2021. We believe historically wide nominal spreads in these coupons provide more
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
than adequate compensation for taking on the incremental convexity exposure relative to lower coupons. In addition, we lowered our exposure to TBAs, as roll specialness dissipated over the course of 2022, and we are likely to continue favoring pools over TBAs going forward given their superior return profile.
In Residential Credit, our portfolio ended the year at $5.0 billion in market value, up roughly $400 million year-over-year, and currently represents 19% of the firm’s capital. In the current decelerating housing market, our loan business represents our preferred approach to investing in the residential credit market given our ability to control our credit strategy, partners, the diligence process, and pricing. We continue to focus on preserving the credit quality of our portfolio, with fourth quarter whole loan acquisitions exhibiting strong underlying borrower fundamentals. Our OBX securitization platform had a record year of issuance supported by our correspondent channel, which acquired nearly $2 billion in loans during the year. Since the beginning of 2022, we closed 17 securitizations totaling $6.6 billion and generated $760 million of proprietary assets with a low to mid double-digit return profile utilizing minimal recourse leverage.
In our MSR business line, we had significant growth in the strategy in 2022, increasing our portfolio by nearly three times to $1.8 billion in market value and ending the year as the third largest buyer of bulk MSR in the market. We added new originator partners, expanded relationships with subservicers, and put in place new dedicated financing as an additional source of liquidity to support future growth. Our focus on very high credit quality, low loan rate MSR has proven to be valuable. The portfolio paid three CPR in the fourth quarter and experienced minimal delinquencies, generating stable cash flows while providing a hedge to current dynamics in the housing market.
Earnings available for distribution is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for additional information, including reconciliations to its most directly comparable GAAP results.
Economic Environment
U.S. real economic growth slowed in 2022, with U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”) rising 2.1% on a year-over-year basis, well below the 5.9% recorded for 2021. The relative slowdown was mostly a result of weaker growth reported in the first half of the year, as the economy contracted on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis in both Q1 and Q2. In the second half of the year, economic activity proved more resilient considering the higher interest rate backdrop as GDP rose 3.2% on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis in Q3 and 2.9% in Q4. Driving the increase in economic activity was strong consumption, inventory rebuilds, and net export growth. Heading into 2023, however, recession risks are elevated as the impact of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy tightening flows through to the real economy. Residential investment continues to contract sharply, given the affordability challenges of a much higher average mortgage rate, while business fixed investments and manufacturing output have weakened.
Meanwhile, total employment growth in 2022 registered as the second strongest year on record since 1950, behind only the robust hiring seen in 2021. In the fourth quarter alone, the labor market continued to expand at a solid pace as total nonfarm payroll employment rose by an average 274 thousand workers per month. The unemployment rate ended the year at a historic low of 3.5%, declining 0.4 percentage points from 3.9% in December 2021. Additionally, job openings remain elevated relative to pre-pandemic averages as labor demand far exceeded labor supply. As a result of the strong labor demand, wage growth remained elevated all year and above levels consistent with the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target. Average hourly earnings rose 4.6% over the 12 months ending in December. However, there are some signs of labor market softening at the margin. The average workweek declined in the fourth quarter and the pace of wage gains slowed, both suggesting employers are moderating their demand for workers. The Employment Cost Index decelerated from a pace of 1.2% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 to 1.0% in Q4.
The slowdown in economic growth and moderation in labor demand has led to a modest decline in broader inflation, although price pressures remained at elevated levels throughout the year and broadened beyond the initial pandemic-driven dislocations. Price pressures were driven by the service sector as providers enjoyed peak pricing power in high-demand services and higher rent and home valuations led to an increase in shelter prices. Meanwhile, goods inflation, which accelerated in 2021 because of healthy household consumption during the depths of the pandemic, subsequently eased throughout 2022 as consumption was focused on services. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the headline Personal Consumption Expenditure Chain Price Index (“PCE”), measured 5.0% in December 2022, after peaking at 6.7% on a year-over-year basis in June 2022. The core measure, which does not include price changes in food and energy sectors, measured 4.4%, after peaking at 5.4% in February 2022.
The Fed conducts monetary policy with a dual mandate: full employment and price stability. Given the strength of the labor market and the broadening inflation pressures, the Fed embarked on an aggressive tightening campaign in 2022. The target range for the Federal Funds rate increased 425 bps from 0.0% - 0.25% in December 2021 to 4.25% - 4.50% by the end of 2022. At the same time, the Fed transitioned from expanding their balance sheet through asset purchases in 2021 to contracting their balance sheet in 2022 by allowing assets to mature. The asset side of the balance sheet continues to decline at a pace of
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
$95 billion per month across U.S. Treasuries and Agency MBS, almost twice the runoff rate of the prior quantitative tightening period between 2017 and 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, yields on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose by 236 bps as market participants assessed the path of the Federal Funds rate. The 10-year Treasury Inflation Protected Security (“TIPS”), which subtracts the expected inflation rate from the bond’s nominal yield, rose 267 bps, while longer-term inflation expectations declined slightly. Meanwhile, the mortgage basis, or the spread between the 30-year Agency MBS coupon and 10-year U.S. Treasury rate, widened significantly, ending the year 96 bps wider than December 2021.
The following table below presents interest rates and spreads at each date presented:
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| | As of December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| 30-Year mortgage current coupon | 5.39% | | 2.07% | | 1.34% |
| Mortgage basis | 152 bps | | 56 bps | | 43 bps |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury rate | 3.87% | | 1.51% | | 0.91% |
| LIBOR | | | | | |
| 1-Month | 4.39% | | 0.10% | | 0.14% |
| 6-Month | 5.14% | | 0.34% | | 0.26% |
| OIS SOFR Swaps | | | | | |
| 1-Month | 4.36% | | 0.05% | | 0.07% |
| 6-Month | 4.80% | | 0.19% | | 0.06% |
London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) Transition
The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that all LIBOR tenors relevant to us will cease to be published or will no longer be representative after June 30, 2023. The FCA's announcement coincided with the announcement of LIBOR's administrator, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“IBA”), indicating that, as a result of not having access to input data necessary to calculate LIBOR tenors relevant to us on a representative basis after June 30, 2023, IBA would have to cease publication of such LIBOR tenors immediately after the last publication on June 30, 2023. These announcements mean that any of our LIBOR-based borrowings that extend beyond June 30, 2023 will need to be converted to a replacement rate.
The firm has a plan to facilitate an orderly conversion to alternative reference rates. The plan includes steps to evaluate exposure; review contracts; assess impact to our business; process and technology and outline a communication strategy with shareholders; regulators and other stakeholders. As LIBOR cessation enters its final stages, we continue to remain on track with our transition plan, which requires different solutions depending on the underlying asset or liability. The U.S. federal government enacted a legislative solution for certain LIBOR contracts, which in some cases inserts fallback language into the contract or provides a determining party with a safe harbor from litigation. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve promulgated rules required by this legislation. We continue to consider all available options with respect to our preferred stock, including those available under the federal legislation. As of December 31, 2022, we had $1.5 billion of USD LIBOR-linked preferred stock that may remain outstanding beyond the June 30, 2023 cessation date. See the risk factor titled “The discontinuation of LIBOR may affect our results” in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for additional information.
Income Tax Reform
On August 16, 2022, tax legislation, informally known as the Inflation Reduction Act (the “IRA”), was enacted, and included several changes impacting U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to corporations. The components most relevant to our business are the imposition of a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases by publicly-traded corporations and a 15% corporate minimum tax (“CMT”) on GAAP financial statement income. However, the new legislation explicitly excludes REITs from the law and we do not expect the CMT to apply to our TRSs. In the event the application of the CMT were to be imposed on our TRSs, we do not expect a material impact to our operations as it would simply affect the timing of the payment of income taxes already accrued.
While technical corrections or other amendments to the IRA or administrative guidance interpreting the IRA may be forthcoming, we continue to analyze the overall effects of the IRA to our operations, our industry and the economy in general.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Results of Operations
The results of our operations are affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described herein (see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above) and in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.
This Management Discussion and Analysis section contains analysis and discussion of financial results computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP measurements. To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we provide non-GAAP financial measures to enhance investor understanding of our period-over-period operating performance and business trends, as well as for assessing our performance versus that of industry peers.
Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for additional information.
Beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2022, in light of the continued growth of our mortgage servicing rights portfolio, we enhanced our financial disclosures by separately reporting servicing income and servicing expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Servicing income and servicing expense were previously included within Other income (loss). As a result of this change, prior periods have been adjusted to conform to the current presentation.
In addition, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2022, we consolidated certain line items in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in an effort to streamline and simplify its financial presentation. Amounts previously reported under Net interest component of interest rate swaps, Realized gains (losses) on termination or maturity of interest rate swaps, Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps and Net gains (losses) on other derivatives are combined into a single line item titled Net gains (losses) on derivatives. Similarly, amounts previously reported under Net gains (losses) on disposal of investments and other and Net unrealized gains (losses) on instruments measured at fair value through earnings are combined into a single line item titled Net gains (losses) on investments and other. As a result of these changes, prior periods have been adjusted to conform to the current presentation.
Beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2021, we began classifying certain portfolio activity-related or volume-related expenses as Other income (loss) rather than Other general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) to better reflect the nature of the items. As such, prior periods have been conformed to the current presentation. Refer to the “General and Administrative Expenses” section for additional information.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Net Income (Loss) Summary
The following table presents financial information related to our results of operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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| | As of and for the Years Ended December 31, | | |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| | (dollars in thousands, except per share data) | | |
| Interest income | $ | 2,778,887 | | | $ | 1,983,036 | | | $ | 2,229,625 | | | |
| Interest expense | 1,309,735 | | | 249,243 | | | 899,112 | | | |
| Net interest income | 1,469,152 | | | 1,733,793 | | | 1,330,513 | | | |
| Servicing and related income | 246,926 | | | 69,018 | | | 94,190 | | | |
| Servicing and related expense | 25,145 | | | 12,202 | | | 26,437 | | | |
| Net servicing income | 221,781 | | | 56,816 | | | 67,753 | | | |
| Other income (loss) | 243,787 | | | 796,360 | | | (2,094,266) | | | |
| Less: Total general and administrative expenses | 162,729 | | | 186,014 | | | 222,195 | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,771,991 | | | 2,400,955 | | | (918,195) | | | |
| Income taxes | 45,571 | | | 4,675 | | | (28,423) | | | |
| Net income (loss) | 1,726,420 | | | 2,396,280 | | | (889,772) | | | |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1,095 | | | 6,384 | | | 1,391 | | | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Annaly | 1,725,325 | | | 2,389,896 | | | (891,163) | | | |
| Less: Dividends on preferred stock | 110,623 | | | 107,532 | | | 142,036 | | | |
| Net income (loss) available (related) to common stockholders | $ | 1,614,702 | | | $ | 2,282,364 | | | $ | (1,033,199) | | | |
| Net income (loss) per share available (related) to common stockholders | | | | | | | |
| Basic | $ | 3.93 | | | $ | 6.40 | | | $ | (2.92) | | | |
| Diluted | $ | 3.92 | | | $ | 6.39 | | | $ | (2.92) | | | |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | | | | | | | |
| Basic | 411,348,484 | | | 356,856,520 | | | 353,664,860 | | | |
| Diluted | 411,621,758 | | | 357,142,251 | | | 353,664,860 | | | |
| Other information | | | | | | | |
| Investment portfolio at period-end | $ | 78,469,860 | | | $ | 74,792,041 | | | $ | 86,403,446 | | | |
| Average total assets | $ | 78,768,785 | | | $ | 81,925,499 | | | $ | 99,663,704 | | | |
| Average equity | $ | 11,616,995 | | | $ | 13,728,352 | | | $ | 14,103,589 | | | |
GAAP leverage at period-end (1) | 6.0:1 | | 4.7:1 | | 5.1:1 | | |
GAAP capital ratio at period-end (2) | 13.9 | % | | 17.2 | % | | 15.9 | % | | |
| Annualized return on average total assets | 2.19 | % | | 2.92 | % | | (0.89) | % | | |
| Annualized return on average equity | 14.86 | % | | 17.45 | % | | (6.31) | % | | |
Net interest margin (3) | 1.92 | % | | 2.28 | % | | 1.46 | % | | |
Average yield on interest earning assets (4) | 3.64 | % | | 2.61 | % | | 2.44 | % | | |
Average GAAP cost of interest bearing liabilities (5) | 2.03 | % | | 0.37 | % | | 1.09 | % | | |
| Net interest spread | 1.61 | % | | 2.24 | % | | 1.35 | % | | |
| Weighted average experienced CPR for the period | 12.2 | % | | 23.7 | % | | 20.2 | % | | |
| Weighted average projected long-term CPR at period-end | 7.8 | % | | 12.7 | % | | 16.4 | % | | |
| Common stock book value per share | $ | 20.79 | | | $ | 31.88 | | | $ | 35.68 | | | |
| Non-GAAP metrics * | | | | | | | |
| Interest income (excluding PAA) | $ | 2,418,300 | | | $ | 2,040,194 | | | $ | 2,645,069 | | | |
Economic interest expense (5) | $ | 943,574 | | | $ | 525,385 | | | $ | 1,106,989 | | | |
| Economic net interest income (excluding PAA) | $ | 1,474,726 | | | $ | 1,514,809 | | | $ | 1,538,080 | | | |
| Premium amortization adjustment cost (benefit) | $ | (360,587) | | | $ | 57,158 | | | $ | 415,444 | | | |
Earnings available for distribution (6) | $ | 1,850,138 | | | $ | 1,768,391 | | | $ | 1,696,167 | | | |
| Earnings available for distribution per average common share | $ | 4.23 | | | $ | 4.65 | | | $ | 4.39 | | | |
| Annualized EAD return on average equity (excluding PAA) | 16.02 | % | | 12.90 | % | | 12.03 | % | | |
Economic leverage at period-end (1) | 6.3:1 | | 5.7:1 | | 6.2:1 | | |
Economic capital ratio at period-end (2) | 13.4 | % | | 14.4 | % | | 13.6 | % | | |
Net interest margin (excluding PAA) (3) | 2.03 | % | | 2.02 | % | | 1.74 | % | | |
Average yield on interest earning assets (excluding PAA) (4) | 3.16 | % | | 2.68 | % | | 2.90 | % | | |
Average economic cost of interest bearing liabilities (5) | 1.46 | % | | 0.79 | % | | 1.34 | % | | |
| Net interest spread (excluding PAA) | 1.70 | % | | 1.89 | % | | 1.56 | % | | |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section for additional information. (1) GAAP leverage is computed as the sum of repurchase agreements, other secured financing, debt issued by securitization vehicles, participations issued and mortgages payable divided by total equity. Economic leverage is computed as the sum of recourse debt, cost basis of to-be-announced (“TBA”) and CMBX derivatives outstanding, and net forward purchases (sales) of investments divided by total equity. Recourse debt consists of repurchase agreements and other secured financing (excluding certain non-recourse credit facilities). Certain credit facilities (included within other secured financing), debt issued by securitization vehicles, participations issued, and mortgages payable are non-recourse to us and are excluded from economic leverage. (2) GAAP capital ratio is computed as total equity divided by total assets. Economic capital ratio is computed as total equity divided by total economic assets. Total economic assets include the implied market value of TBA derivatives and net of debt issued by securitization vehicles. (3) Net interest margin represents our interest income less interest expense divided by the average interest earning assets. Net interest margin (excluding PAA) represents the sum of our interest income (excluding PAA) plus TBA dollar roll income and CMBX coupon income less interest expense and the net interest component of interest rate swaps divided by the sum of average interest earning assets plus average outstanding TBA contract and CMBX balances. (4) Average yield on interest earning assets represents annualized interest income divided by average interest earning assets. Average interest earning assets reflects the average amortized cost of our investments during the period. Average yield on interest earning assets (excluding PAA) is calculated using annualized interest income (excluding PAA). (5) Average GAAP cost of interest bearing liabilities represents annualized interest expense divided by average interest bearing liabilities. Average interest bearing liabilities reflects the average balances during the period. Average economic cost of interest bearing liabilities represents annualized economic interest expense divided by average interest bearing liabilities. Economic interest expense is comprised of GAAP interest expense and the net interest component of interest rate swaps. (6) Excludes dividends on preferred stock. | | |
GAAP
Net income (loss) was $1.7 billion, which includes $1.1 million attributable to noncontrolling interests, or $3.93 per average basic common share, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $2.4 billion, which includes $6.4 million attributable to noncontrolling interests, or $6.40 per average basic common share, for the same period in 2021. We attribute the majority of the change in net income (loss) to an unfavorable change in net gains (losses) on investments and other and net interest income, partially offset by favorable changes in net gains (losses) on derivatives, lower business divestiture-related losses, and higher net servicing income. Net gains (losses) on investments and other for the year ended December 31, 2022 was ($4.6) billion compared to $121.0 million for the same period in 2021. Part of this unfavorable change is attributable to the change in fair value flowing through the income statement on Agency pass-through, collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”) and multifamily securities purchased in the second half of 2022. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.5 billion compared to $1.7 billion for the same period in 2021. Net gains (losses) on derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $4.9 billion compared to $807.7 million for the same period in 2021. Business divestiture-related gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2022 was ($40.3) million compared to ($278.6) million for the same period in 2021. Net servicing income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $221.8 million compared to $56.8 million for the same period in 2021. Refer to the section titled “Other income (loss)” located within this Item 7 for additional information related to these changes.
Non-GAAP
Earnings available for distribution were $1.9 billion, or $4.23 per average common share, for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1.8 billion, or $4.65 per average common share, for the same period in 2021. The change in earnings available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 was primarily due to a favorable change in the net interest component of interest rate swaps, lower premium amortization expense, excluding PAA, resulting from lower prepayment speed projections, higher net servicing income from an increase in average MSR balances, and higher coupon income from an increase in interest rates, partially offset by higher interest expense from an increase in average borrowing rates.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we provide the following non-GAAP financial measures:
•earnings available for distribution (“EAD”);
•earnings available for distribution attributable to common stockholders;
•earnings available for distribution per average common share;
•annualized EAD return on average equity;
•economic leverage;
•economic capital ratio;
•interest income (excluding PAA);
•economic interest expense;
•economic net interest income (excluding PAA);
•average yield on interest earning assets (excluding PAA);
•average economic cost of interest bearing liabilities;
•net interest margin (excluding PAA); and
•net interest spread (excluding PAA).
These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures computed in accordance with GAAP. While intended to offer a fuller understanding of our results and operations, non-GAAP financial measures also have limitations. For example, we may calculate our non-GAAP metrics, such as earnings available for distribution, or the PAA, differently than our peers making comparative analysis difficult. Additionally, in the case of non-GAAP measures that exclude the PAA, the amount of amortization expense excluding the PAA is not necessarily representative of the amount of future periodic amortization nor is it indicative of the term over which we will amortize the remaining unamortized premium. Changes to actual and estimated prepayments will impact the timing and amount of premium amortization and, as such, both GAAP and non-GAAP results.
These non-GAAP measures provide additional detail to enhance investor understanding of our period-over-period operating performance and business trends, as well as for assessing our performance versus that of industry peers. Additional information pertaining to our use of these non-GAAP financial measures, including discussion of how each such measure may be useful to investors, and reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP results are provided below.
Earnings Available for Distribution, Earnings Available for Distribution Attributable to Common Stockholders, Earnings Available for Distribution Per Average Common Share and Annualized EAD Return on Average Equity
Our principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders and optimize our returns through prudent management of our diversified investment strategies. We generate net income by earning a net interest spread on our investment portfolio, which is a function of interest income from our investment portfolio less financing, hedging and operating costs. Earnings available for distribution, which is defined as the sum of (a) economic net interest income, (b) TBA dollar roll income and CMBX coupon income, (c) net servicing income less realized amortization of MSR, (d) other income (loss) (excluding depreciation and amortization expense on real estate and related intangibles, non-EAD income allocated to equity method investments and other non-EAD components of other income (loss)), (e) general and administrative expenses (excluding transaction expenses and non-recurring items), and (f) income taxes (excluding the income tax effect of non-EAD income (loss) items), and excludes (g) the premium amortization adjustment (“PAA”) representing the cumulative impact on prior periods, but not the current period, of quarter-over-quarter changes in estimated long-term prepayment speeds related to our Agency mortgage-backed securities, is used by management and, we believe, used by analysts and investors to measure our progress in achieving our principal business objective.
We seek to fulfill our principal business objective through a variety of factors including portfolio construction, the degree of market risk exposure and related hedge profile, and the use and forms of leverage, all while operating within the parameters of our capital allocation policy and risk governance framework.
We believe these non-GAAP measures provide management and investors with additional details regarding our underlying operating results and investment portfolio trends by (i) making adjustments to account for the disparate reporting of changes in fair value where certain instruments are reflected in GAAP net income (loss) while others are reflected in other comprehensive income (loss), and (ii) by excluding certain unrealized, non-cash or episodic components of GAAP net income (loss) in order to provide additional transparency into the operating performance of our portfolio. In addition, EAD serves as a useful indicator for investors in evaluating our performance and ability to pay dividends. Annualized EAD return on average equity, which is calculated by dividing earnings available for distribution over average stockholders’ equity, provides investors with additional detail on the earnings available for distribution generated by our invested equity capital.
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP financial results to non-GAAP earnings available for distribution for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| | (dollars in thousands, except per share data) |
| GAAP net income (loss) | $ | 1,726,420 | | | $ | 2,396,280 | | | $ | (889,772) | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1,095 | | | 6,384 | | | 1,391 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Annaly | 1,725,325 | | | 2,389,896 | | | (891,163) | |
| Adjustments to exclude reported realized and unrealized (gains) losses | | | | |
| Net (gains) losses on investments and other | 4,602,456 | | | (120,958) | | | (358,489) | |
Net (gains) losses on derivatives (1) | (4,493,013) | | | (1,083,872) | | | 2,065,855 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Loan loss provision (reversal) (2) | (22,923) | | | (148,632) | | | 151,188 | |
| Business divestiture-related (gains) losses | 40,258 | | | 278,559 | | | — | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Other adjustments | | | | |
Depreciation expense related to commercial real estate and amortization of intangibles (3) | 3,948 | | | 15,225 | | | 39,108 | |
Non-EAD (income) loss allocated to equity method investments (4) | (15,499) | | | (10,930) | | | 22,493 | |
| | | | | |
|
Transaction expenses and non-recurring items (5) | 7,620 | | | 5,579 | | | 11,293 | |
| Income tax effect of non-EAD income (loss) items | 46,070 | | | 13,325 | | | (17,603) | |
| | |
TBA dollar roll income and CMBX coupon income (6) | 431,475 | | | 445,768 | | | 355,547 | |
MSR amortization (7) | (114,992) | | | (72,727) | | | (97,506) | |
| | | | | |
| Plus: | | | | | |
| Premium amortization adjustment cost (benefit) | (360,587) | | | 57,158 | | | 415,444 | |
Earnings available for distribution * | 1,850,138 | | | 1,768,391 | | | 1,696,167 | |
| Dividends on preferred stock | 110,623 | | | 107,532 | | | 142,036 | |
Earnings available for distribution attributable to common stockholders * | $ | 1,739,515 | | | $ | 1,660,859 | | | $ | 1,554,131 | |
| GAAP net income (loss) per average common share | $ | 3.93 | | | $ | 6.40 | | | $ | (2.92) | |
Earnings available for distribution per average common share * | $ | 4.23 | | | $ | 4.65 | | | $ | 4.39 | |
| GAAP return (loss) on average equity | 14.86 | % | | 17.45 | % | | (6.31) | % |
| EAD return on average equity (excluding PAA) * | 16.02 | % | | 12.90 | % | | 12.03 | % |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the disclosure within this section above for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. (1) The adjustment to add back Net (gains) losses on derivatives does not include the net interest component of interest rate swaps which is reflected in earnings available for distribution. The net interest component of interest rate swaps totaled $366.2 million, ($276.1) million and ($207.9) million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. (2) Includes ($2.3) million, ($3.6) million, and $3.6 million of loss provision (reversal) on unfunded loan commitments for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which is reported in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (3) Includes depreciation and amortization expense related to equity method investments. (4) Represents unrealized (gains) losses allocated to equity interests in a portfolio of MSR, which is a component of Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (5) Includes costs incurred in connection with securitizations of residential whole loans. The year ended December 31, 2020 also includes costs incurred in connection with the management internalization, the CEO search process and a securitization of Agency mortgage-backed securities. (6) TBA dollar roll income and CMBX coupon income each represent a component of Net gains (losses) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). CMBX coupon income totaled $4.4 million, $5.2 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. (7) MSR amortization utilizes purchase date cash flow assumptions and actual unpaid principal balances and is calculated as the difference between projected MSR yield income and net servicing income for the period. |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
From time to time, we enter into TBA forward contracts as an alternate means of investing in and financing Agency MBS. A TBA contract is an agreement to purchase or sell, for future delivery, an Agency MBS with a specified issuer, term and coupon. A TBA dollar roll represents a transaction where TBA contracts with the same terms but different settlement dates are simultaneously bought and sold. The TBA contract settling in the later month typically prices at a discount to the earlier month contract with the difference in price commonly referred to as the “drop”. The drop is a reflection of the expected net interest income from an investment in similar Agency MBS, net of an implied financing cost, that would be foregone as a result of settling the contract in the later month rather than in the earlier month. The drop between the current settlement month price and the forward settlement month price occurs because in the TBA dollar roll market, the party providing the financing is the party that would retain all principal and interest payments accrued during the financing period. Accordingly, TBA dollar roll income generally represents the economic equivalent of the net interest income earned on the underlying Agency MBS less an implied financing cost.
TBA dollar roll transactions are accounted for under GAAP as a series of derivatives transactions. The fair value of TBA derivatives is based on methods similar to those used to value Agency MBS. We record TBA derivatives at fair value on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and recognize periodic changes in fair value in Net gains (losses) on
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), which includes both unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivatives (excluding interest rate swaps).
TBA dollar roll income is calculated as the difference in price between two TBA contracts with the same terms but different settlement dates multiplied by the notional amount of the TBA contract. Although accounted for as derivatives, TBA dollar rolls capture the economic equivalent of net interest income, or carry, on the underlying Agency MBS (interest income less an implied cost of financing). TBA dollar roll income is reported as a component of Net gains (losses) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The CMBX index is a synthetic tradable index referencing a basket of 25 commercial mortgage-backed securities of a particular rating and vintage. The CMBX index allows investors to take a long position (referred to as selling protection) or short position (referred to as purchasing protection) on the respective basket of commercial mortgage-backed securities and is structured as a “pay-as-you-go” contract whereby the protection seller receives and the protection buyer pays a standardized running coupon on the contracted notional amount. Additionally, the protection seller is obligated to pay to the protection buyer the amount of principal losses and/or coupon shortfalls on the underlying commercial mortgage-backed securities as they occur. We report income (expense) on CMBX positions in Net gains (losses) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The coupon payments received or paid on CMBX positions is equivalent to interest income (expense) and therefore included in earnings available for distribution.
Premium Amortization Expense
In accordance with GAAP, we amortize or accrete premiums or discounts into interest income for our Agency MBS, excluding interest-only securities, multifamily and reverse mortgages, taking into account estimates of future principal prepayments in the calculation of the effective yield. We recalculate the effective yield as differences between anticipated and actual prepayments occur. Using third party model and market information to project future cash flows and expected remaining lives of securities, the effective interest rate determined for each security is applied as if it had been in place from the date of the security’s acquisition. The amortized cost of the security is then adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition date. The adjustment to amortized cost is offset with a charge or credit to interest income. Changes in interest rates and other market factors will impact prepayment speed projections and the amount of premium amortization recognized in any given period.
Our GAAP metrics include the unadjusted impact of amortization and accretion associated with this method. Certain of our non-GAAP metrics exclude the effect of the PAA, which quantifies the component of premium amortization representing the cumulative impact on prior periods, but not the current period, of quarter-over-quarter changes in estimated long-term Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”).
The following table illustrates the impact of the PAA on premium amortization expense for our Residential Securities portfolio and residential securities transferred or pledged to securitization vehicles, for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| | (dollars in thousands) |
| Premium amortization expense | $ | 48,013 | | | $ | 760,818 | | | $ | 1,375,461 | |
| Less: PAA cost (benefit) | (360,587) | | | 57,158 | | | 415,444 | |
| Premium amortization expense (excluding PAA) | $ | 408,600 | | | $ | 703,660 | | | $ | 960,017 | |
| | | | | |
Economic Leverage and Economic Capital Ratios
We use capital coupled with borrowed funds to invest primarily in real estate related investments, earning the spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our borrowings and hedging activities. Our capital structure is designed to offer an efficient complement of funding sources to generate positive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders while maintaining appropriate liquidity to support our business and meet our financial obligations under periods of market stress. To maintain our desired capital profile, we utilize a mix of debt and equity funding. Debt funding may include the use of repurchase agreements, loans, securitizations, participations issued, lines of credit, asset backed lending facilities, corporate bond issuance, convertible bonds, mortgages payable or other liabilities. Equity capital primarily consists of common and preferred stock.
Our economic leverage ratio is computed as the sum of recourse debt, cost basis of TBA and CMBX derivatives outstanding, and net forward purchases (sales) of investments divided by total equity. Recourse debt consists of repurchase agreements and other secured financing (excluding certain non-recourse credit facilities). Certain credit facilities (included within other secured
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
financing), debt issued by securitization vehicles, participations issued, and mortgages payable are non-recourse to us and are excluded from economic leverage.
The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP debt to economic debt for purposes of calculating our economic leverage ratio for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 | | |
| Economic leverage ratio reconciliation | (dollars in thousands) | | |
Repurchase agreements | $ | 59,512,597 | | | $ | 54,769,643 | | | |
Other secured financing | 250,000 | | | 903,255 | | | |
Debt issued by securitization vehicles | 7,744,160 | | | 5,155,633 | | | |
Participations issued | 800,849 | | | 1,049,066 | | | |
| | | | | |
| Debt included in liabilities of disposal group held for sale | — | | | 112,144 | | | |
Total GAAP debt | $ | 68,307,606 | | | $ | 61,989,741 | | | |
Less Non-Recourse Debt: | | | | | |
Credit facilities (1) | — | | | (903,255) | | | |
Debt issued by securitization vehicles | (7,744,160) | | | (5,155,633) | | | |
Participations issued | (800,849) | | | (1,049,066) | | | |
| | | | | |
| Non-recourse debt included in liabilities of disposal group held for sale | — | | | (112,144) | | | |
| Total recourse debt | $ | 59,762,597 | | | $ | 54,769,643 | | | |
Plus / (Less): | | | | | |
Cost basis of TBA and CMBX derivatives | 11,050,351 | | | 20,690,768 | | | |
| Payable for unsettled trades | 1,157,846 | | | 147,908 | | | |
| Receivable for unsettled trades | (575,091) | | | (2,656) | | | |
Economic debt * | $ | 71,395,703 | | | $ | 75,605,663 | | | |
Total equity | $ | 11,369,426 | | | $ | 13,195,325 | | | |
Economic leverage ratio * | 6.3:1 | | 5.7:1 | | |
| | | | | |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the disclosure within this section above for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. (1) Included in Other secured financing in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP total assets to economic total assets for purposes of calculating our economic capital ratio for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Economic capital ratio reconciliation | (dollars in thousands) |
Total GAAP assets | $ | 81,850,712 | | | $ | 76,764,064 | |
Less: | | | |
Gross unrealized gains on TBA derivatives (1) | (17,056) | | | (52,693) | |
Debt issued by securitization vehicles | (7,744,160) | | | (5,155,633) | |
Plus: | | | |
Implied market value of TBA derivatives | 10,578,676 | | | 20,338,633 | |
Total economic assets * | $ | 84,668,172 | | | $ | 91,894,371 | |
Total equity | $ | 11,369,426 | | | $ | 13,195,325 | |
Economic capital ratio (2)* | 13.4% | | 14.4% |
| | | |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the disclosure within this section above for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. (1) Included in Derivative assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. (2) Economic capital ratio is computed as total equity divided by total economic assets. |
Interest Income (excluding PAA), Economic Interest Expense and Economic Net Interest Income (excluding PAA)
Interest income (excluding PAA) represents interest income excluding the effect of the premium amortization adjustment, and serves as the basis for deriving average yield on interest earning assets (excluding PAA), net interest spread (excluding PAA) and net interest margin (excluding PAA), which are discussed below. We believe this measure provides management and investors with additional detail to enhance their understanding of our operating results and trends by excluding the component
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of premium amortization expense representing the cumulative effect of quarter-over-quarter changes in estimated long-term prepayment speeds related to our Agency MBS (other than interest-only securities, multifamily and reverse mortgages), which can obscure underlying trends in the performance of the portfolio.
Economic interest expense is comprised of GAAP interest expense and the net interest component of interest rate swaps. We use interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changing interest rates on repurchase agreements by economically hedging cash flows associated with these borrowings. Accordingly, adding the net interest component of interest rate swaps to interest expense, as computed in accordance with GAAP, reflects the total contractual interest expense and thus, provides investors with additional information about the cost of our financing strategy. We may use market agreed coupon (“MAC”) interest rate swaps in which we may receive or make a payment at the time of entering into such interest rate swap to compensate for the off-market nature of such interest rate swap. In accordance with GAAP, upfront payments associated with MAC interest rate swaps are not reflected in the net interest component of interest rate swaps, which is presented in Net gains (losses) on derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). We did not enter into any MAC interest rate swaps during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Similarly, economic net interest income (excluding PAA), as computed below, provides investors with additional information to enhance their understanding of the net economics of our primary business operations.
The following tables present a reconciliation of GAAP interest income and GAAP interest expense to non-GAAP interest income (excluding PAA), economic interest expense and economic net interest income (excluding PAA), respectively, for the periods presented:
Interest Income (excluding PAA)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | GAAP Interest Income | | PAA Cost
(Benefit) | | Interest Income (excluding PAA) * |
| For the years ended | (dollars in thousands) |
| December 31, 2022 | $ | 2,778,887 | | | $ | (360,587) | | | $ | 2,418,300 | |
| December 31, 2021 | $ | 1,983,036 | | | $ | 57,158 | | | $ | 2,040,194 | |
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 2,229,625 | | | $ | 415,444 | | | $ | 2,645,069 | |
* Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to disclosures within this section above for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures. |
Economic Interest Expense and Economic Net Interest Income (excluding PAA)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | GAAP
Interest
Expense | | Add: Net Interest Component of Interest Rate Swaps | | Economic Interest Expense * | | GAAP Net
Interest
Income | | Less: Net Interest Component
of Interest Rate Swaps | | Economic
Net Interest
Income * | | Add: PAA
Cost
(Benefit) | | Economic Net Interest Income (excluding PAA) * |
| For the years ended | (dollars in thousands) |
| December 31, 2022 | $ | 1,309,735 | | | $ | (366,161) | | | $ | 943,574 | | | $ | 1,469,152 | | | $ | (366,161) | | | $ | 1,835,313 | | | $ | (360,587) | | | $ | 1,474,726 | |
| December 31, 2021 | $ | 249,243 | | | $ | 276,142 | | | $ | 525,385 | | | $ | 1,733,793 | | | $ | 276,142 | | | $ | 1,457,651 | | | $ | 57,158 | | | $ | 1,514,809 | |
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 899,112 | | | $ | 207,877 | | | $ | 1,106,989 | | | $ | 1,330,513 | | | $ | 207,877 | | | $ | 1,122,636 | |